BARNEY!

Last Wednesday was frantic.... FRANTIC!

Let me fill you in.....

I had been watching the Barney live schedule for months now and two weeks ago saw that it was coming to Omaha. Thinking that Omaha was pretty close, we decided to look into tickets. Many attempts with Ticketmaster, including a phone call to them, we were unable to get the Dino Seats (meet and greet with Barney). And there was no way we were going without Anna meeting Barney (I know she will never remember it, but I will!)

To make a long story short, a lady I had sent an email to, a week prior, got back to me the day before the show telling me that there were Dino Seats available in Omaha. ECSTATIC, Rob rearranged his doctors appointment and was able to take a vacation day the next day. I frantically ran home, packed our bags, dropped Peanut off at my parents and fed Ashley in super speed time. I then picked Rob up at 6 pm and off we were to Omaha!

See Rob and I are planners; we really aren't spontaneous so this trip was HUGE for us. It started with one screaming child from KC to St. Joseph, drive thru Chick-fil-a that we ate cold and a stop at a truckers stop in St. Joseph to feed Ashley and get directions since 1-29 was still closed to flooding. What nornally taked 2 1/2 hours, it took us around 4- 4 1/2 to pull into our downtown Omaha hotel. Luckily the girls were asleep, and stayed that way while I drove around the hotel's parking lot as Rob checked in and set up the room. Luckily security wasn't called on me for circling the hotel parking lot for 15 minutes. The girls transitioned into their beds perfectly and we all got a goodnight sleep. What started as a frantic worrisome trip turned out to be totally smooth and awesome (Rob and I were both worried about how the day would go given our Wednesday evening)!

We woke up in the hotel around 7 am (thanks Aaron for making the reservations for us). Anna really loved the hotel and probably wishes we would have been there longer; she was obsessed with the hairdryer! We weren't even there long enough while awake to take a picture! We ate breaskfast, showered and Ashley took an earlier nap which worked out perfectly with our pre-Barney "schedule" for the morning. We were then off to meet Barney at 9:30 (show from 10:30-12). After showing up at the wrong venue (totally my fault) we made it to the meet and greet literally minutes before the purple dinosaur made his appearance.....

And the pictures pretty much sum up the rest!

Anna waving to Barney. She had told us in the car that she was going to wave to him and say hi and give him a hug.

She couldn't believe it was him.... literally shocked! Here is is shaking her head a saying, "Ba!"

Fingers in the mouth- ALWAYS in her mouth when Barney is on! This smile never left her face!

Not really sure of the guy...... as we walked closer to him in line she got a little more unsure.....

But LOOK AT THAT! One word for this picture- PRICELESS! I mean they are even posing the same!

We talked with Barney....

Got a family picture with Barney... (notice Anna's fingers please!)

Anna gave him hugs- 2 exactly!

She even gave him a kiss! (I wonder if the person inside the outfit smiles during pictures... I wish there was a mascot camera in there to check out the guys expressions. I mean it would be hard doing his job without smiling!)

She picked out a souvenier.. Baby Bop!! (Even though mommy was trying to get her to buy a cheaper thing!) She has had a death grip on Baby Bop ever since she first held her.

Ashley was JUST as excited!

Kiss for Baby Bop!

The view from the second row is SWEET!!!!

Just heard Barney's voice over the loud speaker- WOW! So exciting!!!!

He was THIS close!

The camera man was neat to watch too~!

This was her expression 90% of the show..... she's thinking what the heck is going on?!?!?

Ashley was trying to climb up over the first row to get to the stage- had I let her, she would have made it! Ashley lasted the entire time without getting fussy (well she started fussing during the I LOVE YOU song but the show was practically over then). What a trooper!

Yummmmm- pizza in the car!

Barney sure is exhausting!!!

Both girls slept great on the way back and our 16 hour stay in Omaha was worth every penny and every little headache that came along the drive up! What a great time and soon I'll post the video of Anna meeting Barney :)

Much Love and I LOVE YOU!,
Jenny

Pumpkin Patch

This past weekend we went with Grandma and Papa Fimmen and the Horton's to Johnson Farms. It was a REALLY cool place that you could possibly stay an entire day it. We got there with only 1 1/2 hours left before closing so all we got to do was the pumpkin patch. Next year we will go at 9 am so that we have more time to play play play and I can't wait! We had a great time.

Kate and Anna- HOLLYWOOD!

We took a hayride out to the pumpkin patch. Anna didn't know what to think about that!

Daddy and Ashley checking to see if there was still corn- they disappeared for  a minute and mommy thought they had become "children of the corn."

Ashley and a big "Daddy" Pumpkin

Papa pushed us around in a wheelbarrow- WEEEEEEEE! What fun!

Papa helped me find my pumpkin- a mommy sized green one!

Ashley and her "baby" pumpkin.

Ana and her "anna sized" pumpkin.

WOW- this pumpkin is HUGE!!!

Mommy taugth Kate to pop a squat- desperate means call for desperate measures!

It's like "Where's Waldo?" Where's Anna?!?!?!

Yup- all those pumpkins belong to us! Over 300 pounds I think!

Love,
Anna and Ashley

2 years old

 A little late on the update but we've sure been busy celebrating my birthday!!!!

