Family Reunion Time

Every year Nathan's family has a family reunion at the Lake of the Ozarks. They have been going to the same resort for the last, I think, 28 years. I have now been part of this reunion for 11 years. Isn't that crazy? Anyway, this was Anastyn's 3rd year to make an appearance (if you count that I was 8 months pregnant with her, and HUGE, in 2008). It is always fun to visit with everyone and spend lots of time outside! Anastyn was so much fun this year. She loved chasing her cousins around and playing with them. She got to swim in a pool for the first time. Well, she may have gotten in last year, but not much. She LOVED jumping into her her daddy's arms over and over again. She was fearless once her daddy showed her he would catch her She would run from the edge and just jump right in. It was so fun to watch the two of them having so much fun. We got to take our time getting there on Friday which was nice and we had fun on our little drive out. We stopped for a little shopping, lunch and a few potty breaks. It was a great weekend and so nice to have a couple days off work!

Turkey sandwich and blueberries for lunch. And a sweet cheesy smile!

The only proof that I was present for the weekend. Anastyn wanted to take a picture since I was taking pictures of her .

She loves blueberries.

We had to stop for a couple potty breaks.

The best sleep she got all weekend. It didn't last long.

Loved this face, had to get a pic.

Ready to go check out the lake.

Anastyn and Grandma Nette headed out on the dock.

Hanging out with her big cousins

I couldn't resist. Poor thing just couldn't hold her britches up all weekend. But at least it is a cute little baby bottom.

She loved the boat ride.

Sweet picture of Anastyn and her daddy on the boat.

Driving the boat with Papa Darrell

She insisted on being wrapped up completely. I thought she looked silly.

Nathan, Anastyn, and Grandma Muriel

Eating grapes and playing with play-doh. She loves hanging around the big girls. They were all so cute together.

Sunny Days and Sandboxes

A few weeks ago....well ok, a month ago, we had some nice warm weather and Anastyn wanted to go outside and play in her sandbox. She wanted to put her boots on over her pants and headed outside. I just thought she looked so cute. I love her hair when her ponytails get messy and it was fun to watch her walk around the yard checking everything out. We frequently have bunny rabbits in our yard and our neigbor's yard, so she was looking through the fence into our neighbor's yard trying to se a bunny. She also likes to look over into the other neighbor's yard to see if the "boys" are outside playing. She has finally started saying "girls" as well, so she lets us know who is outside at any given time.

Looking for the "boys" and "girls"

Looking for the bunny rabbit

Let me just say, it was realllly warm on this particular day. She wanted to wear these lined pants and boots and was not going to change. They do look cute on her, though.

Playing in the sandbox

I really do just love her messy little ponytails! Look at those sweet little curls falling out!

Need Some New Pics?

I am not really in the mood to blog, nor have I been much lately, as my lack of posting has clearly indicated. So how about a few new pictures to keep you occupied for the time being, since that is what everyone really wants anyway! So here is what we've been up to the last month, lots of pictures ahead!

potty training

spending quality time with friends

block stacking

learning our alphabet


looking fabulous with the cousins in our Easter dresses


loving on this sweet litte guy


loving our time together

playing some Sunday morning ball

spending more time with good friends

cuddling this adorable little one



of course, kissing on baby toes

hunting Easter eggs



and making this cutie grin and giggle. Is that not the cutest baby grin ever?

I Know My Colors!

Actually, I have known my colors for quite some time now. However, Anastyn is just learning hers! Nathan is very good about working with her on her letters, colors, and counting. She has been able to point out red, blue and green for at least the last couple of months. I want to make sure I make note of this before I forget though. So to date, Anastyn can pick out the colors RED, BLUE, GREEN, YELLOW, PINK, WHITE, BLACK, and ORANGE. If you ask her to bring you something of one of these colors she can do it quite easily. If you ask her "what color is this" when pointing to an object she can tell you red, blue, green, white and pink. I have not heard her say yellow or orange yet. I love to hear her say her colors. Especially green. She learned that one from driving through green lights, so when we go through a light she will yell "Greeeeen!" It always makes me laugh!

She can identify the letters A, B, C and D. She struggles with C when you ask her to tell you that letter, but if you say "go get the {ABC or D}" she can do that almost everytime. So if you say the letter she does better than asking her to tell you that letter's name.

She will count for us sometimes, but still isn't extremely consistent.

Also a little update on her potty training. I am not sure when you decide a child is "officially" potty trained. Is it when they go all day without accidents, consistently? Is it when they go all day and night without accidents consistently?  Or is it when they no longer have accidents? I really am not 100% on that.
Anyway, Anastyn consistently goes all day without accidents and wakes up dry from her naps. Occasionally she will have an accident, but they are few and far between. She might have one a week, if that. We have also stopped putting diapers on her for car rides. She does a really good job of holding it or telling us when she has to go when we are out somewhere. We have had a couple of accidents in the car, one was on a long car ride and was my fault. We did not make it anywhere on time to stop. She still wears diapers to bed and is wet in the morning, but she always goes potty on her little potty when she wakes up. So, I guess I can say she has been "potty trained" since she was 19 months. I am absolutely certain it will not be this easy with the next child when that time comes, but for now I am ecstatic! We went straight from diapers to underwear and it has been wonderful....and so much cheaper! Woohooo!

Wanna See?

We got to go see my newest nephew yesterday and he is just as beautiful and precious as they let on! Here are a few pictures of the newest bundle of joy in the family!

The proud new parents, they look like naturals! And isn't that baby so sweet!?

I just can't get over how small he is!

Look at those long skinny legs!

Me and my baby brother! I can't hardly believe he has a baby of his own! He will be such a good daddy!

The proud new mommy and baby Malachi! She will be a wonderful mommy as well! Doesn't she look great!


Anastyn was very excited to see her new cousin! She was also very concerned about his belly button!


Loving on my newest nephew! I love having all of these beautiful nephews and nieces to love on!


Grammy Tammy and Malachi


Trent and Kesha changing Malachi's diaper, Anastyn watched very intently, I am sure she was making sure they were doing it just right!

She adores babies and was very excited to see Malachi. In the car I had told her we were going to see the baby. She fell asleep about 20 minutes before we got to the hospital holding onto her piggy and blanket (which she loves more than just about anything!) As soon as we stopped her little eyes opened up and said so soft and sweet " Baby?" It was too cute. She immediately kissed her pig and her blanket and put them down in the seat. Usually she lingers with her piggy and doesn't want to put him down. That was not the case yesterday, she couldn't wait to see the baby!