1st Steps & 1st Birthday

John and I have been holding her fingers FOREVER it seems like - we are now making her "walk" from one of us to the other...most of the time she just sits down - starts crying and then crawls to us...but every once in a while she will take five or six steps to get to us...i hope it won't be long before she is truly walking. Doesn't she look determined in this picture? Her other "new" thing that is just toooooo funny....is her "OSTRICH" stance. She will put her head down and look between her legs at you and start giggling away...it is sooooo funny.

And yes - she turned one on June 12th...so we held a "small" party for her on Sunday the 14th...but it turned out to be a BIG party...but the more the merrier...we had a good time...all the sonnenberg's and kellermeier's showed up along with more family members and LOTS of friends...we are so blessed to have so many people care enough to make it part of their day. Thanks to all for coming...hope you enjoyed the hotdogs, cake and ice cream...as you can see below...I am not as good of a mom as my mom....my mom would have made the cake herself and decorated it perfectly...but i was a little scared to try that on Beth's 1st b-day....so i let Sam's make the cake, John make the hotdogs...and i did manage to make some homemade ice cream (thanks to Tessa's recipe) and i think it was a hit. Hope we have an even better second year with Beth and hope everyone can come to the next birthday party too.

Here is Kymbree and Bryson Hirt, Beth, and Kyler. Perfect children - all behaving...we hope we can always be this lucky.

Here is the terrific twosome...it is going to be so fun watching them grow up through the years. We are so lucky to have such great friends with awesome kids.

Here she is going to blow out her first candle.

Here we are - one small happy family.

Here is the Sonnenberg's...for those who don't know...i will try to name and identify each from left to right. Clifton (my brother), Kerri (his wife), Stacey(my brother), Brenda (his wife), Johnathan (Clifton & Kerri's son), Theresa (my mom), Me, Beth, John, Dalton (my dad), Landon (Angie and Scott's son - he is 3 months old), Angie (Scott's wife), and Scott (my brother)....whew!!! That is a mouth full.

Here is Oma and Opa Sonnenberg with Landon and Beth...we have to get Johnathan in the next picture...we only got babies in this one...silly me!!!

Here is the infamous 5 generation picture we take at each gathering....for those that don't know...i will list them off - Sally (john's mom), John, Beth, Mam ma(Sally's grandma), and Nannie(Sally's mom). It is amazing to have a 5 generation picture...and for those that don't know these wonderful women...you are missing out. Mam ma is 90 and drives the other "old ladies" around at the retirement center...and Nannie is so young she and Pa have kept Beth all year long while i was working. And Sally is the best mother-in-law a girl could want..so all in all - we live a BLESSED life.

Here are the "gregg's"....Sally and Ralph (john's parents), Beth, John, Mam ma, Nannie, and Pa. We are missing Diane (sally's sister), her husband Chuck, and their kids and grandkids. Diane and Chuck came with Abi and Aaron...but i don't have a good picture i could find...but i am sure Nannie will have some for me to put in Beth's photo album.

And the Kellermeier's...here we go: Ralph, Sally, Gertrude & Edward (Ralph's parents), Beth, Me, John, Ashley (Mark's wife), and Mark (John's brother)...the only one's missing are Uncle Glenn (Ralph's brother), his wife Brenda, and their kids Chad and Jill. Chad is on a select baseball team and had a tournment out of town...he is the all-around kid. Athletic, smart, handsome, well-mannered...watch out girls...he will be a catch. And Little Jill is his cheerleading sister.

Here are Haleigh and I with Beth and Kyler...I am so glad we are going thru this first round of children together...makes me think i am somewhat sane. HE!HE!

Beth had so many toys (one being the kiddie pool she and all the other gifts are in)...we will have to rotate toys for the next 3 years b/c she recieved so many. Thanks again to everyone for all the great gifts and outfits.

And of course....Robin and i with Kymbree and Beth.....also blessed to have her in my life...she has some great advice...and is a blast to hang out with.

Here is Beth with some of her toys...she loves balls...so she didn't let go of these for quite some time.

