This year was a first for our family -- the whole Christmas day all to ourselves!  We spent the day at home, opening presents, eating lots of food, playing games and just hanging out.  It was awesome, I could definitely get used to it!!!

Ashten's first Christmas....she wasn't sure about the presents, but she enjoyed the gifts inside and all the paper flying everywhere!

Brayden modeling his new belt

All 4 of our wonderful blessings! 

(Preston was in this kick where he didn't wear shirts to bed, hence the topless boy)

Brayden opening presents!

Logan picked out this ornament for Chris by himself!

Preston being all silly

The boys relaxing on the couch and playing dragons in their new matching outfits

The boys' Christmas play

The Kidz choir at our church had their Christmas program last Wednesday.  It was so cute, but aren't all kids programs?  It's also such a good reminder of why we have Christmas in the first place, both for the kids and for us as adults. 

Brayden had a speaking part

Logan held the "J" in Jesus

Logan was also a wise man

Preston's 3's & 4's choir sang, it was so cute.  Most of the time they were off beat and off key, but that's what makes it so cute!

 All dressed up!

Ashten - 9 months

I remember last Christmas, when I was six months pregnant and feeling huger than I probably was, saying to myself "next Christmas, we'll have a 9-month-old".  What I didn't plan on was that it would feel like this past year has gone by in an instant, so quick!  Ashten is growing up so fast, it's unbelievable really.  She's our last baby and I am trying to savor each and every last baby experience I get, but it seems like everyday she is more and more toddler and less and less baby.

For example, she is crawling very quickly now, getting into all kinds of stuff.  She is pulling herself up on everything she can get her hands on.  Just the other day I caught her pushing her piano around the room and walking behind it.  I have seen her cruise around the coffee table a couple of times.  None of the boys walked before their first birthday, I think Ashten is trying to beat their record.  She's starting to talk too, but she mostly only says the "da" sound.

She is definitely, 100% a mama's girl right now.  I could be sitting right next to Chris on the couch, but if he tries to hold her, no way.  She's gotta be in my lap or down on the floor by herself.  There are a few times where she'll let Chris hold her, but I've gotta be out of eyesight.  She'll let my sister, Monica, hold her a little, but even then she's usually crying and looking around for me.  And the grandmas.....forget about it.  She wants nothing to do with them holding her.

She's finally growing a little hair, but still no teeth.  Her hair is at that cute, fuzzy, sticking up all over the place phase!  She's been sick a lot this past month, poor girl.  Even with being sick (and probably teething, I mean she's gotta be at least working on them, right?) she's still been a great sleeper.  She goes to be at 5:30ish and sleeps till 7 or 8.  She gets up usually only once around 5 to nurse, so it's a pretty nice schedule! 

Tune in next month for "Ashten - 10 months".......(*sniff, sniff*).

Logan lately

Out of all the boys, I would say that Logan is the one that is most into doing crafts and making things.  Not drawing pictures, that's Brayden for sure, but making crafty things.  Like here is a mosaic he made, he probably sits down to do one of these 4-5 times a week.  And he's getting really good at following the directions and patterns on the sheet that comes with it. 

And the other day at school, they had a gingerbread house making party.  He was so excited, it's all he talked about all morning before we left for school.  He was so proud of it.  But he was also so nice and shared it with his brothers when they tore it apart and ate it.  YUM!

Lego house

See this.....?

It took me 3 hours to build.  Yes, that's right - 3 hours!!  I was up till midnight one night.  In hindsight, I probably should've just given up and gone to bed, but at that point I was in too deep, I just had to finish.  You know what I learned? I am definitely no pro at building Legos (which probably explains why it took me so long).  I think that's why Legos are marketed mostly to boys - something in their genetics just makes it easier for them to find the one, itty bitty, tiny piece needed to finish and have fun in the process.

All said, Preston has played with it almost every waking minute since, so that makes me happy and I suppose it was a good time investment.

Christmas letter

We have decided to "go green" and conserve our paper and ink by not mailing out our Christmas letter this year. Instead, we thought we'd just use our blog (gotta love technology)! Hope you enjoy reading our letter online, and please leave us a comment to let us know you were here!

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Merry Christmas everyone!! I really can't believe this year is already almost over, even though it shouldn't really catch me by surprise because I seem to have that same feeling every year. They say time flies when you're having fun. Well if that is true, then we must be having a blast!!!

