Donaldson Home

Thanksgiving in Glenrose

2012-01-19T10:27:00.000-08:00

We had a great time at Thanksgiving in Glenrose! Probably the most active we have had to be in all the years we have been going there! Just tried to keep kids busy, played a lot outside. This year bikes and walking the dogs were a big hit! Oh and pushing tricycles and 4 wheelers around!

Walkin the dog! Dakota was the only one brave enough to walk the black dog, Bella, I think! She's a baby and barks loudly!

Two GORGEOUS girls!

O Give Thanks Thanksgiving Program

2012-01-19T09:32:00.000-08:00

This was Dakota's first year in choir and she absolutely loved it! Although you won't be able to tell from these wonderful photos! She loves to sing and dance at home and in the truck and at VBS last summer, but this time I don't guess she was feelin it! She was so excited that everyone was coming to see her program and then when she got up there...nothin! It was still cute though!

Bubbles in your mouth = quiet

Don't know what this was about!

Fall Festival

2012-01-19T08:41:00.000-08:00

Our church did not hold a Fall Festival this year, so we took the kids down the road to a church of Eastchase called Sagamore Baptist. Dakota had such a good time! She played EVERY game and would have played them all again if we had let her! They had games and a trunk or treat where you just go from car to car and get candy. A few families from our church ended up there! We all had fun!

The State Fair

2012-01-19T08:32:00.001-08:00

We took the kids to the Fair in October. It was hot, but we had a fun day dragging the kids around and Denver finally fell asleep as we were making our way back to the truck! But he didn't miss a thing!!! Oh, and we ate GOOD!

This pic below was when we were watching the dog show.

Denver's 1st Birthday

2012-01-19T08:05:00.000-08:00

Here are a few pictures from Denver's Birthday back in October. He was hesitant about eating his cake, but finally got into it!

Dakota's 1st Day of Pre-School

2011-09-06T08:03:00.000-07:00

I dropped Dakota off at Mrs. Talley's this morning for the first time! She was so excited, can you tell?! She has been talking about this the entire summer. "When am I going to Ms. Talley school?" No, I didn't cry! Everything happened so fast I barely got a picture of her and I didn't get a smoochie either! That's okay though, I know she is having a good ole time! The pic above is at the little school and the ones below are before we left the house! She informed me that she needed a sweater cause it looked like winter outside! She's a hoot! Ugh, the past few days here have been sooo nice! It's cool outside and it feels so refreshing to step outside and not start sweating immediately! Feels like fall, but I think it's only to tease us!

Quick Video of Dakota

2011-07-21T19:11:00.000-07:00

Aaron's family gathered at the Thompson's for a pool party a couple of weekends ago when Bipaw was in town preaching at Tate Springs. Anyhow, they had a slide into the pool and Dakota just couldn't get enough of it! It started out just sitting at the end and Grumps kinda pulling her in and she slowly got braver and braver! She got really close to going from the top, but she got almost all the way up the ladder and I think she realized it was too high for her and said, "No, I no wanna go down that way!" And that was that!

4th of July Fireworks

2011-07-21T18:49:00.000-07:00

We took Dakota to see fireworks this year and boy did she have a blast! We went with my dad and Denise and her two grandkids, Chase and Madison. Dakota played with Chase until the show started. We had some "pops" you know those things you throw on the hard ground and they pop. The kids had fun with those, Dakota didn't always throw them down hard enough so she would stomp on them, it was hilarious to watch! We were far enough away that it wasn't that loud, but Dakota must have sensitive little ears cause she plugged her ears the entire time! She does quite often really! Any little loud noise and her hands are over her ears! But she really enjoyed watching the show! Denver did too! I almost had him asleep and then it started and he perked up and just watched the whole thing! I had made a peach cobbler, so we took the cooler with ice cream and had a yummy dessert!

Denver Crawls

2011-07-21T18:35:00.001-07:00

Denver started crawling the first week of July! It didn't take him long to figure out that he didn't have to be in the same room as me! He is all over the place! He has also mastered the step up into the kitchen and entry! He is my little vacuum cleaner cause everything he sees he gets and puts in his mouth!

Swim Lessons

2011-07-20T13:08:00.000-07:00

Another year of swim lessons has come and gone! The kids did excellent! Hardly any crying! Yay! Denver shocked me, most of the time he is a little baby when it comes to taking things away from him, accidentally hurting him, etc...he just cries and cries as if the world is ending! I really thought he would scream the whole first week, but surprisingly he didn't! I don't even think he cried the second day! He was too cute, we would hold him in the water and he would just a kick those legs, but as soon as his head went under that was it, no movement! But, by the end of the first week he started pedaling under water! I was a proud momma! It didn't even phase him going under the water, it never bothered him! Dakota did awesome as well, she can swim off the step and back, dive, jump, get rings, the works! On graduation day she even attempted to dive in and swim straight to the step instead of going to Leigh first! I am so proud of them!

Denver 7 Month Pictures

2011-07-20T12:42:00.000-07:00

Yes I know Denver is fixin to be 9 months old, but these are his seven month pictures! Time flies and soon I will have to post his nine month pics, don't count on them being put on time either! The hats in these photos were some of Aaron's hats as a little boy.

Dakota's Birthday

2011-07-20T12:22:00.000-07:00

Dokata had a wonderful birthday this year, she was so excited about it! Aunt Morgan gave her her present early so she could play on it for the party. She got her the little waterslide/pool and spray sprinkler! The girls had a blast in the water and throwing water balloons! Aaron cooked up some yummy fajitas! And cake and ice cream finished it off!

Panty Party, Easter & More

2011-05-20T08:32:00.000-07:00

Don't have time to discuss details, but here are some pics to enjoy!
This was at Aaron's race, Dakota had herself a new playground (the camper)! The other baby is our friends little girl Rhylee.

Denver's Baby Dedication

Easter Egg Hunt at the House

Dakota loved her candy!!

Easter Family Pics

Dakota's Panty Party

The Set Up by Nnene

Denver at the Panty Party!

Just my two babies! One brown eyed, one blue eyed!

Denver's First Foods and More

2011-03-29T10:37:00.000-07:00

I can't believe Denver is already eating cereal, but I couldn't hold him back any longer! And this just goes to show he was ready. I mean he was like, "Mmm...where has this been all my life!" Sadly to say he still won't sleep through the night, he does on occasion and I try to think what I did differently that day but come up with nothing! Oh well, we'll get there one day. He is sitting up so much better by himself now and only occasionally tumbles over. Dakota is now a professional pottier! I'm so proud of her, she really is doing great and in the video you can see how excited she is to have her very own "panty party!" If you don't know this already, I tried the potty thing with her when Denver was about 2 months old and needless to say my attempt failed! Got some advice from Jenny and started again March 23rd. I started her out in her birthday suit the first day so she would understand nothing was going to be there to catch anything! It was so funny and cute to see her make a "b" line to the bathroom, when you gotta go, you gotta go! To my amazement she did wonderfully, only accidents were in the bathroom when she just couldn't get her pants down fast enough! I have not (knock on wood) had to clean out any poopy undies yet! And most of the time she just goes without even telling me!

