Night Night!!

This is Nickolas. His favorite thing to do is roll around in his 'jammies' , lay in bed ,and watch Movies!!

While Jeffrey and I have strict rules about them not sleeping with us... they are drawn to our bed!! I couldn't help but think it has to do with the fact we have night stands!!!

This is what he had been using for his 'night' stand... we have to use the nebulizer more often then not... so we ususally just leave it out!

It was a chair from this table and chairs 'set'... notice the other chair is missing?! It is currently in the kicthen being used to reach things he isn't supposto reach!

We had this little beauty in the garage! I decided to clean it up and stick it next to his bed! When we re-do his room in January it will get a fresh coat of paint!

I put it next to his bed with a lamp, alarm clock, and of course no night stand is complete without a picture of the ones you love.... aka:mom and dad!

Here is the finished product!!! Not to bad for about 15 minutes all together!

Couldn't keep him out of his bed ALL day!!! I would say it is a HIT! Although, I do feel a little sorry for the lamp... it has gotten more action in the last 24 hours then in its whole life span so far! Who would have known that one itty bitty old night stand would make a little boy sooo happy!!!

Carpe Diem!

xo-Ash

Cookie Day!!!!

Q: What's better than cookie day at Gigi's?!

A:NOTHING!!!!!!

Here is Charli ready for allof the fun

(Nicko was checking out the peanut butter cookies)

All the cookies were baked!!

The table was set... we had every kind of sprinkel, icing, and even CANDY!!!

....and they're off!!!!!

I had all of these great dreams of flying sprinkles... sugar highs... possibly a side smile towards me for letting them all make such a huge mess......

Well.... non of the above happend!! This held their attention for about 15 mintes.... each decorated about 1-2 cookies....

However they did eat tons of sprinkles!!!

Even us moms had to get in on the action!!!!

Hey! Someone had to decorate all those cookies I 'oh-so' carefully baked!!!

No one tell Uncle Matt... JADE had a blast!!! She had chocolate icing! Girl after my own heart!

If this isn't the most onry face ever... I don't know what is! He LOVE my homemade ginger bread cookies!

This was the first ever cookie day at my house.... We plan to keep the tradition going! Next year we will be adding 3 more to the table...Josh, Charli, and Brinley!! Making memories and traditions is one of the best parts about being a Mom and an aunt! Thank you little fellas for making us laugh and giving us an excuse to play with icing and sprinkles!

Tons of sprinkles: can't remember!

12 Pac of 'da-pepper': $4

4 tubs of icing: $6

Disposable table cloth: $3
The sight of 3 little boys having a blast with each other and the laughter that filled my home that morning: PRICELESS!!

Until next time... CARPE DIEM

XO-Ash

Taylors Christmas Program...

Whats the best part about being a Gigi??? Why... it is getting to sit on the side lines cheering on your newphew as he is the shining star up on stage ringing his bells and singing his little heart out!!! well.... ookkkk... you got me! It wasn't the side lines and he wasn't the only kid up there... and well yes he might not have sung at the top of his lungs!!! BUT-- he is one heck of a bell ringer!!

(The big star before his performace)

I was blessed enough to be invited to his annual Indiana Ave PDO christmas program this morning!!!! Each class gets up and they sing along to christmas music!!! They either shake shakers or ringing their little bells!!

(in his class room before hand... finally stood still enough for a picture!!)



Here is the proud mama of 1 and a 1/2!! HAHAH Amanda and Brinley!!

Here is TB up on stage... I couldn't be any more proud! Last year I think he stood there in total shock!! Apparently he was in total Christmas gear this morning... but after a brief incident with toohpaste and mouth wash he had to change his shirt!! HAHAH Takes after his geeg!!

... and here he is after his big singing debute!!! Very humble!

He and his 'Pada'!! Our kids have some of the best grandparents.. NEVER miss a thing!

... AND GRANNA JOE!!! DON'T THEY LOOK PROUD!

Of course he had to 'refule' after such a daunting performance! I went and stole him out of class to get a cookie... Hey! What else is a Gigi for?!

.. and the best aunt EVER!!! Too bad I had to hold his face to take this picture...

He is back in class... safe and sound!!!

AH! I love the holidays and all the random little thigns that come with it! Once christmas event down... only a million more to go....

until next time... CARPE DIEM!

XO-Ash

**Note: No children, munchkins, adults ,and/or christmas trees were hurt in the making of this program and blog!**

To be or not to be....

Productive that is.... see after my last blog entry(yes I know I only had 2!!) the nasty string of stomach bug that was lurking around Lubbock hit our house hold... and it all went down hill from there!!! Alot has happend since my last posting!! We had Halloween (pics in this blog), Finding out we are going to have a new NEICE in the family Ms. Brinley!!!, and Cookie day at gigi's(blog to follow on that...)!!! This is the big 1 year old JADE!!! She had a costume party...

...hence this picture!! No we don't normally dress this goofy... well at least the kids and I don't!!

Ah! Cousin Connor!!! He and Nicko visted my mother in law at her work for a 'carnival'!! They had their futures read by some cheesy lady with a fish bowl turned up side down to look like a 'glass ball'!!

...and there is TB!!! Sweet TB... NEVER a dull moment with him!!! He was Ironman and Nicko was Woody! In this picture they are currently waiting patiently (and when I say patiently.. I mean extremely impatiently) in line for the jumper at the church trunk or treat parking lot carnival!!

AWWW... my little papillion! She didn't much care for the whole costume thing! Maybe next year I can talk her into Cindy Lauper!!

