Almost 3.5 years and 6 month pics

On Wednesday of this week we had the kids' pictures taken at Picture People in the mall.  We had a Groupon that expired that day so if we didn't go we would lose it and who likes losing money?  Not us!  We got some cute ones of the kiddos so it was all worth it! 

It didn't take much to have Trevor give his little sister a kiss!

Big girl 'sitting' - only because of the baby propper!  She has no interest in hitting milestones early like someone else :)

So happy (even with an infected clogged tear duct)!

We had this one cropped a bit and printed so we have a bazillion of these images if anyone wants one!

Sibling love = precious!

Seriously cute!

Happy, happy!

You can't force this.  Love!

Trevor loves any chance he can to hold his baby sister.  Nothing like putting their outfits together 30 minutes before we needed to leave but they ended up coordinating nicely!

Not sure how long we can call her baby - she's huge!

Princess has finally got the hang of tummy time and proudly lifts her head to show off!

Yes, I know I'm cute :)

...and happy!

Thanks to Uncle Bob and Aunt Kathy for her cute dress!  The headband is part of a 6-12 month dress that Jeff, Dawn and girls gave to her.  Funny that the dress doesn't fit yet but the headband is already tight!

You just have to laugh looking at our happy boy!

Such a contagious laugh and smile!

He's got the model pose down!

Yep!

And at the end of their session Trevor was very, very concerned why Mommy wasn't getting her pic taken too.  So nothing like a wash and dry hair and no make-up look but if it was important to Trevor she was going to do it!

Might be a bit better in black and white, but Mommy was very glad that Trevor insisted on a picture of Mommy and her kiddos!

For Ashley's 6 month pics, maybe we can sneak in a full family pic too :)

Olympics

 Trevor's preschool hosted their end-of-year Olympics to showcase everything they had learned in gym class throughout the year!  His school really is amazing!!  They went around in little groups to do each of the events.  Trevor may or may not have followed his group ;)  But he did show off his basketball skills to Mommy, Ashley, Papa John and Grandma Pauline!

Trevor loves the balance beam.  He is always showing of his balancing skills on curbs and whatever else he can imagine a balance beam to be!

 He said this is what fire fighters do :)

 Obstacle course!

 Running through the cones!

 And after a quick snack, every child received a ribbon of participation and went on a parade around the gym waving ribbons.  Too cute!!

Trevor's Spring Preschool Pic!

 Trevor had his pictures taken at preschool the other week and we just got them back.  What a cutie!! 

He loves his class - especially Mrs. Harvey on the far left and his bud Tristan who is to his right.  Stella (2nd from the right in the first row) lives two houses down and they are good friends too.  They look like they could be siblings!  Preschool is done for the year 5/16 so we'll be setting up some playdates this summer with Trevor's friends!

Mom's Day and Western Night

On Saturday morning it was Mom's Day at Trevor's preschool.  Trevor said 'Mom, it's your turn now' (since Dad's day was last month!).  He couldn't wait to show Mommy off to his friends and show her the songs they had been working on!  The one Trevor sang the loudest was 'A Mommy's work is never, never done' sung to the tune of 'She'll be coming 'round the mountain' - it was too cute!!!

After a moving (read tear-jerking) photo montage they put together we went back to Mrs. Harvey's room and they sang 5 Little ducks.  Notice how once again, teacher's pet is front and center :) 

They had refreshments and an art show.  Trevor loved finding his art pieces and showing them to Mommy.  Mrs. Harvey is so creative and such a good photographer too.  Check out his picture in a picture frame!  You might be seeing something like that in a future holiday card from the Hillins :)

Such a fun time for Trevor and Mommy to spend together.  We have to remember to do fun outings like this one on one again.  He LOVED it and of course so did Mommy!

That evening we headed to our community clubhouse for Western Night!  It was a great night for it - not too hot and definitely not too cold like it is in MN ;)  Trevor took full advantage of the bouncy houses.

He loved jumping over to where Daddy was then running away and hiding then running back.  Roar!

He also liked the petting zoo.

And the obstacle course (until another kid wanted to race him.  He did not like that.  Don't think we have to worry about him being too competitive!)

We had great bbq food, byob brewskies, listened to great live music (country - Sara was in heaven) and then after finding a missing shoe Trevor got to ride a pony!  We don't think he was too sure at first even though he really wanted to go on it....

...but once the horse started moving he was all smiles! 

