We've got keys!

Closing happened last week!  It's ours!  Now that we have spent the last 5 years remodeling our current home, we thought it was time to move on to the next one.  But this one is a place we will stay for a long long long time.  Like kids go to college long time, maybe even come back and then leave again long time.  It has everything we need and more.  Here, I'll give you a tour.  I must warn you- it is currently white and bright, but slowly we will splash some color in this place.

 Soon, this will be where my beautiful piano will live.  Thanks grandma!

Entry  (the creepy guy upstairs doesn't come with the house)

Instead of a dining room (because who needs that), this will be a poker/library/game room. 

Tech center for our 2 large desktops and 4 laptops (why do we have all this!?).

 My favorite room of the house, the family/living room.

 Oh the kitchen.  It looks a lot like my current kitchen, but if ain't broke, don't fix it!

Let's go upstairs, shall we?

 Our master bathroom.  Geoff's sink is over hiding in the corner.  Hey, at least he gets his own space.  He also gets his own side of the closet.

For our guests.  Hope you'll come visit!  You even get your own bathroom!

and this is where we (i) do our laundry.  

 This room is an upstairs den.  We imagine this room changing throughout the years.  Right now it will act as a TV room, later a playroom, then maybe a study/homework room, pilates room?, home theater?.  Oh the possibilities!  (HA-the things that become exciting as we get older...)

This is another bedroom, but right now it will receive all the extra stuff we have and don't know where to put.  Possibly a craft/computer/photography/wrap gifts/extra storage space.

Nursery?  Is it bad that I chose the room furthest from ours??  We want The baby deserves as much peace and quiet  as she can get.

There are a few more spaces that I haven't shared, but we will have a nice small exercise room, and large garage, and a fun entertaining space out back.  

We hope you'll come visit and help us break in the new place.  We are so grateful for this amazing year and love sharing it with our friends and family.    

xoxo,

r&g

It's a...

We elected to do an early gender determination ultrasound this week (15 weeks, 3 days- also, let me interrupt here and say WHOSE IDEA WAS IT TO COUNT BY WEEKS?  Let's just count seconds!  That sounds like fun!).  It is earlier than the routine one scheduled at our doctor's office.  Someone is impatient and couldn't wait until 19 weeks, but ihavenoideawhothatis.  We'll confirm in a few weeks, but tech said "I'm 100% sure".

Learning the baby's gender is big news.  So we had to have a party to celebrate because being a boy or girl is important stuff and worth a get together. So together we got and the results are...

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team pink?

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team blue?

I was on both teams because really, how can a mom choose?
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what team are you on?

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I thought for sure team blue, but then I referred to it as she a few times, so who knows...

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ok fine, I will tell you.

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It's a girl!

Here's a nice in between the legs shot for ya.  It's blurry here, but there are 3 lines that apparently indicate girl.

Here are some party pics:

Quinn was told there would be a baby girl in there.  Adults are liars!  Your BFF will be here soon enough Quinny.

 Bodie: another girl!?!?!?!?!

Ace: dad, let's lock this place DOWN.

weeeee...look at my long legs!

It was such an amazing night to be surrounded by our family and get surprised together.  We are so grateful for your support and excitement.  and thank you for the gifts!  Baby already has a sweet wardrobe started thanks to you.  We love you!

Tonight we get a on a boat to celebrate our lovely friends!  We couldn't ask for a more wonderful weekend!

xoxo,

ricki & geoff & ace & kaluah & baby girl 

Our Special Guest

Today we have a special treat for you.  We have our first guest post by Quinn from Quinn's Quips.  Quinn's blog is full of colorful pictures and entertaining journal entries of her thoughts and wisdom.  You should definitely check her out because she is probably the youngest blogger I've ever met!  The floor is yours Miss Quinny.  Aunt Ricki and Uncle Geoff love you!

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          Hello to all my cyber friends and loyal follwers of Howell Highlights! Let me introduce myself.  My name is Quinnlyn Jane Howell, Quinny for short. . .  the adorable niece of Geoff and Ricki Howell.  I am the direct descendent of Geoff’s brother, Bryan, the Dad!  I am almost 8 months old, an Aquarius, and I have a slight addiction to Monkey’s.  When Geoff and Ricki first asked me to guest blog on their website I was flattered and speechless, but that was awhile ago, and now I have lots to say…. 

