Ashley's Recital

We had a busy day. Today was Ashley recital and Grammy's birthday so we had them over for dinner and decorated cookies for Christmas. Ashley did great at her recital! We weren't sure if the crowd (which filled the gymnasium at the community center) would intimidate her or not. We were very surprised that it seemed to encourage her to do the best performance she's had yet! She walked up there, quickly found her place and followed the teacher through the dance routine. It was precious and I was so proud. It was the first time Grammy and Grandpa go to see her too!









Ashley's friend Ashlee who did ballet with her

Visit at Gram and Grandpa's

We had a busy weekend at Gram and Grandpa's the beginning of Dec! Brian had Monday off, so we took a long weekend to spend some time with them since Grandpa couldn't make it to Thanksgiving. We arrived Friday night late, so the kids went straight to bed (no longer do they sleep in the car like they used to). Saturday morning we went to the Christmas Tree Festival. There were about 20 themed trees along with craft tables for the kids and of course Santa! I was impressed at how well it was run and couldn't believe it was all free! That afternoon Gram took Ashley and I to the Nutcracker performance put on by the local ballet school. This was a special treat for Ashely since she's been doing ballet. We told her she could do this some day if she practiced hard. There were all ages of kids from 4 to 21. They did a great job and it was a special outing just the girls. That night we put together our gingerbread houses, eating a lot more candy than we should have! The weather was really nice so went on a few walks to the park and around the neighborhood.

The final product. Gram and Grandpa's is on the left and our's on the right. Gram and Grandpa won this year, Ashley was the judge.



planning her "attack"

Gram's little helper

Gingerbread preparations

Grandpa reading stories in his chair

Thanksgiving

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving this year at our house. Brian's mom came into town with her famous smoked turkey that she orders from Pendleton. She brought this one year and from now on no turkey, no trespassing! Of course her pies as well because they're so delicious! My parents came over with some yummy dishes to add to the feast and our friends Tiff, Isaiah, and Isabelle as well as Uncle Dan came over. I had a lot of fun this year making a few projects. I learned how to make bows for the candle holders, a "Thankful" banner to hang on the fireplace and leaves that I cut out for us all to write what we were thankful for this year and hang on the "Thankful Tree". It's a tradition I want to start. I think it will be really good to remember everything we were thankful for in the past as well as the one's we are thankful for now. Brian was on call that weekend and I was really thankful he didn't get called in!




place settings

Isaiah's Room

When we moved into our house back in May, Isaiah's room was pink... not the best color for a boy! This is what I turned it into. It all started with the upholstered fishing chair that Brian had. I found a fishing border online, paint to match, and these adorable curtains my mom made (they match the border almost identically). The macrame glass float hanging over the chair was made by Uncle Mike, the framed birth announcement Aunt Becki made, and my mom's boss made the letters last year for Isaiah. It finally all came together.

Sneaking a Snack

I caught Isaiah helping himself to a snack. He walked into the pantry with his steps, placed them on the floor, reached up to the 2nd shelf, pulled out the fruit/nut mix, brought it over to the table, pulled out the chair (this took major effort since it's so heavy), climbed up, opened the bag, looked up at me, smiled and dug in! "Mmmmm!" he said.

Pinkalicious!

My mom got Ashley tickets to see Pinkalicious for her birthday, just the two of them. It was a perfect play for my mom to take her to. They got all decked out in pink, my mom even brought over a new Pinkalicious coat and scarf for Ashley and was all dressed in pink herself! They went early to indulge in pink cupcakes and absolutely loved the play. Ashley was boppin' to the music and at the edge of her seat the whole time. I can just picture her. Then Grammy took her out to dinner after. It was a very memorable night, Ashley can't wait to do it again!

Our new favorite song!

A is for Alice,who met an alligator,
swishing down the alleyway on Apple Avenue.
“Shoo!” said Alice,“I’m allergic to all gators:
Ah-choo! Ah-choo!” Off she flew.

Painting

Park Pics

Sleep Over!

Steve, Jo, Nathan, Danielle, Hani, and Sawyer all came down for Ashley's birthday party on the 5th. We finally have room for everyone to stay with us and it was a big sleepover! The kids loved waking up having Nathan and Sawyer to play with. They played so well together, it's hard not to be sad that we don't live closer to them.

Nathan showing the kids a new game on the iPad.

She couldn't wait to hold Sawyer after the party. She's so good with him.

Isaiah and Nathan playing quietly with a puzzle. I had to take a picture because the other time was spent chasing each other screaming with excitement! You might notice how Nathan has no clothes on, he prefers a diaper only!