After this he really acted like he didn't like it, the taste of it! So weird, anyway Dakota never liked cereal either and I went straight to oatmeal so I did the same with Denver last night and he did seem to like the taste of it better, he really smacked on it longer and he ate all of it which he wasn't doing with the cereal. Playing the game of figuring out what he wants and doesn't want!

This video is of Dakota making Denver laugh. She is the best at getting him to laugh continuously, although I have yet to catch the good laughing on video, but this is a little taste!

2011-03-15T10:30:00.000-07:00

So here is my big boy sitting up! Oh, how time flies! Me and Kota love to watch him play!

Sooo... This is what we call the "Hula Hoop." It is hilarious!! Keep in mind this came about by me not changing her diaper from nap to about 6 o'clock one evening and she took notice of this by looking down and watching her diaper sag back and forth as she moved like this! Me and Aaron were laughing so hard we were crying!

Snow/Ice Day

2011-02-01T08:18:00.000-08:00

Dakota could not wait to get her ski bibs on to go out and eat the snow. She was so excited, she took me to every window in our house to see the snow from every angle! I didn't get out when Aaron pulled her down our street in the sled, I'm sure she had a blast though. I got these pics from the front door. (I wasn't dressed for the cold, yet!) I'm sure we will have more throughout the day, but that wind is COLD!!!!!!! Hope everyone has a nice day off, stay warm!

Denver is 3 Months Now

2011-01-27T12:45:00.000-08:00

I can't believe my little man is already three months old! We still haven't figured out his schedule, which is driving me NUTS!, but I can't complain because he only gets up once during the night most of the time, it's during the day that gets me. But, he is doing so good and growing and learning every day. I don't think it will be long before he sits up by himself! He sits in his bumbo chair pretty good, Dakota loves this! She never wants me to take him out. She is gonna be all over him whenever he finally sits up and plays with his toys. She gets so excited when he reaches and touches a toy and makes it sing. She says, "He did it Mom! Good job buddy, I'm proud of you!" It's so cute and I love to hear her be so sweet and loving towards him. They are gonna be best friends one day! Hey, look at all his rolls! I love my chunky monkey!

Denver's 3 Week Pics (a little late!)

2011-01-14T14:05:00.000-08:00

Here are some of the photos I took when Denver was three weeks. He has changed a lot and I will be taking some new pics of him the end of this month, so stay posted! He is now 14 pounds, 7 ounces and fighting double ear infections and RSV! He is a strong little booger though! Had to include one of our precious Dakota too!

Introducing Denver Lane!

2010-11-08T18:50:00.000-08:00

Okay I know this is late and most of you have seen pics of Denver on Leigh's facebook, but I finally got around to looking through the hospital pics my sister took. She did an AWESOME job, I'm so proud! Denver was born on October 21st at 10:55am weighing 7 lbs, 8oz and measuring 19 and a half inches long. Here are a few of them! Enjoy!

Dakota's New Big Girl Room

2010-08-25T13:28:00.001-07:00

So this is what me and Aaron have been working on for the past week, and boy am I glad it is done. We painted and put up trim two Saturdays ago, don't ask me how many times we went back to the paint store because all we heard was "oh yeah this will cover that much." And did it? No. So last week I worked all week on painting the rest of the trim and moving all her stuff over from the nursery. I still need to put some shelves up over her bed for pictures, because there is too much blank space there, but Aaron will have to help me with those and the brown curtain came from her nursery, I need to get a plum purple one, but can't find one that exact color I am wanting. Using that one mainly because it makes the room dark for nap time! I didn't paint the closet door because we have one in the attic with the panels on it that Aaron needs to get down and put up in it's place. So that looks kinda funny for now. Oh, and the blue bed rail has got to go as soon as we get a white one! Other than that it is pretty much finished. Dakota helped us the whole time, with her tools and all. It made the job longer and more difficult, but in the long run I think it helped her process the whole idea that this was going to be her new room and new bed!

Last Friday night was her first night in the new big girl bed. Amazingly, she only cried a little when I left and only woke up once in the night. Ever since then she has been fine and sleeps through the night! It is so funny, she sleeps in the big bed just like she did in her crib, right up against the bed rail. She definitely likes to snuggle against something!I am so proud of her, I really thought this would be much more difficult for her to transition. I guess she really is just getting bigger! Makes me sad in a way, the end of an era!

So here is the room BEFORE pics (basically a blank canvas!)

And here is the AFTER pics

Swim Graduation 2010!!!

2010-07-10T12:52:00.000-07:00

It was another successful two weeks of swim lessons this year! Once again Dakota surprised me...she cried just about every day! She did everything we asked of her but always with tears! At one point Leigh asked her if she was gonna cry everyday and her answer was a sobbing "yeah." But Wednesday of the last week she finally stopped crying and was asking to go swimming! Thank goodness! Lerin made so much improvement this year. Her form is a lot better than last year and she can really swim a good ways! Both Robbyn and Dakota could swim off the step, but they would lose their form so we stuck to fingers this year. Next year I think they will master the step though! We were able to barrow an underwater camera that got some great shots of the girls! Hope you enjoy! I don't know how to not get the youtube video to not cut off the right side of the video, it's on the smallest setting but it still cuts it off, so it anyone knows how to fix this please let me know!

Beach Fun

2010-06-25T13:06:00.000-07:00

This pic above was Dakota trying to feed the birds some bread. She couldn't understand why they kept flyin away, she expected them to come eat it out of her hands! Such disappointment!

So, the beach was a blast! A long trip there and back, but whole lot of fun in between! Dakota once again was a trooper on the long trips in the car! Don't know why but I always stress about that. Mom road with us so that made things easier! Don't want to go into all the details, but Dakota loved the beach, loved the sand, and loved the water! She is my little fish! "I fwimmin!" shed say, and "I go beach!" It was so much fun to watch her, I only wish Aaron had gone, that would have made the trip perfect! The beach was not bad the first day we got out, just little dime and quarter size clots of oil washed up on the shore. Not everywhere, just here and there. And we didn't smell anything. The second day however, by 11am they weren't letting anyone in the ocean and I kept getting these "whoofs" of this disgusting smell that would come and go. Thinking Dakota had pooped I would check her pants only to discover nothing, and then it hit me, the oil! We didn't go back to the beach after that, we just stayed at the pool or jacuzzi (Dakota's smaller "fwimmin" pool)

Got to see Gran and Pop a few times and that is always good. They love Dakota! If Gran said it once she said it a million times, "She is just a pretty baby girl" Kota got to go out and see Pop's chickens (and eggs) and his wonderful garden. Both Gran and Pop have canes they walk with and Dakota picked up on this right away and wanted one herself, so I don't know why but they had one just her size that she carried around for awhile! All in all it was a good trip, but it is always good to go "HOME JAMES!"