          First of all I would like to discuss the exciting news that I am going to have a cousin!!!  I am flabbergasted and more than ready to have someone more my size to play with.   I'm not really sure how this whole baby thing works, but I overheard the Mom saying something about March.  I also overheard them talking about a fun party we are going to this Friday where we will find out what gender my new BFF will be.  Dad keeps saying girl, Mom thinks boy and me......I don’t really care either way.  I’m just excited at the opportunity to have a partner in crime to teach fun things to.  Like how to drink water out of the doggy bowl, where to find the good puffs, how to continuously kick off your pants as the Rents are trying to put them on, what the best angles are to put the TV remote in your mouth, how to tell when your parents have JUST fallen asleep and the best way to wake them, and most important, my theory on crying at key times to get what you want.

          Once my new friend is here, I am hoping to have many play dates.  Its’ quite exciting to be able to share this wonderful world with somebody my age and I have so much to share!  The amazing world of Baby Einstein, what its like to bounce all around in those floating chairs, quasi-walking in your mobile walking device, and even splashing around in the bath! 

         

          My bestie, Bodie, is good friends with Ace.  Now Ace is an awesome friend, and between him and Bodie, I always have somebody watching over me, giving me kisses, and cleaning up after me while I eat.  So I have some advice for Ace.  You can always snuggle with me, just don’t roll too hard!  Clean your jowls because you KNOW we will pull on those.  And for Gods sake don’t breathe on us!!!  STINKY!!!  I am a lady  :D

          Well Internet friends, I believe I have reached the limit of my attention span.  I see a fun little plastic kitty I need to go chew on.  I can’t wait to meet my new friend, and show them everything I have learned so far.  I got these Rents licked!  Any takers in my betting pool?  Visit www.quinnyisgonnatakeallyourmoney.com and place your bets!!!  Don’t worry, Uncle Geoff taught me how to skim off the top, so we are all winners!!!

Till next time. . .

Namaste



It's Friday, Friday, Friday...which makes me Happy, Happy, Happy

Yesterday was Geoff's birthday and I celebrated him by purchasing THIS awesome head scratcher.  That's what you do when you are married.  You get practical items that help soothe your loved one's head.  No more plane rides, beer tours, or race car driving, just head scratchers. 

Happy Birthday Baby! 

I love you!

Oh and what really made his day was the October issue of San Diego Style Weddings arrived featuring a 2 page spread on our wedding. 

Have a good weekend!

xoxo,

r&g

Exciting Sh**!!

Our first year of marriage has brought some exciting youknowwhat.  It has been relaxing, crazy, peaceful, chaotic, wonderful, exhausting, lovingyourbestfriendmakeslifeamazing, and I wouldn't change a thing.  For the last few months while we attempted to cram in something every waking minute, we've been busy growing.

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Our house is in its third trimester and should be ready to pop any day!

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and we are just beginning our second trimester and are excited to share this journey with you!

Did you know that growing a human takes TWICE as long as building a house?  Who knew?

 (week 10 barely there bump)

 (week 12 bump's left side)

(week 12 bump's right side)

(my daily view)

As a quick preview to our upcoming adventures, we have THREE weddings approaching.  We are super duper excited to celebrate our friends and guess what?  One wedding is on a boat, another wedding is in a foreign country, and another wedding is at a winery.  I think these friends got together (even though they don't all know each other) and decided, let's make sure Ricki and Geoff have an amazing time and plan really different and unique weddings.  Awww thanks guys!

xoxo,

r&g

Viva Las Vegas x two

Sometimes I do think we live in Las Vegas.  We spent two weekends in a row there and the Palazzo staff knows us by name. The spa staff has seen our wedding photos and know details that sometimes even I forget!  Although at first I am embarrassed, it actually is really comforting and flattering that they are excited about our personal lives.  It makes the service more personal and relaxed, which we really appreciate.  The Canyon Ranch Spa is the largest is the country, so it's nice to see some familiar faces!  Our Las Vegas trips are always filled with a lot of food, a lot of fun, and for me, a lot of sun.  It is one place I don't really feel home sick.

xoxo,

r&g



Ummm...Hello September.

When did you get here September?  And now we are already half way through the month!  You see, I laid down to take a nap on the beach in August and BAM I woke up and it was September.

Mid-August we went beach camping in Malibu with some lovely company.  I have never been beach camping, but I think we were spoiled with this spot.  Large campsite, perfect unobstructed views, warm (hot hot hot) weather, and the sound of the waves crashing on the shore as we slept each night.  It was a long drive, but well worth it.  I will certainly camp here again.  In fact, I think you should all come with us.  Geoff makes a mean s'more.

xoxo,

r&g