Gone for a week.....

So I ran away with the kids for the first time this past week. We hitched a ride with a friend who is from BM, but now lives in Bend, OR, which is where Jay's mom lives. We arrived on Monday night and stayed until Friday, where then we rode with Grandma Kathy to Weiser, Idaho/Ontario, Oregon area where we met up with Jay for the weekend. We had already planned to met Grandma Kathy in Idaho for the weekend anyways so it worked out great. Jay had to work all week so it was a great week to escape from dishes, laundry, mopping...housework in general and Nevada HEAT!!Our plan for the weekend was to visit Jay's dad, grandparents and other family and friends so we could introduce them to Greyson for the first time and for them to see Ashlynn once again. We usually only get that way once or twice a year so when we do it is great to see everyone.(Great Grandma and Grandpa Newkirk with Ashlynn and Greyson)

Greyson is the 4th generation of Newkirk men and will be the last one on our side of the Newkirk family to carry on the name. When Greyson was born I thought that he looked like his Great Grandpa Newkirk, and after seeing them together I can see it even more!

(Jay, Great Grandpa Newkirk, Greyson and Ken)

I have more pictures to post of the kids with Great Grandparents but they are on Jay's phone, so I will get those upload here in the next couple of days.

4 months....

I took Greyson in yesterday for his 4 month old check-up and shots. He is now up to 13lbs 6oz and 24 inches long. We can try feeding him rice cereal, which blows my mind at 4 months old! We are also able put him on regular formula because he is gaining and maintaining weight as a full term baby would be...which will be nice money wise. The formula he has been on cost $16 a can, which doesn't even last a full week. Since we have been home, March 20th, we have gone through about 24 cans.
He is such a happy little guy!! In the last week he has started "talking" and within the last 2 weeks he makes cooing sounds and hands out wonderful heart warming smiles!! Sad to think that he is out growing 0-3month old clothing and that a size 2 diaper fits much better!! He is such a great baby!! By 11am he is ready for his nap which could last anywhere from 2 to 4hours. Then by 7pm he is ready for about an hour or two nap. Then depending on our night he is back to sleep about 9pm and wakes up roughly about 1:30am and 5am for a feeding. I remember a year ago or even the past 7 years since we had Ashlynn trying to decided if we wanted to have another baby I had a hard time thinking of what life would be like! Even being pregnant I was like oh my Jimi, what are you going to do??!! But now I know our family is complete!

Start of Summer

June has shown to be a busy month already. School is out and the weather is getting hot. I am glad to not have to get up and get Ashlynn to school, but not looking forward to "What can I do!" There is plenty to do around here, but not exactly what she might have in mind!! :)
Jay and I celebrated out 11th anniversary on the 12th. He had to work, so it was just another day for the most part. Greyson also turned 4 months old on the 12th and is such a happy happy little man! He loves to smile, wiggle and starting to giggle!! He mainly hands out lots of smiles and love to his daddy and sister! He lights up listening to Ashlynn...she could read the phone book and he would smile ear to ear. She is the best big sister. As I type, he is having boppy time on the floor in her room while she is cleaning it(her idea to clean, not mine!! LOL) She is not so into changing diapers or feeding..she is more then happy to get them started, but then passes the buck!!
We plan on making a few trips this summer and the rest will happen as it comes. Our first trip is to Idaho here in a couple of weeks to see Jay's side of the family. It will be their first time meeting Gresyon, which will be great to have memories of the great grandparents holding him for the first time. Then we are thinking about going to Sea World in San Diego, which Ashlynn is way excited for!! Me too, I have to say!!
This past weekend my cousin and his wife from Salt Lake City came down for a visit and..............this is the results of our weekend. I have thought about getting a tattoo before but never knew what I wanted or where to put it. I knew I wanted the kids one way or another part of it. My first one on my right foot has an A and G in it for the kids. Can you find the A and G? Then about 30 minutes after I got my first one done, I said now the left look looks too bare!! So the next day I got my left foot done. Can you find the J in it? I am still surprised that I did it, not only on the feet but BOTH!! Some parts where tender, but it must not have been that bad to make me thinking I needed one on the other foot. People say the feet can be a very sore place to get a tattoo and my cousin who has them all over, says he will never finish the one he has started on this foot due to it being too much for him.
We kept my cousin busy, my dad got one on each arm, my sister in law got a a dragonfly on each of her shoulder blades, then my friend Heather and her husband came over and got zodiac signs of their kids. Jay was not new at the tattoo world...he got his first one about 4 years ago and has wanted another one for a few years now. The cross was his art work from this weekend. We only live once!



Right Foot..1st Tattoo Left Foot...2nd Tattoo Jay's 2nd Tattoo
Can you see the A and G? Can you see the J?

What a busy crazy family we have been around here lately!!
Ashlynn finished her first season of softball off and did a great job. I know she is young but I wish she was more serious about playing and learning the game. I think she would really enjoy it and would be good. She is now a 2nd grader!! She had such a great year in 1st grade and did AWESOME!! We are so proud of her!! Now we will see what the summer brings for her and how we can keep her entertained!!
Greyson is still growing like a little weed. We had to take him back to the doctors this week for acid reflux..finally the doctor listened to me and didn't tell me again that we were over feeding him!! A mother knows best right??!! Poor little guy is not feeling well from the reflux and has a nasty sounding cough. He is up to 12lbs 9 oz and has to go back on the 16th for his 4 months...YES 4 months shots and a check up on the reflux.
Jay again is is busy working hard for us and we enjoyed having him off for his 7 days. He ended up having some dental work done so the last part of his 7 off wasn't much fun for the poor guy. My dad, brother and Jay finally all had the same days off to make a trip out on the 4 wheelers.
I am busy as ever!! I have been sewing...made Ashlynn a rag blanket like Greyson's, which I will have to post some pictures! Got material to make my niece one for her birthday!! Tonight I scrapbooked and made a few fun things for bonco. I miss being creative and you would think
I would have a time to get it done...yeah right!!
We have been looking at buying a house but can't decide if we want to stay here in BM or move to Winnemucca. We have looked at a few houses and of course the ones you really like are the more expensive ones!! Go figure huh!! Such a hard task!!

Just a few recent pictures of the kids!

I did it...but don't look too close!!

Back Side: Edges are ragged

Front Side

For those that know me I am crafty but sewing is not one of my top things to do when I am feeling crafty! For one I don't have the patience, the littlest things get to me. I hate it when the bobbin runs out of thread or I thread the machine wrong!! Ugggg! Second, I can't sew straight to save my life so my pieces are never even and perfect. Third, I hate instructions...I would rather do it my way,but with sewing I am not that talented to do it my way like I can with scrapbooking.
But now being a stay home mom who has gotten addicted to blog searching, running across cool things made with fabric and a sewing machine...I have had this itch to make something. A square rag quilt was on the top of my list. They are so cute and after looking them up, they look easy to make. Something I could make for sure. But then I ran across this straight stitch and cut rag quilt... I was all over it.
Don't look too close or you will bust up laughing at my skills. LOL :) I love being able to put the colors and designs of fabric together and looking at all the awesome fabric that is out there. I so could get addicted to fabric...it is like scrapbook paper...you want one of everything!!
It measures about 46inX36. Ashlynn says she gets one next, which should be pretty easy now that I know what the heck I am doing..or think I know what I am doing. :)

Another week gone

Now that I am a stay at home mom, my days and weeks fly by. It seems like I am rolling my eyes and letting out a sigh because tomorrow is Monday and before I know it, it is Thursday. For those that don't know, the kids go to school Monday to Thursday here and have a 3 days weekend, which I love!! Now if we could get Jay on the same schedule we would be set!! LOL
Ashlynn only has like 10 days left of school before summer break. It will be so nice not to HAVE to get up and going in the mornings, but I hope that we can stay busy enough that she does not become bored. I really want to work on math and reading this summer with her. I can't believe that she will be in 2nd grade next year...blows my mind. She tells me all the time, when I am 14 years old Greyson will be 7 like I am now. REALITY CHECK!! :)
I have been busy spring cleaning and making messes for myself to have to clean up. I just wish my house could stay organized! I have so many things I want to work on such as scrapbook and make a rag quilt for Greyson, but the thought of having to clean it up makes me pass on the idea of even getting started.
Jay is enjoying his days off with us and he is such a good daddy. Greyson just loves to smile at him! It is a wonderful sight to see. He has been busy at work and trying to fit in a few over time days, which I am very thankful for.
Greyson James is growing like a weed!! He turned 3 months yesterday and is close to 12 pounds I would guess. On top of school, Ashlynn has softball about 3 nights a week. I love to go watch her, but wish she had more drive. She enjoys it, but she doesn't ENJOY it! I have adventured out more with Greyson and her games give me the chance to get him out, but not too exposed!