A Very Merry Christmas!

Ashley and I cannot stop talking about how absolutely perfect our Christmas was. Having two children to share this special day with has really made it fun!

Christmas Eve day... I worked a half day and rushed home just in time to braid Caitlyn's hair, spruce myself up from work, pack the car, and we then rushed to the Christmas Eve church service. Afterwards, we rushed to Aunt Cindy's... stayed long enough to say hello, feed Ashton, change two diapers, and say good bye. We then rushed to Ash's parent's house and said hello, had a drink, opened a few presents, and said good bye. Christmas Eve has gotten to be a lot of rushing around to squeeze in family time on both sides... but Ash and I talked about it and we really wouldn't have it anyother way.

Christmas Day was amazingly relaxful and fun... and full of memories that will never be forgotten.  Caitlyn and Ashton both slept in til 9:45!!!  When we all woke up and made it downstairs, there was a special gift from my Mom to Caitlyn under the tree...Cinnabon 'roll rolls' (Cinnamon Rolls). Caitlyn opened that present first and I have NEVER seen her so excited!!! We took a break after one gift and heated up some roll rolls and fed Ashton. Afterwards, we tried hard to pry Caitlyn away from her brandnew Kitchen... then we realized we had no where to rush to so we opened up one present and let her play and then made a huge brunch, opened another present and played... then we all napped (while Dad watched basketball), woke up and opened another present and then I made the best dinner ever, we ate and then opened our stockings and then watched a movie together as a family and then hit the sack.  You're probably thinking...that doesn't sound very eventful. 

Well, you're right... and that is exactly what we enjoyed!

The whole weekend was spent doing almost the same thing... except instead of opening more presents, we simply hung out

we went for walks...

...geocached, did a lot of playing with our children,

and took a lot of naps together. 

The best part of this holiday weekend was that Ash had 5 days off to spend with us... It was so so so much fun to be able to relax and play together as a family!

I hope that everyone's Christmas was spent with the people they love, just like ours was!

A special Merry Christmas to my Dad... cause even though he says he loves being up in Alaska working... we missed him so much and can't wait to spend the Rychlinski Christmas with him home!

Merry Christmas!!!

From our Family to Yours!!!

May Your Day be Merry and Bright!

Our children are fast asleep and I am almost headed that way, but I had to share two totally precious pictures of my totally precious children! When Santa asked Caitlyn what she wanted for Christmas... she said in her softest, sweetest voice, 'peace'... and Santa said, 'don't we all!' Ashee slept through the entire visit!

The entire night she loved on her brother...

I am so blessed!

I hope that everyone reading this truly takes time to enjoy the

Reason for the Season!

'Tis the Season

We finally made time to enjoy a Pacific Northwest Favorite...

Zoolights!

Caitlyn ABSOLUTELY loved all of the lights especially the ones shaped as animals.

We didn't take many pictures because we were so busy running 'fast' then 'slow'.

Ashton's eyes may be sleepy but he actually stayed awake the entire time as he took in all of the lights and excitement!

Caitlyn loves loves loves the carousel.

So, of course, we enjoyed a ride before we headed home.

Both of our children were fast asleep before we arrived home and stayed that way until right now... I can hear Ashton babbling quietly in his crib.

8 Months

This month has been a big one for learning. He can crawl and pull himself up to his knees. He'd rather eat, eat, and eat than nurse... I supplement with formula during the day and still nurse in the morning and night.  He absolutely loves our cat, Roger... we are lucky to have such a patient cat.  He loves to be with his sister.  When he wakes from his naps, Caitlyn is the first person in his room and usually in his crib where they play for a little.  He truly is an amazing boy and his giggle is so darn contagious!  This holiday season has been so much fun with my two darling children. Happy 8 months, A.J.!

Cookies!!!

It's that time of year again... annual cookie decorating time!  What made it especially fun is that Caitlyn and Avery actually helped this year!  Their cookies were definitely the most beautiful... and by beautiful... I mean... they had the most sprinkles!

Santa made an appearance again this year and Caitlyn was scared outta her mind... but of course all she can talk about now is how Santa came and said 'ho ho ho' and how he wants cookies for his reindeer.  All the other kiddos did surprisingly well with him.

Ashton and Jackson were also in attendance this year.

They played together and watched football with the boys. 

Last year, Tiffany and I made a comment to each other about how this year our children will have doubled... at that time I couldn't even imagine how much fun having our children all so close in age would be.  It sure has made our get togethers so memorable.

2009 Christmas Sweater Party

The 4th annual Sweater Party was an absolute blast... we are so blessed to have so many friends to celebrate this time of year with. We had two categories this year for the sweater contest...

'most creative' and 'ugliest'.

Most creative went to newcomers Joni and her husband Rand!

The ugliest sweater also went to a newcomer, our newest neighbor, Gary!

Thanks to everyone for making this party so memorable each year!

(click to enlarge)

O Christmas Tree

We went hunting for our perfect tree.

Found it fairly fast and Caitlyn assisted Dad as he cut it down.

I walked behind him and wondered which was heavier...

one perfect tree

or

two children, the saw, the camera, the shoes Caitlyn didn't want to wear, and a tape measure?!?

We had a wonderful time.

Our first tree as a family of four.