Kyler's Birthday Parties

Kyler had two birthday parties this year.  The first one was the weekend of his actual birthday with our families.  Kyler's birthday fell on a Sunday this year, so it was fun to have a party the day before, so close to his actual birthday.  It was somewhat bittersweet as it would be the last birthday celebrated in our first home!  The party started about 5:30.  It was such a nice day out, which we were thankful for, so that people could enjoy being outside in the backyard too.  After everyone had arrived, we enjoyed pulled pork sandwiches, chips, cheesy potatoes, fruit and relishes.  After dinner, the kids went outside to play basketball and run around the yard, while the adults chatted inside.  We then called everyone in so that Kyler could open his presents.  After Kyer opened presents, we sang "Happy Birthday" and had cake and ice cream.  Kyler requested a Lego themed party this year, so his cake was the shape of a Lego. :)  After cake and ice cream, everyone enjoyed some more time chatting and playing, and then the party ended around 9:00.  As sad as it was knowing this would be the last birthday celebration in our house, it is also so exciting to think about the next party and all the space we will have to have people over!  Here are some pictures from Kyler's first "family" party.

All ready for his party!

A sibling photo :)

The LEGO cake!

Party decorations

Kids table :)

Henry and Geneva :)

Grace had to join the kids table :)

The game of basketball :)

The truck Henry made Kyler

Sweatshirt from Leah!

HUGE bag of gummy bears from Ben :)

Legos from Grandma Nadene and Grandpa Gary

Checking out one of his cards :)

Singing "Happy Birthday" :)

Enjoying cake!

Henry wiping Grace's face :)  The oldest and youngest at the party :)

Kyler with Henry and Geneva

The day after Kyler's "family" party was his official birthday.  It was on a Sunday this year, so we got up and got ready and headed to church.  After church we came home and had lunch and then the kids laid down for their rests.  As soon as they got up from their naps, Kyler had one present at our house to open, and then his other present was at my parent's house.  The present that was at my parent's was a battery operated gator.  A little background on this…..I have always thought the kids would have fun with one of those battery cars.  I thought that if we were going to get one, the kids are at the right age, and if we waited much longer, Kyler would almost be too big.  I looked online and narrowed it down to a gator, as it had two seats and I knew Norah would want to ride along, as well as Grace at some point.  I also knew that new gators are expensive…..more than I wanted to spend.  So I began watching Craigslist to see if I could find a gently used one, and I did, except it was in DSM.  Luckily for me, my brother is in DSM :), and he was willing to go and pick it up, store it for me in his apartment, and then haul it back here for me!  SO grateful for all his help!  So then it was stored at my parent's until the big day. :)  After Kyler opened his present at our house, we told him there was one more at Grandma and Grandpa's, as he knew we were heading there for dinner anyways.  So we headed to my parent's and then lead him outside to his birthday present from us.  After he played for a while, we then had dinner and cake to celebrate Mr. Kyler turning 6!  Here are a few pictures from the day!

Ready to open his present

An Olaf shirt!  Something he had been wanting :)

Coming out with his eyes closed….

Opening it….

Checking it out!

Going for a spin….

I feel like I have fast-forwarded about 10 years with this picture :)

Grace thought she needed a turn :)

Kyler's other birthday party was his "friend" party, however it wasn't until two weeks after his birthday, as we moved the weekend in between. :)  We invited a few close families and their kids over to celebrate Kyler's birthday.  Since we were kind of "homeless", we decided again to have his "kid" party at the Big House at church.  Kyler again wanted a Lego themed party.  The evening began about 5:30, and after everyone had arrived, we enjoyed a yummy supper of pizza casserole, salad, fruit, and chips.  After dinner, the kids played and did some crafts and activities for a while while the adults chatted. :)  A bit later, Kyler opened his presents and then we sang "Happy Birthday" and enjoyed cake and ice cream.  When we were finished, we enjoyed some more time hanging out, chatting and catching up.  Around 9:00, everyone headed home!  Here are some pictures from Kyler's "kid" party. :)

Kyler's Lego cupcakes :)

Ready for his party!

All ready!

The kids' table :)

Ready for presents

Checking out his volcano experiment

Opening another present

Ready for cupcakes!

Singing "Happy Birthday"

We are so thankful for everyone who helped us celebrate Kyler's birthday!  He was so blessed by all his wonderful gifts and all the people who came to support him.  It was so fun to watch him get so excited for his birthday as he continues to understand what it means. :)  Happy Birthday Kyler!    

Kyler is 6!

