First lost tooth

Ever since Ashlyn started school she has been asking when her teeth were going to fall out. I kept telling her that they would come out when they were ready. She did not like that answer. Well, her wish came true a couple of weeks ago when she discovered that a tooth was growing in behind her bottom front tooth. At that time the bottom teeth were not loose, however, within a couple of days the first one was. She wiggled it and wiggled it to the point that it was barely hanging on. She did not want us to pull it out for her, but me being the person that I am (a daughter of a dentist who always said let me just see how loose it is and then he would always pull it out) had to pull it out. She was so excited and was even more excited to find out that she was the first in her class to loose a tooth. Yeah for her! It is hard to see the hole in her smile because the other tooth was half way up by the time we got it out.

Thanksgiving 2010

We spent Thanksgiving at Moose Hollow in Eden, Utah with all of Alan's family. Alan's mother rented two cabins for everyone to stay in. Besides the temperature being negative 6 in the mornings we had a great time enjoying great food, family and some much needed rest and relaxation.

Our Halloween

We had a fun Halloween season at our house. I think this is the first year that I really got in to it. (Yes, I am a bump on a log at times.) I actually dressed up not just once, but three times. I volunteered at Ashlyn's school party, we went to a pumpkin walk, we decorated and carved pumpkins and participated in the ward trunk-or-treat. My kids loved trick-or-treating. Kaleb and Carter really got into it. It was fun to see them walk up to the door and knock and then wait to pick a piece of candy. Carter would just grab and go, but Kaleb would sit there and ponder it for a while until I finally picked for him.

Halloween Party

Ashlyn was a mermaid. Alan and I were hippies. Kaleb was a chicken and Carter was a monkey.

The boys were not very happy with their costumes.

We were invited to a Halloween party put on by one of Alan's friends from high school. A lot of Alan's buddies and families were there. I am not a big costume person, but it was fun to get dressed up and be with good friends.

Birthday Month

September is birthday month at our house. Alan and I both have birthdays in September. We always go to dinner for our birthdays and usually this is without the kids due to the lack of opportunities to have date nights. But, this year I decided that we would include them for Alan's birthday date night. We surprised him by taking him to Tepanyaki's Japanese Steakhouse. Tepanyaki's has been a favorite ever since the dating years at BYU. The kids were entertained with all of the food throwing and fires and all of them ate really well. Alan and I enjoyed watching the kids get so excited. I was nervous about taking the kids, but in the end we are so glad we did. I love having a reason to celebrate and eat birthday cake so I am sad when September comes and goes.

Ashlyn is growing up!

Alan and I have always told Ashlyn that when she was ready to get her ears pierced we would let her. After She watched her cousin do it last year I thought it would be years before she did it. Well, I was wrong. She came to us last week and begged to get it done. Alan and I questioned her and she was adamant that she really wanted to do it. So I took her to the mall and got it done. She was not so sure right before they did it, but was very pleased when it was over. She loves them. I on the other hand feel slightly guilty because they make her look more grown up.

Kindergarten

Ashlyn had her first real day of kindergarten today. She told me that it was the best day of her life. I hope her enthusiasm continues! Ashlyn had to go last Monday to meet her teacher and see the classroom. Today she got to go by herself. It was raining so she wanted to wear her long pants and "twinkle toes" shoes. (The boys did not want to miss being in the picture--cute raggle muffins, I know.)

Ashlyn

Ashlyn had several things she wanted to do this summer. Two things on her to-do list were one, learn to ride her bike without training wheels and two, go camping with her Dad and friend Cassidy. Well in the last week she accomplished both. After practicing with her on two wheels two different times she finally took off and has not looked back since. She is very proud of herself and thinks that she will now get to ride her bike to school-- she is a little to young, but I love to see her ambition.
Alan was finally able to find a weekend when Cassidy's dad and he could take time off work to take their girls camping and fishing. You would have thought Santa was coming at our house. Ashlyn was so excited! She wanted everything to do with fishing, sleeping in a tent and roasting marshmallows, but wanted absolutely nothing to do with putting worms on the fishing hook. She is already talking about going next year.
Now we just have to work on not using baby talk and tying our shoes and we should be ready to start Kindergarten next week.

Seattle

On Blake Island overlooking the Puget Sound.
Sunset in Elliot Bay.
On top of the Space Needle.

