Bellas first birthday party!

Birthday Girl, Bella

Richards Family Four
Four Generations
Mimi, Bella, Mommy and Granny

first tricycle ride with Daddy

not shy about desserts

Ben said she looked like a Fraggle, does that date us?

big bite, Daddy!

Bella had her first birthday party at Gigi and PopPop's Big Backyard (that is what LE calls it). It was the perfect day for a party! We had such a great time! Bella got some great gifts including a tricycle. We are learning to share this week, can't you just imagine? Bella loved her cake, not sure what Mimi was thinking make it with black icing, but Bell had no problem digging it to it. She LOVED the lady bug cake! Mimi also made a caterpillar cake for everyone else that was awesome! Thanks Mimi! Daddy grilled burgers and hot dogs. Uncles played football and we all lounged on the big back porch. It was a great day~ thanks everyone for making it such a great memory!

in the Christmas mood yet??

Welcome to the Christmas edition of getting to know your friends.
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Both…depending on whether or not it in came in a box already
2. Real tree or artificial? faux
3. When do you put up the tree(s)? weekend after Thanksgiving

4. When do you take the tree down? this year the day we get back from Kerrville - living room is way too small

5. Do you like eggnog? No
6. Favorite gift received as a child? James Avery charm bracelet

7. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes a couple

8. Hardest person to buy for? Father in Law

9. Easiest person to buy for? girls and my mom
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? mail homemade cards

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? toe nail clippers

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? The Christmas Story (Ralphie)

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? I really shop all year long.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? I don't remember, but I am sure I have.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Delores' Velveeta cheese dip - could anything be any less healthy? It's the red neck in me!
16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? clear

17. Favorite Christmas song? Carol of the Bells

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? travel all over the hill country
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeers? yes
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? star
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas morning, I love C-mas morning at my parents, favorite day of the year!

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? Christmas has become to commercialized, I just want it to be about family being together!!

23. Does Santa leave the gifts wrapped or unwrapped? wrapped as a kid, but we don't really do Santa with the girls.
24. Do you leave goodies for Santa on Christmas Eve? not yet.

Happy Birthday Uncle Timbo!!

Happy Birthday, Uncle Tim!! I did not forget, we made him a card and him and Daddy went out last night, just forgot to blog!! Last year in his twenties!!

triple threat

Uncle Bryan and Aunt Susan

Uncle Ryan and Bella (november 7, 2006)

Bella get's to share her birthday with her uncles, Ryan and Bryan! (I tried to call you, Bryan) Last year when I was being induced I wanted to wait till the 8th, so the boys birthday could be their own date, but Dr. Barbour said, Nope! Ryan and Bryan were excited to share, but they wanted a nephew. I hope you are not disappointed!! Happy 27th Birthday!! - Bryan, I looked every where for the pic of you holding LE when she was born, but I think it was taken with 35 mm. Sorry!!

Happy Birthday, Isabella Reese!

Our baby girl is one today. God has so richly blessed our lives with our sweet, Bella. She has brought so much to our family. We are so thakful to have two girls!!

Jill's adventure

Want an amazing story? Read Jill Miller's blog on delivering babies in India. She is my sister-in-law's older sister and she is a midwife of sorts in India. You have to read it, it brought me to tears tonight and it gives me the goosebumps to think that a friend of mine gets to have adventures like this.