Ashlynn's Baptism

 Ashlynn was super excited to get baptized.  She continued to ask all day long if we could go yet.  She has grown up so much and I can't believe that she is no longer a baby.

First day of school 2012-13

Alex and Ashlynn ready for a new school year.  I can't believe that they are in the 5th and 3rd grade.  They are growing up so fast.

Spring Soccer 2012

The girls tried out soccer this spring.  We learned all about cleats, shin guards and how to kick a ball.  There is still a lot I do not understand when it comes to soccer.  Hopefully I will get a better handle on things this coming fall.

Ashlynn's 8th

The summer is coming to a close really fast.  I decided that we needed to get Ashlynn's birthday party in before there were no more days left.  She decided to go bowling with her friends for her party.  When we went to get decorations she said she wanted a blue and green birthday party.  So that is what she got.  Lots of blue and lots of green.  The one thing she really wanted was to wear a crown.  We got this one that she wore all day including during bowling as well as every day after.

The Science Fair

Alex has asked me every year for a very long time if she can do the science fair. This year I thought I would be the good mom and said yes. At first, Alex had told me they could do it together but when she brought home the information it said only those in the same grade level could be partners. Ashlynn really wanted to do it so we ended up doing 2 projects. Alex wanted to do something with natural dyes made from fruits and vegetables. We tested 2 fruits and 2 vegetables to find which one made the darkest red dye. Ashlynn went around the ward testing people memories to see whether they were better at remembering by sight or sound. All of it was a lot of work but I know they felt proud to be apart of something. They each received the standard participation ribbon and certificate but they also both received a Honorable Mention ribbon. Next year will be mandatory for Alex to participate so we will be continuing with the science fair for the next 4 years.

Updated bathroom

Over the Christmas break our neighbor remodeled our bathroom. We had to leave the house for a few days because it is our only bathroom and we would not be able to use it during that time. A whole bunch of things happened during that time that made this process very difficult but we got through it. We have a beautiful new bathroom that we get to enjoy. My only regret is that I have no before pictures to share because it was really a last minute decision. But just trust me that before it was horrible.

Some of the upgrades and changes are: the heating vent was moved, new vanity, new vanity lighting, new sink, new toilet, new tile, new hotel-style curtain rod, new towel and toilet paper holders, new mirror, new paint, new air fan, 4 electrical outlets instead of one...I am sure I am forgetting something. I love all my new additions and am now just looking forward to the day that we can replace all the linens as well.

Halloween 2011

Happy Halloween everyone! This year Alex really wanted to be Princess Tamina from The Prince of Persia. We got her costume and the sand necklace online. After looking through the different costumes online Ashlynn decided she wanted to be a Flapper. When asked what a flapper was she would answer "Someone from the olden days." She cracks me up. I think she just thought it was the cutest costume. Keri made her dress and I did her hair. It only took about 40 minutes to do and a lot of telling her to stop complaining:) We ate dinner and trick or treated with the Clawsons again this year. I don't think the kids would like it if we didn't get together with the Clawson's. We racked up a lot of candy and had a ton of fun!

First Day of School 2011-2012

This is the first day of Fourth grade(Alex) and Second Grade (Ashlynn). Martin had to drive them to their first day of school because I had to be at the high school. I was not happy about this but when I got home later that day they said they had a great first day.

Swift Creek 2011

We went to Swift Creek camping this year. We left on August 4th which means we were celebrating Ashlynn's birthday while we were there. After setting up camp we went for an impromptu hike. We had to turn around when the really dark, black clouds got too close. On the way down we got wet and lighting struck really close. That night Ashlynn opened presents and we ate store bought birthday cake. The next day was devoted to fishing. We fished in the morning and napped in the afternoon. By the next morning I was ready to go home. Due to really cold nights and cramped quarters we did not get much sleep. We did have fun though.

Ashlynn really did ask for this magnifying glass. Then her and her sister spent the rest of the time using it to burn their names into wood.

Daddy-Daughter Hoe Down

For Activity Day Girls, Alex and Martin went to a hoe down together. They were gone for a couple of hours but had great fun. They ate dinner, rode horses and made s'mores.

Apparently, this is Alex's "angry" face.

Texas, part 2

On Wednesday, we had to go shopping. When packing for the trip I had Alex try on all her summer clothes and found they were all too small. Utah is no where near summer so I put off trying to find clothes for her until we reached Texas. We went to Stonebriar and shopped, ate, and of course rode the carousel.

Thursday, we drove into Dallas to go to the aquarium. This place is awesome. The layout is cool making you feel apart of the habitat. It would have been better if there hadn't been 600 school children there as well but when you drive out there for 45 minutes it's not like you are going to turn around and go back home. I am glad we went and that the girls got to see this. (If you can't tell, it is a turtle swimming above the girls heads.)

That night we went over to Kathy's house and spent time with her and her family. She has a great family. Her kids are just like her, inviting and accepting of everyone. We had a fabulous dinner, with a rousing game of wiffle ball afterward.

Friday, we went and saw Rio the movie. It was very cute and mom didn't even fall asleep during the movie!


Saturday, we tried out Mooyah's. It was crazy. There was so many people. Dad got each of the girls these balloons. They were not too happy with me when I told them they were not allowed to take them with us on the plane. After Mooyah's we went finishing at Bethany Lakes. No fish were caught and yet the turtles were a snappin' that day. Both girls caught a turtle which Dad threw back.

Sunday we of course went to church. It was a little strange to be there again but it was nice to see familiar faces.

Well that was our trip, sort of. There are no pictures of all the other things I will remember. Dad, Martin and the girls digging for Katie's buried treasure(not found), our Jeopardy marathon, helping mom make Easter cards for the grandkids, Brahms, Spring Creek Barbeque, Uncle Julio's, the kids and grandpa on the riding lawn mower, the kids playing baseball and badminton(those did not come on the plane either) and so much more.

Spring Break 2011

So this year for Spring Break we actually went on vacation! I have been waiting for this trip for years. We were able to go to Texas and spend tons of time with my parents. It was kind of a good-bye to my childhood home. We were there for a whole week and did a ton of stuff. I will probably have to do this blog in multiple parts. We arrived early on Monday and spent the rest of the day resting. I couldn't do much after getting up at 4:00am. On Tuesday, we were off. We took the DART train into Dallas to the zoo. I don't think I need to make the trip on the train ever again. I am not sure how mom and dad have done that so many times with different grandkids. It was nice weather for the zoo, thankfully not too hot. We looked at everything and went on the monorail to see all the animals of Africa. I think the kids favorite part of the zoo was the children's area. It had a water display that you could play in and it was difficult to get them out of it.

The Circus

We went to the circus at UVU. Martin received some tickets from a fellow officer for free so we allowed the girls to do a few fun things while we were there. They both got their faces painted and rode on an elephant. The circus was fun and we enjoyed being together.

Halloween 2010

The girls choose their own costumes this year. Ashlynn chose quickly, while Alex hemmed and hahed forever. It always amazes me how much their personalities are reflected in their choices. This past Halloween we went Trick or Treating with Andrew and Camille. We always get so much candy when we go with them and we have so much fun!!

I know this was a really long time ago but I am going to share this anyway. This past September Alex was baptized. She is such an amazing person and I am so grateful to the Lord for sending her to me.

The Wasach Back!

Yesterday and today Martin had his race. He and 11 other officers made up a 12 man relay team. Together they ran from Logan to Park City for a total of 188 miles. Martin had 3 legs to run. His first was almost 7 miles and the next two were 3 miles each. He did okay coming away with only a few blisters. He didn't get much sleep but has to go to work tomorrow no matter what. The girls and I are so proud of his accomplishment.

10 Year Anniversary

Ten years ago today, Martin and I were sealed in the Dallas Texas Temple for eternity. I have had a wonderful 10 years and I can not wait for the next ten. I love my husband very much. He means the world to me. I am so grateful for a husband who loves and supports me, who loves our children and who is my best friend. Thank you Martin!

Dance Festival

The school year is winding down and with it is all the last minute activities the school plans. On Friday, the girls had their dance festival. The weather was nice and cool with overcast skies. I was well prepared with a camping chair, camera, umbrella(if needed), book, and sunglasses. We walked to school so I did not have to fight over parking with the entire school. I got really good seats next to some friends, right behind the kindergartners. The kids began to bring out their chairs so I went to take pictures and realized that the battery on my camera was dead. (It would not even turn on.) This picture was taken with my cell phone and my friend took some with her really nice camera which I am sure she will email me soon. The girls did really great in their dances. Ashlynn danced the A Tootie Ta and Miley Cyrus's Hoedown Throwdown. Alex danced to Elvira and folk song. She was so surprised that I knew the tune and words to Elvira. We had a lot of fun.

10 Years

Okay, so next week my husband and I celebrate our ten year anniversary. Because of this I have been thinking about the next ten years of my life and where I will be. You think ten years is not that much time but my life will be very changed by then. My oldest will be graduating from high school. My second will be turning sixteen and getting ready to date and drive. (Scary!) And my husband will be only 7 years from retiring. When I think about it, I become very sad just knowing I am only ten years away from being very old.

Locks of Love

Today after school I finally took Alex to get her haircut. She took off 10 inches and mailed it away to locks of love. The donation will be made into a wig for some very sick child. I am so proud of her because I know how difficult it must have been. (I have always wanted to do this but I can not stand for my hair to get very long.) She is a very loving and sweet girl.