Just some fun

Ashton wanted to take a picture with Parker.

 We have started to tell Ashton about Parker being sick. He doesn't quite understand but he does understand a little bit about heaven and Jesus. I told him that Parker is going to heaven soon because he is sick and he will be Jesus' dog. He asked, "And then Jesus will give him back?" I had to tell him, "No, once Jesus has Parker he won't be able to come back." He didn't like that idea. So, I will try to get as many pictures as we can with both of them so he will be able to remember Parker.

Ashton and Violet wanted to vacuum this morning. Go ahead please!

Ashton's Big CHEESE!

An overexposed picture that was edited. It looks pretty cool though.

Tim enjoyed being in his exersacuer today.

Happy guy!

Messy Violet! That girl loves her yogurt!

Violet joined Ashton vacuuming!

Violet's big CHEESE!

Violet wanted to wear the Santa hat too!

Watch Timothy Grow

Timothy is 5 months old today. Wow! The time sure did fly by quickly this time. He is growing quickly. He fits well into his 6 month old clothes. He loves to laugh and smile and talk a lot. He can roll over both ways, bear weight on his legs, but can't sit up unsupported yet. I was going to start food today but will wait until he clears his cold altogether. Hopefully by Christmas!

A Quick Outing

I kept telling Ashton it was cold outside, but he insisted we go outside today! So we did! And less than 5-10 minutes later, he was saying it was too cold! But I was able to get some pictures before we ran back inside!

Ashton has to climb this tree every time we go outside! Violet tries to follow!

Guess who put on her own shoes today?!

Violet eats the gingerbread house!

Well, good thing it tastes better than it looks! Ding dong the Gingerbread House is dead!

Thinking about it...

Going in for the kill!

As Violet would say, "Got it!"

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Trying to get the kids up in the tree

As good as it gets when you are trying to take your own kids Christmas photos

Ashton climbing up a tree!

Tim hanging out in the leaves

Violet is the hardest one of all to get a good picture of at this time. She just doesn't want to smile on demand these days!

 I caught a few surprise pictures that I love...

Matt holding Tim

... and hanging out with the boys

Picture with Santa

The 1st picture -- Violet was not so sure of the whole experience. Ashton did well. I think it's hilarious that Timothy didn't even wake up from his little snooze!

As good as it gets with 3 kids, 3 years old and under!

Merry Christmas to you all!

Cold season already?

Now that it's winter time and it's getting a little bit colder outside, it's that time of year! Cold season! Yes, so far 2 out of the 3 children have colds. Violet somehow caught a cold and kindly shared it with Tim. They are both snotty nosed little kids... gross! Hopefully the rest of us are spared!

Ashton's big cheese

 Ashton continues to grow as a big brother. He is occasionally sweet to Violet and Timothy. He is definitely a big helper but can throw a fit that will rival the best of them. He is into Transformers, garbage trucks, and loves to watch TV. I'm sure that in part has to do with me, but his favorites right now are Little Einsteins, Scooby Doo, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, and Jack & the Neverland Pirates.

Tim hanging out

 Tim is almost 5 months old and is getting a more predictable schedule. He is awake ~1-2 hours and then is ready for another nap. He has yet to get a predictable nighttime sleeping routine down -- nope! Not sleeping through the night either. He loves to talk, laugh, and can roll over from back to stomach.

Violet's mysterious smile.

 Violet is somewhat of a trouble maker lately. She frequently can be caught sitting on top of Timothy when you turn your back... yes! On top of him! She climbs everything and has figured out how to maneuver chairs and such to get what she wants. Like as I type, she has moved a chair over to the counter to get down a container of fudge. Let's see if she can open it now?!

Our sad attempt at a gingerbread house.

Poor Parker still gets "lovin" from his little brother

Big hugs from the kids

The kids have a new favorite food -- hummus! Can you see it all over Violet's face?!

Not sure what is going on here but it looks like Ashton is doing his big brotherly duties. And Parker has his eye on that cookie Violet is eating!

