She's a walker!

That's right Norah is mobile!  Fourteen months and ready to discover the world.

Many faces of Halloween

Our house was full of all kinds of creatures this Halloween.  Brian had a work party on Thursday, we had a ward party Friday and then trick-or-treating on Saturday.  We had a batman, a princess, a bee, a lion, and 3 ghosts!  And that's without Brian and I dressing up.  The kids were able to bring in a lot of goods, and since we didn't want the kids to get sick it was up to us to perform our parental duty by picking out all the good candy for ourselves.  It was a happy halloween for all!

Happy happy No-a, No-a!

Happy #1 to our sweet Norah!  I started calling her lamby a little while ago and it didn't take long to realize that name doesn't fit her at all.  She is just as spicy as her brother!  We had our families to the park for a cupcake themed birthday party, where everyone decorated their own cupcakes and Norah got to enjoy a giant cupcake.

I love this age!  She's starting to really understand what is going on around her, and learning all the life lessons that pertain to a 1 year old.  She is still tiny being only the 4% in weight.  She is a fierce crawler, speaks great gibberish, and gives us her "pretty smile" on command perfectly.   She is my favorite little thing!

The first day of School!

I thought for sure I'd be one of the mom's that gave their kid high-five on the first day of school and walk off unshaken and refreshed with the new sense of freedom.  We'll turns out I'm not completely the person I thought I was!  When they called them in their classroom my eyes welled up with tears and I was the mom looking through the window to see exactly what he was doing.   Brian pulled me from the window and gave me a reassuring hug.  I guess I was just realizing the next time my son wasn't in school he would be graduating from high school.  He might as well be getting married!
I did enjoy the freedom that comes with only having 2 rather than 3 kids for 7 hours, but I learned I'm not as tough as I thought I was!

The Ash Man

Asher had an awesome Super Hero Academy birthday party with his best friend Preston.  We had all the kids show-up dressed as their favorite super hero and taught them all the necessary lessons for a successful super hero.  They had to walk over hot lava, find the krypton in the bat cave, and shoot the villain with silly string.  I think the kids had a good time.

Some of my favorite things about Asher are as follows:
-He is so stinkin funny!  I'm constantly laughing out loud.
-He has the best memory.  He'll remember things from 3 years ago- yes from when he was 2- with perfect detail.
-Whenever he wants something he knows I'll say no, he always says, "please mom, I'll give you lots of hugs and kisses and flowers!"  I have to admit I've caved in a few times with that bribe. :)
-Oh, he is the most determined thing I've ever layed eyes on!!!  His clothes are a constant, every single day fight, along with his shoes!  Even the thing he loved the day before suddenly "doesn't feel right".  Most of the time this isn't my favorite attribute of Asher, but I recognize the great strength his determination will be in his life.
-He loves school.  Every time he is sitting still, he is writing.  It's fun to see his desire and dedication to learn.

I love you Ash- you make me smile and I love you more everyday!