Dakota's 2nd Birthday

2010-06-08T18:39:00.000-07:00

This was my attempt to make a fondant cake! Didn't quite turn out the way I wanted or thought it should have but Dakota liked it, so I guess that is all that matters! I now know the next time I make it I need way more powdered sugar to make it more of a dough and not sticky dough!

Her party was a success! She got her backyard full of stuff to play on! Family and friends got her swings (because the set only came with big people swings). The blue swing was her fav and she did not want to share! She loved the icing on the cake and was so excited to open gifts! I'm glad she had a good time, but I can still hardly believe she is 2!

Memorial Weekend

2010-06-03T12:28:00.000-07:00

This past Sunday we had our annual church picnic. This year they chose to do it at the Randol Mill Park, which has a mini water park. It was so much fun! Dakota had her own little area to play in that never got too deep for her to stand. She had a blast on slide that was a frog and you slide down the tongue! And she even went down the larger blue tunnel slide all by herself! I had to catch her at the end because she would have went under. I was surprised that she did it a few more times after that, but the last one, I guess she got too much water in the face and decided no more! I am so glad she loves the water and is not afraid of it! We start swim lessons in a few weeks and I'm anxious to see her swim better than last year!

It's a .....

2010-05-26T10:07:00.001-07:00

BOY!!!!

I can't believe it! Well, actually I can, I wanted another girl so I knew God was going to give us a boy, that's just how He works with me!! I am excited! Although, I can't help but be a little sad that just Aaron, Me and Dakota are coming to an end. I have truly enjoyed it just being the three of us, it's like the end of an era! I can't get my mind to grasp how different things will be adding a new little one into our circle and how I'm gonna be able to love another one just as much! But, I know that as soon as see my little man it will all just happen! And I'm so excited to meet him!

Everything is looking good, baby is healthy! My placenta is still low, it has only risen half an inch since the last sonogram, but Dr. Z didn't seem to worried about it. She said it will continue to move as things progress, but she still wants me to come back in four weeks to do yet another sono, just to check! I'll keep ya posted!

We've Got Grass!!!!!

2010-05-22T12:09:00.000-07:00

We have wanted grass in the back yard since before Dakota turned one, but for financial reasons were only able to afford it for the front yard last year. I have dreamed of the day that Dakota and I could go run, play, and have picnics in the backyard! For the past couple of weeks Aaron has been hard at work to give Dakota a backyard for her birthday this year!! And when I say hard I mean HARD!! A few weeks ago he had the whole thing tilled up and raked even only to receive a good rainfall to pack it all down! Last week he started digging trenches for the sprinkler system (so we won't let it die!)(This was a last minute decision.) He gets that done and then the past few nights he has been putting in the PVC pipes for the sprinkler and tilling up the whole yard again and raking it even. Yesterday afternoon and this morning he laid down the grass! What a hard worker I have been so blessed with! I love him!!

We started out just wanting to get her a swing set for her birthday, but quickly realized that it wouldn't get touched because of all the dirt, weeds, bugs, you name it, you could probably find it in our backyard! I was not going to allow her to play in that! So, we decided to just do grass this year and maybe next year purchase a swing set. However, when all these decisions were being made, God just worked! After deciding to wait on the swing set Aaron calls me one day while working and says, "I got a swing set for Kota!" One of his customers he mows for had a swing set and a fort with a slide and he was willing to trade it for four mows! And a guy Aaron used to work with at Acme called him up around the same time and asked if we would want a little cottage house for Dakota to play in. His little girl had outgrown it and so they wanted to give it to someone who could use it! Of course we said yes! So, instead of just grass as we had planned, God has so graciously blessed us with so much more! It still needs a little clean up and the house put where it is supposed to go, but I can't wait to make memories that will last a lifetime in our new backyard!! When Dakota woke up from her nap yesterday to go outside and watch Daddy work, she screamed with excitement! and said, "Tank ou, Daddy!" without even being told to. I had to get it on video though, but it just wasn't the same as the first time! Anyhow, she loves her new backyard and so do I!!

My Baby Girl

2010-05-21T09:21:00.000-07:00

I can't believe my baby girl has a pony tail!! It makes her look like a little girl, when all I want is for her to stay my baby! No, I love watching her grow and learn, but at times I do miss my baby! Some of these pics were pics for her birthday invitation that I didn't use but couldn't help sharing, cause she is just adorable! She is such a poser now! I was able to tell her to do something and she would copy me, but as soon as I went to grab my camera to shoot it she would stop doing it! It was pretty comical. If you are wondering what happened to her eye, I can explain. Beginning Sunday she had a stuffy nose and her eyes began to have "goo" in them constantly, so being OCD as I am, I continually wiped out her eye, enough to rube it raw underneath! I felt so bad but I can't stand to see that stuff in her eye! Anyways, there is no more "goo" and the raw part is starting to heal! That's my story! Hope you enjoy the photos!

Pictures from the Park

2010-05-10T10:13:00.000-07:00

These are some photos from when Mimi and Bipaw were here. We had a picnic at the park in Kennedale Square. It was a really nice park! Leigh and the girls came as well as Grumps and Nnene and Brittnie, Chris and Peyton! We had fun visiting with Mimi and Bipaw while they were here, can't wait until they come home for good, whenever that might be!

Thank You for Prayers

2010-04-28T11:40:00.000-07:00

Today I had a sonogram to see if my placenta had moved up any. And it has!!! It is 3 inches from the cervix (no longer covering it). She said they like it to be at least 5 inches away at the end of pregnancy but considering it's moved 3 inches in 3 weeks I have no doubt that the Lord will just continue to move it on up!! I just want to thank all of you for praying with me over the past two weeks. I woke up this morning with a peace about the whole thing. Ever since our miscarriage I get nervous and my stomach gets upset when I am driving to an appointment, but I really felt the Lord with me this morning and I know it is because of all your prayers!! Thank you so much, it means a lot to me!!! I will leave you with a picture of our healthy baby! Love you all!

Prayers Needed

2010-04-14T10:05:00.000-07:00

Had a doctor's appointment today and found out that my placenta is covering my cervix. She didn't say whether or not it was partially or completely covering it. Anyhow, she wants to see me again in two weeks for another sonogram to see if it has moved upwards. Please be praying that God will allow my body to do what it is supposed to do and move the placenta up so that it is not covering the cervix at all! She didn't tell me any of the following info, but of course I'm worried and wondering what this means, so I googled it. If it does not move up (which it most certainly can throughout the next trimester) I will probably be diagnosed with placenta previa, which can cause bleeding and other complications. I know the Lord is faithful and He will protect me and this baby, just please be praying with me over the next few weeks.

