Father's Day

We went to the Irvine Regional Park and Zoo to celebrate Father's Day!

Picture Taking!

I was looking back over the pictures and realized how well the pictures capture what trying to take Noelle's picture looks like! What a funny girl!

So we sit her down and then she's up...

Then she's running...

Then she's pointing...

And in some cases, falling...

Then we start it all over again.




It might have made more sense to do a slide show of all the cutest pictures but these are too funny and so Noelle!

NOELLE'S ONE YEAR PICTURES

We got a lot of great pictures. As you can see here, some are really sweet and some are super silly! Every few pictures that were taken, she was off and running for the pond or after the ducks. I was absolutely exhausted by the end but it was worth it.

Playing at Daddy's Flag Football Game

Noelle took a really big bite of banana and thought my imitation was really funny.

Grandma's 50th Surprise Birthday Party!!!

Grandma's Family! Most had gone home when I took this picture.

The Neighbors!




Grandpa's Family

Friends from work!

Mother's Day

Here is Noelle shopping for Mother's Day!

Here we are at my cousin Lindsay's on Mother's Day. Noelle loves the pool, her family and her Uncle Brian's motorcycle.

At the Beach!

Noelle loves everything about the beach - the sand, the water (even though it was freezing), the birds, the shower, the trash and the umbrellas. In my opinion, it was way too exhausting but she sure had fun.

GRADUATION!

This past Sunday, April 29th I walked in my graduation. Last year I decided I wasn't going to even attempt making it to graduation because it was two days after my due date and I had one class that I would have to finish in summer. I opted to finish in the fall and hoped to return for the ceremony. It was really great to commemorate the hard work. Ryan was so supportive my entire time in seminary and knowing that it was important for me to celebrate graduation because it got lost in the move and Noelle's arrival (appropriately). Thank you Ryan and thank you mom, dad, grandma and grandpa, for supporting us so much through that final year and enabling me to finish! God was so faithful, what a great experience!

Noelle's First Swim in a Pool!

Here is Noelle and her daddy enjoying a swim in the Goebel's pool on our way up to Fresno this past weekend. We didn't have plans to swim but after Ryan put her feet in, there was no stopping her. She had to swim! She loves water!

Noelle The Rooster Washes Her Hands

Uncle Brian took this video at Noelle's Grandma and Grandpa's.

Hallelujah!

Please forgive my singing and enjoy Noelle's!!

Noelle's First Birthday

Noelle had a blast at her first birthday party. Here she is eating her first cupcake and celebrating with her grandpa mike, kaitlyn's family and her girlfriend Halle.

HAPPY EASTER

This Easter we spent the day at my Grandma's house and had a little easter egg hunt. It was also my birthday, which I enjoyed having on Easter.

Good Friday

"Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love." John 13:1

During Noelle's nap today has been a very reflective time for me. It was a year ago Good Friday that I gave birth to Noelle, a brief time of suffering and pain that ushered in a year of blessing and joy. I read chapters 13-16 in the book of John this morning and am left in awe of what God has done for us. Jesus, God in the flesh, being punched in the face and handing himself over to the control of men, he suffered much that we might be with Him, that we might know His glory and His love.

I remember the attitude in which I waited for the labor pains to begin and the one that I had when they came. My love for my daughter and my anticipation of having her in my arms prepared me for any pain and I would gladly do it over again, because she's here and she's mine. I know that my little experience pales in comparison to what Christ has done and yet the things of this earth so often give us glimpses of how great His love is and how beautiful the act is of Him offering Himself up for His children that we might remain in Him forever.

Welcome Spring Part 2

We've been working hard on our front yard. Here ares some pics. It's been a lot of fun to experiment with flowers, trees, and shrubs and now to see some of the fruits of our labor. Enjoy! The roses in front are getting ready to bloom, and in the garden on the left the ranunculus are doing great, and there are about 50 gladiolas, getting ready to bloom.

WELCOME SPRING!

I loved this picture of Noelle smelling the flowers, nevermind that she just kept going forward falling right into the planter :). It didn't faze her though. She loves being outside!

Lot's of New Tricks!

It was lucky to get so many new tricks in one video. Ryan started praying for Noelle before we put her to bed, so today before her nap I prayed for her and when I said, "Amen," she repeated it. It is amazing how she learns something new every day.

BIG HELPER!

Noelle wants to help with everything. She "helps" with the laundry and the dishes. I tell her, "What a big helper you are," and she's so proud. Uncle Brian took this video while I was at track practice, coaching high jump at the high school. Also, our camera broke so there is a lull in pictures.

NOELLE'S GOING TO BE...

I can't believe that our little baby is about to be one! I would want to freeze time except that she just keeps getting funner and funner. She is learning something new everyday, like this. She loves to say "Dada" and makes the noise for a cow, horse and duck. She's quite the character. It's too much fun!

Noelle and Her Walker 2

Here is a new video for Noelle's great-grandparents.