NIKELL OR NIKKEL?

Toby and I had a really hard time feeling good about a name when it came to having our second baby. We tossed around quite a few such as Liberty, Halle, Kate... All of these names we liked but none of them really felt right. When we started talking about Nikell we both really loved it. It was a name we both felt really good about. The only problem we were having was how we should spell it. We didnt agree on the spelling at all. I really wanted to spell it Nikkel and he really didn't know what way he like it spelled. The only thing he was definite on is he didn't want it spelled the way I liked it. (of course) So in the end we decided to spell it Nikell. Which to me didn't make a whole lot of sense because I knew we would call her Nikki but whatever, I just went with it.
about a week before Nikell's first birthday Toby comes to me and quietly says. "um, babe Ive been thinking... do you already have Nikell's birth certificate? Because if it isn't to hard maybe we should change the spelling of her name too N-i-k-k-e-l." The look on his face was priceless. He had this little innocent smile going on and he was kind of avoiding eye contact because I am sure he knew I was just looking at him like ARE YOU KIDDING ME??
So here we are today seriously considering changing the spelling of her name.

da da da DA!

We have been patiently waiting for our window treatments to be made and installed. We took some time picking the fabric and were very excited to see how they turned out. Here are the before pictures and after pictures.
We also got a new entry chandelier and wall sconce. I love everything! It was a long wait but I have to say it was worth it! Its amazing what window treatments do for a room.

BEFORE

AFTER
BEFORE
AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

This is our guest room I didnt get a before picture. I am so excited to get new bedding and finish the room off. The curtains turned out so cute I love them!

SAN FRANCISCO

Last night Toby and I drove out to San Francisco to meet Lafe for dinner. Lafe (Toby's brother) was in town for a business meeting. We love going out to the bay any chance we get so it was a perfect opportunity. We went to a restaurant that is located right on the water. It was one of the nicest restaurants I have been too. I love going to places where you really feel like you are being treated like royalty. I really appreciate fine dining. The only thing I completely disagree with and think is so retarded is, at places that nice they charge you for refills on soda. Seriously the drinks alone cost like 30 dollars. I guess it could be worse, if we were big into drinking alcohol we would be paying more like 175 dollars. Anyways the restaurant was amazing and it was really nice being able to catch up with Lafe. We always have great conversations with him and really had a great time. After dinner we took a couple of pictures. It was such a beautiful night!

SWEET THINGS

The other night we were at our friends house and it was getting late. We decided to put the girls down to go to sleep so that we could hang out a little bit longer. We had the girls sleeping right by each other, Nikell was in the porta crib and Brooklyn was next to her on a couch. When I went to leave the room Nikell started crying a little bit. When I got out of the room I stood near by listening to make sure she was ok. When she continued to fuss I then heard Brooklyn say "oh, its ok sissy! I'm right here, Don't worry I got ya". It really was the sweetest thing ever. And what made it even cuter is Nikell calmed right down and fell asleep. It is so fun to see these two sweet girls loving each other as much as they do.

My friend Natalie took these pictures while she was at our house visiting. I think they turned out so cute!

EASTER SUNDAY

Easter is one of my favorite holidays. I love that throughout the Easter season I am filled with such an appreciation towards our Savior. I am so grateful for him and am so glad that we have days that are in celebration and remembrance of him.
These are some pictures of Easter at our house.

Nikki wasn't really sure about her Easter basket for a few minutes. She slowly warmed up and then started taking things out of it.


Brooklyn was so excited for the Easter bunny to come. For a month she has been saying "mommy, I obey and have good addtude (attitude) and the Easter bunny bring me candy and treats"? I proudly admit that I use holidays and vacations to persuade her to obey and have a good attitude.
Brooklyn has the best hair in the morning, I love it!
All ready for church

Not my favorite picture of me but I love this girl so I had to add it. Plus she looks gorgeous!
Max and Brooklyn

After church we took these pictures of the kids in their Easter clothes. It was such a bright day so it was hard to get a good one. They all looked so dang cute though!!

Dylen and Brooklyn

OUR NEWEST NIECE

Toby's brother Troy and his wife Jodi just had a darling little girl.

Emery "Lou" Goeckeritz
4/16/2008 12:38 am.
6 lbs. 8 oz.
19 1/2 inches

I took this picture off Jodi's blog (hope that's ok). I just think she is so sweet and we are so excited for her to be apart of our family! I really can't wait to see her.

GIRLS NIGHT

So I stole these pictures off Lorilee's blog of our fun night out with the girls. Alyssa is always so willing to come down and hang out with us from just north of Sacramento (an hour and a half away). I seriously always look forward to dinner with these friends of mine. They all make me laugh and I love it!!
Melanie is so close to having her baby. I am so excited to finally meet him! So the next pictures I have of Melanie will be with her holding her sweet little boy!

OUR WEEKEND

We love our friends James, Alyssa, Kylie and Leyton! They came down from Sacramento to hang out with us. We always have really great conversations when we are together. We all get along with each other really well and it really makes it nice because when we are all together we have a lot of fun.
These pictures are back words but I am to lazy to fix them. Alyssa and I went to dinner with the girls, Misty, Melanie and Loralee to celebrate Melanie's last day of work. (she will be having a little boy and day now)! I am hoping to get the picture of the fun times we had the night soon. And I will post it when I get it.


I love this picture!

And this one!
This was taken after the Easter egg hunt. Brooklyn was checking out all of the stuff she got.
We had a Easter egg hunt in our house for Kylie and Brooklyn. They loved it and were so excited about all the eggs they found.




Alyssa and I colored eggs with Kylie and Brooklyn while the boys stuffed the eggs and hid them. The girls really loved coloring their eggs!

Notice the egg being thrown by Toby. It actually ended up hitting Alyssa (who was taking the picture) dead on. Pretty funny, babe.
Nikell and Leyton play together really well. Nikell is a little feisty at times so we have to make sure she is being a nice girl.

Checking out all the colors,
While we were boiling the eggs the guys took the kids to a park across from our house and flew some kites. The kids loved it, thanks boys!

More pictures to come of Easter day!