Six Years Old! (one day early) :)

Oh my, how can it be that this little man is 6!?!  Kyler turned 6 years old on April 12.  Kyler is such a kind hearted little guy, especially when it comes to his sisters.  He loves helping Grace get up from her nap or put her shoes on.  He also enjoys helping Norah, but sometimes that proves a bit more challenging if they are in an argument. :)  Kyler loves to write different things all the time.  He will find different things to copy and then write the words from a box or something down on a piece of paper and then draw a picture.  Or he will just write all the words down, like all the characters from the Dusty movie.  His handwriting has come so far this year in kindergarten, and he really has nice handwriting. :)  Kyler also loves to draw pictures.  One of his latest ones was of himself and Harley, my parent's dog.  It is so cool to see all of his creations on paper.  Another one of Kyler's loves right now is Legos.  Kyler was introduced to "small Legos", as he calls them, at his birthday last year.  Over the past year, he has asked for them for every holiday and his birthday this year.  He will sit down and do an entire set, even if it takes an hour.  Kyler still enjoys playing outside.  He likes to pretend with Norah, as well as play soccer and baseball in the yard.  He also loves to help in the garden and around the yard.  Kyler is still somewhat shy around new situations as was evident by how the school year began.  But once he had it figured out, it went a lot better.  He also has a bit of a perfectionist side, one way we have noticed this is when he is always asking how to spell words instead of trying to use his "kid writing", he wants us to tell him how to spell it so it will be "correct". :)  Kyler has pretty much stopped taking naps this past year, although he will take one occasionally as I still make him "lay and rest" in the afternoon.  If he doesn't have any down time, he just don't stop going and gets worn down.  Kyler has quite the imagination.  I am so amazed with some of the things he comes up with sometime.  He will get up from his rest time and just start talking to me telling me all sorts of different things.  It's like his mind never stops! :)  I hope he keeps that unique trait as he grows, and it is a blessing, but sometimes my head hurts trying to follow everything he is telling me! :)  

Kyler, we are so thankful for your role in our family!  We can't believe it has been 6 years since you made us a Mommy and Daddy!  We are so proud of you and all that you are doing!  Have a Happy Birthday!  We love you very much!       

Easter 2015

Easter this year seemed to just come and go so quickly.  With Kyler's birthday the weekend after Easter, and moving two weeks later, it seemed like Easter just began a string of crazy weekends for the month of April.  However, we did have a wonderful weekend celebrating Jesus' death and resurrection!  The weekend was packed full of fun and meaningful things, as well as spending time with family.  We began on Friday night when we headed to the Good Friday service at Naz.  The kids seemed to have taken a bit more of an interest in the service this year as we talked about the different "kids" that were going to talk.  All of them did such a good job, and the music was outstanding as well.

With Erik's schedule at the church, we usually do our Easter baskets with our kids on Saturday, as Erik is gone all Sunday morning.  Saturday morning the kids went to breakfast with my parents and then when they returned, it was time to take a rest.  While they were resting, we got their Easter baskets ready and the house prepared for an egg hunt for when they woke up.  As soon as they came down, they were all excited about their baskets and going on an egg hunt.  Grace was the only one who needed a little help with the egg hunt this year, but once she figured out what was going on, she was all in!  We just had to keep her from eating every one she found! :)  After the egg hunt, we ate dinner, and then Erik headed to the church for the Saturday evening service.  While he was at church, the kids and I  went to my parent's house to have an egg hunt there and open their Easter baskets at their house.  The kids were very excited to hunt for eggs again, and we just had to give Grace a little direction and then she was off looking too (if Kyler and Norah weren't faster than her!) :).  After our egg hunt, we headed back home again to hang out for the evening until Erik came home.  Here are some pictures from Saturday!

The kids' Easter baskets

With their baskets

Checking out what's inside

Grace loving shaking the eggs :)

Off to hunt!

Norah on the hunt

Grace checking out the chocolate eggs

Putting together Norah's Lego set

Sunday morning, I got everyone up to get going, so we could eat breakfast and get to church.  After everyone was ready and fed, we headed out the door, and we made it pretty well on time!  I'm always impressed with myself when that happens!! :)  We attended church with my (Ashley's) parent's and brother.  After church, the Kyler and Norah went with my parent's to their house to get their food, and I took Grace home to pack up our stuff to head to my aunt and uncle's house by Denver.  As soon as Erik got home, we loaded up and headed out.  While we were waiting for the food to finish up, we snapped some family pictures, (which I require!) :), and then the kids checked out their Easter baskets.  After their baskets, all the kids got together and went on their "indoor" egg hunt.  This hunt was for jelly beans, chocolate eggs and other candy hidden throughout the house.  When the kids finished their hunt, it was time for lunch.  We enjoyed a wonderful dinner of ham, potatoes, fruit, salad, relishes, and pies.  As soon as lunch was finished, Grace went up for a nap, and the big kids changed their clothes and headed outside for the "outdoor" egg hunt.  This hunt consisted of tons of plastic eggs hidden all over the yard outside.  When all the hunts were finished, the kids rolled eggs down the hill and enjoyed a game of baseball.  We had a nice afternoon hanging out, playing games, and chatting.  About dinner time, we packed up everyone and headed for home!  Here are some pictures from Easter Sunday:

Grace's collection of toilet paper from the bathroom...

An attempt at a picture of all three kids….(I settled for this now since I knew we'd have a better opportunity later!) :)

Take two!

Our family :)

With my parents and brother

Grace checking out her basket

Kyler's goodies

Kyler hunting for eggs

Norah on the lookout

The kids table :)

Grace enjoying Easter dinner :)

Ready for the egg roll!

We had a great Easter with our families.  Although it seemed to pass quickly, we enjoyed our time celebrating the death and resurrection of Jesus.  We are thankful for all of the fun memories and traditions that we are enjoying with our kids!  

Grace is 17 Months!

My the months seem to be just flying by with this little lady!  This month she got her left front side bottom tooth, so all eight of her front teeth are now through!  Yay!  She also started to say/repeat words more!  She is also quite the climber and loves to climb up and get in our chairs at the kitchen table.  Grace loves to be doing what Norah and Kyler are doing.  If they are playing with something, she wants to be playing with the same thing. :)  I don't have many pictures from this past month, as most of it was spent looking for houses and getting ready to move. :)  But here are some pictures of Grace this past month!

17 Months! (a day late!) :)

Hmmm, what should I do now…..

All of our kids have pulled themselves up and stood on the baseboard to look out the window, Grace was no different!

Using the doll house blanket as a "tissue" :)

I attempted a 1st ponytail in her hair….it didn't last long as hair kept falling out, we'll try again later! :)

Kindergym 2015!

The kids participated in Kindergym again this February!  They really enjoyed doing it last year and asked to do it again this year.  It's nice that they choose to do it in February/early March when everyone is tired of being inside and ready to get out and do something! :)  My parents offered to take the kids again this year, which was really nice!  This is Kyler's last year of Kindergym, and he will be too old to do it in the fall. :(  I only have one picture from Kindergym this year that my mom took, but it's of Kyler "graduating" from Kindergym and receiving his certificate!

Way to go Kyler!

We're Moving!

So, one of the biggest things happening with our family is that we are moving!  As much as we love our little house and our neighbors, we just need more space for our family of 5!  We have outgrown our starter home and need more room!  We have lived here for eight years (we can't believe it's been that long!) and we have so many memories here, but it is time to find something that fits our family better!  So, the Wednesday after Norah's birthday party our house went up for sale!  Let me back up a bit, we started seriously looking for a new house last summer/fall.  While we were looking, we learned that our house needed to be sold in order for us to put an offer on a new one.  With Thanksgiving and Christmas, we didn't get our house listed and then we needed to "de-clutter" after Christmas and then we had Norah's birthday and knew that after that we needed to do it.  We were going to list it the week of Feb 9, but we then heard of one of Erik's coworkers who might be interested, so our realtor still had our house "on tour" that week, but postponed the actual listing until the following week.  Erik's coworker decided to pass, so our house was going to go "live" online the following Wednesday, Feb 18.  On Wednesday morning, before it went live, we got a call saying one of our realtor's coworkers had some people in town who wanted to see it, as she has been through it the previous week.  We agreed, and packed up our lunch and headed to my parent's.  Later that day, we got a call saying the people wanted to come back later that night.  So, we packed up our dinner and headed to my parent's again.  We also had 3 showings scheduled for Thursday by this time, and one for Sunday.  Well, later that night we got a call saying the people were going to put an offer on our house!  So crazy!  We then countered back Thursday morning, and then later that evening they accepted our counter!  So by Thursday evening, our house was sold!  Now by this time, there was nothing on the market that we were interested in, so we had asked for a closing date of April 22, which gave us 9 weeks to find a new house….. :)

Our sign didn't even make it into our yard!  The ground was too frozen to get the sign in the yard, so they had to use a drill to get it in! :)

Norah's 4 year Pictures

Whew!  It's been a crazy couple months but I'm hoping to catch up on here soon!  Here are some of Norah's 4 year old pictures!  She looks like such a big girl in these!