Audrina got a tatoo

She is posing as a tough girl saying "muscles".

Happy Birthday Dexter

Today is Dexter's 8th Birthday. We have never celebrated the dog's birthday before, but thought Audrina might find it kinda fun. I only worked 1/2 day today, so after nap time Audrina, Ty and I headed to Pet Smart with the intent of buying Dexter a dog bone and a small toy for his birthday.
While at Pet Smart Audrina decided that Dexter NEEDED an entire bag of dog bones, not just one. OK. Audrina also saw that they had doggy cookies there - and of course Dexter NEEDED those for his birthday. OK. We then found a cool new collar that he also NEEDED. And we got him a new toy. $30 later, we finally had everything we NEEDED for Dexter's birthday.
Or so I thought.
As we were pulling out of the Pet Smart parking lot, Audrina said we NEEDED to get Dexter a birthday cake. And really what is a birthday party without a birthday cake. We walked into Hy-Vee to pick up a cake when Audrina spotted some balloons, and of course Dexter NEEDED balloons for his birthday. The lady blowing up the balloons asked me if it was for a boys birthday, or a girls birthday. I had to admit that it was for our DOG, but he is a boy. We picked up a small 6" pink my little pony birthday cake (Audrina said that was the one he would want) and finally had everything we NEEDED for Dexter's birthday.
I got home and wondered WHAT JUST HAPPENED????
Scott wondered the same when he got home from work and saw balloons, a cake, doggy cookies, doggy bones, a new collar and a new toy.....all for Dexter's Birthday.
I'm gonna have to get better at saying NO!

Our Tropical Snowman

Audrina wanted to put a carrot on for his nose, but we didn't have any carrots. We used sticks from a bush for arms. We found the hawaiian lay in the garage and decided it would be a perfect accessory for the snowman.

Back to work

Today Audrina took her little brother with her to school (daycare) and I went back to work. I am only working 1/2 days this week and will be back to the full swing next week.

Don't eat yellow snow... it's spicy.

Audrina came home from daycare wanting to make a snow fort. Scott used his snow blower to pile the snow up and they built the fort together.
She has also advised us not to eat yellow snow. She says it's spicy.





Audrina and dad in the fort.


Audrina is outta here.

Ty and Great Grandma-Nana

Nana held Ty the whole time we were visiting. She has that Great Grandma touch.

making cupcakes

More pics of Audrina holding Ty

bath time....

Ty is growing, and taking up a bit more room in the bath tub.

Just a trim please .....

Audrina has got this figured out. When Lisa was done cutting her hair, she looked at Lisa's bottom drawer and asked if she could have a treat...

The kiddos

Audrina holding Ty.

DeGroff family Christmas

I didn't do a very good job of taking pictures this weekend, but here is what we did get...


Gauge and Ty do a little male bonding.


Scott and Michael try to figure out the girls' chinese lock boxes.


Aunt Terri holds Ty.


Jaylee holding Ty.
When everyone left Audrina cried and said "My cousins.... why do my cousins have to go home?"

At the Playground...... in January

The weather has been so mild this winter. Today it was in the upper 50's, low 60's, so we had to head to the playground.

The Butterfly House

While off work on maternity leave we found time to do some fun trips.


A butterfly came to see Ty.


Audrina posses with the butterflies. She didn't last long with the butterflies though as she is still afraid of them for some reason.


Audrina LOVED reading books at the butterfly house though.


She also loves the aquarium at the butterfly house.

Ice fishing

Scott went ice fishing for the first time this winter with Brian in their new ice shack.

Audrina holding baby Ty.


Audrina loves her baby Ty.