Nelson is in CA

Hello all,

I just wanted everybody to know or prodigal son has returned. Not for good but just for training in San Diego. On Friday night the 30th we are looking at having desserts and fire pit for those of you who would like to come and see our NJ native. Dessert and Drinks. Let us know.

What? Wait....It can't be true.....I'm looking into this.

Lights Out at Illuminations
By Jim Tierney
Less than three years after Yankee Candle Co. acquired Illuminations in a $22 million cash deal, parent company Yankee Holding Corp. has announced plans to shut down the Illuminations retail stores and consumer direct business.

We're off to buy a new car seat today...

Amelia has out grown her car seat. Another product that is like buying a car. All the makes and models. Amelia is trying so hard to crawl! She can't get that left foot behind her though. It's like she's created a new yoga position:) I can't believe how flexible babies are. She LOVES all of her new toys! I have them in a big circle in the living room and sit her down in the middle. She'll stretch out and eventually make it to the one she wants to play with. It's great because the dogs can't get in her way with toys surrounding her. I did have to rearrange the living room, well only the couch. It looks a little funky, but it give Amelia room with her toys. Thank you everyone would came to the party! We had a wonderful time. I love having the park right at our finger tips. The butterfly release was successful. We still see them fluttering around the park. She can see them and points them out with a grunt. I think having the party made me realize even more how lucky we are to be living off the park. It's so much better then living off a golf course you could never use, unless you paid for a round. Our home may be a little tight, but it sure is wonderful to us. Thanks babe for working so hard, so we can have a little piece of heaven. Love you.

Bye-Bye Yaiya!!!!!

This morning we took Ameli's Yaiya (Straty's mom) to the airport, to head back home. We had a wonderful visit this past week and are very thankful she was here for Amelia's big day! We had so much fun!!!!! Walks in the park, going to Disneyland and riding the carousel, playing with the toys, going to the beach!!!! The weather couldn't have been any perfect! I'll post photos soon! It's been a very busy weekend celebrating Ame's birthday with a big bash! Right now, I'm sitting here watching Amelia drink from a water bottle. She's getting all wet, but having a ton of fun!!!!

Our Baby Girl turned ONE today!

Amelia's first birthday, I can't believe it's come and almost gone!!!!! She woke up this morning to balloons, streamers and butterflies awaiting in the kitchen, surrounding her highchair. She started the morning off opening some birthday cards. Her and Yaiya were off to the park to feed the ducks. Then we made our way to the most happiest place on the earth...DISNEYLAND!!! We all met at Disneyland to take in some magic. Amelia was in awe of all the people, the pretty buildings and the joys of Disneyland. We celebrated her time of birth sitting in the Tiki House. We then had a fabulous dinner at Napole's and she made her first attempt of birthday cake. Grandpa bought a beautiful Lemon cake with sparkles and Happy Birthday Amelia! Amelia had a wonderful day, as we did celebrating her life. What a joy it's been this past year. She has brought so much more love then I could have ever imagined into my heart. I love our family! Thank you everyone for the cards, the phone calls and the cute carnation cupcake bouquet! You are all such an important in Amelia's life, as ours. Happy Birthday Baby Girl!!!! Mommy and Daddy love you with all their hearts.

Happy Birthday my Super Baby! Love Auntie Sarah

You are such a joy! I love you and can't believe you are growing so big! What was life like before Amelia?
Fewer smiles, fewer laughs. Less clapping and less singing. Little anticipation and childlikeness.

You have added greatly to my life little poopie. I love you so much and celebrate you daily. I can't wait to share more of life with you and see who you will continue to grow up to be!

I also can't wait for you to be a flower girl!!!

love,

Auntie Sarah

A year ago today...

I was making lists, cleaning the house and going into panic mode! I'll never forget laying in bed begging Straty to call the doctor and cancel the appointment. I couldn't go through with having Amelia. My first thoughts were, this world isn't safe enough. Then I wasn't sure I could go through the labor! Imagining birth and the process and the anxiety of popping my water just didn't sound fun any more. Straty swore I had planned the scheduled delivery with me being an event planner. I didn't though!!!

Our little girl is going to be ONE tomorrow! What an amazing year. Forgetting everything we went through as a family and just looking back at her firsts...her first sun bath, her first night she slept in my arms in our cozy rocking chair, her first time she lifted her head, her first encounter with cereal, then mommies home made food and then finger food. Her first bath with Grandma. The first time she sat up all alone and when she stood up in her play thing. Her first she smiled and when she grew in two teeth. Her first camping trip and airline trip. There are so many firsts, and now we celebrate her first birthday. I have learned so much as a mommy this year and can't wait for the years to come. Sometimes I get a little rumble in the tummy and remember when she kicked or rolled over in the belly. Our family has had the most amazing year with little Amelia. Hazel May and Miller Lite love their little sister. They are her protectors. I know Indi loved her so as well. He never once snapped at her. Amelia has over filled our hearts with Joy and great Happiness. HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY GIRL! Mommy and Daddy love you so much.

Indi is okay...

Today, as I was cleaning our windows outside, a beautiful Monarch butterfly flutters passed me. I turned to watch it soar over the pool and around the trees in the park. A sense of peace came over me and then tears filled my eyes. It was as if Indi was sending a message saying "I'm okay Mom, don't be sad." Monarch butterflies are such a beautiful creature that mean so much to me. I fell in love with them the night Straty and I were strolling around a plantation in Kauai. The night he proposed to me. Then we released them on our wedding day and Mom wrote a beautiful poem about the butterfly and read it to us. This passed year has been a crazy one, and each time I was feeling overwhelmed, I'd sit on our patio amazed in God's beauty. Then low and behold a Monarch would come flying down and dance in front of me, bringing me a sense of peace. It happened so many times, I felt it was God's way of bringing back to earth and all it's glory. Saturday, as we celebrate Amelia's birthday, we are releasing Monarch butterflies. I hope that Amelia will grow to love and understand the beauty of the butterfly and in her own life dance and flutter as beautifully and peacefully as they do. I know it will still take time to morn my baby boy's passing, but I know in my heart it was time for him to dance and flutter about in heaven. I know in my heart God has a special place for these amazing furry friends. They serve such an amazing purpose on earth, why wouldn't he want something so special with such unconditional love in heaven? They are his secret angels on earth. Indi was such a blessing and a beautiful creature.

Happy Couple marries July 4th, 2009

Let the fireworks begin!

It's quiet in the house...

I'm so used to hearing Indi's distinct walk, since he only walked on three legs, on the wood floors. It was different then Miller's or Hazel's walk. I keep thinking I hear him walking the house. Sometimes out of the corner of my eye, I'll see something white and think it's Indi. I'm so used to having him around, it's so hard to know he's not here and he's not coming back. It's quiet around the house. No yelling out to Indi to stop drinking the water, because after 15 years of his life he still didn't get the fact that if he drank too much, he'd throw it up. The clinging of the bowls is silent, because he was the one who informed us if they were out of water. No cries of pain, no Indi bark...I can't believe how much this hurts. He's a dog for goodness sakes. I have to tell you this, which I couldn't yesterday...Mom stayed with Amelia while we went to the doctor's office. We came home and she was taking a nap. When she woke up, her and I were standing in the kitchen. She looked at Miller, looked at Hazel, looked around the kitchen and then looked at me with her arms open wide and said "Dog?" Her Indi wasn't there. She's a smart little girl. It killed me.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUNT CONNIE! I hope you have a relaxing day all bundled up in a cozy blanket, next to a warm fire...or a nice hot bath? Or a warm loving hubby:) Love you!