Sydney's School Class

This morning I asked Sydney to help me with Amelia, so I could finish getting ready for the day. She obviously didn't want to stop playing her "school" game, so she situated Amelia among her other "students!" All was well for the first 10 minutes or so, then the live student became too disruptive and needed to be removed from the class! I love Sydney's creativity and imagination! Amelia is not much bigger than the baby dolls, but she is definitely growing!

First day of school 2011

School has started!

Yipee, Yahoo, BOO-HOO . . .

I have had mixed emotions - very glad the kids are in school to meet new friends, get learning again, and get into a good routine, BUT I sure have missed having the extra hands to help with Amelia! It's been a long time since I've had so much time on my hands, but I'm just enjoying Amelia and trying to stay on top of things in and around the house!

Morgan and Sydney are attending a small Catholic School - NOTRE DAME! We LOVE this school! It is totally awesome and we are blessed to have this experience for them. I'm sure I'll be posting a lot more about their experience here. The thought of uniforms was horrid for them at first, but they have grown to LOVE wearing them! Great teachers, great kids, great families! It was meant to be.

Brenna started HIGH SCHOOL! Unbelievable! The first week was somewhat rocky (it was hard starting school without a single friend), but now that she has met some kids, life is looking good. Brenna decided to try out for the volleyball team and is now playing Freshman volleyball! It has been interesting and quite an adjustment for our family to work everything in. It will be a fun experience for her. On top of her school load, a sport, and a choir club, she started attending youth group at church and will enjoy that. I don't know when we will ever see her!

Trip to the Redwood Forest

The Gabriel's went on our first California adventure - and Amelia's first road trip! We were on pins and needles at the beginning of the trip, because little Amelia HATES riding in the car seat. She proved to be a good traveler, with a LOT of coaxing from me in the back seat. Dan and I had been to the Redwood Forest about 17 years ago, and we wanted to take the girls to explore this beautiful place. We weren't disappointed! The trees are magnificent!

We had to crane our necks to see the tops of these 200-300 foot trees!

The hiking was very successful - Amelia does love her sling! Who can nurse, hike, and take pictures all at the same time? ME!! I'm all about multitasking! As a matter of fact, I don't remember a time that I wasn't doing more than one thing at a time!

Humongous tree!

Dan did a fabulous job capturing the neat forest. We enjoyed getting back out in nature . . . and we are looking forward to camping next time . . . Holiday Inn Express was the way to go this time, although I think Sydney was 5 months old when she had her first tenting experience.

Amelia Grace at 1 month

Lucky for us, Aunt Stacy was visiting and we got lucky with a photo shoot! She was so happy and cooperative! Stacy had fun doctoring the pictures and they turned out just beautiful!!

AMELIA GRACE GABRIEL

Amelia Grace Gabriel

July 15, 2011

6:07 AM

6 pounds 4 ounces

19 inches

BEAUTIFUL BUNDLE OF JOY AND BLESSINGS

Well - we are no longer GabrielClan5 - with the new addition of our little girl, Amelia we are officially GabrielClan6. We were the talk of the Labor and Delivery ward, and needless to say, we were lucky to be physically in the hospital when labor started. It's kind of scary when you have to ask if you even pushed! She is a perfect, precious gift from God and we are so blessed. Of course the family is crazy about her and it is wonderful having all of the helping hands around. Life as we know it will forever be changed . . . for the better.

Big Day for Brenna

The BEFORE picture

The AFTER picture!

Two plus years with the wires! The result = one beautiful smile!

Orthodontist, patient, and WONDERFUL assistant, Ike-San!