Christmas Greetings 2018

Here is our Christmas Letter and Card from 2018

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Well, we did it!  We welcomed our very first (and last) bio-babe to the family!  Séamus (shay-mus) Murphy joined our family in July, just 5 days past his due date.  Ashley’s easy pregnancy ended with a quick, yet challenging delivery.  Her hopes of a natural unmedicated birth were thwarted with Séamus position and despite trying all the things: natural, epidural, and vacuum he just would not budge – so an emergency c-section was in order, so much so that another epidural could not be administered and she needed to go under general anesthesia.  No matter, Séamus is here, he is healthy and that is all that matters!

We’ve kept ourselves busy yet again this year with travel: Disneyland three times (February, April, and August with a 2 week old) we fully enjoyed our year as Annual Passholders and hope to do it again in the future, many trips to Selah to visit Thomas parents in their new home, day trips to Vashon Island, and over to Spokane to visit with the girls birth families.  Ashley, Finnley and Ashley’s Dad, Craig, made a trip to the Carolina’s in January visiting Charleston and Charlotte.  They had so much fun that hopefully we can all go back as a family to visit! The girls are basically expert travelers at this point and have enjoyed every trip so far and Séamus was a champ on the plane and in Disney.  We are over the moon with making these memories with the kids and love that we are finally complete and get to focus on raising our little humans and giving them all the experiences!  Also of note: Cooper was diagnosed with Diabetes in July and needs 2x daily insulin injections, Ashley has decided to sell Rags, our chickens are still alive and clucking, and we converted the chicken coop into a playhouse for the kids!

Thomas: is still teaching and is the Building Tech Guy, which is keeping him busy.  Cycling and Fly Fishing are still his favorite hobbies and spending time playing with the kids is always at the top of his list.  He is an expert diaper changer, homework helper, and provider for our family.

Ashley: absolutely adores breastfeeding and the feeling of wholeness with carrying out a successful pregnancy.  She is still nannying twice a week and enjoys keeping things real with her blog “Life with Kids”.  She also dove head first into a new business, “Life, Kids, and Oils” with Young Living Essential Oils.  Wellness has always been a priority and now she is fully equipped to help our family and those who join her team.  If you’re interested in learning more, feel free to reach out: ashleyaparsons@comcast.net

Ellie: is a big Kindergartener this year.  She is loving school, lost her first tooth, and has taken on the role as Biggest Sister wonderfully.  She is excelling at school, loves pink and red, has a giving heart, and the best imagination.  She did ballet again this year and did an awesome job at her Ballet Recital.  She has decided to not continue with it though and wants to focus on gymnastics and drawing.

Finnley: has bigger feet than Ellie, is a mere 1 inch shorter than her and is the silliest girl we know.  She squeals with delight, has the biggest emotions, and not only moved into a big girl bed – but is sharing a room (and bunk bed) with Ellie.  She was made for her new role as Big Sister and is the best helper with Séamus, we can always count on her to find his paci or get him to laugh.  We have found a great blend of oils to support her emotions and it has given her so much freedom and joy!

Séamus: is loving life on the outside.  He has the best disposition, loves to nurse, enjoys tummy time, can almost sit on his own, and squeals with great delight.  He smiles almost all the time and drools like crazy.

With Love,

Thomas, Ashley, Ellie, Finnley and Séamus Parsons

The Farm Animals: Paladin, Ragtime, Cooper, Sakari, Annabelle, Penelope, Stella, Delilah, Ma and Solo