Fairbanks Fun

trying to get caught up...

2012-02-23T13:32:00.002-08:00

There will be LOTS of posts to follow about our fun trip to UT. It was a blast to see everyone and a busy week. Check back in to see all the posts...hopefully I will be able to get a vast of them majority done!

airport fun with cousins

2012-02-23T13:31:00.005-08:00

We had a lay over in Denver on our way back from UT, so I set it up with Leah to see her kids in the airport for a minute. Upon arrival, I was surprised to hear that Tess was there as well! I know that it was a VERY fast and short meeting, but I appreciate them for taking the time to come and see us and letting the kids all get together and "play" a little bit. It had been almost 18 months since any of them had seen each other!

Group shot!
Tess decided she wanted to take a picture of Bryan and I on our camera. Thought I should include it...for posterity sake and for good laughs!

Me with all the kiddos! I am so glad it worked out to see them!

Me and Tess and Leah!

After we said our goodbyes we headed for security...and it took FOREVER to get through! We finally made it with only about 10 minutes to spare before missing our flight...so we booked it! We made it and some people were even nice enough to change seats so I could sit with Kambria and Ainsley and Bryan could sit with Weston!

We were so glad to have seen family and make our flight back home! It could have been a boring layover, but we like to make life fun and exciting!

Thanks again guys!

Ainsley walking!!!!

2012-01-28T14:37:00.000-08:00

We took this little video of Ainsley taking her first steps. We thought the families would enjoy! Poor thing has a ear infection and was on amoxicillian and broke out in a rash. That is what is on her face! Doc says it is fine...just stop the anitobotics and let it run its course!

But we are Thrilled!!!! to have caught her first steps on camera! Enjoy

A Very Merry Christmas

2011-12-24T09:19:00.000-08:00

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas. Ainsley is 9 months old now! Hard to believe how fast the time goes! She is so happy! We love her and thank the Lord everyday for how healthy and smart she is! We are blessed beyond measure. We hope you all are having a wonderufl season and are sad we will not be with extended family this year, but are excited to spend our first christmas season as our own little family!

We love you all!

Merry Christmas

2011-12-20T09:16:00.000-08:00

Since I am so slow this year, Posting this on my blog and facebook will have to do! Enjoy!

December 2011
Hey Y’all!!!

We can not believe another year has come and gone! We are so thankful for all the wonderful things that have happened this year. As you noticed in the greeting…we are officially from the south. Nashville, TN to be exact, well our house resides in Nolensville, but close enough! Last year at this time we thought we would only be in the south for a little while. The big news happened after Bryan passed his final board exam and the company he works for asked him to stay in Nashville. After a few tearful prayers, we decided it was best to stay! So other big news—we bought our first house! We know the decision to stay in TN was right when we decided to buy a house and everything fell into place! Everything! We LOVE our neighborhood and the people we have met.

We welcomed our third child, Ainsley Reese Fairbanks, to our family this year. She was born on March 22, 20011. She has a GREAT birthday...3,22,11. She was 7lbs 10 oz and 21 in long! We can hardly believe she is almost nine months!! Time flies. She was crawling at 6 months, furniture walking about 7 1/2 months and last night she just climbed up her first stair. We will not be surprised if she walks at 9 months! This girl is a mover! We love having her in our family and feel so blessed for what a wonderful baby she has been. She has such a beautiful smile and her excitement for life is infectious.

Weston turned 3 and was potty trained right after we moved in June. YEAH!!! Only one child in diapers! He LOVES to learn and even knows some of his letters and the sounds they make. He has preschool one day a week at home and then is going to preschool at a local church one day a week to give him some “play” time. He is learning so much. It also gives mom some one-on-one time with Ainsley and “quiet” time to do those things she doesn’t get to do with all the kids running around the house! :o) Weston is a big helper and loves to help mom with Ainsley. Almost too much of a helper! He loves to play dress up and help cook in the kitchen. He is still tender hearted and loves to give kisses and hugs. Sometimes we just wish his inquisitive mind would not ask “why?” so much.

Kambria started kindergarten this year. She turned 5 the day before school started! We live right behind the elementary school, (one reason why we love our neighborhood). Although we are close, she gets to ride the bus to and from school. She loves it. Her bus driver is a member of our church and we feel so blessed with how good he is with the kids! She loves Mr. Jesse! Kambria is so glad to have a sister and loves her very much. She carries Ainsley around and Ainsley just squeals in delight. It is fun to see them interact with each other and be excited to see one another. She likes having her own house and can’t wait to decorate her room with mom. The piano is still an interest for her and so is telling her brother what to do!

Bryan is doing well with his job. He is officially a C.P. now. That is a certified Prosthetist! After becoming certified his company asked him to stay in Nashville and he accepted! All the schooling finally paid off. He likes the company and the people he works with and is happy with what they have to offer him. He is also the pianist in the ward primary. He was skeptical at this calling at first, because he thought he would not get to know people in the new ward, but if you ask him about it now, he LOVES the spirit the children have there. Bryan has also become quite the handyman with owning a house. He has installed ceiling fans, changed light fixtures, installed towel racks, laid down sod and somewhat helped in the decorating process.

Eliza LOVES LOVES LOVES having her own house and looks forward to having a craft room to do her sewing in! She is grateful the Lord works in mysterious ways and has shown her that TN is the place to be for now. She has started to learn that decorating a house is a process and one that she is just beginning. But it has been fun and very fulfilling. She has made some good friends with some ladies in the neighborhood and enjoys learning from them. Eliza has loved having a happy and healthy baby and is enjoying spending time watching Ainsley grow and learn. As an update on her brother, he is now cancer free after two years! We are grateful for him and for the sacrifices he has given and are thankful that the Lord has spared his life and that he is doing well now.

We are so grateful for the blessings that have come our way this year and for the wonderful children we have been blessed with. We are truly blessed by having you as friends and family. Thank you for being a part of our lives.

Love,
Bryan, Eliza,
Kambria, Weston & Ainsley

Ainsley crusin...

2011-12-18T19:36:00.000-08:00

These videos are mainly for my mother to see miss Ainsley "crusin" along the couches...or furniture walking as some say! She is not even 9 months yet. While it may seem like I am encouraging her...I am only doing it for the benfit of getting it on camera...she does this ALL the time and just tonight she climbed up on our first stair!!!!! I was not watching her and then all of a sudden Bryan came down the stairs and told me to go look and sure enough she was up one stair! This girl is a mover! We love her!

visit from grandma

2011-12-11T15:10:00.002-08:00

Grandma Fairbanks came for a visit in early november so that Bryan and I could got o San Antonio for my sister Tess' wedding. I did not get any pictures but this one!!!! I can not believe I did not take more! But here is proof that she came and enjoyed time with the kids...but mostly AINSLEY!!!

autumn

2011-12-11T15:10:00.001-08:00

Autumn time in Nashville is BEAUTIFUL!!! I did not get may pictures taken, but I did make Bryan take a few. These are just a sampling. I LOVE this first picture. It just reminds me of a simpler time in life...dirt roads and peaceful times!

Halloween a little late

2011-12-04T19:02:00.000-08:00

WE had a lot of fun decorating for Halloween. We also carved our pumpkin into MATER from Cars...That is Bryan's skill set!!!

Here is Weston wearing Bryan's cowboy boots. He LOVES to put them on and walk around the house in them.

Then they all got ready to carve the pumpkin. Weston did not ever remember carving one before...although we have the pictures to prove that he has before...He was happy at this point as was Kambria...she has always loved getting her hands in and getting messy!Ainsley decided to join in on the fun :o)Weston was brave, but you got to LOVE his face! And this was his deciding face that he did NOT want to do that again! Oh the different personalities of my children. After we finished carving the pumpkin we decided to eat our dinner..."Mummy's"...also known as pigs in a blanket...:o)

And here is the finished product. Can you see Mater?

On Halloween we went over to our friend's the Gates house and had pizza before we went trick or treating. Normally I am REALLY pumped for Halloween, but there was no Ward Halloween party and so I did not put a lot of effort into the costumes this year! I had the intentions of doing all the characters from Toy story...Bryan was going to be Woody, I was going to be Beau Peep, Kambria was going to be Jessie, Weston Buzz Light year, and Ainsley a pig...or Alien...

But alas, I did not follow through. So Kambria went as Ariel, with straight red hair and all, Weston was still Buzz Light Year, and Ainsley went as a cow (left over Halloween from when Weston was little.) It was good enough! And everyone commented on how cute the cow was. We went up up and down our street and had a BLAST! It was literally like a parade. People just waited out on their drive ways with fire pits to stay warm, since opening and closing your door would not work...you would just have to keep your door open all night due to the massive amount of kids.

Now we know how to prepare for next year! It was a blast! We had a lot of fun and love our neighborhood all the more!

On our front porch!

Buzz with Mater. What a combination!

sunday pictures before church

2011-10-23T16:10:00.000-07:00

Kambria wanted me to take a picture of her and Ainsley and Weston decided to join. These were the end result of the impromptu picture session. Not bad eh?

SOD!!!!!!

2011-10-22T20:03:00.000-07:00

We finally installed our back yard sod!!! We were supposed to get it done on my birthday, Oct 15, but due to it being too rainy and the company not being able to cut it because it was too wet, we had to wait. They delivered it Friday Oct 21, and we had to start laying it, and then Bryan finished laying it on Saturday Oct 22. The pictures tell the story of the process...enjoy.

The weeds killed off

Tilling the ground

After raking the weeds and leftover hay...and ROCKS...LOTS AND LOTS of ROCKS. Bryan says there is still one left about the size of a baby cow that we could not get up. We just covered it. ;o)

The bags of weeds and hay, no rocks. we threw those over the fence into the "easement" ditch.

Bryan getting ready to water

Beginning the process. 6 pallets. We think each pallet weighed about a ton.

Our first roll of sod!!!!!! This is progress people!

Do you see how happy we are!

YEAH!

More progress....We LOVE the instant improvement.

AND finished product!

WOW look at that lawn!!!

Isn't it SO pretty! Thanks for my birthday present honey!!!!

Dairy Farm

2011-10-22T19:22:00.001-07:00

So Weston and my friend Julie went with our neighborhood mothers group to the nearby dairy farm! It was VERY cold that day, but we decided to go anyways. It was fun and very educational!
This is one of our mothers from our group and she got picked to do the milk mustache contest before the tour. This is Weston near one of the milk cows...this one happens to be a "teenager." Here is the facility where they milk the cows. 14 cows can be in there at once, with one person working it. Amazing if you ask me! This is our little friend Braden. He is almost 2 years old and talks so well! He always replies with yes Ma'am! A Very southern little boy! Here is my friend Julie and her son Kellyn petting the cow. You can see the cows ribs, but it is not malnourished at all. That is the way this specific milk cow is. Weston would not have anything to do with petting the cows! :o)And here we are in front of the dairy truck!

Pics of Ainsley

2011-10-16T18:46:00.000-07:00

Just having fun with the camera and my little girl!

Enjoy!

Weston and the piano

2011-10-16T14:24:00.000-07:00

Weston was having fun playing the piano the other day. He even had the earphones on so it made it that much funnier!

These are the videos. The first one is where Bryan caught him without Weston knowing Bryan was filming him. He was singing along...although it is quiet and you might not be able to hear him till the end.

This second video Weston knew Bryan was filming him, but was fun too see Weston still enjoying himself!

Kambria 1st lost tooth!

2011-10-16T14:08:00.000-07:00

Kambria lost her first tooth on Sept 23rd. She was SO excited! Bryan helped her finish pulling it out. There was quite a lot of blood, which scared Kambria at first. But then she was happy.This is the picture right after drying her eyes...And then she was REALLY happy! She realized she got to put her tooth in an envelope for the tooth fairy! And the next morning she got a whole DOLLAR! She put the money in her piggy bank for safe keeping!

Freezing corn...

2011-10-01T19:29:00.000-07:00

A while back my friend Julie went to the farmers market and got a good deal on corn so she got some for me. I decided to freeze it...the pictures show the process...

just shucked...
Cooking....

Then blanching Cutting off the cob...with a VERY cool and EASY tool!

This is the tool...

And being put into sacks...with all the empty cobs...

The sacks...

fun pictures

2011-10-01T19:27:00.001-07:00

Since I am so behind on my posts I thought I would do a little summary post with just some fun pics...

This is a picture of what Kambria had to make for her first week of class...a box of a "shop" that had to start with the first letter of her name...She even had woody and jessie in her shop. ;o)

I brought the "red" snack the first week of class...it was also for her birthday, so I brought red rice krispie apple treats and strawberries.

Kambria enjoying her snacks in class..

Kambria's ginger bread man...who happens to be holding a book of mormon...

My 3 cutie pies!

Kambria and Ainsley match, and Ainsley is wearing silver shoes that grandma Jetta and aunt Sherie gave her! LOVE IT!

My 2 girls.

My family!

Just a few fun pics of Kambria

playground

2011-10-01T15:25:00.000-07:00

We went to the playground a while back...

What is fun is that Bryan has a pictures like this for each one of the kids....

Ainsley-August 2011

Weston - April 2010

Kambria - May 2007

Back to present day at the park....

All of us on the swings! Bryan is taking the picture...

This video is for my father...he told me to tape Kambria doing the monkey bars...however, I highly doubt he will look at this anytime soon...maybe if I tell him to...or mom could help him!!!

Here is Ainsley on the swings...

First solid foods (5 months old)

2011-10-01T14:59:00.000-07:00

I forgot to post this...but wanted to do so for posterity...Ainsley eating solid foods for the first time...

crawling

2011-10-01T14:37:00.000-07:00

Just a few videos of Ainsley crawling...

Kambria is a soccer player

2011-10-01T14:20:00.000-07:00

We decided to put Kambria in soccer this year. I was hesitant to do so at first because I was worried with being in class all day and then having to do a sport would be overwhelming for her, but she is doing GREAT!!! She loves playing and is one of the best players on the team!
She has scored quite a few of their goals. Today she scored 3 of their 6 goals..and even assisted in another one. She is the oldest girl on the team, but that makes it fun for her.

So here are her soccer pics...

Serious faceSmiley face

The first coin toss of the season(this is not her, but her teammate Rylee)

Kambria is in the middle...Waiting for the kick off...Going for the goal....and it is missed. bummer!

Kambria and Weston 3, 5 yr checkup

2011-10-01T14:13:00.000-07:00

When Ainsley went in for her doctor appointment, Kambria and Weston did their 5 and 3 yr old appointment at the same time. It was WONDERFUL on my part! The doc had 1 1/2 hours for me and my family to check on and talk about...and now I don't have to go back fro another 3 months! And that is only for Ainsley. It was great! I love our new pediatrician! It is Dr. Pinkley and he is very friendly and knowledgeable!

Weston:
weight: 36 lb 6 oz - 90%
height: 38.5 in - 65%
body mass index: 85%

Kambria
weight: 45lb 4 oz - 80%
height: 48.75 in - off the charts....100%+
body mass index: less than 3%

So Kambria is a tall girl...who would have ever thought!
They are both growing by leaps and bounds and we are so thankful and grateful for all they do and who they are! We love them!

Ainsley is 6 months!

2011-09-22T19:53:00.001-07:00

She is sitting up...and CRAWLING!!!! I can not believe that my 6 month old is crawling. I know it is fun to say that, but that means that she will just get into things faster now! I am not READY for this! But she is definitely CUTE huh?

Ainsley's stats:

Weight: 17 lbs 10 oz - 80%

Height: 26.75 in - 85%

Head: 16.53 in - 40 %

This is normal for her. Except I think it funny to go back and look at Kambria's stats... she was about 8 months at this point...

Kambria's

weight: 16 lbs 3 oz - 35%

height: 25 1/2 in - 5-10%

head: 17 - 35%

So Ainsley has Kambria beat in being big! But chubby is healthy!!!! (at least at this age)

I have pictures of Kambria in this same outfit...They are their own person, but you can tell they are sisters.

AinsleyKambriaAinsleyKambriaKambriaAinsleyKambria

This is a video of Ainsley putting her hand in front of Bryan's mouth every time he would try to kiss her. It was almost as if she understood what kiss and the noise meant.

Camping...HOT!!!

2011-09-18T17:55:00.002-07:00

We went camping over labor day. We went with the Gates' family. It was fun but VERY hot! WE were planning on staying from Friday night through Monday morning...it was so hot that we left Sunday morning. The next camping purchase that Bryan and I BOTH agreed on is a fan...probably battery powered! There just was not enough air movement.

But enough complaining about the heat...we did have some fun times and memorable times.
One that I don't want to forget is the fun neighbors we had Friday night. We called the ranger on them...while Sean called the cops. They ended up searching their site and then leaving, but it was quite entertaining to watch these idiots. They just were VERY loud and annoying.

Bryan took these pictures of the sunset. It was beautifulYes, we were camping next to some lakes. It was called the Land between the Lakes. On Saturday we went to a working farm. Kambria got a lesson on how to make a rug. She was very good at it too.

Then Weston and Kambria learned how to make pots. They enjoyed it so very much. They both have their pots by their beds with a little animal Bryan bought them for being so good that day. "Charlie" is Weston's little horse and Kambria got a little Bison. She named it but I have already forgotten it.

It was a fun 3 day weekend. We just don't think that we will be going camping ever again when it is that hot without a plan in place on how to cool down... A FAN!!!!!

7 years

2011-09-18T17:55:00.000-07:00

Seven years ago I married my best friend!

We now have three kids

have lived in 8 different houses/apts

seen LOTS of scenery

and we only have eterenity to go!

LOVE YOU!!!!!

Ainsley videos

2011-09-18T17:51:00.000-07:00

These are some fun videos of what Ainsley and the kids have been up to at our house!

Kambria is 5

2011-09-18T14:36:00.000-07:00

I can not believe that Kambria is 5 already! She is getting so big and has such a fun personality...

She woke up to the kitchen being decorated with pink and green streamers and green balloons. And a birthday dress! (since her birthday fell on a Sunday this year)She loved it!

This is her right before church...she even got to wear mom's necklace ;o)

After church was presents time...she got new soccer shoes...and she was signed up for soccer!

This is her loot picture!

Weston gave her a present and preceeded to think he needed to help her open it.

He gave her a "baby" ariel doll. These things are all the rage now. She decided she loves it so much she wants the baby rapunzel one next! This girl dreams big!

The next couple of pictures are what grandma and grandpa Fairbanks gave her...princess barbie dolls that have permanent clothes so they can go in the bath.

They also gave her some clothes...

This is what mom and dad gave her..a leap frog "computer" book that can help her learn to read! Weston thought it was great fun too!

Kambria's FAVORITE food...Hawaiian haystacks!

And she requested green cupcakes this time...so we made key lime cupcakes. They were DELICIOUS!!!! We even had to make more later!

This is the next morning in her new clothes. Green again! Gotta love this girl! What a sweetheart! We are so thrilled she is ours and teaches us so much. Happy birthday to my beautiful daughter! WE LOVE YOU!

offically in kindergarten!

2011-09-18T14:07:00.000-07:00

This is Kambria's first day to be dropped off to school for kindergarten. Here she is at the car being "dropped" off!

This is her teacher Mrs. Martin. She LOVES her...

Weston getting a turnt o sit at the table before we have to say goodbye. He actually did really good. He was excited for her and then said when is it my turn? Someday soon buddy!

Kambria doing their first activity...with a smug look saying mom...you dont have to take any more pictures. This little girl is Cheyenne...she has become one of her favorite friends! Who knew right?

Me getting my picture in...Carsen is the other little girl. She lives across the street and actually got moved into a new kindergarten class becasue there were too many kids. But we still see her everyday. She rides the bus to and from school with Kambria!

First day of Kindergarten

2011-08-16T18:34:00.000-07:00

Kambria is a kindergartner now! She had her first day of orientation and she was THRILLED! She was so excited to wear braids in her hair and wear her green shirt because green is her favorite color! She did not get to spend time in the classroom yet other than to see where they(there are 7 kindergarten classes) are located. She finds out her teacher next Monday on the 15th!

Weston was so proud of her too!

But had to make sure she had a hand to hold in case she got scared! Cutie!!!

Fire department tour

2011-08-08T14:05:00.005-07:00

Here in Nolensville they only have a volunteer fire department and we are lucky enough to have some of those volunteers as neighbors! So we got to have a tour of the fire house with the neighborhood mom's group! It was perfect and went right along with Weston's birthday theme and happened to be only a few days after his birthday!

First we got to look at all the equipment and then the trucks! They even let us climb inside them! Then they showed us how they have only 1 minute to get their equipment on! Weston was ENTHRALLED with the guys...but got shy if I made too big a deal out of it. He LOVED watching them! The whole gang in front of one of the three trucks they have. My two sweeties! They were even nice enough to turn on the fire hydrant/hose and spray the kids. They LOVED it...well Kambria did, Weston not so much. He thought it was too cold. ;o)

Weston is 3!

2011-08-08T14:05:00.003-07:00

I can not believe that Weston is 3 years old now!!! It has flown by! My little boy! These are some photos and videos of his big day!
Weston coming down the stairs to see the room decorated for him!

Weston was so excited to get this present from Grandma and Grandpa Fairbanks! see video too!

Our neighbors and friends, The Gates family, came over and gave Weston a train book

He got some shirts too!And some tools!

And the big present was his tool chest to put all the tools on. It makes all sorts of noises and even has a little bird house that he can really build with fake wood and all!

I still can not believe that my boy is 3! He is such a sweetheart with a mischievous little laugh! he loves to help with his sister Ainsley and is best friends with Kambria! We are so lucky to have you in our family!

He is really into wanting to be a fire fighter man as he puts it! So we made him a fire engine birthday cake! He loved it!

Singing him happy birthday!

Chattanooga Aquarium

2011-08-08T14:05:00.001-07:00

So for the weekend we wanted to do something fun. When we first moved to Nashville, we took every weekend and did something "new" so we could learn all about Nashville. We kind of stopped doing that, so Bryan decided to do something new for the weekend! I was so glad he suggested it! WE drove 2 hours down to Chattanooga, TN! And we became members of the aquarium! I know it might seem a little weird, but we figured to become members because if we ever want to go back in the next year...it will have paid for itself. So we did it! And this is supposedly the #1 aquarium in the nation! WE had a lot of fun going and seeing new places along the way...
For example: Georgia is on the way there. WE even got the signage to prove that we have now been in Georgia! ha ha ha

Kambria with the penguins!

The kids with the shark

A close up of the shark! I guess these are tiger sharks.
We even got to see a little diver show where they go in the water with the fish and sharks. The one diver is talking to the people while the other one has a bump stick to bump the sharks if they swim too close to the divers so that the sharks know that the divers are they...it was pretty crazy!

Jelly fish

This is where Kambria got to stand up inside a tunnel and look more closely at giant spider crabs...

Then we went to the butterfly area...

This was definitely the photo op! i guess this cage was one the was used with great white sharks before and you can see how it is bent in the back...that was done in the ocean from a great white! WAY scary stuff for me to think about! People are crazy to even THINK about doing that!

more penguins!

The girls all matched because Kambria wanted us too!

And the boys matched!

This is a sting ray

A sting ray too!

This is where you can touch or pet the sting ray! Kambria loved putting her hands in the water!Weston not so much...he liked looking!

We saw more butterflies!they liked to land on the fruit strings.

Look its NEMO!

Petting sharks this time!

this is a shell of the largest sea turtle...

Afterwards, the kids wanted to play in the water! so we took their shoes off and rolled up the pants and they LOVED it!

singing

2011-07-17T15:35:00.000-07:00

These two sillies wanted to sing for ya'll! I love my kiddos!

Ainsley talking...May 25

2011-07-17T15:21:00.000-07:00

Just a video of our sweet Ainsley beginning to "talk." This viedo was a while ago, but wanted to make sure it got on the blog.

Splash Pad June 9th

2011-07-17T15:01:00.001-07:00

We went with a new friend Janelle to a local splash pad. It was fun...especially since I did not have to be in a swim suit and Ainsley and I could just sit on the side lines and watch!

pictures of Ainsley

2011-07-17T14:54:00.000-07:00

These pictures were taken on June 4, 2011. Just for a future date reference. WE love our Ainsley!!!

June post...swimming

2011-07-17T14:43:00.001-07:00

I know I am WAY behind on my blog...so here is my attempt at getting caught up! Back in the beginning of June my new friend Julie invited me to go swimming with her..I tried to avoid it seeing that I had just had a baby and a swimming suit is not what I wanted to be wearing...however she asked several more times and the kids really wanted to go. So we went! It was a good thing Julie was there to help me watch my kids, because 3 is almost to many to be able to handle by myself until Ainsley can sit up by herself. But it was fun and memorable!

Weston is being a goof!

This is Julie helping Kambria swim in the big pool. Kambria is wearing the yellow arm bands. Julie said Kambria is a natural! I need to get this girl into some swim lessons soon! And Julie said they do them year round at the rec center...so maybe once school has started and things from the summer time calm down!

Kambria getting tests done in the hospital

2011-07-17T14:24:00.000-07:00

During the week of Kambria's dance class, she became sick (throwing up sick) and was dizzy. She had complained about being dizzy on Tuesday and Wednesday, but I thought it was due to her dancing and spinning and so kind of ignored it...well Thursday morning she could not stop swaying and throwing up. So i took her to the doctors...(which was ONLY possible due to a friend loaning me her car since they were out of town and my van was in the shop, what a blessing in disguise!) and they said she looked fine except for her swaying...she was REALLY dizzy. So they sent me to children's hospital to do some tests ...just in case!

So there we checked in, they gave her anti nausea medicine, had a urinalysis done and she ate about 4 Popsicles...as did Weston. They made her get up and walk and she was still dizzy...so they recommended having a cat scan done...so we did....just in case!

All tests came back fine and showing nothing abnormal...She was a trooper.

Come to find out later from my mom that when she gets too dehydrated she gets vertigo and throws up sometimes...so the verdict is that she got dehydrated...which has happened before, and then she never got re hydrated and therefore got vertigo...She is fine now, but what an ordeal! I spent the whole day at the docs or hospital.

WE just got the "bill" for it, which we have insurance taking care of and it was over $3,000!! AMAZING! no wonder insurance stuff is so expensive! but SO very glad we have insurance and that Kambria is healthy and well!

Here are the pics from the excursion if you could call it that! Notice they are holding hands...Weston was so worried about her! He is so sweet!

My sister is ENGAGED!!!!

2011-07-14T06:23:00.001-07:00

I can not believe it but I am SO EXCITED for her! Tess is getting married! She has found her eternal companion and they are now engaged! She called me last night to tell me the big news...and it just so happens that they are in Texas for his brothers wedding and her 21st birthday! So he asked her to marry him with a cracker jack box ring...but the real thing was inside it! Very cute! And on her 21st birthday!!! What a fun way of remembering when you got engaged. I don't specifically remember when I got engaged, but I think it was May15 or 17...I would have to go back and look! But anyways! I am so thrilled and can't wait to meet him. unfortunately I will probably not meet him until the wedding! That is what I get for living in TN!

Her is her ring! Bryan could not stop saying how pretty it was! I agree! i think it is beautiful and definitely fits my sister! Congrats Tessy! I am sure there will be more details to follow...

Kambria's first dance class

2011-06-24T15:15:00.001-07:00

These two cuties were Kambria's first dance class instructors! These two girls are 11 years old and are in our new ward and as a way for earning some summer money, they put together a weeks worth of dance classes/ craft project for girls ages 4-8! it was great. They did it for three days and then had a little performance for the moms at the end. Kambria had a blast and even talks about it whenever she sees them at church!
Thanks for making Kambria feel welcomed and teaching her a few dance moves!

This pictures was taken after the frist day of dance class. She got home and was SO tired that I found her like this 15 minutes after we got home. She had fallen asleep on some blankets with a stack of books she was wanting to read!

Ainsley is 3 months!

2011-06-24T15:14:00.001-07:00

I can not believe that 3 months has FLOWN by. I have no idea where this time is going. I try to cherish everyday with my sweet girl. Sometimes I feel like I do not get enough time with her with all the organizing and trying to deal with her siblings...She is so easy going and just loves to be around us doing what we are doing. We love her so much. Enjoy the pictures! These are the ones I took on her actual 3 month mark...her official 3 moth ones were taken at jcpenney. I will add those later!

Ainsley is 2 months!!!

2011-05-23T14:14:00.000-07:00

Ainsley had her 2 month check up today. She did AWESOME! the nurse was even impressed. She got her first shots today! ;o( She sure is a chunk a monk though! She has THUNDER THIGHS.

Her stats:

height: 23 in ~90%

weight: 12.6 lbs ~ 90%

head: 15.4 in ~ 50-75%

Not bad baby girl! We sure do love you!!! She is cooing and smiling AT us now. We can hardly believe she is 2 months old! Boy time flies when you are busy taking care of 3 kids and trying to pack a house, close on a house and have a new born! But we are enjoying this time of our life. Ainsley is such a GOOD baby. She even sleeps up to 8 hours a night...although most nights are about 5 hours...still not bad. ;o)

(on another note: Kambria had to get 4 shots today in prep for kindergarten so she could be ready. The nurse said I could do it today since I asked for the records and she said she would needs these BEFORE they would let her in so we just did it for easiness since it is hard to get all 3 kids to a doctors office ;o) they are so nice...and Kambria did great. She was a bit nervous but held back her tears and later said, "mom that did not hurt really and I was so brave!" what a cutie! )

my girl

2011-05-22T19:08:00.000-07:00

this is my CRAZY girl! She is really into dresses right now. She wants to wear a dress EVERYDAY--rain or shine, cold or hot! And then on top of that she has to wear ALL the jewelry she can find...but I thought she did pretty good at matching today! She has a great imagination and LOVES to pretend. We love her!

Mother's day 2011

2011-05-22T19:00:00.000-07:00

This is what I woke up to for mothers day! An omlet with FRESHLY PICKED strawberries an strawberry drink! IT was AMAZING! Then we had church and when we came home I got this for dinner:

Lemon Asparagus chicken! It is the most wonderful meal and Bryan makes it so well!

Then I got this for dessert:A dessert pizza with strawberries, freshly picked, and kiwi on a BIG cookie! Delicious!

I also got cards from the kids and Bryan with a gift card. It is great. I got cards from my mother and MaryEllen. They were great! What an awesome day! Being a mother is great and I could not have asked for better kids. They may have energy and be crazy and wired ALL THE TIME...but I love them and love that they have given me the opportunity to be a mom....which I am learning how to do better everyday! ;o)

Strawberry Farm

2011-05-22T18:49:00.000-07:00

When we moved to TN last year we were too late for picking strawberries...so we made SURE we got to this year. We drove up to a little town called Portland TN and got to pick strawberries. Ainsley was dressed for the picking! Those are strawberries on her bib!

The group shot!

They sure do love each other!

Weston showing off his LOOT!

Kambria trying to smile for the camera!

This is how Bryan had to pick...with both kids close by wanting to help and carrying Ainsley on his stomach! What a great Dad! We had a blast and got PLENTY of strawberries....I would have picked more and made some into jam, but did not have the time and resources available due to having to pack up a house to move soon! ;o) but maybe next year I will be ready!

Ainsley's outfit

2011-05-22T18:45:00.001-07:00

My sister Tess gave this outfit to Ainsley and so I took some pictures! Of course! So her you go Tess! Thanks for a cute outfit!

Showing off the ruffle! SO CUTE!!!

Siblings giving kisses! Ainsley is not so sure about it! ;o) But they love her and just want to give her kisses ALL THE TIME!

grad

2011-05-03T13:49:00.000-07:00

Kambria graduated preschool! She was so excited. She has enjoyed the group of friends she had and can't wait for kindergarten!
Here we have Camille (cambri), Kira, Logan, Kambria, and Caroline

Throwing their cute graduation hats that Lizzy made for them all! Of COURSE Kambria's was green!

Here is the graduate! She was just dressed in pants and a shirt...and since we were doing the party at our house she ran and put this dress on over her existing outfit! That's my girl!

This is Lizzy giving her her diploma.

With her certificate! I now have a kindergartener!!!

Thanks Brady!

2011-04-27T13:00:00.001-07:00

We were sad to see Brady leave and go back to Colorado, but we are glad he came to visit and meet ms. Ainsley!

Easter Sunday

2011-04-27T12:52:00.001-07:00

Easter Sunday was a nice day. I made Kambria and Ainsley matching dresses!! They were both gorgeous! Bryan, Weston and I also wore various shades of purple. So we all were "matching" in some sense!!This is one of my favorite pictures! Kambria always wants to give her sister kisses! And this picture proves it! I love my girls! This was our Easter dinner. This was the first Easter we did not have family around, so
I made the whole Ham, funeral potatoes, green jello and fruit basket. I even had a "table cloth"that matched the girls' dresses...however the edges were not sewn yet. ;o)This was our dessert. We made little carrot patches! It was out of the Disney family fun magazine that my sister in law Leah signed me up for. They were fun to make and eat! We had a great Easter!

Easter Bunny

2011-04-27T12:39:00.000-07:00

The Easter Bunny came to visit us Saturday morning! The kids were so excited to get some candy, toys and even a new shirt.

This is Weston when he finally noticed the Easter baskets sitting on the couch. (He had been awake for almost an hour and just didn't notice them.)

Do you think Kambria is excited?Weston showing off his loot. ...and more...Weston is in love with chapstick. The Easter Bunny was silly enough to get him his own! We have to monitor the use of the chapstick by keeping it out of reach and letting them use it when they ask. Weston loves his new golf set. He is just not sure how to really use a golf club. Bryan tried to show him how to hold the club, but he still just swings it about the room with one hand, usually upside down, and is lucky if he makes contact with the ball rather than his sister's head. After the easter bunny came we went over to our friends' house and had an easter egg hunt. This is us waiting at the door to unleash the kids!

Kambria finding eggs

Weston finding eggs

Kambria stating that she found some more

Weston with his typical pouting face.

Easter fun with Brady

2011-04-27T12:25:00.000-07:00

While my brother wwas visiting us we had some fun doing Easter things. He helped us dye Easter eggs!

I had gotten a kit that had fun monster stickers to decorate the eggs with! It was a fun activity!

The finished results!

Then later that afternoon we took him to the Grand Ole Opry hotel. We had never been and it was fun to see how big it was! It would be fun to stay there some day, but I am sure it is quite expensive! It is like a little resort inside~!

Ainsley meets Brady

2011-04-27T12:22:00.000-07:00

My brother Brady came out to SC to do some work and then drove out to Nashville to come visit us! It was so good to see him and have him meet Ainsley! He held her and put her right to sleep!

Colored Bubbles

2011-04-27T12:12:00.000-07:00

Bryan's co-worker Scott gave the kids a present of colored bubbles. It was VERY messy!!! It was fun, but was a one time thing! I dressed them up in clothes that I did not care if they ruined them and we went outside! Good thing too! Kambria of course had to have the green bubbles! It's her favorite color!Weston got the orange...he had a hard time blowing the bubbles...So grandma helped...but you can see the orange color if you look hard.Messy Messy Messy!So we got out the hose to help int he process and it turned into a water play time with drinks and all! They loved it! I am glad it was over!

