Asher's 2nd Birthday

Monday July 27th was Asher's 2nd birthday. He is turning into such a big boy. He has been talking so much it is really cute. Here to celebrate with us was Nana and Papa and the cousins Emily and Rebecca. We had fun just swimming in the pool and enjoying the day.

New Baby Pics

Here are the new baby pictures taken at 12 weeks. We had a nuchal scan done at that time which tests for all sorts of problems. Everything looked great. The baby was asleep for the few minutes she needed to measure the neck, then she woke up and started to jump, flip and kick around. All three kids and Jeff were there to see. They were all so excited. Asher has been giving my growing belly kisses and calling it baby. I am sure he has no idea what lies ahead but it is still really cute.

Beach Camping and an update

So much, yet so little has been going on this summer. It seems like I have been doing nothing but yet I never have a minute to spare. I also realized that I never officially announced my pregnancy on our blog. So here it is "I am pregnant". It was a really big surprise. We are all really excited and can't wait to meet our little "girl". Yes, it is a girl (so far). The tec seemed pretty sure although I am only 12 weeks. She told me at 13 that Asher was a boy. Baylee can't wait to finally have her little sis. I have been feeling horrible. Staying home with 3 kids and having all day and night sickness is really hard. It is usually over for me by week 14 so I can't wait. This summer started out slow for us. Asher and I both got the flu and then about a week later Baylee came down with it pretty hard. She had a 104 fever for two days straight and was sick a little over a week and a half. She only got better about a day before we left for our camping trip. During the trip she was so exhausted the whole time. I felt so bad for her. When we got home there was a message from the school board that said 4 kids from our school tested positive for swin flu. So maybe that is what it was.So far this summer we have gone beach camping in Carpenteria, museums, beach day trips, San Diego, lots of swimming in our pool, and are planning a trip to Reno and Tahoe to visit family. Next week I am going on a trip with some other moms to Palm Springs without the kids. That will be a long awaited trip for me. The kids are really excited. They are really looking forward to my neices visiting us next week. They are counting down the days.

Asher's new ride

I got this really great new bike seat for Asher (ibert). He loves to ride in it and it is super easy and stable for me. It is nice to have him up front with me so we can talk about all the things we see together. Most of the time we just point out all the doggies. Asher can spot a dog a mile away.

"Mama"

Here is Asher's first released single. He is going to call it "Mama". I think it is a tribute to me. Hope you all enjoy.

Career Day

This week at school the kids had career day. Riley said he will be anything that "starts with a rock and ends with a star". Baylee was a veterinarian. They had so much fun at school that day to say the least.

Art Show

This week Baylee's art was chosen to be in the district art show at a local bank. She was so excited to see her art on display. It is the one of the planets. Since the state no longer pays for art teachers we in the PTA raise funds each year to pay our wonderful art teacher. This next week we are collecting funds for our "walk for art". June 3rd will be our walk a thon at school. If you would like to contribute to the walk a thon we would love your donation. It is tax deductable as we have a tax ID# for you. You can make a pledge for laps or give a flat donation. You can mail them to our home address or paypal it to my email. The kids are really excited because they love the art classes and the PTA is giving out really great prizes to the kids who raise the most money. Thanks for considering.

Puppy Craft

Here is a cute little craft I came across at the book store the other day.You use pipe cleaners to make the dog, then take eyelash yarn to make the fur. Then you give your dog a little cut and put on some eyes and a nose. Add a collar or leash if you like. Wallah you have a dog that is well behaved, imagine that.

Morning At The Park

Asher just loves a good park. Actually he likes anywhere that has a drinking fountain. Not to drink the water, but to push that amazing big button that makes the water splash out and cause a screeching squeal of delight. What fun it must be to be almost two. He has been up to so much lately. He loves to run and play with his big brother, he loves to hear stories at night from his big sis, and he never goes to sleep without saying night night to everyone, and he always says after you give him a kiss "and a hug" it sort of sounds like "annahough". So so cute. He has been talking so much lately, or at least trying to. He loves our dog Abby like crazy. He gives her kisses and hugs all day. I am trying to teach him we don't kiss the dog on the lips. He gets so happy when he sees his Dada. They are so close it is a wonderful thing to see. I am sure it won't be long till he gets his special trip to the Dodger game with dad. Of course there are always those special times that only Mama will do. He could sit and cuddle with me forever, I love it. I can hardly believe that in only a couple more months he will be two. The days can seem long, but the years seem so short.

Huntington Library

Last week Jeff and I took the kids over to he Huntington Library. We always enjoy going there and so do the kids. We saw this really cute mama duck and her ducklings in the Chinese gardens. Soon the kids got hungry and that led to fighting and crabbiness so we left and had lunch at our favorite place Islands.

Easter

Finally I get the Easter pictures up. The kids had a great time. We went to church just right up the street here, (daddy had to work), then we came home and did lots of egg hunts and had a ham dinner. The kids loved all the candy, especially Asher. I would not ordinarily give him any candy but every time I saw him he had something in his mouth. I don't know where he was even finding it all. Even now weeks later Jeff and I have both caught him with a little chocolate egg in his mouth. You know it's in there when his lips are pursed and he runs when he sees you look at him.

Spring Break

While we were up visiting Nana and Papa, Baylee and I took a ski trip to a local mountain. Riley didn't want to go so it was just us girls. It was great. The weather was warm and sunny but the terrain was still perfect. Baylee took a class for two hours and she was the only one there so it ended up being a private lesson for two hours which gave me time to do some other runs. When we met up again after her lesson she had improved dramatically. That girl loves to ski and she is getting pretty good.

Road Trip

For spring break the kids and I took a road trip (11 hours long) to visit Nana and Papa and my nieces Emily and Rebecca. I thought we would never get there. Asher was really tired of the car after about 4 hours. Baylee and Riley were great, they entertained Asher and were the best helpers a mom could ask for. Daddy could not make the trip with us due to work. We all missed him so much, but we had lots of fun visiting our family. More pics to follow of our trip. I would post them tonight but I had a root canal today and it is really starting to hurt. I must go veg.

Hiking

Sorry it has been so long since our last post. We have all been really busy this spring break. Here is a little catch up.
Dad went on a field trip with Riley's first grade class. They went on a nice long hike up in our local foothills. The kids had a blast. Riley took these great pictures with the camera. He is really good photographer. They also had an awards assembly at school where Riley got perfect attendance and Baylee got an award for creative expression and perfect attendance.

Baylee's Haircut

BEFORE and AFTER
Baylee has finally gotten her official first haircut, besides all the little trims I have given her over the years. I took her to the salon I usually go to. She had the best time and loves her new look. I think it will be much easier to manage.

Student Of The Month

Baylee was awarded student of the month. She was so excited to receive her award. She is proud of the fact that she has won it every year. The planet picture is one she made with the art teacher that our wonderful PTA provided. It was displayed in the cafeteria for founders day.

Valentines Party

This year was our fourth annual Valentines party. Jeff had to work early the next day and I we don't have a sitter so I invited all the kids we know to our house valentines night so their parents could go out. We made pizzas, watched a movie and played games till about 10:30. The kids had a blast.

Hi Nana and Papa

Asher just wanted to say "HI". We all miss you!!!

Wordless Wednesday

Gamer

Like father,like son.

David and the dentist

I saw this on talk soup and laughed so hard. Check it out.

The trees are confused

With all the hot weather around here lately the trees seem to be confused. Is it fall, winter, spring, summer. These pics were taken a couple weeks ago but everything seems to be trying to bloom already. Yesterday it was in the 80's and today it is pouring rain and cold. I love it though. Who can beat California.