We have had a busy year, here are some of the highlights of 2010:

• We welcomed the 6th (and final!) member to our family in March. Ashten Briar was born March 21st, a day before her due date. It is a lot of fun to have a daughter, and the boys really like having a sister as well. She is a very busy girl, always trying to keep up with her brothers. She is a wonderful addition to our family!
• Chris and I celebrated 10 years of marriage in July! It's hard to believe it's been that long. We have grown so much over the past ten years, as individuals, as a couple and as a family. We are so happy with the way our life has turned out thus far; we are truly blessed.
• We both turned 30 this year. I guess it doesn't really feel that much different except that we can't say we're in our 20's anymore and saying we're in our 30's just sounds older!
• Logan started full-day kindergarten in the fall and Brayden is now in 2nd grade. They both really love school and are learning a lot. Logan is doing great at reading, after getting an early start this summer when he pretty much taught himself. Brayden is excelling at writing stories and math. Preston gets lonely without his brothers home to play with him, but I think he also enjoys a little more attention from me. And I somehow still manage to stay very busy with just the two younger kids at home during the day.
• Brayden learned to ride his bike without training wheels! Whew, we feel it was as much of a parenting accomplishment as he feels it was a personal accomplishment.
• Preston started Cubbies this fall. How is he already old enough for that? He is doing well with memorizing verses and is really starting to learn some key Bible truths! Brayden and Logan are continuing to do well in AWANA as well.
• Brayden started taking piano lessons this fall. He is doing really well, and seems to be learning quickly. He's even made up his own song already!
• Chris has had a student teacher this fall semester. While he had enjoyed the experience, it has made him a lot busier with the extra work he has to put in.
• We took a week-long vacation to NY this summer to visit some of Chris' relatives. We hadn't been there since Logan was a baby, so it was neat to be able to introduce everyone to Preston and Ashten. It was our first experience flying by ourselves as a family and first time renting a car, so something new for Chris and I as well!
• We attended the Versaw family reunion this summer and had a good time visiting with family and enjoying the mountain air. Brayden and Logan were excited (and a little nervous) to do the zip line, and they had so much fun they wanted to do it again.

We invite you to poke around on the blog more and see what else has been going on this past year in our family. Have a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful start to 2011!

I found this dress the other day when I was going through some of my niece's old clothes looking for a Christmas dress.  Luckily I found it just in time, it probably won't fit Ashten much longer.  I can't believe my sister was hoarding it!  (JK, Monica)  Apparently my great-grandma made this dress for my sister when she was little, so it is probably at least 25 years old.  Ashten wore the dress to church last Sunday and got so many compliments on it.  I'm glad that my mom kept it all these years, how neat for Ashten to be able to wear something that her great-great-grandma made!

Reading buddies

One of the nice things about Brayden being pretty fluent in reading is that I can delegate some of the reading responsibilities around here to him.  The other day, I was pretty busy, but Logan had to read his book for his book report that was due the next day.  I sent Brayden and him into the room and Brayden read to him.  Plus, it kind of kills two birds with one stone - Logan gets his book read to him and Brayden logs minutes towards the reading he has to do each week!

Plus, aren't they just so cute sitting there reading together?

Can you tell we have boys?

We mostly only have pink and purple markers left, the rest are all dried out!  Maybe when Ashten is big enough to color she can even things out a bit?

Fun with goo

One of the reasons I think the boys like school so much is because they get to do fun, messy things that I don't let them do at home.  I really should just let them have fun and ignore the mess, but I think it must not be in my genetics or something.  I'm just not a fun, crafty mom, we've just gotta face facts here!

Logan got to make goo (slime) at school the day before Thanksgiving break and then they had fun making a mess playing with it for the next 5 days they had off from school.

I still have dots of stuck-on pink goo on the floor, but oh well.  They had fun with it and I'm not in the mood to get down on my hands and knees and scrub them off.  At least I didn't have to deal with the making-of-the-goo mess that probably was a bear of a clean up at school.

Goodbye November

I won't miss you at all!!!

You brought us at least 3 different kinds of sicknesses that were passed from person to person in our family, a broken refrigerator, cracks in our walls, countless estimates and opinions about said cracks, daylight savings time, several unplanned trips to the doctor, a course of antbiotics, a drug rash from antibiotics, a second round of strep throat for Chris, Ashten's finger smashed in a door, a sick dog (requiring a vet visit and medicine), no snow and a broken TV.

I suppose you had a few redeeming qualities, such as a new refrigerator, a new (to us) laptop, a wonderful Thanksgiving with our families, fairly warm weather, peace about our house problems, good deals on some Christmas gifts, the reminder to be thankful no matter what and some memorable family time.

