Wednesday, May 28, 2008

We can't believe it's been 9 years!

It's hard to believe it's been nine years already.  It seems like just yesterday they were handing us our new baby girl.  We loved her from the first moment we laid eyes upon her tiny cone-head full of jet black hair and her sweet little rosebud lips!  It was love at first sight!

As parents, people are always telling you, "Enjoy it, because it goes by so fast."  Yesterday, we realized the complete truth behind that statement.  She's NINE!  We are half way - half way to graduation, half way to college and half way to having an empty room in our house!  It's sad and emotional for Ryan and I.  Our baby girl is a tween now and we all know what's coming.  More of the, "You don't understands" and the "It's not fairs" and of course the dreaded, "I hate yous."  Wish us luck because ready or not here we go!  Here's a quick peek down memory lane ~ our little princess!



Birth Day - May 27th, 1999 - Ashlee Marie Dunn - 7 pounds @ 2:01 pm 
(I think Ryan was a little worried when she came out looking Samoan - but then my mom showed him my birth photo and the trust was back)

1st Birthday - Howarth Park - My first carousel ride, pony ride and train ride!  Everyone came to celebrate!

2nd Birthday at the park - with Sno Kone machine, water balloon toss and lots of family and friends!

3rd Birthday - at home with Power Puff Girls Jumper - she jumped from sun up til sun down!  Explains why she's about to fall asleep here...

4th Birthday - Pony party at Papa Dennis and Grandma Jan's - Pony rides on 'Magic' the pony.  For a few years, Ashlee actually thought that 'Magic' was her pony that lived at Papa's house.  


5 years old!  First day of Kindergarten (can't find b-day photos ???) It was a Strawberry shortcake party with a strawberry shortcake jumper.  Katie made her a Strawberry Shortcake faced cake!   We had a berry good time!

6th Birthday - The Princess Party - all her friends dressed up as princesses.  We did fancy hair do's, painted nails and had a princessy good time!

7th Birthday - Pool party at our hotel with family - Went to Aunt Carrie's wedding in Southern Cali!  

8th Birthday - The Luau Party!  Hula dance lessons, smoothy bar and let us not forget the limbo competition!

9th Birthday - Family party on Memorial Day!  AMERICAN IDOL party next weekend!  Can't wait!  Karaoke baby!!!

Ashlee is off to a great start!  She's smart, funny, loving and very caring.  She loves art, music, softball, piano, reading and even school!  She's a great big sister and a joy most of the time (sassiness has set in)  We are very proud of our Ashlee!  Happy Birthday Ash ! 

WE LOVE YOU

Love Mommy and Daddy


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tween  (twn)
n.
A child between middle childhood and adolesence, usually between 8 and 12 years old.

[Blend of teen1 and between.]


Friday, May 16, 2008

Happy Birthday Big Papa Jim!


Birthday wishes for a terrific grandfather and a super great-grandpa!


"Happy Birthday"
Starring:  Ashlee & Haidyn




Nolan's Notes:

The Easter Bunny brought Nolan this cute pad of paper.  It has been getting a lot of use lately. We've been finding little notes from Nolan all over the house  -  I will share a couple recent ones.


One night he was showering in our master bathroom.  Ryan went down the hall to check on him.  When he reached our bedroom, the door was shut and this note was taped to the door...

This one speaks for itself...


We love Nolan's notes!


Thursday, May 15, 2008

"Haidyn's Turn!"

As most of you know, Haidyn is our little tomboy!  She is usually not at all interested in dress up.  Lately, I've been doing a lot of work with little girls in tutus.  Today, Haidyn found my 'glamour bag' and decided, "Haidyn's turn!"  I was so excited and ran for the camera - of course!  

She was a natural in all that frill and fluff!   

She is so pretty - she makes my heart happy!



Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Focus, focus, focus


Ashlee is having so much fun with softball this year.  She recently informed her coach that she was interested in pitching.  So guess what?  Coach D is letting her pitch to a couple batters in this Saturday's game!  I am so nervous for her.  This is her first year playing - we're so glad she is having fun and enjoying it!

We practiced tonight and she seems pretty confident - so I guess we'll see how it goes.  Here's some footage of our little allstar!



Wish her luck!

Auntie Tammi, please feel free to leave her some tips in the comments section - critique away!

Monday, May 12, 2008

The bathroom - these days...

Haidyn has been potty training.  She enjoys the praise of her good deed and our obnoxious little routine that we, ourselves choreographed - we call it, 'potty dance'.  But more than anything she enjoys washing her hands and playing in the soapy sink!

Oh wait, no she enjoys everything about the bathroom - excessive amounts of tissue that clog the toilet, peeing on the floor right next to the potty and of course...flushing!

"Bye, bye pee-pee!"

You would think this would be easy the third time around but it's a learning experience each and every time.  One that we can't wait to ace again - soon!
 

Friday, May 9, 2008

Michelle


Happy birthday little sis!  May all your dreams come true!

XOXO


Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Happy Birthday


Happy birthday to my (big) little brother!  


We love you Uncle Jeffy!

Our Reunion T-Shirts


The McCann Clan Family Reunion is coming up!  Hooray!  The t-shirts have been ordered and should be here by the end of the month. 

The Shirts - navy with lt. blue print
See you all in Oregon!  

 Ashlee and I are so excited for karaoke night!  
She rocks Hannah Montana like there's no tomorrow!

Night

I have been wanting to do some experimenting with night photography.  These are 15 sec. exposures on a (not so sturdy) tripod.  I took these from the top of the kids' fort last night around 9 p.m.  (with no flash of course)

Looking back onto the cul de sac behind us.
Our backyard
I really wanted to get some of the moon- it was amazing last night.  But there was too much movement in my tripod.  I will hopefully try again tonight.  Wish me luck. I will post my results.

Thursday, May 1, 2008

Our #1


I did it!  I got some pics of Nolan - and he was okay with it!  He had a game last night and he did awesome.  He was in the zone!  He told me at the end of the game, "Mom, I don't want it to be over yet.  This sucks - I wanna keep playing!"


This was  a double!  Nice one buddy!
How does he do this without falling on his booty?  If only my squats were that good.
See this runner?  Nolan throws her out at home!


I love this shot of Mr. Serious...
 go get 'em big guy!


Nolan is playing T-ball on the Reds - he's #1 this year!
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Now here's our conversation in the car on the way home.

Nolan:  "Mom what state are the Reds from?"

Me:  "Ohio I think..."

Nolan: "What continent though?"

Me:  "Our continent honey - North America."

Nolan: "What continent are the Reds from Mom? Like Africa or Antarctica ya' know Mom, the seven continents?"

Me:  "Yes, Nolan I know the seven continents and the Reds are in our country and on our continent - North America."

Nolan: "But what state is the Reds in, on the continent?"

Me: "They are in the city of Cincinnati, the state of Ohio, in the United States of America (our country), and on the continent of North America!"

Nolan: "Mom, just forget it.  You don't understand about the continents do you?"

Me:  "I guess not buddy."

Nolan: "That's okay mom, you're smart at some stuff though."

Me:  "Thanks honey."

Nolan:  "Maybe you could go to Courtney's summer school Mom?"

Me:  "Yeah, we should look into that buddy."

( I still don't know what he was after?)