Christmas Pictures

Thanksgiving

We had a fun thanksgiving this year. My kids are at the age that holidays are the best thing ever. They know that after Halloween is thanksgiving and after that is Christmas and they talk about it constantly. We made turkey hats and put what they are thankful for on the feathers.Liz kept listing everyone in our family over and over and of course for toys and candy!
Preston was grateful for the new doors that my dad put on his room because we moved his room downstairs and it was built to be a den and didnt have doors. He has been so excited to have the doors on his NEW room. Who would have thought that would make a little 5 yr old so happy!
We spent the morning relaxing at home and then went and enjoyed a yummy dinner at Devon's parents house with all devon's extended family. The kids had a blast playing with cousins. I am so thankful this time of year for all I have been blessed with I cant even count how many things I have been blessed with in my life. I am lucky to have such great family and to be a mother and wife. Hope you all had a great gobble gobble day!!!

Alaina 1 year!!!!!!

We had Alaina's 1st Birthday party on Fri. It was fun to have family and friends over. I decided to do a cupcake birthday party. Alaina TRIED to open her presents but her big brother and sister were so excited to see what toys she got. I don't think that it will fly next year!
When I bought Alaina's outfit Liz wanted to have a matching one. I loved this birthday collection from Janie and Jack.
I got this cute cupcake mold from William Sonoma and the little felt cupcakes from Pottery barn kids. The cake to the far right was Alaina's cake to destroy.
I cant believe how fast this year has gone by. It seems like I was just bringing her home from the hospital. She has not been the easiest baby but I have had so much fun with her this past year. She is extremely attached and doesn't want to leave my side so at least I know she loves me. She is not walking yet but is super close. I love watching her learn new things. Preston and Liz just love her to pieces and always want to give her hugs and kisses. She loves to watch everything they do and wants to always be in the middle of all the action. She says mama, dada, uh-oh, yeah, and I think jakey (I watch my friends baby jake a couple days a week. He is Alaina's age)
Devon and I love this girl to death. She makes me smile everyday. Happy Birthday Laney!!!!! Thanks for to all who came to share this special day with our family.

Halloween part 3

Preston was so excited about all his candy. He wanted me to take a picture of all of it. He sorted them into colors until it was time to go to bed.
I dressed up as a cave women to go to work that day.
Devon took the kids to the trunk-or-treat while I was at work. I met up with them and then took the kids out in our neighborhood. This is us before we went out trick-or-treating.
Preston and Liz were so tired by the end of the day.
Sorry this is all out of order. We carved pumpkins before I went to work. The kids didnt want to touch anything they were grossed out by all the goo. But they had fun with the end results.
This was one of the best halloweens I have ever had. I have loved seeing all the excitement that the holidays bring. I am really excited for Christmas this year. It will be so fun to watch the kids light up when they see all the magic around Christmas time.

halloween part 2

On halloween morning preston had his first soccer game this season. He played great and has improved a tons since last year. I love this time of year going and watching preston play and enjoying the nice weather.Alaina playing on the blanket
My in-laws got us these great chairs for watching soccer games in the sun. They have a shade canopy on top. It still gets a little hot sitting out in the sun this time of year.
The kids showing off their halloween clothes. On friday I was able to go to Prestons school and help with the halloween activities. It was so much fun to see preston with his class and see all the excitement. I have a lot of fun memories during school growing up and having all the festivities on halloween.
We had this pumpkin beenie and I just had to get a pic of alaina trying it on.

halloween part 1

my mom wanted to see the kids in their costumes so we went out to town to go to Fry's trick-or-treating. The kids had fun decorating a cookie and making a mask. Alaina posing for the camera by the milk.
For dance this week they dressed up in their costumes. It was fun to see liz dance around like a fairy at dance.
Showing me her wings

The girl in the Hat!

Liz got this hat from a friend when she was little and she wanted to put it on Alaina and it was too cute not to take pictures!I just love this girl! I cant believe that she is almost one. It has gone by so fast. She is the reason I started blogging. I wanted to put into words ( a journal if you will) how much I love my kids. I wanted them to have something to look back on to see what was going on in our lives when they were little and my love for each of them. I knew having a new baby was a great place to start. I have really enjoyed blogging this past year. I am glad I am able to reflect on my many blessings!!!

