Van Walks....Finally!

Van finally walks! If you count when he first started, than that was around 12 months. He was taking a few steps to Jason and me, than after a few weeks or so, he just lost interest. He wouldn't even walk holding onto our fingers. We don't really count that though. So, I guess he walked at 15 months. The first video is from today and I'm sad it's so dark, because his face was really cute. The second video was of the 3rd time he walked on his own yesterday. I don't think you can really tell from the videos, that he shuffles his right leg and kicks out with his left. It's pretty funny to see in person.

Halloween

Thought I should put up some pictures from Halloween. The kids looked so cute. Ashley was a witch, Olivia was the bride of Frankenstein, and Van was a chicken. I got the girls ready for school the Friday before. They had a parade at their school, that Jason and me went to. They walked by so fast, so we weren't able to get good pictures. I put a couple of them up anyway. Friday night, we went to our ward's Trunk-or-Treat. I had never been to one before. They had a chili cook off, and pumpkin carving contest. It was fun seeing people you usually see all dressed up in Halloween costumes. I bought only one bag of candy, and for some reason thought that would be plenty. I think we ran out in about five minutes. I'll be more prepared next year. It was pretty fun though. It was a good day.

Thought I should add, that Donovan hated his costume. He looks upset in every picture, because he was. He fussed quite a bit while wearing it.

Aryanna

My sister had Aryanna Sep. 24. I know I'm pretty slow getting these posted. She's such a cute little thing. She's already grown quite a bit in the last month and a half. I don't remember Donovan ever being that small. He looks so big next to her. He's too big now, I need another one.

Cute little girl.


The girls took a couple of turns holding her.

He looks so interested, huh?

What's this?

Look how big his hand looks.

Watch out Aryanna, he's going to eat you. ;) He likes giving her kisses. It's pretty darn cute.

Ashley is 10

Ashley turned 10 yesterday.  I can't believe that she disobeyed me again by having another birthday.  I told her that this is the last one for sure.  She can't get any older.  I think she might listen this time.

Ashley has been so much fun for me.  I am so glad that she is my little girl.  She is smart, funny, caring, loving, wise, helpful, sensitive, and many other things.  I remember how cute she was when she was born.  I remember how much she pooped before they could even weigh her.  I still remember exactly where we were when she stood up on her own for the first time.  I remember how she always used to ask for "fries and coke" or "noodles and coke" (and that it wasn't me that let her try coke).  I remember how she used to say beef turkey (beef jerkey) and holy tell (hotel).  When Olivia was first born, Ashley called her Weela.  I remember how smart she was, how she could spell her name when she was 2.  Later she learned how to count to 100, and wanted to do it for me over and over.  Then I taught her how to count to 100 by 10's.  Ashley (and Olivia) have been there for me when I've had hard times, by loving me, hugging me, and comforting me.   

She loves to read, she loves art, she likes many different types of food, Star Wars is her favorite movie, she loves school (more about this in another post), she likes taking pictures, she loves carrying Donovan around, she loves going to church, she loves playing games, and she's interested in just about anything that makes her think.

Ashley is, quite simply, the best Ashley ever.  She is one of my very best friends.  I can't imagine loving her more than I do.  I would do anything for her, and she would do anything for me.  We celebrated her birthday with Van this year.  She has been telling me since he was born that she wanted to celebrate it with him.  I hope she had a great birthday.

Van Is One Today!

It's my Vanner's Birthday today. I can't believe he is one year old already. It went by really fast. This past year has been so enjoyable to have him around. He is such a happy baby. He is starting to learn to throw tantrums, but overall he is really good. We have been so blessed. I don't know how Jason and me ended up with such a good baby. He likes all food, dancing, chattering, crawling, playing with the family, getting into everything, and bath time. He pretty much likes everything. It shouldn't be too much longer before he is walking. We had a little gathering yesterday. We didn't want to do anything big. We celebrated both his, and Ashley's Birthdays. They'll be pictures of Ash coming later. It was fun getting to see people. I know there's a lot of pictures, but he's one!

He liked the tags the best.

I had one of these phones, and I had to get it for him.

Getting messy.

Getting cleaned up after. He liked drinking the water.

Van's First Haircut

Van got his first haircut. I didn't really notice that he needed a haircut. Now that he's had one, I realize that we should have done it a while ago. He looks more like a little boy, than a baby to me now. It looks good though. His hair is pretty much even now.

Triathlon

Jason did a triathlon on Aug. 29th. He did it with his Dad, sisters, and niece. He should probably be the one to do this post, but I don't think he'll get around to it. His time was 1:00:56. He didn't train at all, but he finished. I was too scared to do it without training. I'm really proud of him for doing it. He said he didn't stop at all during the run and the biking. The pictures are not too great, but they were racing and didn't want to stop to pose for me. Pardon the blue pictures. I didn't notice a setting got changed on my camera. Anyway, good job honey!

Stinky Face

Donovan makes this face all the time now. I think it has something to do with his top teeth coming in. We call it the stinky face. It cracks us up, every time he does it.

I Have Some Questions....

Why hasn't Jason done a blog post about our arches trip? Why haven't I even seen the pictures yet? (I already know how he's going to answer this)

Why do I realize I like a show after it has been cancelled?

How do you use a public restroom...when you're alone, and holding a baby?

Why do some women get postpartum depression, when they should be celebrating one of the happiest moments in their life?

Why does breastfeeding hurt so bad at first? That's kind of the purpose for those things.

Jesse? (from Big Brother, for those who watch) Is there anyone out there, besides his family that like him? Ugh.

Why do people bug me so bad? Does it have something to do with me, why people bug me so bad?

Mustard, relish, tomatoes, pickles, and the people who like them? (I'm just kidding, don't send hate mail)

Why does Donovan wake up around eight when Jason is watching him, and before seven when I am?

Does anyone want a cat? She just started pooping on the carpet. Why is she doing that?

Why do babies have to teethe? It would be easier for all those involved if they were born with teeth. It would be weird at first, but we'd get used to it.

Why is there never enough time?

Bee's Game

Monday we went to the Bee's game. We went with some people from our softball team and family. It was a lot of fun, and had a pretty good turn out. The Bee's lost, which was sad, but it was way past my bed time and I was a little happy that it was over. Here's some pictures from the evening.

Jason and me need a picture like this everywhere we go.

Brenda and Ethan

Me and Van

Grandma and the girls

Geoff, Felicia, and Allston

Brenda, Adam, and Van

Kevin

Doesn't Ethan have the neatest eyes?

Roshena and Rich

Chi and Parry

Matt and his nephew.