Ashlynn's birthday......last week, ops!

Ashlynn Grace turned one! We had a little birthday party the night before because I had to work on her birthday. We feasted on hotdogs (Ashlynn's all time favorite), cheese (yet another favorite) and chili (not so much). Ashlynn had no clue what was going on. Every time we took pictures she looked at us like we were crazy!

Everyone happily eating their cheese dogs

I decided to make these fun snowman cupcakes. They were kind of a pain in the butt like a gingerbread house is. The frosting is glue and things fall off until it is set. They are freaking cute though!

All ready for cake!

Around valentines day you can find pretty much anything lady bug. A new lady bug back? sure why not. She will love it one day. She always got new bath toys to hoard. She loves them.

And a cute little talking mail box that she loves

I cant believe how fast the months have gone by. She is starting to be such a big girl!

On the night you were born

This is a really sweet book. Every parent/child should have one. It talks about how special you are. That there is no one like you

We were reading last night. I asked the kids if there was anyone exactly like them. They all said no expect for Jakobe. He said, yes there is. I asked who. He answered: "Barack Obama. He has a white mom and a black dad. So we are the same." I couldnt stop laughing because Jakobe kind of looks like him too

A little behind

I love to scrapbook. It makes me happy. Gets rid of my stress. However at this moment it may in a small way be making me crazy! I am so far behind. I just reached 18 months old in KAYANN'S book. Um she is almost 4! I havent even started Ashlynn's. I havent done a family book in who knows how many years! AHHHH. You understand the make me crazy part?

So I have made a goal. Its not a big one but it is a step. I want to have Kayann's toddler book done by the Joe and Cari's wedding. Why than you ask? Because than I can show my sister when she comes to town. That way I will be held accountable. JoEllen you better be ready to see it. ha

Ashlynn's milestone

Ashlynn just turned 1! (birthday party pictures are coming) I cant believe it. It seems the more kids you have the faster the time goes.

Ashlynn is so sweet. She loves to give hugs and kisses, reading, wrestling, playing "I'm gonna get you". She loves her brother. Eating is one of her favorite things to do, she likes to sit in a booster seat at the table. She thinks baths are the coolest thing ever. But on the flip side she is very opinionated. If she doesnt want to do it, she wont. She will shake her head no at you so you know. She is so spunky and fun!

Ashlynn is our little baby (not as little as Kaylee was but definitely smaller than kayann). She hits the scale at 17 lbs and is 28 inches long. As you can imagine that isnt very high in the percentile world, but her dr. said she is growing just the way she was meant to. Thats all I care. Ashlynn started taking steps. She isnt walking real well yet but she is getting there.

Once again we went to JcPenny's for pictures.....I just love them. They do such a great job and are so friendly and patient. Ashlynn was a little cranky. It was almost lunch time. I had to bribe her with some snacks. She was like a little puppy. After every flash she would open her mouth for a "treat" it was so funny

Eh....

It is amazing, how one person's opinion can make question arise in yourself.

New bed

During the craziness of the holidays, some little friends found a new place to sleep:

Forgive my slacking.........

The holidays were full of firsts, tradition and craziness!

We attempted our first gingerbread house. Ok I bought a kit but it was still the first year I have made one with the kids. It was more challenging than I thought, with a gimp arm and all. Even though it fell apart the kids still had a blast and a great snack!

Grandma and Old Grandma got the girls enough dress up stuff to last for days. The girls love it. There is so many possibilities. Luckily, for me, they brought a "closet" and hangers, and drawers for all the jewelry.

On to the stockings..........Kaylee was at her mom's

This was Ashlynn's first Christmas! She had no clue what was going on but loved going through everything

Sadly Kayann had massive pink eye (when I say massive I mean eye swollen shut, ooze everywhere). However that did not stop her excitement when she was going through her stocking

Santa brought Raymond enough fishing stuff to get through the summer.....Good thing his mom made him a fishing vest this year

Ashlynn didnt care too much to open presents. She just wanted to play with the paper, and eat some breakfast. She does however love her push car

The kids didnt ask for much. Kayann really really wanted a mermaid barbie.........

and Raymond really really wanted a double lightsaber.........

Santa did so well. Everyone was super happy! They got books, and lots of games this year. They also got a puppet theater, that they love

We had an amazing Christmas with family and friends. Food everywhere, Ashlynn was in heaven! I love to be able to spend so much time with our family.

Watching planes go by

This time of year most people cant wait for Dec. 25th. Well this year we couldnt wait for Dec 23rd.

I bathed my kids, put them in jammies, brushed their teeth, but they did not go to bed. Instead we loaded into the car with our handmade signs. Each a different. Each with a special meaning for each kid.

W arrived at our destination with time to spare. Maybe too much. The kids were tired. There was no place to sit, as many others were doing the same thing we were. Derek gathered the tired kids on the floor, against the wall. He tired his best to keep them entertained with stories

Finally we saw familiar face! They were there for the same purpose.........To welcome my brother home from the war

He had no clue we were going to be there. He took forever to get off the plane. He made several stops on his way......the bathroom.........water.........

Finally he made it to baggage claim. Man was he surprised!

It was good to finally see him and know that he is safe and well.

During our wait many people came up and said to tell Joe thank you or something of that sort. My brother John was in the back of the group with his son when a lady approached him asking a few question like who we were, if any of the kids were Joe's and what not. Finally before she walked a way her eyes filled with, than ran down her face, she said, please tell him thank you, my brother never made it home. Talk about the harsh reality of what could have happened. What is happening.