Cupcake fun with Grandma!

Each time we visit Grandma in St. Louis the boys bake with her. This time they made and decorated cupcakes.

Brinley's New Hair-Do!

Today we decided it was time to cut off the rat's nest. We took Brinley to get her haircut OFF! She got between 4-5 inches cut. She was perfect.

Christmas 2008

This year we stayed in Kentucky to enjoy Christmas morning at home. We opened up gifts then packed up the truck for our trip to St. Louis. The kids loved their presents. Ryan and Brinley especially loved the new kitchen and supplies they received. Ethan and Ashton haven't stopped playing their new Nintendo DS's. We had a great Christmas.

Christmas Eve 2008

This year we decided to stay at home in Kentucky for Christmas Eve and Christmas morning festivities. Here are a few photos of our Christmas Eve. We began by reading the Christmas Story in the Bible. Ethan helped Matt read that. Then the kids were able to open the gifts from our out of town relatives. The kids loved the goodies they received! Yeah - and Brinley still hasn't figured out how to smile for the camera.

He Shoots . . . He Scores!!

Ashton made his first basket today at his basketball game. He also made his second, his third, his fourth and his FIFTH! Way to go Ashton, our future All-Star!

Sugar Cookie Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

Sugar Cookie Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

Future Artist???

While waiting for Ashton after his Christmas Program I noticed this beautiful quilt displayed outside their room. Each child created a self portrait. Okay - what is wrong with my child???

Ashton's Kindergarten Christmas Program 2008

Tonight we had the pleasure of attending Ashton's Kindergarten Christmas Program. He was an elf - just like everyone else. He did a great job. They each had a part to memorize and sang many songs. My part was hearing the kids sing Feliz Navidad. I think it was my favorite because I can't sing it!!! It was fun seeing a few of the neighbor kids in the program as well. Good job Ashton, Allie and Donovan!

On the Fourth Day of Christmas . . .

This post is mainly for Grandma & Grandpa in Florida and Grandma in St. Louis. There are 2 videos. One I picked, the other Matt picked. You MAY be able to figure out who picked what.

Our Sick Little Princess!

This morning at about 5am we awoke to the sound of Brinley screaming her guts out. Matt ran into her room to find puke in her crib. Apparently the milk and peanuts diet she had yesterday didn't work out too well. We changed her sheets and put her back to bed. About 10 minutes later it was deja vu (sp?). We changed sheets and pj's again and back to bed. She seemed a little under the weather this morning, but by this afternoon and evening she was back to her feisty self.

Toyota Tsusho Christmas Party 2008

Tonight was Matt's work Christmas Party. The nice thing about their Christmas Party is the entire family is invited. It was held at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Lexington. They provide a room for you to drop off your children that is monitored by several young adults. In the room they had crafts, snacks, movies, bounce house, bounce slide, and more. Even Brinley joined in the fun this year. They had a special buffet for the children which included chicken strips, mac and cheese, hot dogs, and more. The kids were in HEAVEN! (and so were Matt and I). We had to "check out" our children for dinner and when Santa arrived. Santa brought gifts to each of our children. Unfortunately Ryan is totally freaked out by Santa so Matt had to sit on Santa's lap to recieve Ryan's gift. The kids had a great time. They were lucky enough to play with a few friends from their school that were also at the party. Matt also had some good luck. He won the grand prize. It was a Tom Tom GPS. When he went up to get the prize he notified them he didn't need a GPS because he has a wife. Good man!!! It was a really nice night. I actually look forward to his company Christmas Party each year.

We miss Papa!

It was 2 years ago today that my dad passed away. It has been difficult for many of us. We miss his smiles, his phone calls, his horsey rides, his painting skills, his jokes, his stories and much much more. Today when I asked Ryan what he missed about Papa and he said "Swing-a-Swings." Ethan said "Wagon rides to Grant's House" and Ashton wouldn't comment (surprise, surprise). I think Matt misses the entertainment my Dad brought to most functions and I miss absolutely everything. I will post some pictures of my Dad as soon as I get them scanned in.

Learn and Explore

Today Ethan brought home a paper titled "New Things to Learn and Explore". The first part asks to Write at Least Two New Activities that You Will Learn How to Do. He wrote: 1. Skate 2. Right in Cercive

The next section asks to Write at Least Two New Interests that You Will Explore.
He wrote: 1. Hunting 2. Jym Nastix

The third section he was supposed to write what "Career Path" these new activities might lead to:
He wrote: 1. Health Path 2. Helping Path

Then on the back side there was a spot to write the different jobs under each path. He wrote in the Creative Path and the Health Path (I guess he forgot about the Helping Path)
Under Creative Path he wrote:
1. Artest 2. Writer

Under Health Path he wrote:
1. Vet 2. doctor 3. ners 4. hospital


This made me laugh - hope it will you too!