My crazy kids

You know your kids watch a lot of "so you think you can dance" when they dance to anything on TV. Devon was watching a show on Disney chanel with the kids and they wanted him to keep rewinding the dancing part. Sorry for liz dancing with no shirt on it was right before it was time to put PJ's on and I tried to catch them dancing without them seeing the camera.

No excuses

I had my birthday on the third of October and It was a great birthday. I woke up to the kids and Devon telling me happy birthday. Preston said to me so mom since its your birthday when is your party. I told him that we were not going to have a party this year for my birthday. He looks at me all confused and says "Then it is not your birthday?" He just didn't get how I could have a birthday without a party. Funny kid!!! My boss gave me the day off to spend time with my family and that night we did a girls night and went and saw Fame while the guys went to Priesthood session at the church for Conference. The movie stunk but we still had a great time. We then met up with both sides of my family for dinner at Macaroni Grill. YUM YUM!!!! Thanks to those who came to hang out with me on my birthday. The day after was Sunday and we switch every other week with my family and my in-laws for dinner after church and it was my families week. They told Preston ahead of time that we were going to have a "real" party and I didn't know their plans. He kept telling me we are having a party at Nana and Papa's house. I told him "Preston we will just have some dinner like we always do and maybe blow out some candles but it is not a party." He refused to believe me. To my surprise my cute parents did in fact do a party. My kids were so excited to see decorations and have a real party for my birthday. Thanks mom and dad for making it special for me and my kids! We also had my Aunt Karen come to phoenix with her two boys It was so much fun to have them here. We miss them and wish we could see them more often. but thanks to Delta (Karen's job) we get to have them more than not. Preston and Liz just love Austin and Baby Brock. Preston and Aussie played so hard that this is what we found on the couch at the end of the night. How cute is that. (Blackmail pictures) We cant wait to see you guys in December!!!!
We have been super busy with who knows what no excuses I just am slacking on my blogging. I got an entertainment center from my in-laws that they didn't want anymore. I got myself into a huge project of refinishing it. I knew it would be a lot of work but I didn't really know how much. My mom was so sweet to come down to my house a couple times to help me for a few hours. Thanks mom!!!! It was totally worth it in the long run. I am happy with the end result.
We are looking forward to Halloween coming up. The kids have their costumes and can hardly contain themselves. I wont let them wear them until that day or they will be destroyed. We are loving the nice fall weather. Anything under 100 is considered fall weather so we are playing at the park and having picnics. We enjoy going on walks and playing in the backyard. I love this time of year. If only we had the pretty Utah leaves changing here. It would be perfect!!!!!

Giveaway Time!!!!!

The giveaway has begun to win a few of my Halloween bows. Just go to the link below and follow the instructions to win. Good luck!!!!!

http://hail2thesnowqueen.blogspot.com

Alaina 10 months!

My girls looked so cute matching on Sunday for church (Well I think so cause I am their mom) I have been letting Liz take pictures lately and she took this cute one when I didn't know she was behind me
I took alaina in for her check up and she is only 16lbs (10th percentile) and the doctor was a little worried. I told her she eats like a cow but just stays little lucky girl.
This pic didnt work very good but it is from boating over labor day. I love this stage where they love to wave at everyone. She makes friends at the grocery store post office the mall and pretty much where ever we go.
She has been making this face lately and I am glad I was able to capture it on camera cause I just cant show people when I am trying to tell them how funny it is. I look like an idiot trying to copy her.
I am loving this little girl so much. I cant get enough of her. She is finally getting her top front teeth so she no longer looks like a vampire. We took her to twilight the when she was a week old and I think that she felt it was necessary to sport the vampire look for awhile. She is crawling everywhere and is walking along anything she can. I cant believe we will be celebrating her birthday in a couple months. Time has flown by.

playdate, Devon's game, camping

We had a busy week and I am not keeping up so here it all is!!!!!

D-backs game

Devon and I took the kids to the game on Friday. The kids were so excited to get decked-out in Red and I painted their cheeks. Sorry my pics are so blurry. They are fine when I upload them from my camera and then when I post them they look horrible. Devon got a new Mac for school and I dont think I am use to new technology. If you are more computer savvy then me and have any idea what my problem is fill me in. We lasted a few innings in our seats and then let the kids go play at the Sandlot play place.
Daddy giving Laney kisses
Preston was funny he started coping the snack vendors yelling "Peanuts? Beer?" He says to me mom don't you want some of that?
Lizzy eating some cotton candy!