Strawberry Shortcake Birthday Party

I had so much fun planning Ashley's 4th birthday party. She wanted a Strawberry Shortcake theme, so I got right on it searching ideas online to come up with her own special party. We had about 10 kids come over around noon. While we were waiting for all of her guests to arrive there were Strawberry Shortcake pages to color on. Once everyone was there we had lunch, PB & strawberry sandwiches cut out in the shape of a strawberry with raisins as seeds, sliced apples, strawberry yogurt, and strawberry milk or pink lemonade to drink. After lunch we played "pin the stem on the strawberry" This was a modified version since not many of the kids wanted to be blind folded, spun around or close their eyes. So they placed their stem where they thought it should go and Ashley picked the two that she though were the closest. Kara and Quinn won! After the game we decided to open gifts. Instead of singing "Happy Birthday" before she blew out her candle she wanted us to sing it to her before gifts. So, we gathered in the living room and all sang to her. She received really nice gifts and opened them all with excitement. It was really cute. After gifts came cupcakes. She still isn't so sure why the whole candle thing needs to happen, but she went along with it and I helped blow them out. It was a great party and I couldn't have done it without the help of Brian. He slaved over making cupcakes for the party all day Friday (his day off). Anything for his little girl!

Pin the stem on the strawberry... modified.

Ashley's neighbor friend, Kate.



Gram and Grandpa came for the party!

Birthday girl!



Party hats.

Goody bags had a Strawberry Shortcake coloring book, crayons, Strawberry Shortcake bracelet, strawberry fruit snacks and a fun straw. The boys got the same, just a different theme.

4 years old!

I look at this picture and feel so proud that she is our daughter. She brings such joy and laughter to our lives. She's 4 and I really can't believe it. I remember so clearly the day she was born. We couldn't keep our eyes off of her, wondering how our lives had changed for the better. She is her own person and teaches us new things every day. I get a huge smile on my face watching her play with Isaiah or her own creative play. She's so sweet and caring, my heart bursts out of love for her. She's been through a lot of changes this last year handling them all as a new adventure. With the move to our new house came changes in her daycare. She's been at 3 in the last year and adjusted with ease to all of them. This last one was a bit of a challenge only because the one in between was only for 6 weeks. Poor girl probably thought we were going to be switching again. We figured out a little routine when mommy drops her off and that does the trick. The day that comes when she doesn't need to race me to the window to wave goodbye is going to break my heart because it will remind me that I can't keep her the way she is forever. She is the most adorable little girl that I know with her bouncy curly hair. She still can't go anywhere without someone commenting. I love to see the outfits she picks out for the day. They usually involve something pink in which she calls herself "Pinkalicious". Her babies are her world taking care of them and quieting us when they are sleeping. It really doesn't matter if they are doll babies or made up babies out of blankets or heating pads, they all need to be taken care of! She's cautious, observant and smart. Rules and discipline are a big deal to her (she gets that from me). When she acts up we take away privileges such as reading books or her bedtime routine. She takes this very seriously and is excited when she's behaved well enough to get them back. To give an example last night she had lost privileges because she didn't have a very good attitude the morning before. We have this routine after bath where the kids like me to rock them in my arms and sing "rock a bye baby". Of course she waited until I was done, but said "mommy you shouldn't have sung that to me"... "why shouldn't I have sung that sweetie" "remember Mama, I lost privileges and this is a privilege". We must have done something right in raising her so far! We look forward to the next year, watching her grow and try new things. She'll always be our little girl, though, no matter how many years go by.

Fall Colors

This is a tree in our backyard. I never expected it to be this bright red. I love opening the blind and seeing it everyday.

Ashley's Birthday

We celebrated Ashley's birthday with family this past weekend. It was so fun to have everyone over to celebrate our baby girl turning 4! I can't believe it! Bonnie, Al, Lucas, Uncle Dan, Gram, Grammy and Grandpa were all there to celebrate! I made taco soup with corn bread and a southwest salad and then Ashley picked out a caramel swirl cake with vanilla bean ice cream to go with! She got a dollhouse, barbies, a quilt from Gram, tickets to Pinkalicious from Grammy and Grandpa and an adorable knitted sweater for her and Isaiah from Grammy, a Strawberry Shortcake doll, sand art, books. Lots of fun stuff that she really enjoys playing with. Thank you everyone for making a very special day for Ashley.







She loves her Strawberry Shortcake doll that Grammy and Grandpa got her. You gotta love her outfit too. Her Strawberry Shortcake tights came in the mail right before the party and she wanted to match Grammy with her orange and black striped tights.

Gram made this beautiful quilt for Ashley. Her room is now complete!

This was one of Ashley's favorite gifts. Uncle Dan got her this sand art that's supposed to layer in the bottle. Instead Ashley wanted to shake it and got the giggles everytime she did. It was so cute seeing the two of them play together. She really loves her Uncle Dan!

Gram and Grammy couldn't put the barbies down. As soon as Ashley was in bed, they were all into dressing them up.