Tessa Kirstina Boone

 Tessa Kirstina Boone

Tessa arrived early in the morning October 8, 2011 at the Roseville hospital in Sacramento, California. She is named after my Great Grandma Adams her name was Kirstina.  I have always loved the name Tessa and I think it fits so well with Marissa and Olivia. She was one week early.
Here are some family pictures. More to come soon these are just some of my favorites.

Rainy Days in Sacramento

Visitors from Arizona!

My Mom and Dad came to visit Tessa one week after her birth. Doesn't my Mom look awesome she lost 30 pounds!

My parents are amazing they have supported our family in every decision we have made and every challenge we have faced. Looking back over the past 10 years of our marriage I see so many ways my parents have loved and encouraged Josh and I. They were there when Josh was deployed to Iraq, they were there for each move, each graduation, each baby birth, they let us live with them. They continue to do this for our family and for each of my brothers and sisters and their families. I couldn't begin to make a list of all the ways they have shown their love to me. . . it would never be complete. My heart really fills with emotion when I think of my parents, they are what I hope to become. 

If anyone ever needs an example of how a grandpa should love their grandkids look no futher than my Dad. He has each one wrapped around his finger and they each have him wrapped around their little fingers.  I think this is because he just flat out loves them, he loves to make them laugh, he loves to know what they are interested in, he loves to show them things, he loves to just BE with them. My Dad will endure any and all pillows or blankets thrown on his head in a giant pile just so he can growl, tickle and laugh. It is the best noise in the world. I can't help but watch as I feel time stands still and he teaches my kids that they are loved and special to him. Notice how Marissa is resting her head on my Dad and that he willing choose to sit in the  squished tiny back seat? Marissa was a particular baby she would ONLY go to certain people. This rings true to this day and now she is 4. From the time she was old enough to recognize who was holding her my Dad has been at the top of her very small "golden list". He would let her sit with him for HOURS and never suggest she go anywhere else. My Dad would swing Ty to sleep on his arm when he was a baby. I know my sisters and brothers have similar stories. I never tire of spending time with my Dad and I know it will be the same with my kids.

Then there is my Mom. .  . . she has an amazing gift of knowing what people need and making things happen, that includes emotional, social and physical things. When I wanted to get home this summer she quickly volunteered to fly up to Sacramento and drive 16 hours back to Arizona. Then she turned right back around with me and drove 16 hours back to Sacramento and flew home to AZ. Each trip was great I  enjoyed being with her so much I had her all to myself which is a seriously special treat. She told me her "Garden Analogy" about life and it made a lot of sense just like my Mom always does. My Mom teaches me   with her gentle kindness and listening ear.  She also got my kids huge dipped ice cream cones in the middle of nowhere and we laughed as they melted faster than they could eat them because of the 100+ weather. My mom is an optimist and she can ease the stress of many crazy situations. She is full of great ideas. As soon as she arrived with my Dad to help me with the kids for two weeks; she surveyed my room and said, "Kara you have got to get a rocking chair in this room." And before you know it I had a chair and a dresser for the baby's clothes. My mother gives so much of herself to everyone with out any expectation of reciprocation. She is an unconditional giver. She knows how to Love.

When my parents were here to visit and see Tessa. We visited Apple Hill and checked out the pumpkin patch. It was funny because crowds of people swarm to these farms for a chance to see pumpkins and pet a cow or run through a hay bail maze. We grew up with these things in our back yard. And I must say the kids LOVED it and I realized they haven't grown up with these things like I did. There were always cows in the field below the house and there were plenty of pumpkins that I had helped plant, weed and kill the bugs on and then harvest for fall. I want to have a garden in the future and continue growing the things I love. We had the "famous Apple pie" but I really believe my Mom's apple pie's and desserts are better :).

Here are the girls in their beautiful dresses they are perfect for twirling. Evonne added the white waist ribbon which made them even cuter. Olivia requests this dress every Sunday. She can wear it for years because she can continue wearing Marissa's when her's becomes too small. The girls dance around the front room like ballerinas they are fun to watch as they pretend and giggle.

My mom stayed for 2 weeks to help with the kids. I was so lucky. She made many treats since it was almost  Halloween. I think she made 3 batches of Pumpkin cinnamon rolls with carmel frosting. Delicious! She had plenty of extra hands to help in the kitchen.



We walk to Cowan (Ty's school it's about 1/4mile) It's not a bad walk in the rain.

The rainy days in Sacramento will be short ones. We are only here for one year and then we will be off to another place and another home to find and love.

But this home has been a wonderful ones with many great times. This picture of Tessa is one of my favorite She is laying in the window of the family room listening to the rain fall only a few days old. And that is how we have spent the rainy days of Sacramento just soaking in the goodness of life. A new baby, great and loving company and sweet kids. I can only say Life is Very Very Good.

Halloween Costumes Two Fairy Princesses and a Skeleton


Three little sisters!


We love the leaves it's finally fall and Tessa is Here.

Waiting for the Arrival of a little sister

Swinging from trees and playing in the backyard. That what Ty loves to do while he waits.

Tiny little hands checking to see if Tessa is awake.

Sharing some good "knock knock jokes" like knock knock: who's there? Anita. Anita Who? Anita meet my sista!

Throwing the leaves we can't wait for a giant pile to jump in. . . oh and for Tessa to get here.

