Walking Parker inside

How to entertain a 2 year old while cooped inside a house!

Mmm

This is so cute! Violet actually makes a "mmm" sound when eating!

Ashton sings Santa Claus is Coming to Town

Merry Christmas

 Santa Claus came to town!

 Ashton going in for his 1st kill!

 Violet didn't know what to do

 Yes we had to open up EVERY single toy before moving onto the next!

 Yet another Thomas toy!

 Probably the sweetest picture yet!

Violet enjoying her big toy of the day!

We were able to enjoy four days with Matt for Christmas. It was short and sweet and good for us as! I hope he's back in time for next year!

A sweet smiley Violet

 Small smiles

 Big happy smiles... check out my two bottom teeth!

 Big laughs

 Standing tall like a big girl

 Happy with GreatGrandma

and enjoyed a visit from Daddy!

My attempt to get a cute pic... unsuccessful by the way!

 I love Violet's face... it's like "save me!"

 What's he doing??

 Oh no! The choke/hug hold.

 Big hugs from Ashton... not having fun from Violet

 Over it!

Tolerance!

Santa Claus is Coming to Town

Well, at least Santa looks good.... and they aren't crying. We tried to get the classic picture with the kids and Santa!

A pretty little girl

 Violet may end up being a girly girl. She loved playing with my necklace today.

 Violet loves to pull herself up to a standing position and fall down into the bath tub.

 Ashton has an "owie" on his bottom and was just watching Violet play

 Violet making faces and looking at Ashton like "why aren't you in here too?"

If you look VERY closely, you can see her two bottom teeth poking through. 8 months old and her 1st two teeth. All she wants for Christmas is her two (bottom) teeth!

Violet at 8 months vs. Ashton at 8 months

Looking back at the blog, it looks as if Ashton had WAY more hair than our poor little Violet. At least it is finally growing back in after her initial baby hair loss. She is definitely more mobile and dexterous than he was but he seems to laugh more. Violet is very smiley and laughs a lot but she doesn't laugh out loud like he did. Maybe I just need to catch it on camera more! So be on the look-out for Violet laughing videos.

The baking has begun!

 Not very pretty but fun to make. Ashton also enjoyed himself. Violet, well... let me say I decorated these cookies in just a few minutes which Ashton trying to touch everything and Violet screaming at my feet!

Hope my Mom get here quick! These may go right before her eyes!

Fun stuff

 Well, I am getting closer and closer to being able to capture these 2 smiling for the camera!

Poor Violet. The story of her life... Ashton just is always putting his feet in her face. One of these days, she's gonna get some teeth and bite him!

Violet is 8 months old!

Ashton walks into the sing along

Ashton walks into his sing along! It was so cute!

All I want for Christmas

Their 1st song was "All I Want for Christmas is my Two Front Teeth." How cute!

Jingle bell rock

Ashton had his sing along Winter Fest at school today. He wasn't very participatory but I was so glad to catch it! This was our 1st "school" event and I was so excited. Too bad he wasn't as excited as I was!

The Holiday Season

As I navigate through a new journey in life, I am grateful for the holiday season coming around the corner. It distracts me from the reality of what my life is about to become and the excitement that Ashton brings with every Christmas lighted house and tree. It is just as exciting as it was for me as a kid. The anticipation of getting gifts... the situation is just reversed nowadays. I am just as excited to give Ashton (and Violet) gifts this year. I want to run down the stairs as a family and play up the idea that Santa Claus came in the middle of the night and left us presents! I am also excited because Ashton seems to be understanding a little bit of Jesus. I'm not sure how much he understands but he does identify crosses and churches, and can now identify baby Jesus. We often sing Happy Birthday to Jesus so that he understands that we have a Merry Christmas because it was Jesus' birthday. So when I have gone overboard with spending too much money on the kids, it's not only distracting but an excitement towards this holiday season that I haven't had in a long time. It's always nice to have family get togethers and fun to enjoy the company, but I haven't had the childhood excitement in a long time! I think living it through our kids with bring JOY!

Welcome Baby Riley Donato

 Proud Dad! Poor Jr. looks tired after only 3 days!

Proud Auntie Aleyna! Glad that Violet is FINALLY (sing it... Hallelujah) sleeping through the night!

Basically the story of my life!

 Starts out with Ashton teasing Violet with one of her toys

 Ashton's little smirk and Violet's annoyed look

 Ashton saying he's sorry with a kiss

 The kids being kids

 Yes, a devilish grin!

 Violet looking for rescue into Mom's arms... or was she just trying to pull up to stand. Which I might suggest is not a smart thing in a tub with unstable legs and feet!