independent olivia

why does olivia feel the need to climb up everything? amber never climbed. olivia has been caught on the counter top way too many times! she doesn't ask for juice. she just goes and gets it herself! she has become quite the pro. out of curiosity, i watched her do it. she pushes a chair up to the counter; climbs up on the counter and picks out a sippy cup with a matching lid; she climbs back down off the counter and gets the juice out of the fridge; then she has to get back on the chair to pour it in her cup and puts the lid on plus she closes the juice and puts it back in the fridge....leaving no evidence behind. yesterday i caught her standing on top of the garbage can in order to reach a ring pop that had been placed on the top of the microwave. i had a minor heart attack, but she was successful! what an independent little girl... a little too independent if you ask me!

our new bundle!

we couldn't be happier to show off our new cousin and nephew!! we don't have many pictures yet (quinn or carly if you're reading this...e-mail me those pictures!!!)

Dylan Anthony Ross

was born on february 6, 2008 at 1:10 a.m. weighing 8 lbs 4 oz

i believe that makes me the winner of the baby pool!! woo-hoo! winner receives nothing, but i did manage to get a burp (a big burp might i add) from baby dylan when no one else could!

(this might be a slight exaggeration)

nothing but love for baby dylan

goofin' around

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

amber's family party

a very cool remote control barbie convertible from uncle quinn & auntie carly!

can you tell she can hardly wait to watch it? a new hannah montanna dvd from uncle rob, auntie sheri and cousin kayla!

a really neat mommy & me scrapbooking kit from uncle mike and auntie erin!

yet another birthday cake!! who is so lucky to have three birthday cakes? this one was specially made by grandma and if you look closely you can see that amber placed the candles in interesting places on poor cinderella!

been awhile

it has been a busy month. i'm very far behind with posts considering amber had two birthday parties and we have a newborn nephew to show off!! here are all the updates.

Amber's Big Party

amber's very first friend birthday party. we let her invite as many girls as she wanted since she didn't know very many kids in her class. she had a blast....a little chaotic at times...but lots of fun! they had snacks, played barbies & games, and made bracelets. bronwyn and amber came up with a plan to have a sleepover after everyone else left the party, and lucky for them - both mom's said yes! (another first for amber - so much excitement) i think those two realized how much they miss seeing eachother everyday!

all the curious eyes on amber to see what is under the wrapping

the girls waiting to see which barbie amber will hand to them

i secretly told the girls that amber loves it when people sing happy birthday really loud...she gets so embarrassed!

our beloved hannah montanna!

fargo

we had lots of fun visiting uncle shane and auntie kim: we tried on auntie kim's pretty shoes

amber got a birthday present while we were there

here she is looking at her new books

we had some quiet time while mommy and auntie kim were shopping (snuggling with bunbun) and we went to coolest restaurant EVER....space aliens!

and of course....Olivia walked around without her clothes on....

just out of the shower is Olivia eating a bun

our baby turned six!!

finally....my birthday present! that's right...it's all about Hannah Montana this year...the shirt , the purse and the wallet (to go with her Hannah Montana boots of course!) grandma and grandpa came to visit with a birthday cake....we could only light one sparkler at a time. we have a picture like this every year on her birthday.....when we sing happy birthday to her, she covers her ears with embarrassment. (there will be more pictures to come after all her parties.)

boxing day morning

amber being patient AGAIN

how did grandma know i wanted this?

nothing like a new baby to keep olivia busy

just checking to see if there's anything inside my new suitcase

and there is! some new books! after we pried olivia away from her new books, she got her own puppy that says her name and grows too!

but what about the big red one in with our names on it?? what could it be?

a big barbie dollhouse!!

christmas evening

we came home on christmas evening to get ready for the next big gathering and when we got there we found that Santa had come while we were away!

one of the biggest reactions! and all for an aero bar!

emptying my stocking

santa brought them each a princess sleeping bag

gotta test them out in the middle of our christmas mess

and of course, just what amber asked for, a new bunny

livie's new puppy!

and miss hannah montana....i mean amber mintenko's new boots.....hannah montana boots that is!

christmas morning

christmas morning amber was awake at 5:45 am...she had to be soooo patient.....she waited until everyone arrived at 8:30 am to open gifts...i think that might have been the longest morning of her life.

amber opening her new camera from uncle mike and auntie erin

olivia with her new book from grandma & grandpa

then the girls went skating with cousin kayla...

...they had lots of fun together!!