Wow, how time flies. We have been very busy and our first Gotya day has come and gone. It is amazing how Ashley has grown and blossomed with each passing day. We are so blessed by her. We are working toward our upcoming move to Mexico and are all excited about the coming challenges and opportunities that will come with the move. We hope that you all have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Now what you are really checking the site for, some pictures of Ashley.

Ashley on the slide.

Ashley & GiGi

Say Cheese !
Ashley & GiGi

Ashley coming down the slide at the picnic.

Mommy followed Ashley but forgot it was feet first not head first.

All the Girls that went to the picnic this year. We had 5 of the 8 families that were able to make it to the picnic that we had gone to China with. We hope to see the rest soon.

Another shot.

Time to post some more pictures. Sorry for the time between posts but that is just the way it is. These are not in a set order so read the captions to know when they were taken.

Ashley and Hanna at the Helping Hand Reunion Picnic in July.

Ashley on Father's Day.

Daddy and Ashley in the golf cart.

Daddy & Ashley on Father's Day. Mommy bought two identical shirts and made a dress for Ashley out of one of them. Mommy is so smart.

Another shot of Hanna & Ashley.

Well Ashley has now turned 2 years old and she is getting more outgoing all the time. We had her birthday last weekend and everyone had a great time. Most of the family was able to make it and we were surprised with two of the families that with with us to China. It blessed our hearts greatly to see them again and to catch up on what was going on with their girls as well. It was really great to see them walk through the door and even better that they spent most of the evening with us. God Bless you for joining the celebration!!! Our oldest granddaughter turned 4 this last week and we went to her party yesterday. I will post some pictures the party and a couple just for good measure.

The group from the China trip that made the party. It was great to see how Hanna, Haliey, and Joy all doing so well.

Ashley will be updating her own blog soon.

Ashley & Monya at Church hand in hand like old times in China.

Ashley gets a hug from her neice Taylor. Aren't they beautiful?

Finally some more pictures for you. Ashley's finger is much better now but still not healed completely. Her nail fell off and we are waiting to see if a new one grows back in it's place.

Ashley & Mommy ready for Church

Ashley's first Easter

Ashley & Daddy on Easter

Ashley having fun.

Ashley & Taylor with PAPA

Ashley goes back to Daycare.

Well after two weeks of Gigi spoiling her Ashley will go back to daycare tomorrow. The Daycare center has installed several safety devices and I took a walk through with them last week. Nothing is ever perfectly safe but I believe they are trying.

Ashley is missing her Gigi as see looks up to the second story railing and says "Gigi" or when Mommy changes her bandage she says "Gigi" because she knows she is suppose to be there. I believe the two of them have gotten rather attached and we are glad that they have had the time to bond. Thanks Gigi for all you do and for loving our little Ashley so much. May God continue to bless you for many years to come.

Well the "excitement" never ends it seems. We have continued our problems with illness throughout the month and then last Monday we added an accident to the mix. We received the dreaded call from the Daycare last Monday that our precious child had been involved in an accident. It turns out that a daycare worker left a door open and took a couple of steps away from the door. Within a few seconds Ashley had gone over to the door to see what was going on and then another child saw the open door and assumed that it needed to be closed. Anyway it was closed on Ashley's "Pinky" finger on her right hand. It broke the very tip of her bone in the little finger and took the top of the finger off from just below the nail to the end and pealed it back. We had to rush to the hospital and hold her down while they did the work to repair the finger. We will not know for many months if the fingernail will hold and grow back. Needless to say it has been very hard on Ashley and Mommy and Daddy as well. Please keep her in your prayers that she will have a speedy recovery and that the nail will grow back as normal.

May God Bless you all,
Mike

Okay so we will keep the story going. Thank you to all who replied to the last posting, I did not know so many people cared.

The reason for the delay in posting this time has been illness in the family. Billie and Ashley have both been sick this past month with Billie getting the worst of the deal. So to say the least I have been busy caring for my girls.

This picture is of Ashley and her Niece Taylor who came by to visit the other day.

This one Ashley is riding her horse. Taylor is in the foreground and Nana is in the rocking chair.

Ashley and Mommy with her new "Elmo mo" that GiGi got her for Valentines Day.

I will try to post every week or so. Please keep the comments coming.

Love Mike

Finally a new post.

Sorry it has taken so long but we have had a lot going on and have been fighting the illness going around the area.

First of all I need to know how many people are still wanting to see updates to this blog. If you are then let me know by clicking on the comments below this posting and type in you comment. If I do not hear from anyone I can only assume people are not longer going to the sight and I will stop posting.

Please let me know if you want to keep this going or not.

Thanks,

Mike

Some Pictures for you now: Ashley's first day going to Daycare.