Our New Life....Clearing the Clutter....

Elizabeth is 19 months old and it is time to clear the clutter.... No matter how hard you try to keep the house orderly, it is a constant challenge to keep the hallways and living areas clear of toys, cars, baby strollers, and the list goes on and on....Since Ken & I are working from home now, we decided we wanted to declutter and make the house a place where we could really relax and unwind. Now if only we can keep it this way....................

So this week, along with pictures of our toddler, we have included some photos of the "after" the 2 trips to goodwill photos! We also learned that if you put furniture in front of the house with a "free" sign, it will all be gone in less than 24 hours...location, location, location....this would not happen in every neighborhood!! Elizabeth decided along with her pajamas, she needed to wear her hat to bed...you can just see the joy in her eyes...what a gigglebox!

Getting bigger every day. We can let her sit in the bar stools now. A real treat for a toddler...

Showing off her "chocolate chip" face. Since Sampson spends 3 days at the vet every week, Ken & Elizabeth made the vet staff a huge batch of cookies to give them on Friday! Nobody enjoyed them more than Elizabeth....

I am very good about wiping my face. I actually dislike being dirty...after all the fun of getting dirty of course.

The weather was so beautiful yesterday that we decided to give Sampson a break from his cone. So we took off the neck towel and the cone and brushed him really well. He absolutely loved it. Elizabeth spent the next two hours chasing the dogs with the brush. She loves to help!

Since Elizabeth is getting older, we decided to put her name up in her room. Along with decluttering, we moved a lot of the book shelves from other rooms into her room. They were much needed as she has so many books, stuffed animals and trinkets. Her room will, beyond a doubt, remain one of the most cluttered in the house!

Her daddy also put a coat, hat and book bag rack on the end. She loves to grab her jacket, hat and shoes on her way out the door and always knows just where to find them now!! She also likes to take her book bag filled with sunscreen, lip gloss and other items on trips for the zoo and animal park. So independent!

We also got her valance up finally along with her hand prints and foot prints from birth. Shaping up to be a nice toddler room...where does the time go?

Elizabeth in her new dress for church this morning. Too cute for words....

Our friends Brandi & David dedicated their daughter Jewell today. It was a beautiful ceremony. Afterwards, we visited with them to give our love and support.

So perfect.......

Proof of the declutter....Elizabeth now has one spot for toys in the living room. In the right had corner you will see her book shelf with books and toys. She also gets her alphabet letters. We spend each day singing the alphabet song and running in circles to step on the letters as we go. Who knew singing the alphabet could be so much fun!

Okay, the sit-n-spin snuck into the living room....and thus it begins....

There were book shelves above these windows in the family room. Now that they are gone, Ken realizes he really must finish the mantel. But hey, no toys!! Yeah!

On the business front, God is taking care of us....one of our two full-time employees moved to northern CA in November. This allowed us the opportunity to try working from home, something we had not done in 3 years. We also set up Carolyn, our other full-time employee to work from home and she loves it. Our office lease is up in April so we gave working from home a shot and we absolutely love it! Not only is it cost effective on so many levels (lease and commuting expense for starters), it also allows each of us at least 30 hours more of actual work time each month (due to no commute) and the best part... much more family time. So here is our new home office ..........

We close the french doors and the curtains when it is time to get to work. We love our new commute!

Ken's desk is on the right, Karen's is the back left desk. It is great to be working "side-by-side" ...literally!!

We moved an extra desk in as well. Karen just hired one of the teenagers from church to work several hours a week filing and keeping the office paperless.

If you look closely in the picture above, you will see Sierra just under the left side of Ken's chair under his desk...her favorite spot every day!

With the industry having a tough year, it was a great time to do this. Everyone just nods and says...good move!!

Thank you for taking the time to check in with us! With love and hugs....The Bates Farm

Where have I been? 3-Month Update!! Part 1

The Bates' have had an exciting couple of months! We will try to be better about keeping up with the blog. Mommy & Daddy say not to worry though, they have a ton of video and pictures of me!! We love you all! Please enjoy our 3 month update....

