Florida Trip

Sorry for the ridiculous amount of pictures....I am way behind on blogging, I know I keep promising to get better but, lets be honest .... 2 girls, my photography, a full time job, a husband, and I can't forget my Facebook addiction :) So maybe you should all join FB then you can keep up with me :)

The beginning of June we made the trek down to the sunshine state. I had to attend a work meeting so we made a family trip of it so that some of my family (who made never met the girls) could get some snuggle time! We had a great time! Cameron came with us, which was awesome!We always love hanging out with him plus he was a huge help with driving, yes we drove straight through not to bad the girls slept almost the whole way!!!
We started off spending time in Monticello with Dad, Mary & Sam...we were also able to see UNcle Andrew. Sky fell in LOVE with here Pop-Pop and his horse, Sox...she was convinced he was going to let us bring the horse home! But where would we put it?!!?!? In addition to spending time at the farm we had lots of quality time with Mary which was great, I would so love to live closer so we could have more quality time together!
After 4 days we headed to Orlando and enjoyed a day at Magic Kingdom then a day at Animal Kingdom & Blizzard Beach! Sky was very excited to see Cinderella's castle and all the other disney princesses! Then at Animal Kindom she was able to see all the animals and have her picture taken with a Baboon, funny thing to be excited about huh?
Then on our way home we stopped for a quick visit with Uncle Mike & Aunt Barbara...it was so good to see them!
What a great mini vacay...will have to happen again sooner rather then later!

...life is busy...

sounds a little cliche' right? But seriously LIFE IS SUPER BUSY! I started back to work full time the first week of April! At first I was hesitant, I didn't want to leave my babies, but now that we are in the groove I have adjusted very well (the girls had no problem). WE are very blessed that mom was able to tweak her work schedule so that she would Monday's off and be able to spend quality time with Sky & Ari! It has been wonderful, a little adjustment for Skylar as now Nana has to lay down the law from time to time...I think it was her second or third week watching the girls when mom told Sky that she was doing something that I wouldn't want her to (eating play dough) and Skylar in a very serious tone said " nana, mind your business!" ....so we have had to work on some things :) The girls are also spending 3 days a week with Miss Annie (a good friend of ours) even on the weekends Skylar will ask if she can go to Miss Annie's, it is so nice that she is comfortable and loves being at the Hedstrom house, I know that they girls are very well loved when they are there and it makes my days being away from them even easier! And then one day a week Chris has been able to adjust his schedule to have a daddy daycare day! Sky loves Daddy day but I think both Chris and Sky are looking forward to summer so that they can be outside more often! It is so great that Chris can do this not only does it give him some special bonding time with the girls but also (i think) given him a new appreciation for the role of 'mommy'!
I am keeping busy through out the week working for H-Wave and then I am also doing quite a bit with Ashley Photography. I am blessed that my dream continues to grow, and I am so excited to see what the future hold for Ashley Photography.
Update on What's new with Miss Ari~
Can you believe she is almost 4 months old? She is such a joy. She is turning into quite the talker, constantly squealing and babbling (boy is Chris in trouble). She has not rolled over yet but seems to be close, she gets half way (from her back to side) then stops. She does seem to be scootching all over, no more hanging out on our bed unsupervised...She has her 4 month check up next week, so I will be interested to see how big she has gotten, she is very long and defenietle starting to chub up! She is sleeping great usually going to bed at night around 9 pm then pu around 6, this morning I actually had to wake her up at 7...but thats only happened once!
Sky's Update~
It is amazing what a smart little girl she is...knows all her colors, can count to ten, can sing some of the alphabet, her speech is fantastic, she often uses several sentences at once to get her point across...I love hearing all the funny things she says, she has completely mimiced Chris and I. We have had to really start watching what we say when her little ears are around, we could get in a little bit of trouble :) She is also lookig so grown up, she is already 36 1/2 inches tall and her hair is starting to grow out of its mullet phase :) She actually had her first official haircut, although it was just a trim, she went to a real salon!! She is ready for summer to come so that she can get out and play, riding her bike and swinging are 2 of her favorite activities!

I will try to keep things updated a little better.... hope you all have a fantasic week :D

Easter 2009

We had a beautiful Easter! Not only was it amazing weather it was also a great day with family! Skylar and Ari both had baskets waiting for them when they woke up! The Easter Bunny doesn't hide them yet, maybe next year. Skylar ate her weight plus some in chocolate, she was one happy girl:)

We started off the day with brunch at our house with Mom & Fred and Haley & COurtney, then off to a great church service. We came home for a couple of hours of relaxation, then off to Dad & Cindy's for Easter dinner with Haley, Courtney, Cameron, Ali, Ben & Dad & Cindy!

