Build A Bear

Ashley got a "Build A Bear" gift certificate for her birthday so we decided to go after Thanksgiving for something to do. The store does such a great job with the kids and they get so into it. I think Ashley was a little overwhelmed and we had to keep her focused, but eventually she decided what bear and outfit she wanted to get. Of course the gift card didn't over it (those things are expensive!) so she decided to use her own money for the rest. It was worth it, though, she loves that bear! After building the bear, washing it and getting her all dressed, she then made a birth certificate for her. All in all it was a really fun experience.

Afterwards we said hello to Santa (one of the many visits on the season!)  I think Santa got a little confused about what the kids wanted for Christmas because it kept changing each time they sat on his lap!

Thanksgiving

Our table was a long one as we extended it to include 18 this year! Brian fought the cold, wet elements and a thermometer that didn't want to work to smoke a 24 pound turkey and ham that turned out amazing! We had mashed potatoes, corn bread, stuffing, casseroles, salads and of course Gram's famous pecan and pumpkin pies. Even though everything was gluten free this year, it still turned out delicious! We had a lot of full bellies and tons of leftovers.

Aunt Becki and Ashley

Isaiah with Mindy's kids, Anabella, Tyler and Tanner. 

Grammy and the kids

Isaiah stood up and said a special prayer that he learned from school

Uncle Dan, Grammy, Grandpa, Al, Bonnie, Becki, Dallas, Lucas, Gramps, Gram

The other half: Brian and I, and Dan and Mindy.  We put the kids at whatever spots we had left, the kids table, a high chair and the kitchen counter! 

Ashley's 7th Birthday

Ashley was again spoiled on her birthday and celebrated with the many people that love her.

Celebrating Ashley's birthday with our Seattle family, the Salibas and Powells

D and Hani got this adorable kids ergo for Ashley and it's the exact match that Danielle has for Reese.  Of course we had to take the babies for a walk after

Morning birthday girl!  We woke her up singing "Happy Birthday" and she had a huge smile on her face, it was a great way to start the day. 

Her choice on the red plate

Papa made her cake (gluten free) and it turned out amazing!  The kids can have M&M's and so Ashley came up with this decoration (I think inspired by Reese's cake the D made)

Aunt Becki came up for the weekend and got her this cute birthday outfit

On the swing at Precision Elite Gymnastics

She's 7!

Dearest Ashley, how can I say enough about you and what a precious part of our life you are! You are such a sweet girl, so patient, loving and happy! You hardly ever get upset, maybe a little emotional when your tired, but that's about it! You pray for those that are sick, run to get help when someone is hurt, and are there to give a loving hug to anyone who needs one (I especially love those!) You've definitely made up for the lack of cuddles as a baby because you love to snuggle now! Your teacher really enjoys having you in class and has discovered that you are a great reader. You're in a higher level group and are reading chapter books and answering questions about the story you're reading (Junie B Jones is your favorite because she's such a goofball). We learned a lot at the parent/teacher conference, you're in a great class with a great teacher. We did learn that we need to work on your timed math tests, though, (you got stuck on +2's for a long time but finally moved on after working on them at home). You'll get the hang of it soon enough, one minute isn't a long time to do 20 problems, especially in a hallway with a lot of distractions! You've lost 5 teeth so far and the tooth fairy has left a special coin and certificate each time. I think the tooth fairy appreciates how easy you make it for her by hanging your tooth fairy pillow on the outside of your door. You started writing her notes and one time asked for pixie dust since you're friend McKenna told you about the time she wrote to her and got some. Your first bottle of pixie dust was purple and you hung it on a necklace, then your brother wanted some so you requested a bottle for him as well. He got black. It was very sweet of you to think of him. You've always watch out for him and he loves you very much for that. I've noticed lately that you play more equally with him instead of making him always play what you want to and I think he appreciates that. Since school started you've transitioned to a full hour of ballet at the studio we signed you up at. You started in a combo class (tap, ballet and tumbling), but your teacher noticed your natural talent for ballet and suggested that we move you into that class. You're doing really well and enjoy it too. She makes you work really hard, but you don't complain, although you were sore after the first few classes. Ballet and religious Ed this year have made for a few scheduling changes during your week, so you're pretty tired by the weekend. You still have the same bedtime routine and get yourself all cuddled up with 2 layers of pajamas and socks, stuffed bears surrounding you and about 3 layers of covers and soft blankets over you. Since school started we have also discovered that you are not a morning person, especially when we have to wake you up at 6:30am. We try to let you sleep in as long as possible, but you often take a while to eat breakfast and your bus comes at 7:20, so that's the time that gets you where you need to be on time. When you do eat breakfast quickly you get to watch cartoons, so that's helped a little. I do feel bad for you when we wake you up (you know I like my sleep), so I help you dressed in bed while you stay cuddled up in your blankets as long as possible. At your 7 year check up, you weighed 44 lbs and measured 3' 10". Papa has talked about doing a triathlon with you, so hopefully this will be the year you learn to ride a bike. I look forward to everything this next year will bring. You are a beautiful girl inside and out, we love you so very much!

Reese's 1st birthday

Reese turned one on Oct 27th, so we went up to Seattle to celebrate. It ended up being Halloween weekend, the weekend we switched our tenants over at the townhouse, and the weekend before Ashley's birthday, so we were busy! Danielle has always made the kids cakes/cupcakes and this year was no exception. She found an amazing gluten free chocolate cupcake recipe for Ashley, which was very sweet and turned out so good! Sunday was Reese's party which was a Rainbow Brite theme. Reese reacted in much the same way as Ashley and carefully dipped her fingers into it paying close attention to all that was going on around her. Such dainty little girls!

Cake smash photo shoot.  D had to take some frosting and put it on her mouth to get a few action shots :)

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Danielle's amazing masterpiece

Love her!

Halloween 2014

Gram made the kids costumes again this year and they turned out adorable! She did such a great job and the kids were very excited to wear them. We ended up going to Seattle on Halloween for Reese's 1st birthday and to switch over our tenants at the townhouse. We weren't sure when Papa was going to get off work, so we did some trick or treating that started at 3 at the Clackamas Promenade. Papa was able to get off at 4 and we were on our way to Seattle. It ended up that there was no traffic so we got up there in time to do some more trick or treating with Sawyer around their neighborhood. It was Sawyer's 1st time at it and he was a pro, running up to the houses, picking and choosing which one's looked like they would give the best candy, and chatting with the neighbors (he's a riot!) Then it started to sprinkle and then pour so we had to call it quits (although Sawyer could have stayed out all night). They still made out with a ton of candy! Ellie was sick, so the Powell's weren't able to come up, but they did come over Sat to celebrate Ashley's birthday, so we got to dress them all up again and get a group picture. Ellie was a peacock, Nathan a firefighter, Reese a sunflower, and Sawyer "Raphael" the Ninja turtle since Red is his favorite color!

Carving pumpkins with Grammy, Grandpa and Gram