Violet wanted to get a picture by the tree too!

Poor Parker

This is pretty much what Parker's life is most of the day. Well, the other 10% of his day is filled with Ashton or Violet hopping on him or riding him. Violet frequently straddles him and says "giddy up." Unfortunately, we found out today that Parker most likely has lymphoma. He has had a cough for the last 3-4 weeks or so and I finally took him in to see the vet. We found out he has enlarged lymph nodes. It would cost us ~$1,000 to confirm the diagnosis but what would we do really? Treat him with chemotherapy and radiation? Nope! He is 10 years old and has lived a good, long life. Apparently the life expectancy of golden retrievers is 10-12 years and Parker has met that. I just hope he is able to live out the rest of his life as he has lived his last 10 years -  too much human food courtesy of Violet, fun with the kids, and the ease of indoor life. It's not quite as luxuriousness as it was when it was only him, but he has had a good life! He was a rambunctious puppy whom I had to take to the dog park frequently in Mountain View. He traveled with me to Tucson and kept me company. He joined Matt & I in Indianapolis and enjoyed the snow. He kept me company as we drove to Virginia. And he kept Tom company as he traveled back to Fresno! The dog has lived in more places than most of my high school friends!

Playing with my new camera

My Christmas present came early - a new DSLR camera, Nikon D5100. It's a pretty awesome upgrade from my Nikon D40X from almost 4 years ago. I have always been interested in photography and now that I stay at home, I hope to learn a little more about it's use off of auto mode.

I can tell a difference in the clearness of pictures immediately!

Violet taking over Tim's exersaucer

And eating a dangerous stick of chapstick!

Tim enjoying the jumper...

... no longer enjoying the jumper!

Violet playing in Riley's new house!

And eating a cake pop. She was moving too quickly for me to get a good shot!

Ashton enjoyed his cake pop!

Tim enjoyed some time with Riley's Great Grandma, Nancy!

Just the Bro's

Every now and then Ashton wants to hold Timothy. Poor Timothy is squeezed and squished but at least he is loved!

Violet insisted on getting in the picture but didn't really want to take one! At least Timothy is happy!

You can see her foot trying to escape!

Happy brothers!

Proud big brother!

Tim Talking to Nana.MOV

It's my Mom's Happy Surgery Day! So to make her feel better, Tim wishes her a Happy Surgery Day as well!

Tim rolls over

Tim gets little tummy time, so he started rolling over a little later than the other kids. He seems to roll over the most in his crib as he wiggles all around. But I finally caught it on camera!

Ashton playing at jump house

I joined a Moms group in town to help break up the monotony of staying at home and it's been great. We go to the park once a week and they have all sorts of activities hosted by Moms pertinent to certain age ranges. It's been working out great! This week we went to a trampoline jump house and Ashton had a blast! Violet warmed up after about 30-45 minutes and joined in the fun. We finish off the week with Toddler Art club! My schedule seems more packed now than ever! Add all the holiday parties coming up and our schedule is packed!

Ashton slides down trampoline

Violet finally jumps too

A Fun Weekend

My parents came for a quick but fun filled weekend. Well, Saturday really but it was fun. My Mom is having back surgery next week and had to get her grandchildren visit in before she's laid up on her back... literally! So I'm sure once she's recovered enough to get online, I will need to make sure I have updated it with some pictures and hopefully some videos.

My parents got here and we were off! The kids went outside and Ashton immediately climbed the tree and raked all our leaves with Papa. Then we went off to a park for play time and lunch. My Mom and I finished off the afternoon with some light shopping, massages, and a glass of wine. Not a bad day!

Ashton up in the tree

Violet joins in the fun with the help of Nana

Ashton is Spiderman at the park

Peeking through the clear glass

... and the chimes

And of course, what would life be without our Transformers!

Violet peeks through the clear glass!

And enjoys sitting at the bench table

Down the slide!

Peek a boo!

Tim's cool owl hat!