Their reward

We took a special trip to their favorite place just to hang out - after Mommy's very busy week of Ministry events...

Wait No More

We had an awesome day today at the  Wait No More conference advocating on behalf of children without families. I was so thrilled when Katie from Focus on the Family said the had room for one more conference this year and they were choosing to hold it in Sacramento. It was a quick few months of planning but many of the ministries and adoption agencies came together to help with the event. We had great representation with booths and about 350 people who showed up to learn more about becoming a forever family. 

Here is a picture with one of the speakers, Dr. Sharon Ford, from the Colorado State Department - such an incredible woman. She is so great I was trying to make her my new best friend!!!

Mariposa House

It was a great day supporting the Glass Slipper Mariposa House for at risk girls. Many of the news stations including Fox 40, KCRA and KFBK covered our Open House Celebration. We even got the mayor of Citrus Heights to come out and do our ribbon cutting ceremony. I have been helping this great ministry by managing events like this and the upcoming fundraising gala in November. I love what Glass Slipper does and I adore its founder Jackie Guzman! 

Jackpot

Snapped this quick picture today of my favorite girl. I love her sweet, happy spirit!

I had just finished painting my new prop and wanted to test it out so I made Haylie come out in the front yard to take a picture on it. I got about 10 shots in before she ran back inside but I got this one. Jackpot 

Here are a couple pictures painting this great find. James came home with a painting hat from school just in time to be my helper!

Monkey

This does not look comfortable!

Supergirl at the Park

Watch me, watch me...

Allowance

"Mommy... This is AWESOME" Oh my - picking toys with allowance money always takes hours!!!

Art

Haylie wants to be an artist when she grows up and she was so excited to be at a real artist show when we went to visit Papa Louie and Kathy and see their newly redesigned backyard. Haylie and James were begging for their own piece of art to take home the whole time when finally Pap Louie snuck them out a couple pieces. They were so thrilled to display their art on their dressers at home!

Danielle's Shower

Jaime and I planned a baby shower for our friend Danielle and her soon to be new addition Benaiah. We held it at my house but Jaime was the creative force behind the details. It was such a fun event for our beautiful friend!

And the question is...

Will we ever eat somewhere different for date night? Not tonight....

Back to School Photos

I have been dreaming of doing a photo session at the Library for awhile. It is one of our most favorite places to go. Plus I just love the light in the kids section. Whenever we sit in there I always wish I had my camera to capture the pretty light and all the books!! Finally my wish came true. Here are some of my favorite pics from our quick library shoot:

James - Jr. K:

Haylie - 2nd grade:

dreams

She wants to be an artist when she grows up...

Celebrating Gigi

The whole family stayed together in Ventura this weekend to celebrate Gigi's 80th birthday. We stayed in a great little condo right on the ocean, played on the beach all day and enjoyed visiting in the great backyard that evening. So thankful to be a part of such a great family and we thoroughly enjoyed celebrating Gigi and the legacy her and George Sr. have left!

The View

We joined Daddy for a work conference in San Diego this week. Poor Daddy had to work while we lounged around at the pool all day and sent him pictures of our private cabana. We even found our way out to a local beach by ourselves.

James was doing such a good job jumping in the pool and swimming to the edge by himself. I was so impressed!!

The kids especially enjoyed the view from our room:

Paxton

So excited to welcome our new nephew Paxton James DuVall - born September 7 -  7.2 oz. 21 in.