Cate started swim lessons last week and she is really enjoying them. It is great because she is old enough now that I don't have to get in the pool with her any more. She is going 2 days a week for four weeks. Hopefully she continues to like them and will be able to do more things this summer at the pool. Here are some pictures from her lesson:
We celebrated Cathy's birthday a couple weeks ago. We all got together at Aunt Pat and Uncle Don's house. We were in charge of dessert so Cate and Ashton helped me make cupcakes.
Here they are helping me make the frosting for the cupcakes
Ashton was very excited to eat them
Cate helped Aunt Pat with the candles
Cate and Ashton getting ready to help Grandma blow out the candles.
blowing out the candles
Hanging out on the couch
Ashton loves to wave goodbye to Eric when he leaves for work in the morning. Here is a picture of him looking out the window to wave to Daddy.
At night the kids love to take off their shirts and pants (I am not sure how and when this nightly routine began) and run to our front room and make up dances for Eric and I. Here is Ashton showing Daddy "the plan" on his hand.
Here is a video of the kids doing their plan and then the dance:
I asked Cate to give me a "pretty" smile for a picture and this is what I got :)
Alright so if this doesn't bring tears to your eyes... I took Ashton for his 2 year check up today and was looking through old pictures of him. Here are a few
2 days old ready to head home from the hospital
6 months old
1 year old
Oh my how time has flown! I can't believe that Ashton is 2 years old. He is such a joy in our lives and we love how much he makes us laugh. He has a great personality. He is also extremely active and loves to run, jump, wrestle, and play outside. He is so much fun and it just keeps getting better. Here are his stats from his 2 year checkup: 32.9 lbs (90%), 36.5 inches (95%), head 90%. He continues to be a large healthy boy and we are so blessed. Here are some recent pictures of him that I love:
This Christmas was such a great one. I truly enjoyed this holiday season and am a bit sad that it is all over. Eric, the kids, and I did a lot but all of it very fun. Here are some pictures from our Christmas/New Years week:
Here are some pictures of the kids on Christmas morning. Cate and Ashton came running down the stairs when we all got up around 7. Cate was so excited to see if Santa came and to see if he ate the cookies that she left for him. (He ate all of them)
This is a frame that I made for Cate to hang in her room. I made one for Ashton too with an "A" on it.
Ashton got some new Matchbox cars from Santa for his race track.
Ashton and Eric trying out the new cars on the racetrack that he got for his birthday.
Santa brought Cate a Raspberry doll to go along with all of her other Strawberry Shortcake dolls. She was so excited because it was the one doll that she didn't have. Also in the picture the headband that she is wearing, I made it for her.
Eric and I gave Ashton a truck to hold all of his new Matchbox cars. He was so excited when he opened it.
Another picture of Cate holding her Raspberry doll
A picture of Cate with all of her loot
Ashton and Daddy trying out all of the cars and the truck
We had a great Christmas morning at home with just us. It was great to see the kids open all of their presents and to watch them play with them.
Later on Christmas afternoon we headed over to Eric's parent's house for more presents and Christmas dinner. Here are some pictures from Christmas evening.
Cate loves puzzles and was very excited to get some new ones.
As you can see by her reaction, Cate LOVED the jewelry box with a ballerina inside that Grandma and Grandpa Schmidt gave her. She was amazed by the ballerina and loves winding it up and listening to the music.
Cate opening up all of her presents.
Ashton got a truck and fishing puzzle and he loved playing with them.
Cate opening up the tunnel
Ashton opening up the hut with tunnel. The kids love playing in these!
Grandpa and Ashton playing with the train that goes around the tree.
I actually got a picture of my two children both smiling!!!!!
We had a fantastic prime rib for dinner. Here are the boys slicing up the meat.
I loved spending Christmas evening with Eric's family. It was such a wonderful day and I love my in laws and feel so blessed to have such a great family.
The next day we headed up to Steamboat to spend some time with my parents. Here are some picture from the week that we spent with them:
Ashton got a dump truck from Uncle Q and absolutely loves it.
Cate got a Leap Pad from my parents. It is basically an ipad for kids. It is amazing how quickly she figured out how to use it. She loves playing with it.
The next day we headed out to play in the snow.
We ended up hooking up a tube to "Ranger Rick" (the vehicle Ashton is standing by in the previous picture) and went for rides. My Mom and I tried it out first. It was a lot of fun. I don't think we stopped laughing the whole ride.
Next it was Eric and Ashton's turn
Then it was Cate and Uncle Q's turn
A picture of the kids with my Dad in Ranger Rick
Eric and took the kids to an art studio in Steamboat where the kids could do art projects. The both painted little wood boxes. They had a blast. Here are some pictures from the studio:
One of my Mom's friends owns Mini Horses and said that the kids could come down to the barn any time to ride them. We took her up on the offer and the kids had a fantastic time. It was so great to see the kids riding the horses but even better to see how happy it made my Mom to see her grandkids enjoying something that she loves to do. Here are some pictures:
Here are a couple videos of Cate riding the Mini Horses:
We didn't do too much for New Year's Eve but here is a cute picture of the kids hugging and saying Happy New Year:
