Happy Birthday to our Baby Boy!

George is the perfect addition to our family.

He is the only macho mamma's boy I know!

He is comfortable only if Daddy, Abby or I am with him.

He likes to throw his arms around Abby and hug her.

He likes to play anything and everything with Dad.

And, he likes to snuggle and love Mom.

He gives the sweetest kisses EVER!

Please Lord, don't let him grow out of those...

2 years ago, our life changed forever...

1 year ago we celebrated...

Today, we thank God for our healthy, beautiful baby boy.

Happy Birthday, George!

We love you more than you will ever know,

~Daddy, Mommy and Abby~

A visit to Northfork Outback in Webberville, MI

Our family of 4 spent a few Saturday's ago in Webberville, MI participating in some fall fun activities!

Northfork Outback is a Horse Farm they transformed into a playland for kids (and dads).

There was a pumpkin patch.

George picked out his very own pumpkin, carried it to me and then threw it at me... ahh, what a sweetie!

There were midget pony rides.  Is that the politically correct term for this horse?  Little pony?

Abby tried out her bucking bronco skills.

And Tommy practiced his lasso'ing 

(I'm city folk, so I'm not sure what that is called ;-))

Both George and Abby LOVED the petting zoo.

Dad?  Not so much.

Good thing we carry LOTS of wipes and anti-bacterial foam..hehe.

There was a very bumpy train ride that made Abby roar with laughter.

And, a wagon ride that didn't make George very happy :(

Growing up, Tommy's cousin Robbie would hold his little brother Joey on his lap with his arms wrapped around him.  Joey would cry to get out and Robbie would just say 'Shhhhh, Shhhhh, Shhhh' and everyone would laugh.  So, when George starts to have a fit, Tommy does the same to him and the memory of Robbie and Joey makes him smile.  That is what Tommy is doing to George in this picture!

George didn't like Daddy too much that day, but Abby sure did...

Abby would do anything for her Daddy... anything!

While we were there, a headless horseman appeared!  They gave Abby a smooth black rock and told her that if she rubbed it the evil spirits would go away.

She rubbed it for a very long time after the headless horseman rode away.

It was a fun day.   

We had beautiful weather and it was a very family friendly place.

Couldn't ask for more!

Until  next post,

~The Ascencio's~

Halloween with the Ascencio's

Halloween is quite the event when you have kids...

School parties, Dance parties, Family parties and don't forget the actual Day of Halloween!

Abby dressed up as Snow White.

She hasn't seen the movie, but loves the dress so she was in heaven each time she put her costume on!

George was Superman.

A costume strategically picked because there is nothing to put on his head, which would have just been a big fight between him and us.

This year my favorite part was watching Snow White do her pumpkin dance at her dance lesson...

The next day, Snow White had a Halloween Party at her school.
Here she is with both her teachers... Mrs. Cofield and Mrs. Donohue.

Daddy went to the party and brought her a magic wand which absolutely made her day!

George's class had a Halloween Party, too!
He did great... because he didn't know he was wearing a costume!

Daddy was there to participate (and take pictures for mom).
Here are my boys... my heart.

The Annual Pumpkin Carving party at Grandma's house was a hit!

Daddy carved pumpkins while mommy didn't!
Tommy brought home a Star Wars carving kit and Abby said that was okay for Daddy and Georgie, but that she and Mommy  needed a Princess carving kit.
Of course, Daddy bought it for her...xoxo

And George went with Star Wars...

The day of Halloween we went trick-or-treating at our house for the first time!
Abby had a ton of fun and George enjoyed the ride..

And Halloween was made complete with a surprise visit from Uncle Jeff.

Enjoy your candy.  Ours is slowly disappearing, the problem is... I'm the only one eating it :(
I may have a date with the treadmill soon.

Happy Belated Halloween,
~The Ascencio's~

Tommy turns the big 4-0!

It feels like yesterday that we were celebrating Tommy's 30th birthday...

