" Why do the days go by so fast??"

This is what Blake asked me last week. The days do go by really fast.


Uncle Luke (Eric's youngest brother) got his mission call to the Lima Peru South Mission. He leaves June 30th. It was so fun to watch him open up his mission call. After Luke, Blake will be the next "Elder Allen."

My sister Micki took the kids and I to McDonalds. The kids were in heaven.

Ashley opening up her sweet birthday present from Micki. Thank you Micki!

Ashley's treasure map to find her birthday present. Micki drew it.

Ashley on the hunt.

Opening her present!

The birthday girl wearing her birthday crown.

Blake had me take a picture of him and we sent it into the Lego Jr. Magazine. Blake is anxiously awaiting the issue with his picture in it.

My kids have been really grouchy with each other lately. It is mostly Ashley bugging Blake and pushing his buttons and Blake coming to me crying. I used to do the same thing to my sister, so I guess this is payback. I told Blake to stick up for himself and he quickly went into his room and came out wearing this. He took me literally. :)

Okay, this is a really bad picture. We got a snail for Gilbert's bowl. "Gary" eats all the left over food on the bottom of the bowl. It is fabulous! I almost died laughing when Gilbert first saw Gary moving in his bowl. I have never seen Gilbert flare up before. He got so big and turned a slight reddish color. I wish I had taken a picture.

This is a picture of Blake's cute little friend Bryan. He absolutely loves Blake. His mom called me last Friday morning saying that Bryan was dying to play with Blake and instead of Blake going over there, Bryan really wanted to come play here. So he did. Whenever he sees Blake he gives him a huge hug!

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Blake was yelling "Happy St. Patrick's Day."

Happy Birthday Pretty Girl!

Ashley and her Dad

This picture makes me cry, so sweet.

My baby is 3 today! 3 years ago my water broke at 12 (noon) February 25th, and Ashley was born at 7:46am February 26th. She was so worth it!

Ashley is such a fun,energetic, smart little girl. Just yesterday Ashley was laying in the middle of the floor with her eyes closed and she says to me, "Mom, I'm just saying my prayers, don't worry I'm not dead." She is so funny.

Right now Ashley loves boys! If boys are around, Ashley is so happy. She still says she is going to marry her 15 year old cousin Jordan.

Ashley is such a little mom to Blake and his friends. She likes to tell them what to do. If they don't listen, oh boy! Ashley is as fiesty as they come, I wonder where she gets that from? :)

I am so grateful that I have Ashley in my life, she is so much fun. Happy Birthday my pretty girl. We sure love you!

Random Fun!

Ashley loves to sleep in my bed. Ashley said she was tired late one afternoon, and next thing I knew I went into my room and found this!

Blake's Valentine's for his preschool class. Blake told me that he is "totally in love with" a girl in his class named Catherine. Oh dear!

Here the kids are at Pirate Island. Their hats are on wrong, but they had lots of fun!

This roller coaster is from Cedar Point! I think it was Blue Streak or the Gemini. Shout out to all the Michigan people!

Last week I went to a great hockey game. It went into over time and ended in a shoot out. I think it would be so fun if Blake played hockey. We'll see. Not many people go to hockey games, notice all the empty seats?!!

A sweet fight that was getting broken up!

We were really close to the players. Thank heavens we weren't too close that we could smell them.

The dumb mascot! He wouldn't leave me alone. Did I ever mention mascots freak me out?!! They do.

Eating at Tapanyaki. It was so cool. I thought, "I wish I had my camera", and I did have my camera! This never happens.

The cook doing cool tricks with the egg.

I made the mistake of telling the cook that I had never lit a match because fire scares me a bit. He got a good kick out of this! :) At Tapanyaki you sit at a table with just random people. Our cook was taking forever to get there, and the host came over to tell us that he will be here shortly, and a guy at our table says, " What is he just getting off the freeway?" I thought that was so funny!

Helping Ash take pictures of Blake and I. So funny!

Ashley's perspective!

An Interview

Just a few minutes ago, Blake and Ashley were sitting at one of our little tables in the living room sitting across from each other. I walked in the room and Blake says, "okay Mom, now it is time for your temple interview." Last December Blake and Ashley came in when I was having my temple recommend interview. Blake asked me a whole bunch of questions, some were very close to the real questions. Blake has a great memory. Some of the other questions he asked were, "Have you been good?, Do you know the gospel is real?, Do you say pledge allegiance to the flag?" Blake cracks me up! Now he is interviewing Ashley and he just said, " Ashley you are being naughty, get out of my office!"

No More Diapers!!

Miss Ashley is now fully potty trained. She is doing so well. I can't believe that both my kids are out of diapers. Now I have to convert Ashley's crib into a toddler bed. I am taking baby steps, how on earth did my kids get to be 5 and almost 3 so fast???

Ashley and Blake wearing their new shoes and jams. Ashley slept the WHOLE night in her new boots! She is so funny.

Blake wrote my name all by himself. As you can see I'm a great photographer. :)

Blake put he and Ashley's picture by Gilbert so he wouldn't be lonely. How cute. Happy 6 months to Gilbert. We have had him for 6 months and he is still alive. Though, I think Blake's prayers have brought him from the verge of death more than once!