Hunting for Eggs

It was Isabella's 2nd Easter, but really her first year to participate. She had a great time with all her cousins hunting for eggs. Afterwards the war broke out with the cascarones. This is a big tradition in Anthony's family. Everyone has to come prepared with they're own confetti eggs. Otherwise, you'll just be attacked & have no way of retaliating. It's so much fun & makes a huge mess. Isabella loved it & really liked seeing everyone act all silly. We hope you all had a wonderful and Happy Easter!

Searching for the eggs...

& eating them along the way.:)


Isabella & Mommy after getting attacked.

What a mess!

Nothing like a blue tongue after all that candy.

So, we let Isabella stick to the peanut butter crackers.

H-O-T

This has always been one of Isabella's favorite words. She'll walk up to the oven when it's not even on just to say it. This past Saturday she found out the true meaning of the word, "hot!" We were over at Anthony's cousin's house having a barbecue & Isabella decided she was going to check out the whole situation. She was walking around the back yard & leaned in & touched the iron BBQ pit. OUCH! I was walking only 2 steps behind & still wasn't fast enough to get her in time. (Guess I'm out of the race for Mom of the Year!) We weren't sure just how bad the burn was so decided to take her to the emergency room. She sure did provide a lot of entertainment to all of the people in the waiting room. She was able to put some smiles on several really sad faces. After 3 hours of waiting, they put some burn cream on her hand (the same stuff we have at home) & bandaged her all up. She now looks like she has a turkey leg for a hand. Poor baby was more upset about being so tired than her hand actually hurting. Luckily the cream they gave us is some sort of miracle cream, because we apply it twice a day & you can't even see the burn marks anymore. It's amazing! I think her least favorite part of the whole situation is that she is temporarily unable to use her right hand. Anthony covered her other hand up with her socks the other morning & she thought that was pretty neat. Now we have 2 boxers!;)

reading a magazine in the waiting room

she really liked the bed in the ER

Isabella with her new hand

& realizing it's temporarily out of use :(

Bella's 1st Birthday Bash!

the big ONE year old

It's so hard to believe that our little baby is already a year old. So much has happened in the past year that it seems like Isabella has been here forever yet, it still seems as if it all just flew by. We had her 1st birthday party this past weekend in Georgetown. It was filled with lots of food, family, friends & of course, fun. Isabella had a big ball pit for her & all the kids to play in, a wagon from Grandma & Grandpa to ride around in & all sorts of games for the little ones to enjoy. When it came to cake time I'd have to say she was less than impressed. We were waiting for the big show of smashing her whole face in the cake, but she really didn't want to have anything to do with that. Maybe next year. Isabella recieved tons of presents. More clothes than any little girl could dream of & enough books to start her own little library. (Thank you everyone!) As usual, we stayed for a really long time at the park & got completely worn out. It was totally worth it though. I'm not sure if there is any topping this party next year. Thanks to everyone who was able to come. It really meant a lot to us to have so many of our family & friends there. We love you all! Happy Birthday Bella Girl! Love, love, love you!!! xoxoxoxoxo

Daddy, Isabella & her Birthday Boxer, Ruby

the cupcake cake

see, not so interested...

but the books sure did taste great!

Daddy, Isabella & Mommy

Loving on Nana & Papa

Karen, Michelle, Brooke, Alice & Bella Girl

Amy & Cian, our cute little Irish nephew:)

riding around in the wagon with Alexis

crashed at home

the birthday bath



THE END!!!

Sweet Ruby

Thursday before Isabella's birthday, we got to pick up our little Ruby from the airport. She was exactly 8 weeks old that day & got to fly in from St. Louis. She is so playful & energetic and the perfect little addition to our family.

Isabella getting Ruby's bed ready the night before she comes home

soooo excited to meet Ruby

someone got a little too excited;)

They're always going for the same toy.

A picture is worth 1000 words! ;)

the littlest valentine

Cian Valen is here! He made is grand entrance at 6:33pm on Valentine's Day weighing in at a whopping 6lbs.50z. Cian has beautiful blue eyes & a head full of dark brown hair. (Although, I have a feeling it will be turning red before too long.) He is such a little cutie & the sweetest little addition to our big family. Congratulations Amy & Jamie! You done good! Or, as Grandpa Wells would say, "Atta boy...girl!"

our little Sweet Pea

3 Musketeers

Tina (5 months), Amy (9 months) & Cassie (3 months)

Here is probably the last picture we'll see of my 3 pregnant sisters. Amy's litlle Sweet Pea is due to arrive on Wednesday (Valentine's!) She will be going into the hospital at 6am Wednesday morning if Sweet Pea doesn't decide to make his appearance before then. We are all so excited to have a new little nephew in just a few short days. YAY!!! Then, we won't have to wait much longer before 2 more little bundles arrive. If anyone needs a baby fix, you know where to come!

Some more pictures...

for your viewing pleasure!:)

Isabella with her stash of Christmas presents

all the Kemper girls at Sweet Pea's Shower

Bella girl with mommy

Amar "helping" Luke with his shoes

Bye Mary Beth :(

Uncle Todd & Lukers making some music...so cute!

Enjoying the snow!

& having a ball!

Isabella's First Christmas

So, exactly a month later, we are finally getting around to posting the Christmas pictures. As usual, we had a very busy Christmas. Christmas Eve at Anthony's Aunt Susie's, then his Mom & Dad's before heading to midnight mass. Christmas morning at our house & then off to Nana & Papa's for the finale. Whew...that's tiring just typint it. It was a wonderful Christmas. Definitely the best ever....although, I think we say that every year!

Opening gifts at Aunt Susie's

Grandma & Grandpa's with Tori

Grandma & Isaiah

Daddy & Isabella being lazy Christmas morning

Mommy & Isabella enjoying all our Christmas presents

Adam & Lyndsey

Papa (a.k.a. Santa)

Mrs. Clause (what a cutie!)

Amy, Pene & Todd

Tina, Amar & Jaouad

Lukers & Amar...what goofballs!

Cassie & Mark with the best present of the day. Look at her shirt...Mommy 2 Bee! Yay. That makes sister #3 that's pregnant right now. Awesome! By next Christmas there will be atleast 3 more nieces or nephews! (They started the morning off with this big anouncement before we opened any presents. After all the crying, laughing & hugging Dad follows up with, "Well, I guess Christmas is over! I don't think we can top that!") Congratulations Mark & Cassie!!!:)