Two Week Pics

I attempted some two week pics of Taelyn. Why is it always so much harder to get pictures of your own kids? There was some other stuff I wanted to do, but she was not as sleepy as I wanted her to be. I had to spread these out over a couple of days just to get this many. I am definitely more patient taking pics of other people's newborns than my own.

Taelyn's Visitors

It is not nice to look outside right now as the snow continues to fall, so I am so glad I have something so cute to look at and snuggle with.
Taelyn has so many people that love her. We have such great family and friends. A few of her visitors that wanted to welcome her into this world.

Grandpa and Grandma Hansen at the Hospital.
Kristina and Ashley also came to the hospital to visit.
And cousin Savanna was so excited to hold Baby Taelyn.
Cousin Austin "just couldn't stand it! She's so cute!!" and was in love with her little fingers.
Grandma and Grandpa Stark came down from Idaho.

Great Grandpa Hansen and Great Grandma Virginia.
Aunt Keri and her boys also came down from Idaho during spring break. I forgot to take pictures so I snagged these from Keri's blog.

Harrison picked out these cute little socks and headband for Taelyn.
And Riley who is the oldest grandchild on the Stark side.
and Aunt Keri.
We feel so blessed to have these people and many others in our lives that love and support us! Taelyn is a very loved baby girl.

Coming Home

It's been two weeks since we brought Taelyn home. It's gone by so fast and she has been a perfect angel. Such a good baby. I only stayed one night in the Hospital and came home on Wednesday for a few reasons, I felt good enough, No kids under 14 were allowed in the hospital so the boys hadn't even met her yet, and Kenny had to work on Thursday so bringing her home by myself wasn't an option.
First time getting her all dressed up in one of the few outfits that actually fit her! 0-3mnths pretty much drowns her. I'm slowly getting used to bows and pink.


Ready to go home! She had no idea what was in store for her at home!
The Big, Bigger, and Biggest Brothers waiting anxiously to meet their baby sister.
Finally, after so much talk of a baby coming, these little guys got to meet the sister they will be protecting for the rest of their lives!
My fabulous sister-in-law was home watching the boys with dinner ready and a cute cake!
Thanks so much for all your help Kristina!

And, ignoring how chubby I look, our family of SIX!

She's here!

We welcomed a new addition to the family on March 22.

Taelyn Marie Stark
12:54 pm
6 lbs. 3 oz.
20 in.

We are completely in love! The boys have been so great and she has been a perfect little baby. I feel very blessed to be the mommy of four great kiddos.

6 Years Old!

It's been three months, but Jackson turned 6! Wow! Our first little addition to the family! He is such a sweet kid and we are so proud of him and love him very much.
He chose a Batman party and wanted to invite just his cousins. The kids went home with a little favor. I found these little growing washcloths at the Dollar Store. Perfect!

And lots of presents. Grandma and Grandpa Stark gave him Three of these. Yep, lots of dart wars at our house.

We gave him a DS, and sometimes I wonder if it was such a good idea! He loves that thing! I am still trying to figure out a good way of keeping a time limit of video games.
And his cake! I think this has been one of my favorites.

I even did a batman cape on the back.

Note: you can't blow out a sparkler candle! But you can try really hard!
Love you Buddy! So glad you are part of our family and such a good example to your little brothers!

Airboats and Alligators

We stayed an extra day in Orlando after our cruise, and I was dying to do an airboat ride! We decided to try out Wild Willy's in Kissimmee. And it was awesome!
All ready to go! So glad they give you these headphones, it was so loud!
It was so cool how those air boats just glide over everything, and you don't even feel a bump.
Our driver was so nice and I learned so much about the alligators and the other wildlife. We went to visit the "Nursery" of the biggest female on the lake. She had three years of babies that stay in this area. I was really hoping we would get to see a big one, but we were there in the middle of the day and they say it's usually too hot for the gators to come up to the surface. But we got to see lots of babies. I tried to point out in this pic where the baby was, but I am not sure if you will even be able to pick it out. It's there I promise. :)
A random cow just hanging out. And nope the alligators don't even bother them. A fun fact we learned.
We made it back! Majorly wind blown, but it was so very cool.
And at their office they have this cute little guy that you get hold.

If you ever make it out that way make sure and look up Wild Willy's.

Cruisin' the Bahamas

(DISCLAIMER: The below pictures include me, 24 weeks pregnant, right in that tubby phase. It is not pretty.)

Back in November Kenny and I went on a Bahamas cruise. One last little fling before baby number four. It was so nice to take a little break and spend time together. I sure do love that guy. Going back through these pictures made me truly miss that warmth when there is a foot of snow outside right now! We flew into Orlando on a Saturday and stayed the night in Cocoa Beach close to the ship port. It was dark when we got there, but when we woke up in the morning it was so beautiful! Our motel was just across the street from the beach so we walked over and took it all in. A great way to start a vacation! I took this pic with my phone to send back home to make everyone jealous. :)
Before we sailed off! That's a Disney ship and Royal Caribbean in the background.
Our first stop was Freeport, Bahamas. We took a taxi out to Port Lucaya, which is like their main square for shopping and hotels etc. A live band was there playing some fun islander music which helps you not forget where you are.
Then we walked to the other side of the hotels and this is what we saw! Seriously so pretty. I have never been to the Caribbean before and was really shocked at how different the beaches were than on the west coast.
We just walked up and down the beach and through the pool areas to site see.
Ahhh, what says vacation more than palm trees and sunshine.
Our boat the Sensation.
One fun thing about cruising is getting dressed up for dinner. It's nice to have an excuse since it doesn't happen at home!
Our next port was Nassau, Bahamas. This place is a little more fast paced and a bigger city than Freeport. The driving was CRAZY! We ended up spending the day at Blue Lagoon Island. It. Was. Amazing. We took a ferry boat ride out to the island.
First site of Blue Lagoon. They have a Dolphin Encounters there where you can swim with the dolphins or Sea Lions. We just did the beach day but if I ever go back, I WILL swim with the dolphins!
This is the entrance where the boat pulls in to let us off.
And the Lagoon where we got to lounge and swim and hang out all day! It was paradise.

And swimming with us were these guys. It was so unreal to have sting rays just hanging out where we were swimming.

It is a very small island and felt so private and relaxing. We walked around the island from one end to the other. See those hammocks hanging in the trees? Lovely right? I'm telling ya, Paradise!
We took a little cat nap waiting for the boat to come pick us up. I kinda didn't want to leave!
Even if you don't pay for the dolphin encounter you can walk all around the habitat area and see them swimming around. They were entertaining us as well. It was neat to see them in the ocean in their natural habitat not in an aquarium.
I highly recommend going here if you are ever in Nassau. I can't say enough how much I loved it!

A couple of highlights from the ship.
Of course the water play area. Kenny tried out the water slide a few times, while I cheered him on :)
And what's a cruise without a little mini golf on the ship!
I am so glad that Kenny and I are able to take a break away once in a while. I missed the little guys but I know they had a blast with Grandma and Grandpa! Next year, new cruise! Hmmm, where should we go??

We did one more thing in Florida before we headed back to the cold. To Be Continued...