Ainsley

2011-04-27T12:08:00.001-07:00

Just some more fun pictures of Ainsley. I can not believe how fast time is going by! She is growing so fast and is such a cutie. Weston tells me that she is "so tute!" (cute) every morning! What a doll!It doesn't say so cute, but is the next best thing, "so sweet."

grandma time

2011-04-27T12:03:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to say thanks to MaryEllen for staying an extra week to help with the kids. I also know she wasnted to have some grandma time with Ainsley....;o) but thanks again for all the fun we had while you were here! Miss you

Loveless Cafe

2011-04-27T11:46:00.000-07:00

While Bryan's parents were still in town we took them to the Loveless Cafe. It is nation wide known for its homemade biscuits...and famous starts have been known to be spotted there. So we went. Well, we did spot a star. Not one many would have known but we did. Scott McIntyre! He was on American Idol a couple of years ago. He is half blind so I treid getting a couple of pictures...these were the best I got. But it was fun to see someone famous, even if it was from a distance!

This was a picture on the wall of some other American idols that have been to the Loveless Cafe!

By the way, none of us were truly impressed with the food. I guess we are not true southerns! ;o)

HOUSE!

2011-04-20T19:26:00.000-07:00

We are in the process of buying our first HOUSE!!! What an experience! But we are going to be settled for first time in our married life! It is very exciting for both Bryan and I to LOVE our new house. The experience so far has been a positive one; it only took one weekend to find what we wanted. We had been looking online at several homes for about 3 months. Then after Ainsley was born we took a weekend when MaryEllen was here to look without the kids. We saw 3 houses and this is the last one we saw. We LOVED it and had to go back the next day. And then we had them "hold" it for us until we could get an offer on the table. It only took one counter offer before we accepted, probably because we already loved the house and it was reasonably priced. It is a new home so not many improvements will be needed right away! Bryan loves that aspect!

So wish us luck as we move forward with it all. We will move in sometime in June!!! More pictures will come after we move in...but this is our favorite part....the kitchen...

and eating areas are big and open, but not too big!! We love it!

Ainsley's 1st photo shoot

2011-04-19T20:57:00.001-07:00

Our friend Tim offered to take pictures and these are the results: I think he did a terrific job! Anyone who wants a good photographer let me know and I can put you in touch!

This was a test photo for color purposes...but I think this just YELLS Kambria all over it!

Ainsley blessing day

2011-04-11T14:49:00.001-07:00

Ainsley's blessing day was April 10, 2011.
Some of the things said...
-bless you to know of your parents love and Heavenly Father's and the Savior's love for you.
-bless you with the ability and understanding to grow in the gospel to help you grow and develop spiritually to lead you back to your HF.
- bless you with the understanding of right and wrong and the courage to make right decisions even when it is not popular.
- bless you with the desire to be sealed in the templ to a righteous husband and to continue a righteous posterity.
-bless you to be healthy and strong and to serve others around you
-bless you to be a light unto others

It was a wonderful day and we were so happy that Don and MaryEllen could be there with us.

My mom made her cute little shoes. She also happened to make the dress...it is the same one that Kambria wore for her blessing!!!! So beautiful

First bath

2011-04-11T14:48:00.002-07:00

Ainsley's first bath!!! She quite enjoyed it. I was quite surprised that she did not scream! She was calm and enjoyed it.

The mirror effect...we did it in our bathroom since it was warmer in there than it was in the kitchen...hence the mirror reflection.

Burgess falls

2011-04-11T14:48:00.001-07:00

Bryan took his parents on a hike to burgess falls. I stayed home!! These were the pictures he came home with~!

Train exhibit

2011-04-11T14:44:00.001-07:00

there was a fun train exhibit at the botanical gardens and we got to go opening night...so that meant face painting and balloons! We had some fun. Even free food was included! Oh what it is like to be members of the gardens!

park time with Gma and Gpa

2011-04-11T14:36:00.000-07:00

Bryan's parents came to visit us and meet Ainsley. One of the first things we did was to go to Centennial Park and play and show them the parthenon. The kids had a blast playing outside since the week before was rainy!

Here is Grandpa being silly!

fun Ainsley pictures

2011-04-11T14:26:00.000-07:00

Just a bunch if pictures to show how much fun I am having dressing her and taking pictures! I thought I would not take as many pictures it being my third child, but I feel like I am just keeping up with all the ones I took of my previous children! I LOVE pictures and having them for future enjoyment!

brotherly love

2011-04-11T14:17:00.001-07:00

Any time kambria holds Ainsley, Weston wants to too! Just some cute pics!

Sisterly love

2011-04-11T14:11:00.000-07:00

just some photos to show you how much Kambria loves to hold her sister! She asks about every half hour if she can hold Ainsley! But I don't mind too much ;o) as long as she leaves me alone while I am nursing! ;o)

first sponge bath

2011-04-11T14:05:00.001-07:00

While my mom was here we tried to give Ainsley a sponge bath since here belly button had not "fallen off" yet- needless to say she did not like it one bit!!!She was a little more calm once she was swaddled in the towel, but she was still a little upset--

So much so that she pooped all over the towel! She wanted to show me how mad she was! ;o)

fun with Robyn

2011-04-11T13:33:00.000-07:00

I was very fortunate to be able to have my mother come and spend the week with me after my c-section! She was a big help I am glad she got to meet Ainsley! She even was able to be at the hospital and helped me check out! This is her meeting Ainsley in the hospital! The day I checked out. My mother is wearing two coats because it was SO cold that morning! She was able to help Kambria do her hair in the mornings. She did a crown braid and Kambria LOVED it!!! She even got to go to preschool that day and show off her hair that Nonnie did!

One day while my mom was here we tried to go to the caboose park, but it only lasted about 20 minutes! The kids were so cold and the rain was coming our way soon. I was really bummed that the weather wasn't warmer for my mother to have more fun outside, but we made our own fun-the cannery, walmart and Jo-Ann's for fabric shopping, sewing and watching movies. We sure enjoyed the little time she was here. Thanks mom for taking the time to come and help us out!

This is story time with nonnie. They are reading Ferdinand. It is one of my mom's favorite children's stories! They enjoyed it!

first smile on camera

2011-03-31T07:08:00.000-07:00

I am having so much fun with Ainsley. My mom bought the headband and i made the flowers to go on it and I am dressing her up and playing with the camera. I was VERY fortunate to be able to catch a couple of smiles! I think they turned out great! Bryan sent it to his family and his dad already printed it off! That's a proud grandpa!!! ;o) I know when my mom gets home she will be doing the same thing! So here are the results:

I kind of have a reason for taking so many pictures; our friend is coming to take pictures of Ainsley on Friday for his portfolio and experience with babies so I have to know what outfits to put her in and what we have to work with in our home before Friday! So I have an excuse to take all these pictures! And of course I love it! Enjoy

Ainsley Reese Fairbanks!

2011-03-22T19:36:00.000-07:00

We are so excited to welcome Ainsley Reese Fairbanks to our family!
Ainsley was born today at 1:09pm. She was 7lbs 13oz, and 19 inches long.

