2010 is going to be a good year!

I've been really bad about blogging. I was so excited to get into it and then I had a baby and bought a new house and put blogging on the side.

2009 was a pretty good year, we did a little traveling, bought our new home and of course got ready for miss Brooklyn to arrive who was born September 20, 2009.

But 2010 is going to be the year for the Raphael's!! We have a lot going on so far. Brandon and I joined the gym it's right up the street from us and we had no reason not to join! I'm enjoying the classes they offer and Brandon is taking advantage of racquetball. We're excited to have Brandon's parents come and visit us in March!! We're in the process of planning a family vacation. We're pretty much set on Hawaii, however a disney cruise sure sounds fun with kids!!

And lastly of course enjoying the kids, our new home, and our awesome neighborhood!!! Can't wait :)

Here are some current pictures!

Caden offering his sister Brooklyn some popcorn!

Playing at the park
Happy 4 months Miss Brooklyn!

Couples baby shower

At the end of August my sister in law and brother threw us a super fun BBQ Couples Shower for our new arrival of Brooklyn . It was great to see everyone, and we were so glad to have all of the family/friends together for the afternoon! What a fun time of catching up and laughing over all the crazy games we played.

Thank you to my awesome sister in law Kimm and her friend Carey for being so creative on the decorations. You really should change professions :) That was by far the best shower I had ever been to, and thanks again for all the yummy food!! Oh those cupcakes are still fresh in my mind.

Caden and Daddy in St. Louis without mommy

Caden and Brandon went to St. Louis a couple of weeks ago for Brandon's mom stone dedication. I wish I could have gone, but I was just too far along in my pregnancy to fly. They had such a great trip and I'm so proud that Brandon did all that by himself. He was worried about flying with him alone and Caden did awesome.... as usual!

Playing with the seat belt while daddy sets up his car seat

Hey Daddy!

Playing at the park with the family

Looks like your at Imo's pizza....Yummy

Looks like you're having fun

With Cousin Dillon playing

Chasing Dillon.

He just loved Aunt Connie's cat Skippy. Wish I was there!

Caden and Dillon hanging out! I love this picture

OUR NEW HOUSE!

The time has finally come! We close on our house next week and tomorrow we're going to sign all the papers. I am so excited to finally be a homeowner again. As much as I love the rental house we're in now in Torrance and the wonderful quite neighbors we've had It's going to be nice to finally have something that’s all ours. This comes at such a crazy time in our lives, with the baby on her way, and Brandon with his new job (which it's been a month and he loves it already) but I couldn’t be more excited. I am really looking forward to decorating it and making it our home. I’ll be updating with pictures as we do more and more to the house. First paint and then landscaping!!

Front of House!

Formal living room on left as you just walk into house

Fromal dining room on right just as you walk into house

Kitchen

Family Room

Loft upstairs that will be used as a play/sports room

Looking into our bedroom from the loft

Master bedroom

MY Reading room! Hope I can find time to go there alone

Master bathroom

Ah, and the tub. Can't wait!

backyard

Pond....Not sure what to do with this? I would like it taken out just because of the kids

View from balcony of Mt. Baldy

Look how close we are to the mountains :)

Hot Dog!

This is what happens when he doesn't eat his dinner! It was time for bed time and we were getting his bath ready when he walked over and handed me the bag of hot dog buns and said "More Please"

Baby coming soon!

So excited!!! Baby Brooklyn is due in 6 weeks and 5 days. I AM so ready to meet her. I wonder who she's going to look like? Maybe she'll actually look like her mom who has carried her for this many months, but if she looks like Brandon that's okay too :) I just want a happy, healthy little girl!

I wish I had a good profile picture of me to show how far I am, but I can tell you that I'm all belly that's for sure...

Cool Cat!

I'm cool in my new shades!