A Tribute

Just a little something in honor of the woman- the angel- who brought us the greatest joy we have ever known... November 10th will forever be etched in our hearts, for it was the day one woman had the faith courage and love to place her child in our arms and make another woman the most grateful mother alive. We love you, Katt.

Happy Birthday, Sweetie!!!

Our sweet little Mara did the unthinkable... she turned one!! The nerve! I can't believe the year has passed so quickly. It has been full of smiles and love, cuddles and laughs, grateful tears, and so many 'firsts'. We could never have imagined loving anything more than we love our sweet little angel & it was so much fun to celebrate by spending time with the cousins @ the park and pigging out on birthday cake. Happy Birthday, sweet child-- WE LOVE YOU!!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

I am happy to report that Mara is an excited little "Halloweener". She loved the haunted village we put up in the family room- we'd turn off the lights to look at it, and she would "ooh & ahh" for EVER. She transformed into Tinkerbell and with a little pixie dust (and several hours of sewing), Josh & I became Peter Pan & Wendy. We did some Trick-or-Treating with the Iggy cousins and Mara proudly held her bucket all night as the neices fought over whose turn it was to take her to the door. Fun was had by all and we are already eagerly awaiting next years haunted season.

A RANDOM UPDATE FOR THE FANS...

A few new favorites of Mara.... Mini Gym Kittens every Tuesday with Mommy (and sometimes Daddy), Brody's bed (he is very sad about this new fascination), watching the Cowboys with Daddy in their matching jerseys, and her new outside toys!!

10 Glorious Years

My Sweet Joshy- how time flies. It seems just yesterday that I looked into the eyes of that boy and saw my future. Now, 10 years later, we find ourselves a little older, perhaps a little wiser, and more in love than ever. A little more grey and increasingly soft around the edges, I will wear my wrinkles (though maybe not my hidden greys) with pride, because I earned them with you. Through good & bad, thick & thin, better & worse, you have been at my side. My dear, sweet husband, I am now and for always so thrilled to be living out my happily ever after with my very best friend. I love you, Josh!! Happy Anniversary!

Take Me Out To The Ball Game...

WOO HOO!! Mara's very first baseball game! Josh's whole office went to have some fun, eat some "dollar dogs" (oh, no- no stomach aches from that one!!), and cheer the Las Vegas 51s on to victory! Mara's favorite part? The Cracker Jacks, for sure!

Bear Lake, We LOVE You!!

Ahhh, Bear Lake-- there's definitely something about the air up there (and the shakes). This was Mara's first trip there and she LOVED it! Our days were full of swimming, relaxing, and great food, but most importantly laughs between family and kisses between cousins. FOUR babies!! So... actually a large part of the trip was spent smelling bums and listening through doors to see which parenting unit was up to bat. Flashes from our trip last year kept coming to my mind... how we had such fun and were soooo cautiously looking forward to sharing it with our little one yet to come. This year was proof of happy endings and a first of many more to come!!

Gulp... here comes 30!!

I'm afraid to announce that I have just turned the big three-oh. Yikes. Who knew it would come so fast? NO one told me! Luckily, I have a super sweet husband who miraculously (and for possibly the first time ever) kept a secret and whisked me away to Disneyland, where my mom & sister were waiting to surprise me. We had a ball together. Those sneaky girls had been flown in earlier and made everything super pretty and special. There was ice cream and swimming, Alice and Buzz... the cousins learned how to kiss... and not much napping. Not sure what to expect at Disney with 2 babies? In a word? Mayhem. And I can't think of any place I'd rather be. Thanks, Joshy-- you're the best!!

SPAGHETTI LADY

Oh, Yesss.... Mara is a spaghetti lady- boy, when I told Josh to feed her, I had NO IDEA what I was getting myself into... but so adorable, don'tcha think??

4th of July ROCKS!!

Mara's first 4th of July had all the necessities... family, food, swimming, and OF COURSE, fireworks! And yeah, yeah, yeah... we are the dorks that woke up their baby to watch her first fireworks. FYI- We will NOT be making THAT mistake again!

WOOO HOOO -- FATHER'S DAY!!

Sooo.... FINALLY!!! Joshy gets to celebrate this fabulous day with his own little special one! We did the ushe... BBQ @ Papa & Grammys, then lots of spoiling by Lizzy & Mara-- We Love YOU, Daddy!!

