Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Shy Guy


My goal this week is to get some pictures of Nolan. 
He tries to avoid the camera at all costs. 

Wish me luck!

Monday, April 28, 2008

"Shhhh, baby seeping!"


Tonight when Nolan was getting ready to climb into bed he noticed this...
(it was hard to convince him to keep the pink babies in his bed while I grabbed my camera)
At the very same moment, Ashlee noticed this in her bed...
And then we noticed this in our bed...
And this in Haidyn's bed...
And this...
And this!  
Let's get a closer look at this one - Apparently Mickey is still not potty trained.


We all started to laugh and Haidyn quickly put her finger to her her mouth and shushed us. Telling us, "Shhhhh, baby seeping."

Haidyn and her babies!  Too cute!

To think we're tired after only putting 3 kids to bed. I think she'll sleep well tonight - she must be exhausted!

Share, please. There's film for everyone!

I was trying to take some pictures of Ashlee....







but Haidyn couldn't handle it!  She had to flash her pearly whites too - occasionally plopping herself down right in front of Ashlee.



Note to self:  Remember to dress Haidyn cute, do her hair and have her photo ready when Ashlee's in the spot light.

Saturday, April 26, 2008

The NEW...Ashlee!


It's a sad, sad day in the Dunn house for Daddy.  Ashlee has been begging us for short hair for quite some time now. I had convinced her to at least wait until it was long enough to donate to Locks of Love - but after 8 months of growth there's no way it will happen before Jr. High.

After all the trimming and evening out, we cut off about 7 - 8 inches.


Tonight after her shower she wanted me to measure her hair - it would have been above her ears to cut for Locks of Love.  (Sorry Locks of Love)  I finally gave in - it's her hair and her choice.  Ryan was not enthused at all. He was holding back the tears and trying to keep away until the final reveal. 


She LOVES it!  Still the same old Sassy Ash!  

Daddy is doing well - he's hit the bottle though.  If he had it his way she wouldn't even get to have painted nails.   She'll always be Daddy's little girl.


So, what do you guys think?


Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Just got home.....


Oh my goodness....the laundry pile is HIGH!  It's so nice to come home and be able to jump right back into the swing of things.  The kids' report cards were good while we were away. Auntie Tammi survived two days with all 5 kids and Mom and Larry seemed to manage very well too.  The schedule was rigorous with two softball games, a t-ball game, Haidyn's nap schedule and of course school, but the kids looked well fed and bathed when we returned.  I think it was a successful venture for all.  Tammi was in high spirits, "Seriously, anytime you guys want us to watch the kids just let us know.  It was so much fun!"  (Um, yeah sure weirdo!)   Mom has requested us to not stray too far for awhile and  Courtney told me that Haidyn was a breath of fresh air after taking a crazy long nap during her post.

Many, many thanks to:   Courtney, Mom, Larry, Tammi, Shad and Kaihla!  
You guys make life less stressful - all too often.

Ryan and I had a pretty fun time in Texas.  He had some business to tend to but we managed to sneak away one day and visit the Marxs!  It was bittersweet seeing them in Austin - living two doors down from the now beautiful home that was once the dirt lot we called home.  But life goes on in Sacramento.  We know there's a plan for us Lil' Dunns and we feel blessed to have our health and such a great support of family and friends here.  It was hard to say goodbye to Austin this time but we'll be back again - next time traveling as a party of 5!

By the way, Alison thanks for the GPS!  I found the best mall ever on Monday!  

The Marx Family

Gage

Taylor

More pics click here

Thursday, April 17, 2008

Talking...



Haidyn's speech has been a bit delayed.  She recently had a speech assessment and was accepted into a speech program.  She will be seeing Miss Nathalie, her speech therapist once a week for up to 6 months.  The program is funded through ALTA at 100% until the age of 3.  Haidyn loves Miss Nathalie and in just 3 short visits has already shown improvement.  They have reason to believe that her previous ear infections may have contributed to this delay.  She had experienced 8+ ear infections before 20 months of age.  So with fluid in the ears for the earliest part of her life she was hearing us like she was under water - which would explain her vowel-like pattern of speech.  We are happy to say that little Miss Haidyn has been ear infection free for over 8 months now.

Haidyn is a very smart little girl and understands so much!  She scored way above her age for her comprehensive language skills.  She just needs to work on her enunciations and she needs constant encouragement to keep her trying.  She's been very positive and receptive to our requests for more speech - she's on her way!         

Saturday, April 12, 2008

Smellin' good!



Keera got a bath today and isn't she lookin' fabulous?

Monday, April 7, 2008

"Damn it, my ice cream!"


