Christmas Outfits

 I just need to photoshop B in.

No, I didn't tell her to pose like this

This was my attempt to get a picture for our Christmas cards this year.

Tree Trimming

The kids ran around the house giggling with the strands of beads that normally go on the tree (but didn't make it up this year for obvious reasons).

taking a break to stand on her head

First (Complete) Family Trip to the Tree Farm!

The first of I hope many for years to come. We continued our tradition of cutting down our Christmas tree in Lake Saint Louis.  This year Ashlyn and Braden got to come!  I think this was the first time we didn't have to wear coats - it was about 65 degrees outside!  We even forgot the gloves we use when we're cutting and carrying the tree!
Ashlyn actually had a reason for crying in this picture, she had fallen just before and I didn't realize until after the picture that her hand was bleeding from a tree branch.  :-( Braden was just upset that I was holding him back from his adventures.

Santa's Magical Kingdom

 Reading books afterwards

We kicked off the holiday season visiting Santa's Magical Kingdom for the first time in Eureka.  We went on the first night and it ended up being pretty nice out.  We were one of two families on the wagon ride.  The kids really enjoyed it and we even got to see Santa.  Surprisingly, extra-cautious Ashlyn was the first to give him a high-five.  (pictures are a bit out of order!)

Science Center

We spent a morning at the Science Center. The kids love the kids' area there.  We got there too late and it was sold out, a class trip was there, but one of the teachers overheard Greg tell me it was sold out and she said that they had a couple of kids not show up so we could use their tickets (for free!).  So nice of them!  Here's a couple of pix of them watching the cars go by and the girls in their new big and little sister shirts.

Trip to the Zoo

We enjoyed a great and unseasonably warm day at the zoo with some friends.  This time Ashlyn and Braden got to run around and interact a bit more with the animals.

Ashlyn and Braden are 18 Months Old!

Actually, as I am writing this they are actually 19 months old, I am a little behind!  So, I'll try to remember what they were doing as of 11/11/11 but some of it may have occurred in the last few weeks.  :-) 
Ashlyn and Braden - you need to slow down a bit, you are getting too big!  We have lots of fun playing with your big big sis and you absolutely love playing with Daddy.  The favorite game right now is hide and seek.  Daddy runs around the house with you every night.  When I bring the third of you (usually Braden) in from the car, the other two are usually hiding behind the chair and jump up.  Peyton says "Surprise!" and Ashlyn now says "Boo!".  You are now not only walking but running.  You are drinking from an open cup and eating with utensils!  Yes, mealtimes are getting a bit less messy, except when you both think it's fun to put your food in your cups.  You both eat pretty much whatever we put in front of you.  Your go-to snack is pretzel sticks and go to the pantry whenever you want them.  The doctor thinks you are both fabulous and our next appointment is at 2 years old!

Ashlyn is 18 Months Old!

Our little firecracker is a year and half!  Her personality is really starting to come out (at home anyway).  She is sweet and happy most of the time but when she is not happy she lets you know it!  She puts her head down and looks up with her eyes with this pout and stomps off into the other room.  She has been fine with letting Peyton and Braden speaking for her but since her checkup she has been saying a new word every few days.  She can now say several animal sounds, including a dinosaur!  She loves to say "whoa", "uh-oh" but her new favorite word is "NO!"  She tells Braden "no no!" and points her finger at him when he's doing something bad.  It's hard not to laugh.  She loves to work on her puzzles and knows most of the pictures in our "100 first words" book.  She also loves to feed her baby dolls.  She may not say much but she knows most of the moves to Itsy Bitsy Spider, Patty Cake and Bringing Home a Baby Bumblebee, along with a few other family songs (I love you a bushel and a peck and I've got big blue eyes and a tiny figure).  She also likes to give me a hard time - she runs away whenever she gets the chance, especially at the mall playground and when I'm trying to get her dressed, and she laughs the whole time.  But on the other hand she is my lover girl and gives the best hugs (complete with a pat on the back) and kisses.  She's still an awesome sleeper - almost 12 hours at night if B doesn't wake her and 1.5 - 2 hr naps.  She and Braden have been having some tummy problems so we are supposed to switch to soy (it has worked!).  Here's how she weighed in at the doctor, although I think the nurse's height measurements were a bit off...

Height - 32.5 in (50-75%)
Weight - 25 lbs 4.5 oz (50-75%)
Head - 47.2 cm (50-75%)

Braden is 18 Months Old!

Braden is becoming a little man!  He understands everything and is starting to repeat most of what we say.  He has had a few more words than Ashlyn but is starting to slow down on getting new ones. He seems to be stuck on "uh oh".  That is definitely his favorite.  We are big on routines here but he is very big on them.  From making sure I unplug the fan after they wake up (the cord hangs down so I have to put it up) to showing us where things go, he keeps this family in line.  Greg gets home from work and Braden is right there at the door saying "uh oh" and pointing to the ground where Greg puts his shoes and then he marches to the foyer closet, saying "uh oh" and pointing to where Greg needs to put his coat.  He can also make several animal sounds and likes to read books.  His favorite toys are still cars, blocks and the play kitchen.  He is also starting to color a bit, without eating the crayons as much!  Here's how he measures up:

Height - 32.5 inches (50%) (this is debatable, he is visibly taller than A when they stand next to each other!)
Weight - 25 lbs 14 oz (25-50%)
Head - 47.6 cm (25-50%)

Fall Fun!

To me, this is the most wonderful time of the year!