Our Big Girl is 3!!!

Malaya is 3 tomorrow!!! Where has the time gone?? It seems like just yesterday when she was born. Our best friends, Brandy & Nick, had their son, Logan, a day before Malaya. Tonight Malaya called to wish Logan Happy Birthday and it just brought tears to my eyes. 3 Years ago, Logan had just arrived, and now they are talking on the phone to each other!!

We had Malaya's Dora birthday party on Saturday. Grandma Audrey made her a Dora Cake. We had a really fun time and Malaya got lots of nice things. She got a slinky, Dora ornament, vacuum, mop / broom set, clothes, twin dolls and stroller / high chair, Jeff Gordon barbie, Music CD, a pink bow & arrows, puzzles and books. It has been fun to have new toys for all of us to play with!!!

This morning when we got up, Gary was still sleeping and Malaya wanted to play with her vacuum right away and I said no, you need to wait for daddy to wake up. She said, but mommy, my room is really dirty and I need to clean it. I said - I highly doubt it since you spent all last evening vacuuming it!! Then after lunch today, I told her it was nap time and she said, but mommy, can't I play with my vacuum. It's pretty cute. We are going to have the cleanest house ever - thanks to her!!

We are headed to my parents for Christmas on Thursday morning. Then to Gary's Grandma for lunch Christmas Day. We will be having Christmas with Gary's family on Jan 2.





The girls playing kitchen




Daddy giving the girls a ride in the laundry basket




Malaya in her new dress & tights before church




I love Miranda's face




The girls dressed up before church




My little girl - notice her 2 teeth??




Miranda & Shylow




Malaya and her Dora birthday cake Grandma Audrey made






Malaya vacuuming with her CD player around her neck




Shylow with her Christmas scarf




Miranda's favorite part of the presents - the bow!





Twin stroller / high chair set





Jeff Gordon Barbie from Papa Clark

Uncle Mike got her a pink bow

Miranda playing with Malaya's CD Player





Pam showing Malaya how her slinky works




Blowing out her candles




Daddy & Malaya





Happy Birthday to Malaya

Crazy Fun

What a busy week we had. Friday night my dad, Sheila & Mike, Aunt Bonnie, Gary & I all went to the Rush game....while my mom watched the girls.

On Saturday, we started off the day with getting Malaya's 3 year old pictures taken. If you would like to see them click here and use Sommerlyn Naescher as the user name. https://www.smilesbywire.com/home.asp?AC=LTPP0592119147JCP

Then Brandy, Nick & the kids came over and we offered to watch their kids while they went Christmas shopping. We had sooooo much fun. We watched movies, made a gingerbread house, played puzzles, Swiper (from Dora) and then opened birthday and Christmas presents.

Saturday night I woke up with the stomach flu....we didn't do much of anything Sunday. Thank goodness it happened on a weekend and I didn't have to take PTO. This was the 6th time in 16 months that I've had the flu......so now this week is going to be catch up on laundry, the house, etc.

Doesn't seem possible these 2 are turning 3 next week

Alyssa & Miranda

Logan & Malaya working on the gingerbread house



Decorating with candy

Finished house

The Naescher girls & Brakke kids

And who says I can't watch 4 kids??

Swiper no Swipping!!

Alyssa & Miranda

Miranda's favorite part of the gifts was the garbage sack

I absolutely love this video of Logan & Malaya

A Weekend To Ourselves

Gary & I got a whole weekend to ourselves - I don't remember the last time that happened.... actually, I'm not sure it's happened before??? :) Gary took the girls to my parents on Friday and that night we went to the Rush Hockey Game. Saturday we got up and did our Christmas shopping. We have everything bought and wrapped, except for one gift. That night we went to the symphony orchestra and then out to Thirsty's for awhile afterwards. It was so nice to have a break from the girls, but we were more than ready to get them back on Sunday. I think my parents had lots of fun with them. They helped them put up their Christmas tree and even made a gingerbread house!!

My mom said Malaya took this picture herself

8 Months Old

Once again another month has gone by way too fast. I can't believe Miranda is 8 months already!! She has learned so much in this month. She started out by belly crawling and 2 weeks later she was on her knees and had it all figured out. Now she goes, goes, goes. I'll be back in our bedroom and before I know it, she's right at my tail. She can also pull herself up. It's been lots of fun tracking what she does compared to Malaya and so far she's been right on track with her... so, if that continues, she'll be walking in 2 months!! I'm not sure that I'm ready for that though. Miranda loves her big sister and Shylow. She just laughs when they talk to her. I didn't get the best pictures for 8 months, but they'll work.....

Thanksgiving Weekend

We went to Wall to spend Thanksgiving with Gary's family. We had lots of fun. It was the 4 of us, his parents, Grandma & Bart, and Chris. Malaya got to help carve the turkey. We had lots of good food to eat and even played pin the top hat on the Turkey!!! I even won!!

Friday we ended back at the doctor with Miranda. She has another ear infection!! I hope this isn't going to be a repeat of Malaya!!

On Saturday we headed back to Wall to get our family pictures taken with Gary's side of the family and then spent the rest of the day putting up our Christmas Tree and decorations.

Today we found out that our Aunt Bonnie had to put her 12 year old dog, Ferguson, to sleep. A little over a month ago, her kitty, TinkerBella, didn't make it through the surgery to get her spayed. We are so sad, but we know that Chillee, Ferguson, and TinkerBella are all in heaven playing together.

I think this is going to be a record post for pictures!!! Sorry - I couldn't choose!!




Thanksgiving Table



Table Centerpieces



Before Eating



Papa John playing with the girls



Grandma Twila & Malaya - she got the girls each Thanksgiving aprons



Malaya helping carve the turkey



Miranda playing in the gords



4 generation picture



G&G Naescher with girls




Papa John & Miranda



Pin the Top Hat on the Turkey - do you see my top hat on the turkey's head???



My 2 sweet turkeys!



Miranda at the table



Great-Grandma Williamson & Grandma Twila



Uncle Chris & Miranda



Uncle Chris & the girls



Our Family



Great-Uncle Bart & Miranda



Great-Grandma & Malaya eating dessert



Malaya making sure all the branches are out of the box



Gary putting up the tree



Miranda in front of the Christmas tree



The girls in front of the Christmas tree



The girls riding the horsey!



Miranda on the horsey!!



Papa Clark & Miranda in her santa hat

Miranda just loves musical toys and last year Grandma Audrey got this toy for Malaya & Miranda loves it!! I got this video of the girls listening to it sing