Ashley Turns Nine

Ashley had her ninth birthday this week.  We had Jeff's parents and two nephews over for a small party.  I can hardly believe she is 9 already!

This is the decorate a mug set she got from her cousins.  She made one for herself and one for her teacher.

 

We gave her a fashion design set to go with the things she got for Christmas from Santa and Great Grandparents.

 

All of the kids.

 

Getting ready for cake.

Bathtime Fun

Andrew LOVES bathtime. As soon as he hits the water his legs start going. The smiles and coos are aplenty. And then he smells SOOOO good. Can you tell how much we adore him?

 

 

 

 

I just love all the cute faces he makes!

Chubbiness = Cuteness

Andrew is growing so much.  He is huge!  Well, at least to me.  I am used to my skinny little girls.  Andrew is so different.  He eats and eats and eats.  I love it!  His cheeks are getting fatter and fatter.  He is almost too big for his clothes.  Unfortunately, the chubbiness just doesn't show as much in pictures.  And maybe it is because he isn't all that big, but it sure seems that way.

Those cheeks are bigger in real life.

Andrew

Last week Andrew started cooing and smiling!  What fun it is to see your little one smiling.  He is getting so big.  We got out the playmat that our friend gave us.  He loves to watch the big sun that lights up and plays music.  He moves his legs to the music.  It is too cute!  We sure love watching him grow and learn new things.  Hopefully I will get a picture of him smiling soon!

Here are pictures of him on his playmat.

 

TAG: "This picture has a story..."

I've been tagged by Stephanie. 

1. Open your first picture folder.

2. Upload the 10th picture in the folder (if you don't have ten pics, then go to the next folder.)

3. Tell us the story behind the picture.

4. Tag 5 friends to do the same.

This was our wedding!  I was trying to get Jeff's ring over his knuckle.  He has really skinny fingers and big knuckles.  It took some work.  I guess I had to prove how much I wanted him to be my husband. :)

Now, I tag: Heather B, Kelsey D, Kristin C, Emily A, and Naomi R.

A Little Bit of Politics

I usually try not be political. Lately, I have been seeing some ads on the television for Measures 66 & 67. These are for the state of Oregon, but anyone in any state can still read this as it might affect them one day as well. 

These measures would increase taxes on business and individuals who make more than $250,000.  These ads have people complaining about banks taking bailouts and credit card companies raising interest rates and then has the gall to say that it is time to make the rich pay- and that these two measures will do just that.  Well, how many of the really really rich are really going to pay that much more.  They will find loop holes.  And how many of those banks that took bailouts and credit card companies are here in Oregon and will really pay that much more.  Think about it, $250,000 for a business is not really all that much.  And for an individual, it is marginally well off.  Its not like someone who makes that amount in 1 year is really really rich. These measures will only hurt small businesses, create job losses, and increase state spending because more people will rely on state assistance.

Our state government is increasing spending continually.  They can create more funds by decreasing spending.  THESE MEASURES WILL NOT BRING IN MORE MONEY FOR SCHOOLS!!!! Do not be fooled by the commercials they are airing!  Research the measures on your own.  Be sure you are reading unbiased information. Increasing taxes for anyone will not help our economy. 

For more on these measures you can visit my friend Kristin's blog.  She posted about these measures and did it very eloquently.  She explains in greater detail the effects of these measures.

My Friend

I have this friend.  Her name is Kristin.  She has a blog.  On her blog, she sometimes gives things away.

I know. Free stuff.  How awesome is that?  Believe it or not, I actually won something.  It is a really nice calendar with pictures that she took.  She also gave away a bag that she made.  Sadly, I didn't win that one.  Maybe next time. 

You should go and check out her blog.  Maybe you too can win one of her giveaways.

California Adventure (Disneyland Day 3)

Saturday was our last day at the Disney parks. We headed out early so we could go on Its a Small World.  The line for it was always so long, but Alona really wanted to ride it.  It would have been really fun to go on it at night.  It was all decked out for the holidays and there were so many pretty lights.  We rode it first thing in the morning, though, and it was still fun!  Then we rode several more of the roller coasters that we could get fast passes for.  Around 11 am we headed over to California Adventure.  Soarin' over California was pretty awesome!  It felt so real.  Ashley and Alona rode California Screamin'.  That really surprised me.  But they enjoyed it.  We went to the Playhouse Disney show.  Natalie loved it.  I think it was a bit boring for the older kids, though.  We watched the Pixar Play Parade while we ate our ice cream.  The kids liked seeing all of their favorite Pixar characters.  Then we headed over to see

Disney's Aladdin - A Musical Spectacular.  It was awesome!  Genie was HILARIOUS!!!!!  It is a must see if you go there!  After that, we rode a few more smaller rides and headed to the lego store in Downtown Disney.  We rode the Monorail back into Disneyland and headed over to ride Pirates of the Caribbean.  The Fantasmic show was going on right there, so it was a zoo.  When we got done with the ride, we were ready to head home.  Of course, Fantasmic had just ended, as had the fireworks on Main Street.  So it was a total mess getting out of there.  2 hours later, we were back at Catherine's house and in bed.  What a night!  We were so exhausted.

 

 In line for It's a Small World.

 

Alona could hardly wait!

 

 They got to meet Mater and Lightning!

 

 Sophie ran up and hugged Lightning.  She couldn't take her eyes off him!

 

She finally looked away.

 

 The Golden Zephyr.

 

Click on the picture to enlarge and see all their faces.

 

Coming to a stop.

 

At Playhouse Disney- Live on Stage!

 

 Alona was enjoying it.

 

 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.

 

Handy Manny.

 

Natalie dancing.

 

 At the Aladdin show.

 

The stage.

 

 Natalie in the bumper cars.

 

Alona with Lego Vader at the Lego store.

 

 

We are so grateful that we were able to spend the holidays with our family.  Catherine was so hospitable- she is due to have a baby in early January and I know just how hard the last few weeks of pregnancy can be.  There were about 25 of us there at one point.  It was especially nice to see Dad and Anna there.  I am sure the kids will remember this Christmas for many, many years to come!

New Year's Eve (Disneyland Day 2)

We decided to go to Disneyland every other day (Tues, Thurs, Sat) so we could recover after each long, tiring day.  So New Year's Eve day we went to Disneyland.  Natalie and I stayed home in the morning to be sure we were recovered from a second bout of stomach flu.  We joined up with the rest of the family at lunch time.  Jeff, Ashley and Alona were having fun without us.  Ashley was finding new rides to call her favorite.  She loves roller coasters!  Alona is a little hesitant, but she loves them too.

We got to meet Pooh, Eyeore, and Tigger!  The crowds got bigger and bigger as the day wore on.  That evening there were lots of different areas around the park with dancing and things to entertain for the New Year's celebrating.  There was one area with a DJ playing music and then Goofy and Pluto showed up to help in the celebrating. They were giving out hats and noisemakers, so we got some for everyone.

We watched the fireworks at 9:25 and then headed home for the evening. No one stayed up til midnight.  We were just too exhausted!

The entrance to Adventureland.

The girls on the train.

 

Pooh.

 

Eyeore.

 

Tigger!!!

 

 In line for the boat ride (I think it might have been a Pinnochio ride).

 

 About to exit the boat ride.

 

Out of focus, but it shows everyone in the boat.

 

 Dancing at the area with the DJ. Alona wasn't feelin' it!

 

 Uncle Noah, Sophie, Megan, and Uncle Jason.

 

 The DJ's stage.

 

 More dancing with Natalie, Aunt Anna, Ashley, Ashton, Megan and Andrew (cousin Andrew that is).

 

 Uncle Noah and Chloe.

 

 Adam, Natalie, and Aunt Anna.

 

Ashton and Adam doing the Macarena.

 

Ashton, Adam, and Megan doing the Macarena with Aunt Anna and Natalie dancing.

 

 Miley Cyrus' song See You Again came on and Alona started singing and dancing!

 

 She just needed the right music!

 

The group at the end of dancing.

 

 The kids were having a blast!

 

 Uncle Noah and cousin Adam with the hats and noisemakers.

 

Waiting for the fireworks.

 

The group (minus me).