Happy Birthday Ashlyn

Ashlyn turned 5 this week and to celebrate we had two parties. A friend "enchanted" birthday and a family one. For the enchanted party we took a couple of her friends to see the movie enchanted, then we went to ride the carousel and ate a bucket of princess cookies. At Great American cookie, you can buy a bucket full of cookies and since it was her birthday they gave me a princess cup with snow white on the straw for free. Aunty Em came with to enjoy the festivities and save me from loosing my sanity, so thanks for that. The movie was cute the girls were great and Ashlyn was so happy about all the presents, so thank you.




Even after we told them they didnt have to hold hands anymore Jayden and Maddie continued to hold hands...most the day!!
We hope Jayden can continue to keep this up in his teenage years. Always right in the middle of all the action.

Here's Ashlyn's other present from us. She outgrew the bike that we have at our house, so she picked out a new princess one. She looks way too old riding around on it. Of course its been horrible weather since she got it so so far all she can do it ride it around our house, but at least she is being safe!

Here they are decorating the birthday cupcakes.

We were all singing happy birthday ashlyn and Jayden got a little distracted. He did continue to kinda hum though, while eating all the sprinkles.

Make A Wish!!!!

Happy Thanksgiving

Rylan's new favorite sleeping place. He had grown out of it and is now growing back into it.


Ashlyn and Jayden with their feast hats on!
Rylan at the restaurant in Dallas


Well I'm so sorry that I missed last week. I remember it was late Sunday night and I was exhausted and I was thinking the day was just way too busy that I had no time but now I cant remember what it was I did last week that kept me so busy. Isn't that the way life is, so busy and yet so hard to remember. These last two weeks have been really great though I do know that much. We had the primary program and Ashlyn did great. I think I did pretty good myself if I may say so. Josh and I co teach the 11 yr olds. So I was the one who got up there with them. We had both the kids thanksgiving feasts at their school. It was so fun!!! I had a phone conference with Ashlyn's teacher who of course gave me the report that she is one of their best kids, and they wish they could clone her. Trust me I know the feeling. Ive tried twice to duplicate the phenomenon and haven't quite come close. JK. I love all the differences between them, and watching Jayden learn at school has been really great. Ashlyn is working on reading, and is getting really good, and loves to practice math as well. Im not bragging, because honestly I don't know how she is in comparison but that is a big milestone in my life as well, is watching your children learn to read and add. We also took a last minute trip to Dallas this week. It was a nice time. Jayden said on the way there "Mom after our adventure can I have some Apple Juice at home?" I thought the fact he called it an adventure was adorable and appropriate all at the same time. They were great troopers and didn't make me stop once on the 4-5 hour drive up there. No potty breaks, no snack breaks, and very little whining or fighting it was great!!! Thats one thing about them, is they really are usually great travelers.
Anyways I think thats the catch up in a nut shell.

happy fall

I love this time of year!!! I used to hate it when I lived in Minnesota because it meant the long cold winter was coming, paired with that sick feeling of school starting again, made it my least favorite. Even with prospect of the holidays coming up, I still couldnt muster up any like for this season, but here in Texas, with I love it. The weather is great, just my style, and I love having kids this time of year. Halloween starts it all off, then Thanksgiving, Ashlyn's birthday, christmas and then Jaydens birthday all keep this time of year full of fun and exciting things. The first has come and gone, and we had a great Halloween. Here's some more pictures from this last week.





Rylan is starting to eat solids. I dont know if its all the new food, or me not nursing anymore, teeth coming in, growing pains, his cough, or being hungrier from growing, but he's gotten a little grumpy these days. He goes to the doctor tomorrow and maybe we can get some insight. Wishful thinking I know, but I cant help but be an optimist.

Ashlyn finally got to be snack leader and bring home patty the pony. Shes supposed to keep a journal entry on her weekend with it, and she has gone photo frenzy. Heres one of her snuggling Rylan, and one of her with the pony on Halloween.
Rylan loves sucking on the bottom of glasses. He can spot them a mile away and loves to chomp them. Its pretty amusing.


Heres us at family movie night which we have starting having every friday night. This week Ratatouille.


Here are two picture taken by a friend at fire fest last weekend. This is a truck of one of Josh's friend, and they loved being in there. They spent most the day there.


Two more Halloween pictures. You can see Ashlyn's glitter in this one.
You can see a little more of Rylan's costume here. It says little stinker on the back.

Boo!

So here are the official Halloween pictures!!! Ashlyn as Ariel-Mermaid style. I have to say, it wasnt easy finding hair color for this, and I as debating a wig, but I think this turned out perfect. Her Aunty Em was the stylist, and it turned out so adorable!!! Rylan was a little stinker (as always) and some people even called him flower from Bambi, whatever way you look at it there's no doubt he is the cutest thing ever, at least his mom says so. And Jayden's $6.00 Once upon a child find, tuned out to be just the perfect fit for him as well.
We started out the night with some Los Cucos, (sorry Lynette, hope you dont gag too much) and then we went to a trunk or treat, which I have to say sorry, but enough with the cheap candy already!!! If you are one of those cheap candy hander outers, let me be the first to plead, we want real chocolate!!! Think of all those hard working moms who then look forward to reaping the rewards of the outfits and all the walking around. We want to see something good in there, am I right?
Anyways then as Jayden indulged in a lollipop, and Rylan took a nap, Ashlyn and her cousin Carson did some serious trick or treating. All in all it was a fun night, and they were so darn cute all dressed up!!!! Hope you enjoy them as well, in all 3 entries!

Halloween Pictures

This is the church party and trunk or treat. Ashlyn was Cinderella this time.

Happy Halloween

Here's a few pictures, with many more to come!!! This is our halloween treat ghosts in the graveyard, very yummy!

Here are pictures from the kids school party