Kambria and Weston were so excited to finally go to the hospital and meet their new baby sister.
Mom and baby are doing just fine! Eliza had to spend 4 1/2 hours in the recovery room. I guess they say the normal is 2 hours, but it took her longer to start feeling her legs and they said she couldn't go to her room until she could wiggle her toes. Needless to say, she is grateful she can now wiggle her toes!
Kambria is such a good BIG sister. She just loves holding her new sister! "Dad, I can do it all by myself!"

Of course Weston wants to hold his little sister too...I had to help a little, but he really is just a sweetheart with her. You should have seen him give her the softest hug and kiss on her forehead.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

2011-03-17T06:44:00.000-07:00

My child hood memories always include green milk and green eggs from my father for St. Patrick's day...however I NEVER liked eating runny eggs let alone runny GREEN eggs...so I kept the tradition of green milk, but instead made green pancakes!!! and non the less in the shape of a clover!!! I wish I had gottne up early enough to let Bryan have some, but at least he got his chance at green milk this morning...

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!!!

Zoo time in nashville

2011-03-06T08:13:00.001-08:00

We visited the zoo one last time before it gets cold again! Not many animals were out and about...but we did see some.

Baby muskrats!!! These were fun to watch!Bryan showing off his new hairdo! This giraffe was hungry and kept sticking its tongue out to try to reach some popcorn. Too bad he couldn't get to it...but it was fun to watch his tongue! Now when we ask Weston what a giraffe says he sticks his tonuge out and in. ;o)Kambria standing like the flamingos. This is a new exhibit at the Nashville Zoo...kind of boring to me, but I guess some people like it

Photo op with Kambria

2011-03-06T08:12:00.003-08:00

We had Kambria all dressed up for church and she wanted to take some pictures. They actually turned out better than we thought. Her room was perfect lighting and the green walls were just the right color. Then we had her cross her feet and try to put her hands on her lap... They turned out good...Weston getting in on the fun...even crossing his feet. ;o)Bryan playing with the coloring of the photo. What a cute grown up girl!

Mystery Train ride

2011-03-06T08:12:00.001-08:00

The Saturday before Valentines we got to experience a mystery train ride thanks to Bryan's co-worker who had broken up with her boyfriend and had no intention of going on this pre-purchased experience. She gave the option to us and we took it! We even found a babysitter for the whole day since it went from 8:30 to 3:30.

This was a murder mystery that was performed on the train. We had about a 2 hour ride to this little town that they stop at and let you get out and go have lunch at your choice of maybe 5 different restaurants. (not very good food) Then you have the 2 hour ride back home where they complete the mystery. It was a lot of fun, more so just the experience of riding an old-fashioned passenger train...and having time to ourselves!

It turned out to be a LOT bigger deal than we imagined! There was about 12 cars on this train and FULL of passengers! Who would have thought!

This is us standing in line looking at the engine.

All the ladies got plastic roses...since it was for Valentine's day.

Self portrait on the train...we were in first class!

After a little while we got to walk around the train...this was the food car.

And then next to it was the dining car... There is a souvenir car. This car used to be the baggage car and is supposed to have thousands of pounds of luggage. So without this extra weight, the car really sways back and forth, Talk about motion sickness. Luckily the other cars were not like this.

Walking back to our seats...it was a little narrow~

My hand out the window!

Bryan standing in the breeze way of two cars.

Sitting and relaxing

This is the train depot. Wasn't much of a town but you can see how many people were on the train. It made me realize how in the olden days people came to pick you up at the depot.

How long the train was.

Me and my big belly standing in front of the train!

Bryan in front of the train.

Valentine's day

2011-03-06T08:05:00.001-08:00

Just some pictures of our valentine's day celebrations.

We made heart shaped pancakes...

With chocolate sauce for those the wanted them...of course I did!

Kambria and Weston got cards from Nonnie and Papa...they were VERY excited to get their own mail!

I did not get pictures of the fondue dinner we had that night. We invited the Scott family over with their two boys to continue our tradition of Fondue on Valentine's day! It makes it so easy with no presseure on Bryan or I!

Jan 29, 2011

2011-03-06T08:01:00.003-08:00

There is a new park over by our Target here and we decided to take the kids...They are cute to photograph!

This was the sweater that my mom gave Weston! He loves to wear his Nonnie sweater!

He loves to go down the twirly slide

And Kambria of course in her dress...she is wanting to wear a dress everyday!!!

Jan 15, 2011

2011-03-06T08:01:00.001-08:00

We took advantage of a free museum day and decided to go to the adventure science museum. It was a fun day, but Bryan and I agreed that Chicago children's museum is definitely better. But all around it was a fun day!
Kambria and Weston playing a mind game...Kambria ended up winning! In the back of the ambulance

Kambria driving the "real" ambulance.

The inside of the ambulance.

Playing whack a mole

Bryan pulling a rope to lift a car....he did accomplish it!!! it was a fun exhibit.

Weston driving a see though car.

Bryan and the kids playing with the giant scooper! What a blast.

Now the kids are a part of the magic school bus!

Weston in the pretend box train.

This is a heat board...this is what it looks like with a flash...

And this is what it looks like when you move around.

The HUGE train set. Bryan thought it was so cool to show the kids. All in all it was a fun FREE time!

playing in the snow

2011-03-06T07:57:00.000-08:00

The kids and me we so surprised to see more snow in Tennessee that they had to play in it! These pictures we taken on Jan 10, 2011

Weston at the piano

2011-03-06T07:55:00.000-08:00

Weston likes to sit at the piano and "play." just like his dad. Too cute to pass up the photo opportunity.

Bryan's 30th birthday

2011-03-06T07:48:00.001-08:00

Bryan's birthday celebration was not much in the morning...other than excitment of a couple of gifts...However, that night I surprised him by kiddnapping him and taking him to outback steak house. This is one of his favorite restraunts. I think he was delighted. Hopefully it was a day to remember.

Peterson photography

2011-03-06T07:43:00.001-08:00

We had pictures taken as an extended family with my family by Tamie Peterson. These are the only ones I ahve currently. Will update the post as I get more. I thought they turned out pretty good!

my gift to Bryan

2011-03-06T07:41:00.000-08:00

This is an image of the Denver temple that I had printed in Sepia tones and framed for Bryan. I was very impressed with how it turned out, as so was Bryan. He loved it.

Ear infections.

2011-03-06T07:38:00.000-08:00

Before flying to Colorado, Kambria got an ear infection and was put on antibotics. wEstonw as checked but was fine. However...Christmas Eve he was saying his ears hurt so we took him to the little clinic...He was still a happy little guy and this was the video we took while waiting to get the diagnosis that he was fine.

Christmas gifts.

2011-03-06T07:22:00.000-08:00

This post is just pictures of all the fun things we opened Christmas morning!

This is an oven mit and Pastry cutter...Bryan's gift to me and it was a surprise!

These are luggage locks for Jacqueline's and Scott's trip to Europe!

A new Molly for Kambria since she lost her other one on the move to Nashville.

The train set! Weston was SO happy!

This is my suprise gift to Bryan...a new sweater! I know very exciting huh?

