This week: Ashlyn's turns 4!

The Omaha weather has been quite surprising! On Monday we hung outside with the Van de Graaf's (I never spell their name right). It was beautiful and probably 55-60 degrees! So different than our winter last year... so far.

Ashlyn, once again, getting her groove on.

ASHLYN's BIRTHDAY! She was given many gifts and was so happy!

She was nice enough to share this big coloring book with Brinley. On the left is the camera that she was given that Jenny used on her mission. She has loved taking lots and lots of pictures!

We went bowling with the Van de Graaf's. Unfortunately this is the only picture we got.

Ashlyn and I got some one-on-one time and went to the Gardens. They had a Lego exhibit going on (we didn't know about it) but we had so much fun! Ashlyn and I built this snowman together.

A lifesize Lego gardener!

We all love birthday cake!

We love to play a game that I played in my family  growing up. One person goes out of the room and changes something about their appearance. Then they come back in and everyone else has to guess what it is. Ashlyn has really grown to love this game. She is actually pretty good at it. She even figured out what was different about this picture below when I came back in. (I unbuttoned my shirt...jk).

Silly faces!

Our cute Claire! She is smiling more often and has become a fun little baby. I've even got her laughing a couple times. We felt like she was spitting up more and possibly had acid reflux. Jenny asked for a prescription from the Dr. and she has been so much better since then! Yay! She has slept through the night the last three nights!

Brinley and Ashlyn were arguing about who got to sit on the storage bucket. Ashlyn was nice enough to go and get the Bumbo to solve the problem.

Here's my fun case for the week. I posted this on dentaltown.com and got some great feedback. I am realizing that I need to spend more time learning about clinical procedures rather than developing my business plan. I definitely have a passion for both but will let business take the back seat for the next year.

And last but not least we found out that Maren has become engaged to David! Congrats you two! Welcome to the family David!

Christmas Vacation!

On our way! For the trip we bought a set of 2 portable DVD players and they were great to have! It was our first time driving in the van too and it was great. We had a good amount of room and it was fun to sit in the back and watch a movie with the girls. Ashlyn and Brinley got along great. Brinley likes to hold our hand when she gets fussy in the car. Ashlyn was a great sister and held her hand to make her feel better.

Grandma Martinson left her dentures out again...

LATE NIGHTS!

Claire got to meet her cousins and aunts uncles. Sawyer enjoyed her company.

Ashlyn, Brinley and I (Derek) went and had fun at a park!

Watching "The Snowman" cartoon movie. One of my personal favorites during Christmas.

A great gift! Papertowels cut in half so I don't have to rip them in half on my own! (Tammy's way of making fun of me for being a cheapskate.)

Fun at Granny's house!

Christmas Eve Jammies!

New princesses!

Ashlyn's initial reaction was too thrilling when she opened this doll from Grandma Martinson. She was expecting a bow and arrow like Merida (Brave). 

Although she warmed up to the doll as soon as she saw Brinley playing with hers.

We all know that the best toys are actually just the packages that the toys came in.

Ashlyn has enjoyed wearing her new outfit to gymnastics and dance!

Grandma Martinson never passed up an opportunity to hold Claire. (Even though she was spit up on several times.)

New dress ups!

Baby Claire's blessing day!

Martinsons

Granny and Gramps Williams

Great Grandma and Grandpa Robertson

Williams and Robertson Great Grandparents

Claire met her cousin Amberlin!

Whenever Claire stops breathing, Brinley is quick to start mouth to mouth resuscitation!

Brinley sure missed Amberlin.

 Never passing up an opportunity to be the star of the show! Our little performer!

Tea Party at Nana's with Frozen cupcakes!

 "Wow! What did you put in this punch!?"

New Year's Eve! Tammy put together a basket full of fun prizes that we could choose after winning different "Minute to Win it" type challenges. We had a blast!

Ashlyn loved getting violin tips from Aunt Maren!

Sledding at Peteetneet school in Payson.

Aubrey was so nice to pull Ashlyn around!

My Love Gift to Trevor this year!

He wore it to Chic-Fil-A!

And even approached two girls and asked for their numbers! What a dude!

Ashlyn listening to David and Maren sing and play guitar.

Ashlyn loved spending time with Nana.

Trevor with baby Claire.

I couldn't find the girls one Sunday afternoon until I went downstairs to Uncle Trevor's room!

Grandpa's favorite Christmas gift?

Of course! He loves his granddaughter! 

We were spoiled with gifts! We barely fit everything in the van on the way home! Thanks to all our family who made the visit so fun!

Unfortunately we ran out of gas on the way home! The GPS said there was a gas station coming up soon and it turned out that it had been closed down for years. We didn't have enough gas to get to the next gas station so we opted to use the remaining gas to keep the car warm while we waited for help. We have Triple AAA roadside assistance. It took 3 hours but they did come. There was another guy who actually came with gas right about the same time. He actually called me later that night to make sure we made it to our destination safely. So kind! And thank goodness for those DVD players!

Home Again!