Update on us...

Here is an update on all of us:

Abby:
~ she will be turning 2 soon. I can't believe it!
~ she loves to play with her sisters and HAS to play what they are playing. If they are coloring then she has to color too. So cute that she plays so well.
~ she is such a good eater. She is not picky at all and will try anything at least once. 
~ she didn't get her 1st tooth til she was 18 months old.
~ she loves getting her toes painted---just like her sisters.
~ she loves saying "NO"

Livi:
~ will be starting Preschool in the fall, and will be turning 5 this year.
~ STILL the pickiest eater ever! She doesn't like trying new things.
~ she loves olives---she calls them OLIBS.
~ she still loves Mickey Mouse.
~ she loves playing with her sisters, but doesn't like playing with other kids. I think she is shy....
~ she loves Apple Juice---and would drink that ALL day if I let her.

Emma:
~ she LOVES school.
~ will be starting the 1st grade in the fall and is turning 6 this month.
~ she is such a good big sister. She always wants to play Mommy and help me take care of her sisters.
~ she is so smart. She is doing so well at reading.
~ she has a boyfriend at school named Tanner who writes her "love notes." She also said she is going to marry him when she is 30 years old.
~ she loves trying new things. Sometimes she's hesitant, but she has gotten really good at not turning down something new.

Me:
~ I have lost 23 lbs and I am down to my goal weight. I am trying to maintain now.
~ I packed up my maternity clothes into a storage bin and moved it to the basement. Usually my maternity clothes just take up residence in our closet. However, I packed them up and I think that really confirms that I am done being pregnant. I think we are done having kids---3 is good :)
~ I really hate cooking. I would rather Aaron cook, and I handle the clean-up. I also would much rather bake than cook.
~ I still love being a stay-at-home-mom, even though some days are really really challenging. Some days are harder than others, especially if my sleep is lacking.
~ turning 32 this year!!!

Aaron:
~ still working Monday-Friday, hours change day to day.
~ he is a good father and a great husband. He is so supportive in every aspect.
~ I still love him as much as I did when I married him. Possibly even more now, because he gave me the 3 most wonderful children who complete our life.
~ is an AWESOME cook. I love trying/eating his food. It always tastes so yummy.
~ we celebrated our 11 year wedding anniversary in March. I can't believe he has been in my life for 13 years---the time has gone by so fast!

Christmas 2012

A few weeks before Christmas we went to the Christensen Christmas party. The girls were able to sit on Santa's lap. 

It was hard getting Emma to tell us what she wanted for Christmas. Every time anyone asked Emma what she wanted for Christmas, she would say "Santa knows, because I wrote him a letter at school." Finally a week before before Christmas day, she finally told us. She wanted a yo-yo.

Olivia asked for a new Mickey Mouse stuffed animal---and she got one. She was sooo happy!

Abby did NOT like sitting on Santa's lap...

Look how big my "baby" is getting...

Pete (our new rescue cat) sleeping under the Christmas tree. He is 5 years old.

Our tree on Christmas morning...

  Our American Eskimo Titus. He is almost 11 years old now. He likes to play in the snow...

 The girls and their cousin Shane on Christmas day (at Nana's & Papa's)

My sweet Livi...

We celebrated Olivia's 4th birthday last Saturday. I can't believe how time has flown by. She has the cutest giggles and the biggest smile. She loves to be the center of attention.

My sweet Olivia,

Thank you for always reminding me of the fun in life. For doing all sorts of weird things for reasons that are only apparent to you, but entertaining and joyful for us...

I love that you are such a perfect sister, bugging your sisters to the point of supreme irritation, yet always thinking they are the best thing since sliced bread. That's exactly your job as a sister, and you do it perfectly...

I am so proud to be your mom, Olivia. I will always stand by your side. I hope I can encourage you to be the best person you can be and to always follow your heart. I hope we can always be best friends and that you will never hesitate to come to me for anything.

Thank you for bringing so much joy to our life and of course love beyond measure. I feel blessed daily that you call me Mom. Happy Birthday sweetie, we love you...

Sad day...

Wednesday October 17th was a very sad day. We had to put our 15 year old cat down. We rescued him from a shelter when he was 5 years old. He has lived with us for 10 years. He was the sweetest cat. He loved everyone---especially the girls. He played with them every day, slept on their beds at bedtime, and always had a way of cheering anyone up. Quite a few times when the girls had 'owies' he would come give them kisses. He was always around when visitors came---he loved attention. When the girls were napping he would come alert me when they would wake up (even though I have a baby monitor). He was always such a little babysitter...always good with the kids.

Emma with Iggy giving kisses

and hugs

 Olivia with Iggy

Giving Kisses

and hugs

 The Girls loved playing with him. He was so patient.

 Posing...

 Looking for a belly rub...

Aaron took him to the vet and the vet said that he has arthritis. He also has no more teeth. He also said he wouldn't be surprised if he was older than 15. There wasn't much we could do since he was so frail. He would need to take Arthritis medicine every day--- every couple of hours. The vet said at his age it would be best to 'put him down.' So, we decided that he wouldn't want to live on pain pills for the remainder of his life--which wouldn't be long. So, sadly we gave him lots of hugs and kisses and said our goodbyes. IF we ever get another cat, that cat will have huge paws to fill. No cat will ever be able to replace Iggy, but hopefully it can make the void in our hearts a little less small.....we love you Iggy!

Las Vegas!!!

On Friday August 31st Aaron and I dropped the girls off at their Nana and Papa's house (Aaron's parents). Then Aaron and I went to Dan's grocery store and bought a few snacks for our road trip to Las Vegas. Items included peppered beef jerky, reduced fat Nilla wafers, bbq Pringles and some bottles of water. Interesting food combo, I know....and off we were to Las Vegas.

We arrived in Las Vegas around dinner time and checked into our hotel---Mandalay Bay. 

We went to our room on the 30th floor and looked at what was going to be our suite for the next 3 nights. It was a beautiful room overlooking the Las Vegas strip. 

We then went and checked out our hotel shopping. We loved shopping here. There was a yummy restaurant that we ate at called Slice of Vegas. We shared the 12" Miles 10 Meat. It was delicious!

We then went to the Bodies Exhibit---it was interesting to see...

On Saturday Morning we ate breakfast at Red White and Blue Restaurant in our hotel. I of course had french toast. We then decided to go to the shark aquarium that is in our hotel. It was neat, but I was hoping to see HUGE sharks---like at SeaWorld. Wasn't the case here---but it was still fun.

Then we walked the strip some more and did some shopping and bought some souvenirs. We then went back and lounged pool side for an hour or two. After that, we went back to our hotel room and got ready for our concert---Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers. First we ate dinner at a mexican restaurant called Border Grill which is located in our hotel---and it was delicious but pricey... The Concert was also held at our hotel at the House of Blues which is located in the casino...

Sunday Morning we ate breakfast at Red White and Blue again and I again had french toast---I love french toast. We then walked the strip one more time and then we went into M&M World:

We went upstairs and they had rows of different colors and flavors of M&M's that you could choose from. We bought about 2-3 lbs worth---it should last us awhile. Some flavors we chose were Raspberry flavored and Mint flavored as well as regular dark M&M's and pretzel covered...(the mint ones are my favorite)

 Aaron took my picture with a few celebrity look a- likes on the Vegas strip:

After that we decided to spend a few hours at the pool.  They have a wave pool and a lazy river---both were very fun. After a couple hours I started to get cold so we went back to our hotel room and got ready for the night. We went back to eat dinner at the Slice of Vegas and ordered the same Pizza---it was sooo delicious! Then we walked all the way down to Caesar's Palace and walked through all the hotels and shops along the way. 

That night I decided I wanted to get my 1st tattoo. I thought it would be neat to come home from Vegas with a tattoo. I have always wanted a heart tattoo on my wrist. I have wanted it for a really long time. I had just never gotten it because 1) I am afraid of needles and 2) I wanted to make sure it was something that I REALLY wanted. Since I have wanted it for soooo long (at least 8 years)--- my feelings about it were obviously not going to change---so I took the plunge. Instead of 1 heart tattoo on my wrist, I got 3 hearts---one heart for each of my girls. I absolutely love it....

Monday morning (Sept 3rd) we headed back home. We were sad our vacation was over---but we were soooo excited to get home to see our girls. Aaron and I had so much fun on our weekend get-away. Thanks to the in-laws for watching our girls. We had an awesome time full of great food and great shopping...On the down side, I dropped my Iphone 4 and the screen is now shattered---but at least it still works. Looks like we will be forking out more $$$ when the new Iphone comes out.

Abby's 1st Birthday...

Since Abby is so little and she wouldn't care about a 'real party' we had a small gathering of family for her 1st birthday.

I think out of all 3 of my kids her first year flew by the fastest. It makes me sad that she's *probably* my last, but I admit I can't wait until she really starts developing and playing with her sisters on their level.

Abby is changing and learning so much each day, it's so fun to see. She is cruising and crawling everywhere. She is so close to walking, but so far still, because she refuses to try by herself, even though I know she could easily do it.  She is so steady on her feet. She knows how to clap and give kisses which I absolutely love!

Here is a picture of her on the day of her party...

To my Abby:

One year ago today you came in to this world completely dependent on me for life. I could cradle all 7 lbs 3 oz of you in my arms and you would sleep peacefully. Now you are getting ready to walk, eating solids, and throwing your food on the floor, splashing in the tub, sucking on anything you can get your hands on, and tearing apart the house. While times have definitely gotten more challenging as you've grown older, it has equally become more fun and engaging.

I'm so proud of each accomplishment and how far you have come in a short time. I'm also excited for what the next year holds, and look forward to being able to interact, communicate, and play with you on a whole new level. Yet, I can't help but be a little saddened that each day you become less like a baby and more like a kid. I want you to grow up and do amazing things, but at the same time, I want you to always be my baby girl.

We love you sweetheart, always and forever.....

Happy 5th Birthday Emma!

Here is Emma's Preschool Picture:

You turned 5 years old a few days ago. You have grown up so much. I had no idea you could be so teenager-esque in the wit and mockery department. You always make me laugh with your goofball answers. You also make me angry with your snappy comebacks.

You start Kindergarten this year. This makes me so proud and yet so sad at the same time. It also freaks me out quite a bit. Our firstborn baby has disappeared, only to be replaced by a beautiful and intelligent young lady. It hurts and gladdens my heart at the very same time. We can only wonder if we taught you enough of what you need, as others begin to teach you.

I remember the day Olivia was born and we feared the jealousy. Well, it never happened. Even when your littlest sister Abigail was born we feared the jealousy again. You never seemed to get jealous. You stepped in and wanted to be 'motherly' to them. Always wanting to help hold, burp, and feed your baby sister. You will always be the oldest and that carries with it a lot of responsibility. We think you will do very well.

Ahead of us are times of hobbies and sports. I can't wait to see what you love and discover new things that you are gifted in. You continue to surprise us everyday with the things you are able to do. Happy Birthday Big Girl, we love you soooo much!

Here is her Preschool Graduation picture: