Photo Booth Phun

I was clearing out my computer the other day when I stumbled upon 300 or more pictures from Photo Booth (a Mac application to take photos of yourself in with options of strange effects).

Enjoy our ridiculousness:

Crazy Hallers.

Ashlyn 11 Months: Swimsuit Edition

 11 Months

Oh Ashlyn, only one month left as our 'baby'.  This year has flown by with impeccable speed.  You are so grown up! Already saying words and using a few signs for things. Already bucking, kicking, fighting, hitting and launching yourself in rebellion. Already asking for things and getting what you want with determination and spunk.  You are so darn cute. You love to cuddle and kiss. You loooove to follow Ari around. Ari thinks it is to annoy her but I think you look up to and want to play with your big sis.

You love: playing peek a boo, waving, clapping, dancing, singing, crawling, standing, eating pretty much anything. You climb on everything and usually, launch yourself off as a way to get down which causes me alarm but you shake it off and get back up.  You are more of a doer than Ari was. Your attention is spread out and all over the place. You don't really like to sit still and read or play. You prefer to be crawling than being held, unless you're tired then you love to cuddle and rub cheeks or give kisses.  (being mom, I loooove this special time before naps).  You bounce, jump, throw amazingly straight and consistent (Baller). You make a lot of noise as you blow raspberries, sing, talk, hum, flick your fingers on your lips and squeal. You are extremely ticklish and I take advantage of this often as I love to hear your uncontrolled laughter.

You have two large bottom teeth, two left and two more on the right coming in up top.  (Dan and I are reading a book about Sitting Bull and General Custer and we decided to choose Native American names for ourselves. Ashlyn, you have two: Squawking Bird and Snaggle Tooth).

Ashlyn, you say "Hi Dad" and "HI!" (followed by a beauty queen wave), you also say "Dog", "Ball" "Ash" and a sweet sound for "Ari".  Your other sounds are not so sweet as you still scream and squawk for food, drink or to be held.  "The Library Voice" rule does not apply to you nor do you care what it means.  You are not walking or even interested in taking any steps but you'll climb and pull yourself up on anything. You are very mobile and very fast. You put everything into your mouth. Literally everything. Leaves, mulch, sand, bubbles, stickers, marbles, pennies... you know, everything you shouldn't. Thankfully, I've been able to remove any poop from your grasp though you've come fairly close.

You are super friendly and smiley which is wonderful. You're pretty easy going and enjoy car rides and strolls around the neighborhood.  You don't like the sun which kinda makes me laugh (see squinty face above).  You are full of personality and we love you so much.  You're a sweet one and your smile is so rewarding, addicting and makes up for all the sleepless nights we've had for 11 months.  We'll be sad when the next month rolls around.

(all inquiries for this bathing suit model please leave your email in the comments section; we're already on deck for the 2013 Sports Illustrated).

Taylor Visit!

We went to our Alma Mater, Taylor University, this past weekend for Dan's sister's graduation. It had been 5 years since we were back there as a family.  Crazy how time flies and how much it has changed!!  

 We had driven to Ohio the day before and Ari was not feeling well at all.  She had a rough night and therefore, wasn't really herself for a few days.  Maybe it was the right timing because she slept a lot in the car and the driving wasn't too bad.  Ashlyn did pretty well too until Saturday morning when she got sick as well.  Yucky.

Here's Dan with Samuel Morris Hall behind him.  Look at him, pushing a stroller with two lovely ladies!

 We walked around campus after having a quick picnic lunch on the lawn.  Nostalgia is a very difficult emotion to describe but it was overwhelming and so.very.strange.  But also, very very good.  Such amazing and life-altering memories were had in that little town of Upland.

We stayed in a hotel on Friday night and the girls were a bit stir-crazy!!  After taking a quick swim with Uncle Mark, Aunt Jill, baby Lily and Baba, Ashlyn climbed into the suitcase:

Saturday morning was graduation.  It was LONG but thankfully, Ashlyn slept a bit and then played out in the hall with all the other kiddos.  Afterwards, we met old professors and caught up with the whole family.

Aunt Katie, we are proud of you! You can use your skills and your Art major with our girls as much as you want. :)

the whole gang...

We had a great time at the Haller's house in Delaware too. Lots of good fun and food.  It was a whirlwind weekend and though 75% of us were sick at one point, we are recovering and are grateful that we got to go and see everyone (and of course, eat Ivanhoes ice-cream).

May, Already?

When did May come here blowing its thunderstorms in and getting us ready for pool season? I swear it's still February in Charlotte.  We have a weekly/daily routine and much hasn't happened lately (at least that's post-worthy). We go to the library a few times, go to Trader Joes, have a visit from a friend or two... just toddler busy-ness.  Here are some recent pics. (dont forget to click on them to make them larger)

Ari at a park for a picnic and playground time.  We have been visiting parks nearby for dinner and its been a fun way to meet people and get out of the house.

This was a super early morning outside. They both were up before 7am and because they share a room, there's no sleeping in.  I got up and made coffee and then we played outside.  It was a loooong day with that morning.  Who doesn't want sand in their fleece footie pajamas?

The chive blossoms looked pretty that morning too.

 The beans are climbing high and getting read to begin harvest season. 

The most glorious scent on earth: Gardenias.  Thank you, spring, for giving them to me for Mother's day. All three bushes are in full bloom. 

This last picture makes me laugh. Ari likes to roll/walk/run down the hill in our backyard. Ari fell and Ashlyn just followed along bravely through the weeds.  

Dinner Chaos

For those of you who were wondering how that sweet girl in the previous post could be one little cranky pants, allow me to demonstrate.  Here she is screaming at dinner time because she'd eaten her 'appetizer' and I wasn't cooking dinner fast enough.  Impatience is an understatement. This is a 10 second video but it continued for at least 12 minutes until her chicken and rice were cooled off enough to eat.  Ari was even concerned and kept asking her if she was okay.  Nothing would console Ashlyn, trust me, I tried.

The second video is of them both. Ari says her letter "I" Bible verse (Be imitators of Jesus Christ). In which I usually follow it with "Jesus is kind, gentle, compassionate etc..." Clearly, Ari thinks Ashlyn needs to hear it!  

Oh, managing dinnertime is one serious test of patience!!