Happy Birthday Lil' Man Hunter!

Today, 6 years ago, God blessed us with Hunter.  Hunter has always had such a BIG personality, he's funny, he's goofy, he's witty and yet he still tells me "I love you Mom" out of the blue.  I can't believe how big he is getting and yet I still enjoy our snuggle time on the couch.  He has lost all his baby features now and is turning into a boy and as sad as that makes me, it's all very exciting to see what he will become.
I truly can't imagine our lives without him.  He is the last piece of the puzzle that makes our Hank family.  The last 6 years have been wonderful and I am looking forward to many many many years of watching him grow.

We love you Hunter!! We are so proud of you, Happy Birthday lil' man! :)

The first picture is Reagan holding Hunter just a few hours old. They are both so little. Sniff Sniff :(

Miss Lexi is 1 years old! - Phoenix Children's Photographer

I first met little miss Lexi when she was 3 months old. And I have had such a joy documenting her first year. It's been great to see her little changes every few months, new teeth, sitting up, crawling. The day after this past session Lexi took her first steps. I'd like to think I had something to do with that. :) It's great for them to document her first year, there are so many changes and I know Lexi's parents are just having a ball with her right now. I don't think you can ever have too many pictures taken of your children.
She has a little smile that just lights up the room and even though she's a little shy at first she surely shows her personality eventually.
You can view her 1 year slideshow by clicking here



                        

Sneak Peek- Lexi's Birthday Portraits- Phoenix Children's Photographer

Take a look at this adorable face coming up later this week! :)

Happy 8th Birthday Reagan!

Today 8 years ago after hours and hours of labor after 4 and a half hours of pushing an angel came into this world. I had had a C-section and when she came out the first thing I heard the nurse say was "this baby has a dimple" :) I wasn't able to hold her but the nurse placed her near my face and through my watery eyes I just stared at her.
She was perfect in every way. I can still tell you what that operating room smelled like and most of our conversation through out the labor and delivery. I still remember the first time I changed her diaper, our ride home from the hospital on our 1 year wedding anniversary. I remember it all like it was yesterday so it's amazing to me that it's been 8 years now.
Every time she smiles I see that silly little dimple and my mind rushes to those hospital room memories so many years ago.
My how she has grown. From diapers to walking to silly conversations we have had with her. Her first dance recital, her first Christmas, her first day of school.
We have been so blessed to have her in our lives. She isn't perfect but she is perfect for us. I truly believe God has a plan and did such a wonderful job giving her to us. I tell people all the time I would have 10 kids if I knew they would all be like Reagan. She has such a calming personality and she is so tender hearted.
I just love that little girl and really do thank God every day for her!
We love you so much Reagan, hope your birthday is everything you had hoped for! :)

This was one of the first images I took of Reagan. She is 6 months old in the picture to the left.

Kelsey (our first kid)

So if you know Mike and I, you probably kind of know how our relationship started. This year we will be married 8 years, but about a year and a half before that he and I went on our first date. Nothing too fancy, just dinner and a movie but I knew that night at dinner I was going to marry him. So from that point on our relationship moved super fast. REALLY fast! But it just always felt normal and always felt like we had already been together for years. So we moved in together after 6 weeks of dating and he asked me to marry him 6 months after our first date. See I told you, REALLY fast.
Things were going well our first few weeks of living together. I was still getting things unpacked and Mike called me from work. He sounded like something was wrong and said in a very scared voice, "We need to talk." My heart sank. Thoughts started twirling in my head, "oh gosh he doesn't want to live together now, he's changed his mind, where will I live?" I waited for him to say those dreadful words and when he spoke he said, "Would you mind if we got a dog?"
Oh what a relief, my heart started pounding again, the lump cleared in my throat and the blood began to rush back to it's normal areas in my body that it should be.
So long story short, Mike came home with Kelsey, a beagle. She wasn't named Kelsey at first, I don't even remember what it was but we knew she wasn't anything but a Kelsey. She was 6 months old, she was a rescue and had been abused. When we got her she was so sweet and gentle and has never stopped being so sweet and so loving to everyone that walks in the door. She has been there for every house move, every new pet we have brought in, the new babies we brought home from the hospital, our good days and bad days and all those in between.
And although she isn't as young as she used to me, she might limp around and her hair is turning white, she is still as loving as the first day we brought her home! Her 10th birthday is this Friday. If you think about it, wish her a Happy Birthday, I know it seems silly but 10 years is a huge milestone for a dog and we are just so blessed to have her :)

Hunter's Toystory Party!

