Happy Easter! (Pictures speak for themselves!)

Easter Eggs

It's time to dye Easter eggs!  Yipee...I don't think Audrey knows what this means! (Because after we were all finished, she said "I don't think they are died yet!")

Trying to decide who gets what color! 

Once the eggs were done (or during that process), I was making strawberry cupcakes to enjoy on Audrey's real b/d - Easter Sunday this year.  This is Audrey's face full of strawberry icing!

And Madison trying out a new trick!

Sweet girls!

Birthday Bonanza!

Happy 7th Birthday Madison (December 10th)

Happy 4th Birthday Audrey (April 4th)

We were celebrating birthdays in March.  Madison's birthday was in December, and Audrey's on Easter Sunday this year...so March seemed to be a pretty good month!  This is the beautiful cake that the Gymnastics place ordered.  It was great cake, pretty as can be, and if you look closely...you will see that we celebrated "Aubrey" 's b/d instead of Audrey's!  A common mistake I think, confusing the 'b' and 'd'.  

If you're in first grade!   Audrey didn't mind though!  So not to worry...we ate it all anyways!

Our family picture...Audrey wasn't really up for her picture being taken!  (She never is!)

Madison enjoying refreshments after a long hour of play!  Katelyn is next to her (our neighbor and Audrey's buddy!)

Like I said, not up for all the picture taking!

In the Diamond Mine...Madison with Gavin and Justin from her class at school!

Audrey and her friend "little Austin" (that's what she calls him.  Since Big Austin is her cousin Austin!)

And of course, no Birthday Picture collection would be complete without a shot of me trying to help the girls blow out the candles.  I think I have the exact same pose every year we take pics! 

We had lots of fun! 

Audrey the Firefighter!

Audrey had Community Helper day at her school a few weeks ago.  She wanted to be a POLICEMAN GIRL!  However, we couldn't come up with that outfit, so a Firefighter Woman she was!  Thanks to her friend Brody, she had the jacket, and a personalized hat by Mrs. Lori!

She wasn't crazy about getting her picture taken!  She really didn't want to wear the thing, but I bribed her into getting a few pictures!

She began to get in the spirit!

Community Helper Day was on a Friday at school!  Like I said, I had to bribe her to wear it to at least get out of the car in it at school, so that her teachers could see her come in to school wearing it!  She wore it, but wasn't too thrilled.  The following Sunday....as we were walking out the door all ready for church, I see Audrey coming out with the whole Firefighter Woman "get-up" on...ready to go!

Mastokids - and Rare Disease Day Feb 28, 2010

As most of you know...I have been working with Mastokids for several years, since Audrey was diagnosed with pediatric mastocytosis when she was 4 months old. We have been very blessed that Audrey's condition has been mild, but we are EXTREMELY grateful for the support we've received over the years from other parents who have faced the same diagnosis with their children.

Last year, the National Organization of Rare Disorders (NORD) launched their first annual Rare Disease Day in the United States, and Mastokids joined them in support! We were helpful in getting Governor proclamation letters of, and letters to editors in hometown newspapers, and quite a few other media endeavors.

This year, we are continuing to support this day, by trying to spread awareness of mastocytosis. There are various ways we are trying to incorporate awareness for all rare diseases over the next few days!

Today's activity....

If you would like more information about Rare Disease Day, visit www.rarediseaseday.org, or you could find out more about pediatric mastocytosis at www.mastokids.org!

Thanks for your support over the years. Look for more posts to come in the next few days about ways we at Mastokids are getting involved and spreading awareness!

Marchin' in to 2010!

So...Christmas came and went, and here we are in the NEW YEAR!

And we've added a few new things to our house...So excited to finally have a dining room set, and was equally excited about unboxing my wedding china (which has been in my bedroom closet at my mom's for the past 10 years)!

The girls enjoyed their Christmas break, and have enjoyed watching movies and laying around!


And we've also been moving a little bit, too. We bought our family the Nintendo Wii after Christmas.

We've danced a jig with our friends....

And someone has been doing a little bowling....and I do say, a VERY GOOD job at that.

A perfect score, oh Yes...and by who, can you guess?

AND...without further ado...Madison's the Bowling Superstar for you!



And just as important as anything else,
we've been cheering on the New Orlean Saints!
We hope the Saints are
Marching in to 2010, with a big fat -
Superbowl WIN!!!

The Christmas Rules!

Madison just woke up...When I went to say good morning, the first thing she told me was,

"Uhm, When daddy gets up, we can all go sit somewhere, like on the couch, and I can go over the Christmas rules with you."

She then continues with her fingers in the air as she goes,

"1) One adult (and then as if that would confuse me, she clarifies - you or daddy) gets the video camera

2) Audrey cannot get up out of her bed all night, and

3) We both come to the parents room as soon as we get up in the morning!"

Boy...am I glad that is all straightened out! We are now ready for Christmas morning!

Are you ready?