Easter Pics!!

2010-04-11T18:57:00.000-07:00

It was a tough Easter for me this year. I still was not feeling up to par from being sick, just no energy and scared of eating too much! I was not prepared. I didn't have a basket or candy for Dakota and I really wanted to do that for her this year! Aaron got up early and made a trip to Walmart to get her a basket and candy only to find that the Easter candy at Walmart was GONE! He had to go the regular candy isle and found her some gummy lifesavers, along with that he got a huge stuffed bunny and a little basket hoop (that sticks to the wall) and ball. At least he tried, and she does play with the basket and ball! Anyways, we made it to the early service at church and then headed over to mom's for lunch. And boy did she have a spread: Pork Loin, dirty rice, squash casserole, bacon wrapped green beans and rolls. It all looked and smelled wonderful! I only ate one helping of squash casserole and one wrapped green bean, but oh how I wanted more just didn't want my stomach to get upset! I was pretty much useless! Mom and Morgan had gotten her some eggs and hid those for her along with a few other goodies! Thank you Mom and Morgan for doing all that you did for her, if it wasn't for y'all she wouldn't have had a very good Easter at all. I know this is the least of importance when it comes to Easter but I really wanted her to have something to enjoy.

2010-04-09T10:44:00.000-07:00

Here is a better pic of our newest edition! Don't ask me where the legs are in this one!! I did see them in the sonogram so they are there just didn't get them in this pic! I think they are just so small right know you can't tell that they are tucked up towards the body. It was so funny because the baby was standing straight on his head doing a hand stand at one point!

Sonographer said everything looked great and as it should be. 12 weeks today!! And yes we will be finding out the sex of the baby! I am a PLANNER so I NEED to know! We will find out in about 6-8 weeks! I can't believe I am already 3 months pregnant. I told Aaron last night and it was the first time I said it in months and he was like whoa! we don't have much longer! It was pretty funny!

First Photo

2010-04-06T12:45:00.000-07:00

I went to the see Dr. Z last Wednesday and she said everything looked great and as it should be at 10 weeks 5 days! When she did the sonogram I was amazed at what I saw. I had only seen a baby at around 7 weeks and that looks like a little jelly belly with a beating heart. But at 10 weeks you still think it is too tiny to see details. At just at an inch from crown to rump that baby was kicking and moving all around! We saw legs, feet, arms, hands and head! Every time I really think about what is happening while pregnant I am just blown away at how awesome God is!

That evening after my apt. I starting not feeling well, Dakota had the throw up virus early Tuesday morning while we were still in Amarillo for the birth of Camden Cary (who I never got to see!). Needless to say by 9:30 that night I was throwing up myself. It was awful, one of those bugs that stays with you for a few days! Anyways, over that now and feeling better. I have another appointment this week, a real sonogram, so I'll let you know how that goes!

Sorry about all the crinkles which caused some glares in the pic, big sister Dakota got a hold of it! Oh yeah, due date October 27, 2010, as of now!

GOD IS FAITHFUL!!!

2010-03-06T18:33:00.000-08:00

Through our past miscarriage God has taught me so much! He has let me know that I am not in control and therefore I learned that I need to seek His will for my life, not that I wasn't before but I wasn't doing it in every aspect of my life. I hold onto the fact that He is in control and does everything for a reason, and ultimately our miscarriage will glorify His name! I feel like it already has to a point with how He has used it to teach me these things about myself and How it has brought me closer to Him!

I just finished a study by Priscilla Shirer, Beth Moore and Kay Arthur titled "Annointed, Transformed, Redeemed." It was a study based on David and I know God put me in that class at the exact right time in my life! A lot of what I learned through this study I already knew, but this just went into more depth and made me realize how important these things are. I learned that I was "CHOSEN" by God. "I" was chosen by GOD! How special am I?! In realizing this I committed myself to offering myself and my day to the Lord each morning. And I ask Him to remind me of His presence throughout my day, in all things (2 Cor. 2:14). I learned that I was put here for a reason and that I can be happy in doing all the everyday, mundanes as a house wife and mother, because in those things (I'm not doing them just for my family), I am serving the Lord because he put me here to glorify God and by doing these things I am showing Dakota how to be a woman of God. This opened my eyes to how I am supposed to do my everyday tasks and now when I do them I think about this and I don't seem to groan as much!

Some things that hit home from the study:
"If you can't be faithful in a little, God will not give you the larger assignment." This is so true.

"David's commitment to obey shows an enormous display of trust and faith in GOD'S ABILITIES ABOVE HIS OWN. It is extremely difficult to obey God when His word to us is either something we don't want to hear or find it difficult to obey."

"When God doesn't appear to bless your plan to do something for him (talking about David wanting to build a house for the ark), consider that He wants to do something for you instead." 2 Sam. 7:2,11

"Words fail, but far more consequentially, faith often fails."

"Sometimes there's just a bigger plan." Luke 7:18-23

"Who am I, O Sovereign Lord, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?" I can already see this in some aspects
of my life, but I pray that I would continue on a path to ask this question!

"God can never do Himself right and do His children wrong."

"Your God has good things for you-not PAINLESS things for you, good things for you."

"We've got to move past our devastation with God...David was angry/afraid. We've got to return to whole-hearted obedience...Joy is coming. Let's have the courage to see the fulfillment of God's promises to us." 2 Sam. 6:1-10

"God is not harsh, He is holy."

"To seek God first is to seek even the most cherished person in your life second."

"God desires to do such extraordinary things for and through us if we accept that everything is for His glory."

"Sin will take you further than you ever wanted to go, It will cost you more than you ever expected to pay."

"God never changes. He is the same yesterday, today and forever."

"A holy and just God cannot let sin go unpunished."

"I am never afraid of telling God I've sinned because I know he already knows." Kay Arthur

"God never removes the consequence."

Grace is... Favor
Grace is... available because God is gracious Psalm 84:11
Grace is... power 2 Cor. 12:7-10
Grace is... previous Eph. 1:3

"If you stop moaning and groaning about your past, share it with other, God will use it to benefit (bless) others." Galations 1 and 1 Cor. 15:10

I loved this study and I recommend it to everyone, Aaron sat in on most of the video session!!
I'm not as good as Lynne when it comes to writing this stuff, but this is as good as it gets for me!!!

ALL THIS TO SAY,

WE ARE PREGNANT AGAIN!!! GOD IS SO FAITHFUL!!!
Did you get the attitude at the end??!

Piggy Tails!!

2010-02-25T12:51:00.000-08:00

We did pig tails today for the first time and I am surprised to see that they are still there this late in the day!! Does this mean she is a big girl now? I love that she is growing and it is so exciting to see her learning so many new things each day, but sometimes I miss my baby girl!!!

Our Snowman

2010-02-24T20:19:00.001-08:00

Here is our adventure making a snowman that Thursday that it snowed all day! Kota loved to eat the snow! " I want som!" she'd say, and then go grab some from off our snowman! Too cute. We had to be creative in what to use for the buttons (play-doh lids), nose (orange blow pop), eyes (stones) etc, etc. I thought is was the best snowman on the block, considering we were the only ones to make one! After this we went to Olive Garden for some soup, mmmmm! Only to come home to no electricity! Yah!

Video From Glorieta Vacation

2010-02-24T19:04:00.000-08:00

Okay, okay, I know this is late, but I just learned how to get my video's from my camcorder into iMovie. It's terrible! I have video that dates back to 2006 when I first got the camera!! Anyway figured that part out then it took awhile to figure out how to get them to youtube in order to put them on here because they are so large. So the original video was over 20 minutes and I edited it down to the best 9 and half minutes. I think you see just about everyone that went. Dakota did not feel well the entire time we were there so needless to say she did not like tubing; however, she did laugh at us as we went though! But after our snow days here in Texas I can confirm that she does love the snow! I wish she felt better for out trip to truly enjoy it! Robbyn absolutely loved tubing!! I think Lerin liked it she just got cold! Watch how Robby "steers" the sled like he's riding a horse, I guess it just comes natural!! Needless to say everyone had a good time!! Enjoy the ride!!

New Year's Eve

2010-01-06T12:05:00.000-08:00

We went to our friend's Mark and Ashley's for the day, they live near Corsicana. They are the ones who have the little boy Mason who is 3 months younger than Dakota. Up to this point he has been a skinny (but tall) little man, well, not anymore! He has become quite the little chunk! I love him, he's so cute chubby! Anyways, Dakota and Mason have hardly gotten to see and play with each other because of the distance between us, but they really surprised me, it was like they were old buds! They just played and played. And they played sooo good together, only one sharing lecture and the amazing part was that they listened and each one played with their side of the toy! It was so cute to watch them play together, it reminded me that Dakota is really at the age of the kids I used to work with, which is amazing to me! Oh, and the cutest thing was what they called each other. Mason called Kota, "KOKO" and Kota called Mason, "Baason," stressing and elongating the "a" sound. Soo cute! We left around 9 and thought Dakota would crash on the way home but oh no all we heard was, "Baason?....Baason?" They loved each other! The next day I called to tell Ashley about our trip home and she said Mason woke up saying, "Koko? Koko?" Here is a slideshow of the day. If you look close in one of the pics sitting on the counter they are holding hands...the best of friends!!!

And here are a few pics I found while uploading the others. They are from October and I love Dakota's morning hairdo?!!!

Christmas

2010-01-06T11:48:00.000-08:00

Our Christmas was a good one this year! So much more fun when children are involved!! Christmas Eve we went to the Christmas Eve service and then headed off to my dad's for dinner and gift exchange. Just about all afternoon it snowed!! I was so excited that we were gonna have a white Christmas!! What are the odds? The pic of me and Kota was before church that night!! It was really coming down! Christmas day we had to wake Dakota up she was so exhausted! Got her up (Grump's did) a little after 8. Everyone was over to see Kota open her gifts from us (which wasn't much, a kitchen and food). I really didn't think she would be that into it, but she just loved opening up her gifts and the look on her face was priceless! She "oohed" and "awed." I loved it! We then went to Nenes' and Grump's for breakfast and do Christmas with them and back to the house to do Christmas with my mom. Busy but one of the best Christmas' in a while!! Here's the pics to prove it!!

New Website!!

2009-12-19T20:52:00.000-08:00

Made a new website! Check it out by clicking on the link to the right: Simply Darling Photography. Still need some music or a song to put with it, I'm open to suggestions!

New Mexico!

2009-11-19T10:46:00.000-08:00

Aaron, Dakota and myself left this past Friday morning headed to New Mexico to Mimi and Bipaw! In all these years they have been out there we had not been to see them, but we finally made! I was glad to know that some of their other grandchildren have not been either, we weren't the only ones!!! I was worried about the nine hour trip up there with Dakota, I don't know why I do this for every trip we take! And much to my surprise every time she does beautifully! We ate snacks, "naks" as Dakota calls them, read lots of books, and practiced some words and learned a few new words. She now calls her book of colors "yeyow"(yellow). We look at this book all the time and I ask her to say the different colors but I get nothing! Well this was one of the books on our trip and all of a sudden she just starts to repeat every color I say, but her favorite one to say I guess is "yeyow!!!" and therefore the new name for that book is YEYOW! She is so cute! She also learned to say Mimi and Bipaw, also so adorable the way she says it!
Mimi and Bipaw loved this!!

Anyways, they had some chili and guacamole ready for us Friday night when we got there, which was delicious! Then Saturday they took us to see the church which was not what I was expecting but it looked really cool, kinda like church in a barn is what it looks like from the outside but the inside is a beautiful country church with a cool baptism!! We then went to the Christmas Jubilee they were having at the convention center, Mimi was not thrilled that Bipaw was with us. You know, she likes to look and take her time, whereas Bipaw likes to socialize and be done! Anyhow, we did get to look and we ate lunch there! It was fun. We also went to Tanner's Tradition (I think this is the name of the place) where Bipaw bought me a pair of earrings, they are beautiful and green so I will wear them often! He also got Dakota a little bracelet (which she loves wearing her bracelets) at the Christmas Jubilee. Tanner's Tradition had a booth set up there! Sunday was a busy day (well, it was supposed to be). We went to church, got there early so Mimi could set up for her Sunday School class. Bipaw was on stage leading worship, practice I guess! Well, since we had been there the day before Dakota thought she could just walk up on stage where everyone else was! She was a hoot, she just pranced around in circles (this is her way of dancing, yes, I know, dancing in the church, gasp!!) Then she would crawl down the steps all to do it again! Church was nice, it was good to hear Bipaw preach again, I always enjoy that! Dakota went with Mimi to her class and they made pilgram hats from cookies and other goodies, which me and Aaron ate!!! YUM! After church we went to the Inn of the Mountain gods to eat lunch, buffet style! Mimi did not go because she was getting ready for a baby shower, someone from work. Me and Kota were supposed to meet her there but lunch just did us in and we were exhausted! Monday Mimi went to work and Bipaw needed to clean out his office at church so we took Dakota down town and walked around the shops, had some hot chocolate, and threw rocks in the creek! Met Mimi and Bip for lunch, steak tacos at, well, I can't remember the name of that place now, anyways, it was good! After naps Bip took us to the lookout on the mountain, it was amazing! That night we had left overs and Bip put on a pot of beans, mmmmm,,, my favorite!! We learned to play this card game called Golf, it was a fun little game! Mimi won, I got second! And Tuesday morning after breakfast we hit the road to come home! It was a very nice, relaxing visit! We had breakfast every morning (not cereal or a piece of toast, I'm talking a full blown breakfast with fruit and everything) which was a nice change, I know Aaron enjoyed that considering I don't get up at 2am to fix him breakfast before work, I'm a horrible wife! I told Aaron on our way home I feel like when I go up to the mountains I get bloated and not missing a meal doesn't help things (don't get me wrong I like eating breakfast but since I don't on a regular basis my body isn't use to it), anyways, I told I felt like I was deflating as we continue our trip down to flat land! The windmills are really cool and we pass through a lot of cotton country! Good trip, Good times!! Thanks Mimi and Bipaw!! Love you!

Fall Festival and Update on Me

2009-11-05T10:17:00.000-08:00

We all went to the Fall Festival at church for Halloween! Our Sunday school class was in charge of a booth and ohh the endless bags of candy! We were sent home with a big brown Chili's To Go Bag full of candy! It's enough to last 6 months! Dakota was soo cute in her little bumble bee costume and she loved just walking around struttin her stuff. I wanted to eat her up!! She had a blast with her friends, Aunt Morgan, Grumps and Daddy; and crashed when we got home of course even after eating more candy than ever before!

I am doing well! We went to the doctor on Monday and after hearing stories of the same thing happening to other people and them asking for another sono or getting a second opinion, found out their baby was just fine and had a heartbeat and now they have a 20 year old healthy son. Needless to say, that but doubt in my mind so I asked for another sono just to make sure because I wasn't about to take medicine that would clean out a healthy baby! But again there was no heartbeat and it really didn't even look like a fetus anymore, pretty sad, but I know if this hadn't happened I probably wouldn't have had a perfect healthy baby and I am okay with that. Anyways, I have felt perfectly normal throughout all of this, no cramping or bleeding. My doctor was concerned that if we waited to long we run the risk of an infection, so I asked for this week to see if my body would respond and if it didn't I would start taking meds on Friday. This whole time I have just been asking God to let my body do it's job, because I don't know what it is but I don't like taking medication for anything really! Well, Tuesday evening my body started to work (I know it's weird but I was truly excited about this), although after yesterday I was still a little worried because I don't think my body had really kicked in, but this morning it did and it's doing it's job well! I am so, so thankful God answered my prayers!!!!! (Sorry for those of you if this is too much information, I tried my best to tone it down!)

Update

2009-10-30T14:23:00.000-07:00

Just want to let everyone know I went to the sonogram Wednesday and we found out that the baby's heart had stopped beating. It has been a rough, sad couple of days, but I think I am doing much better today after talking, questioning, and crying to God. Although it doesn't take the hurt and pain away, I do know that He did it for a reason that I'll only know when I meet Him and that it was for the better, for whatever reason.

I never got to see Dr. Z, I think she would have been much more supportive, probably cause I'm just comfortable around her, but Dr. Bullock said I could wait until Monday to see if my body would start the process of cleaning itself out. If my body doesn't react to what has happened she will give me some medicine to start this process. I'm kind of wondering why my body hasn't reacted yet and why it is taking so long, because I really just want that part to be over, it's not fun waiting for it. Please pray that my body does this naturally because I really am not comfortable taking drugs. She said a low dosage of whatever drug they use should do the trick, but if for some reason it doesn't they will have to do a D&C. Anyways, please just be praying for us, we love you all!

Pictures with Pumpkins

2009-10-28T11:19:00.000-07:00

Today I took Dakota to the Pumpkin Patch to take some fall pics. Morgan and Makinze went too. Dakota wanted to only give her friends and the pumpkins smoochies, not her Mama! But she is too cute when she puckers up, I love it! Here is a slideshow of all the pics! Click on the slideshow to see the full size pictures, it cuts of because of my follow list! Sorry

The Air Show

2009-10-27T10:44:00.001-07:00

This past Sunday we took Dakota to the Air Show for the second time! My sister and her fiance went with us and we had a good time! Mostly enjoyed eating all the non-healthy, but terrific food!!! I think we told Dakota once what the things in the sky were and that's all we heard the rest of the day, "yane, yane!," pointing her little finger towards the sky! She was so cute and I really think she enjoyed every minute of it! I tried strolling her around to get her to fall asleep, but that didn't work, too much going on! We left before the Blue Angels because Dakota wouldn't keep her ear muffs on for the F-16 and we didn't want her to go deaf, so we packed up and headed out around 3pm. We had been there since 9:45/10. Needless to say, she crashed before we even exited the place and stayed asleep til we returned home!! Good memories!!

Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease?!

2009-10-22T09:47:00.000-07:00

Yes, that is what my daughter has! Haven't had a doc confirm it but I'm about 99% sure that is what it is. Okay, first ringworm now this, why can't she get regular sicknesses like every other kid!!!! With her loss of appetite, fever, rash on mouth, feet, and hands that turn to blisters pretty much confirms it! I feel so bad for her, the internet said these blisters (ulcer like) go all the way down her throat, thus causing her to not want to eat anything except cereal, bread, eggs and milk!! Poor baby, but I read it's a viral disease and there is nothing the doc can give her except motrin to relieve the fever, so I'm not wasting $40 for the doc to say, "yep it's hand foot and mouth." It is looking better today though and I can tell she is feeling better so I think it's down hill from here!!

Here is the sonogram photo of our newest baby!

News!!!

2009-10-21T08:23:00.000-07:00

I know most of you probably already know this but I'm posting to make it official! That's right Kota is going to be a BIG SISTER!!! I couldn't decide if I wanted to post the video or the pics and I tried last week but the pics were too small to read what it said on Kota's shirt, so here it is. We went to see Dr. Z last Thursday, however, I didn't get to see Dr. Z. She has a new partner now so I will be seeing both of them throughout my pregnancy. Didn't like this chic as much as Dr. Z but who can top Dr. Z. She is just younger and not as experienced as Z and not as personable, but she made me feel good about the possibility of a VBAC, so that was nice. Anyway got to see the little jelly bean and the heart beat. From the tool they use to find your due date I'm supposed to be 8 weeks (well prolly 9 weeks now), but the sonogram measured the baby at 6.5 weeks. Not unusual, we always measure small, but she wants me to come back next Wednesday for another sono. She told me it was so they could better determine a date, but I think they just want to make sure the baby is growing! I had a rough Saturday two weeks ago and got sick once that day (prolly cause I didn't eat anything!) but since then I have been a lot better, just tired and easily exhausted! Dakota had a rash break out around her mouth on Monday morning and it has slowly spread to her arms and legs hands and feet. Haven't called the doc yet cause I think it's just an allergy but if it doesn't clear up or start to go away I'll call tomorrow. Anyways that's what's going on at the Donaldson Household! The pic below is one of all three girls pregnant(different stages of course!)for the first and last time because the next day Leigh had Aleigh!

Okay! Okay! New Stuff!

2009-09-28T13:30:00.000-07:00

I know, I know it's been forever since my last post! So SORRY! Nothing exciting had been going on to post. But we did just get back from visiting my Aunt Beth in Florida last Wednesday! We had a great time! It made me so nervous and stressed getting on a plane with a 15 month old, but Dakota did so good. I was amazed and thankful! We went to the beach one day, got to see my other Aunt and Uncle one day, Uncle W came in for the weekend while we were there. I got to go kayaking with my Aunt. She lives on Crystal River which is spring water so it is very clean and pretty. We kayaked about 40 minutes to this place called Three Sisters. It was the most beautiful site I've seen,(next to the mountains!). It is this little cove type place that you can swim or snorkel in. The water is crystal clear blue like pool water because the springs are right under you. You can see all the little sand granules at the bottom. It looks like something you would see in a brochure of a private cove area. In one area a tree fell in the water and you can see the tree trunk and all its limbs in one piece down at the bottom! It was gorgeous! We also saw a fish and a little otter! Had a wonderful time, but it was good to come home to some fall weather! Thank you Lord!

Pawpaw's Outfit (Racer Chic)

2009-08-04T11:00:00.000-07:00

This was given to Dakota from my Dad, clearly an Earnhardt fan! And the glasses came from my Aunt Pam and cousin Macie! Soo cute!

Pictures in the Park

2009-08-04T10:37:00.000-07:00

Playing & Walking

2009-07-24T15:07:00.000-07:00

Emptying the Dishwasher

2009-07-24T13:44:00.000-07:00

Okay, so yesterday I was emptying the dishwasher, putting up the silverware. And where I keep the silverware, I have my back to the dishwasher. Well, Dakota always plays with whatever she can find, when I'm doing dishes, so it was no surprise to hear her behind me, little did I know this is how I would find her when I turned around. I thought about saying, "No mam!" but quickly came to the conclusion that she wasn't hurting anything, so I just laughed and quickly ran to get my camera before she found her way down. I get ready to take a pic and the battery is dead, so I try using my big camera (that doesn't have a flash) and I know that there isn't enough light in the kitchen but here it is a little blurry but you can still see it

Swim Pics (as promised!)

2009-07-22T11:26:00.001-07:00

Okay here are a few swim pics of the girls!

Swim Lessons (Graduation!)

2009-07-10T10:43:00.000-07:00

So, we've been doing swim lessons for the past two weeks and today was graduation. It started out Lerin, Robbyn, Dakota, and Laurie's twins Morgan and Makinze. Starting a week late, because we were taking turns being sick the first week. After the first day I was disappointed that Dakota didn't do as well as I thought she would because she just loves the water. When she was put underwater she stiffened her whole body!! Legs went straight up out of the water! It was pretty comical. However, by the end of last week, she was holding on to the kick board herself and pedaling, swimming to fingers, and swimming to the rope, and the only time she cried was when it wasn't her turn.I guess my expectations were a little high for the first day!! Lerin and Robbyn did excellant! Lerin swims to fingers off the step and Robbyn was probably the best kicker we had! They both were diving too!! Off the diving board and underwater for rings!! Morgan and Makinze did not like swim lessons and we were surprised to see them still crying at end of last week, little did we know that they both had ear infections!! Poor babies! They weren't acting right over the weekend so Laurie took them to the doc and ear infections for both! Needless to say they weren't able to finish the lessons with us. Hopefully, we will still be able to work with them over the summer!
So here is a few videos from graduation and a few photos. Don't know where the lines came from other than direct sun in the lens. Leigh bought a disposable underwater camera that she used today to get some cool shots under the water, so as soon as I get some of those I will post them as well!!!

We are WALKING!

2009-07-09T12:38:00.000-07:00

This was too funny. Can you tell she likes taking baths with or without water in the tub? She just climbed right in and did not want me to get her out! Here is a video of Dakota taking some steps!

Latest Piece of Work

2009-07-09T08:54:00.000-07:00

This is my latest work that I'm pretty proud of! I took the photos and did the rest in the computer, nothing was scanned in. The twins are turning one in August and I agreed to make their party invitation for them! The picture of both of them together is going to be on the back of the invitation. For those of you that got Dakota's party invitation, I also made that one! Anyways, I am really blessed that God has given me this wonderful ability of making art, I just wish I knew how to market it so I could start making some money!!

Recent Events

2009-07-08T12:45:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to update you all with some new pics I took with my new camera. I got a Canon EOS 5D and it is awesome, I love it. I don't know why blogger always seems to darken my photos, but they aren't this dark on my computer! Aaron is working all the time it seems between UPS and mowing, but we are surviving! Dakota is took her first steps last Friday! So exciting, but so sad for me!! My baby is growing up! But she is so much fun! This week we are finishing up swim lessons, which she is loving! She loves the water! I can't believe how well she is doing along with Lerin and Robbyn. Lerin is finally reaching and Robbyn is finally opening her eyes and they can both dive in head first, with my help of course! They are all doing so good! Aaron, Dakota and I went to lake last Monday with our neighbor Tim. He taught Aaron how to wake board, so I included a few of those photos. Aaron loved it, he says he wants to go more to get a work out because he was feeling it the next day!

Birthday Party

2009-06-09T09:48:00.001-07:00

1st Birthday Pics

2009-06-09T09:43:00.000-07:00

Birthday Pics

2009-06-09T09:39:00.001-07:00

1st Birthday

2009-06-09T09:27:00.000-07:00

Dakota's party was this past Saturday and boy did she have a blast! Thank you guys that came, I'm glad we could all get together! We had hamburgers and hot dogs with chips and dip and everything was wonderful! (thanks Morgan and Mom and Laurie for helping with everything!) She liked opening her gifts, some of which she liked so much she did not want to move on to others! And the cake! She loved it but you really can't tell from the photos because she isn't a very messy eater!

Eating Spaghetti

2009-04-14T09:34:00.000-07:00

This is a video of Dakota eating spaghetti, it's pretty funny, but don't ask me why Aaron turned the camera vertical??!!!

Easter Pics!!

2009-04-14T09:25:00.000-07:00

Dallas Arboretum

2009-04-14T09:16:00.000-07:00

Leigh and her girls and Laurie and her girls and Dakota and I went to the Dallas Arboretum or "Arburrito" as Lerin says! It was absolutely beautiful! We went with the seniors (not highschool seniors) of the church. We road on the big bus or "school bus" and Lerin said it was the best trip ever!!!

Video from Florida

2009-04-14T08:58:00.000-07:00

Dakota loves the water!!!

