Well, the idea was to have 12 little booties for a cute one year old pic…but somehow I miscounted and there are only 11 booties!  So I guess, this is just a cute pic :).

Funny story.  We had been talking with Asher for a few weeks about how Auntie Lori was going to watch Beck, and him and Daddy and I were going to have a date to Firebirds Raceway (courtesy of Hope Kids) to watch some Monster Trucks and Robosaurus.  He couldn’t stand it, he was so excited.  We watched videos.  We talked about it all the time.  We counted down the days.  It was THE event of the year for him.  Driving out there traffic was horrible, so when we finally got to the gates Asher and I jumped out of the car to grab our seats while Jeremy parked.  We had seats at the starting line.  We were in the front row of the stand.  We both put our earplugs in and waited in anticipation.  This is where things went a little haywire.  We were on a racetrack and these rockets (literally) were racing at speeds close to 300 mph.  The flames that these cars shot out were insane, and the decibels that they pumped out as they launched highly exceeded our ear plugs.  After the first run Asher looked at me and said, “I want to go home.”  By the time Jeremy hiked half a mile from parking and found us in the stands there was a lot of wailing and gnashing of teeth…and lots of boogers.  Since the evening was meant to bless him, we left and started our journey back home!  We had some serious quick turn-around time, but still enjoyed getting to have dinner and some alone time with our first :).

Punkers partying hard at Auntie Lori’s!

I didn’t know how cheap it is to take your boy to a batting cage for a little date…and I certainly didn’t know how much joy it would bring him.  I do now, buddy :).  You’re a total crusher!

Is it me, or is this totally pathetic, lol!  Or really relaxing…I guess it depends on who you are, ha!  There’s a Brian Regan act here for sure :).

Gosh these two love each other…

Just one of those put your belly in the air and watch your favorite Praise Baby DVD kind of day :).

Peek-a-boo!

Punkers has been sick this last week.  Started with the flu, turned into double ear infection and fever, and that developed into a secondary lung infection.  Poor thing has had a rough week.  I had to grab a picture when I went in to check on him because it was so sweet, and I had to capture a new phase with Beck.  He still very much loves to suck on his two little fingers.  It’s his pacifier.  Now when I put him down for a nap he throws his fingers in, and I give him a…wait for it…a little sock.  Wow, that sounds ridiculous, ha!  But he literally makes an obnoxious sigh when I hand him a sock before laying him down.  It’s like a super mini blankie, ha!  Does it help if he started it?!  Ha!  He’s always had only one sock on, because he yanks the other one off to play with it.  So…nothing like encouraging a bad habit, ha!  This has some serious potential to turn weird, but right now it’s adorable 🙂

Asher was so excited to build another creation to send in for Lego’s competition this month.  He built his own race track for a robot, and now frequently asks when they’re going to send him his $100 because he’s sure he won :).

And, I have to put up a few pics from a trip to San Francisco that Jeremy and I were blessed to be able to take.  So many people made this happen, and we’re really thankful to have had the chance to make some memories with just us, meet some of our life-long friends for the first time, and to celebrate Jeremy’s big birthday!  We’ll never forget our SF trip together!!

We had a beautiful week leading up to celebrating Jesus conquering the grave on Easter!  We did some fun things around the house, like growing grass for Calvary Hill.  We enjoyed an outdoor service with our church family (I was so proud of how Asher listened to the service…Beck walked around and poked a lady who was sitting in the booty…so one for two ain’t bad, ha!).  Asher had his Easter Basket Scavenger Hunt.  And, we ended the day of celebration with our 3rd Annual Easter Egg Hunt with our Hoverson family.  Such fun memories!

We had several photos and attempts at some nice family pictures, but threw the towel in on that idea, ha!

Beck took a little schnoozer, so I got some time with just Asher and his handsome self.  This whole photo shoot was actually only about 3 minutes.  The boy knows how to work a camera.

Oh I just want to munch him up here!  He’s so beautiful.

And, sorry Beck, but I just have to put up this picture of you!  The caption options are endless!!!!  Happy Easter, lol!!