Here I am at the world famous San Diego Zoo...Can you believe it is November? Great weather.

I like to wear my hat because mommy always wears a hat....it's our thing....

Uncle Andy sure can make me giggle. Daddy says he has his own little girl now and I have a new cousin, Cassandra Lee Bates....

We spent Thanksgiving in Connecticut with GrandMary and the gang...what fun we had.....

December was the best. We celebrated the birth of baby Jesus at church and with the Aguayo's. Here we are looking silly with our santa hats on. Mommy & Daddy love Christmas.....

Mommy & Daddy were impressed with my ability to get all the gifts open. I even stopped to admire the "prizes" and gave a hearty "thank you" after opening many of them...


Here I am enjoying my cousin's Christmas present. I didn't quite get that they were not all for me. Daddy, Sierra and I stopped for a pose at Christmas Tree cirlce. The lights were so pretty and brought out a big "whoah" from me at every turn!

Me and some of mommy's cousins. So many girls....





My first taste of cookie dough. Daddy let me try a little. I also had my very first cookie. I spent the next two days asking for nothing but cookies to eat. Unfortunately, I got a big "no". I am getting much better at using my utensils but sometimes it is still a lot of fun to wear my "hat" when I am done with my food.

My first hair cut. My bangs were getting in my eyes so I had a trim. I did well and sat still.


Being a kid is so much fun. I like to roll around on the floor and be silly...

Here I am helping daddy measure stuff....I'm lots of help...



Here are Gina and Jasmine. They hang out with me every afternoon. Gina teaches me spanish. I get so excited when they come over to play with me. Life is good....

Where have I been? 3-Month Update!! Part II

January 2008 has been such a great year for us. Mommy & Daddy said business is doing better than ever which is a huge blessing because the industry they work in is struggling. They have been working harder than ever but mommy says hard work is a good thing and makes us appreciate our time off even more. Even though they are busy, they always take time to take me places. Here we are at the Zoo as a family. In case you couldn't tell, we have annual passes because it is only 10 minutes from the house...

Peanut butter is officially one of my favorite foods. Daddy lets me eat it for breakfast but not before taking my shirt off. He said I'm messy, just like he was...

Mommy laughs when I play in my car. I like to get my cell phone and make calls as I drive around...

Papa Oscar, Aunt Carrie & Kaitlyn came to see us for the superbowl! Mommy liked reading to us and the dogs. We had lots of relaxing family time during the weekend!

Daddy loves to take me places. Last weekend, he took me to Coronado. Can you tell I like to run on the beach? Did you know that it is February? Daddy loves San Diego and he especially loves the weather here. He says it is just silly to live anywhere else!

More pictures of my daily life. I have a new stroller and insist on taking my babies everywhere. Here I am taking them with me to get the morning paper. I also got my 2nd hair cut this past weekend. And, a picture of me on the right. Can you see the "post its" all over me? I was helping mommy in the office. I went through 2 entire packs and mommy is still finding them around the house. She thinks I'm funny....and fast!!

This past weekend, we had the best family day ever. Mommy and Daddy took me to the Wild Animal Park. The weather was gorgeous, the animals were out and active and we spent the entire day just walking around and enjoying ourselves. I loved this place. I got to ride the carousel, stand a foot away from a huge lion (he was behind a glass though) and see a puppet show. Days just don't get better than this....

We can't believe how fast she is growing. Elizabeth just turned 19 months. She sings, repeats everything we say, can ask for things, knows exactly what she does and does not like, and she zealously lives and loves life!!

She gives big hugs, loves kisses, loves to giggle, likes to make us laugh and wants to hug and kiss the dogs and cats all the time.

What a beautiful gift from God! What joy and happiness to be found in the innocense and love of a child.

We hope your new year got off to a great start as well....

Love from the Bates Farm!!