2 years ago you came into this world and made me a mommy. My life has never been the same and I cherish every moment we have shared. You are an amazing little lady and I can't wait to see the woman you become someday. But for now, let's rock out your year as a 2 year old!!!!!!

Oh and Congratulations - you've made it through two amazing years. And more fun is ahead!!!

Happy 2 years old to me! What a BIG girl I am! I used to take my monthly pictures on the rocking chair but this past attempt had mommy going crazy because I kept rocky rocking and acting like a clown instead of smiling, refer to pic below!!!

 So now the monthly pictures are taken in Ashley's chair!

Here's what I am doing these days as a big 2 year old!

*I LOVE being outside; I could spend all day out there. I love walks in the stroller, walking on walks, running around, playing on the playground, mowing the grass, playing with chalk, hopping and using my imagination (I try to scare away dragons with sticks!)
*I love dancing, lip singing using a spoon as a microphone and having music on. My favorite songs are Baby (Justin Bieber), Dancing Queen, The Twist, Hot Dog (Mickey Mouse Clubhouse), Barbara Anne.
*It seems like I call everything Baby-O after Justin Beiber. I calls the letters O and B, hearts and circles and boys that look anything like Justin "Baby-O."
*I still loves Barney "Ba" and Baby Bop (I can say Baby Bop!)
*I am doing absolutely AWESOME with potty training. I still wear a diaper at nap and night time. Most of the time I wake up from my nap with a dry diaper. I maybe have a couple of accidents a week; I usually catch myself before they make too much of a mess and finish going on the potty. These accidents usually occur when I am completely consumed in a certain activity or when I gets REALLY excited.
*In the bath tub I am finally laying on my back so mommy and daddy can wash my hair more easily.
*I am adding new words to my vocab all the time. I am talking in 3 word sentences that mommy and daddy understand about half the time. I am starting to finish 2 syllable words and even starting to say words with 3 syllables. It gets frustrating because my tongue can't quite get around every word which can make it hard for people to understand me. But Mommy and Daddy have no worries about my speech because it improves every day! Mommy says the most common things I say are: "What's that?" "I like that." "No Momma, Stay." "Daddy. No. Me." and "Mommy. No. Me." The last two are just because I like to do everything by myself!
*I LOVE to help around the house with chores; putting detergent and clothes in washer, feeding peanut, letting peanut outside, vacuuming and dusting with mommy, raking leaves, windexing windows like CRAZY, watering outside plants with watering can, and I also want to help wash dishes (but instead plays with bubbles),
*I can identify and say all the letters of the alphabet. I am even beginning to sing the ABC's with mommy; I echo each letter when she sings and I even fill in letters when she pauses. I LOVE my letters!
*I am very independent and hard headed when it comes to doing anything.
*I am a good eater. I love my fruits and vegetables. I don't really care for meats; I'd rather eat cheese, tofu, almonds and eggs instead. Lunch is usually my largest meal.
*I am still sleeping great. I get anywhere from 10 1/2- 12 hours of sleep a night. I occasionally wake in the middle of the night but can calm myself down. Mommy knows when I have had a good nights sleep because I wake up talking and not crying.
*I am still taking a nap. I usually go down around 1 and sleep 1 1/2-2 hours.
*I love my sister Ashley but get frustrated that she is starting to play with my toys. I get put in timeout about once a day (sometimes more) for hitting her, stepping on her, or not being nice to her. I always give her kisses to say I'm sorry. I also always give her night night kisses and hugs. I do love her, she just frustrates me sometimes.
*When I laugh I bow raspberries just like mommy does with me. I also hunch my back over and do a "hehehe" into my hands- sucha  girly girl laugh :)

Mommy read this about 2 year olds.....

As your child becomes more and more his own person, you'll see yourself, your spouse, and your families reflected in his likes, mannerisms, and speech.

Daddy would rephrase that by saying at this age, "Anna looks like Daddy and is a Daddy's girl but WOW does she have mommy's personality."

Love,
Anna

Paci

I Love my paci's! Every single one of them :)

I love them in my mouth. I love sleeping with them. I love holding them and playing with them in my hands. I love putting them in and out of my mouth. I love turning them around and sucking on every side of them. They make me smile.... I just LOVE them!

Love,
Ashley

Goofy Smile

Here is one of Anna's new looks that she is giving me when she says "cheese." It looks like hog nose is back from when she was a little baby girl :) I mean it looks like she's in pain (or trying to poop!)

I just wish she'd give me more of these smiles!

Much Love,
Jenny

GO Chiefs

YEA! The Chiefs FINALLY won, they are 1-3 on the season. Mommy thinks it is in part due to our EXCELLENT cheering and cheerleader outfits! We have been so busy other Sundays that we haven't worn them during the games. With their win today, I think we will be wearing these EVERY Sunday for good luck!

Rah Rah Rah! Go CHIEFS! Rah Rah Rah!

Love,
Anna and Ashley

Sunglasses

This girly girl LOVES them!

She frequently switches between her three pairs and puts them on when we are outside, getting ready to go outside, in the car and even around the house without me even asking. Now we just have to get Ashley on board with her sun goggles we bought her; and we thought she'd be the easy one and Anna would be the hard one to convince! Shows what we know :)

HOLLYWOOD!

Much Love,
Jenny