Family Pic 2012

Our 5 minute photo-shoot; set the timer, run and smile.

This was our 1st take on Thanksgiving 2012, for our Christmas card.

Made me happy!

Precious Kaitlyn

Hey all! I realize it's been a while and I'm itching for the moment to update this blog. It WILL happen soon, collages are put together :) For now, check out these AMAZING photos a local friend surprised me with TODAY!!! I'm at work and couldn't wait to share. If any of you are wanting to send out pictures for Christmas, end of summer is the PERFECT time for photos. Contact info is listed on her blog. See this website: UGGG...the link option won't work, so here: www.leahremilletblog.com We can't wait to get Ally over there for her photo shoot :) Have a wonderful day and enjoying viewing our precious Kaitlyn!!!!

April's Summary

HUNTING with HONEY...I always love the views and the company ;)

EASTER MORNING, happy to get dolled-up

We love our vists with family...wish it happened more often.

Precious moments; Brennon with Andrea, sweet Mya, Ally with Zack (cat), our last picture of Mia, Lexy and Kaitlyn, Mara and Ally

Kaitlyn's pre-Birthday Festivities

What a day! It didn't start quite the way we would have liked, due to Kaitlyn's extra-early rise because of those darn butterflies in the tummy. But it did rapidly improved as we went about our day.

Here's darling Kaitlyn....ready for her half day of school to be over, before it even starts.

Mom tested her creativity in the kitchen and decided to make 5 batches of rice krispie treats, in addition to the 2 batches of brownies and 1 batch of cupcakes. The result...a couple rainbow creations.

Every friend was able to attend the 'friend party'!!! Kaitlyn was thrilled and had a wonderful time. Her friends are very sweet and displayed wonderful manners throughout the afternoon. Kaitlyn's friends; Adi, Ruby, Halle, Kayla, Rebecca, Talitha, Allie, Joely, Lexi and of course Sis

This year, Kaitlyn desired a St. Patty's Day theme...I did what I could with rainbows/pots of gold (omitting the leprechans). The picture above includes a revised version of 'Mummy Wrap'...instead 'rainbow wrap'. We also divided into teams, hiding and seeking pots of gold, then played charades after receiving the assigned action from a slip of paper in a balloon.

A couple hours after that party ended, the family party began. Grandparents (including Great Grandma) and Aaron/Katie's family attended. The kids made bookmarks, destroyed a pineta and played the balloon/charades game. We, of course, ate the goodies and watched Kaitlyn be spoiled (opening gifts). I know LOTS of pictures were taken...just not with my camera....I SOO need to do better at that!!!! So family, could you please pass some along so I can post more??? Thanks!!!

It was a great day....Kaitlyn knows she is loved by many and we all are so happy to celebrate the wonderful day she became part of our family and such a special part of our lives. WE LOVE YOU KAITLYN!!!

Kaitlyn & Tuffy

Kaitlyn loves Tuffy. As you can see from the look on her face, she enjoys every second of her horse lessons. Now that she's 7....maybe we can get those legs to stretch and fit in the stir-ups.

SNOW that lasted a couple extra hours

This snowfall was 2" and stayed around 3 hours longer than last time. Since school was delayed, not canceled....we went out to play at 7am, came in (warmed up toes) and headed out again at 9am. The girls had a blast packing snow on the slide and sliding off.....it's so fun to watch them play and have a great time together :)

Lovebug Mia

Miss Mia is full of surprises, smiles, giggles, grunts, tricks, fun and snuggles. She's 16 months old and a joy to be around....most of the time, minus the illnesses and teaching her to use softhands and not bite. Today we loved having her chase us around the house, playing peek-a-boo and giving goodbye waves and kisses....she is a ray of sunshine in our home.

Ally's riding...

Ally's doing a great job with her riding lessons. She's learned to canter and...she loves it! I'm told she's a natural she should consider barrel racing....we'll see what the future brings. For now; I'm loving to watch the smiles, the encouragement, the passion, the confidence, the learning and wonder of GIRLS and HORSES!

