Preschool Graduation

Carissa is forever done with preschool. We had a great experience with the First Methodist Preschool. Carissa has learned and developed so much in the past two years. We will miss them dearly and can't wait until Noah is three and can attend.

Carissa with her teachers this past year, Ms. Tammy and Mr. Ben.

Noah Turns One

Noah's first birthday was a blast. Of course, we can't believe he's one already but that is how it goes.

He started slow on the cake...

But quickly dug right in.

A few more photos can be found HERE.

2013 Dance Recital

Carissa wrapped up her third year in dance class with a recital last month. Here are a few shots:

You can view more photos from the night HERE.

Rend Collective

Early on in March we had the opportunity to see Rend Collective Experiment at New Harmony Church in Salem, MO. They are a really great group of writers and worshippers from Northern Ireland and I was excited to see they were playing a show in Salem!

They had some technical difficulties with their guitars and they ended up doing a few songs sans-sound system. Best songs of the night.

Daddy/Daughter Dance

Back in February, I had the opportunity to take Carissa to a daddy/daughter dance. She was so excited to dress up and have some time with just me.

Being silly for the camera :)

She loved her roses, too.

2013 St. Pat's

This year Carissa was in the St. Pat's Parade with here dance studio. She was so excited to actually be in the parade this year.

She had some fun while we waited in line for the parade to start...

The parade was long and crowed. 

March Snow

Trying to do a little catch-up here...

Our best snow this winter happened in late March.

Easter Recap

Here are a few shots from Easter. The kids a getting bigger and growing up so fast.

The incredible, disappearing egg trick (two different instances). 

Merry Christmas!

We loved spending time with family this Christmas. Here are a couple shots with the grandparents.

Here are Grandma and Grandpa Ayres (along with cousin Mary):

And here are Mimi and Papa Welch:

Santa Baby

Christina played dress up with Noah and I took pictures.

And my favorite pose...

Carissa's Christmas Program

Carissa's preschool has an annual Christmas program. They sing nursery rhymes and holiday songs.

With her teacher, Ms. Tammy.

#roadtrip Part 2

Outside of Moab, UT we visited Arches National Park and then traveled to Colorado National Monument. Here are a few photos but more are posted on Flickr.

Arches National Park:

Colorado National Monument:

#roadtrip Home with Grant

Grant has finished his service in the Marines and is coming home! I flew out to him to ride home and have some fun along the way.

We drove to Page, AZ on Tuesday night. This morning we toured Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, and traveled to Moab, UT.

More photos are posted on Flickr.

New Clothes, New Smiles

Noah got some new clothes but we needed him to try them on first. He enjoyed it :)

Decorating for Christmas

A week late with this, but we had our decorations up last weekend. It was nice to relax and recover from traveling for Thanksgiving this weekend.

Carissa had one major request. That she would get to put the star on.

Weekend in Licking

At the end of October, we spent a day in Licking with Christina's family. We visited a local pumpkin patch and had our own bonfire that night.

Noah eventually passed out. 

Mimi just wanted a picture with all the kids. They weren't interested at first. 

Jaxin finally joined us but Carissa still had some attitude/humor to share.