However, I am so glad it's almost December.  It's my favorite time of year, holiday-wise!  Let's see if you can outdo November, December - it won't be hard to do!

Blessings in disguise

I ran across this poem the other day in one of my magazines: 

Dishwasher's Grace

Thank God for dirty dishes, they have a tale to tell

While other folks go hungry, we're eating very well.

With home and health and happiness, we shouldn't want to fuss,

For by this stack of evidence, God's very good to us.

-Kirsten Emmerton

I really like that, puts things in perspective.  I think I am going to frame it and put it above my kitchen sink!

And then I got to thinking....what else in my life is a lot like this?  What things do I view as annoyances that are actually evidence of God's grace and blessing in my life?

• a mountain of never-ending laundry = we have more clothes than we need
• toys always strewn about on the floor, never put away = our kids have many things to play with
• I have to make the bed every day = I have a bed to sleep in
we have to fix something at our house or pay money to get something fixed = we have a roof over our heads and a warm place to sleep every night

I've been doing a lot of complaining these days, things just aren't really going my way lately.  Someone's always sick, something's always breaking ,etc.  This Thanksgiving I am going to try and focus on the positive side.  The side that says "sure, things are sometimes not great, but look how much you take for granted". 

I am grateful to God for everything He has given me.  I don't deserve any of it.  When I think how the Pilgrims at the first Thanksgiving were so grateful, in spite of all they had been through, it makes me realize just how much I need to change my attitude.  I want to try and have an attitude of contentment and gratitude no matter my circumstances.  If not for what is happening in my life, then for the God of my life who is still in control.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!

Cubbies

Preston is in Cubbies this year - how can he already be that big?!?  He is having a great time and is learning so much about Jesus.  Every few days he'll tell me "you know mom, Jesus loved us so much He died on the cross to save us for our sins".  I'm so glad he's learning and starting to understand.  I was a little worried that he might have problems learning his verses, I mean he's just so young!  But he does so good.  As long as he sets his mind to it and has a good attitude, he can recite his verses, no problem.

Ashten - 8 months

I took Ashten to the doctor last week for a hangnail infection and she weighs almost 18 lbs now!!  I'd have to look back at the boys' baby books, but I think she's my biggest baby so far.  It's nice to not have to worry if she's getting enough to eat or if my milk is enough for her.  And I love all her cute rolls!!

Every time I open the back door to feed the dog or go out to get something, she crawls as fast as she can over to it.  I really should get her outside more, she is just at such a hard age to take outside.  She wants to be down on the ground crawling around and playing, but it's so dirty and then I have to change her clothes and get out the stains.  It's just a mess.  I tried putting a blanket down and setting her on that, but she doesn't really stay on it anymore.

This girl is such a mama's girl right now.  If I am in the same room as her, she wants me to hold her.  If I'm not in the same room and she remembers that, she will cry for me.  If I can sneak away, sometimes she'll play for a half hour or more or let Chris hold her and play with her.  I usually try and do that while I'm making dinner or something.  And I leave her in the nursery at church, which she is doing better with week by week. 

Just the other day I got out some of the older baby toys we had stashed away from when the boys were little.  Things other than rattles and teething toys.  She was very excited.  She likes things that make music that she can play with all by herself.  She also seems to like balls, she likes to crawl after them.  She pulls herself up on everything now.  And she's starting to try and let go and stand on her own.  I've only seen her do it a handful of times and she almost immediately falls down, but it probably won't be long till she's standing on her own if she's willing to try already.  Where did my little baby go? 

Still no teeth, but I think they are SO close.  I am starting to be able to see a little white on the bottom.  She chews on everything these days.  She likes chewing on her Sophie the giraffe, medicine bottles (I think because they rattle when she shakes them), books, and paper, but her favorite things to chew on are actually stuffed animals or soft toys. 

Thank you Lord for my sweet baby Ashten - I have loved watching her grow these past 8 months!

Splits

Brayden has been working on doing splits pretty much on his own accord for awhile now.  It was just a bonus that they also worked on that in karate.  He is SO close to getting all the way down to the floor.  I wish I still had that kind of flexibility!

Silly sleeper

Ashten has been fighting going to sleep for her naps for awhile now.  It is probably due to the fact that we're never home to get her on a good schedule.....maybe I should work on that?  Anyway, I usually lay her down when I know she's tired, but she sits up, pulls herself up or plays so she doesn't fall asleep.  I usually let her fuss a little before I go get her, I mean, the girl does need to nap!  The other day I went in to check on her and found her like this: she fell asleep sitting up and leaning against the hard part of her crib....she just couldn't fight it any longer!

