Yosemite for Spring Break

Last week was Mark's "Spring Break" from school. On Wednesday the three of us went camping for 3 nights in Yosemite National Park. It was good fun... even if our camping stove didn't work!

Bella shows off her balancing skills upon arrival at our campsite.


Bella and Icha prepare for dinner.


No stove? No problem! We cooked over the open fire for three days.


Cereal and milk: the breakfast of champions.


Bella did her yoga each morning after breakfast.


To get around we took the 'Yosemite Hybrid Shuttle.'


Bella and Daddy on our hike to the falls.


Bella, ever the ham, poses for the camera.


The three of us pose in front of Yosemite's 'lower falls.'

A Sunday Outing

On Sunday the three of us went over to Stanford University to watch the Stanford vs. Boston University women's lacrosse match. The real reason we went though was so Bella could say hi to Julie (who was at the game) and get a chance to ride on her horse, Figuero. Figgy and Julie came to Bella's birthday party back in November.... and Bella was ready to go for another ride!

Icha took this photo while experimenting with our camera. Came out great!


Bella hams it up for the camera.


Icha, Bella and Haley along with Figuero. Haley's mom, Linda, was one of the referees of the lacrosse match.


Mark helps Bella get secure on Figgy.


Julie, Mark and Haley help Bella ride the little horse!

The rumors are true!

Yes... it is true: Icha is with child. Little Murnane #2 is due at the end of September. Needless to say, we are very excited!

Little Murnane #2 at about 6 centimeters.


So far a few of the names Bella has suggested for her little sibling: Chuck E. Cheese, Minnie, Mickey, Dora, Diego.... we're still thinking :-)

Finding Eggs!

After Bella colored her eggs she left them out on the kitchen table that evening for the Easter Bunny. In the morning all the eggs were hidden in the living room! Bella had a great time finding her little gems.

Bella returns her first found egg to the table.


An egg under the pillow on the couch! It's a good thing nobody sat down on it.


Bella points to an egg she spotted in a basket on the bottom shelf.


One egg to go.... where could it be?


The last egg... found in the oven.

Coloring Eggs!

Last Saturday Bella dyed Easter eggs for the very first time in her young life. Coloring eggs is much easier than it used to be as now you only have to put an egg in a plastic bag, drop in a few drops of dye, roll the egg in the bag... and viola! A beautiful Easter egg is created.

Bella rolls her first egg in Pink dye.


Bella and Mama smile and show off Bella's first egg.


1 down... 11 to go!

Bella's New Hobby

Lately Bella has shown a great deal of interest in cooking! She loves helping Icha cook dinner and last Saturday was very excited to help her grandma ('Ma') make a batch of yummy brownies.

Bella and Ma get ready to mix up some ingredients.


Bella chooses the proper mixing utensil.


Bella mixes up some eggs.


Bella and Ma smile as they get ready to add the mixed eggs into the brownie mix.

Like Mother Like Daughter....

As Bella grows up... she is becoming more and more like her wonderful mommy! It's amazing how Bella and Icha are alike in so many ways.

Bella helps Icha prepare food for dinner.


The little Bellsters and Icha smile in the kitchen.


Bella is even starting to cut up vegetables!


After Dinner Icha is off to check her email.


And... like mommy, like daughter....