Trip to Florida

2009-04-14T08:40:00.000-07:00

We (Dakota and I), flew to Florida to pick up this car my Uncle gave us. We stayed a week with my Aunt Beth at her river house, which was so beautiful. Dakota loved the water as you can see! We got to go out on the boat to a place called shell island and ate lunch there. It was so much fun! Kota had exhausted herself by the time we got there, but she woke up and ate with us. My brother, T.W., was there for the weekend with us and he watched Dakota and Harper, my aunt's granddaughter, while me and Aunt Beth went kayaking for an hour. That was a lot of fun and a workout, wish we could have gone longer but it was just T.W. with the two girls! Anyways, we had a blast in the Florida sun and then we drove to Mobile, Alabama for my Pop's 90th Birthday! Mom flew in Thursday to drive back with us but Aaron surprised us and came with Morgan and Melvin. Got to hear some great stories of the past from my Pop and Gran just went on and on about 'Little Aaron' aka Dakota, she is so sweet, my Gran!

9 Months

2009-04-14T07:49:00.000-07:00

I can't believe she is 9 months (well 10 now since this is so late!), that is way too close to a year!

Ski Trip from February (sorry so late)

2009-04-14T07:33:00.000-07:00

We had such a good time! Aaron skied everyday and loved it! Jana skied the mornings so that I could ski the afternoon. It was beautiful! We also went snow tubing which was a blast! Dakota went down with Aaron once. She didn't cry but, was gasping for her breath which was continually taken away! She is such a good traveler!

The Crawling Pooh

2009-03-02T13:46:00.000-08:00

This is a video from January that I just now got uploaded, it's pretty funny!! I promise to have new photos up this week!!

On the Move!!

2009-01-22T15:59:00.000-08:00

This past Tuesday evening Dakota started crawling!! I can't believe this is already happening, where does the time go? She doesn't like it as much as I thought she would, but I think it's just cause she gets tired easily. She's so funny though, she hasn't grasped that there are doors to other rooms yet so she still whines when she is in the same room for any length of time! Here are a few videos of her on the move!! Enjoy!!(the first one is kinda long and she finally crawls at the end!)

Twins Update

2008-12-30T16:00:00.001-08:00

Here is an updated photo of the twins, who are soon to be 5 months.

Dakota's 6 Month Photos

2008-12-30T15:49:00.000-08:00

These are some of the photos I took of Kota for her 6 months, they are too cute!! Dakota is sitting up so good, and is wanting to crawl so badly. She gets up on all fours but doesn't really go anywhere yet. If she moves, it is usually backwards, but she sometimes scoots foreward. I can't believe how time is just flying by! She is so much fun! She is eating bananas, pears, applesauce, peaches and after several times of trying cereal, I gave up, she just wouldn't have it even if I mixed it with fruit. I tried oatmeal with fruit and she did seem to like that!

More Pictures from the Holidays

2008-12-30T15:41:00.000-08:00

These were taken in Alabama, except for the one of all three of the grandchildren. They are the 4 and 3 generation pictures of the women on my mom's side.

We're Back!!

2008-12-30T15:26:00.000-08:00

Sorry I haven't been blogging over the Holiday Season, all the pictures I've been taking I had intended on them being our Christmas Card Pictures and then I would get a better idea and not use the older ones, so some of these are a month or 2 old.

We missed a lot of you at Thanksgiving this year, my family was very surprised to us and my Gran still talks about her little Dakota Ashlee! Thank you all for understanding why we couldn't be there! Dakota did so good on the trip that was supposed to be 8 hours but ended up being like 11! She never cried, just played in carseat!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! Dakota didn't really care too much about the toys everyone gave her, but loved playing with the paper they were wrapped in! Hope you enjoy the new pics and have a Happy New Year!

Pumpkins, Pumpkins, Pumpkins!!!

2008-10-22T15:12:00.000-07:00

Here is the picture of Dakota and her friends Morgan and Makinze. Check out Morgan's smile (the one on the left), it doesn't happen very often, but she is so cute when she does! I hope to get some more videos of Dakota up soon. She can now roll over and she tries to crawl. It is really just a scoot because her hands and legs don't work together yet! She also is getting her two front bottom teeth in. Fun, fun!!!

Mason and the GIRLS!

2008-10-22T09:53:00.000-07:00

This past weekend we had Bret and Laurie and Mark and Ashley and their babies over for dinner so we could visit with each other. I was also taking pictures of Mason that day. Laurie thought it would be fun to get all the babies in one photo. This is how it turned out! Makinze cried the whole time and Mason started in a little later! From left to right: Dakota, Mason, Makinze, and Morgan.

Cutest Pumpkin on the Block!

2008-10-22T09:44:00.000-07:00

My friend with the twins had this great idea to put our babies in pumpkins and take some pictures. They turned out too cute! What a great idea! I took pictures of her girls yesterday and Dakota today, hopefully I can get all three of them together. HAPPY FALL EVERYONE!!!

Mr. Mason Douglas

2008-10-22T09:30:00.000-07:00

Our friends, Mark and Ashley, had their baby boy, Mason, about a month ago. Isn't he handsome!

New Pics

2008-10-14T12:09:00.000-07:00

Aaron, Dakota and I went to the Air Show this past Saturday. It was so much fun, but I was so mad I forgot my camera at home! I think the jet scared me more than it did Dakota, she never cried, But I closed her ears when it would come by. That aircraft is truly amazing!! Anyways, sorry I don't have photos of the event, but here are a few new ones. These were taken at my mom's yard sale. The picnic basket matched Dakota so I thought it would make a cute picture and as you can see she fell in one photo but I think it's funny!

Niederhaus Family

2008-10-06T13:19:00.000-07:00

These are a few of my favorite pictures I took of a family I grew close to while working at Bowen Road. We went to Veteran's Park Saturday evening to take them. They are a beautiful family!

Bath Time!!!

2008-09-23T20:05:00.000-07:00

So, this is bath time. It is hilarious!! We removed the sling she used to lay in because she was making a mess in the kitchen sink. That really didn't help things, as you will see we had to move her to the tub. I can hardly get her bathed anymore because of all the movement! Take a look at this video, it will make you laugh! Enjoy!

Beautiful Light!

2008-09-21T14:44:00.000-07:00

While Aaron was attempting to be an artist, I did notice the wonderful natural light yesterday morning and we got some really good pics!

Aaron the Artist

2008-09-21T14:38:00.000-07:00

Aaron thought he'd be a photographer for a moment! Can you guess which one is his?

Up and Running

2008-09-13T12:19:00.000-07:00

Well, here we are! Can't believe we are actually bloggers now! I (Patricia) have pushed this idea away for so long, but I really think it will be easier than emailing everyone pictures, they can just log on anytime and see updated photos. So, I probably won't post everyday, but at least once a week. Hope you enjoy!

Sharp Twins

2008-09-13T10:33:00.000-07:00

Our friends Bret and Laurie Sharp had twins a little over a month ago. Both Makinze and Morgan weighed more than Dakota at birth! They are adorable little girls! This is a picture I took of them.