Christmas

Merry Christmas to everyone. We had such a wonderful time this year. It was an extra special day because Lorelei was with us this year. Last year she was still in the NICU so we missed her so much. Now our family can celebrate being complete. The kids had so much fun opening presents, baking cookies, watching movies and playing with all their new toys, especially their DSI xl's and new bikes. Asher loves his new nerf gun and his "orange doggie". Which he has named "friend doggie" because it is the friend of his first doggie. It was so fun to watch all the excitement christmas morning. Can't wait to see what the new year brings. Ready or not, here it comes.

We Wish You A Merry Christmas And A Happy New "Ear"

Happy Birthday Lorelei

Happy Birthday to our sweet little girl. You have grown so much in the last year. It is hard to think that just a year ago you gave us the scare of our lives. We are so thankful for how everything has turned out for the best. You are so amazing.

lorelei photo story

Morro Bay

Last week we all took a trip to Morro Bay. We lived there for a couple of years and until Baylee was about one year old. She loves going back because she considers herself "Morrobayian". We had a great time there enjoying great weather, the beach, shopping, Elephant seals, good food and seeing all my old friends. I love the central coast, it is amazing.

Matching Jammies

Lorelei and Baylee in their matching jammies. They glow in the dark too.

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween!
This year the kids were Pikachu, Link (from Zelda), Spiderman, and a Pink Poodle.

Visit from Nana and Papa

My parents have been here for about the last two weeks. It has been great having them here with us. The kids love all the attention and love. They are leaving to go back home this week and we are really going to miss them.

I Took His Hand and Followed

I Took His Hand and Followed

photo by Mathew Cook

My dishes went unwashed today,
I didn’t make the bed,
I took his hand and followed
Where his eager footsteps led.

Oh yes, we went adventuring,
My little son and I,
Exploring all the great outdoors
Beneath the summer sky.

We waded in a crystal stream,
We wandered through a wood.
My kitchen wasn’t swept today,
But life was sweet and good.

We found a cool sun-dappled glade
And now my small son knows
How Mother Bunny hides her nest
Where fern and larkspur grow.

We watched a robin feed her young,
We climbed a sunlit hill,
Saw cloud-sheep scamper through the sky;
We plucked a daffodil.

That my house was neglected,
That I didn’t sweep the stair,
In twenty years no one on earth
Will know or even care.

But that I’ve helped a little boy
To noble manhood grow,
In twenty years the whole wide world
May look and see and know.

~ Ms. Peifer

More summer pics

In my attempt to post more pictures, here is a few from summer that I forgot. Maybe someday I will even find the time to print some out. I think I am back logged about 3 years or more now.
These are a few pictures of our day in Santa Monica and of Asher at his swim class at the Rose Bowl.

Lorelei's first Dodger game

Castle Green

This summer we all attended a first birthday party for the son of my OB doctor. They had it at Castle Green. The kids had lots of fun on a huge blow up slide, face painting and wading pools. The grounds of the hotel are really beautiful. The one picture is the view looking up the stairs inside. Nowadays they don't build staircases the same way (fire safety).

Back to school pics (better late than never)

Just realized I never posted the pics of the kids back to school photos. They are now in 3rd and 5th grade. I think they are happy to be back although they would say otherwise.

Lorelei crawling

9 months

I really need to catch up. It is so hard to find time to blog these days. Usually when I have nothing to do, I do just that, nothing. I am not one of those people who fill every minute of the day until they go to bed. I need those precious hours, minutes, whatever to just veg. Usually to some questionable tv shows.

Anyways back to the updates. The kids have started school (a few weeks ago)(will post pics soon). Summer has come to an official end, although I don't want to let it go. We had a really great summer and it went by so fast as all our summers usually do. The kids seem to be growing up so fast. Lorelei is starting to crawl now. Asher is finally potty trained (two days now, and counting). Baylee is on her final year of elementary school. Riley has grown over two inches. I think it all happened in the blink of an eye, accept the potty training part.

Lorelei had her 9 month appointment this week. She is now 18 1/2 pounds and 24 1/2 inches long. She has six teeth, four lower and two top that are just poking through. She has become an avid bitter, which isn't to much fun when you are nursing. She screams when anyone outside our family holds her or even sometimes just looks at her. If I stay in her view she is usually ok. She loves to eat. She is my first to actually eat baby food and like it. She is a perfect nurser (accept for the biting). She takes great naps and sleeps about 12 hours at night. She is just beginning to crawl. She can get anywhere by rolling. She is enthralled by her siblings. She loves to be around them and they just can't get enough of her. Life is good.

I have so many more pictures that I will post over the next few days so stay tuned.

Party at Nana and Papa's

While we were up at my parents house in Nevada this summer they threw Asher a fabulous third birthday party. The kids had lots of fun finally getting to celebrate with their cousins. Thanks Mom and Dad, it really meant a lot to me and the kids that you did that for Asher. We had a fun BBQ with family and he had a great time opening his presents and playing with his buddy Adam.