Last Shots

We thought it would be a good idea to capture my belly right before she's born so here's a couple pics.


Also, here we are, on our way out the door to the hospital. We will come back as parents with a baby in tow! We are nervous but most of all, excited!

Candid Shots

Ryan's brother generously gave us a new camera for a baby gift, just in time for her birth next week. We had a very old camera so it is the perfect gift! Ryan was a kid in a candy store getting it set up so he took some candid shots of me reading on the couch. For anyone who thinks I'm so tiny, here's the realistic picture of me 5 days pre-delivery! She was a soccer ball, but now a basketball!

Hailee's 1st Birthday

Time flies...it's already been a year since our niece was born! We celebrated Ryan's brother, Shawn, and his wife, Brianna's daughter's 1st birthday on September 13th. It was a family affair and a nice afternoon lunch. The highlight was an emotional Shawn opening Pops' gift - a perfectly handcrafted wooden stool. We also loved watching Hailee dip her fingers in her ice cream cake ever so neatly. Can't believe we'll be doing this in 1 year too!

We are Ready!

Now that the Nursery is finished, we are ready for Mini B / Little Miss Flower's arrival (however, we would prefer her on-time delivery of 9/22). Ryan did a terrific job of putting together the furniture, painting, hanging the window treatment and wall decorations. He executed my ideas perfectly! Here's a glimpse (including pictures of the view from her window)....

Kicking Off USC Football

My favorite time of year is Fall for several reasons:
1) Cooler weather, but not yet cold, some rain begins
2) Kids are back in school, everyone is back to their routine
2) Holidays - Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas....enough said!
3) Pumpkin anything - lattes, yogurt, cookies, ice cream, pie, cake, etc.
4) Football season. I love my USC Trojans and San Diego Chargers!

That being said, Ryan and I were excited to be invited to the first SC game (versus San Jose State) on Saturday with my parents. It was terribly hot, about 95 degrees, and we sat there with sweat dripping down our bodies, but we kept well hydrated and I survived. The game was exciting and we had fun together. After the game ended in a shutout by SC, we went to historic Phillipe's for french dip sandwiches. As usual there was a huge line, but it was delicious. Ryan had never been there and he enjoyed the experience as did we. Thanks, Mom and Dad, for a fun LA day!

Happy Labor Day!

Kara's Bridal Shower

A couple weeks ago was Kara's Shower Luncheon held by Joyce Flower at her house. Although very hot and humid, it was a lovely afternoon with over 20 guests. We enjoyed a couple games including a fun question and answer session which had Kara sharing a lot of stories about herself and her and Matt as a couple. Matt also answered the same questions to her surprise and she did a very good job guessing his answers. I'd say they're a pretty good match! A specials thanks to Joyce, my mom and Sharon Paisley for all their help on this special day.