Great Wolf Lodge

We got the chance to go to an event tonight at this fun, indoor, water park. Our friend, Andrea, volunteers her time for Big Brother/Big Sisters of Arlington. Tonight, they were honoring these volunteers by an evening out with your families. Andrea invited us to go and the only thing that would have made this night better would have been for her to come too! We thank you so much, we had a great time and we loved swimming in January.

For some reason, gates wanted her pic taken with this kid. She didn't play with him, talk to him, but he is a doll.

my 2 guys liked it. Alan loved this place. Makes me excited for the summer.


gates was brave. Loved the thrill slides.
Water lover

Old friends

These girls have been friends since college. Amanda's dad passed away recently and so we wanted to get together and just celebrate his life and let her know we love her. There were some special guys present but they didn't want to be photographs.

DECEMBER brought a lot of fun days and nights.

Here is a picture of Gates, Katherine, and Hayley. They are the kids of Anne Marie, and she is not into baby beauty queens. Her little Katherine was Vixen the reindeer in a play. Gates and I went to watch her very good performance. Little cutie.

Christmas morning Skype with the Oakleys
the trains at Northpark. Alan liked watching all of the action.
Preschool Chistmas party.

Alan turned one on november 29. We had a train party for him the first weekend in December. I hadn't gotten my new camera yet, so my pictures are limited, but here are a few!

this birthday boy LOVES cake!

This was the front of the thank you notes I sent out.
The birthday boy and grandeur in the train.
a picture of the train. It was fun. Even in the rain...

What I photographed before I had bambinos.

I am trying to learn how topmost pictures to my blog via my iPad. While attempting to learn how, I (Jenny). Discovered I already had a photobucket account. Here are the pictures that were in it. Here are the subjects of my photography before I had kiddos!

Amy, sitting so close to dunc. Maybe she's the one responsible for the next picture... ;)
drunk dunc
Duncan

Kristin, preburke

My dad playing at pf changs

lovely Gods and Goddesses under the influence.

winged raptor

Brandon's surprise 30th birthday party. Mark under the mask. Although everyone was sporting Brandon masks!

Courtnee prekid when she flew... ;)

New Years 2012... Gonna be a good one!

Goodbye to 2011.

One of the best years in my memory.

Goodbye, and may you be followed by an equally delightful year.

In January, we had a tiny little fella with us wherever we went. We learned about sharing and including a precious new family member.

We lost Brandon's beloved grandmother in february. This was a sad time, but the way the family came together and celebrated the life of this lovely lady was amazing. She left quite a legacy with her family, I know because I am married to a great one. We have all spent time remembering Margaret, and laughing at different stories.

March = madness.

In April, we had a tremendous trip to Disney world. One of our blessings babysat Alan, and we were able to crash a trip that our dear friends had been planning.

So, the spring brought many things that contributed to a happy year. I went back to work in May. I was much less conflicted this go around. I seemed to enjoy it more, and appreciate it for what it was. An opportunity to do my own thing, and sleep all night!!!

The summer was nice. Nice and hot. We took Alan on his first plane ride to McAllen. He dug it. Gates got to chew gum on the plane, and now tells me that I will get to have gum, when I'm going to work.

By the time fall rolled around, and I got into the habit of writing 2011, I couldn't get over how fast the year was going. I turned 35 (how). And my brother turned 40 (seriously)???? This year was flying warp speed ahead.

This made me realize that life is too short to worry about things I can't control. To be mad at people for things they didn't mean. To get off of antidepressants. To not accept help and love that is surrounding me.

Live life. Be positive. Love your people. Drop grudges. Stay medicated. Be patient ( not that I can). Count blessings. Bad things happen. But so do good things. Let's focus on those, and hopefully 2012 will be an even better year!!!

My boy is one. Where has the year gone? It has been the fastest of my life. We went to the doctor today. Alan is looking good. There are a few things mama needs to work on. I was so good with Gates about taking the bottle away and putting her down to bed awake. I was good about feeding her. So, I am on a mission to ditch the bottle, let him cry it out, and letting him eat what I feed him.

Alan weighs 25lbs 7 oz

He is 32 1/2 inches long.

And still cute as a bug.

first haircut

My little fella is blessed with hair! He is also blessed with a hairdressing grandmother. Brandon and I decided that even though Halloween is approaching, we would rather he not look like Mike Meyers, thus a haircut. He got a little snip. He looks pretty cute without hair hanging in his ears. No worries, I have always thought he was cute. Mike Meyers or no.

dentist

I took my sweet darling to the dentist yesterday. I was so nervous to take her. I was envisioning screaming, or kicking, biting, or gagging. To my pleasure, the gal was perfect. She was still (so unusual), nice, and paying attention.

This morning when I did her hair and got her dressed, I dressed up like a dentist.

I can not believe my sweet guy is already 9 months. He is doing well, tender hearted and kind and CALM!!! He is very much like his dad. He looks like him, I am told.
His size at 9 months old are
Height: 31 and 3/4 inches
Weight 23 pounds.

Big, Tall, and Perfect (if you ask me)

MEET THE TEACHER

We had meet the teacher at Gates's school. She is going Tuesday and Thursday to The Red Apple School. She really seemed to like both of her teachers, and the classroom itself. She was a champ while Brandon and I went to the orientation, and did not want to leave when we came back. I am hearing some pretty funny things coming out of her mouth re: school. I for one can not wait to see the exciting things that this new adventure holds for my girl.

Well, I am a copycat. I decided to get on the stick and try and catch up on blogging. Like Jenny.

So, We have been super busy and having loads of fun this summer. The fouth was awesome. Alan had his first plane ride and enjoyed it. Gates is totally into flying and likes to pretend she is wheeling her suitcase to the airport. I wonder why? We had a great time down south with Brandon's family.

Our friends have been full of fun lately. having babies, getting married, getting pregnant, moving into new houses, and getting engaged!! So, we have been having some fun celebrating and look forward to more excitement.

Our baby boy is 8 months old! My time flies. He is a dear. Totally sweet, cute, smart, and perfect. He just started to crawl today! Gates loves to call him. Like a dog.

Gates is great. She is going to start preschool in the fall and we are all pretty excited about this next step. Currently, she is excited about her trip to the circus. Next week. I am excited too!

Pictures to come. As soon as I get a new computer. And camera. :)

Alan Robinius Oakley is Baptized

It was Alan's big day to receive the holy sacrament of baptism. He did great. It was a wonderful day with our friends and family and we could most definitely feel God's blessing on us.

At the church. Jenny and Jon Hake are the godparents to Alan.

Godparents and Alan

Gates and her godmother.

Gates and Keelan

Clayton

It got soooo hot in our house. The fellas cooled off in this manner. Seriously, I came inside and these three, their dad, and Jack were wrapped up in these towels. I asked if that trick was something Jack taught them, as he has been living in the middle east...

Hpappy Easter

Woke up and hunted eggs.

In the afternoon we had a hunt at my mom's house.

cousins

Rhylie age 14, Raedyn almost 12

my bro and his family

was obsessed with eggs, or rather what was inside them.

sleeping beauty