We can’t believe it’s been one year since we welcomed this little peanut into our family.  He brings us all so much joy.

Celebrating with your best friend.

Awww…now that was a good birthday.

We love every little piece of you, Beck.

Ok, never mind, THIS might be my favorite video of all time :).

He’s so cute waddling around the house investigating everything. I am super thankful to have his hands mostly off the floor, for the sake of germs…but I did forget about the one foot rule…anything closer than one foot from the edge on a table or counter is totally up for grabs :).

Rewind back to January – Grandma Olimb and Auntie Dana came for a visit, and we had our usual ol’ good times!  We got to cheer Asher on at his soccer game (he made a goal!), go to the Dinosaur Museum again (Asher has been begging to go for months), and, Auntie Dana took us bowling!  Reason number 6 billion that Beck is the greatest baby – he sat in his stroller while we bowled two games!

Speaking of Soccer.  Asher had a wonderful time knocking out another season!  The best part about this season, was that he got to play with his buds Chase and Carter, and his cousin, Rush!  It was so fun sharing these memories together!

Well, we did all we could do.  Maybe next year, Vikings :).

Just some random cuteness.  My favorite is Beck waiting outside the door while Asher uses the bathroom.  They’re not away from each other much :).

I came across this chart I had made when we first received Asher’s diagnosis of Cystic Fibrosis.  Adjusting and learning how to care for him was a bit overwhelming.  First time mom, heavy diagnosis, no sleep…I needed a check list to make sure he got what he needed every day.  When I saw this recently, it made me a little sad.  As overwhelming as that time was at that moment…it was so simple compared to the medical care that goes on in our home now.  I wish this was still our check list.  It is of course lengthy because we have two now, but the big reality check in looking at this is how progressive this disease really is.  This monster isn’t going to stop unless there is a cure.

If you’re reading this, and you were not able to be a part of our auction this year, but you’d like to donate and help us find a cure – here’s a link to our team page.  We would be so grateful for your support!

http://www.cff.org/great_strides/dsp_donationPage.cfm?registeringwalkid=8206&idUser=351422

Well, we’re beginning to recover from auction season over here, and get caught up on things that were shoved to the way back burner.  The auction was a little harder to plan this year with Punkers tearing up the house :).  He only smashed one antique plate though, so I guess that wasn’t too bad, ha!

I wanted to share an auction recap that we posted on teamasher.com, so we will forever have these numbers.  We will continue to reap the blessings from so many people for the rest of this year!

Below is also the new video that Jeremy made for awareness this year.  The boys are blessed to have a creative, passionate Daddy to work so hard to help find a cure for them.  Asher hasn’t seen the video (and won’t for many years), and he didn’t come to the auction this year.  He’s getting big now, and asking lots of questions.  We spend our days being hopeful, and not talking about the seriousness of this disease, because we don’t feel it will help to burden him with all of this.  But that doesn’t mean that Jeremy and I don’t feel these burdens for both of them.

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2013 teamASHER+BECK Video for Cystic Fibrosis Awareness from teamAsher on Vimeo.

What an amazing year!  The amount of support and donations we received for the auction this year were exceedingly abundant.  It’s overwhelming to think about everyone who volunteered their time, services, and money to make this year happen to help us fight for a cure for Cystic Fibrosis.  We are humbled, blessed and our hearts are exploding with thanksgiving.  You choosing to stand together with us for our boys and to see thousands of others breathe easier…you are our superheroes.

It is with great delight that we tell you that we will be able to give $21,543.09 to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation this year!!!  Isn’t that amazing!!!  You did this.

Every year we sell t-shirts and have a 50/50 raffle to help raise money for the on-going medical expenses we have for our boys.  This year was the largest amount we’ve ever received!  You blessed our medical account for the boys with $5,392.59!!!  Jeremy and I are so excited to be able to buy the boys new compressors and equipment and not to have to worry about keeping up with the on-going medical expenses.  You have granted us so much freedom and peace for this year.

We are so thankful for our team of warriors.  Thank you for contributing.  Thank you for your love.  Thank you for not giving up on this cure!  The cure is out there.  Let’s find it!!!!