And i had to add this photo...Beth makes the funniest faces...and it is hard to get them on camera...so hopefully i will be able to catch more of these looks and post them...stay tuned....this summer should be interesting. We are actually packing up the house in San Angelo this week and moving in with my parents for the next 6 to 9 months. We sold our house here - and are building one over by Ralph & Sally. Again - we live a very blessed life and are thankful for everything that God has given us...starting with GREAT FAMILY.

11 Months & Memorial Day @ the Cain's

11 Months old...she sure is growing fast and learning so much. She FINALLY learned to crawl just a week or two shy of her 11 month b-day. She now wants to "walk" everywhere...but has to have "fingers" to do it. I am sure she will learn to let go soon and be cruising around this summer. She is drinking cow's milk now...that is even easier than formula...and loves all table foods. Mashed potatoes and cheetos seem to be the new favorites...she takes after mommie afterall. Beth loves to play Peek-a-boo...and i just thought these two pictures were toooo cute not to include.

Memorial Day came - and we went to Chris and Steph's for a little boating. So I put Beth in her 1st bikini and lotioned her up...everyone got ready to go on the boat...then her and Kyler decided to take a nap. I stayed with the kids while everyone went out to boat....after a few hours...the boating crew came back for me and the kids and they got their first boat ride.

Just too cute...be prepared for lots of pictures of her in her swimsuit.

Beth with Stephanie...these two have so much fun

....and we just hope this is not a preview of a "pole dancing" career - he! he!

Beth and daddy relaxing on the boat.

Here is Kyler - also having a good time boating. Those blue eyes are going to be heart breaking.

John and Beth got in the lake after a little bit...and Beth LOVES the waterbug...she must get that from Daddy - b/c we all know mommy is not a waterbug. But i am so glad she enjoyed it...should make for fun swimming lessons...and fun times at the pool this summer.

Our wonderful hosts for the afternoon...they are so gracious to take us all boating - it was fun!!! We hope to do it some more during the summer.

Here she comes....Miss America....in the swimsuit competition.

Coming back from the boat ride...she didn't want to leave the boat.

Kyler and Beth, sitting in the yard, K-I-S-S-I-N-G....well, not yet...we tried to get Kyler to give her sugar...but it was not going to happen...but they still had a good time - i think?!?!

The happy Kellermeier Family...i can't believe how much things can change in a year. I hope it keeps getting better and better...although i can't imagine being happier than i am right now. It truly is a joy to be our own little family. (never thought i would say that)

The Oneal's and the Kellermeier's - no doubt we will have many more pics like this in the years to come...it will be so fun to watch them grow up together.

And one more picture of Stephanie with Beth...i think Beth will want to hang out with "the girls" all the time when she gets older...she doesn't have choice now. HE! HE!

Kentucky Derby & Mother's Day Fun

Here are the ladies (Me, Molly, Jamie, Christi, Glenna, and Haleigh) at the Kentucky Derby party...BEST party ever. LOVED IT!!! I even like Mint Juleps...way to go Jamie and Chase for making it such a fun event...we only hope the tradition continues and we get to come again next year.
Beth finally got her first official hair cut. Angie Serrano is amazing...i was lucky enough to go to high school with her - and now she does our hair - she also teaches the college cosmetology classes...we are fortunte to have her.

Here is Beth at Oma Sonnenberg's on Mother's day...boy do we love going out there. Oma pulled out an old horsie that i "rode" when i was little....it was a hit.

More pics on the "buckin' horse"

Beth didn't want to leave it behind...but wanted Oma to walk her around everywhere....she doesn't understand she can't have everything at once yet...sounds like me.

And had to try out the John Deere toy Aunt Ashley and Uncle Mark got her for Christmas...also a hit.

And then off to Nanna Kellermeier's house for Mother's Day evening...she put up a little swing...which Beth LOVED!!!! Too much fun....i have to say - Beth got more on "mother's day" than anyone else. By why wouldn't she - she is too easy to spoil. HE!HE!

Look at those 4 teeth...that is right - 4. Crazy...and we are crawling....it is official...just a week shy of her 11 month b-day and she was crawling...slowly - but still - movement is good. I just wonder how long it will be before she figures out walking. I am going to enjoy every minute of her while i can...she is growing toooo quick.

