A Carat? Or Carrots?

Good story behind this one. Derrick and I were talking about diamonds the other day. I said something about getting a carat diamond ring (in jest, I assure you!!) Derrick told me he would get me a whole bag of carrots, if thats what I wanted. Flash foward to valentines day. Derrick goes out to get my present, comes in and takes riley to the front of the house with him. Next thing I know, here comes my innocent little two year old, carrying a bad of carrots. Nice touch, Derrick...At this point I am just waiting for my card, so Riley and I start eating the carrots. I look down at her, and she is wearing this necklace around her neck! I was so shocked and so suprised! And Derrick gave it to me so cute! I am scrapbooking this one for sure.....


<---- And my picture wall is done! Woo hoo! Well maybe not done, but we have all the current pics hung, which is a good feeling! We actaully have things on the wall in the back room, besides the new TV! I tried to take a better picture, but I had to stand all the way in the other corner just to get this shot!

So, nothing much eventful planned for the weekend. I am working on Cindy's maternity scrapbook, so I am hoping to get some of that done. I dont have much left to do, but what I have left is leaving me clueless on titles, so I am kind of procrastinating. I am wokring on her 5 month page now, and I think that I have pictures of the room, some sono pics and her birth story left. Other than that I should be almost done!! An'd m'y scrapbook room is a mess to prove the fact that I hav[e been working busily. I apologi[ze for all the little punctuations going on, but Riley is helping me type!

Alright....off to start a load of laundry.... and mom, I only have two loads left!! :)

<----this is what heppens when Riley gets overly excited by my flash popping up on my camera!








<---happy first valentines day....






<----yumm.







<----Riley opening her mail.






<---Chase and his goofy scrunchy nose face.

The start of an upload....

<---tell me these two are not two peas in a pod

<---cute, cute, cute.


<--- So my flash pops up on my new camera. If Riley is anywhere in the area she has to charge the camera yelling "I turn of flashlight" and shut the flash for me. Thats what she is duing in this picture....I am uploading come to my camera that are even better.....

The one thing my sisters taught me in life.....

<--- was to french braid.... I am just excited I got to do my little girls hair this way!!!






<---overdramatic smile, I know. But still cute.






<---up on our hands....He can even get on his knees and rock now...





<----cutie pie






<----aaaahhhh. I have taught her to scrapbook. Daddy can kiss the money goodbye.





So. My sisters didnt actaully teach me to french braid, but they did provide somewhat willing heads of hair. If I remember right Vanessa was a lot more tenderheaded than Chandra. But Vanessa always had TONS of tangles (sorry love, but its true). Chandra had the best hair for french braiding, but she wouldnt let me do it very often. Riley was patient, but was ready for me to get it over with. As long as she had her stickers, she was fine.

We took the kids to Champaign today. Riley and I went to Michaels together, where we bought TONS of stickers for her. She is in sticker heaven. Any peice of paper she can find is covered with stickers. We are just lucky she hasnt gotten to Chase or the dog. Yet.

Chase has an awful rash on his face. We have been putting vasaline on it at night and it looks better in the morning. But then it starts all over again. We are not sure if he has a food allergy, or if its from teething and drooling so much.

Alright. Derrick is trying to hook up the new speakers, which require him to be behind the desk, so I have to move....

Pictures....

<---little man







<--- even barbie princess cheerleaders cry sometimes







<---but the eventually cheer up. Usually with the promise of a cookie......





<---everyone calm. This doesnt happen often.






<----awww. they love eachother.





Okay... I'm going to upload some more....

new pics

<---pretty little princess






<---cute little boy







<--- Riley is seriously tired of my new camera

New pics for you.....

More later....

just a few pics...

<-----little mans pretty eyes







<----pinkie pie. you know you wish you had one!







<--- little alligator







<---- little alligator again.....






<--- lovin bathtime.....





nothing much to report here. another uneventful day.... i have chase on my lap "helping" to type. i think the little guy must be teething as he seems so uncomfy lately....

off to find baby tylenol....

Want a Cupcake??

<---hmmm. This is pretty good.






<----yep. Love this icing.







<---you really want a bite????







<--- I wonder if there are more up there on the counter?




<--- I wish I had a cupcake. I guess I will settle for bouncing.




I am so in love with this camera! I feel like I can take actual close ups of the kids. And did you notice? No red eye! Not that I didnt like my other camera, this just has more of the artistic capability that I am looking for right now. And? Its nicer than dads camera. So I win! Neener Neener Neener, dad.

Not much going on here. First day back to work. Man was it hard to get up. The sad thing was, I only had to work half a day, and I am off tomorrow! Crazy I tell you. I work half a day Friday, and then I am done till Monday. Then of course, off Tuesday. My paycheck is going to absolutly suck, but oh well!!

Okay. I am in the midst of a new page and Derrick wants the computer....

some pics...

<--- Riley bug. Cute as can be.








<--- Little man. Well not so little anymore.





<---Everything is better with gummi's







<---- in love with this picture.






<---Aunt Ann and Riley doing hair together.





Hope everyone had a good Christmas! We spent most of our time here this year, which was nice! We opened presents last night, and Derrick got me the new camera that I have been wanting FOREVER. Well I have been wanting a Digital Rebel forever, but he got me the XTi! I am so in love with it, and am already taking TONS of pictures! I have yet to venture far from auto mode, but I am content to play!

I think that the kids enjoyed all their gifts! They were spoiled for sure, and loved every minute of it! Mom and Dad came down tonight with Chandra and Aunt Ann. It was so nice to see everyone! I think that Riley really enjoyed the extra company, once she warmed up!

OKay. I know its lame, but I am already tired... off to bed!!

Merry Christmas!!!!

Lovin' the Bumbo Chair

Okay so its not a real bumbo, its a Walmart knock-off. All the same. Chase is loving this little chair! Its so cute to watch him sit, like a little man, and just take it all in! And eat a giraffe. That poor little giraffe will never be the same! I think he spent a good 25 minutes chewing on it! Good thing his sister was sleepig--she would have never tolerated this sharing of toys!

I'm home today. Its my every other Thursday off. Its cold and icky, but I have not really decided what we will do today. I need to run to the outlet mall, but I am thinking that I may wait until Derrick gets home, so I have a little break at that point. It seems like a good day to stay in jammies and just stay home. We do have to run to the post office though, so I know we wont get to stay in all day. Its already 9:30 though, and none of us are dressed. Chase is sleeping, so we may just wait until he gets up to run our errands!

Almost done with the Christmas projects! Its such slow moving for me. I need to finish our Christmas cards and a couple gifts for other people we know. Other than the few last minute touches, we are pretty much done. Its a good feeling!

Alright. Off to acomplish something. Anything.

some days all you need is a good pair of heels and a flyswatter.....

<----case in point. This child keeps me laughing!










<----helping to decorate the tree. She has since undecorated and decorated parts of it again. And again.








<---i force Riley to take pics like this with me. Why not Chase?








Nothing much to report here. We are in the middle of the hustle and bustle of Christmas! Work is crazy as ever as every single college student needs their wisdom teeth out over break. We are booking into the middle of January now, just for consults!

We have been working with Chase to get him to sleep through the night again. Poor little man! He is so used to getting up at 2:45, and we are trying to break him of the habit. We know he can sleep through the night. Its just getting him to remember it!

Derrick is crazy at work. I guess when you are right in the shopping meca of Champaign-Urbana, thats what happens! I thought about doing some last minute shopping tonight, but decided to come home and spend some time with the beans instead. I think that we have enough holiday gatherings in the next couple weeks that I just wanted to spend some time with them!

Alright... off to work on some cards....