Christmas Morning - Post One

Nothing better than waking up at 6:15..... 

to find that Santa had brought you a kitchen & the biggest dump-truck a ONE year old could ask for. 

Grandpa Ashby and Uncle Tanner stayed the night to enjoy the morning excitement with us! 

More pictures to come soon!

Loading up the decorations - we waste no time in this house!
That tree has been tipped over one to many times this year!

Christmas Ready!

Horseback Riding from MiMi (Levi's mom)

Matching Pajamas - thanks Aunt Amanda

Christmas Eve running around....ended this beautiful way!

Tenn Trip

Here are a few of the pictures from our trip to celebrate the life of my Aunt Jeanie. We had such a great time of worship and praise. At one point, at the service I looked over and Clairana had both her hands held high singing her heart out (her own words of course) it was the strongest I have felt the spirit in a long time. Very thankful we were able to go and spend time with the Davis family.

Grandma Brigham with Nephi on the Harley

 We were given this beautiful inn to stay while we were visiting. Pictures do not even show how adorable and charming this place is. What a blessing to not have to worry about a place to stay and to have all of us stay together (14). If you ever go to Franklin, Tennessee it is in a perfect location - walking distance to breakfast and little shops. THANK YOU!
 http://www.visitleipersfork.com/lodging/leipers-fork-inn

The INN

ROAD TRIP

Swinging in the morning at the Inn

The weather was amazing, the morning of the service it was 70 degrees, then it rained during the service and afterwards we walked out to this. 

Double Rainbow above the Church

Rick Davis with his FIVE children and their spouses/grandchildren
 MTW Photography 

Christmas Videos

Christmas with the Grays

We headed out to Grandpa Gray and Gramma Moni's house for an early Christmas 

(December 9th) 

before life got too hectic with the holidays.

Snuggling & watching Christmas movies

Ready to Eat

Grandpa Gray with Crazy Eyes Nephi

Both the Crazies with Gramma Moni

Big Boy Seat

Happy Birthday Nephi Joe!

I had other people take pictures so as soon as those filter down I will post, until then here is one of him with his birthday cake. His birthday party was a huge success but he was a little more reserved than his sister was which completely matches their personalities. 

And this is what we got him for his birthday from his giftcards/money - THANKS everyone! A BIG BOY carseat! He now gets to turn around and see everyone. 

More Pictures....



Several Several Years Ago... I Love this photo



Big Wedding Day with our Two Beautiful Mamas.
(sorry for my crazy eyes) 



Aunt Jeanie

Another hard time for the Wallace/Davis Family. My mother's older sister Jeanie passed away after she had been a cancer fighter for ten years. A few weeks ago, I was driving into work and dug into my purse and found a random wrapper to blot my lipstick and I instantly thought of my Aunt Jeanie.

She ALWAYS had random receipts or papers with lip prints. I will always remember how she always hugged longer than you, had fancy lotion and lipstick, loved the Lord and always was looking for missionary moments, she looked for the good in every situation, and provided a great role model to Levi and I in our marriage. She ALWAYS told us that she loved us - every time.

We will be leaving to Tennessee tomorrow morning to spend time with family and friends and to celebrate her life on earth and her life now in the Lord's kingdom. May she be giving Aunt Charlotte a hard time and singing with Grandpa.



Jeanie A. Davis, 52

Mrs. Jeanie A. Davis, 52, of Spring Hill, Tenn., passed from life to life on December 12, 2012, at her residence. Jeanie loves Jesus with her whole heart. She's a servant of the Lord, a mighty prayer warrior, and loves to teach and preach the gospel. She loves her husband Rick, her children and grandchildren. Cooking for her family, reading and traveling are a few of her favorite things. With her very outgoing personality and great sense of humor, she is everyone's best friend. Preceded in passing by her father, Stanley A. Wallace Sr.; daughter in law, Kelly Davis; and sister, Charlotte Wallace.


