Sunday, November 2, 2008

Time Flies... with a new baby, new position at work & a husband that hunts!

Holy Cow... I can't believe it's been almost two months since our last post! We have been super busy. Miss Riley Shayne is almost 2 1/2 months old. She sure keeps us on our toes by the hour. I returned back to work the first of October. I would have liked to have stayed home longer, but it just wasn't possible. One, the company I work for doesn't have maternity benefits and two, I accepted a new position right before I left to have Riley. We are very lucky to have my mom taking care of Riley. I can't thank my mom enough for all the help she gives Shane and I. Not only does she take care of Riley, Carrington visits her 2 days a week and she also cooks for us! Most of you know the situation my family has been in over the last couple of years... so instead of calling her mom, WONDER WOMAN! So, work is keeping me VERY busy. With my new position I currently oversee training & development for WDSGlobal Boise. I am very excited about the opportunity. This will hopefully lead to great things down the road, career wise. Enough about work, other than that... I'm busy taking care of the family. It's been a BIG adjustment BUT SOOOOOOO worth it. Believe it or not, I could see myself having one more. Shane won't go for it! Never KNOW :-P

Shane has been busy working and hunting on the weekends. They love him at ADT! When he's not working he's been hunting a lot the last couple of months. It's been really hard on me, but we are making it work. Today he has been cleaning up the garage; just so he can get his man cave ready! Shane is an amazing dad... I love to watch him play with Carrington and hold Riley. Brings tears to my eyes as I type this... Because my hours have been a little long at work, he has stepped up to the plate during the week to take care of the girls and get dinner ready. We certainly have our differences at times, especially over hunting... BUT I still LOVE him. The other day he sent Carrington and I flowers at school and work... it made our day.

Carrington, Carrington, Carrington... where to start! She is loving preschool! I love the art work she brings home and the funny little stories from class. We are still going strong with dance and are looking to move her to a more professional school. Ballet Idaho is where we would like to send her, but we might have to consider a close location. The last couple of weeks Shane and I have been talking about her education. Every parent says this... my kid is so smart! Well Shane and I know Carrington is very smart and we want her to be challenged. There is nothing wrong with public school, but we would like to see her more academically focused, along with the arts. After doing some research we are applying for enrollment at Foundation Academy. Foundations is a private Christian school in Boise, focus is a classical Christian education. They use a classical curriculum and emphasize respect and values. Over the next few weeks we hope to tour the school and visit with the head of the school. Lots of exciting things to come for her... we love Carrington so much, her little personality keeps us laughing everyday.

Riley, our little Riley Smiley is doing wonderful! She is getting so big... I can't believe how much she has changed. I love looking into her big blue eyes after she wakes up. She will smile for an hour straight,too cute. We still feed her about every two hours, change a million diapers and change outfits several times a day. Her little personality is starting to show. She loves when you whistle at her and lay her down on her Wiggle Worm Gym. There is a little orange worm that she stares at and coos to. We are so blessed to have her... She is being dedicated to the Lord on 11/9. Hopefully you all got your invitations and will be there on this special day!

Well, we have lots of pictures to post! LOTS, but I promised I wouldn't do any more Disney World type slide shows. So, here are a few pics of the last couple of months.

Love the Tolhouse Family!







7 comments:

Michael said...

Hey guys...It was great to see what is going on in your lives. It has been way too long since we have seen you. I can't wait to hold that little baby again. Carrington looks like she is liking the role of older sister. Hope to hear from you soon or see you soon.

kim said...

okay my turn! these pictures are so cute! What a precious little family you have! sure love you all!

mom Tolmanb said...

I love how Riley knows how to stand on her head already!! Just funn'in. Cute pictures. love ya

christy jensen said...

Thanks for the update. your family is gorgeous!!!

Unknown said...

Love the update and congrats on the work promo! Thanks for the pics - soo fun to see that baby again! She's changing sooo much!

Tessa said...

What beautiful girls!!! Great job guys! Congrats on the new position at work, Denise!!!!
You are in our thoughts and prayers! We would love to see you! Give a call and lets have a playdate!!!

Marci said...

You have such a beautiful family! I know we don't keep in touch very well, with the exception of Christmas cards every so often, but my mom (Aunt Linda) keeps me updated. I hear that Carrington is an awful lot like my Emma. I think that is so funny and I'm sure that if we lived closer that they would be great friends! Emma likes to tell stories too. She is the most talkative person in her kindergarten class. I hope you are doing well. Just thought I would pop in and say hello!