Why Not?

So I have been so behind..like we are talking haven't even blogged about Brynns first Christmas but I decided I just need to blog about NOW and then do throw backs to get caught up. So I figured since I just uploaded all of April photos off my phone and this weeks worth of May why not do a week in review..just a little glimpse into our crazy week!

Sunday: We went to church and found a new Sunday School class we really enjoyed. We went to lunch after church with some of the class and that was nice to get to know some people a little better. Small world- one of the teachers (who is actually leaving to go to seminary) went to high school with my cousin. They graduated with 19 people in Louisiana. Crazy! I thought the babies looked cute dressed in their Sunday best so I made them take a few pictures : )

Monday: I had Aschers Mothers Day Muffins with Mom. It was so sweet. I loved it. Brynn thankfully slept the whole time so I was able to have some quality time with my first born. They made tiles with his picture and a poem, a yearbook of the whole school year, gave us muffin mix, we made crosses to hang and ate plenty of donuts, muffins and punch. I have more pictures on my camera but this is the one I took on the phone.

While Ascher was at school we just played at home. She is getting more and more fun. I just love this age (10 months).

After school we went to one of the neighborhoods splash pads. It was awesome. There was NO ONE there. Ascher loved it and played for a good hour. Wore himself out. Justin was out of town so I wanted to fill our evening so that when we got home we could just do dinner, bath and bed. And we did just that.

Tuesday was another busy day. I am on leadership for MOPS and we had our last steering meeting of the year Tuesday morning. Tuesday afternoon I worked on slideshow and cookbook ( I am the publicity coordinator for MOPS). Justin came home Tuesday afternoon just for the night and to help me Wednesday morning. I apparently only took one photo on Tuesday- so unlike me.

Wednesday morning I took Ascher to school (Justin stayed home in am to watch Brynn) and then headed to my neurologist appointment. Still no answers- still claiming its just a headache even though I dont have a headache. After Wednesday appointment I am going to find a new doctor to get a second opinion. Wednesday after school we went over to our friends house to graciously asked us over for dinner when she found out Justin was gone (He left Wednesday afternoon again). We went and ate then headed to the splash pad and played until bedtime.

Thursday morning we hung out in the morning and I finished up cookbook before we headed to church to print it out for Friday mornings meeting. We didnt get done until lunch/nap time. By the time we got home and ate lunch Justin got home and we had a chill afternoon.

Friday morning we had MOPS. It was our last meeting of the year and it was a great meeting. We were able to chat with our tables and do one last craft. It was super cute tea cup bird feeder.

After Mops we came home and while kids took nap I got our stuff ready to go to College Station to celebrate my father in law on his retirement and my sister in law for her graduation with her masters. Once Justin got home we headed to college station for dinner and fun.

After dinner we went back to my in-laws where the kids swam, we ate cake and hung out. Finally around midnight we went to sleep.

Saturday morning we all got up and before long Ascher was begging to be back in the pool. So the entire day Saturday Ascher was a fish. He is really good- almost scary because he is so confidant. My mother in law, sister in law and myself all went and got pedicures for Mothers Day while the men watched the kids (hence Aschers sunburn...) We ate a delicious late lunch/early dinner before driving back home. Before we left Justin got his dads homemade ice cream recipe and apparently the only photo I took all day was of them looking it over & the pool. Sweet memories.

So there you have our crazy busy week and it didnt stop there...mothers day and birthday parties started this week out busy as well!!

PooDink- Our Elf & Other Christmas Around The House

Yes. We have an Elf on the Shelf. No. I am not one of the crazies that does extravagant things with it every day. Multiple times thru out the holiday season Ascher would say...Ooo poodinks still there! Then I would say things like, "oh well I bet during your nap this afternoon he is going to go tell Santa what kind of day you've had" and then during nap move him from the picture ledge to the plant on top of the fridge. ; )  I also only did "good" ones if Ascher had a super good day or we had something planned (like gingerbread house).