Scott and Jacqueline's gift to Don and MaryEllen.

Erik and Lisa got a new computer!

What fun!

New Christmas Jammies

2011-03-06T07:16:00.000-08:00

Grandma with the 4 grandkids!

The girls in their new christmas jammies!

Jacquline's birthday

2011-03-06T07:14:00.000-08:00

Jacqueline's birthday celebration at Don and MaryEllen's.

Christmas Eve at Nonnie's and Papa's

2011-03-06T07:07:00.001-08:00

We went back ot my parents house for christmas eve and did the nativity scence with the kids. We had a lot of fun in remembering the true meaning of Christmas.

Here is kambria with nonnie and papa.

Weston with nonnie and papa

Kambria being Mary

Kambria is Mary and Weston is Joseph with the baby being a bear and sheep standing close by.

presents at Nonnie's and Papa's

2011-03-06T06:53:00.000-08:00

These pictures are opening presents at Nonnie and Papa's house after our cookie decoration extravaganza! Just more as a memory for me and posterity!
My mother made each of the 5 kids and their spouses a solar oven and a rocket stove. She is helping us all be as prepared as possible for a time when we will need things like this!

This was Bryan and I's present to my mom and dad...although this was the only picture I got of it. It was an aapron for each of them and a belgian waffle maker! My dad is a waffle pro! and now he has the right equipment to be so!

This was our gift to Colin. He wanted a planner. And Chloe was helping him open it.

And this was Colin's gift to us...a family game night on the Wii. Bryan was especially happy about it.

Racheal and Brady recieved a bunch of card games.

Hayden got a race car from Weston

And the girls got princess necklaces.

Fun times!

Bryan's car

2011-03-03T14:43:00.000-08:00

I went VTing on monday night...yes I now it was FHe time, but I had not visited with this sister for QUITE a long time and she needed it...so I went...well I took Bryan's car and when I was about done, her neighbor came to the door and said he hit the car!!!!! I was so glad he was honest instead of a hit and run! It was not anything too major, except that you could not open the driver door!!! So after getting insurance info and such we have his car in the shop and he has a rental car! thank goodness this very nice man who hit it had insurance!!!! It turns out the estimate to get the thing fixed is over $1000!!! I am so glad that we are not paying for it! Too bad for the other guy!
But nothing major was done and the car itself seems to be fine...just the cosmetic look was damaged! It was drivable and the wheel well was fine too! Thank goodness!!!! So that is what we are going through this week. Bryan gets to drive a toyota camry...which neither one of us is impressed with. We like our Malibu!

my latest project

2011-03-03T14:38:00.000-08:00

I am way behind on my posts...but I thought I would share my latest project---Kambria's Easter dress. I think it turned out rather good. I am making it so her and her sister can match....now I just need to find a pattern to make her sister one similar...maybe I will have to ask my mother! She always has an idea!

cookie decorating at nonnie's

2011-02-13T19:09:00.000-08:00

My family really gets into their Christmas cookie decorating! EVERYONE participates! Although I do have to say that it gets more fun and exciting as time goes on and once the kids get bored with it and the adults are left to their imaginations! But like I said, everyone gets into it...look at all those cookies we had to decorate. But don't worry we did not eat them all.! Kambria was a pro since we had done ours not but a couple of days before this. She was VERY happy to be the "expert."Weston just needed a little help. But he remembered how to eat them! He ahd no problem with that part! And here is one of the final products...and I thought it was fitting for Bryan! My brother Brady made this one...it is suppossed to be "gingy" from Shrek since Nelson made a Shrek one. I wish I would have taken a picture of all th final products, but somehow I did not. It was a lot of fun and lots of memories were made that night!

Plane ride!!!

2011-02-13T19:03:00.001-08:00

We got to fly home to Colorado for christmas. Weston had his own seat this time and so we thought to make the time go by faster we would watch movies on daddy's lap top. The kids both thought it was a blast. Weston loved playing with the ear phones...although he did not like that he had to share with "bubba" ;o)

Our new bead spread

2011-02-13T19:01:00.000-08:00

Just for memory sake...this is our new bed spread.

Annual christmas cookies

2011-02-13T18:45:00.000-08:00

We had to do our annual Christmas cookie decorating. Weston thought it was great fun...look at that smile! BOTH dimples!

And of course you have to be able to cut out the cookies...

All the fun shapes!

Kambria's helping too!

Weston decorating the cookies with his cute little green apron!

This was Kambria's favorite part.

Our first snow storm in TN

2011-02-13T18:34:00.001-08:00

We were so surprised to see it snowing in december in TN. And everyone told us that we would not need our snow shovels when we first moved here. Little did they know!!! We have had 10 snow school days so far...we will see how many more they come up with! but this was the first one and we thought it was great! Bryan even got work cancelled! It was fun to have him home and have the kids enjoy the snow. We realized that when snow comes here in TN that they are not prepared for it and so everything just shuts down. And then they have all these hills that are RIDICULOUS!!! They have no flat roads which make snow even more difficult.

Ginger bread..graham cracker houses

2011-02-13T18:30:00.001-08:00

We try to do gingerbread houses with the kids every year but it is always easier if we make them out of graham crackers...and the kids think they are just great! This was Weston's first time really helping. Somehow this is the only picture we ended up taking of the event. But it was fun and we enjoyed the activity.

Pictures by the beautiful tree

2011-02-13T18:25:00.000-08:00

Here is our beautiful christmas tree. The kids were even cooperating! It was great and it doesn't look half bad with our orange wall in the background.
We did notice that our tree is always by our piano. Must be a good place for it whenever we have new place to live...which happens more often that not ;o)

Meeting santa

2011-02-13T18:13:00.000-08:00

We decided to take the kids to see Santa at Bass Pro shop. All the other stores around it are closed due to the flooding, but they have reopened and it was quite busy! We waited in line for quite a while, but it was worth it!
Here the kids are posing in front of the snow man! Look at those cheesy grins!!!!

Here we are meeting Santa. We had to do a little coaching to get Weston to stand by Santa. he was crying at first until he saw that Santa had a candy cane to give him if he took a picture with him! It was great. He stopped crying and proceeded to smile! This Santa was good!

After the candy cane we went and saw the big grizzly bear. Weston was a little nervous until we showed him it was not "real," in the sense that it would not hurt him! Of course Kambria was not scared at all!

A nice lady took a family shot for us. So here we all are in front of the grizzly. All you can see is the tummy ;o)

Christmas Parade

2011-02-13T17:59:00.000-08:00

We decided to go to the Nashville Christmas parade. Let me just say that the first 5 minutes of the parade were the best part! We got to see fireworks! Bryan thought they were so good! He wished that was all the parade was. The kids enjoyed themselves and then got too cold near the end so we left before it finished. But they were good and we brought hot chocolate.

These are the el jebels clown cars...

Bryan was trying to get the dinosaur in front of the "batman" building in the back. That is what they call this building in downtown is the batman building due to its two spires!

All in all it was a fun time!

Catch up time...

2011-02-13T17:41:00.001-08:00

I decided that it is time to FINALLY update the blog...it has only been a month and a half! So be prepared there will be a few posts...and long ones. at least a lot of pictures!