Survived by husband of 30 years, Rick Davis; mother, Gertrude Wallace; sons, Travis (Alisa) Davis, Kirtus, Drew and Shawn Davis; daughter, Brittany (Matt) Jenkins; brother, Stanley A. (Angie) Wallace Jr.; sister, Audrey C. (Randy) Brigham; grandchildren, Gracie, Paige, Ruby, Kenadie and Titus Davis. A Celebration of Life will be held 1 p.m. Monday, December 17, 2012, at Grace Chapel, 3279 Southall Rd., Franklin, Tenn.; Pastors Steve Berger and Rick Cua officiating. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital . Spring Hill Memorial Park Funeral Home & cremation services, 5239 Main St. Spring Hill, TN 931-486-0059. www.springhill-tnmemorial.com.

FIRST BIRTHDAY!!!

WOW

Today is the DAY.

Mr. Nephi Joe is

ONE

Here is the invitation for his birthday party, I used Tiny Prints (AMAZING)

It is hard to believe it has already been a year, time is just flying by. I love this little man he is always so happy and loves to cuddle. Look at those cheeks you just have to kiss them!

He is full of laughter and LOVES his daddy - Levi and him just laugh and laugh and laugh.

He is completely ticklish and LOVES to eat. He is definitely our little bruit and it works out great because Clairana can be a little rough with him but he just takes it in and smiles.

WE LOVE YOU LITTLE MAN

&

CAN'T WAIT TO SEE WHAT THIS NEXT YEAR WILL BRING.



Great Aunt Carolyn

This was a picture from Thanksgiving Day, she wore this beautiful afghan or shawl that her

Great Aunt Carolyn (Terri's Sister) made for her.

Family/Friends Time at the Apartment

We have had LOTS of company lately which has been great.

Who would have ever pictured this ten years ago?? That is Uncle El, Uncle Damon, and Daddy playing with Langston (Amanda's little man) Clairana and Nephi

COUSINS!
They are starting to play like brother and sister which is super cute!

PIZZA TIME

Clairana just LOVES Uncle Josh - Nephi is not so sure just yet.....

Maybe this will be another Tiny One Someday.....
Uncle Tyrone, Aunt Ashli and Nephi Joe

All Girl
(MiMi's earrings that she gave me right before Levi and I got married)

Christmas Tree Video 2012

Christmas Tree 2012

Thanksgiving 2012

Tyrone & Ashli's Celebration Night!

Tyrone & Ashli were home for Thanksgiving for the LAST time as an ENGAGED couple.

So....we had to throw them a SURPRISE NIGHT OUT CELEBRATION!

It was FABULOUS night full of fun with all the siblings.

Tifni and I had put together a small get together to invite a few of Ashli's friends and got Tyrone in on the surprise so he could help with timing at the restaurant.

Of course we had to get a veil, some pink boas and balloons!

We started at Walt's Pub for dinner and ended up at Nine Irish Brothers for entertainment.



Mr. & Mrs. Russell (Tifni is Levi's Sister)




Sexy BROTHER IN LAWS TO BE




The Girls!
I LOVE having SISTERS - FINALLY!




All of Us - Celebrating the Night



Can't wait to see this lady walk down the aisle - JUNE will be here in no time!

XOXOX

**PS Thanks to my parents and Josh's parents for letting us have a kid free night!

November 2012



THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THEY ARE QUIET.....AUNT ASHLI AND TYRONE WERE STAYING SO WE HAD OUR BLOW UP MATTRESS OUT FOR THEM......NEPHI AND CLAIRANA WANTED TO ENJOY IT TOO!



YES THOSE ARE DIAPER WIPES



FIRST TASTE OF DEER SAUSAGE

FIRST TASTE OF DEER SAUSAGE

WALKING!

Nephi Joe started walking on Saturday, November 24th. We were out visiting Aunt Woody and Greg and Aunt Woody put him down and he walked three steps to Levi.

I about died,

we have been trying for days to get him to walk and she just casually put him down and he did it.

Since then he has walked a few more steps each day, although his climbing has gotten crazy lately.

Crazy how fast they grow!

Last Day Kidz Company

This was taken on November 16th - It was their last day at Kidz Company. This was a bittersweet day because they had just gotten settled in to a routine but we thought a switch would be better.