Petting zoo cutie

We went out to the petting zoo on saturday at Palmer's.....Haleigh helped beth hold the bunny.Christi also went in the pen to show Beth the cute little animals...although some of the other kids thought Beth must have been an animal b/c they all wanted to "pet" her. HE! HE!Beth and Oma Sonnenberg sure do have a good time together. She had on the cutest little outfit...just had to show it off.

And once we take the ponytail holders out of her hair before bathtime...it all seems to stay. It is soooooo funny. And she has a tooth!!!! Look closely at the bottom gum....you will see one.

And even though i said it before....she LOVES propping her feet up on things...she takes after mommy.

10 months exactly on Easter

Here is the happy family at Easter.Here is Beth and Kyler after us girls finished walking at the KOA Can you believe Steph can fit in Kyler's stroller....i can. Thank goodness for steph, jamie, and christi helping us push the strollers....Haleigh and i get "winded" pretty quick.

This is after a long day of Easter...i just took her hair out of pigtails...and have to say....too funny!!!! She is such a happy baby. And she sticks her tounge out all the time...kinda like her momma...seems to help me think...maybe it does the same for her...he! he!

Beth is here with "little Jill"....they had so much fun together...i hope i get to watch Jill a little over the summer.

Beth is miss flexible....don't know where she gets that from...but she does have her feet up on everything...even in the stroller...she kicks her feet up and sits back to relax...also funny!!!

Beth with her "auntie D"....She just loves Diane...and we do too.

Momma became the crazy paparazzi...i took picture after picture of her in her Easter dress. I just loved it....and Ashely brought "lucy" the rabbit it so we could stage a cute Easter photo. So the photos below are all just pictures of her. I won't comment on each one.

Beth with Great Grandma and Grandpa Kellermeier....can we say SPOILED....

More posing...but on the front lawn at Oma and Opa Sonnenberg's.

She is having a BLAST playing "catch" with Oma Sonnenberg...she laughed for 30 minutes...it was so cute. And yes - the dress is a little too fluffy for the exersaucer...but she didn't seem to mind.

Easter eggs filled with gerber puffs - isn't my mom the coolest...i would have never thought to fill the eggs with anything...but Oma Sonnenberg was made to be the ultimate mom/grandma...Beth loved it....oh - and the puppy in the picture is Opa Sonnenberg's newest weinie dog - "Maggie Mae".

Another CUTE picture of her and Opa's puppy.

She loved Easter eggs...next year should be interesting.

Beth and Oma Sonnenberg - going thru her Easter "loot".

More paparazzi pictures courtesy of yours truly - the craziest mom out there - AKA - Jill.

Maggie Mae....trying to steal kisses from Beth.

puppy in the basket...Beth is curious.

Opa Sonnenberg's little girl...i am no longer his number one - but Beth is for sure.

Aunt Ashley and Uncle Mark seem to love little Miss Beth quite a bit too.

Couldn't pass up taking a picture of her sitting in the pew at church...we snuck back in after mass...and she posed so cute.

Had to take the picture quick...she took the shade off real quick...but i thought her and Nanna Kellermeier looked too awesome together.

Here is Beth with Nanna and Papaw Kellermeier...he went and get her an egg for her first Easter egg hunt.

Beth is here with Steel....he is only 12 days younger....they didn't play too much at Emily's baby shower...but Beth sure watched him crawl around...maybe she learned something....although Nannie and Pa swear she actually got up on all fours yesterday and rocked....only a day after her 10 month b-day...so maybe she will learn to crawl before she is one afterall...all i know - it sure is nice right now....i don't have to go looking for her...or wonder what she is getting into.

Emily, Cora, and Tessa - the three amigas....Emily is due at the end of May...they are going to name their little baby boy Witten....i just love it.

Beth in her little outfit daddy bought her...and the sandals Oma Sonnenberg got her...she didn't mind them too much...but would rather be barefoot.

She is rolling everywhere...and loves to put her feet up on things as much as she can.

She is just playing outside on the sidewalk while John and i try to fix the sprinkler system...hopefully that will also help our house sell.

A super cute outfit that i just had to take a picture of.