Happy Thanksgiving!

It has been WAY too long since I last posted anything. Ali's birth was the last thing I wrote about and she's almost 4 months old now! WOW! Unbelievable!

Today is Thanksgiving and we have so much to be thankful for. God has blessed our family so much!

Ali's first Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Welcome Alison Grace!

Alison Grace joined our family on Friday July 30th. Jaime and I arrived at the hospital very early that morning to start the induction. My blood pressure had been high and since I was already past 38 weeks, my doctor felt it best to go ahead and induce labor. I wasn't too excited about doing that since my last induction, with Sofia, was long and intense! I didn't want to go through that again but thankfully everything went really well this time. My labor was much more gradual that what I had with Sofia and not as long. The hard, intense contractions didn't start until around 2:00pm and she was here 2 1/2 hours later! I'm so thankful for the way everything went. It couldn't have been better!


Alison Grace Castaneda
Born: July 30, 2010 @ 4:26pm
6lbs 13ozs, 19in long






Each of the kids wanted their turn with their new baby sister! She is definately loved!!!








We came home Saturday afternoon around 5:00pm. I'm always anxious to get home from the hospital after having my babies.

Welcome home baby Ali! We are so glad you're here!!!

Ours Girls!

This year we decided to celebrate the girls birthdays together since my due date is only 3 days before Megan's birthday. Sofia turned 2 on July 3rd and Megan will be 7 on August 10th. We invited our closest friends and family for a cookout in our backyard. It was HOT but I think everyone had a good time.

Our Newest Citizen!

Jaime officially became a US citizen on July 9th. They had a small ceremony down in Ft Smith, AR for about 40 people. It was a special afternoon for our family!


Taking the oath.

It's official!

6 weeks to go

I haven't posted any pictures of me pregnant here or on facebook, mostly because I don't like seeing pictures of myself pregnant. I'm not sure if I ever had a picture taken of me pregnant with Sofia. I made myself do it this time... so, here you go.

Father's Day Camping Trip

My friend Sara and I decided, along with our kiddos, to take the daddy's camping for Father's Day weekend. We made reservations at Bull Shoals-White River State Park. It was HOT!!!!! all weekend, but we found ways to cool down (see pictures below). Once the guys found out about the trip they started spending every spare minute working on the boat to get it ready for the trip, which almost didn't come with us. But, they pushed through getting her ready to go at 2am the day we were leaving!

The guys, proud of their hard work!

Bull Shoals Damn

Our family - the kids hate pictures in the sun, so this is the best we could get.

Taking the boat out for the first time.

So proud!

Megan wanted a turn to drive "Daddy's new boat"!

The four kids enjoying a snack.

Mommy with the little kids.

Daddy with the little kids.

Aren't we cute!

We had to get some skiing time in. (In case you can't tell, that's Sara, not me. I was forbidden from skiing, for now...)

Jaime skiing on Bull Shoals Lake.

Showing off how redneck we can be down here in Arkansas! (Yes, that is an air mattress!)

The White River in the morning.

The guys got up early on Sunday morning to do some fishing in the crystal clear water of the White River. (Nate Harlan, I know you're jealous. You guys need to get down here some time!!!)

Jaime caught his first Walleye! We fried him up and ate him at home the next day. (The fish, that is, not Jaime!)

We all had such a great time there just might be a repeat trip next year.

Sidewalk Painting

I got this great idea from a friend on how to make sidewalk paint. This morning we made up a quick muffin tin full of colors and spent the next hour outside painting. The kids had a blast!

Add about 2 Tablespoons of corn starch in each section of the muffin tin.

Add about 5 drops of food coloring.

Add water.

Have fun!

Yes - it is that easy!!!

Megan was so proud of her painting.

Joshua got a little bored using a paint brush after a while and decided to paint with his hands instead. Thankfully Megan was pretty much finished painting when Joshua came up this brilliant idea.

31 Weeks and Counting...

As of today I have 9 weeks left to get ready for baby #4! It feels so close yet so far too. I'm feeling really good, most days. That third trimester, I-feel-like-an-elephant;-wish-I-could-tie-my-own-shoes;-pure-exhaustion, is setting in at little more each day.

We are completely at a loss as what to name this child. We have tried to talk about it. Our conversation goes something like this:

Me: Honey, we've got to decide on a name for this baby. Do you have any thoughts or suggestions?

Jaime: Ummm...

(End of conversation.)

I know we'll come up with something, but we are beginning to run short on time.

Riding Bikes

The weather has been beautiful the past few weeks around here and the kids are enjoying their bikes. Sofia loves to ride Joshua's bike or scooter. Joshua will ride on anything he can. And Megan has finally learned to ride without training wheels. One evening we loaded up the kids and the bikes to head over to a nice path close to our house to let the kids ride.