Loving Summer

Gosh, I've been loving summer with the kids. Nice to have all the kids home. We got a new playset, that the kids have absolutely been loving! Regan likes the swings and slide best. Jake has taught Sydney how to "skip" on the monkey bars, and Sydney wants to show anyone that will watch. She is so proud of herself. We had a party for Jake's 7th birthday, and got an updated family picture courtesy of my sister Amy. Jake is playing TBall. He can really crack the ball, and loves to run the bases. He is not real sure if he likes the outfield, or waiting around on the sidelines...but he has fun with it :) The TBall team and families are great. Fun way to spend Friday nights.Sydney had her gymnastics show, and was very excited to show us all her new skills. Ms. Donna brought Sydney her very own flowers, which made Sydney feel so special! Thanks Donna!
Oh, and Regan is offically potty-trained! She loves being a "big girl" and thinks all of the underwear choices are great! Dora is obviously her favorite. But anything that sparkles comes in a close second.
I have lots more updates from this spring, which has been a very busy one....explaining my blogging absence. More on those things later.

Happy 5th Birthday my sweet Sydney!

More Stitches....

Somehow Jacob split open the back of his had on the wood trim here at home.....No idea how he managed to do that. 6 stitches. But apparently the urgent care doc said he can play hockey tomorrow night...

He is looking super pleased....poor little guy!

Minus 1

Jacob lost his first tooth. He came walking up to the house with a funny look on his face. And he announced that he lost a tooth at school. (it was news to me that there was even a loose one).

He said he was eating an apple, it got loose, and he twisted it, and pulled it out. He said this all so matter of fact-ly. It was funny. He was very pleased that the Tooth Fairy was going to visit our house for the first time.

A Pirate and his Pirate Girls!

We had a bunch of Pirates around here! What fun we had....

The girls dressed up for their gymnastics Halloween class/party!

Just before heading out to go trick or treating. They were saying "Argggg".

Regan being tough...she was really trying to only have 1 eye open..funny!

Some of the trick 'o treaters...

Jacob proudly showing off here his loot. He got a haul!!

Heaven has a New Angel

My friend Cari, the one who has been battling an agressive form of breast cancer for the past two years passed away yesterday. We met a few years back at church and spent three years in a small group bible study. I feel so blessed to have had her in my life. She was a wonderful, generous, courageous, and witty girl. A wonderful mom and great friend. Cari always wanted to make sure people felt special and celebrated. Always sharing her faith, and always seeking to grow and deepen in her faith. She was very transparent about life in general, which I truly appreciate about people. You can witness this by reading her blog http://www.undomestic.blogspot.com/. The picture above was taken last fall.

I learned so much from Cari before and during her battle with Cancer; it began in August of 2007. Having lost my own mom to Cancer when I was 8, I felt blessed by being able to support and pray for Cari during her journey. Being Cari's friend during her battle with Cancer helped me better understand what my mom went through during her 5-year Cancer fight. The tears flow readily today; each time I think of Cari....and the kids...and Melvin...and her parents...and all the lives she touched. I am going to miss her kind soul.

My heart just breaks for Melvin, and the kids. I know all too well that their journey will continue for many years to come. I pray that they can find comfort and peace knowing that now Cari is free from pain and with our loving Savior. I know she will watch over them. Continuing to pray for the Ashford/Spitz families in the days, months, and years to come. Please pray for Melvin and Cameron, Max, and Ella...oh, my heart just aches for them.

Babies sleeping

This is how Regan insists on going to bed lately. She seems to notice if she is missing a baby, which is even funnier....I snapped this shot after I tucked her in, I just couldn't resist...

Babies...

Regan seriously LOVES and gently cares for all of her baby dolls. Pushes them around in her baby stroller, puts them to nap all around the house (always with a comfy blanket covering them up to their chins), I've end gotten a glimpse of her gently patting their tummies. I was cleaning the kitchen the other morning, and looked over and this is how she was laying on the floor near the fridge. She prepared a blanket for herself to lay on, then laid herself down, cuddled the doll to her chest, and covered up the doll with a blanket, actually 2 I think. Just adorable. I had to shoot a quick picture....

And she popped herself in the baby doll stroller! I was surprised to see her like this, not quite sure how she manuvered herself in there, because it is teeny...kinda surprising this is the first time she thought of it though considering she plays with this stroller a billion times a day!