Spring- FINALLY!!!!

Spring has definitely sprung around here- but I am afraid it may be short lived. They are calling for snow tomorrow! This weekend was absolutely gorgeous. Joey and I took full advantage of it. We took Ashlyn to the park three different times. We had a picnic both days. Today, we headed downtown. We picked up sandwiches and walked to a park and ate lunch on a bench. The weather was just perfect. We then took Ashlyn to a park with ducks. She loved them! She was not very happy when we had to leave. Ashlyn has really enjoyed being outside. We have had all the windows in the house open and are finally able to air it out a bit after the long winter. I know there is lots more of this weather to come, I just wish that it was here for good!

The last week was very busy! Last Saturday, Joey and I ran our first 5k. We did it with my sister, brother, and brother-in-law. I LOVED it! Joey's asthma bothered him quite a bit, so I don't think he will be running another. My time was not amazing, but I ran the entire thing and that is all that I cared about. I truly love running and plan to continue to do it. I hope to run at least 2 more 5k's this summer. Jacob, Maya, and Nadia were also in town so we spent a lot of the weekend spending time with them.

I had a crazy week at school and am glad that I am on spring break for the next 2 weeks. We are leaving to go to Phoenix on Wednesday. We will be driving down there. Joey will be staying at home. I know he is a little bummed, but he plans to spend the week doing some serious studying for his big Series 7 test. I hope that Ashlyn does well in the car. She is going to fly back with my Mom. I just didn't feel right about making her do the 12 hour car trip twice. We look forward to seeing family and friends when down there. We also look for to some really warm weather. I will be taking lots of pictures and will post them when we get back. The next two days will be busy getting ready for our trip.

That's all I have for this week.




We have an extra car seat for Ashlyn. It was sitting in the living room floor because my sister and brought it in from her car. Ashlyn put her Arthur doll in it and started bucking him in. It was really cute and funny.

Going down the slide.

Riding on Daddy's shoulders

Sitting on a bench, she looks so tiny next to Joey.

Watching the ducks in the pond.

Holding Dad's hand

Uncle Bryan let Ashlyn "drive" his cool Jeep.

Sitting in Uncle Bryan's Jeep.

Waiting to go to the park. She had her jacket and was ready to go!

Giving Nadia a kiss. She loved Nadia and loved giving her kisses. She is going to be a great big sister one day.

Trying to give Nadia a hug.

Sitting with her best friend, Nadia.

Wearing the new shades that Dad bought Ashlyn.

She actually kept them on her head!

Zoo Fun

Joey had to work this Saturday, so he got last Tuesday off. Joey's Dad also had the day off, so they decided to head to the zoo. It was a beautiful day. They had a great time. Joey said that they saw everything. He said that Ashlyn really seemed to be more interested in the animals this time. She even fed a giraffe a cracker. I bet it was because her Grandpa was there to protect her!

This month is going to be another busy one! We are heading to Arizona again, the last part of March during my spring break. I am very anxiously awaiting getting two weeks off for spring break. It is much needed!!! Joey and I are also running our first 5k on Saturday for St. Patrick's day. Joey is taking his big Series 7 test April 3. He has been very busy studying! Please pray that he passes his test! We are looking forward to warmer weather and getting to do more and more outdoors.


Feeding the giraffe

Looking at the meerkats

How cute!

Feeding what she thought was a real lion

Looking at the monkeys

So much to see

Riding the carousel with Grandpa

It went really fast!

She even got to ride a slide!

Climbing through the tunnel

Watching the lion

She really liked the sea otters. I can't wait to take her to the aquarium in Denver.

Looking through the hole

Posing for a pic with Grandpa

Joey said she really liked the bears

Poor Ashlyn did not quite undertand that there was glass. She bent forward to get a closer look and hit her head pretty hard. She had quite the bump on her forehead.

Petting a "bear'

Riding a lion

Looking cool in sunglasses

One last picture

Of course, they ended the day with ice cream!

Busy As Can Be!!!

I can't believe that I haven't updated since Valentine's day. I apologize, I have just been incredibly busy. Last week I had parent/teacher conferences at school. I went in early and stayed late every day. Last week was exhausting and very hectic! The next two weeks are also going to be a bit crazy because my class is taking their state tests.

Besides being busy, things have been going very well. Ashlyn is finally over her cold that lasted 3 weeks. Poor thing, we wondered if she was ever going to feel better. She has become mommy's helper. She loves to help me around the house. She likes to help me put away groceries, put the laundry in the dryer, etc. It is really cute.

We are all looking forward to spring. We have been couped up indoors for way too long. We have had a couple of pretty nice days. We took Ashlyn to the park a couple of times. There is so much more that she can do since we last took her in the fall. She just loves climbing and playing with everything.

I will have to make this one short. I need to finish getting ready for another crazy week!


Ashlyn playing with her Legos. She loves them!

She likes to build things

Running at the park

She looks so big in this picture

Her favorite, the swing

Close-up of the fun

Walking on the steps

This is her Rose Petal Cottage, and she truly loves it more than anything. I think she could play in it for days.

The door is her favorite part.

She loved holding on and getting spun around.

What fun!