Rori at 4 Months

Rori had her 4 month appointment last week and I keep forgetting to post her stats so here goes:

Height: 26 inches = 97%

Weight: 14.5 pounds = 75%

Head: 16 1/2 inches = 60%

She seems to be continuing to follow the same pattern as her brother- LONG. :)

She handled all the shots well and got a good report. They did give us some medicine for acid reflux we can try. Unfortunatley we probably should have tried that months ago, but so it goes. She's never been a spit up baby so it has been hard to tell what what was causing her occasional eating/ nursing issues.

The most exciting news is that she is now allowed to start on some real food. I think that will make Rori very happy. Kai told Santa (after putting in his own request) that Rori would like rice cereal for Christmas. What a nice brother. :)

The Proof

Winter Wonderland

We had a good snow fall on Thursday followed by a good snow dump yesterday. They are saying there is more to come. So, we've been playing in the snow, using the snowblower, bundling up in our warm clothes, drinking hot chocolate, going to Lance's work Christmas party, going to our Church Christmas party !where we had both of our children sit on Santa's lap with no crying- YES!), running holiday errands, and listening to Christmas music. This is a fun time of year.

Matt's Wedding

We took a super quick trip to IL this weekend for my cousin Matt's wedding reception. They had been married in Florida on the beach a few weeks ago. It was great to get to see family. Both of my parents grew up in the same small town where Matt and his new wife Amy live so the reception was full of people that have watched the last few generations of our family grow up. It was a great party and we are excited that Amy is now officially part of the family. Matt and his brother Mike and I have always been close so it was fun to get to have their wives and Lance and I all together. Hopefully next time will be a bit longer so we can enjoy some more time together. A special trip highlight was getting to have my Mom's parents and my Dad's Mom get to meet Rori. Congrats to Matt and Amy!

4 Generations of Girls:


Great Grandpa Michael and the Kiddos:


Aunt Peg and Rori at Lunch:


Playing with Grandma in their Matching Jammies:


Michael & Stacy, Amy & Matt, Ashleigh & Lance:


All Dressed Up with Great Grandma and Grandpa:


Enjoying Time with Great Grandma Evans:


Our Little Family at the Reception:


Sisters:


The Bride and Groom:


The After Party- Enjoying Some of the Wedding Cupcake Cake:

The Tree Is Up

We had a fun night picking out our tree and setting it up this weekend. Kai loved the whole experience from beginning to end. Rori helped pick out the tree and then promptly fell asleep on the cozy warm trip home. The tree has several ornaments on the lower half right section due to Kai's personal arranging. Now our home is feeling very festive and it is really beginning to feel like Christmas time. To top it all off it has even started snowing today.

Baby It's Cold Outside

Many thanks to the Wise Family for this super cute sweater they sent Rori. You guys are so nice. She is styling in the cooler weather we experienced today!

Will It Ever End?

This is what Kai and I have been working on yesterday and today. We've been trying to beat the Winter weather.

Before (we had the grass clear of leaves when we left for our trip):



After (still not great on the sides but better):



Update: Just 2 short hours later and there is already a smattering of leaves again. Sigh- will it ever end?

A Few Quick Favorites

SO excited the night before the Cruise at the Carribean Beach Hotel:


Getting out some energy before we get on the bus that takes us to the ship:


Getting off the Ship for the 1st time at Castaway Cay (Rori was asleep in the stroller):




Rori getting ready for the tropical sun:


Swimming Cousins:


M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E:


Taking a Little Rest:


Take me to the Ball:




Loving finding a new towel animal every night:


A room with a view:


Ready for the Pirate Party:


Cousin Twinners:


It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas?


So much fun at the Mickey Pool:

Some Big Events

We just got back late last night from a magical family trip. We went with Lance's parents and his siblings families on a 7 night Disney Cruise. It was an amazing adventure and experience. Lots of fun, laughs, food, and memories. Rori did well on her first flights and we had to take a tearful Kai off the ship yesterday who kept telling us how he didn't want to leave. Many thanks for this wonderful time. We'll have lots of pictures to come.

While we were away a few more big things happened.

Lance celebrated his 31st birthday in yet another amazing location. Happy Birthday Daddy- We love you!



Ashleigh's cousin Matt married cute Amy (We can't wait to go celebrate with them at their reception).



A couple of good friends welcomed new little ones in to their families which we are very excited about. Yeah!!!

And we all celebrated Thanksgiving. Our Thanksgiving wasn't a traditional one this year- Lobster is not a bad alternative to Turkey-, but we are still very thankful and aware of our many blessings.

And now on to December.........

Weekend Kai-isms

Yelled from the back door as he was putting on his shoes:

"I'm having issues"


When he was getting picked up from nursery at Church:

Kai: "Mom, what baby is that?"

Ash: "It's Rori."

Kai: "Did she get bigger?"

This and That

About 2 weeks ago we had our first big snow tease that Winter will soon be here. Kai and all the neighborhood kids were having a blast in it first thing in the morning:



As quickly as the snow came it left and here is what the ground looked like today while we were raking and mowing:



Kai has really been enjoying coloring and using his kids scissors lately. He can entertain himself with this for quite awhile which is great. After he cuts the pages in to pieces he tells us who each piece is for and then sticks it on our fridge. Here is the product of one of his recent work sessions:



And here is Rori sporting her yellow polka dot outfit (my friend Rebecca sent this and I love it because when I think yellow and happy I totally think Rebecca):

Hanging Out in the Crib

Halloween 2008- The Conclusion

Another Halloween has come and gone. This was another great one. We finished up the festivities with a party at our Church for all the little kids in the neighborhood that are not yet in elementary school and trick-or-treating with the Wilkinsons. Kai and Amanda just went up our street and down another but they got quite the loot. I think the cuteness factor really benefited them as people just kept stuffing candy in their bags. How can you resist two 3 year old towheads? Then we came home and handed out candy which may have been just as exciting to Kai. And now on to Novemeber...

Halloween Party 08:




Fall is Falling:
(I bet this isn't a 10th of the leaves that have yet to come down in our backyard)


Think of all of the Doctor and Golf jokes that would work with this picture:


Trick-or-Treating in the Neighborhood: