I figured out how to download wedding pics.

So I'm not the most computer savvy person and I could not figure out how to download a wedding picture for my anniversary post. But it was driving me crazy so I kept trying and I finally figured it out. Hooray. So here you go, I was only going to use one but since it took so long I put as many as I could. How adorable and small is Ash, he was only two. And little Owen was about 17 weeks old in my belly. And the hilarious Ryan pic is him dancing to me to do the whole garter thing. I love this picture. I love looking at these pictures. It was such a wonderful day. Enjoy.

Funny.

Hint: Gloria Steinem is a major feminist leader who inspired women to fight for their rights and not conform to trends.

To the man I love.

If I could have one wish come true I would wish to spend forever with you.

Happy anniversary my wonderful husband. We may have done everything out of order...first children, then house, then marriage but it couldn't have worked out more perfect.

Girls nite out.

I was able to leave the nest last Thursday to go to a Reba and Kelly concert with my mom and sisters at the Nutter Center in Dayton. Let me tell you, it is a miracle that we made it there. First we past our exit and drove about 15 minutes (30 round trip) out of our way. After the turn around we again passed an exit we could have gotten off at. We proceed to the next exit and were finally on the right track. Or so we thought. After about 7 minutes we realized we went west instead of east. Another turn around. Kath (mom) was driving like a bat outta hell to get to the concert that was starting with out us. Finally we are at our exit for the Nutter Center. We get off, take a right, pass our left turn, make a uee and and then turn right into a shopping complex. Are you with me still?? We then realize that we were following the directions to the restaurant we were going to eat at not the concert hall. We again turn around and ask for directions. Luckily we were on right road just heading the wrong direction. Go figure. So we again turn around and before we know it were there. We were relived only to then find out we had to park 3 miles away. After we park, we were speed walking (4 inch heels) to get there. And finally our first stroke of good luck...a shuttle bus. But then as we walk in we discover the concert was over. Kidding. It hadn't even started yet. Yeah.

It was a great concert. It was a duo of the two singing each others songs. They got the idea when they sang together in CMT's series crossroads.

Call me what you will but I am a Kelly Clarkson fan. Honestly, I have now seen her twice in concert and she has an amazing voice. I mean it when I say amazing.

Little lover boy.

Owen loves to give hugs like this. He also loves to pat peoples bellies. He is a good mix of kind and gentle and rowdy. But he sure does put a smile on my fave every day.

Owen's work.

Owen:
"Mom I gotta go to work, Kay?"

"Cry, Kay?"

Me:
"No don't go to work, not today."

"Whaaaaaa,Whaaaaaa" (fake cry)

The closet door closes and Owen is off to work. 30 seconds later it opens. Owen smiling from ear to ear.

Me:
"You're home, I'm so happy."

Owen:
"I'm gonna go to work, Kay?"

"Cry, Kay?"

The door closes....Repeat....The door closes...repeat...The door closes...repeat...

We do this about 30 times everyday.

Undrercover...Im mean Underware Superheros.

Nothing but underwear and a cape. That is all you need to fight crime. I don't know why my kids want to wear any clothes when it is freezing outside but they love to be undie boys. But I don't mind because every time I see there scrawny legs and knobby knees it makes me smile.

D.J. Cars

I like to move it, move it. So who says you cant have a dance party at 7:30 a.m.

Carly has figured out how to push the music button on the Leap Frog fridge magnet(see picture). When I am getting everybody ready in the morning I sit her in front of the fridge to play with the magnets and this morning she started jammin' and the boys got up from eating breakfast to join in. They were getting jiggy with it to Old McDonald and Skip to my Lou. And don't think that since Carly can't stand that she isn't dancing. She does the pelvic shake while sitting. She doesn't want to be left out...It's adorable. I couldn't resist joining them.

Happy Belated Birthday.

Mason turned six on January 11. Here we are singing Happy Birthday to him and enjoying our cake cones at his party. As you can see Owen went to town on his. I cant believe the boys (A. and M.) are so old. The saying the days are long but the years fly by couldn't be more true. It seems like yesterday I was taking a pregnancy test while Ryan was in route to Seattle and I was to be leaving on a plane in just hours (with his mom!) to meet him there. Now my baby is all grown up. Well, Happy Birthday to you M. and many more.

Playdate.

First the girls are sitting pretty. Then Carly takes off toward a really cool toy. Ava takes notice and tries to beat her to it. But Carly isn't having that and decides to tackle Ava and wrestle her for the precious green microphone. The girls are on the move. Ava is crawling very well and Carly is scooting and moving backwards. The stage of the sedentary baby is over and he baby proofing must begin.

Mamma's boy.

I think I traumatized Owen. I took him to work with me over the holidays on my day off for our lunch and free chair massage from the doctors. I left him in the front office with two of my co-workers while I went to get my massage and about 3 minutes later Candice brought him back to me. He was also not happy I was getting a massage. I was in one of those funky chairs and a strange lady was karate chopping my back. He kept telling me over and over "YOUR DONE." Meaning get up and lets get out of here. Later Cassie tells me, when I left him up front he got a sucker and sat in a chair. He started to look around, realized I was gone and then in a squeeky and nervous voice he goes "Oh man, I can't find my mom."
Now everytime Im going to leave to go to work he screams and cries and and does not want me to leave. And is always randomly telling me "Don't go to work, kay." It is really hard to walk out the door whan your child is screaming for you. You just want to scoop them up and comfort them. Needless to say, I hope this phase ends soon. He is usually a daddy's boy.

Rub-a-dub-dub three kids in a tub.

Let me tell you, when all three kids are in the bath more water ends up on the floor (and on me) than in the tub by the end. This is why it is rare that they all bathe toghther. But it is pretty amazing how a little bit of water can entertain them for so long and how cool they think their wrinkly fingers are.

What do you see out your window?

Ashton had an assignment at school to draw a picture of what he sees out his window. As you can see he has a wonderful view of Ryan's car. He is actually a very good artist. He only forgot to draw the bird poop on the window.

After.

To Do

• throw away garbage


• collect dishes


• dishes in dishwasher


• do dishes


• sweep


• run sweeper


• mop


• clean bathrooms


• disinfect toys


• dust


• clean counters

Check.

Guess what I spent today doing. But it wont stay like this for long. It is amazing the mess five people can create and how quickly they create it. I need a housekeeper.

Before.

After a week of everybody(including myself) being sick the house went a bit astray. These pictures don't do the mess justice. They also don't show the heaping loads of laundry that need to be washed. Looks like fun.

Happy Christmas....a bit late.

Sorry about posting Christmas so late...we've all been sick and I haven't had a chance to blog. So here are the boys going to town on their presents. Ashton wasn't all that enthusiastic about his gifts and by the end of opening he was white as a ghost. Poor little guy, he was sick on Christmas. So Ryan (who wasn't feeling to sweet either) stayed home with him and the rest of us went to my parents for a yummy breakfast and gift exchanges. Owen opened a car and a Moster Truck first (pictured) and he didn't care about his other 8 presents. So me and Ashton helped him open the rest. Carly loved her gifts, but the wrapping paper was really her favorite. Ryan's best-loved gift was his new slippers. I got a early gift of my new camera and surprise gift of an ipod. We all made out good in the presents department. It was great to spend the holiday with my family and start new traditions.

Carly-Cutes.

Carly enjoyed her first Christmas Eve get together. Could she look anymore beautiful in her dress. Here she is with Mom, Grandpa Stengle and Grandma Stengle.