Here is just a few pics of the kiddos in the last few months!! Nicko was helping me clean the windows!! In his words "I good helpers mama"!!




Charlis' Baptism morning!! Don't they look excited?!

...and here they are 'helping' me get ready in the bathroom!!

Until next time... Hopefully tomorrow... but no promises...

CARPE DIEM!!

xo-A

Some of my favorites.....

Have you ever found something that you LOVE LOVE LOVE SOO MUCH that you buy stupid amounts??? You think everyone in America should own some... but at the same time you want to keep the secreat to yourself?! So that you are secreatly the coolest person on the face of the earth!!???!!! For me that little... ok who am I kidding.. BIG weakness is SCENTSY!!! I love it soo much that I have 6... yes 6 warmers at my house alone! This does not count the one I have at the shop.

There is one in almost every room in my house... to achieve this personal goal I only need to purchase 2 more!!

OOPS! I forgot to rotate the picture as I was uploading!!!





My favorite scent is 'enchanted mist' followed closly by some 'blueberry cheesecake'. Although for you Circle E- Birds of paradise fans out there... 'pomegranet' smells almost identical!!

Amongst beautiful warmers they have room sprays, scent circles, and little sachet packs you can put in your lingerie drawer!!!

Lets just say that at my sister in laws launch party (yes how lucky for Jeffrey that someone in our family is now selling... gotta support!!) I plan to get a few more 'enchanted mist' items ;)

Next on my list is Sol-u-guard. This pretty little beauty showed up at my house how all great things do... IN A PACKAGE!!EEK!! We can thank my sister for this one.

While I have several things in the set... this is my FAV! I feel like it cleans really well but yet it smells just like an Herb garden. Take me straight to Fredericksburg baby!



Do you ever get frustrated cleaning glass???

THIS IS YOUR ANSWER! Right after having princess this summer my mom spend a couple of weeks with me helping me out... and went to go clean some glass and all but laughed at me when I told her to use the clear bottle and YELLOW RAG!!! Needless to say she came back in announcing that she was going to stop by 'The Cleaning House' on her way home and pick up some of 'that stuff'! The best part about the liquid is that as long as you keep that bottle they fill it back up FOR FREE!!! I don't know exactly what it is about 'that yellow' rag that makes my glass (and stainless steel appliances) shine. Spray, wipe, and sit back to watch the birds come flying in... or try to!






COFFEE....COFFEE...COFFEE

Well HELLO!!! It IS the best part about waking up! While I enjoy my latte's and some flavored creamer... most mornings you will catch me drinking it black. I don't mean just black, but I like it to almost rot your teeth and stomach with one swig!! The best invention (in my humble opinion) would be the timer on the pot...! This particular pot was purchased on the dammaged rack at bed bath and beyone... yes I did take a voctory lap! I got it for less than 1/2 price!! WOO HOO! Keeps it nice and warm and as I walk by I just plop my cup, push the lever, and enjoy a nice hot steamy cup-o-joe! Which bring me to another item...

THE COFFEE CUP

Another item we can thank my sister for. She purchased me one just like this to keep my my hair color brushes in at the shop. I loved it so much that had to scoot out to Hobby Lobby and pick one up. You would think just any 'ole cup will do, but you would be wrong! This one balances perfectly in between your fingers. Doesn't get too heavy to hold with one hand for long periods of time. Handel is big enough so that you don't get burned knuckles when you have a fresh cup. And last but certainly not least hold a decent amount. This one will last my whole make up time. I don't have to leave the bathroom to re-fill!!









LAST NOT NOT LEAST!!!!!!! Hey... the cup was part of the pot, you can't have coffee with out a cup!!!

I got the bright idea to put hooks in the laundry room to hang up my purse, diaper bag, and Nickos backpack!!! ONE OF THE BEST THINGS I DID!!! I no longer lose my purse around the house, and it is the perfect height to go through with out having to move it out to another surface!

For the kids I kept forgetting things before we would leave the house... so my sweet Gramps cut me a few pieces of board that I sprayed with 'chalk board paint' to make little notes at night!!! It has actually helped ALOT... at least it makes me feel a little organized!!

Working on my photography skills as I go.... One day I will get better. You will know I have become my dad when a series of 'cloud' pictures appear!!! Until Monday... Carpe Diem! Have a good weekend!

xo-Ash

Spookalicious

DISCLAMER: I AM IN NO WAY A PHOTOGRAPHER, BUT I DO PROMISE TO WORK ON MY MAD OOPS I MEAN BAD SKILLS....

**WOODY HAT**

Spookalicious.... for those of you "diva challenged" it is 'spook' and 'delicious' combined!! We don't really get into halloween much around here other than taking full advantage of the food/candy, weather, and the cheesy (way over priced) costumes for the kids!

**The infamous costume.. don't get jealous**

This year the pressure is on for costumes seeing as our sweet little neice Jade is turning one and is having a 'costume party' (pics to come after the party)! After one lap around the costume store Nick-0 chose the "dinosaur" costume from Dinosaur train... UBER DORKY!!! AND $30!!! YIKES! We sweetly persuaded him towards the 'woody' costume in hopes that teamed up with one of his cousins (that claimed the buzz costume) we could atleast get some pricesless pictures to use as blackmail when they start dating!!!

**Charli in her spookalicious shirt I made!!**

Charli? you ask... Why yes... she will participating this year too (although I am sure her big bro will be more than excited to help her when it comes to candy). She will be sporting a very adorable butterfly costume!! I am hopeing to get atleast ONE picture that is post worthy!! Until tomorrow ...Carpe Diem!

xo- Ashley