On the plus side, she's a terrific sleeper at night.  She goes to bed around 5:30 or 6 at night, wakes up once to nurse around 4 or 5 am and then goes right back to sleep until 7 or 8 in the morning.  It really is a great schedule, so I will take the sporadic napping in stride, knowing I get such a long, consistent break each night!

Pooped

Logan has been falling asleep at odd times and odd places lately.  This first picture was taken after trick-or-treating on Halloween.  He got home, put his candy down and went to sit downstairs with Chris.  Preston and Brayden were upstairs helping me pass out candy to the kids who were still coming to our house, but Logan was so tired, he didn't even take off his costume or anything. 

Too much sugar + not enough sleep = 1 tired boy!

This night, the boys were getting to watch a new movie they had never seen before bed.  Now Logan isn't much of a movie/TV watcher to begin with, but usually if it's something he's never seen before, he's at least enough interested to sit through it.  And if he's bored, he usually gets up and finds something to play.  So, the fact that he fell asleep during the movie says a lot.

And this one was taken just the other night.  It was early too, before 7 o'clock!  Chris offered to move so Logan would be more comfortable, but he said "no, I'm trying to fall asleep!".  It was cute.  Turns out he was getting sick, so that might explain why he was tired so early - poor guy.

 

He always looks so peaceful when sleeping though, which is impressive considering the positions he falls asleep in.

Karate

Last week, Brayden and Logan got the opportunity to get their feet wet with karate.  A karate studio close to our house did a before-school program at their school on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.  They both had a lot of fun and learned some new kicks and punches.  On Saturday morning, they had a graduation at the studio where everyone got a white belt. 

  

  

Certificates and belts!!

Of course, they do all this to try and get kids to sign up to take classes at the studio, but thankfully the boys aren't begging to do any more.  They are just excited they have belts so now they can play dress up and play karate at home!

Getting so big

I took this picture of Preston the other day, and he just looks so big and grown up in it to me!

He is growing up, too fast if you ask me. 

• He's already asking how much longer till he can go to school.  And he gets a little upset when I say "not until you're 5".  "But mom, that'll take TOO LONG" he says.
• He is now completely out of diapers!  He has been potty trained during the day for quite a while now, but just recently mastered the whole staying dry at night thing.
• He is very opinionated about what he wears every day.  No more picking out his outfits! :(  And if we are at home, he insists on wearing short sleeves and shorts, no matter how cold it is outside.

Thank you, HOM

At our church, all the kids in grades 1st-6th have the opportunity to learn one hymn a month (HOM).  Reason being: kids these days are growing up on praise and worship songs (which are great!) and won't necessarily learn the hymns unless we are intentional in teaching them.  The HOM for September was "Oh, How I Love Jesus".  Brayden learned it quite easily, thanks to practicing in choir every week and listening to his CD.  However, Logan learned it as well, and kindergartners are not even included in the HOM!  I am so proud of Brayden for learning these old hymns and excited that Logan is learning them right along with him!



1st Halloweens

Brayden's 1st Halloween (2003) - Superbaby

Logan's 1st Halloween (2005) - lion

Preston's 1st Halloween (2007) - Superbaby

Ashten's 1st Halloween (2010) - ballerina

Halloween 2010

We had a very busy, fun-filled weekend for Halloween this year.  But first.....the costumes!

Brayden was a viking, specifically Hiccup from the movie How to Train Your Dragon.

Logan was Darth Vader.

Preston was Buzz Lightyear.

Ashten was a ballerina.

Now on to the activities....

Friday we went to Brayden and Logan's school in the morning for the parade and their parties.  It was hectic having to make time for 2 parties in 1 hour, but it was good to get it over and done with for the day. 

Saturday morning we went to Boo at the Zoo.  It was very crowded, more so than other years, and there weren't as many booths as in the past, but it was still a great time.  And the weather was beautiful, in the 60's at 9 or 10 am!  Can't complain about that.

Saturday night we went to Trick or Treat Street at Chris' school.  It was small and not very crowded, but the boys had fun!  They had each hall decorated in the theme of a different Disney movie - cute!  They got to play a couple of games and got more candy.  It was Ashten's bedtime, but she did pretty good as long as Chris held her!

Sunday night Chris took the boys trick-or-treating around the neighborhood.  I stayed home and tried to unload a bunch of our candy passed out candy to the neighbor kids who came by.

And now we have enough candy to last us till Christmas!