Special thanks to BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse for their financial support and serving all of our guests with a delicious meal and homemade root beer.  They all made us feel like they were the ones who were blessed to help us.  They are an amazing restaurant.  Please support them and help us thank them by visiting their restaurants often :).

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Just as I was saying goodbye to everyone I realized I hadn’t taken ONE picture during the event!!  Major fail.  I’m sick about it.  I did get some pictures before the event…but so not the same.  Ugh.

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I can’t even stand how behind I am on recording memories with the boys!  Asher asked a hilarious question a few weeks ago, and now it’s lost forever.  It was along the lines of, Mommy, how come Vampires are awesome?  He continues to crack us up all day.  His thoughts and his feet move fast.  He’s a total trip, and he’s ours.  We are blessed.  We are all blessed by him.

Beck.  Punkers.  Punks.  Punkie Pie.  Punka Wunks.  He just started walking this week, and it’s been completely adorable watching him waddle around, especially in just a diaper.  Pictures to come.  But first I have to put up this video, that will go down as one of our favs…

Here’s a good ol’ cell phone photo dump.  So many sweet memories!  Thankful to be their Daddy and Mommy!

We’re getting ready over here.  One month from today, we’ll be gathering together to fight for these boys, and everyone else living with Cystic Fibrosis.  The battle is on.

DATE:  Saturday, February 23rd, 2013
TIME:  4:00-6:00pm
LOCATION:  Conference Center at Redemption Church (1820 W. Elliot Rd, Gilbert, AZ 85233)
SCHEDULE:  Tables open for bidding at 4:00pm.  Presentation and new teamASHER + BECK video begins at 4:45pm.  Tables begin closing shortly after presentation.
DETAILS:  Free.  Open to the public.  BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse will be preparing a delicious chicken and pasta meal with a spring salad and their famous homemade Root Beer for all our guests, and they will be serving you so you don’t have to stand in line.  Grass area for kids to play.  We will have new 2013 team t-shirts for purchase (the money we receive from the t-shirts goes towards medical expenses for Asher and Beck). Please “like” our “teamASHER” facebook page for updates, and visit www.teamasher.tumblr.com for a list of all the bidding items.  We would be so grateful if you could share our facebook/tumblr page and invite your family and friends.  If you are not financially in a position to donate, please still come and be with us.

If you’d like to make a product/service donation to our auction, please email me at rachelolimb@gmail.com.  We have a form you can fill out to receive a tax credit.  If you’d like a stack of these postcards to pass around to your friends and family please let me know, I’d love to get them in your hands :).

We’re super excited for next month, and making strides towards a cure for our boys.  The Foundation is close.  Even closer than last year.

Let’s do this!!!

There have been a lot of tears shed this last month leading up to Christmas, and January 4th.  We think about Paxon so often, but these days are proving to be a time of remembrance of our sweet boy, and reliving the journey and his legacy.  It’s interesting to me that the Lord planned Paxon’s birth on the day that we celebrate the birth of our Savior.  I obviously don’t mean to be disrespectful to Jesus.  I guess it just makes the day more significant to us.  Babies, born to die, to change our lives both here on earth, and forever eternally.  We love and miss you, Paxon.

Asher came into church with us this year to sing Christmas carols and enjoy service.  There’s something just oh so sweet about holding your child and singing Christmas carols.  Then, we came home for our Christmas Eve traditions of opening one gift, pictures by the tree, and getting cookies ready for Santa.  Isn’t it the best time of the year!  What’s not the best, is just realizing you accidentally deleted the pictures of your boys by the Christmas tree!  Ugh.

We had a wonderful Christmas together.  We have which may sound like the lamest Christmas tradition ever, but we look forward to it every year.  Jammies and make your own homemade pizza.  We’ve been rocking it for 12 years, and have no ambitions of changing it :).  It was a beautiful day, and so much fun watching the boys enjoy their new gifts.

Just enjoying the day…and watching “Walkie Talkie Handler” solve lots of cases.  Asher loves his new detective kit, and has actually been quite helpful solving the “where are my shoes” and “where is my phone” mysteries around the house :).