Misc Winter Posts

Lots of love at our house

Lauren and Audrey's 12th and 10th birthday
Andrea learned how to use a new tool
We got to meet Rudolph, the calf at Elissa's
Andrea learned a new hairstyle, the waterfall braid
Andrea's Girlz night with Arica :)
Girls learned how to Karioke
Ally loves Science (earth cups and rainforst)
Kaitlyn....OUR CUTIE...in so many ways

Valentines Day - Family Date at Home

Good food, good games, nice R&R and PERFECT company = a HAPPY night!

Ally's 3rd Grade Report

Ally worked dilligently on her Mango Tree and Peacock report. I'm amazed at her artwork skills and dedication to the project. It took a little motivation at first, but she knew what needed to happen (what her teacher expected)...and she made it happen. GREAT JOB ALLY!!!!

Birthday Snow

It was a perfect day for SNOW! I loved having my family home in the morning hours....it felt like school was canceled just for me...I loved having playtime with my family (before 7 in the morning...so fun) and having Jeremy prepare and serve breakfast. Such a treat! Grandma took us to Olive Garden for lunch, then took the girls home with her so I could rest up and have my afternoon at home with Jeremy. That night we headed for our dinner date with the family at Gustav's...YUM! It was an exhausting day, but a good day. The Lord blesses me greatly!

Cheercamp

I did not and repeat DID NOT encourage them to do this. This was the girls own desire and they ABSOLUTELY LOVED it! MLK holiday was a half-day cheercamp...they learned lots of fun games, chants, cheers and dances. They shared a few of them at the high school b-ball game the following thursday night. Each had a friend join them. All the girls did a great job overcoming their fears (stage-fright), taking on a new adventure and had fun all along the way. WAY to GO girly-girl's!!!

SNOW...finally

Too bad the snow didn't accumulate....but it WAS fun to watch it come down. The girls reactions and Mia's first experience with it was priceless. I loved that Jason had the opportunity to be here for it and watch his neices and nephew watch the wonder of nature.

BIG BROTHER is HERE!

It was such a sigh of relief to see my eldest brother over MLK weekend. It had been almomst 5 years. We all loved seeing and spending time with him. He's looking great and I can't believe he's one year shy of 40. We didn't do alot while he was here, but we did catch up. Kaitlyn now knows her Uncle Jason, both girls adore him and love that they have such fun uncles. Thanks for the visit Bro!
Now....we can't wait to see the rest of his family. Melissa, Emily and Jacob, WE LOVE YOU and can't wait for the times we'll share in the future. XOXO

Bell and Hondo

Bell and Hondo are the newest additions to the pack. We're enjoying them while we can.They were born Dec 1 and are growing fast...these are the grand-pups of our dog Ruby. Jeremy was supposed to bring one home, but couldn't resist little Bell's playfulness....turns out, she's my favorite anyway...so I don't mind. Now....just hoping they can grow faster, so we can use the bark collars and get their barking under control. The barking IS NOT loud and is not consistant, mostly a playful bark as pups do.....apparently it still bothers the neighbor, which causes anxiety for both house-holds...wish she would get over it and deal with...but nope.

Kaitlyn's Field Trip

This trip was back in October and because I forgot my camera, everything was taken on my phone and I forgot to blog about it. Kaitlyn and I had a great time touring the farm with all of her school friends. She is such a social bug and is friendly to everyone. I was able to meet Braden and his mom...I know them through mom, who has spoke nothing but good things about them for a couple years. Such a nice family...mom I took that photo for you ;) We took a hay ride to the pumpkin patch and went down pumpkin lane. Each year they get more creative with the pumpkin people and their costumes.
It's such a blessing to attend all the girls field trips...I love knowing they are safe, I love seeing the way they interact with classmates, I love getting to know the classmates, I love being there AND that they love having me there too. We have a great time together.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDMA

An opportunity to celebrate Grandma's birthday...TOGETHER (missed you Leif, Rachel, Micah and Savannah). SO glad the cousins had the opportunity to play together...it is truely one of the girls most favorite things to do and look forward to. Thanks for making the long trip Becky/Steve and Kierstin/Wes. I know you helped make Mom's birthday LOTS brighter. Happy Birthday....to a great Mom, Grandma and all together great Woman!