Maryland State Fair

Rough Housing

Lately the kids enjoy wrestling around with daddy and each other. They love to attack daddy when he comes home from work... and he lays there and takes it.. like a man! =) Its pretty entertaining. Mommy just watches... and takes pictures. =)

Camping...

....well sorta! Unfortunately our plans to go camping or to the beach did not happen this past weekend because Matt was on call and couldn't find anyone to switch with him. So All last week we "camped" in the basement. =) Every morning we would head down stairs to have our breakfast in the tent while watching Madagascar (Jake's favorite movie right now). We had lots of fun playing in the tent! It took up a lot of space, so mommy took it down. Jake has been trying to convince me to put it back up ever since. =)

Jake enjoying his blueberry bagel and watching Madagascar... ignoring mommy =)

Cloth Diapers

So I have been researching cloth diapers recently for 2 reasons: (1) to save money on diapers and (2) it helps decrease the amount of trash in landfills and overall helps the environment. I think I have decided to definitely try them, but there are so many different brands/kinds. I am leaning towards a regular old diaper cover (like my mom use to use with us) and the cloth liner. Of course they are a little fancier than they use to be, as you can tell by the pic above. They also have all in one diapers that you just wash the whole thing... takes longer to dry because its thicker so you need more of them. And they are obviously more expensive. Then there are all kinds of other options for liners, covers, one size or specific size... too many choices! Does anyone know anything about cloth diapers that can help? =)

Early morning walk....

This week we have been getting up and taking early morning walks since the weather has been so beautiful. The kids LOVE it, especially when we stop at the park towards the end of our walk. This morning we actually went to Kinder Park to play and see the animals. They had so much fun playing with their friend Abby, but Jill and I both forgot our cameras! So here are a few pictures from yesterdays walk. We are trying to build up to three miles for the heart walk!! So far we have gotten up to 45 minutes... not sure how far that is though. Anyway, enjoy the pics! They aren't as clear as usual... maybe because it was really sunny. Ok here you go....

Walking by the water

"Come on Hailey!"

"I'm a big girl!"

My little climbers =)

Heart Walk '08

This year my family has decided to participate in the American Heart Association Heart Walk. We will be walking in honor of my father who passed away 9 years ago from Heart Disease. Money raised from the heart walk will go to research for Heart Disease and Stroke. Check out the website here !! We will be walking as "TEAM KANALY" maybe we'll even get team t-shirts, we'll see! =) Anyway, if you feel led to donate, please see our team page by clicking here

Thanks so much! I'm really excited for the three mile walk through baltimore. It takes place on October 25th (Jake's third birthday) and should be a lot of fun and it is for such a great cause. Ok I'm off to bed... =) Hope everyone had a great weekend. I will blog later about ours... it was fun!

Love,
Ashley

http://heartwalk.kintera.org/baltimore/ashkanaly

3 weeks until....

We go back to the beach!!!! Only for a weekend this time, but I am missing the beach like crazy so I cannot wait! We are going down for my birthday, and there is no other place I rather be than at the beach with my family. =) Only wish everyone could come down... maybe next year! We are going down Friday the 22nd until Sunday the 24th... so technically I will spend my birthday (8/25) back home, but close enough! Hope everyone is having a great summer... we are definitely enjoying ours! I can't wait to get all of my summer pictures printed and in an album... although I may go broke since I have at least 500+ pictures! Well I better run... I need to clean up and do some laundry while the kids nap. Tonight is girls night with Danielle!!! =)

Love,
Ashley

Niki and Michael's wedding

This past weekend my cousin Niki got married to her high school sweetheart, Michael at a beautiful vineyard/winery in PA overlooking the Susquehanna. It was so much fun and the food and drinks were great too! It was free beer, wine and sangria.... which my whole family thoroughly enjoyed! haha... Grandpa was nice enough to keep Jake and Hailey while we enjoyed a night out catching up with family and enjoying everything the winery had to offer.... just ask Matt! =) They also had a "candy bar" (I think thats what they are called) where you could fill up bags of candy to take home... or snack on there if you are like me. =) Oh and one of the best parts.... Wedding cake from Cold Stone Creamery... it was amazing! Ice cream cake is my favorite!!!! Well enjoy the pics and thanks for inviting us guys!!!

Doesn't she look so pretty???

My beautiful cousin Erin =)

My beautiful cousin Kendal and wonderful Aunt Kathy =)

Did I mention there was sangria?

Heather LOVES sangria =)

My underwear model....

...is POTTY TRAINED!!!!!!!!!! Yay for my big boy!!!! He is getting so big! They are both growing up so fast, is fun but kinda sad at the same time. I love my toddlers! Even though they can be exhausting at times. =) I had a lady at the store ask me if it gets easier (having kids 13 months apart)... she had a 6 week old and a 1 year old. Of course I lied and said "oh yeah!" =) Really the beginning was the easiest because Hailey wasn't mobile and slept all the time! Oh well, didn't want to give her a nervous break down or post partum depression... she seemed a tad stressed! =) Anyway hope everyone is having a great week!!

Hailey's first pedicure... by mommy

My cowboy..... with a big head

he stole Mr. Potato Head's hat... poor mr potato head! It took some talent to keep this hat on his head because he moves around to much!! Isn't he handsome?

Smoothies for lunch

yummy and healthy......