Auntie Lori invited us to her neighborhood to enjoy some Christmas activities.  We had a wonderful time enjoying the season and hanging out with one of our favorite families!

Asher’s favorite activity was playing in the snow.  He could have stayed there all night, despite how cold it got in the evening.  We had some fun times having a snow ball fight.  It brought Asher great joy to be able to throw snow at Mommy.  The real award goes to “Guy in the Black Jacket” for letting my boy pummel you for an hour.  Thank you for being fun.

They love each other.

Poor Punks.  Apparently I haven’t been outside much in the evenings now, because I would have brought you a jacket and warmer clothes had I known it’s frigid!  I guess it didn’t seem to bother you much :).

Asher enjoyed another opportunity to make sure Santa heard about him wanting a bow and arrow for Christmas.  And, Beck, pulled on another Santa’s beard, ha!

Nothing says Christmas like Spidey.

These pictures make us smile and laugh.

Asher and I went on a little date together to walk around a neighborhood and look at lights.  He was so excited.  Before we got out of the car he said, “Mommy, it’s just us!  We’re on a date!”  He squealed his way around that neighborhood.  People were chuckling at his excitement.  I love his enthusiasm.   We were walking along and he shouts out, “Mommy, look, it’s the Angel Gabriel!!!”

We were so thankful for some nice people to have a fire and steaming hot chocolate for us to enjoy!

This house was pretty cool with a Santa and a light show to music.  Asher said, “Mommy, can we stay here for awhile so I can dance?”  He drew a crowd, ha!

Lorraine came and swept Asher away for an afternoon of making Gingerbread Houses and Christmas gifts and ornaments for us.  It was so fun to have him come home with stories of their time together, and so much excitement to give us his gifts.  He made me a necklace that says, “Love, Jesus, Love” on it and asked if I will wear it every time I go to church.  Ha!  Thank you, Lorraine, for loving our boys!!!

Grandma and Grandpa Necas were here for a quick trip, but we jammed in some fun times and created some great memories together.

First, Grandpa and Grandma got to cheer Asher on for his last soccer game of the season.  I get so proud watching Asher tear up the soccer field, constantly running his little heart out.  He’s really starting to learn strategy, and he’s an awesome defensive player always stopping the ball.

Next, Santa.  Asher was super excited to go and see Santa to tell him about his beloved bow and arrow that he found in a magazine.  He cut out the magazine picture, wrote a letter (mostly told mommy what to write) and colored Santa a nice picture.  He was layin’ it on thick if you ask me, ha!  Oh, and Punkers was far from scared of Santa…but, he was very interested in checking out his beard :).

And of course we had to try for some more pictures of the boys with their Christmas sweaters on. I figure this might be my last opportunity to have a photo of them in matching sweaters :).  And, we didn’t tell Asher where to go or what to do for these money poses…this is just pure Asher.  He’s such a nut!

Family shots.

We made it out to Zoolights!  Now I know why people post a picture on facebook when they get out there, because after battling the crowds and the parking, you really do feel like you conquered something!  Asher begged to ride a camel.  But, he was very insistent on doing it all by himself.  He loved it, and rode that gross thing with pride.

Just because these are too cute.

And, what better way to end the post than with a picture Asher drew of him and me flying off in a rocket ship :).

We went to the most beautiful little spot to do some fishing, and have a picnic by the river with Auntie Shannon.  It was hard to believe we were in the desert, it was so gorgeous.

It was really cute how much Asher wanted to fish, how great he was at casting, and how long he stood there with his little bobber in the water.  I sort of thought we were just throwing his fishing pole into the car for a brief activity, but the man was on a mission to catch a fish!

One of my favorite pictures of my boy.  He looks so big…and so handsome…

Asher is always wanting to hold his brother…

We’re missing Chaser here, which means we’ll have to do this again, but Krista and I finally got a few snaps of the kids with the addition of “little” Beck and Hannah.

And the much anticipated, highly desired Asher’s Good Beatboxing Show!