Mara's Blessing

Our Mara Jane was blessed on June 7th by her loving dad. I will never forget the precious words spoken as those who love our little angel stood with hands on her sweet head and pronounced a name and a blessing upon her. I am so grateful.

Our Special Day...

June 6th will always be special to our family, for it was the day that Mara Jane was sealed to us for time & all eternity. This day was one we have long dreamed of. Our families and loved ones all made the journey to share this most sacred and loving moment, so to all of those who were with us then or just in spirit, thank you-we are humbled by all your love and support.....

... and they all lived happily ever after!!

It's Official!!!

Well, it's official- Mara's an Iggy! Today we went to the court and a judge ruled her in!! When he asked if anyone had anything other comments, Mara started her super loud, long talking-- it was soooo cute! The lawyer suggested we were actually there to win the "cutet baby" contest.... I agree-- Mara Jane Ignatowicz- you are tops!!

My Very 1st Mothers Day!!

At long last, I celebrated my very first Mothers Day. It was so awesome!!!! Josh & Mara spoiled me rotten with gifts, dates, flowers and hugs & kisses... but the best moment of all was just holding that angel and knowing she was my little daughter.

Mara LAUGHS!!!

Yes, siree! Little Mara Jane just laughed and laughed when Mommy put a cold Dew-ski on her foot! It was so adorable... and the very first time we have heard her laugh so long like that! Oh, Mara- you are so adorable!! (just push pause on the song to hear these adorable giggles)

Oh, Yeah- Y'all knew THIS was comin'...

Okay, Okay--- y'all KNEW we wouldn't make it to a year before we could take our princess to the Happiest Place on Earth. So HERE is the proof-- we are Disney freaks.... and raisin' another tiny Disney freak. Mara LOVED Small World and Cotton Candy (it was dentist approved, ha, ha). It truly was a weekend full of fun & firsts... first sugar, first time to meet Winnie the Pooh, first mickey ears, first time in the pool, and first time for Mom & Dad to have the fun experience of a shrieking child in a public place with no hope of disguise or disappearance..... ahhhh... memories. It was a vacation we have long dreamed of- and could not have been more perfect!

Mara's "Dental Check-Up"...

Lately Mara has been REALLY exercising her lungs.... just when we thought our ears would bleed, Dr. Daddy found a couple of teeth making their way!!! We can hardly believe that our little angel is already starting the treacherous journey into toddler-hood, but are VERY relieved that there is an explanation for this newfound ....uh.... vocalise.

Mara's saddest moments...

My Funny Valentines

WE LOVE VALENTINES DAY!! Especially this one-- not only do we have our tiniest little Valentine, but Matt & Savanna (& Mara's soon-to-be-cousin) came for a visit. We went to Hoover dam, snuggled, and ate Valentine goodies all weekend! What could be better??

"Smiles McGee"

We can hardly believe it ourselves, but our smiley little angel is already 2 months old!!! It seems like we just got her yesterday, yet we can't hardly remeber what life was like without her!!

Christmas Iggy Style

Christmas 2008-- hands down, the best, most meaningful Christmas ever, with Mara now in our lives. This year, we celebrated early with Josh's family, then made the treacherous drive to Utah to spend Christmas with my family, who met Mara for the very first time. It was snowy and cold, and fun and full of love and laughter. We are so grateful for our families and the love and friendship we share!!.... oh, and poor Josh spent all the nights in Utah up with Mara, since I got sick right over Christmas.... poor, tired guy!!

Snow in Las Vegas?!?

Holy Cow--- the odds must've been a million to one, but it snowed (and snowed... and snowed) in Vegas this week!! The roads were an absolute mess and school was even cancelled, but we just loved it--- all snuggly and cozy at home!!

Welcome, Christmastime!!!

Christmas time is always a magical time, but with Mara in our lives, this year is more spectacular than ever!! Josh could hardly wait to put up the tree and when he did, we discovered Mara's fascination with Christmas lights, so we quickly put a tree up in her room. Last weekend we took her to Ethel M, where she could see tons and tons of lights, but that bundling process must have been pretty cozy, because she slept through the whole thing!!

Our Little Growing Hippo...

Bringing Mara home was one of the most overwhelmingly wonderful moments. Josh's family was sooooo excited to meet her and since then, we have just been watching our hungry little hippo grow & grow- she is already smiling and laughs when her daddy "sings" to her! Oh, little Mara-- slow down, sweetie, time is passing too too quickly!

Our Long-Awaited Princess Arrives!!

Mara Jane Ignatowicz was born November 8, 2008 and placed in our loving arms November 10th. She weighed 7 lb. 10 oz. and is 20.25" long. We have been so humbled by this whole experience and marvel at the strength of our birthmother and angel, Katt. As our sister-in-law Tara says, Mara is an answer to so so so many prayers and we are amazed at how this little soul has healed our hearts near bursting with love and joy.

Josh's 1st Triathlon!!

Josh participated in his first triathlon--- and almost his last! The poor boy did not train AT ALL (poor sucker) and was quite dismayed at all the kicking and pelting during the swimming portion! As I waited (and waited) on the beach, I began to worry- but finally, a scraggly and sad looking Josh washed up on shore. He finished the next two events in great time and had sooo much fun, that he's already looking up the next Vegas Triathlon..... any volunteers for an a.m. cheerleader?

Josh and "his" COWBOYS...

Josh's very best friend in the whole wide world, Johnny, took him to Dallas to visit their boys.... that's right, the Dallas Cowboys. They had a blast collecting autographs, eating dozens of meals each day, and cheering on their winning team. GO COWBOYS!!!

Happy 9th, my Lovie!!

We celebrated our 9th anniversary this September.... I know- can you believe it?!? Of COURSE, we chose the most romantice place we could think of... the very spot of our honeymoon nine short years ago.... I love you with all my heart, Joshie & look forward with joy and anticipation to the next 99...

Bear Lake Rocks!!

We took a little trip to hang out with the Hansen clan up at Bear Lake. It was SOOO much fun- we water skiied, swam and jet-skiied. We watched movies and barbequed and Josh read books in his favorite chair. We visited our patch of dirt that overlooks the turquoise-colored lake and ate at our favorite little po-dunk dive. The most fun of all was meeting our newest little nephew, Dylan and spending some time with our family!!

A Very Special Visit...

Josh & I have had the opportunity of a lifetime... to meet the birthmother to our first child. She is happy and kind, thoughtful and crazy, and most important, she is our angel. We also had the unique experience of meeting her wonderful family. We didn't know what to expect, and were thrilled to discover that meeting Katt felt like meeting an old friend that we'd known forever. At her ultrasound today, we discovered that on November 12th, we will be welcoming a beautiful princess into this world!!

FATHER'S DAY 2008

We celebrated Father's Day with a huge BBQ & swimming with the whole Iggy clan! It was so much fun and made us so excited for the day that we can celebrate Father's day with sloppy kisses and diaper duty! I love you, Josh and know you will one day soon make the most adorable daddy!!

A Windy City "Weak"-end

This Spring, we decided to go to Chicago to see the beautiful architecture and take in a ball game... little did we know we would freeze our little tookuses off!! All the natives were walking around in T-shirts, while we were bundled in as many layers as we could pack on. Embarassingly WEAK Las Vegans, we are. The real reason for the trip came a few days later, when we drove to see our dear friends from Josh's mission, the Henries. They were blessing their adorable twin daughters that weekend and we just couldn't miss it!

A DISNEY HOLIDAY

We just HAD to go visit our favorite castle while it was all lit up for the holidays. The park was aglow with Christmas magic.

DISNEYWORLD, WE LOVE YOU!!!

Josh's parents took us to the Magical Kingdom in September. They are so proud of their son and wanted to do something special in honor of his graduation. We had never seen so much land dedicated to our favorite Mouse. We had lunch with Cinderella in her castle, went on a safari, visited Snow White and her dwarves, and still didn't see it all! It was a blast!!

A EUROPEAN CELEBRATION

For Josh's Graduation, I surprised him with a trip to Europe. It was the most fun we've ever had- a time we will never forget. We traveled through London, Paris, Nice, Venice, Firenze, and Rome. Josh's favorite part was all the "jambon y fromage" he ate in France. Mine? The Eiffel Tower at night... and the fact you can find gelato everywhere you go.