Now that's tired!

Happy 1st Birthday - 3 months late

We celebrated Isabella's 1st birthday yesterday with more than 100 friends and family. Born June 8, 2005, Isabella turned 15 months and one day old yesterday. Because of my early summer hospital stay, we had to postpone her first party so yesterday's bash was a celebration for all! Thanks to all of you who helped make the party so special for us!

I've grown so much

Check out this video montage...

I've grown so much in one year

Happy Labor Day!

Saturday we enjoyed a cookout with Jen's extended family and Sunday we spent the day eating with Kevin's extended family. Fun all around! Cousins Isabella, Kelsey and Kylie posed for a picture before heading home to bed.

Adorable pics show Isabella's silly side

Our California Adventure

We had such an adventure in California that we had to share some of our favorite moments with all of you. We spent a lot of time hanging out with Uncle John and Aunt Becki at their beautiful home enjoying some wonderful homecooked meals, but we got out some, too!

Here we come!

Daddy I want to buy eveything! Why is it so expensive?

Why can't I eat the sand?

The famous Chinese Theatre in Hollywood
The water is so cold!

Riding out to sea from Catalina Island on a Glass-bottom boat ride

Our family on Catalina Island

Checking out the starfish at the Manhattan Beach Pier Aquarium

I love the fishies!

We see the panda family - mom, dad and baby. What an experience! I know I'll never forget it!

Outside the monkey cages at the San Diego Zoo, Isabella, Mom and Grandma stop for a pose.

Riding the Sky Tram

Playing with the apes was Isabella's favorite part of the day.

Sharing artichoke dip with dad

Seeing the cars and motorcycles at West Coast Choppers in Long Beach

Artichoke what?

We all enjoyed a wonderful visit and an excellent dinner last night. Kevin tried artichoke cheese dip and loved it! Pictures of Kevin and Isabella eating it on crackers to follow after we get home.

Cross-country plane ride

Kevin, Isabella and I enjoyed a very LONG flight from Cleveland to LAX Friday afternoon.

After repacking another suitcase to avoid unnecessary searches and long talks with friends and family to reconsider the flight the day after the terrorist plot, we arrived three hours ahead of schedule at Hopkins. No delays to check in or at the baggage check. We worried that security would take awhile but they waved us to the front when they saw the baby.

The wait came at the gate since we had no problems getting through check points. Isabella was good but wanted to walked a lot and watch people pass by, saying HI to each and every one.

The flight was not so smooth. Isabella cried for 45 minutes straight before finally giving up. She only slept for an hour so we played back-and-forth game for three hours of the flight.

When we landed and went to get our baggage, one was missing - the one that was repacked with toiletries, my clothes and all our medications. Someone else picked it up according to Continental staffers. But the next morning Kevin called and the people brought it back to the airport. Kevin went immediately to pick it up.

Needless to say, we are not looking forward to the return flight on Sunday.

First Professional Photo Shoot

Isabella had her first professional photos taken yesterday. Boy was that an experience!

She hates being told what to do so when a total stranger says stand here, sit here - without mommy - Isabella wasn't having it!

We got only a few smiles out of her the entire time but the expressions really show her true nature - inquisitive.

Take a look at the proofs...

https://www.searsphotos.com/view_shared_roll_images.asp?shareid=S204422367lCHZ6FET72T&tag=75575EBE09F042CDB67A4C68D85BD085C1784AF70A7642CEAA59F7DD1AA84073

Welcome new cousin

Isabella has a new cousin.

Keith, Kevin's brother, and wife Tiffany brought Kylie Marie into the world on Thursday, July 13. She weighs 6 lbs. 12 ozs. and is 20 inches long. She has a full head of black curly hair and is adorable! Welcome baby girl!

The Cozy Coup

After the zoo we headed home for nap time but Isabella had too many things on her mind so we visited the Teeple home and played with Nicholas and his fun toys. Besides having so much fun, Isabella also tried her first bite of Strickland's Frozen Custard and boy did she like it!

A Day at the Zoo

Isabella enjoyed her first visit to the Akron Zoo with mom and dad and the Teeple Family. She loved looking at the animals, but she wasn't too sure about the petting zoo! She played on the playground and even rode the train - with mom of course!

A True American Girl

Isabella experienced her first July 4 in America and like her mom and dad did not like the sound of the fireworks. But she did love the potato salad!

"Can I drink from that cup, too?"

"I look so cute in my red, white and Blue - and pink, too!"
"Man burgers rule. Thanks Chris!"

"I can help, too!"

I love my grandpas!

Splish, splash

Isabella loves the water as long as it's not bath time. Kevin taught her how to jump into his arms in the hottub. And we've headed to Julie and Chris's pool to cool off, too. She loves her pool scooter and hanging out with dad in the water!