Last October, Toystory 1 & 2 were re shown in the theaters. We were on vacation at the time and decided to take the kiddos to see them. It was a double feature that gave you a little break in between both movies. We were visiting Disneyland at the time and were able to ride the brand new Toystory ride. My kids have been all geared up for Toystory 3 to come out. We all went to go see and it didn't disappoint. I even cried a little and had a guilt going home when I thought of all the toys I had gotten rid of. :( But Hunter has been slightly obsessed with the movie so of course when his birthday comes we have to throw it Toystory style.

One thing I have always done with my kids is go all out on their cake, I'm not sure why I go and spend extra money on this but I just know they won't be little forever and the older you get you don't really get cakes much. I found a wonderful place many years ago to fulfill my need of motherly spoiling. Melodie and Sugarlips Cakery and her entire staff have been so wonderful and amaze me every time I pick up the kids cakes. When I talked to Melodie on the phone we kind of threw around some ideas. I didn't really care what it was as long as it was a Toystory cake. And when I picked up the cake, my mouth fell to the floor. You just can't beat this little cake. It's adorable!!! Thank you Sugarlips!!

Hunter down the slide

Hunter got to make his own pizza



The Hank Family

Challice and Grace playing with the yo-yo

All standing around waiting to dive into the cake

Hunter surrounded by girls of course. Khloey and Grace, I just love how Khloey is looking at Hunter

Hunter surprised at his gifts. His facial expressions were priceless

Hunter's turning 4!

A few years ago I started a topic on the blog called "Coversations with Reagan." She was at the age where she was saying funny things and I couldn't keep remembering everything. Somethings she said were just too funny not to remember so I started writing them on the blog. A few years later we are at the stage again with Hunter. He really makes us laugh, he just has the personality to keep us entertained.
And today my little man turns 4! My pregnancy claim to fame I tell everyone is he was born on the hottest day of the year in 2006. It was 118 that day. Miserable. But what a miracle we received in the midst of the horrible weather. You can view images from his big debut day by clicking here.

Here's Hunter conversation with me a few days ago.....

We were in the car driving and he was talking about Toy Story 3 and how the pig's name is Ham. He thought that was so funny that a pig would be named after a food. He obviously isn't putting the two together.
So I start...
"Well Hunter, where do you think Ham comes from, where do you think bacon comes from? Chicken comes from Chickens, hamburgers come from cows, steaks comes from cows......"

I'm trying to ease into the subject for fear of freaking him out and he replies..

"Silly Mom, cows don't poop out hamburgers."

So I quickly realized he isn't ready for the conversation. I can't tell you how many people I told that story to. It just makes me realize how children view everything in this world. So funny!

Happy Birthday dear Hunter! Believe me I will embarrass you and tell everyone that story your whole life because that is what parents do! You have made such a wonderful impact on our lives! Thank you for being you!!!






Hunter showing you his killer skateboarding skills without the skateboard of course, we aren't ready for that just yet. :)

Happy Birthday Mike!

My dear sweet Michael turns 38 today! Wow! I keep teasing him that he is almost 40 and he is quick to remind me that I am right behind him and I'll be there too someday :)

I love you Michael, I hope you have a wonderful day and know how much we all love you soooooo much! You are a awesome husband and father and my life with you is just... well, perfect!

Lil Chef Reagan's 6th birthday party!

Reagan wanted a chef party this year and just down the street from us is this adorable kids kitchen place called Young Chef's Academy! Their shop is adorable. Perfect for a bunch of little girls looking to bake. The colors are vibrant, the place is fun and they were allowed to make a kitchen mess which is what they always want to do at home.

They baked their own pizzas, from scratch. Even the dough was from scratch. And it actually tasted really good. While the pizzas were cooking, Reagan opened her gifts and had her cake which of course was from Sugarlips Cakery!! As always they did a great job!!!!

Here are some pics from her big day!!


Gianna

Grace

Khloey, Kylee and Kaycie


Marlee, Reagan and Sydney

Alaina mixing her dough


Reagan using the rolling pin


Grace and Alaina finding something funny!





And now the sauce


Revé adding some seasoning





Reagan's chef hat cake- isn't it adorable?




Reagan blowing out her candles-Yeah!! She's 6!!


Cassity


Cadyn


The whole gang! They look so cute in their little hats!