Papi and Grandma Came to Visit


We are so lucky to have both of our parents live in Colorado.  Ashlyn gets see them often and she loves them! A few weeks ago my parents came to town to hang out with us. They took us out to lunch and then to the park. Ashlyn love it!

 

Ashlyn showing off her new shoes from Grandma.

Ashlyn 13-16 Months

Words:

 Daddy, Mommy, doddy (doggy), teetee (kitty), No!, Baba (bottle), Papi (Grandpa Deacon), Mimi (Grandma McCabe), Pop pop (Grandpa McCabe), Hi, Bye, Nigh Nigh (Night Night), Cheese, Baby.

Loves:

 Dogs. Every animal is a dog to her.  When you ask her want a dog says she pants like a dog. She really does love animals though.  She notices every bird that flies by.

Singing. Her favorite songs are "Itsy Bitsy spider," "Popcorn Popping," "The Barney Song,"  and "The Wheels on the Bus." She loves to sing along and to do the arm motions too.

Dancing. She will dance with or without music.  If you ask her to dance she will shake her shoulders. Often times I look in the review mirror to see her dancing in her car seat and lip syncing the words.

Swimming.  She loves for me to hold her up so she can kick around.

Bath time. She could stay in there for hours just playing with her toys and splashing around.

Daddy.  She is a daddy's girl through and through. Whenever she is sad she screams for her daddy. She cries at the front door when he leaves for work and is elated when he comes home and scoops her up.  It is the sweetest thing.

Books. She brings books to me and puts them in my lap.  I always stop whatever I am doing  and read to her. I want to make sure she keeps this love for books up. Often times I walk by her bedroom to see her sitting down reading to herself in her own little language.

Fruit. She isn't the greatest eater but I can usually always get her to eat any kind of fruit. She definitely gets that from me.

Cellphones. She always grabs one of our phones and puts it to her ear and says "Hey!"  She then proceeds to talk in her own language with a couple of "no's and yes' " thrown in there. We get a kick out of it.

Older kids. She is fascinated by them. She follows them around and loves making friends.  She notices when other kids are sad and gives them a pat on the chest, looks them in the eyes, and says "Hi!"

Babies. She points out every baby

 she sees. 

Her new car seat. She loves the new view. The first time I put her in it she had a fit when I took her out of it.

Laying in our bed in the mornings.

Olivia and Ashlyn


They are six months apart but they look like the same age in this picture.


Playing with her xylophone Aunt Heather sent her.



Emmry making Ashlyn laugh.










Haven, Ashlyn and Emmry playing on the swing set at Mimi and Pop Pop's. 



Downward Dog




Folding her arms for prayer.




The first time we noticed her folding her arms.  We never taught her that either. I was impressed.




Ashlyn saying "hi."


Laughing hysterically at something.

Happy 4th Anniversary to us!!!!!

Instead of doing our everyday workouts that are usually separate, we went rock climbing at the gym.  It's fun learning new things together.

That evening we went out to eat at a fancy restaurant in Cherry Creek. It was deeeelish.  No steak will ever be good enough now.

Love you Mike. Best four years of my life. I love that I get you forever.

-Les

 Happy Easter!!!

Mike's 26th Birthday

 

Last year Mike's birthday was overshadowed by Ashlyn's baby blessing, so this year I wanted to make sure he felt special on his birthday.  He played golf with his friend Jared in the a.m., we went shopping for some clothes in the afternoon, and in the evening we went out to dinner.  I was happy to hear him tell me it was one of the best birthdays he has ever had.  I think it had to do with the beautiful March weather allowing for perfect golf conditions. ;-)

Mike and I have a tradition in our marriage that for every occasion that qualifies for a card we make each other one. It is the least we can do for each other because we have yet to wrap presents for birthdays and Christmas.  We always just go shopping together and pick out the things we want.  That way he gets exactly what he wants and I don't have to stress.  It's a win-win in our relationship. So creating our own cards for each other is always our little secret "gift." This year was fun because Ashlyn was old enough to help me decorate and sign his card.  

 

Ashlyn's First Steps

She started walking at 13 months. It was a proud moment for her and us.  We tried to get her to walk for about two months, but she didn't have any interest in it.  I guess she needed an audience, because she decided to take some steps when we had friends over for dinner one night.  With those steps came a few shoulder and hip shakes.  It was the cutest thing in the world!  Mike and I couldn't stop giggling.  

Now she is a pro and walks everywhere.  People always told me, "oh just wait until she is walking."  Don't you hate the "just wait" phrases?!? Well I actually prefer walking over crawling, because she doesn't trash her clothes, is more independent, can play with older kids, and I can take her to the park.  Sure walking has it drawbacks like how it is really more of a hassle to go out to dinner with her, because all she wants to do is explore.  Other than that I am loving it and so is she.

Ashlyn's 1 Year Photos

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My friend, Michelle, is a very talented photographer so she offered to take Ashlyn's 1 year photos.  Michelle has a cute little 1 year old named Austin, so she came over and took his pictures as well.  She did such an amazing job.  They look like studio pictures even though they were taken in my living room. Mike and I weren't planning on being photographed, hence our chill clothes, but Michelle asked us if we wanted pictures of the three of us so we took her up on that offer.  We love these pictures of our little princess and will cherish them forever! Thanks Michelle!!!