Stats

I realize I am way behind on posting Ashton well check stats. I know no-one cares about this, but this is my scrapbook and it needs to be here!

I don't think I ever posted the 12month ones, but I can't find them now, so here are his 15 month ones (from a month ago).

23lbs 10oz (36%)
33in (93%)

Long and lean. Just like Emy.

Ashton's first haircut

This post is really really late. His first haircut was over a month ago. Oops.

I really really delayed Ashton's first haircut because I loved the shaggy hair and curls. I knew that once he had a big boy haircut the curls would be gone forever. I was just not ready yet. But his bangs kept getting in his eyes. And I could not handle that. So, off we went to Cool Cuts.

The woman was so nice and completely understood. She took about an inch off all the way around but still left it shaggy and showed me how to style it to make the curls come back:)

Before:

After:

Christmas 2011 Recap- Part 2

Christmas day! We went through our family tradition of letting the kids do stockings while we wait for the rest of the family to come over. The kids loved digging through everything.

Family came over about 8:30am and we dug into the presents shortly there after.

Santa brought Ashton a cozy coupe. I knew this would be a hit. I knew Emerson would want it too even though it is not age appropriate. I seriously considered ordering her a pink one to spare myself the arguing. I decided not to. Santa brought her a pink razor scooter instead. She liked it for 5 minutes and then got discouraged. Later that night in the bath I asked her what her favorite gift was. She told me it was the Leap Pad. (Duh!) I asked her what she thought about her scooter. "I don't like it", she said. Plain as day. Awesome. Oh well, hoping that she will grow into it when she has more practice.

Oh, and I have been breaking up lots of fights over the dang car. As expected.

In other big Christmas news, I was in charge of the meal this year. This is a big deal since I am not known for my cooking skills. I was really nervous, but I planned ahead and think it was a success. The food was eaten. Praises were given. And no one got sick!

Stockings!

Inspecting the cozy coupe. You should have seen Ashton run to this thing. It was a hit from the beginning.

First 5 minutes of scooter love.

One of my favorite pictures from Christmas!

A new police car. To go with his police car cozy coupe.

I did not take any pictures of the food. Bummer since I was so proud. At least I got a little table setup.

Gebhardt boys just hanging out. These three have the BEST relationship. I love watching them together.

The pictures abruptly stop after this. I was so worn out after the cooking extravaganza that I became "off duty" the rest of the evening:)

We had a fabulous Christmas and I hope that you did too!

Christmas 2011 Recap- Part 1

I am seriously behind on blogging. I knew this fall would be insane with the business but insane is an major understatement. Good news is that I survived! Bad news is that I am behind on lots of little things...like blogging. I have several posts to catch up on but I figure I should do Christmas first and then work backward.

I really made an effort to photograph a little more of Christmas with my family. I LOVE photography. Obviously. But I am terrible about catching the everyday moments in my family. Terrible. I am always so worried about making the moments look good. Perfect lighting. Perfect set up. Etc. Well, we all know that real life is just not perfect. I cannot set up my home and children on one permanent photo shoot. Enter one of my 2012 resolutions: Shoot more of the everyday with my kids.

Anyways, I did not to a fabulous job by any means, but I did better. I think.

We had 10 at our house for Christmas. Parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, kids. It was a zoo. And full of love. And I would not have had it any other way.

All of the family was in town several days before Christmas and several days after. It gave us lots of time to enjoy family and just be together. It was exactly what we all needed this year.

A few days before Christmas, just hanging out outside.

The ONLY picture I am in from the holidays this year.

Seeing the beautiful Chesapeake lights

Emerson and Uncle Scott in front of the Chesapeake tree.

Christmas eve was spent hanging out and playing games.

Of course, Ashton wanted to be where the food was.

All dressed up before Christmas eve service. Clearly Ashton wanted to be in the picture.

Emerson and "Miss Melody". She is Scott's long time girlfriend and praticaly a member of our family. We just love her and Emerson is slightly obsessed.

After Christmas eve service and dinner. A little love from grandmom.

One of my most favorite Christmas traditions is that my grandmother reads the Night Before Christmas to the kids. I made capturing this an absolute priority.

After the kids are in bed. Gifts are assembled. The tree is organized (thanks Scott). Lights out.

Christmas day is in part 2!