Family Pictures

When kids learn to read...

Seriously...I was so excited as Andrew learned to read. The problem I've found...he now alters notes I have left for his dad. He and Maddie lost their tv privileges during Thanksgiving break. Since Matt was working late that night, I left a note (to make sure Andrew didn't pull a fast one and get tv in the morning). I left the note unsupervised as I got the girls into bed. I didn't see it until Matt showed it to me after he came home. This is what I found (and yes, he changed the frown to a smile at the end):



and here's the mastermind behind it...

Santa Claus

Early in December Matt's school arranged for Santa to visit! Santa brought gifts for all the kids and they were all very excited to meet him (well, maybe not Ashlyn). Too bad Matt could not join us for this fun visit, as he was stuck in the hospital having his appendix removed :)

Ashlyn just realized who was holding her...


Maddie was nervous about sitting on Santa's lap, but as she loves posing for the camera, she gave me this big grin!


Andrew couldn't wait to give his Christmas list to Santa!!

Grandpa

Kelly, I think I'll borrow (okay, steal) your idea of creating a collage to remember Grandpa. Here are a few that I have compiled of my Grandpa Clinger, who passed away this week at age 94. These are all pictures within the last five years...as you can see, he was great at holding and interacting with all my babies/toddlers. I'm so glad he was able to meet all three of my kids and that they could spend time with him on many different vacations. We miss Grandpa, but it's comforting to know he's in a better place and reunited with Grandma after so long. Grandpa, we love you and will cherish our memories with you!

Belated Birthday Posts

Since I'm trying to catch up on the blogging, I have included pictures from Andrew's and Ashlyn's birthdays in July and August. Andrew is now five years old and started kindergarten two weeks ago! Ashlyn had her FIRST birthday and started walking two days after her birthday!! Finally some of that baby fat will burn off her bulky frame!

Ashlyn enjoying her chocolate cake :)

Ashlyn's zoo cupcakes

Ashlyn at her little party

Andrew's Alien cupcakes...he loved them!

Newport Beach (JULY)

All three kids had a blast at the beach. Andrew loved running out as far as he could before his dad or uncles came to "rescue" him. Maddie loved filling her shovel with water from the ocean, then walking across the sand only to put one tiny drop of the water into her bucket! And Ashlyn...I learned she has no fear of water...once she found the ocean, we could not keep her out of it!

Legoland (JULY)

Our family by the front entrance

Maddie wanted to stand by the lego man...for some reason, Drew was terrified.

Drew by this incredible Lego replica



Maddie doing what she had to do most of the time...watch Drew have fun. She was barely too short for many of the rides...

San Diego Zoo (JULY)

Drew, Maddie, and cousins

Ashlyn LOVED the double decker bus ride!

FAMILY

With the end of another school year, I figured things would slow down a bit and I'd get some time to catch up on some projects. But the end of May and early June brought many family visitors who we were lucky enough to spend time with. Matt's brother Jared got married, bringing cousins together for lots of fun activities. Then my aunt and uncle stopped by on their way home to Washington, at the same time my brother and his family came for a visit from Colorado! Thanks everyone for visiting and we miss you already!

Matt's brothers and some cousins on a hike

Andrew and Maddie during the hike

I must have pulled in the wrong picture on this one, because I didn't mean for it to be included. But, yes, this is Princess Madelyn in all her glory.

Aunt Diane, Uncle Jim, Grandma, Grandpa, Matt, Linds, and the kiddos

Jared's reception...Our family with Great Grandma Fenton

Jared's reception...Our family with Great Grandma Embley

Three Years Old

Maddie is growing up so fast! She turned three a couple of weeks ago and both Matt and I have noticed what a big difference a year has made for Maddie. At two years, she was just learning to talk, and now, she is now our little chatterbox. So much, in fact, that her big brother Drew complains that she keeps him awake at bedtime! One of the many things she has recently done to make me laugh happened after her last doctor's visit. She had been given a pretend doctor playset for her birthday and was playing with it as I was changing Ashlyn's diaper. All of the sudden, I heard Maddie sneak in my room and poke me in the back with something. I asked her what she was doing, and she responded "Nothing." I asked her what she had in her hand, and she quickly ran from the room holding her toy SHOT needle. I guess she was getting even with me for taking her to the pediatrician where they gave her a shot that day. Funny little girl.... Here are pictures from each of her past birthdays...
3 years

2 years

1 year

A few days old