Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Christmas Festivities

On Christmas Eve we acted out the Nativity with the cousins (Clarke tradition) and this time my kids were stars of the show. Mika was an angel. Paka would read to her what the angel said and she would proclaim it! :) 
 Travis was Joseph, Kaylin was Mary, Ashlynn was baby Jesus (once he was born) and Laurel was the donkey.

Here we have most of the cast. Sayla was a shepherd and Ethan was a Wise Man.

The excited kiddos waiting at the bottom of the stairs! Travis had to go wake Mika the grump up and Ashlynn stayed asleep. Travis told Mika that Santa came and asked if she wanted to see what he brought her and she replied, "No, I want to go back to sleep." 
The kids had so much fun with their cousin Sayla. We are going on a chilly golf cart ride. I crack up at Ethan's face!!!!

My Clarke sisters!! I enjoyed being with Breezy and her family so much this trip. And Stacey was so good to us for sharing her Christmas with both families. She just found out she's having a boy! 

Jonathan spent a few weeks with us. He adored the kids and Ashlynn was a favorite. She'd let him kiss her all the time. 

 After we opened presents, went to church and had a nice Christmas brunch with the Clarke's, we headed down to Macon to see my sister's family and my parents.
It was so good to spend time with them!! Such a fun day!

 The Georgia Sharp grand-kids. They all had a blast together running around and playing with new toys. Thanks Ang for hosting, the meal was yummy and the company was even better.

 Lily and Ashlynn...

 Lily got a stand up microphone and Kaylin got a paper jamz mic so they sang a lot together. It was cute. Lily kept making up her own songs rather than singing holiday classics. :)

Saturday, December 17, 2011

10 years together

My sweet love and I just celebrated our 10th anniversary together. It was so so much fun. We both agreed we needed more time, but a quick weekend get-a-way was still so great. We just stayed at the Westin near Perimeter. It was perfect, we got an upgraded room with a great view of the lake and city.

 We shopped and went to a movie, ate and walked around. It was the perfect time well spent.

Travis is so wonderful. He does so much and is the most unselfish person I know. He has a heart of gold, with the best intentions and also tender and sweet to the core. I love our talks together, he just gets me. Like no one else. He's seen the good, the bad and the ugly and it doesn't matter, he loves it all. That means so much. He's honest, kind and oh so patient. I love his laugh, his awesome smile, and even his moles. I love his snoring and the way he falls asleep in 2 seconds- because I know if he wasn't by my side, I'd miss all those things. Thanks for loving me and trying so hard to be the perfect man for me.

My amazing parents had our 4 kiddos all weekend. Of course the kids had a blast, and I'm hoping my parents did too! (probably not much sleep though!)
Here they are Sunday after church in their Christmas clothes. THANKS MOM AND DAD!!!

Yes even after a couple days I missed the kids dearly. I love love love being with Travis, but my kids are my purpose, who I am, what I love. And yes I missed the monster incredibly. :)

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

I love my little Ashlynn. I hate that she is growing so fast. I miss her being tiny. But I'm enjoying every minute of her. She is a mover, roller, kicker etc and soon there won't be any snuggle time, so I'm taking as much as I can get!

My big girl is sitting up!! She hardly ever falls unless she wants to roll to get somewhere. I found her today sitting up waving her arms crying. It was so cute, because she was just lonely.

Ashlynn is lucky enough to have more than just baby toys. This is the kids' fake frog (filled with sand) it has a weird texture as you can see on Ashlynn's face.

 Mika rises to the occassion of the big sister role when the older kids are gone at school. She loves her so much. Maybe a little too much. :)
 I think they look so much alike here. I'm looking forward to seeing if it stays that way or not.

Wednesday, December 07, 2011

Mika's Class Party

Travis and Ashlynn joined me and Vicki at Mika's class Christmas Party.
 She was so happy to have daddy there with her!
 Mika loves to make faces. She refused to smile until we made a face first. This is her grumpy face...
 Then her happy girl face
 Mika's class got a special surprise! Santa came!! He gave each child a gift of candy and a stuffed reindeer. It was so cute.
 Ashlynn even sat on Santa's lap. She is my very FIRST baby who did NOT cry!! 

Sunday, December 04, 2011

Ward Christmas Party

Santa came to the Ward Christmas Party! The kids were SO excited to tell him their favorite toy they want this year. I couldn't believe no one cried! This is the first year! 

 Nathan was home- I love his crossed eyes, I love my Jocey and I'm holding sleeping Ashlynn...

Nathan and Brandon were tossing her afterwards. Yes, you can see the girls behind them...most people are really shocked. But this baby loves it!! All the pictures of her flying through the air were blurry.