Tiny Little Dancer

Liz started dance classes last week with a sweet girl from our ward who built a studio up in her loft. She goes once a week for an hour. She does tap, ballet and tumbling. She loves it and I think that I am loving it just as much as she does. I have always dreamed about having a little girl and putting her in dance. I love this little girl so much!

Friend boating trip

Cry Baby

I have had a couple emotional days. I sent Preston to Kindergarten yesterday and I can honestly say it was one of the hardest days. I knew it would be hard but I didn't know how much it would hit me that I am not ready to let go. On the way there he asked me how many kids were in his class and I told him 21 and he responded "now I will have 21 new friends!" My babies have grown up and I feel like I blinked my eyes and now they don't need me any more. When we were in the car after school yesterday I told him how much I missed him and he said "I missed you too! I told all my friends about you." Of course that made me cry again. Today I took Liz to preschool and I handled this a lot better. I only cried a little on the drive home. She was so excited to see me and jumped into my arms. I know I am a cry baby. I think every kid will get easier.

School Starts

Preston is 5!!!!!!

I have been a slacker this week. We got back from Utah on Monday. Our trip was great. We were so blessed to be there to spend time with family. We got there on the 23rd and were able to go to the parade, BBQ and fireworks in Bountiful with all my mom's side of the family. We then went to a family reunion in Heaber City for the weekend. The weather was great and we all stayed in a large cabin with 8 rooms. I miss my family so much and it was great to have time to sit and catch up. For the rest of the week we stayed up in Park City with my parents and my Uncle and Aunts family from California. My kids had such a great time with all their cousins. I wish we could see them more often. On Friday we were at the pool and my mom told me she wanted to show me something in the club house and sitting in the chair was my sweet husband. He had been looking all week for a good deal on a flight and he arranged it with my family to surprise me. I was so shocked and it honestly was one of the happiest moments I have had in my life. I was missing him the whole 10 days we were apart and I just wanted to see him. I was so not expecting it. We went down the alpine slide again with Devon and on Sat we had my grandparents 50Th anniversary party. I had fun remembering all the memories I have with my grandparents. I hope to celebrate 50 years with my husband and have all my love ones around.On Thursday we celebrated Preston's birthday with all our family at a pool party at my Aunt Vicki's. My cousin mason in the picture was having a birthday the next week so we included him in all the birthday fun.
I love MY BOYS!!!!
I wanted to put down just a small amount of the funny things that Preston has said recently

"Sorry mom I don't understand you I speak kid language."

Talking to Alaina "Hello Gorgeous"

"Mom I want to eat some strawberries with black flour" (brown sugar)

One day we were up at my mom and dads for dinner and there was a picture on the wall of Christ and a child on his lap to which this conversation brought up.......

Preston: Mom who is that kid on Jesus's lap

Myself: I don't know

Preston: OH I know who it is, I came down with him.

Myself: What do you mean came down.

Preston: You know mom like when we are in heaven and then we come down to earth.

Myself: Why do we do that?

Preston: Because we want to play with our friends!

This kid cracks me up constantly. I am getting a little emotional for kindergarten starting tomorrow. I know I am going to gain a little sanity from this but I really am going to miss my baby. I feel like a whole new stage of life is starting and I am not ready for this. I know that Preston can drive me up the wall at times but I just cant imagine my life without him. I am so so blessed to have him. He is my little buddy. I loved that the other night I told him I need to go downstairs to have some mommy time and take a break and after a couple minutes he comes downstairs and tells me he wants to perform his new song. He starts to sing me a song about how much he loves me and that I am the best mommy in the whole wide world. I just love this boy. He is the one reason that I was able to make it through the hardest part of my life.

I love you Preston!

And we are off!

We are heading to Utah to attend a family reunion and my grandparents 50Th anniversary. Me and the two older kids will be flying together and my mom is taking the baby so I dont have to take all three by myself. Thanks mom! Prestons birthday is while we are up there and he is so excited for his special day. We are celebrating with our family before we leave so Devon can be a part of the fun since he has to stay and work. It is going to be really hard to leave him home for so long. We will miss him so much! But we are looking forward to seeing all our cousins and aunts and uncles. Pictures to be posted on our return.
P.S. Preston loves this outcast song:)

random pics

My 3 cute kids!
I love these girls

Preston learned how to wake board last week. His uncle paul has been asking him to learn since lake powell but he was too scared. We finally talked him into it with a little bribery (the dollar store). Once he got out there of course he loved it. He was so funny he kept striking poses and letting his foot drag in the wake. I was so proud of him. I had such a mom moment.
I love when my kids are cuddly and give each other hugs and kisses I dont know how much longer I am going to be able to catch this on camera before Preston thinks girls have cooties!

