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Catch Up

I was gently accused today of not keeping up on my blog well enough. 

OK Lisa, I'll try harder, but that means you have to, too! 

I honestly cannot believe how fast this week has flown by.  

I honestly cannot believe that we're half-way through March already.

Today (Sunday) was a good day. 

The kids were actually really well-behaved in Sacrament and we made it all the way through without having to take anyone out.  I think Ashlyn felt so pretty in her new dress (see below) that she wanted to sit like a lady for most of the meeting.  That's a first!

Last night, we celebrated March birthdays at my parents' home.  My mom gave Ashlyn this totally darling dress.  She looked so cute in it today.  Brooke wanted to match her, too.

Madison is growing up too fast. 

Tonight we had the Merrills over to celebrate Madison, Ashlyn, and Carnell's birthdays. 

Ashlyn, being such a girl, LOVED getting clothes.  She's so excited about her new outfits.  She dragged them around all evening. 

Madison got to choose the menu. 

We had a taco/burrito bar (easy!!)

Nectarine pie and ice cream.  

If you are ever in Central California, you MUST stop in Avila Beach at the Avila Valley Barn for the absolute BEST homemade pies ever.  Where else can you fine nectarine, or ollalieberry pie with the most scrumptious crusts?  Plus, the Barn is just the cutest, quaintest place ever.  It's a tradition for us now.

Carnell is 88! Way to go!  Madison 9, and Ashlyn will be 2.

Earlier this week, I was able to go on the 1st grade field trip to the library  because Lisa took my littlest littles.  Thanks Lisa! It was very fun to be on a school bus again (reminded me of my elementary school days - the buses still smell the same), and Brooke loved having her mommy go!

Ashlyn adores her cousin Chelsea (which was one of her first words, too).  She gets so excited to hear her name and nearly jumps out of her carseat when we pull up to the house. 

Track has started.  This is our first year. So far, the girls love it.  Madison practices 3x/week and Brooke twice.  In two more weeks, every Saturday will be spent at the track!

I snapped this shot with my phone this past week during Brooke's practice.

During practice, I took Ashlyn and Christian to the park to play.  Ashlyn's first time on the merry-go-round.  She loved it and wanted to go faster!  I've long-since outgrown my ability to get dizzy for fun! 

Happy Birthday Madison

Saturday, March 8

Maddy's birthday started yesterday with treats to her classroom, 

a couple of friends over after school (9 little kids here), 

and a dinner-date with mom and dad to a restaurant of her choosing

(Cafe Ali Baba - Mediterranean food), 

then shopping to spend some birthday money, 

and ending with hot-cocoa at Starbucks. 

Today, we all awoke early at 6:15

  (thanks Christian - he was excited to see what the Birthday Fairy did to Maddy's room)

Madison, Brooke and I went for a nice morning run up Rabbit Hill and at the track at the park, then home for breakfast blinztes and presents . . .

What could be behind the doors?

A new bike!  Yeah!  She really needed a bike, and wanted a beach cruiser. 

It is so darling!

We all went outside for a little ride in the neighborhood, 

then off to piano lessons.

Then . . .

Horseback Riding!

look closely above . . . those little dots are us on the horses. 

What a gloriously beautiful Spring day!

Fatimah (Maddy's school friend), Brooke and Madison getting ready to saddle-up.

Tally-Ho!

Gid'yup!

We went for an hour-long trail ride while John took Ashlyn and Christian on a horse in the coral.  They loved it.  It was a fun birthday activity that Madison chose.  We are so lucky to have such beauty and resources nearly walking-distance from our home. 

Happy Birthday Maddy!

Here's to Nine Years!

Can you seriously get any cuter?  What a beautiful baby girl!

Madison is grateful to be baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and is learning the importance of repentance, forgiveness, and the sacrament.

First day of kindergarten . . . and still loves school.  Hopefully it continues for at least 13 more years.

Pictures are totally out of order (love Blogger)

Enjoys playing the piano and is learning so much!

Madison loves, loves, loves the beach.

She enjoys gymnastics, but is now taking a break to do track . . . and is loving track!

Likes shooting hoops out front, or at the park.

I Got Tagged (twice)!

What is HIS full name? John LeRoy

How long have you been married? 15 years this June!

How many dates before your first kiss? hmmm . . . "too many" according to him.

Who eats more sweets? We're probably pretty equal on this one. Not too much because we both get headaches if we have too much, and his back starts tightening up.

Who said "I love you" first? He did! I cried and told him not so say that.

How old is he? 37

Who is taller? He is . . . by about 6 inches.

Who is smarter? He is on most topics, except for spelling/grammar, etc. If you ask him he'll tell you how I use to edit his love letters.

Who can sing better? Him, definitely - by a long shot.

Who does the laundry? Mostly me, but if he's around, he helps. Right now (11:30 p.m. Monday night) he's just putting the dryer back together after having it entirely taken apart because it hasn't been working right and smelled like a gas leak today. So that scores major points in the laundry department!

When and where was your last date? Temple sealing assignment last Thursday night. Does that count? We brought two of our kids with us. Other than that, the weekend before . . . dinner and a movie.

Who pays the bills? I did when he was in school, now he does.

Who do you tag? Stacey and Janae

Christian's 4 Year Old Portraits

Warning: Health Hazard

Reading these books can become hazardous to your health. A certain percentage of victims suffer from insomnia and starvation during reading. Some may also suffer from neglect, either of themselves, or others they normally care for. If you do choose to read, be forewarned that addiction is probable and you will not be able to put the books down.

Stephenie Meyer writes an extraordinary tale . . . I personally cannot wait for the 4th installment in this series Breaking Dawn to be released this summer. I am a bit apphrehensive, however, for the movie. Can Hollywood actually meet my expectations of perfection? When Stacey first mentioned Twilight, I thought to myself, "uh, Vampires, not my genre." Then Lisa was reading it and loved it so she lent it to me and I read it on my plane home from NY. I was hooked!

I recommended them to my neighbor last Saturday. She went to the bookstore that night and bought Twilight and stayed up all night reading it so she went back to the bookstore the next day and bought the other two and had them finished by Monday. She saw me outside and said this was her all time most favorite book. I'm laughing because my neighbor is extremely well-read as she is a member of book clubs, doesn't watch TV (only reads), is a teacher and involved with the literary community. I didn't know if it would fit her bill, but it obvisously did and we had a lively conversation on the sidewalk today! Next I'm going to have John read it so I can see if it can be appreciated by the male gender!

Valentine's is for Locks

EIGHTEEN INCHES

of hair

Donated

on

Valentine's Day

We cut our hair to donate it to Locks of Love and Pantente Beautiful Lengths. This is something Brooke has been wanting to do since the last time she did it - 1 1/2 years ago. I'm so proud of her for donating two times (and she's only SIX!). I've been growing my hair out because she wanted me to donate with her.