The day Poodink arrived he brought Ascher a book (the elf book), pjs and hot chocolate. Ascher was so excited when he got home from school and the Christmas tree was up (not decorated) and sitting on the mantle was an elf with wrapped presents just for him.

Ascher also LOVES his Christmas tree in his room. He insists we plug it in every morning.

 The Christmas tree before the decorations were hung

 Ascher playing with his little people nativity. You see who made an appearance? Santa of course!

 Ascher in his new PJS Poodink brought him "holding sister"

 Reading one of his 25 Christmas books- he opens 1 every night. He likes opening them more than reading them. However, some of them- such as this Thomas book caught his attention and he would read and read.

We also have been doing the Advent Story out of the Jesus storybook bible. I love listening to my husband read the word of the Lord to our children. (Granted he is reading Frosty the Snowman in this picture) but that is what our nights looked like. Ascher would open his book. Then we would crawl into our bed. Read his book then read his bible story then bedtime. He loved it. He would say MY WHOLE FAMILY is here. Granted- as the month wore on it was mostly just Justin who did it with him as Brynn was sick and/or going to sleep the same time as the books were happening.

Visiting Santa

The week after Thanksgiving Justin took the whole week off. It was WONDERFUL! We got the majority of Christmas shopping done, we decorated the inside and outside of the house and it was just a pleasant week together. One of the things we did that week was go visit Santa. I apparently was not the only one excited to go see Santa...

We go see the Santa at Bass Pro Shop. He apparently works there so it is the same one every year. He is a great Santa. I also love that at Bass Pro the photo is FREE and you get to use your own camera and take more if you want. So of course, I brought my own camera. 

However, I didnt really get "dressed" or do my makeup because why on earth would I BE IN THE PHOTO!? Other than a frightened 2.5 year old. I even asked Justin before we left, maybe I should change and do my makeup. His response, why its not like your gonna be in the photo!? Lesson learned. 

I also was glad Justin was with us to use our camera since Ascher wouldnt let me put him down. Secondly, Justin was able to zoom in and crop Ascher and myself out of the photo so Brynn has her first picture with Santa- just by herself. Go figure she would be sleeping. Also, she NEVER has that paci- yet when I tried to take it out of her mouth- she was NOT having it and Santa was not happy about me trying to take it. He was happy holding a sleeping baby- not one that would scream if paci was removed. 

After visiting Santa, we wondered around Bass Pro. They have a whole Santas Wonderland set up. Ascher drove the train, raced cars and drove monster trucks. We then walked around the store and looked at the fish, tried out the 4-wheelers and recliners. And of course, as soon as I took Brynn off of Santas lap- she woke up happy as can be. Go figure.

After our visit to Santa, we walked around the mall and picked up some matching Christmas PJs for the kids. And headed home. We ended the night with all 4 of us in our bed watching The Polar Express, As you can see, Justin was thrilled to take a family selfie ; )

Aschers Christmas Program

I have really enjoyed Aschers preschool program up to this point. I love that he inneracts with other kids twice a week other than me. Before school let out for the Christmas holiday they put on a Christmas program for the parents. I was a nervous wreck- Sad. He still cries most days when I drop him off and so I just knew he would NOT perform especially if he saw us.

The day of the program comes and  I drop him off after singing some of the songs he is going to perform in the car on the way to school. He was so cute and so excited about jingle bells and feliz navidad. Justin and I head to Chicfila for breakfast before going back up to the church for his performance. I was so glad Justin was able to take the morning off so he could see Ascher in his first ever Christmas program.

I had the flip camera and my cannon. We were totally THOSE parents. But not to worry- so was every other parent in the sanctuary. He did FABULOUS. He saw us, waved and did what he was supposed to do. I was so proud. 

SO SO proud of my little man! He is getting so big every day. My heart adores him. Every day I love him a little bit more. When I picked him up we stopped by target for a few things and I let him pick out a "treat" for doing such a good job at his program. He was very excited about his ninja turtle fruit snacks.