Best in the West 2012

It was the weekend of the great 

Kern County Fair!

We were so excited last year to 

take Graham last year... 

but he was only one month 

and pooped the whole time.

That's real.

This year was different. Graham can actually look at animals.

And like them.

And the Bells came back for another round of KCC.

Tradition.

Baby cow!

There's always a family cow picture.

But Kyle only wants pictures with the beef cows.

No milk cows accepted.

Get used to it Graham.

Matchy matchy black squared.

(Or cubed as it were)

Taking it all in...The Bakersfielians were the true exhibits.

This. 

This is what we've been looking forward to.

Hi goat, we love you.

Fair family.

Of almost 4.

Yes I do know that these pictures are almost identical.

But I couldn't decide. Big woop.

September 22. Zach Bell's first Rodeo experience.

Unfortunately no bull riders made it to 8 seconds.

Chump cowboys.

Thanks Zach and Caitlynn for venturing North 

for our fair extravaganza. 

We'll keep you posted on GTU's sheep riding training.

Best in the West. Every year.

(PS: I will probably pop in for some picture additions. 

Zbell was a second shooter)

Baby2 is a....

BOY!!!!

I had a feeling these past 17 weeks 

but how can you ever know? 

Our new son will fill his shoes 

somewhere around February 16th...

The first of millions of 

pictures of these two brothers...

I like to imagine that Graham knows 

he is about to be a big brother

 and is thrilled to have a 

best friend on the way...

Oh new little mister...

We are so in love with you. 

You are joining a 

crazy weird, 

life loving, 

Jesus following 

family.

We can't wait to meet you and watch you grow 

into the little boy that the Lord wants you to be.

We are praying for you each day.

Love, 

Dad, Mom, and your big brother, Graham

Weekend Haps.

It was a game weekend. 

And by that I mean the only pictures 

I have from the weekend are of games. 

And mostly of our Dodger game outing.

Kyle and I played Battleship on Friday night. 

It counted as our date.

They really changed up the game since our childhood days.

Complicated it up if you ask me.

 There are islands now. 

And a man to rescue. 

And all these crazy words. 

But we had a grand ole time. 

And we might make it a weekly battle.

Trying on our jersey. 

And Dad reading in Graham's lap for a change.

Love my Dodger boys.

So nice to have Aunt Caitlynn 

and Uncle Zach drive out for the game.

Love you guys and adore anytime 

I get to see my son smile 

and laugh in your arms.

Malts were a childhood tradition.

Thankfully, Grandpa Pearsey was at the game with us 

and generously offered to treat.

Aaaaaand because of this generosity, 

Kyle had his first chocolate malt!

Big day.

Big day for a lot of us. 

Big. Big.Big.

We made it to the 7th inning stretch.

Graham did SO great. 

He did a lot of launching 

back and forth between laps.

But he laughed, he watched, 

he danced, he clapped, and he cheered.

And he read books. Of course he read books.

Troopers.

And we won. 

Incredible 9th inning.

Winning company.

And a winning family shot...

Win. Win. Win.

Weekend Haps.

I made my first Mickey Mouse pancake as a mommy!

No one actually ate it. Graham was full. 

But I did make it talk which resulted in a giggle.

Success all around.

I got dressed first. I promise.

Kyle requested Grahamer wear his Kemp shirt.

Kyle decides to match the fam.

Sometimes we're cheesy like that.

Baby2 is 17 weeks!

Flying by...

We're alllll about throwing our food lately. Ugh.

But this weekend, broccoli had the last laugh.

 It's a great Saturday when the "rabbit ears" 

pick up the Dodger game.

 This boy is obsessed with his books. 

Sometimes it gets tiring to read them over and over. 

But then he puts that little hand on your's while you're reading... Precious, precious days.

Saturday evening we had the gang over for dinner 

and a birthday celebration!

Graham gets a lot of love.

Hi friends. I love you.

Happy 27th birthday, KCC. I love you to pieces.

My mom and dad came over for Sunday lunch.

Delightful.

Graham and I wrapped up the weekend 
with a neighborhood wagon ride.
We're not allowed to bring toys anymore.
Reminder: Throwing phase. 

And we learned how to make wishes. 
We also learned how to spread weeds to everyone's yard.

There's a lot to wish for these days...

G-Unit's 1st Birthday Party!

He's taking off! 

Are you ready for the picture post of all picture posts??

Graham had his first birthday party and it was so fantastic.

So I had to include the set-up, the guests, the activities, 

the decorations, and the birthday boy!

Thus all the pictures. 

Memories, people, memories.

How wonderful to have so many people we 

love and cherish together in one house? 

Here were some young early arrivers...

watching YouTube is what I was told. 

All I know is laughter erupted. 

Extremely thankful for my many, many helpers...

Everything went so smoothly and I can't thank them enough.

The airplane decorations came together beautifully...

Especially for kind of having ideas, 

but not really having a plan for where they all would go.

It ended up being pretty stinking cute. If I do say so myself.

(Self being a last minute type of girl)

In flight snacks. 

Cupcakes and airplanes.

Birthday boy's landing strip...

Pool volleyball is a fail safe for Bako summer parties. 

A one year old's birthday party is no exception.

Family traveled from near and far.

(And pregnant!)

Love these cousins. And they love Graham. 

Chad skills. Mad skills.

Fierce. 

Seriously?

Fuel station.

Sweet friends loving on my boy...

So competitive. 

Uncle Carl, Carl Jr., Grandpa.

They love Grahamy, too.

Cousin Amie and Cousin Eliza. 

We love you, Megan Julia.

Oh sister, where would I be without you?

Thanks for being by my side all party long. 

So thankful Uncle Mike, Aunt Debbie, Connie

 and the rest of the gang were able to make it. So sweet.

Oh hey you sister friends.

Love my convos and laughs with Katy.

Mini-Scoops celebrating.

Thanks Uncles for loving on Grahamster.

Charley Jane and Cammie Jane.

I mean....

Love when my friends get to all come together.

Hamburgers for all.

Graham, you did SO great for being surrounded 

by a massive choir and 4 musical numbers.

Poor baby. And I didn't even say "hot". Sorry Bud.

Dad to the rescue.

Sugar to the rescue.

Thanks for letting us throw you a party, Graham Thomas.

The day was SO much fun. 

What an overwhelming thought to think about a house 

spilling with people who love the Lord and love my son. 

Family and friends who lift him up in prayer. 

What a beautiful blessing. 

Oh Grahamy, I can't wait for you to grow up 

and know all these guests. 

I look forward to see how they pour into your life. 

Happy Birthday, sweet boy.

Alright, thank you notes. Let's do this.