Good as new

Alaina got tubes put in yesterday. It was a super quick surgery. By the time I sat down the doctor was back to tell me it was over. She was super confused and fussy for about an hour then she took a long nap and she was as good as new. It was hard to see her like that but it was for the best. The doctor told me that because of the way her ear drums were shaped it was like she was feeling what you feel on an airplane with the pressure. So she was feeling that all the time. I am hoping this will really help her feel better and I am glad we are going to take a break from ear infections YEAH.

Totally WICKED!!!!

We went to Wicked last night with all of Devon's family. It was so great. I went two years ago and loved it but the cast was so much better last night. This was Devon's first time and I was so excited for him to see it. I wish I could just rewind it and watch it again and again. My two favorite parts for those who know what I am talking about are popular and defying gravity. but all the songs were great. I just cant wait to see it again. Thanks mom for watching the kids!

Happy Birthday Liz

Sorry I am on blog overload. I have tons I am trying to catch up on. Liz's birthday was on Sun and we had a whole weekend of Presents and family fun. We opened her presents with our family and then spent the weekend going to peter piper, ice cream, boating blowing the candles out and more presents!!! Then finally on Tue we had friends and family over for a party. Liz loves candy and sweets so we had "Lizzy's Sweet Shop" We did tons of candy and cupcakes. I had a great time decorating and making liz's outfit. She is turning into such a girly girl. I dont know where she got it from :)
There are a couple things that I want to remember about liz:

When I tuck her in at night I always give her a butterfly kiss, escamo kiss, and then a kiss on her lips that I call a mommy kiss. So now she requests a "mommy I want a utterfly, mo and mommy."

Whenever I am paying attention to Alaina or when others are admiring Alaina she makes people aware by saying proudly "She's my sister"

When she is playing with Devon she says "it's tickle time"

when she tells me randomly "I LOVE costco!"

I was trying to tell her how to play a game and she says back to me. "Ashley (actually) this is how you play mommy."

There are so many things it is hard to put them all down. Liz is such a great daughter. I love that we are buddies. We have so much fun together. I see her wanting to be like me and I just want so badly to be the best person I can be for her and Preston and Alaina. I love you my little Lizzy!

Lizzy is 3!!!

Alaina 8 months!!!

We did a little photo shoot for Alaina in a tutu on the 10th for her turning 8 months. She has grown up so much lately. I cant believe my baby is getting so big. I just enjoy everything about her. Alaina is now babbling up a storm. She is eating finger foods and can pick them up by herself. She is such a momma's girl. She just freaks out when ever someone else has her and I leave the room. I wont complain to much about it though cause I know she loves me.
It is official. We have to keep the floors spotless now. She is crawling! AHHHHH. This has its pros and cons. She gets so dirty on her tummy and we have to clean every little thing up but she can get wherever she wants to go and follow her brother and sister everywhere. She is able to entertain herself so much easier. She can even go to the basket of toys and get some out her self. I love she is an independent woman :)
I love snuggles with this little girl. I don't know how much longer this will last so I try to take it whenever I can.

The Happenings

Sorry it has taken me forever to post these pics. We went to lake Powell the end of June on my in-laws house boat. We had a great week boating, playing on the beach, wake boarding and jet skiing. I got up wake boarding the beginning of the week and by the end I finally felt like I had it down. It was not as easy as it looks. It was a lot of fun once I got up and stayed up. This is by far one of my favorite places in the world. I grew up going to Powell with my family and I am so glad to have those memories with my kids now. I felt so blessed to be there it is so beautiful. Thanks Scott and Sharon!!!!!!

Lake Powell 09

The 4TH

Coming Soon....

Lake powell was super fun and I have a ton of great pics. I need to get them from my in-laws camera so a post is coming soon. Sorry for being such a slacker.

New Blog

I decided to start a blog to sell some of the girly things that I make. I am selling my bows and bibs for now. Check it out! They make great inexpensive gifts for girls of all ages. Great for birthday or baby gifts.

http://butterflybowsandbibs.blogspot.com/