Playing in the leaves as they change colors

Livvy won't be the baby much longer. 

Ty is a great big brother he really helps everyone, especially Mom.

Life is a little crazy at our house and is going to get CRAZIER!

The most handsome man around! Look at that guy I love him!

Ok. . .  3 hours after taking this picture my water broke and 6 hours later at 2:47 am on October 8th  Tessa arrived weighing 6 lbs 15 oz and 19 1/2 inches long.

Happy Mommy

Tessa Kirstina Boone has her own little look. She has blue eyes and a cute little "Adams" nose like my Grandpa Chet Adams side of the family. I love that because she is named after my Grandpa Adam's mother Mettie Kirstina Hansen Adams. I remember staying the night with her when I was young because she didn't like to be alone.

Josh helped deliver just in time. Everything went well I have never had a baby during the night before they have all been in the morning to afternoon. So this was a new experience staying up all night. When we arrived at the hospital I was admitted because my water had broke. Three other women arrived at the same time in active labor. I started an IV antibiotic and got an epidural at midnight. Evonne (Mom Boone) was there the whole time watching over things and I am thankful she was, the resident doctor came in and asked how I was feeling. She told me she would be back in 2 hours to check me. As soon as the doctor left Evonne asked the nurse if she would check me because I was having some very long and hard contractions. Sure enough I was at a 10 and ready to go. Mom Boone said, "I knew you were very close but I didn't want to step on toes" She has been a labor and delivery nurse for 25 plus years and is a huge comfort and great coach to me with every birth. Each has been so different and her kindness and perceptiveness has given me relief, reassurance and courage. It's not easy to bring children into the world, but it is the most magical and joyful thing I have ever done. Ty and Olivia arrived naturally without an epidural, while Marissa and Tessa both broke my water and I was induced with an epidural. The blessing of being able to experience maternity and be a part of bringing a child to the world is quite humbling.  

Grandma Boone and Tessa

I have the most amazing in-laws which isn't surprising if you know Joshua

All Together Finally No More Waiting

Tessa is so tiny and sweet we will keep her

We enjoyed having Grandma here and loved the stories she brought and her homemade rolls and waffles.

San Francisco Labor Day Trip

We took a little trip. San Francisco was calling and we came and went. Josh took Thursday and Friday off to make an extended Labor Day vacation.
Josh and the kids have never been to San Fran. I have been a few times growing up. Crazy that it still has the same "feel" I remember when I was younger like being cold next to the bay as we looked at the bridge.


Ty liked the water and chased any and all seagulls or birds with a loud "ka kaaaaw ka kaaaaw" it was entertaining to watch. He even found a treasure a piece of ocean drift wood.


Marissa and Livvy spent most of their time "hiding" from the wind and saying "I'm cold Mom. . . I'm cold Dad."  Luckily they found a wind blocker behind this little wall. Those expressions on their faces didn't change the entire visit with the cold wind and big bridge.

It was a gorgeous day with a little sunshine here and there.

We spent most of the day at the Exploratorium. The kids never got board we were there a good 5 hours AMAZING science and fun! I am a bit of a nerd science was and is my favorite subject still. I am still fascinated by all the laws of science. 

Ty, Riss and Liv enjoyed it too. This was a mirror that went on forever the kids kept giggling dancing in it. Everything was kid friendly and touchable. There were little wooden stools everywhere so height wasn't a problem.

The rising fog caught Livvy's attention she would let it get really thick and then blow it all away again and again.

This was the room of distortion, being able to touch the ceiling is very cool when you are tiny. Josh looked like a giant.

Marissa's favorite exhibits were the one with color and light where she could dance and twirl and see all pink, purple, red, blue, yellow. .. etc. She now loves to mix colors and tell me how they change.

Optical illusions are cool this picture started looking like pulsating jelly fish after a minute or two of staring. Since the picture can't capture the real thing. I thought I would try to express my inner feelings through this stellar facial expression.

Monochrome land was like walking through that movie Pleasantville. I did love how my digital pictures turned out in this room.

Livvy couldn't figure how to get those Jelly Belly's out of the candy machine.

Ty liked making crazy monster faces with this exhibit.


Josh stopped off for a refreshing drink of water. Marissa and Ty wouldn't try a drink Livvy was all about the toilet water.

I liked the sound hall too. These Xylophones were melodious. We just couldn't get enough.

Josh and Ty sat down to listen to something and the next thing I know they were both asleep, were those magical earphones?


After our busy day of fun we headed to our hotel at the Embassy Suites and enjoyed the pool. I think the kids loved that the best. I loved the hot breakfast in the morning. The Hotel has an atrium inside with gigantic carp the kids loved feeding them.


These girls LOVE their DADDY it was nice to get him to ourselves for 5 whole days. There was alot of laughing and fun.

On our way back to Sacramento we stopped off at the Jelly Belly factory and took a tour. Did you know they make candy corns, and Fruit Gems? Those are like some of our favorite candies. It was quite the process to see how they make those delicious jelly belly beans. We had to wear these hats the whole time.  FYI if a bean is misshaped it is rejected and called a jelly flop. They sell flops at a discounted price. Ty discovered that there is a line of Jelly Bellies that taste like boogers, throw-up, onion and many other disgusting flavors. .. move over Harry Potter. We all got our own bag of fresh Jelly Bellies to enjoy on the drive home.  That was our weekend adventure of Fun.