It started with a bad review of our daycare, nothing too exciting and we had not had any issues personally but it made me question what was the best option for our house.

After talking about it for several several hours I decided to pray about it for a few days. Working with the thought of your children not being in the best place is well not really happening I was pretty miserable.

I was on Facebook and looked up an old girlfriend of mine who I was going to email and see where she took her kids.....yeah she had an incident and on her Facebook page it said she was now the owner of Bright Minds In home Childcare.

At this point, Levi was not open for discussion of in-home because it was less eyes and he really just didn't want another change for our kids after all we have put them through with the moves and me going back to work. So I prayed some more......

I gathered all my information up about Heather's place and decided to see if I could change his mind.

Pros:

Price
Homemade Organic Meals
Knowing the individual
In-Home (might be better for less structure right now)

Cons:

Less eyes
Drive

*** Much more information but I won't completely bore you - poor Levi......

So, we decided to make the switch, we went over to Heather's two weekends before to test it out with us of course. The kids did really well. Clairana was always having a meltdown when we would arrive at school and after three months I really felt like she should be over that stage. Now, she has fussed a few days at Heather's when I leave but I really do feel that a little less structure and more home-like surroundings are easier for a two year old at least right now. She did learn alot at Kidz Company but does a two year old really need to be going to school?

I am VERY excited about the change and it seems to be doing great. With the holiday they have only been a few days but I already feel great relief and as always you need to listen to your gut.

Plus, I am really excited about rekindling a friendship from my childhood, I remember my parents best friends and how we grew up with their kids and I am excited to see Clairana and Nephi make those same special bonds.
Thank you Heavenly Father for this amazing blessing, how wonderful it is to know that your children are taken care of while you are away from them!

Grandpa Ashby

This past week was full of ups and downs - on Tuesday afternoon Tanner (my baby brother) came and picked me up early from work and we got to visit with our Grandpa Ashby for the last time.

I am very thankful that I was able to see him before he passed that night. As I contemplated when to go see him - Levi is always the one to say how important it is to visit family as he missed the chance to say goodbye to his grandfather.

What an amazing woman, my grandmother is she was calm and very sweet when talking about their 58 years of marriage. I asked her what her piece of martial advice would be - humor just remember to enjoying laughing with each other. She insisted on still having Thanksgiving dinner at her house and it was a great time for her to visit with Clairana and Nephi.


James Ashby.James W. "Jim" Ashby, 79




James W. "Jim" Ashby, 79, of Lafayette, passed away at home at 11:05 p.m. on Tuesday, November 20, 2012 surrounded by his loving family. Born August 29, 1933 in Lafayette, he was the son of the late Roe M. Ashby and Alice (Yelton) Ashby Payne Cunningham. Jim was a 1952 graduate of Lafayette Jefferson High School. He honorably served in the United States Navy from 1952 to 1956 during the Korean Conflict.



His marriage was to Bessie Joan "Jody" Jared on September 8, 1954 in Ventura, CA, and she survives. Jim was a member of Pipefitters Local #157 for 55 years, retiring in 1996. He was also a member of American Legion Post #11, the Navy Club and a former member of the Eagles Lodge. He enjoyed woodworking, fishing, mushroom hunting, and going to casinos. He was a lifelong Chicago Cubs fan.



Surviving with his wife are his children, Debbie Trader (husband, Brad) of Monticello, IN and Rick Ashby of Lafayette; three sisters, Lois Thoennes of Valparaiso, and Sandy Williams and Sherry Oland (husband, Jerry) both of Lafayette; 11 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and his beloved cat, Persia. He was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter, Jan Ashby and a great granddaughter, Beautie Porche.

The family will receive friends from 1-3 p.m. Saturday at Hippensteel Funeral Home, with a memorial service to follow at 3 p.m. Celebrant Denis Horn officiating.

Woody & Greg Time

This past weekend was CRAZY hectic, Woody and Greg watched Clairana while we went to part of a Purdue football game and my grandfather's funeral.

Clairana always LOVES it at their house.

Although Greg was not very excited about getting his picture taken, *disclosure he was working outside all morning* I was very thankful because I don't have any pictures of him!