Christmas Baking!

It's that time of year again! Time to make Christmas goodies, and this year the kids all helped Mommy bake. We had a lot of fun. I was even able to make some really tasty goodies that were "Maddy friendly"(without gluten or casein) and was pretty happy with how they turned out! They are delicious!
Maddy all ready to go!
Our cute little bakers!
Libby all ready to bake. Liberty's method of baking is to stick her finger in the bowl after each ingredient is added to make sure it tastes right. She would be our quality control specialist. Thanks, Libby!
Spencer, like always, is just happy to be doing whatever Mommy is doing.
The kids and I really had a fun and pretty messy time! I hate this picture of me, but the kids are so dang cute. I think Maddy must know that this is some of the cookie dough that is off limits for her judging by the look in her face.

Baby Jack

Here's Baby Jack in all of his cuddly cuteness! I guess the official due date is January 25th, but we are going to see how early the Doc will let him come because Brett leaves on February 7th. We'll see - at any rate, about 2 months until baby #4! We can't wait to meet you, Jack!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

Libby the Pretty Pink Mermaid

Madison the beautiful butterfly

Spencer the Triceritops

Happy Halloween from the Hernandez Family!

Oh, How the Years Go By!

Liberty in 2007


Liberty in 2008

Madison in 2007


Madison in 2008


Spencer in 2007

Spencer in 2008

Our little Artist

Liberty loves to draw on this little whiteboard that we have. Last night she drew me this picture and said to me " Mommy! This is a picture of me running into you!" I took one look at the picture and said to Libby, "When your Daddy comes in here, I want you to show him your picture and tell him 'Daddy - this is how life begins!'." She looked at me a little confused, but sure enough, when Brett walked into the room, Libby dutifully showed him the picture and said "Daddy - this is how life begins!" I can not tell you how hilarious the look on Brett's face was! He looked at me, shocked, and then back at Libby and asked "What kind of science shows are you watching, kid!?" I did let him on on the joke. I can't wait to see what other things our little artist will come up with! I love being a Mom! You never know what to expect!

2nd Lieutenant Brett Hernandez

Brett officially commissioned on August 22, 2008. Yeah for Brett! The last two years of hard work are finally paying off! We are so proud of him! Super-Duper proud!

I pledge ALLEGIANCE to the flag

of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

and to the REPUBLIC, for which it stands,

ONE nation, under GOD,

INDIVISIBLE,

with LIBERTY and JUSTICE for ALL.

"Experience teaches us that it is much easier to prevent an enemy from posting themselves than it is to dislodge them after they have got possession." - George Washington

"It may be laid down as a primary position, and the basis of our system, that every Citizen who enjoys the protection of a Free Government, owes not only a proportion of his property, but even of his personal services to the defense of it." George Washington

That is why I am proud to have my husband, the father of my children, serve this country. In the words of Toby Keith: " I don't want to die for you, but if dying's asking me, I'll bear that cross with honor 'cause freedom don't come free."

FAMILY PICTURE TIME!!

We had Maddy's 3 year old pictures done and got some of the family too! Here they are!

So as not to leave anyone out, here's baby Jack.

Cutest little 3 year old in the whole wide world!

Liberty's First Day of Preschool

Liberty started her second year of preschool today. Once again, like last year, she was super excited to go back to her teacher and her friends!

We are so proud of our little Liberty!

Madison's First Day of Preschool

Maddy started preschool today! I can't believe she is already old enough for this - but she is so ready! We are excited for her!

Maddy getting ready

All ready to go! Isn't she the cutest?!

"You want me to go home, Mom? No way!"

She had so much fun at school that we had a pretty hard time getting her to leave!

What have we been up to?

It has been about 7 months since our last post. As you could assume, a whole lot has happened in our lives since then. Madison was diagnosed with Autism, Liberty finished her first year of preschool and started primary, Brett graduated from college, and I was called as primary chorister! We also took a vacation with my family to Tennessee. We have been pretty busy, so I thought I would take a little time to update.

Here's Spencer learning how to crawl. He started crawling March 1st.

Here's Liberty on her 4th Birthday. I can't believe 4 years have passed since we became parents! She is growing so fast. Just the other day she reassured me about something. She said "Mom, don't worry; 4 year olds lie, but 5 year olds don't lie." Thank you Libby - I guess we just have to survive it for 1 more year.

I'm just wondering - Do they come any cuter than this?

I think the reason I love this picture so much is because it's a picture of Maddy just being a kid. She doesn't have a distant look in her eyes, she's not spinning around or rubbing her lips with her finger; she's just being a 2 year old kid. She is amazing us every day. She can do SOO much for someone with her condition. What a wonderful gift these moments where she is just being a kid are. I cherish every one of them.

Our little Maddy LOVES to swing!

And our little Spence loves to be cute.

And our little Libby loves animals!

And we all love Brett to graduate from college!

So there you have it. A very brief veiw of the last 7 months. We are so blessed. Our lives are never boring and we never seem so stand still for very long. We love it!