Christmas and Alice's Birthday!

We've been busy!

First off we got Alice and Cole's pictures taken right before Christmas!

So Cute!

***************************************************************

Christmas Eve!

We spent Christmas Eve at my sisters. The kids had a blast! Here they are in their Christmas jammies!

Christmas Day!

Here favorite present was this roll on glitter!

Cole's cars! He is thrilled, can't you tell!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Alice turned 2!

She also moved into Ashley's room. She is now in a big girl bed! We had to put a lock on the door, and this is how she often falls asleep.... next to the door!

She is getting so big!

Christmas Card

Merry Christmas!

Cole Wayne Peterson

Cole Wayne Peterson

Born November 17th

7 pounds 3 ounces

19.5 inches long

We are totally loving and enjoying this new little addition to our family. Cole is such a good little baby! Alice is adjusting well and has really gotten into taking care of her baby dolls while Mom takes care of Cole!

I snapped these darling pictures of him yesterday (3 weeks old) and wanted to share!

A GIFT FROM HEAVEN!

We are so excited for the safe arrival of Cole. He truly is a gift from Heaven! There was a very tender feeling in the room as Cole was born and Paul, my Mom, and I could all feel the presence of Ashley very strong. It was a very special experience. I only wish I could feel her presence that closely every day. Ashley wanted a baby brother so much. We are grateful she sent him to us! We hope she taught him all her wonderful attributes! We are so grateful for this sweet baby boy in our home. Alice is doing well, she loves baby Cole so much!

This was Alice's first time seeing baby Cole! She was thrilled! She just kept squealing and giggling saying baby Cole, baby Cole over and over! And every time he would make a noise she would squeal with excitement!

Her first time holding baby Cole!

Such a proud big sister!

Baby Cole born 6:24pm 11/17/09

Baby Cole at his first check up (7lbs 3 ounces 19 1/2" long)Cole getting his hair washedDad & Baby ColeMom & Baby ColeMom and Baby are doing well. We will post more pictures to come. He has already changed his look again today. Getting cuter by the minute.

Here is a video of Cole opening his eyes to say hello to the world.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

HERE IS ASHLEY AS OUR LITTLE RUSSIAN PRINCESS OF 2004!

(It's so fun to compare)

AND HERE IS OUR LITTLE RUSSIAN PRINCESS OF 2009!

Alice and Lexi

Alice, Lexi, and Cameron!

A little Russian Princess with her Trailer Trash dad!

Off to Trick - or - Treat!

The Loot!

Birthday Celebration!

Here are some pictures from last night. Although it was a very hard day it was so nice to be with family and celebrate Ashley's birthday. I know she was happy that we were together remembering her and celebrating! It was sprinkling when we pulled up but stopped a few minutes after we got there. Thanks for good weather and a beautiful sunset Ash!

Alice & Addie

The beautiful sunset.

Watching the balloons go up to heaven.

Most of Ashley's cousins!

Ashley's cousins decorated some pumpkins and wrote little messages on them. We were going to leave these at the cemetery but as we started to pull away we decided they would be fun to have on our front porch. So if anyone wants to write a little message on Ashley's pumpkins we have plenty of sharpies so come on over!

Jane and Daniel writing their message!

Hannah

We sure love you and miss you Ashley. We can't wait to be with you again someday!

Please teach that little brother of yours all you know!

TOGETHER FOREVER!

Happy 7th Birthday Ashley!

HAPPY 7TH BIRTHDAY TO MY SWEET PRINCESS ASHLEY!

WE LOVE YOU & MISS YOU SO MUCH!

I sit here right now in a quiet house, Paul is at work, and my wonderful sis-in-law Jill is out running errands for me with Alice. Since this is the only kind of journal I keep, and even though it is a public journal as well, I still thought I would write down some of my thoughts and feelings.

Today is the hardest day of the year for me. I miss Ashley each and every day, but today the pain and sadness is multiplied more than I can even explain. I have been so emotional about it over the past week or so, every time I think about her birthday I start to cry. I am sure that being pregnant adds to my emotions. Ashley loved birthdays and holidays. I wish she could be here in person to celebrate with us.

Here is a little video from this morning of Alice singing Happy Birthday to Ashley. It is so cute, although she is way distracted. Maybe she will have it perfected by the end of the day and we can do it again! (MUTE MUSIC ON SIDEBAR)

I had such a fun time yesterday evening meeting one of Ashley's friends from preschool, Chloe, and her sisters, and mom. They wanted to meet me there and take some special things to Ashley resting place. The weather was frightful but we had a great time. Thanks girls, I know Ashley loved the notes you sent to heaven in balloons, and the cute pink flowers, and the balloons you wanted me to take to my house. You are such great friends. Thanks for remembering Ashley. I know she loves you so much.

I will post more pictures and an update of today's events later tonight or tomorrow. We plan on meeting our family at the cemetery tonight followed by cake and ice cream at our house after.

I tried to repost Ashley's 6th birthday post because it has a lot of fun pictures of her birthdays in the past, but I can't figure out how, so if you are interested go to the post from 10/15/08 and check it out!