It's a Girl!!

God has blessed us with a third child... a beautiful little girl. Sofia Isabelle was born at 1:08 am on July 3, 08 (4 short days after our trek in the back woods of Arkansas...scary. look at our previous posting). She realized how much fun she had missed while in the belly and decided to come out. Not really, she was induced a couple weeks before her due date, to her Momma's relief and answer to prayers. She was not growing as much as they would have liked in the belly and thought she would do better out here in the real world.

Here I am! I put up a fight but I'm happy with the outcome.


This is my Mommy. I think she looks great even after pushing me out.


This is my Daddy! I think he's alright.


These are my siblings, Megan and Joshua. I'm gonna have to keep a close eye on them cuz they are trouble. Megan is so excited that she has a little sister. Joshua could care less about me. He ran right past me to the window and just sat there looking at the cars below and making car sounds, Boys! I think he's going to be a lot of fun though. I here he is a little crazy. I'll make sure he stays out of trouble.


And here is all of us. Mommy and Daddy have their hands full. Daddy says they are trying to catch up with the Duggers (I don't know what that means). Mommy says she's closing shop (I don't know what that means either).


Testing my peepers. Doing some recon.


The Doc said I had to sit in a tanning bed for a few hours to get some kind of levels down. My Daddy was checking out the LED technology of the lamp. What a nerd!


These jammies are so comfy!


And here we are all lined up in a minivan on our way home. I think this is the beginning of a whole lot of fun! I'll keep you updated on my discoveries. Thanks for reading.

Osage Creek Resort and Spa 6-29-08

We had a great time at this exclusive tourist destination. The kids enjoyed floating down the rapids, wading in the water, catching fish and playing with rocks. Joshua took a nose dive into the deep-end while his daddy was distracted reeling in a huge fish. Megan enjoyed throwing the fish back in the water. And Mommy hauled her 38 week belly across field and stream to get to the pristine shores.


Floating the white water rapids



Megan loves to swim into the deep pools and Joshua kept leaning to the side trying to drink the muddy creek water.


Megan always asks to pet the fish Daddy catches. She also like to hold them and throw them back in the water.



She's always a little worried that the fish might bite her.



Joshua and his best friend Ryan Leiffer taking turns on the rapids.


The women and children gathered firewood and the men started the fire. We roasted hot-dogs and marshmellows. Joshua kept trying to steal food from Megan and Ryan.

Bentonville Fire Station

The new Bentonville Fire Station had an open house last weekend. We got a tour of the building and the kids got to see and climb inside all the fire trucks. Afterwards, we went for ice cream at Chick-fil-a. What a fun Saturday afternoon!

Father's Day 2008

For Father's day this year the kids and I took Jaime camping. I was super exhausted by the end of our trip and was very ready to head home. Camping while 36 weeks pregnant was a challenge, but everyone had a great time!

Try, try again!

So, I know it's been like 18 months since I even tried to post anything. I had more frustrations trying to post pictures that I just gave up. Well, since I am 2 1/2 weeks from delivering baby #3 I thought I needed to give it another try. It looks like blogger has changed/updated a lot of elements to their program so hopefully I will have better luck this time. I have enjoyed reading so many of your blogs. Thank you for keeping up with them. I will try to do better myself. Blessings to each of you!

Joshua Daniel is Here!!

Mijo!!!

Ice Skating

Jaime, Annie, Uncle Brian and Megan all went ice skating at the Jones Center in Springdale. Jen wasn't allowed to skate so she just took pictures. We all had a lot of fun!

Megan's 3rd Birthday Party!

Daddy had to test out the Slip n' Slide before any of the kids could go on it.

Megan and her friend Alexis had fun playing in the swimming pool. It was so hot outside, the cool water felt great!















Megan waited so patiently to blow out her candles while everyone sang happy birthday.














She got all three candles in one blow!!!

Megan loved all the gifts she received. Here she is playing with some of her new dress up clothes.

My Daddy and Me

Sometimes daddy lets me help him mow the grass. I love riding with him!

Daddy let me help him paint baby brother's room. Painting is so much fun!!!

Here daddy and I are playing a game I call "Going to the moon". It makes me laugh and laugh!

And it's a.....

BOY!!!!

We're so excited. Megan has insisted it's a girl so now she'll have to get used to the idea of having a baby brother instead of a baby sister. We're sure she'll love this baby no matter what!

Here's another cute picture. A few weeks ago my sisters, Megan, and I went shopping. While we were at a maternity store Megan wanted to try on "the belly".

Pretty Dress

Great grandma bought Megan this dress and since it is red, white, and blue, daddy wanted her to wear it to church on Sunday.

What a ham!

Megan and Cooper

Megan was out playing in her pool when our neighbor dog, Cooper, ran over and jumped right in with her. The two of them had a lot of fun together. It was a hot day so the cool water must have felt reallly good to Cooper.

Steve and Lisa's Wedding

Steve and Lisa were married on June 25th at Sapphire Point near Breckenridge, CO. It was a beautiful location for a wedding. Here Megan and I are walking together. Megan was the flowergirl and I was the matron-of-honor.

Jaime was asked to read a passage of scripture during the ceremony. He chose to read portions of Psalm 104.

Here is a picture of Steve and Lisa after the ceremony. Saphire Point overlooks Lake Dillon.

Megan, at the reception, having her first strawberry daiquiri. It was non-alcoholic, of course. (She was sharing it with mommy.)

Breckenridge, Colorado

For Steve and Lisa's wedding we all went out to Breckenridge, CO. Here is a picture of the beautiful Rocky Mountains.


The three brother-in-laws went hiking together one morning. From left to right is Brian Van Auken (Andrea's husband), Jaime Castaneda (Jennifer's husband), and Steve Gatto (Lisa's husband).


One of the activities that Lisa and Steve organized for everyone who went out to Colorado for their wedding was a group bike ride. It was about 20 miles long, but mostly down hill, so it wasn't hard at all. The senery was beautiful!


The night before the wedding all the ladies got together for a little bachellorette party for Lisa.