Cousins visit!

Zac, Allie and Ella came to visit one weekend in August. It seems like a long time ago but we had a great time! They loved playing with one another and my sisters and I managed the chaos with laughter. Can't imagine having that many young children in the house... but people do!

 Bribery was involved to get these group pictures! They were adorable though. They all love one another; there was surprising very little fighting.  Lots of squeals and screams, but not very many tears.  I'm so looking forward to taking this same picture year after year with more and more kiddos!

 Even little baby Eaker #3 made her presence known. Aunt Bex is doing great growing her baby and earning her PhD at the same time.  Moms are the bomb multi-taskers.

Lots and lots of girls!  

A Quick Getaway

(Dan posting!)

For our 5 year anniversary, we headed to our favorite destination, Pisgah National Forest, which surrounds Asheville.  One of our favorite locations, Black Balsam Knob, is a mile hike to the top and feels like what I picture Ireland to be like: rocky and grassy:

The top of the hill (the one in the foreground) is where we camped.

Starting a fire with the damp wood in the wind was a challenge.  Luckily, some lighter fluid got the job done (ashamed to admit as an Eagle Scout!)  We had "pouch dinners" which is where you pour boiling water into a dehydrated food pouch.  I had chicken pad thai and Jenny had pepper steak and rice.  Not bad for packing light and being hungry!

It got chillier than we expected or were prepared for, but we had a great time.  The view was beautiful, with the aptly-named Blue Ridge Mountains all around us.

We were the only ones on the peak, and it felt like we were the only ones in the world - no other fires, lights or sounds.  Just the wind!  Here is our view the next morning...a (foggy/cloudy) sunrise right outside our tent.  Great view and feeling.

Happy 5th anniversary to us.  Thanks to Mitch and Shelley for watching the girls so we could go!

Terrific Times

Top 10 Terrific Things about the Haller Visit

10. Pool time with the girls out back
9. Hilarious game-time; specifically "Wouldn't it be..... Cool? Fun?" 
8. Company to watch the amazing Olympics with
7. Good food, especially Mexican (and wine!)
6. Many hands make light work (b/c we still have no functioning dishwasher)
5. Lots of reading, playing, Ash walking and coloring.
4. Better babysitters while I had to work!
3. An extra car for Dan to drive around in and work extra for us.
2. An-UNDER-TWO-HOUR trip to Ikea!! 
1. Of course, no Haller get-together without it: Popcorn, lots and lots of popcorn.

Thanks for coming! You too, Katie!  

Catch UP

I know, I know, I'm behind in posting.  Here are the next scheduled posts:
1. Ashlyn's 13 mo/Ash walking (below)
2. Haller Visit
3. Dan and I go camping
4. Cousins and Aunts visit
5. Cute Everyday photos of the girls

Pass the coffee, I'll try my best to catch up. If not, You'll live :):)

Ashlyn Claire 13 Months Old

 Ash started walking a week after the 13 month mark a little but but at 13.5, she's walking all over the place!! She is soo sweet and funny. Ashlyn is very calm and just watches everybody do their stuff. She still gets a tad opinionated when she's hungry but again, who doesn't?  She uses some words and communicates what she wants by using sign language or some more primal grunts.  Speaking of primal, she eats a lot of meat and pretty much anything except broccoli.

 We weaned the first week in August and she is sleeping from 7:30-6:30/7 so that is FANTASTIC for me after not getting 365 nights of full sleep.  I'm grateful.  They are sharing a room now too which is fun when they get up in the morning. I love hearing their laughs.

 She smiles and makes funny faces, says "HI" and waves, claps and all dances with some serious fervor and shoulder shake!  Her and Ari play pretty well together but as most siblings, they have their sharing moments. Ashlyn is a tad more violent than Ari and will haul off and slap her. Phew. We're working on patience (a constant battle for all 4 of us)

We barely remember what life was like without Ashlyn and are grateful for the fun and cuteness she brings into our life (those curls!)