Picking out our new puppy

Its been almost a year since we had to put Zelma down-she seriously was the best dog ever.  Never had to worry about her around the kids, she was super sweet and just easy to take care off.  We had been talking back-n-forth for a few months about getting another bullmastiff but thought we would wait until the summer.  Well that was until Ryan got a wild hair and called the breeder he got Zelma from and low and behold she had a liter 4 weeks old.  It took me a few days to warm up to the idea.  Just wasn't sure we had time for a puppy but he convinced me the timing was right.  Ashlyn still talks about Zelma all the time-its really sweet, she will ask about her being up in heaven and if she is up there with Maggie (my parents old dog), she tells us how she misses her and wishes she could still feed her. 

We decided since we couldn't go see the puppies until New Years Eve we would suprise the kids. 

Momma Joy had 7 pups-4 males (already taken) and 3 females.  Since we didn't get pick of the liter we had to pick out our favorite 2 and then when we go back in 3 weeks we will decide which one is ours to take home.  Honestly we don't care which one we get b/c they are all super sweet and adorable. 

Ashlyn did really good with them-we had to remind her a couple times to sit when she wanted to hold them but she was giving them lots of love.  Brody would just walk around pointing and grunting at them but he was really gentle.

She is our #1 pick-LOOK AT THAT FACE:)

Here is our #2-on the right-love the spotting on her belly and she really warmed up to the kids.

So sweet!! 

Can't wait to bring our Ella Louise home with us in 3 weeks-she is going to make a wonderful addition to our family. 

Playtime with all our new toys

We have been enjoying our days at home this past week-the kids have lots of fun new toys to play with.  Mommy has been busy organizing closets, sorting thru toys, and finding a place for all the new stuff. 

She is enjoying all her new dress-up clothes-the other night she even dressed up daddy with earrings and lipgloss:)

Brody has been spending lots of time in Ashlyn's new baby bed.  He trys to lay down in it but he is just a little to big.  These 2 have been getting along great and she loves bossing him around and he doesn't seem to mind.

Kit and Ashlyn got lots of matching outfits:)  She has been all about her babies-taking them to the store, putting them down for their naps, changing their diapers, and taking them to the Dr. (she is also the Dr.)

Love to watch them play together-he adores her-follows her everywhere she goes and gets so upset when she won't share her toys. 

Here is another favorite of Brody's

Brody loves his farm-he usually lays on the floor just like this to play-such a sweet boy.

Brody has two work benches so we put one in his room and the other in the toy room.  Loves to walk around the house with his hammer and screw driver fixing my walls:)

Have I mentioned that this kid LOVES to climb and stand on EVERYTHING-why can't they stay little forever :(

Christmas Day

Christmas morning Ashlyn came into our room about 5:30 telling me that Santa hadn't come yet-I told her it was too early so we snuggled til about 6:30 and she woke up asking again if Santa had come-I told her she had to stay in bed with Daddy while I went out to check.  Sure enough he had come!!!   

I wanted to get her reaction on video-thought for sure she would be soooo excited that Santa brought her the kitchen she had been asking for but instead she said "Santa forgot my scooter mommy!"  Well Ashlyn he didn't forget about it you never asked Santa for a scooter you asked him for a kitchen:) 

Santa brought Brody this adorable lil turtle-he loves to bounce on it and of course stand on it.

After getting over the fact that she didn't get a scooter she was excited about her kitchen and making mommy and daddy coffee and pancakes.

We headed to my parents house early that morning for brunch and gifts!! Ashlyn liked her new antlers:)

Paw Paw and Emaw got Ashlyn her 1st American Girl-she thought it was pretty neat that Kit looked like her.

Kane was excited to open his presents!

Brody's turn!!

Do we look alike?  That's what EVERYONE tells me-she is my twin!! 

Who knows what Ashlyn said or did in this picture but Paw Paw and Emaw found it funny!!!

Santa even stopped by and dropped off a few gifts-Ashlyn got this new bed for her babies.

Brody got a new Craftsman work bench

Santa brought Kane a new kitchen

Ashlyn got princess dress-up clothes and Aunt Rachel thought it would be fun for Kane to play dress up-Matt didn't find it funny!!  He was practicing his wave for us:)  He cracks me up!!

 That afternoon we celebrated with my mom's family-my dad was so proud of his garage tree. 

 The kids had a blast playing with all their new toys-Ashlyn decided she would let Asher take her for a ride in her new stroller. 

Brody is loving all of his sis's new doll stuff:)

Ashlyn and Josh were serving up ice cream!!

We had an AMAZING Christmas-the kids had so much fun spending lots of time with family and opening lots of presents.  Its hard to believe that 2011 is almost over.  Can't wait to see whats in store for our family in 2012-I think its going to be a GREAT year!!!

Christmas Eve

It was wonderful not having to travel Christmas Eve-Ashlyn and I headed to the store that morning to get a few ingredients to make some more cookies for Santas.  After naps we baked cookies and started dinner before heading to church for candlelight services.  The kids did so good during service and Ashlyn even held her own candle-she was so proud of herself.  After church we came home and had dinner then let the kids open some gifts from mommy and daddy.  We had to be up early Christmas morning to head to my parents house for presents and brunch so thought it might be nice to let them open a few the night before so we could enjoy some time with them playing with their new stuff.  Next year when Brody is more excited about Santa we will probably wait and open gifts Christmas morning.

I love this picture-Brody looks like he is saying "What's Up with my Sissy?

Brody loves to lay on his belly and rock back-n-forth

Brody likes to take his time opening presents but sissy insists she step in and help him!!

Serious business! 

She was super excited about her new purse

Brody loves to stand on Thomas-actually he loves to stand on EVERYTHING!!

This was favorite gift #2-seriously at dinner the other night we asked her what her favorite gift was this Christmas and she said her purse and lipgloss-even though she had been telling Santa for months she wanted a kitchen this was her favorite-Go Figure!!

She LOVES puzzles right now and got a lot of new ones for Christmas

Here she is in all her glory-she has on her new boots, got her new bitty baby diaper bag, purse, headband and of course some lip gloss.  All ready to go outside to put out some reindeer food.

She was so worried they wouldn't be able to find it so she wanted to put it by the snowman so they could see it:)

The kids were then ready for bed so Santa could come!!!

Preparing for Christmas

There is so much excitement & anticipation for Christmas/Santa this year.  Ashlyn asks every morning if its Christmas today and we have to keep telling her just a few more days.  We are loving every minute and answering a lot of questions. 

We had the neighbor girls over to help us decorate our gingerbread tree.  Ashlyn would spend every waking moment with these 2 girls if she could and Brody loves them just as much. 

They divided up the decorating duties

I couldn't believe Ashlyn was actually decorating with the candy and not eating it.

Brody just supervised:)

They take this stuff pretty serious:)

Finished product looks AWESOME!!

Brody with one of his favorite girls!!

Of course we had to make cookies for Santa!!  She picked out the cookie cutters and insisted we make a heart and pumpkin for Santa:)  I remember when I was a kid climbing up on the kitchen counter just like Ashlyn helping my mom cut out cookies for Santa and everytime my mom would look away I would sneak a bite of the dough-Ashlyn was caught many times doing the same.