Technical Difficulties....

So.....yeah.  At first I couldn't find the camera.  Then I found it in the car.....where we had stashed it while on our camping trip....where we TOTALLY forgot to take ANY pictures.  Oops.  So then this morning I found the camera, took two pictures and the batteries died.  No biggie, we've got extras! (Does anyone else keep batteries in their freezer?  Why do we do that?)  So as I'm changing the batteries, the cover bends a little more than normal -- this isn't immediately a concern as this little cover is almost entirely encased in electrical tape.....but then one of the small, important looking little brass thingies (and just how would YOU describe it?!) falls into my hand.  I quickly try to put everything back together.....and realize that I only have 1 spare battery.  So I'll pull one of the ones I just dumped.....but they landed in the coffee grounds.  Needless to say, I put the whole thing (gently) down on the counter and walked away.  Later I'll cannibalize some unsuspecting remote and see if our poor camera has survived......  Until then, I'm sorry......

Thank you Aunt Diane!!

I don't want to even admit how long ago it was (2 months?) that we received a package from Aunt Diane and Uncle John for the girls.  It seems that Aunt Diane had to be down in Florida for business, so she made the best of it and picked up a few cute things for the girls!  As many of you know, Danielle LOVES Toy Story and especially Woody and Buzz Lightyear -- so it only made sense that a T-shirt and big girl sippy cup would be perfect!  And of course Ashley is our little cutie-pie and who better than Minnie Mouse for her?

 How adorable are they?!?!  (Of course, I might be a little biased....)

Princesses!

So......it's been just about forever since I've posted anything, so here is my clumsy attempt at catching up.  Ashley started walking.  Need I say more?  I mean, really, do I need to say anything else?!?!  We've been having LOTS of fun watching her get steadier on her feet, but it has seriously diminished my down-time.  I am by no means complaining -- it's actually a VERY good thing that we can ALL go outside to enjoy the sunshine (Mom's sanity included)!  Anyways, we've been keeping busy with the wonder that is being parents to two little girls, so here's some cute pictures from the past couple weeks.  (And yes, the princess theme is ABSOLUTELY a repeated theme around here!)

Easter Evening

Sunday evening we went down to Janna's house for dinner with the family.  Crazy times.  What do you expect when 6 little kids are running around after discovering that today, for some reason, Mommy and Daddy let them have LOTS of candy?!?!  We had a blast, a WONDERFUL meal, and even got to celebrate Mary's 3rd birthday and Ashley's 1st (again, although the first party in New York)!

Somehow Daddy made oranges completely FASCINATING for the girls.....

Check out Danielle's face....

And of course Ashley's being a cutie....

.....had to graduate to two oranges at this point....

....and everyone's being silly and goofy!  Love 'em!

And then we brought out the cupcakes......

So everything looks pretty tame here, right?

And this time, there was NO hesitation about diving right in....

And here she is watching Mary (sorry I missed taking pictures of Mary)....

....and someone showed her how to put her hands in her hair!

Notice how Bob's glasses had to go away?

Happy Easter!!

Happy Easter!!  Here's some adorable shots of the girls on Easter morning!

What a smiler!

So pretty in her 'princess dress'! 

Our neighbor gave the girls some flowers for Easter -- they both liked them, although for different reasons entirely!

Danielle was impressed with how pretty flowers are....

And had me take about a million pictures of her and her flower....

....and Ashley was much more impressed with what you can actually DO with a flower -- namely, pull it to pieces!

Hiking with Daddy and the doggies

We finally made it to April -- I should say, I finally caught up with my blogging into April!  Last weekend Bob decided to take Danielle, Shadow, and Ginger hiking at a nearby dog park.  They had a blast -- apparently Danielle ran the whole two miles trying to keep up with Shadow.  Small wonder that she was totally wiped out when they got home.  Here's some fun shots from their time:

 

Reading time and randomness.....

We've started a new thing -- going to the library!  We try to go every Monday morning, but sometimes it gets pushed off until Tuesday (like today).  Danielle has LOTS of fun coming up with books she wants to pick out.  It usually goes something like this:  "Mommy, I have a good idea!  I want penguin stories!"  Me: "Penguins.  Okay, lets go find the librarian."  This week she wanted penguins and turtles.....thankfully they didn't have to be in the same book!

...at her favorite reading spot....

....those of you who know how much I like to read know how much I love this picture!

Ashley bringing me one of her little books!

...we're learning how to turn pages....

And if it's a chilly day, this is a pretty good bet on where to find Danielle....