Brush My Teeth...I Sure Can!

Brushing her teeth...it has to be one of Ashlyn's most favorite things to do!  When I tell her its time...she will get so ubber excited that she will run in place...kind of like a football player...with the biggest of grins and will race to the bathroom. 

She only likes to do it if someone is holding her (we are working on that). She mostly chews on the bristles and sucks all the fake, yet tastey, toothpaste off the toothbrush, but still...great habits are starting early!  Helps having a BiG SiS who feels the same way! 

Now, will this last forever?!?!  Hope so...Um...of course!


Our little ray of sunshine!

Jon's Birthday...SURPRISE!!!

Yep...I think I finally pulled it off!  A few months ago, I decided that a surprise birthday party was a def must for this amazing man in my life.  He's so busy, but never fails to make our family feel loved and supported.  So I got busy making his invitation (totally copied one I found on pinterest...side note: LOVE YOU PINTEREST and your lovely ideas)!

Lying for 2 months (which is super hard...I don't recommend it) and pretending that it was "just another weekend" was super tricky.  I mean one lie...led to another...which led to another...so by the time this weekend came...I couldn't even keep them all straight. 

Close family and friends arrived at The Pit (a fantastic BBQ restaurant in downtown Raleigh) right before we arrived, and yes...I think Jon's face was priceless (grinning ear-to-ear, pink cheeks) and you could tell he was grateful to have the loving family and friends that he has all happy to surprise him. 

Party Favors: Smokey Sweet BBQ Rub (treat bags per couple with recipe card)

Gotta love catching up with everyone and wondering why we don't do stuff like this more often.  After filling ourselves to the tippy tops of our stomachs, we headed to Overtime for some rather unique Karaoke performances that left us laughing, cringing and wondering how long these people practice their duets in their free time.  Note to self:  I must learn a rap song from beginning to end before I ever set foot in that place again on karaoke night ;)

Once our ages set in and we were yawning by 12 midnight, we went back to Ben and Mel's house (where they lived happily ever after *wink*), got our second wind and played word/board games that kept us up til 2 am (which will take 2 days to recover from...I hope :)

This morning we were so thankful to drive over to Jon's parents house (who by the way were generous enough to watch ALL the kids to make this happen) to have brunch to end Jon's birthday week.  Delicious yummy yummy food...as always! 

I love you Jon and am so blessed to have found you almost 10 years ago.  You have made these years the happiest and I can't wait to see where our future leads us!  Muah!

 

 

 

 

Beep Beep Bellies

Was reading my blog from back when I started blogging 3 years ago and came across an old memory that I would have forgotten if I hadn't written it down. Pictures say it all ;-)

Yep!

Say Cheese!

And this is the ear-to-ear smile I always get!!! A smile can be so contagious!

Listening to one of my crazy little stories :)

Practicing our letters and drawing doodles!

Kelsey and Riley...

Life has a strange way of bringing people into our lives when we least expect it.  These sweet little girls were born in the same hospital within a few hours of each other over 4 years ago.  We haven't seen them since...until Kelsey started swim lessons in July.  Only 5 kids were signed up for each session...and somehow Kelsey and Riley have made it back together.  They play so well together and are new best buddies.  They both get excited to see one another and the bonus...I get to see Jennifer ;)

 

Here are some pictures from our recent play date to Pullen Park (my new favorite place to go...Kelsey's new favorite place to go) ;)  Who doesn't love a train ride and a carousel ride!?!?

 

We are so happy to have the Paris family in our lives again!  Can't wait for our kids to grow up together!  Hugs and kisses!

BFFL

Having a sister is having a best friend you can never get rid of! Love these girls!