Our little bully

Zoe has turned into quite the little bully lately. I know that most kids that are reaching 2 yrs old go through this. Ronan will stand up on something and Zoe will grab his hands & push him off. She likes to pour water on him in the bath, as you can see. He doesn't mind it so much & laughs most the time, but it drives me crazy.

No you cannot play with my toy! haha. What a little stinker...

more pics

Dancing in the kitchen (one of the girls favorite pasttimes)

Grandma Higley & Ronan

Craig & Ronan (they were such good buddies)

Ronan wrestling once again

Our family at the skating rink in Moses Lake

She wanted on the ice so bad!

Playing at the batting cages on Christmas Eve

Grandma Higley's Christmas party (this is the book from the family that I scrapbooked for her)

Ronan & Ty's cousin Janette

Right before we all got pedicures! So nice to get away for a few. (Me, Mandy, Joette & Stephanie)

Mandy's son Jaron & Ronan

Zoe & Mandy's girls Brielle & Mikenna

Christmastime 2011

Kid's didn't like Santa this year!

Ronan wrestling with Grandpa Herrud

Grandma Winder & Zoe

Ronan & Capriel (Winder cousin)

Zoe & Sissy (she played with her the entire time she was at our in-laws house) I always knew where she was!

Landon, Brecklyn (Winder cousins) & Ronan

Ty & his brother Craig fixing their parents treadmil

The cousins enjoying a movie on the IPad!

Zoe, Brecklyn, Capriel, Landon, Rhyse & Talia (All of Craig & Sabina's kids)

I let Breck & Tali dye my hair, I think they had fun!!

A small preview of Christmastime

Our computer is getting worked on so I'm working from Ty's laptop. I don't have access to everything that I do on our computer at h0me, so this is all I've got. These photos are of my husband's side. It was such a special thing to have everyone home for Christmas, to catch up and share memories. We have missed them all so much.

The Winder Family (minus 3 cousins). It's crazy that we got a family shot. I can't even remember the last time we were all together in one place. So much fun!!

Sweet Grandma Higley & our family. She has a Christmas party every year. This one was so special because every single person was there with their family. We love her so much.

Higley Family Christmas 2012

Mandy, Stephanie, Craig & Ty

(sibling love)

I love this picture!!

Happy New Year

What a year it has been. 2011 was full of many new and exciting things and so many changes. We added another little one to our family, Ty is back in school & we moved to Boise, Idaho.

Ronan Miles was born on March 28th. He came 3 weeks early, just like his big sister. If you are thinking that we just recently had Zoe, you are right. Ronan & Zoe are 12 months and 11 days apart. Ronan is such a mellow and easy-going little guy. He is so happy and loves that he is finally able to get around on his own. He is now 9 months old; it wont be long before he is walking. He is so fascinated with Zoe. He seems to be progressing a bit quicker than she did, I think because he has someone to watch and learn from. He is definitely a mama’s boy. A few of his favorite things are baths, his pacifier, feeding himself & wrestling.

Zoe will be turning 2 in March. She is definitely showing signs of being a toddler. She is becoming more and more independent and a bit more stubborn. She can also be the sweetest thing. She loves being a big sister; she will hold Ronan’s hand in the car and share her toys (sometimes). She loves anything that has to do with technology (I-phone & I-PAD). She enjoys being around other children and can’t wait for nursery each Sunday. If She could stay up late every night, she would. She never wants to miss out on anything. She is so much like her father!

I am busy, busy, busy. Having Ty in Grad School has been a huge change for me. Thank goodness his program is only 2 years. I am a stay at home mom. If I’m not taking care of the kids I have my hands into some sort of craft project. I have recently been getting into decorating and home decor, I also just bought a sewing machine and am starting to experiment. I love finding inexpensive treasures and creating something with it. I think those tend to be my favorite pieces. I have come to realize that these projects help me stay sane while Ty is gone at school or study-sessions. I am so blessed that I am able to stay at home and experience all I get to with my 2 sweet babies. Moving to Boise has been a big change as well. I have made some good friends with people in the ward and also with some wives who also have husbands in PA school. Our ward is amazing and we are so lucky to have moved in where we did.

Earlier this year, Ty received an acceptance letter from Idaho State University for Physician Assistant School. He just completed his first semester with a 3.5 GPA. I don’t think either of us were expecting how much time he was going to be away from home. It has taken about 4 months, but I think we have finally come up with a system that will work for our family. Ty is still employed with Executive Security and sells and installs ADT home security systems. Although he has had to work a bit over his Christmas break, he enjoys working with his hands and says it’s a relief to have a break from sitting in a classroom for 8 hours a day. We are so proud of his dedication and hard work, and although it is trying at times, it will pay off.

We are so lucky to have so much love & support, from our ward family to great friends and family back home. Being close to our Heavenly Father has been a vital part of our happiness this past year. We look forward to what 2012 will bring and although we may not be able to visit you all as often as we wish, know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. We love you all.

All our love,

The Winders

Ty, Janessa, Zoe & Ronan

So much is changing so fast

I can't believe how fast things are changing with Zoe. I have been watching her close these past few weeks and it seems that every day she is learning something new, whether it is a new word or action. She is really starting to talk. I almost felt like she was in a little talking rut. She just didn't want to talk at all there for a while. She knew words and what they meant but wasn't using them, she would whine or grunt when she wanted something. It was getting quite frustrating. All of the sudden, this week, she has started to ask for help and say please on her own without me having to help initiate it. I'm so excited!! She is telling people bye-bye without my help. She is truly starting to understand. I feel a bit emotional. I'm not sure why. Maybe it is because I am able to witness all the changes or steps & I feel so lucky to not miss out of her firsts.

I know that Ty has been having a hard time not being able to spend as much time with the kids as he wants. Finals are next week and he has been studying 5-6 hours a night and sometimes doesn't see the kids or I for days. It's hard, I know it will be worth it, but it's hard. I think Zoe is starting to understand that she isn't seeing her daddy as much. When she sees him leave she starts to cry almost uncontrollably and wants him to come back. She's young and doesn't understand that Ty would so much rather be home than in that classroom. Hopefully she is young enough that she wont remember these 2 years.

On a happy note, once finals are over, Ty gets 3 weeks off for Christmas. Hallelujah!! I'm so excited and I know the kids will love having their dad around for a few weeks. We will definitely be doing a lot as a family to make the time count. I love Christmastime. It is truly my favorite time of the year. Although I don't like the cold much, I love the atmosphere all around, the malls, decorated houses, the smells, everything. People just seem to be happier and more willing to help others. I hope that I have the opportunity to help someone this Christmas season. We don't have a lot of money right now, but maybe my talents could come in handy.