Ashlyn's Pink Princess Party

Our house was full of pretty princesses today! Here is our little princess all ready for her party. I think this little girl truly believes she is a princess! She is known to say things like, "Watch out! Princess coming through." And, "the Ashlyn Princess gets out of the van first."

Princess Ashlyn with Princess Karrianne. Ashlyn is obsessed with this cute girl! She told me she wants to change her name to Karrianne and has been complaining about our naming her Ashlyn. She has also expressed her wish to live at Karrianne's house. Sweet Karrianne came early so she could share some of her pink glitter eyeshadow with the birthday girl. Karrianne is a very special girl! Ashlyn does have excellent taste.


All the princesses. Front row: Jordis, Vesper, Ashlyn, Karrianne, Ella, Sydney and Lulu. Back row: Rosie, Victoria and Whitney. Ashlyn wanted Wit's BFF Victoria and her younger sister Rosie to come her party. She is always trying to steal Victoria away from Whitney whenever she is over. The other day she told her, that Whitney said, "you're stupid and she doesn't like you anymore. Wanna come play Pollies with me?" She also told Whitney that she was not invited to her party just Victoria. Seriously don't know where she comes up with half the stuff that comes out of her mouth!



I broke out my princess dress just for Ashlyn. Now that is love!



We were not too happy with how her cake turned out. Chris has a bakery that he loves here. They have made us some great cakes in the past. I don't know what happened this time. He told them he wanted a pink princess themed cake. Yeah . . .at least she was happy with it . . . even if we weren't. She told me she wanted her cake to say, The Birthday Girl - Ashlyn.

The princesses having their luncheon.

Ballerina Girl

Yesterday Ashlyn experienced her first ballet class. She was so excited!!! I was way overdue on getting her into some kind of dance class. She had the biggest smile on her face the whole time. I don't think I have ever seen her try so hard to do something just right. After it was over she said, "she wants to go to ballet school every day!" I took her to Target and let her pick out a dance outfit and this was the winner.

These dance shoes were Whitney's first pair of dance shoes. The only difference is that Whitney had just turned 3 when she wore these. Ashlyn just turned 5. :) I just love that they have this in common.

The newest ballerina.

The Birthday Girl!

Our little Princess Ashlyn Christiana turned 5 years old yesterday! She had been looking forward to her big day for months. I have been calling her the Birthdaygirzilla. :) Ashlyn is a total girly girl. She wants everything to be pink. I spent forever curling every piece of hair on her head with a curling iron yesterday only to have it look straggly and unbrushed immediately upon finishing. (See the above photos for proof.) I used tons of hairspray too. I think she is like Whitney and has hair that doesn't hold curl. I am horrible with hair and need some advice. Please help me!

Chris was heartsick because he is currently in school for an instructor pilot course and had to be to work at 5 a.m. He left her these flowers, donuts and a card. Really we should have just given her a can of frosting for her birthday breakfast. She had preschool on her big day and she couldn't wait to go and tell everyone it was her birthday.

Ashlyn had already taken several tastes of her ladybug cake by the time I got this picture taken. She chose to eat at Cracker Barrel for her birthday dinner.

She got this double baby stroller and a new sister for Whoopsie Doo! Her name is still under consideration. She has thought about Pony Pie, Sweetie Pie and Coopsie. I guess only time will tell what she decides upon. This little girl loves, loves, loves babies!!! The newer they are the more she loves them. She talks about being a Mommy someday all the time. Whenever she sees a new baby she always says, "Mom, don't you wish that was our baby?" She was so cute talking to her new baby doll. She kept saying things like "Mommy loves you so much, you little cutie!" and " Don't worry - I'm going to take good care of you!"

She requested a motorcycle ride. I wasn't too thrilled that Chris didn't bother to put helmets on either of them but he said he went really slow just around the block. Though Ashlyn kept screaming "Go faster Daddy!"

She has been dying for a PillowPet since June. She said, "When your child holds their pillow pet they will fall in love." Looks like she did too.

Ashlyn's pile o' presents.

Whitney and Gavin helping her with her new Leapster portable gaming system.

Ashlyn in her super cute towel Grandma Tobler made for her. She had to have a bath immediately after opening these.

Trip to the Museum

On Wednesday we made a trip to the children's museum. We started out with a pizza picnic on the grass outside of the museum. The kids loved it when the sprinklers came on and showered us. They said, "it was like something that would happen in a movie." :)

Whitney was very proud of her tower she built. We named it the Lopsided Tower of Whitney.

Ashlyn working on some puzzles.


Gavin in the dog pound. Whitney told him to chew on his shoe and he DID! Little brothers do have their uses.

Whitney and Gavin thought this was an ideal spot for Landon.

When I saw the giant projection of rainbow squares on the wall I knew Whitney would love a picture of herself in front of it.

She then asked to take this picture of me cause she loved the effect of the projector's lights in my hair. I have always had clownish hair but now I even have the rainbow stripes to boot! More and more as I get older I am struck by how much I look like my Dad. When I saw this shot, I was a little blown away because all I could see was my Dad. He makes that exact same expression. Family does it not just scream Glen? Or is it just me? This shot is called, "Just Call Me Glenda!"

Tucson Botanical Gardens

My two handsome boys. Love'em in their matching shirts!

The kids have been out of school this week for fall break. Since Chris had the day off on Monday we decided to go to the butterfly exhibit at the botanical gardens. There were lots of beautiful butterflies to see and enjoy.

Ashlyn & Mama



Landon spent the whole time throwing everything that wasn't nailed down into the pond.


Whitney found a friend.

Gavin trying to figure why these two butterflies were stuck together.
Notice the perplexed look on his face.

My Ashlyn girl, taking a break from the hot & humid greenhouse.

Chris trying to keep Landon out of trouble.

Sometimes it is hard to believe that Ashlyn is over 3 1/2 years older than Landon. He is big and she is small. He is the stronger of the two and is starting to beat her up when she makes him mad.

Landon's Stats

On October 6, 2010 Landon went in for his 15 month well baby check. He will be 17 months in three days so we were well behind schedule.

weight: 26 pounds 50th-75th %

height: 34.25" 97 %

Head: 50.7 cm above 97%

He is up to 5 teeth with a 6th starting to break through. Today he learned how to climb out of his crib. I wanted to beat my head against the wall when he came sauntering out of his room. He was very pleased with himself even if I wasn't. This kid will never take a nap again.

New Alpha Dog

When Landon hears the blender he knows a delicious smoothie/protein drink is coming up!!! He comes a runnin' and impatiently hangs onto the counter while Chris whips up this yummy treat. Honestly, I am not sure why he likes them so much. They aren't disgusting but hardly the yummy treat he seems to think they are! I guess he has already picked up his Dad's obsession with strength and fitness.

Chris shares with him but he has become very greedy and refuses to give up the straw. I suggested Chris just use two straws. This only lasted for a short time. The boys decided to arm wrestle for it and the winner was . . .

Landon! Looks like there is a new alpha dog in the house!!!