Maui, Hawaii 2009

When we first arrived at the beach in Maui Nathan wanted nothing to do with the sand he wouldn't even touch it, but after a little while there was no stopping him. He loved the water and loved to try to eat the sand.

Cousin Luke tried to eat sand too!

Nathan loved playing in the water.

Eating lunch after a fun morning at the beach.

These are a few of the water falls on the road to Hana. It was a little disappointing Hawaii hadn't had much rain so the waterfalls where not very full.

The black sand beach which is just off the road to Hana.

Getting ready to leave on our whale watch.

On the boat.

We saw quite a few whales on our whale watch, but for some reason we didn't take any pictures of the actually whales. I think I was more concerned that one of my children didn't fall off the boat into the ocean.

Ashlyn loved the beach and she loved hanging out with Aunt Laurel. They sat like this for a long time just talking to each other.

Nathan crawling around in the sand.

Grandma, Ashlyn and Laurel watching for turtles.

We found a really good ice-cream place and couldn't resist posting this picture of Ashlyn.

This was our view from our condo.

The three amigos.

Christmas Day 2009

Christmas morning we ended up waking Ashlyn up at around 7:30am. When she woke up and realized that Santa had been she was soon out of her bed and off to see what Santa had brought.

Here is Ashlyn holding her stocking (which I made).

Jarom holding his.

Ashlyn with her loot.

And Nathan with his.

Nathan didn't really care what was inside his presents he just wanted to eat the paper.

Ashlyn got so excited every time she opened a present.

For breakfast we had Tami Nales famous breakfast casserole.

Then we rushed over to my parents to open more presents and to have our first Christmas dinner. Here is Ashlyn and Courtney wearing their crowns they got from there Christmas crackers which is a English tradition.

Here is Nathan wanting to play Rock band with everyone else.

Then in the evening we went over to Jarom's parents to open more presents and to eat our second Christmas dinner. For some reason I forgot to take any pictures there, but we had a great time, and Ashlyn is already talking about next Christmas.

Christmas Eve

Christmas this year was so much fun! Ashlyn is at an age when she understands about Santa and presents, and decorating the house. She was so excited when I made pancakes shaped like stockings, and Christmas trees for Christmas eve breakfast.

We then got down to some holiday baking. Here Ashlyn is decorating her gingerbread men to be left for Santa Claus. I let her put on as many sprinkles as she wanted which she loved.

Christmas eve night we went over to Jarom's parents for dinner. After dinner the Christmas elves paid us a little visit and left Pajamas for everyone. Ashlyn was so excited to find the package on the doorstep.

And she loved her snowman pajamas.

Ashlyn and Nathan in their new pajamas.

I love this picture of the cousins. No one looks happy to be in this picture!

This is what we found after Santa had done his thing.

Ashlyns Birthday (Part 1)

This past December our little girl turned three. It feels like yesterday we were bringing her home from the hospital wondering what we were going to do with her now! The past three years have gone by so quick, but we are so blessed to be Ashlyn's parents.

Ashlyn a few months old.


Ashlyn age 1

Ashlyn age 2


Ashlyn age 3

For Ashlyn's birthday this year we took her to Disneyland, but because not all of our family and friends could go and celebrate with us there we had a little party the night before.

Ashlyn has got the present opening down.

The loot...

Getting ready to blow out her candle.

Ashlyn and her friends enjoying cake and ice-cream.

Disneyland pictures to follow!