Ashlyn

Ashlyn Grace is our middle child.  She is an expert negotiator, the family sibling peacemaker, hysterically funny, an exceptional artist, and really one of the sweetest children I have ever met.  She loves to paint, and draw and color and basically do anything with art.  She really seems to have a talent for it as well.  She is also an amazing "cuddler," loves the Magic Treehouse books, and has a great interest in cupcakes.  I can't believe she's 8, but I'm loving every stage.  I'm excited to see what kind of girl she has yet to become.  Ashlyn is very forthright and doesn't hold anything back, but like her dad, she has a way of telling you the blunt truth without hurting your feelings.  Jay and I always laugh at how she can tell Quinn to stop doing something annoying and he will immediately stop and say, "ok Ashlyn."  But, if anyone else tells him the same thing he puts up a fight.  Ashlyn definitely has a charm about her that makes her irresistible.

Ashlyn, Age 8

Favorite TV Shows--Phineas and Ferb, Cupcake Wars, Wipeout
Favorite Toys--persons, legos, stuffed animals
Favorite Food--broccoli alfredo
Favorite Pastime--painting
Favorite School Subject--Math
Favorie Song--Home, Phillip Phillips
Dream Vacation--Paris, France
Career Ambition--Artist

Quinn

So my baby boy Quinn Thomas turns 6 years old today.  It's such a cliche to say how quickly time goes by, but it's so true.  Quinn may have started off the first two weeks of his life in the NICU but he has certainly grown by leaps and bounds since his early arrival.  Quinn is smart (freakishly so), funny, already a talented musician, an amazing little brother, and a sweet and kind son.  I hope he never loses that sweetness about him, but I'm sure if he does, his charm and good looks will carry him through...hahahah.

Quinn's Favorites, Age 6

Favorite TV show---Busytown Mysteries (though, I have to say he rarely watches TV...it's odd.  There have been times when I've begged him to watch television so I could get a break, but he prefers playing or reading over tv...I'm not complaining, I just find it strange.

Favorite Toys--persons (which are basically all of his character toys that don't belong to a particular group...squishy animals, fast food toys, robots all fall into that category), Legos, Matchbox cars.

Favorite Food--strawberries, chicken, and broccoli alfredo

Favorite Pastime--"screen time"...this kid loves time on the Ipad and computer.  He plays Smurfs Village on the Ipad and some of his favorite websites are Webkinz, Club Penguin, and Animal Jam

Favorite School Subject---Science

Favorite Songs--Moon, Moon, Moon--The Laurie Berkner Band, Little Lion Man--Mumford and Sons, Movces Like Jagger--Maroon 5

Dream Vacation--Outer Banks...I asked him to pick a place he's never been, but would like to go, but he still insisted that the Outer Banks would always be his favorite...I couldn't agree more

Guilty Pleasure---eating paper 

Career Ambition---Roller Coaster Designer...He is serious about this one as well as unwavering..

Other random things Quinn takes great interest in--Maps, Lighthouses, Combs

This Quilt

I started working on this quilt for my friends Katelyn and Drew a while ago.  I've only ever made one quilt before and it was only a sample size (about the size of a crib blanket).  This was my first "throw-sized" quilt...I think it turned out nicely.  I love the fabrics I picked.  I really have no idea how to quilt and I'm not lying when I say that if I can make a quilt ANYONE can.  I took a basic quilting class about 8 years ago (WOW!) but I never even finished the course.  So anyway, here's the finished product....

hahaha Jay holding up the quilt

I want this to stay on this rocking chair