I was working in Switzerland and Tommy was visiting me.

We flew to Amsterdam for the weekend.

I had a tight timeline at work, so it was a quick weekend trip.

We've wanted to go back since we left.

Unfortunately, we haven't made it back yet.

However, we have been busy...

We went to China,

Taiwan,

Steamboat Springs,

Altamonte Springs,

St. Thomas,

a few Star Wars conventions (don't tell anyone..shhhh!),

New York City,

 the hospital a few times,

Ann Arbor,

and of course.... DETROIT!!!

It's been 10 years since Amsterdam.

10 wonderful years.

Thank you for sharing them with us,

~ Love Mommy, Abby and George ~

George & Daddy

I signed George up for a class this fall. One hour, once a week. I was worried when I sent in the non-refundable payment.
George isn't a people person and Daddy doesn't like to leave the house.
Well... What do I know?
George loves it so much that daddy looks forward to taking him and talked with the teacher to add a second day each week!

But, don't take my word for it...
Judge for yourself!

For those of you who know my son, I think you can agree George is not always this happy!

George being happy, makes us happy!

~ The Ascencio's ~

Falling for Fall - Part Deaux

This time of year in Livingston County, MI SPICERS is where all the cool people go.

Pretty cool, huh?

(They took this picture especially for Mommy! )

Abby's preschool class had it's first field trip of the year. Daddy and George tagged along. They took a hayride to the pumpkin patch and then picked out their very own pumpkin!!

Then it was back for cider and donuts before being turned loose to play, play, play.

This was the first year Abby could peddle these giant tricycles, and it doesn't look like George is far behind.

In a few years we are going to have the kids apply for a summer job at The Werries Farm, Chapin, IL. What do you think Uncle Dean?

Daddy is one of the only Daddy's to be at all of the kids events during the week. He is loving every minute and wouldn't have it any other way!

Love,
~ The Ascencio's ~

Falling for Fall

I think having kids has made me appreciate the smaller things in life.

I am falling in love with the seasons.

We've brought out the jackets, gloves and boots.  

The air is turning colder and the leaves are dropping.

And of course, we have visited a few apple orchards...

George has definitely grown since last year... 

this is one of the only pair of pants that fit in length.

And, Abby has grown too. 

I didn't realize how much until I saw this picture and how short her sweatshirt was...

Abby enjoyed the train.

 

The slide is always fun!  

There wasn't much of a crowd, so Abby went down again and again. 

 I have a fear of George getting hurt on the slide when he is on my lap, so I hold him really tight... I look kinda goofy, but he had fun ;-)

 

Talking about looking goofy...

What visit to an apple orchard isn't complete without a wagon ride?

 George was very interested in the tractor.  He would stand up and look over the edge and stare at it, but when it started to move, without being told, he would sit on my lap.  He can be such a good boy at times... this being said after I pulled his pajamas out of the trash a few moments ago...sigh!

There is a giant bubble you can jump on at the apple orchard in Kalamazoo.

George started out pretty timid, but it didn't take long before he was running around and tackling Aunt Loretta!

This will be our last visit to the apple orchard with Aunt Loretta.

She got a promotion (hooray) that is moving her away (boo).

We are focusing on the positive situation for her, because otherwise Mommy Ascencio wouldn't be getting out of bed. 

But, we will miss her.  

Facetime is no substitution for the real thing.

Every morning Abby asks "What day is it?".

What she really wants to know is what does she get to do that is fun that day?

School, Dance, Gymnastics, Speech...

She loves them all and looks forward to each day.

That is how Tommy and I feel about watching our kids grow up.

I imagine every parent is in love with their children... and we are no exception.

We have been doing the parent thing now for 3 1/2 years and each day is better than the last.

No kidding around... we love these kids more than imaginable!

So, we hope you feel loved, because with these posts we are sharing our treasure with you!

Love, 

~ The Ascencio's ~