I am forever losing my keys so why should today be any different - right?  Except today I lost them away from home, which didn't translate as, "Shoot, I'm gonna be late!" No, today it was something more like, "Damn it - my ice cream!"

Haidyn and I went out running errands like any other day.  We stopped here, we stopped there and so on.  We arrived at the Target shopping center and I ran into Ulta to pick up some shampoo.  Then we proceeded to walk next door to Target.  As all of you moms know, Target is not a quick shop.  We browsed, we filled our basket with wants and needs and left a few unnecessaries in odd places.  We covered almost every aisle.  It was a nice day at Target - Haidyn was actually behaving and I was even feeling pleased enough to reward her with a new Dora cup.
  
At checkout Haidyn was still happy but very careful to listen for the "beep" of her new sippy cup actually being purchased and not me sneaking it back to a shelf when she wasn't looking. Once she realized the "beep" had taken place, she insisted on having her cup in hand.  "Mine Dora.  Mommy Mine."    

"Yes, it's yours.  Time to go.  Say bye-bye!"   

"Bye, Bye!"  

As I rummage through my purse - no keys.  Hmmmm....I check the cart - no keys.  I check Haidyn - no keys!  So off we go with a full shopping cart back to Ulta.  "Nope, sorry ma'am no keys."  Check the car - no keys.  We head back to Target and leave our cart with the store clerk and pace up and down every single isle - no keys!  Then I remember, "Damn it, my ice cream!" We had bought some scrumptious ice cream which was now most certainly  chocolate peanut-butter soup.  Frustrated, I decide to try Ulta one last time - different girl this time, "oh sure we have some keys.  What kind of car do you drive?  Can you describe your keys for me?"  

What,  are you kidding me?  "Um sure, I drive a Honda."  

"What's on your key ring?"

"Well, SHE is!"  Remembering my keychain of my three kids.  "And she's actually wearing the exact same dress.  Can I please have my keys? My ice cream's melting."

"Sure Ma'am.....have a nice day!"  The store clerk shouted as I tried to wedge my cart through the not-so-automatic door!

It's times like these that make me glad for soupy ice cream.  I think my day will be okay after all.  

Sunday, April 6, 2008

Gardening with Grandma

Where's the seeds?  She's ready!



Grandma and Papa have been busy these past couple of weeks preparing an area for the kids to help them plant a garden.  Today was the big day!  Grandma called and announced, "It's time to plant!"  The girls were ecstatic!  So I took Ashlee and Haidyn over to plant some seeds with Grandma.  Haidyn was more interested in the mud and water but Ashlee and Grandma quite enjoyed themselves.  Hopefully with a little sun, water, patience and love we'll soon be able to taste the success!






Grow little seeds - grow big and yummy!

Friday, April 4, 2008

Fort Building - Day #5


Things are moving along and the kids are getting anxious.  It's been a pretty smooth project, we can't really complain too much except for the multiple trips to Home Depot.  Here's what we have left to do:

  • order rope ladder (CHECK)
  • finish railing (almost)
  • sanding 
  • staining
  • build awning (waiting for money tree to bloom)
  • return sand box to a usable area (Haidyn has made quite the mess of our patio)



Hooray!  Almost done!

Haidyn, Paige and friendship with mustard


I love seeing these two grow up together - it reminds me so much of Ashlee and Raelynn.  I'm so glad my girls have the Wonnacott girls.  We love you Raelynn and Paigey!



For more pics click here




Why God Made Little Girls

God made the world with its towering trees,
majestic mountains and restless seas,
then paused and said, "It needs one more thing."
Someone to laugh and dance and sing,
to walk in the woods and gather flowers,
to commune with nature in quiet hours.
So God made little girls
with laughing eyes and bouncing curls,
with joyful hearts, and beautiful smiles,
enchanting ways and feminine wiles.
And when He'd completed the task He'd begun,
he was pleased and proud of the job He'd done.
For the world when seen through a little girl's eyes
greatly resembles paradise.

...Author Unknown

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Kids' Fort - Day #2



I survived my computer time-out!  I did cheat a bit I have to admit.  I think it's true that the more you partake in something the more you crave it and then it just takes over.  I do think though that you have to fill that habitual need with something else...hence why I am blogging today!    We have engrossed ourselves in a new project - fort building (leaving little time for anything else much less the computer).  The kids have informed us that our backyard is "too BORING!"  Ryan loves a good project just as much as I do so here's where we are on day two.
Don't drill me, I know what I'm doing!
Is this level?
Hey, I saw that!
The view


We'll keep you posted!  - every bit of pun intended!