Family Pictures

In honor of Tyler's upcoming deployment, we had family pictures taken yesterday. The girls are growing and changing so fast! We ordered the last 2 poses.

Happy Birthday to You!!!

We had quite the birthday party for Niki. She loved getting the presents in the mail as they arrived over the week, the last of which finally arrived today ("That's Not My Dragon" - a great board book!). What a fun day.



Niki,
You're One Year Old...
You're so Expressive and Photogenic.
You're such a MONKEY! Climbing, running, jumping, rolling. Keeping up with your sister.
Opinionated and Vocal.
You're never quiet.
Curious and into everything.

You love...
going outside, putting on shoes (because it means going outside), pushing your doll in the stroller, playing with waterbottles, doing whatever Lily is doing, swinging, JUMPING ON THE BED and playing ALLIGATOR, listening as airplanes and helecopters fly by, your lovey, DAD and grandpas (and any really nice old guys),being chased and tickled, Goodnight Moon and That's Not My Dragon, pickles/olives/manarin oranges and CANDY.

You sign milk, more, done, and please like a pro. You've even managed to form a distinguishable word now and then. You definantely understand what we are talking about.

I love how cute and little you are. You have so much personallity in your tiny frame. You always make me laugh and I love playing with you. I wish I had more energy to keep up, but you make up for it with your kisses and tickles. I can't wait for all of the adventures we will have, one day at a time.
...Love,
Your Mom

Camping!!!

We had so much fun camping with some of our friends. We made banana boats and ate dutch oven cobbler around the fire. The girls loved the tent and their new Princess sleeping bags. We found Lily asleep upside down in her sleeping bag in the morning. For bfast we celebrated Niki's first birthday with a candle in her pancake. After we packed up we went on a nature walk 'hike' around the park. It was so much fun, I can't wait to do it again.

Our little Monkey is ONE YEAR OLD!

Niki's birthday was yesterday (we celebrated while we were camping), but the official party will be tomorrow night. Lily and I spent the afternoon creating a monkey jumping on the bed for the party. Lily kept talking to her monkey girl and asking if she was comfortable on her cozy bed while blowing kisses goodnight. Niki just ran around and liked up all the frosting that fell on the ground. She even got Lily to squirt some down to her when my back was turned. What a mess!!!

Let's go Fly a Kite

We visited our friends in Dallas on Saturday and went to a park. It was fun to spend the entire day (practically) with our friends. Thanks for the fun times!

New Tent?

Well, we needed a larger family upgrade so we bought a new tent. Actually, we bought 2. This is WHERE YOU COME IN... what do you think will be the best choice for our family in the long run? we are torn and keep arguing points for both.

Tent A-
smaller to store and less area to set up. Still fits 2 queen airmatresses (barely). Much easier to set up. Costs lest(tyler's favorite).
(more Pictures coming soon)


Tent B-
larger so more room. 2 room divider. Door on front side and on back side (so you don't have to climb over people). Tall enough to stand up in everywhere(janna's favorite).


Deadline to decide is this Friday when we go camping with some friends so let us know ASAP!

March marches on

Ra Ra Ra


New Swing Set


Tutu Time


Daddy Day

Return to Daddy

Tyler brought home shirts for the girls from his trip to Florida. He even wraped them in bags. They were so excited. Niki was especially excited when she saw the wrapping paper Lily was opening. Then she just exploded with joy when Dad gave her one of her very own. Even though it was late, we were all too excited to sleep.
We missed our DADDY!!!!

Niki Hides and Melted Snowman

Niki LOVES to climb into cupboards and close the door on herself. She just thinks she is so funny! I finally caught her doing it on video. She even climbed under our neighbor's bathroom sink. I suppose it all comes from being so small.

Granny Sandi caught a great picture of Lily and her melted snowman. It was the only snowman left in the neighborhod.

Park Day

Well the weather wasn't great, but we went outside today anyways. We always have fun playing with our cousins Nate and Paul. We are going to miss them over the next few months.

Thanks Grandy for the cute sweaters. They fit perfect!!!

President's Day weekend

We had fun hanging out with the family on President's Day. We played in the great snow and went swimming. What a fun day.

Movie of sledding Granny Sandi:

I've been using up my mom's old yarn by crochetting hats, flowers, and butterflies. Here's Niki modeling the latest.


Today we went to the park to feed the ducks. This was a first for the girls.


I took a half-day off for myself and took my Dad skiing. After the first run we thought our great skiing days were over, we both fell and stunk so bad! Then we warmed up and the rest of the day was pure mogul joy.

Niki Jumps

Niki has always loved to jump on the bed. When she first learned to laugh, it was because we would help her "jump" on the bed with Lily. Today she discovered that she could jump by herself on the bed. She couldn't be happier with herself.

Working Daddy

Tyler got to do tons of cool stuff during his training this month. What a stud!

Happy Valentine's Day

We had fun sending e-cards this year. The girls really loved their cards. Lily sat infront of the computer re-playing her e-card for at least 15 mins. She almost cried when it said "I miss you" but then she smiled when the bear was happy again.



"Awe, thanks honey. The bear was cheesy but totally appropriate. Thanks for the hug. It's just what I needed."
-Janna

"You are welcome, hopefully the music wasn't too cheesy either. I couldn't get it to work on this computer so didn't get a chance to preview that part. I loved your card. I'm glad not only that you enjoy those things I do, but that I get to do them for you and they are things that we enjoy together. The girls card is awesome. I printed it up and I am going to keep it with me to show folks, thanks for letting me walk with Niki right before I left and go skiing with Lily, that was a great couple of days.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Your honey (yum)."
-Tyler

Idaho and Family Night

I took the girls to Idaho for the weekend to see Gpa West and Nana. Aunt April came with us. We didn't take many pictures, but we sure had fun. Lily got to see the tractor with gpa and April. We all went to a restaurant for lunch. Bobbie and Craig's family was there. It was good to see and visit with everyone. We sure had a fun time!

When we returned home Sunday night, Kyle and Cindy were visiting. Tyson's been asking for pictures of the family so my mom went around and took pictures of everyone enjoying a typical Family Night at the Balling's. Lily LOVES making cookies with grandpa.