Can you tell who's who?

So I was looking at pictures of the girls when they were little and I couldn't believe the similarities and differences. Can any of you tell who's who? First day of Life:

3 Week Old Newborn photo shoots:

Ashlyn turned 3

Can't believe my energetic,sassy, sugar-and-spice little girl has turned 3. Where has the time gone? Ashlyn totally understood birthdays this year and has been telling us that she wanted a fairy cake and puzzles and princesses for her special day. Well I didn't do the cake she wanted (maybe next year)but we did get her a few 3-d puzzles which she enjoys and a tinker bell barbie to add to her collection. About a week before her birthday I started working with her to transition saying she was 2-n-half to 3. She loves being 3 and will tell me all of her cousins who are 3 (Ellie and Jenna). We sure love you Ashlyn! Here's to another year of laughter and learning with you.

January 2012

Welcome to the new year. Last year we had a lot of changes so it'll be interesting to see what this year has in store for us. I didn't take any pics this month so I thought I'd just do a quick recap of last year and the little bit that has gone on this year for each member of our family.

Josh was able to get a job in May, which was a blessing seeing that he graduated in July. We moved our family to Blackfoot in June for his job and then he commuted to school for the last month. He also started back up on P90X with the goal to actually finish it (he's started it several times but never made it through). He's been doing great and only has several more weeks left before completing the program. Josh and I were able to buy our first home in Decemeber. He has also been called to be the 11-year-old scout master in our new ward. He was pretty excited (I think) especially since he'll get to take them on campouts. Now that it is January tax season is upon us and his busy season has officially begun.

I quit working at the hospital in Rexburg around June to be a stay-at-home mom. I survived Kaylee's pregnancy and was able to carry her to 38 weeks before she entered our home. After quitting work, I got busy helping Josh secure an apartment in Blackfoot for us. I also enrolled in school again and got accepted. I started school up in Jan. and am currently half-way through the semester. My biggest accomplishment with school is that my highest grade is math, which for anyone who knew me back in school knew that it was my worst subject. I have feebly attempted to do 2 workout programs to get back to pre-pregnancy weight but never stuck with it, but I did get back down to my pre-pregnancy weight anyway so that made me happy. Just trying to balance being a mom and going to school at the moment. Trying to come up with fun ideas to decorate our home.

Ashlyn:
My sweet, energetic, sassy girl is full of fun and mischief. She has continued to grow and develop healthy, which we are grateful for. She is definitely talking a lot more now, but still is hard to understand sometimes. Her favorite things to do are have tea parties, put puzzles together, watch anything to do with faries and princesses, and pretend that she is going off to school. One of my favorite sayings from her started in Decemeber right after we bought our home. She likes to go outside but when she gets to cold she comes in and says "Mommy, I a popsicle." Another funny thing that she does lately is she has arguments in the mirror with herself about who is the "real ashlyn" and who isn't and also who's 2 and who's 3. Potty training is still a working progress. She does really well pottying in the toilet but it's the pooping that is taking the longest. She'll get there, just need to keep giving her positive praise everytime she goes in the toilet.

Kaylee:
My sweet Kaylee cakes is growing up so fast. I keep trying to hold her back and convince her it's okay to stay little for a little longer. She is a fast learner and always on the move. She is now eating almost anything. A favorite food of hers is a bagel with cream cheese. She is crawiling, climbing, and even taking steps on her own now. It won't be long before she is off and running after her big sister. For the most part she sleeps really well and adores her big sister. One of her favorite things to do lately is to hand you an object and have it passed back and forth between each other. She thinks it's a great game. Also, she loves stairs so if she can get there she'll climb up them as fast as she can. I am truly one lucky girl to have these 3 wonderful people in my family and I love them to peices. Well I better be off for now before I find who knows what all over the kitchen. I told Ashlyn she could help me make some cookies.

Christmas 2011

So I'll have to try and post pictures later, for some reason the computer isn't uploading correctly. We had another great Christmas and it was so fun to watch the girls open presents. Kaylee wasn't really sure what to think until the wrapping paper but Ashlyn sure was excited. If we would have let her she would have opened every single present. We started up the pj tradition this year and Ashlyn was in heaven with her dora nightgown!This was the year of books and puzzles at our house. Christmas Eve we spent with my family, like always and had a blast! We then held our very first Christmas Dinner in our new home and Josh's family came out to eat with us. We were so glad they could come and hope they enjoyed the food and time spent as much as we did. We were truly blessed again this year!

Christmas Time Again

I love how this time of year can change people's hearts. It's a time full of laughter, family fun, and remembering our Savior and his birth. I've loved not being out and about with all the bustle of holiday shopping. I've enjoyed putting our home together since the move and just getting out our simple Christmas decorations out.

Ashlyn has really enjoyed getting the tree up and can't wait for Santa to come. This year I've put more of an effort into baking sugar cookies with her and just teaching her about Christmas and instilling in her that it's not just about presents and Santa; although, those are fun things to anticipate.

This year we will be having our very own Christmas dinner in our home. Looking forward to the challenge but also just the joy that it is to have a home and that we are starting our own traditions now that Ashlyn is a little older and starting to understand what the different holidays are. Hoping everyone out there is enjoying this special time of the year and reflecting on our Savior

Ashlyn's new haircut

Before

After

Our home

Here are some pictures of the house. I haven't gotten my pictures up on the walls yet but besides that and a few touch up painting jobs we are basically set until summer time. It is a 2 bath home even though I only took a picture of the master bath.

Office Closet

Office/workout room

Master Bedroom

Master Bath

Master Closet (crawl space is found here)

Linen Closet/Washer & Dryer area on the way to the girls' room

Girls'Closet

Girls' Room

Dining Area

Kitchen

Living Room

Turning 25

Another year has come and gone and I'm so greatful for all that I have been given. I told Josh not to get me anything since we are in the process of buying a home. So he was sweet enough to make me this cake the day after my birthday. He made one on my birthday but opened the oven before it was done baking so it sunk. I told him I didn't need another cake but he insisted and here is the result.

Thanks babe for being so loving and thoughtful. I love you!

6 Months Old

I can't believe my Kaylee-cakes is 6 months old already. Where did all the time go?

Kaylee has grown so much! No matter how much I want to deny it she has. She had her 6-month appointment on Nov. 3rd. She got all checked out and looks good. She is having some diaper rash issues and sensitive skin (I hoped she'd be able to skip them but it didn't happen) but other than that she is doing well. The dr said not to be surprised if she's walking by 9 months old. I am definitely not going to be encouraging her but if it happens I guess it will and I'll deal with that when we come to that point. I just want her to stay little forever! We had all of her shots given and made sure to get the flu one as well. Poor little girl didn't like that and it didn't help that Ashlyn started crying when she cried. These two little sweethearts can be so sensitive to each other and it just makes me smile. Below are Kaylee's stats and some other tidbits about what she's up to these days.

Her stats:
26 1/4"
15 lbs 10 oz
definitely teething

Things she can do:
-crawl
-sit-up by herself
-hold her own bottles, rattles, etc
-say baba and mama
-loves to babble, laugh, and follow her sister around
-eats rice cereal and formula
-find any cord no matter where we put them (definitely have to put them up before it becomes a problem

New Experiences with her:
bathing her with Ashlyn
eating veggies (and anything else Ashlyn leaves for her, so far she's tried waffles, peas, cereal and french fries)

She is at such a fun stage! It's hard not to just love on her all day. We love how much joy she brings into our lives and are excited to see her grow and develop her talents. But she can definitely stay little longer and I wouldn't mind.

We love you Kaylee!

Tired Girls

So one Saturday afternoon Ashlyn wanted something and we had repeatedly told her no. After continuing to whine we told her she could either be happy or go to her room until she was ready to be happy. Well she chose to go to her room and about 5 mins later I went in to check on her and this is what I found. She was so tired!




How can you not love this?

Halloween 2011

Halloween this year was spent with our friends the Garlic's. Davin works with Josh so that how we got to know them. While the guys and Kaylee stayed home to pass out candy and watch football at their place, Kristen and I ventured out with the 3 kids. We recycled Ashlyn's costume from last year but I told her if she wanted we could add eye brows and some scars. She was so proud of what she looked like. Kristen's boys went as a cop and a jail bird. Totally forgot to snap a picture of the 3 of them so I'll have to ask Kristen for a copy. It was a lot of fun to go with them even though it was pretty cold. I like that we just went around their townhomes and one subdivision. We didn't turn into human ice cubes and we got just enough candy to satisfy but not over-indulge in. (I think I'm probably the most thankful for that one)

Next year should be a lot of fun since both girls will go out, and who knows which ever one of us is the lucky one to take them just might dress up to. We shall see. Hope you all enjoyed your trick-or-treating

Kaylee sitting up and crawling at 5 1/2 months

Do you think this girl likes the camera?

Going to the Dentist

So I took Ashlyn in for her annual dentist check-up. Once again she is cavity free. Wahoo! She also got to do her first set of x-rays. Was so proud of her for being such a big girl and doing what the dental assistant. Ashlyn has always done really good at the dentist and we've never had any problems, but this time it was more of challenge because at the office we go to they have kids Ashlyn's age lay down on a table. Of course that brought back memories of her ER experience the week before so it definitely took longer to get her teeth cleaned and she wouldn't let the assistant floss her teeth. Thankfully she was willing to let the Dentist look at her teeth and put the vitamin stuff on them. He told her that he was going to paint her teeth so she was totally for it. By the time we left she was smiling again, got a ring and sunglasses, had her picture taken, and was entered into a drawing. I think the next time we go the whole experience will be back to the way it has been.