Is He Excited, or What?

Today was Ethan and Ashton's first basketball game (EVER!). Ashton's team played first. They played half court and didn't keep score. There was a lot of running around with the ball, falling on the ground, etc. It was pretty funny. Ashton did a great job.

Next it was Ethan's time to play. Before the game they had the teams go in the "tunnel" and they waited for their name to be announced. Then they got to run through the streamers and the cheerleaders to center court. I think this was the highlight of Ethan's day or maybe his LIFE! Here is some video footage. Ethan is the 3rd child to run out.

Ashton rec'd the gold star for his team today. That represented "Good Sportsmanship". Ethan rec'd the red star which represented "Good Defense". We had such a great time watching the boys and their friends. It was great!

I have several more pictures from the big event - I will post later.

Happy Birthday to . . . . Ashton!

Today was Ashton's 6th birthday. He spent the day by going to school and having a GREEN day! He was so excited. The best part about coming home from school today for Ashton was he got to open 1 present. He had to wait until dad got home to open the rest. He opted to open the gift from Grandma Clayburn in Florida. Not to get mixed up with Grandma Clayburn in Utah. He was absolutely thrilled to find a digital camera inside! After Matt got home from work we carried the party over to Steak-n-Shake and that finished the night. He was going to take a couple friends to the movies, but decided that there isn't anything good enough on the big screen yet. He is hoping that something super great will come to the theater soon. Here are few pictures from the big day including a picture of a birthday noogie from Ethan!

Gobble, Gobble in Cincinnati

This Thanksgiving we were lucky enough to spend it with family. Last year we weren't as lucky and spent it at Cracker Barrel (gasp!) We traveled up Thanksgiving morning to Cincinnati where Matt's sister Sarah and family live. We had a great time. Notice that Abigail (our neice) had a not so traditional Thanksgiving meal? You will also see a bowl of what looks like: a). croutons b). dog food c). stuffing or d). carmelized pecans. If you guessed stuffing . . . well you are better than me. Just kidding Sarah. The stuffing didn't look very good, but it ended up being delicious! The kids had a great time playing together. All in all it was a wonderful Thanksgiving day! Thanks Sarah and Eric for letting us invade your space!

Happy Thanksgiving to You, Happy Anniversary to Me!

In addition to Thanksgiving, today is our Anniversary. We have been married for 11 fun-filled years. This is the 3rd time our anniversary has fallen on Turkey Day, including the day we were married! Enjoy the pictures. Some day a few of you MAY have the wonderful opportunity of viewing our WEDDING VIDEO!!! Remember I said a FEW, and ONLY A FEW! You know it is kinda top secret! However, here is proof we really did get married in Vegas. Oh - if you look close you can see the Elvis watch Matt is wearing. That is the closest thing to Elvis we could afford that day.

Happy Birthday, Aunt Linda!

Top row: Uncle Jay, Tiffany, Amy, Matty, Aunt Linda, Diane and Aunt Elaine
Front row: Grandma Niederhauser

Tiffany, Stacey and Amy (Miss America #1, #2 and #3!)

I wanted to give a shout out to my wonderful Aunt Linda. Today was her special day. She is such a special person to our family. While our brief stay in Utah she was always there for us. We spent many family gatherings together with her and her children. Our boys had so much fun playing with Linda's grandbabies. We cherish the memories of our times spent together. Here are a few photos. The first being many of the Niederhauser's. The second is a picture of my cousins Tiffany & Stacey (Linda's daughters) with me! We love you Linda!

All I Want for Christmas is My 2 Front Teeth?

Today while Matt and I (mostly Matt) were cleaning up the kitchen we heard a large bang following by horrible crying. We walked around our kitchen counter to see Brinley on the ground with my Sizzix Big Shot on her face. She had pulled it down on top of her and it hit her right in the mouth. Here is a link to the Big Shot. You will notice it weighs 12 pounds!!

Click HERE to view the Big Shot die cut machine.

So after Matt checked her out we think she may be okay? A little blood around her 2 front teeth and a very scared face is the damage. I think 1 of her teeth may be loose, but Matt doesn't think so.

I just don't want my cute little 2 year old to have missing front teeth this early in life. Some of you may remember when Ethan knocked out 1 of his front teeth when he was 3. It took YEARS for the new tooth to come in.

I was too traumatized to take a picture of the "incident". I will keep you posted! I guess it won't be too bad if her tooth/teeth fall out . . . we do live in Kentucky now!!!

Thank you Tami for helping me insert a link!

It's Raining, It's SNOWING!

It is snowing here. That is not that common this early in the year. My kids are counting on no school tomorrow. You'd think that would be a fat chance, but last year they cancelled school since there was snow in the forecast. That day it didn't even snow! Sorry for the below par photos. If it is still around tomorrow I will take better pictures that will include the kiddos!