Roomates May 18, 2009

For a week or so our friends Scott and Stephanie were living with us before they took off for India for a couple months. It was a lot of fun having them stay with us and a huge help to us in many ways. We have loved getting to know them over this past year and really enjoy their friendship.They are the type of couple that are always looking for ways to be a blessing and serve. They are now currently serving together in India for a couple months. We are so happy that they have this opportunity and wish we were there with them. If you are interested in following their adventure in India you can check out their team blog here.

A couple nights before they left we went to Johnny Carinos to celebrate Stephanie’s birthday and ate way too much. Good times! Darren, Kinsey and I (& especially Bruiser) misses you guys.

Our Garden May 18, 2009

Last weekend Darren’s grandpa came out and helped us plant a garden. I should have taken pictures of them doing it, but here’s a few of Darren working out in the garden watering and pulling weeds. Bruiser likes to keep him company. In a couple months hopefully we will have some yummy home-grown tomatoes, green beans and carrots!

Congrats Barry & Alyssa! April 1, 2009

McKinsey’s cousin, Kendyl Hope Meisel, was born today at 8:32 am. She was 7 lbs and 20.5 in. We are still waiting on pictures, but we know that she is beautiful and precious. Since Barry and Alyssa live in Colorado, we won’t get to meet Kendyl in person until July. By then both McKinsey and Kendyl will be about 3 months and cousin Judah will be about a year and a half. Looking forward to getting the cousins together. We love you Barry,  Alyssa & Kendyl!

Bruiser is back March 27, 2009

When I was in labor, Darren’s parents took Bruiser so we wouldn’t have to worry about bringing home a newborn and taking care of our 1 yr old doggie. Darren’s mom just brought him back Wednesday night. We’ve been wondering how he would react to the new addition to our family. Would he be jealous? Would he be disinterested? Conclusion: Bruiser loves McKinsey and just wants to give her kisses all the time, but he’s doing good about not smothering her.

Here’s a snapshot of when they first met. You can see Bruiser’s tongue reaching for McKinsey. I think this is the beginning of a beautiful relationship:)

last couple weeks March 24, 2009

Here’s some random pictures from the last couple weeks…

When we got home from the hospital we crashed. Don’t worry, daddy was monitoring our sleep so baby was safe.

Here we are about to take McKinsey to her first doctor’s appointment. She weighed in at 7 1/2 lbs and 21 in. Before the nurse weighed her they asked me to change her diaper. So of course, she had to make things interesting. As soon as I took off her diaper she squirted mustard poops all over the table and her cut little outfit. Good thing I came prepared with an extra outfit.

I taught Kins how to wink.  What a cutie!

This is one of my personal favorites. It’s written all over her face- she’s just enjoyed a delicious meal. I love the milk drool down her chin as she drifts into a milk coma.

McKinsey loves this little bouncer. You can see she is a deep thinker.

Look at those cheeks.

Grammy Time March 22, 2009

Since I’m getting some blog pressure from… I won’t name any names, Michelle Larson, I’ll ease back into the blog world by showing you some pictures of this last week, which was the 2nd week of McKinsey’s life.

My mom came down this week to help me out with McKinsey since Darren went back to work. My mom is amazing and did so much for us. It was a huge blessing to have her here. I pray that I’m as good of a mom as my mom is/was. I love my mom and McKinsey loves her grandma!

Grammy had the magic touch in calming McKinsey down.

McKinsey and Grammy cuddling

McKinsey wearing her “I love Grandma shirt”

I love you Mom. Thanks for all your help! I miss you already.

Next week McKinsey’s other grandma, aka Lola, will be coming out to help us. We’re looking forward to it!

Chicago December 24, 2008

We are in Chicago for Christmas this year with the Meisel side of the family and are having a great time! God was so gracious to us in that we made it here without any delays and the very next day all flights in and out of Chicago were cancelled! It was 3 degrees the first day compared to a low of 52 back in Riverside. I don’t think either of us has been in weather this cold before, but we are plenty warm cooped up in Barry & Alyssa home here. It has been snowing on and off each day so far and so we have been inside most of the time eating and hanging out by the fire. Its gorgeous out here and we are having a great time!

Hope that you all are having a great Christmas!

A Chance to Win Free Books! December 24, 2008

Trevin Wax is offering a chance to win 10 great books for free, PLUS an ESV Study Bible on his blog between the dates of Dec. 15 & 25, 2008. For details on the giveaway go to his blog HERE.

We are having a baby… November 3, 2008

…GIRL!

We were not able to tell what flavor from our doctor’s appointment, but someone from our church wrote us a check and told us to go get an ultrasound at the mall. I’m so glad we did! It was amazing seeing our little girl squirming around. We were able to see so much of her little developing body- her rib cage, heart (complete with four chambers:), brains, feet, hands, etc… It truly is a miracle that God creates.

We are working on names:)…

Meet Brayden! August 20, 2008

This is my adorable little nephew. Brayden was born 8-8-08 with a full head of hair. I am a proud auntie. Brayden likes to sleep with his arms up in the air. I like to think that he is having sweet dreams of roller coasters. Jen and Jeremy are doing well with this huge life adjustment. Darren and I are learning a lot from them. Brayden is lucky to have such a wonderful mommy and daddy.

Having Brayden around has made me all the more excited about having a baby of my own. So now we will anxiously await if Brayden is going to have a girl or boy cousin!