Happy 8th birthday Ashlyn!

It's hard to believe that my baby girl is turning eight years old today! I am so proud of the young lady that Ashlyn is becoming. Ashlyn truly makes being a parent too easy. I know how luck we are to have her in our family. She has such a kind and giving spirit. I often call her my middle of the middle child. Our middle daughter, as well. What a good little helper and peacemaker she is in our family. We love you Ashlyn Brooke!

Ashlyn turned eight years old today. She got her first set of scriptures! She is looking forward to her baptism on January 31st

Ashlyn invited five girls over for a sleepover and swim party the next day. I don't know if Chase ever gets used to all the girl frenzy that having three sisters can bring. I'm sure he'll appreciate it someday :) After getting chased around the house for a while, scratched and pounced, things settled down a little and he joined in on the fun. Here is Chase smelling a gift Ashlyn got that is 'everything you need to make projects sparkle.' Oh yeah! Glitter it up Chase.

Ashlyn and her friends swimming at the Bainbridge Island Aquatics Center, lots of splashing and smiles

The 'mommy' girlfriends poolside sipping our soda. Love you girls!

"Yo no soy Marinero, soy Capitan"

I remembered tonight why I had this sign made for Brian for Christmas. It's part of the lyrics from the song "La Bamba" and about the only Spanish that Brian knows besides "Me llamo es Bruno." Over the years, if you hang around Brian long enough, you have heard it a thousand times. "Yo no soy Marinero, soy Capitan." I got a call tonight from my friend Stephanie. She said she got a funny call from some guy speaking a little Spanish and not making much sense to her. As he continued on and on...she proceeded to say, ok I know it's you Brian, ha ha ha, kiss my butt buddy, I'm no dummy. Then the guy says, "No, no Senorita I'm sorry. This is Sergio, I'm the waiter at Azteca. Someone left a cell phone here."...I went back to the restaurant to pick up my phone and had some laughs with the staff. Sergio happens to be my very favorite waiter for years now, he already knows Brian's funny character and got a kick out of the whole thing. Then, he understood why Stephanie was saying those things to him. Just a heads up for Stephanie, Brian will probably try the Spanish phone call on you soon. So,look out Senorita. That was one to remember!

Feliz Cumpeanos a Azteca

Ashlyn and Ella are the sweetest buddies.

Fabulous Foto Friday

I got a call from my Mom tonight about these pics and thankfully she forgives me for posting them. I couldn't help myself though. She is adorable! I mean, just look at her workout clothes. I couldn't talk her into a t-shirt to save my life. This is as dressed down as she gets. We had a great time during her stay with us.

Brian and his doctor before the surgery

Brian has had a rough few days. It all started on Wednesday night when he had a horrible stomach ache. He went to work on Thursday and the pain progressively got worse and moved to his right side. He took an eary ferry back to Bremerton and drove himself to the Urgent Care. He kept telling me that he hopes its not just gas, or he would be so humiliated. After many hours and a transfer in an ambulance from the Silverdale to the Bremerton Harrison hospital, a cat scan relealed that it was indeed his APPENDIX. So as the clock struck midnight, he left the ball, lost his shoes and found himself going under the knife........The surgery was successful and now he is on the road to recovery. Thank you for all of your prayers and best wishes.

Ahhhhh....so sleepy

Poor Brian. He has been sleeping tons...morphine will do that to ya. Even when he's awake he says he can barely keep his eyes open. He had some visitors and I know that he apprecitated all the love you brought. He has enjoyed the goodies, cards, babysitters for the kiddos, texts and phone calls...even a special delivery goody bag left in our mailbox. What amazing friends we have!!!

Brian and the family at the hospital

Brian was able to come home late this afternoon. We are happy to have him home after two nights in the hospital. He can be quite hillarious while on the pain pills, the kids and I get a kick out of the silly things he comes up with. He keeps saying "It is sooo good to be home" mostly. His roomate John and him became good buds....but Brian has a low tolerance for loud smacking and his snoring didn't help either.

It was a Rockin' New Year's Eve!!!

There is always yummy food at Shama's house. Chase loves being the jungle gym for the lil' boys.