Alan had a conference in Seattle and I was lucky enough to get to go with him. Thanks to my mom my kids got to stay behind. Alan had classes from 9 to 5 so I had a lot of shopping time on my hands. I spent hours walking through stores and actually looking at things I was interested in--I spent an hour just looking at shoes at the Rack. I started and finished a book and I exercised every day. I ate at fun little Cafes and mastered Seattle's public transportation. It was our Anniversary while we were in Seattle. We took a romantic Cruise to Blake Island and had a salmon bake. We had a wonderful time and now I just can not stop thinking about my next get away.

First haircut!

Both boys were in need of a haircut--not so much in the front, but for sure in the back. I took them to Cookie Cutters. I thought they were going to freak out, but they were angels. They smiled and did not fuss once. I guess going to a place for kids makes a difference. They were excited to sit in an airplane and play on the slides.

College Roommates

I had the wonderful opportunity to see 4 of 5 awesome roommates this past week. It just so happened that two of them were in town from out-of-state--so we had to have a party. We had a BBQ with all the kids and spouses. My roommates were and are fabulous women and each of them impacted my life in a different way. It was fun to get together and be reminded of this. We had fun times. Thanks gals for coming!

4th of July

We spent the Fourth of July in Nephi. Nephi has a small celebration at the city park. It is perfect if you are 6 or younger. The boys enjoyed their first snow cone and Ashlyn loved the bounce houses and fish pond. She was so excited to get a new Kazoo (we had to replace the one that lasted for a day from last year). We were able to celebrate this fun day with every member of my family. Everyone came home for the 4th and for a giant family birthday party.

Hogle Zoo

I decided that I wanted to try and be more spontaneous yesterday--so I took the kids to the zoo by myself. I figured it could either be horrible and I would never try that again, or the kids would love it, I would get great praise and be happy that we went. Well, I was happy that we went. All three kids loved it. The boys did not fuss once. Ashlyn loved the train and the carousel and I loved that I had picked a day that was not way to hot!

Spring flowers

Master gardener I am not, but I am learning. Thanks to the previous owners we had some well established flower beds. I now just have to learn how to take care of them and learn what I need to replant next year. I would like to be as talented as Anne and Audrey and their green thumbs one day, but for now I will try and keep it looking beautiful.

Ashlyn's Birthday and graduation

Ashlyn has had a fun week. It started off with her Birthday on Tuesday. Ashlyn is now 5 and could not be happier about it. We did not have a party for her this year so we told her that we would take her to the Children's Museum along with one friend. After the museum she got to pick where she wanted to eat for dinner. She wanted Spaghetti-surprise surprise, so we went to Robintino's, a Bountiful classic. Grandma Kathy was able to meet us for dinner and then come over for cake and ice cream and to open presents. Ashlyn told me that it was the best day ever!

Today Ashlyn had Preschool Graduation. She is really excited about going to Kindergarten next year. She had a cute little program and was able to proudly wear her "graduation cap" she had made. The little boy in the picture is Caleb, Ashlyn's best-boy friend!

Fun times!

We have been waiting for weeks for a Saturday that did not have rain in the forecast or myself to not be at work so we could enjoy some family fun time. This past Saturday finally accomplished both so we headed off to the zoo! Well, we made it to the zoo only to find that the rest of Utah was there as well. So we then went to the Living Life Aquarium. Ashlyn was in her element. It was fun to watch her get so excited. After the aquarium we went to the Mayan. The kids were so great and seemed to love seeing something new. Weekends like this make you realize how awesome kids are!!

The cat is away

The saying "while the cat is away the mice will play," is definitely what happens at our house. The little boys love playing in Ashlyn's room, but Ashlyn has a come apart every time they get into her room. So as soon as she leaves for preschool I open the door and let them play. They are so entertained that I can get a lot of things done. I do have a little bit of guilt doing this, but their smiles and the fact that they are occupied makes it worth it.

First camping trip

We decided to be brave and take all the kids on the annual Woodland Family Desert trip. Ashlyn had an absolute ball climbing on the rocks, being with cousins, roasting marshmallows and riding the horses. I had to close my eyes and just let the boys play in and eat the dirt. They loved it--just like a boy should I guess. They also seemed to like the fire and all the dogs. They slept great which surprised me. All in all the trip was fun and we survived ruffing it a little.

Easter Egg Hunt

My little guys were able to participate in their first Easter Egg Hunt. They were not sure about the other kids running around, but they loved the eggs and the chocolate!!!

Boys!

Don't let those cute smiles deceive you!



I can not keep my boys out of anything. Yes, he is eating a tampon and in fact he ruined 5 of them before I realized what he was doing. I am sure this is going to be the least of my worries in the years to come with two boys.