{spending time with Grandpa Hansen}

we have been trying to do dinner a couple times a week with Dad Hansen, which has been very nice! We are so blessed to have most of our family right in town and SKylar LOVES to spend time with her grandparents! Her face lights up when she sees them! It is so cute she calls dad, just HANSEN, no grandpa...whatever works, I think its so cute!!!

{ARI got her ears pierced}

2 weeks ago I took Ari to get her ears pierced! She was 11 weeks old (Skylar was 10 wks when hers were done!) She did great and her little diamonds look so cute in her ears!!!

right before...she has know idea :(

again no idea...but isn't she cute!

here it comes

ok it just hurst for a minute, like shots but much prettier:)

~finally....

...a picture together! My two beautiful girls!

{ARI GRACE is 2 MONTHS OLD}

_____________________
I CAN HARDLY BELIEVE MY LITTLE ANGEL HAS ALREADY
BEEN WITH US FOR 2 MONTHS. SHE IS SUCH A GREAT BABY,
VERY MELLOW AND LAID BACK.
SHE IS A TINY PEANUT AT 10 LBS 5 OZ (25TH PERCENTILE)
23 INCHES (50TH PERCENTILE), SHE IS A WHOLE POUND
LIGHTER THAN SKYLAR WAS AT 2 MONTHS.
SHE IS VERY ATTENTIVE WHEN SHE IS AWAKE WATCHING US USUALLY
WITH A LITTLE SCOWL ON HER FACE :) SHE SMILES AT US BUT YOU HAVE TO
WORK FOR THEM, SHE DOESN'T GIVE THEM UP FOR NOTHING.
_____________________________________________

WE LOVE HER TO PIECES AND FEEL SO BLESSED TO
HAVE ANOTHER HEALTHY, BEAUTIFUL LITTLE GIRL!!

lessons taught ... then learned?

For all of you parents out there, you can appreciate how sometimes our lessons come right back at us! I'm sure you can all relate to a moment where something comes out of your child's mouth (that you said) that you never
thought they were paying attention to...(thank goodness this is a clean one :)
_____________________________________________________________
I'm sure there are many things that I say like I am stuck on the replay button, one of which sorry to say is to my wonderful hubby...I try not to nag but the clothes hamper is right there in the bathroom. It may just be a 'man' thing, because everyday he puts his clothes on the floor next to the hamper, I don't know maybe he thinks it is full, maybe sometimes it really is. But I have tried to not nag about it and just hope that some day maybe in our future he would put his clothes in it. I guess it really does not matter if the clothes are in the hamper or not, its just my thing, you know?
So (this is where it gets me) last week as I was getting ready to get in the shower, I removed my clothes and just left them on the floor (I was going to put them in the hamper after my shower, I swear)...my very smart and very attentive 2 year old came in sighed (yes for real) and started putting my clothes in the hamper, then looked at me and said "mommy you pick them up, put in here!"
WOW, a couple of things...so even when they don't seem to be listening, they are (I am sure this goes for Chris too); if I preach it I must follow through, all the time (great overall life lesson, huh?); and I must sigh to much or way to dramatically (because Sky had it down pat)!

I love that parenthood puts life in to perspective for me on a daily basis...reinforces things I know to be true, is always shining light on new truths, and never ceases to amaze me how my little girl's smile can make the day so much better, its like God's rainbow for parents. God has given me an amazing gift in being a mom, He is good!

Skylar I love you so much thank you for being such an amazing little girl!!

Caberfae Spring Carnival 2009

WOW, another carnival come and gone...and it was a great time! The weather was AMAZING! Almost 50 degrees and sunny, couldn't ask for anything better when you are out at the ski hill!! Most of the Winquist clan was there and all decked out in costume...here are some pics from the day!

our failed attempt at a family photo, yes the girls are there!

the pirates

great grandma Ariadne, me & Ari

the clan

Sky & KJ

Sara & Avery

Great Grandma Ariadne & Ari

funny or what?

KJ holding Ari

getting a little love from MIchael

Ari & Avery

here are a few quickies with the girls, they are a month a part! I am excited for the
cousins to grow up together, they will be great friends!

oh yummy, its good...

Skylar and I made cookies and she got to lick the beaters...what a happy girl she was. I know that when I was younger that was my favorite part of baking too (ok it still might be :} ) She is priceless and brings so much joy to our lives, look at her smiles, she is perfect!! I love these mommy moments with her, it is so much fun!!

Poppa & his girls

Dad wanted a pictures of himself with the girls...Skylar was not so in to being photographed.

MIss Ari

she is such a love