Chloe Loves Mrs. Donna

This is Ashley and Chloe's gymnastics coach. Chloe asked today to go to Mrs. Donna's house. We see Mrs. Donna twice a week. Class on Monday's and open play on Friday's. I struggle with going twice a week, but the kids and I enjoy it. Right now Ashley and Chloe's class only also has Hazel. So it is like they have their own private class. It is awesome and we always end up staying longer. ;) So the kids get more time. I know once it warms up and stops raining we will not go as much will be at the park more again. But until then we will enjoy it. Thanks Nana for Mondays!!

Ashley's skills

My moms Christmas gift to the girls. Ashley loves it and is doing so well. She tought herself this.

Not Crying

And since the other post only shows Chloe crying here is a picture of Chloe eating Mr. Hop and kissing him. Not crying. We are working on the NOT crying thing but that is another post!

Love this from Christmas!!

SO my mom took these! And I love them, a progression of the kids faces opening Mr. Hop. Can I say they loved it. We all love Mr. Hop even Michael and I. We were worried about Mr. Hop in the storms last night. ;) I even called to check on Cindy, Marv and Mr. Hop this morning. Can I tell you precious the black one... not so Precious he is horney and try's to "attack" Mr. Hop so NOT cool. Really he trying to establish dominance. Anyway I love how excited and happy Emily and Ashley look.

question

So I am adding some snow day pictures. Notice the 1/4" of snow that was on the trampoline. It took ME about 15 minutes to get them dressed for this. They did have fun... they got mad I called them it after 25 mins. In my defense they were not keeping on gloves, hats and it was about to start getting dark. I did make hot coco.

Anyway here is my question... Are Michael and I bad parents?? We don't wake our kids up numours times in the middle of the night during tornado warnings. In fact we don't wake up either. I value sleep for my children and my self. I know Michael does too. What is worse then waking up three sleeping kids to hide in a powder room bathroom in the middle of the night for NO REASON!?!? I say no reason because nothing has ever happened. I have taken cover with the girls during the day. I don't know what makes it different... I guess, the reason is Michael is usually gone. But honestly my biggest thing for not waking my kids is I have a peace about the storms. For the most part I am good with them. I guess one will have to hit us or close to home for it to resonate. For this California girl tornadoes don't seem like much of a big deal. You can see and hear them coming. Earthquakes not so much. For the future I would like a one story house. For the future I would like a basement. Can I say we do have a "game plan." If we woke and it sounded like a train was coming the plan is for Michael to grab Ashley and Chloe. I will grab Emily and run down stairs. Until then, I say a little prayer before bed, check my girls sleeping soundly and go to bed and SLEEP myself.

Last night we were suppose to have some bad storms. So I did sleep with my phone and glasses next to me. A sweater and my slippers next to my bed. I did sleep. I did not stay up all night checking the weather. Although I will say for all of the people that did, I think you are the better parents this morning. Because I am feeling a little guilty like I did not care. I do care.

Also for the future... Chloe would like a dolphin and a pool in the back yard. She told me all of this with in the first 10 mins of Dolphin Tale. I too would like a pool and sure why not a dolphin.

Quick

Quick they are all getting along and wanted to take a bath together.

Brooklyn

So yesterday we had a little family thing for Isabella's birthday. Because her birthday is Jan.3rd. But Jenny and I plotted that if Brooklyn was going to be there a little photo shoot needed to happen. Poor Brooklyn she was shoved in a mail box, put in a basket, had chickens fly all around her, chickens run by her, put in a hammock hanging on a hook outside a barn... and much, much more. Did I mention it was like 44 degrees out side. Angie was very nice to us. I helped Jenny, make sure baby was safe. Did I mention I carried her in that basket slowly walking toward a flock of chickens?? Yes Jenny is a bit demanding in her photography needs. Let's just say I hope no one ever request the chicken photo shoot.

When we went inside Brooklyn did some more photos with a bunny(Mr. Hop). Angie was too good to Jenny and let her do anything with her 15 day old baby girl. So the few I am posting are just with my phone. They don't do the pictures justice. I had to toss in a picture of my baby Chloe. She was pulled all over in a wagon. Because she is princess Chloe.

Random photo's

Here are some random photo's of my kids. Enjoy.

Kissing Cousin's

So now Ashley and Caleb are trying to kiss. They want to marry. They were dancing on New Years Eve at Cindy and Marv's. We had a little party. The video is out of focus but it is too sweet not to share. I know Lea will watch this, tell Caden sorry Ashley has moved on.

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New Year's Eve

The last Lindsey kid was born on New Year's Eve. Angie's water broke Saturday morning. I went to pick up Alex, Ethan and Loryn. Isabella and Irelynn were at their moms. We only had Alex and Ethan long enough for them to meet the bunnies for the first time. So another person in the birthday line up. Sharing a birthday with Bobby and Valerie. (But Valerie does not count.)

Six kids in the car we were packed to the brim. Every seat was taken. Glad our car is soooo big. Oh yeah, C-section at 3:30pm. 6 lbs. 14 oz. Little thing. Very cute. Brown hair.

Wow, I have been bad.

Here are some pictures from Rock Climbing. It was lots of fun for Michael's birthday. We need to still go back two more times. And it will not be with Chloe. Emily and Ashley both did really well. Michael kinked his neck right away.

Ashley, another word for trouble.

There should be a new meaning to the word Ashley. A child who is sneaky, and likes to get into trouble. This little girl is going to be the end of me.

Emily and Ashley have been fighting a lot. SO we told them no Power Rangers for a week. In fact no iPad, no iPod, no Net Flex except on the big TV approved by Mom and Dad only. We had two thoughts on this. First, Power Rangers is kind of violent there is fighting. So maybe that would cut back. Also my kids are big fat TV heads just like their mom and dad. So I want them to cut back when we can. Can I say I think it is working besides what Ashley has been up too.

Let's rewind to Monday. Monday we could not find Ashley and we had made the above decision on Sunday. I have another rule NO TV in the morning before school PERIOD. Gosh I have a lot of rules. If we watch TV before school a certain Emily gets all cranky and does not want to go to school.
Again, Monday, Michael went to find Ashley. She was in her room hiding in her closet with the lights off watching Power Rangers!!! The sound was down low too. She knew what she was doing! Ugh. Ashley punishment was no TV at all for that day. Can I say that punishes me too. But we did it. Tuesday rolls around Ashley has school. We had made cup cakes the night before. They did not get to eat any before school, I was nice and let them have one for breakfast. Special treat, not much different from a donut. Fast forward. Emily is at school, Chloe and I went to get dressed. Michael is in the bathroom. Ashley closes the door to the bathroom turns on the fan so Michael can not HEAR her. And she gets all the cup cakes off the stove and licks off all the frosting. Yuck, Ugh so not okay. She is caught when she runs and hides as I come down stairs and looks at me and says I need to wash my hands. Hmm, what have you done now. I smell her hands and frosting. I look at the cup cakes and yuck!! I tell her no TV again. After school.

We had a good day after school. I had stuff to do. The kids painted when Emily got home. We did dinner. Baths played games, puzzles and read stories.

What happens today you might ask?? Well I did not sleep well last night I tossed and turned my back, shoulder, arm area is hurting from caring the heavy one too much. Chloe came in bed with us last night at 3 am. She thought it was time to get up. Emily crawled in bed with us about 7am. Later we figure out Ashley has been down stairs watching Netflex on my phone. Bastard!!! (I am not calling my kid a bastard, by the way.) I can't believe she snuck down stairs. To watch TV. I don't have this problem with Emily she would be afraid a Dinosaur would come eat her, to go up stairs or down stairs by her self.

So no TV is not working. We are logging out of the Netflex apps so she can NOT watch to help her. But Ashley is sneaky and has no self control. I am trying to figure out away to help her with her impulses. After Christmas we caught her climbing up on top of the fridge to eat old Halloween candy.

Ashley has a TV watch issue and a sugar issue. I have been trying to cut back on sugar and tv. I think she is having serious with drawls??

Jesus' Birthday/Gingerbread houses.

So I posted guns first but Nana came in Friday, Saturday Emily, and Ashley did a painting class with Nana. That did not go well for Ashley. But after we headed to Jesus' birthday. Cindy likes to celebrate Jesus birthday to show the kids the true meaning of Christmas. I like it to be on a separate day then Christmas. It is lots of fun. We also do Gingerbread houses so we did them together this year.

It worked out great because Joe got home on Friday too. So we all got to do Jesus birthday and ginger bread houses. With family and friends. Jake and Jenny's house looked the best.

Gun Class

So for Christmas my mom came in Friday night and Sunday morning Michael and I left all day for a gun class. They said the carry permit class was the best way to learn about guns. Michael and I had a good time, passed the class and learned a lot of things. Now we just need a gun!

A year in review.

I think I ended my last year in my 20's pretty well. Michael and I have done so much, grown so much. My last year in my 20's we found that we like canoing and it is a fun sport we can do with the family!! It is a great work out for my arms. We had many adventures in a canoe this year. I am sad we did not discover it sooner before some friends moved away. We enjoyed a few canoe adventures together this past year.

The girls have grown and got bigger.
Emily is a 6 year old budding artist. She would like to be a author/illustrator and I think she would be great at it. This past year Emily has taken many classes at the Spring Hill Painting with a Twist. She is enjoying first grade, but is looking forward to being 7. Oh my.
Ashley is now 4 and a wild banshee, her words not mine. She is a wild free spirit who is a bit sneaky. Ashley enjoys getting into trouble and dancing with her cousin Caleb, she plans to marry him.(it is legal in TN, I looked it up.) I don't know that Ashley has any life long goals yet. She loves to live in the moment and not think about the future. (or consequences) Ashley is so strong a great climber.
Chloe, princess Chloe. Chloe is 2 she is a loud yawner, cryer, laugh er. She enjoys lots of girly things and if it is not purple she probably will not wear it. She is the perfect princess baby for our family. Can't wait to see what other things she grows to love in the next year.

Michael and I took a gun caring class this last month it was lots of fun. I don't know that I will ever truly carry but it was lots of fun. I learned a lot. We also went rock climbing, indoor. I have no desire to climb out side. But another thing we really enjoyed doing and a good work out for my arms again. I need to find something for my legs. Emily and Ashley loved rock climbing too but, Princesses don't rock climb according to Chloe.

On the last day of this year after I turned 30, our last niece was born on Michael's side of the family. There are now 11 grand kids in total. 7 girls and 4 boys.
Found out I will have another 2nd cousin on my side. The family is growing.

I am excited to see what 2012 has to offer us. I hope more adventures, I would like to try zip lining and white water rafting this year!!!
I am pleased and proud of where life has taken us so far. I pray that Michael's business will continue to grow. That we will enjoy time as a family.

As a family we also discovered a love for bunnies!! Mr. Hop is a distant addition to our family as well.

I know there is so much more to mention but I get over loaded with it all. A big thank you to my mom for paying for the gun class for Christmas and watching the girls for 9 hours while we did the gun class.