Still can't believe we live in a community that puts on such fun events.  Mexican night is up next week :)

1st School Playdate and Pauline's Birthday

Trevor's friend Connor from preschool asked Trevor on his first AZ school playdate!  Trevor was very, very excited!  We ventured to the train park and the kids had a blast!  We played, had snack, checked out the train museum and even rode the choo choo!!

Although she isn't smiling here, Ashley thought the train park was pretty cool too!  Last time she was here she was only 2 weeks old and she never got out of her infant carrier in the stroller!  This time she got to ride in the baby bjorn!

Before having lunch we also took one ride on the carousel! 

On Friday evening we got to celebrate Grandma Pauline's birthday.  Otherwise known as 'Pauline' by Trevor.  He couldn't wait to see her and shower her with birthday hugs and kisses!

Where did we meet?  Well of course it was Friday so we took them to our favorite Friday place - bull riding!!  After a wonderful bbq meal we secured our spot in the stands to watch the event!  Trevor had no problem killing 30+ minutes waiting since he was with his buddies!

And how did Ashley pass the time?  Well she was nice and snug in the baby bjorn once again and when she eyed Mommy's beer she grabbed on with both hands...

...and knew just what to do!  Thank goodness she couldn't get her head back further or she might have chugged it! (kidding people, as if we'd let her do that!!)

The girl was perfectly content holding onto the bottle like a big girl and gumming it.  Those teethers must be pretty close to popping in.  

Bull riding, bbq, beer and birthdays....what fun memories!  Happy birthday Grandma Pauline!  It's fun being in AZ to be able to celebrate with you!!

Petsmart Renaissance Night

Petsmart had one of their yearly events last night and boy do they know how to throw a party.  This year's theme was Renaissance festival.  How do you dress for that?  Well, in Ashley's case you just look adorable!

We had a lot of fun, although it must be said that last year's Western Night was geared more towards kids.  That didn't stop Trevor though from partaking in the festivities.  Like eating a turkey leg.  He loved it!  (Brian and Sara??  Not so much.)

Trevor loved seeing all of the 'hi ya' guys around! (Real or fake!)

He also really enjoyed shooting stuff at people.  This picture cracks us up.  Trevor, you should have your eyes open when shooting arrows at shields!  Good aim though - you nailed it!

Ashley got into it as well!

We spent a lot of time watching the fires as Trevor called theme.  Petsmart isn't one to skimp on details.  It was a pretty good Renaissance festival.  Maybe we can even skip going to the 'real' Renaissance Festival with the kiddos :)

Random Happenings

 We are soaking up every single minute with our kiddos these days.  They are just too fun!!  Like with Ashley - eating her toes.  As if she doesn't get enough other food.  Seriously.  Look at her legs!!  You can also see her death clutch on Sophie.  She loves that thing!

Trevor loves being around Ashley and showing her new things.  Like movies on his ipad.  He loves being a big brother.  That is until she tries to take said ipad or even touch it.  Then he is quick to make sure that doesn't happen again.  He has very quick reflexes.

 Ashley is finally starting to lift her head high during tummy time and look around.  She loves watching Randle and apparently Randle loves her too because this time he laid down right next to her.  Ashley thought that was pretty cool and is with most everything she is exploring, Randle's ear was not off limit either.  Yum (ah, yuck).  Notice he just puts his paws over his face and takes it.  Not a care in the world. 

 Yep, she loves him!

 Trevor is very, very, very into riding the bike that his cousin Sam and crew gave him.  Fortunately he also loves his helmet and asks to put it on before riding!  Win! 

 Ashley has the most contagious laugh.  It's so cute, you can't help but to laugh along with her.  Such a cutie!

 Ashley also has mastered giving kisses back.  Well, she more latches onto your chin but whatever, it's so stinking cute.  She definitely gets the concept of kissing after being on the receiving end of thousands of them!

 Mommy took one look at this picture and instantly remembered that this is the exact face that Trevor had on during one of his Easter pictures.  Who wouldn't be this ecstatic when wearing cute Vikings gear?  Go Vikes!

Sickie

Ashley had her first fever last Sunday night :( Although, you would have never been able to tell by her demeanor.  Before giving her a bath we thought she felt a little warm but she was her normal happy, smiley self!  After Daddy took her temperature and learned it was 102.1 we felt so bad.  She got lots of cuddles the rest of the night and all the next day.  Her fever broke after one dose of Tylenol but she slept the day away on Monday.  Our guess is as good as yours what that was about - teething perhaps?  We're just glad she's feeling better!