Yay Halloween! One of my favorite times of the year! I love getting dressed up and seeing all the effort other people put in to great unique costumes. I saw a lot of good ones this year, they gave me good ideas for next year!!
This year Emery was a vampire, Nate was a clown, Will, Batman and Ethan at the last minute decided it was still cool to dress up, went as the Phantom of the Opera. The kids had their usual parade at the school. Josh showed up and Will was so excited he ran out of the line and jumped in his arms. I'd say that worth the drive/leaving work.
The kids went trick or treating with our usual crew. I sometimes think these guys are my second family. They had fun, got loads and loads of candy, of which I am slowly confiscating.
Ethan went alone with some friends this year. He came back saying it was the best Halloween ever! He didn't even care that he had to get rid of half of his candy (because of his braces) I think it was the freedom to run around the neighborhood after dark with out us.(Notice...no decorations? LOL I took them down the night before, I was so sick of them) I think next year I need to only put them up the week before, I think they are too messy.
Will also got the school award! I was hoping it was because he was doing so much better at reading or math. Nope it was for always helping to clean his classroom....? Hmmm......maybe I could bribe him with some award if he cleans his bedroom......
We just got back from a very long awaited trip to Disneyland!! We decided to try out the Disney Trick-or-Treat night, and were not disappointed! It was a lot of fun! We were able to walk on every single ride, and some (Indiana Jones) we were allowed to stay on and go again! I think we went on Thunder Mountain about 40x that night :) The kids had a blast! Okay so did Josh and I.
We had a blast! The weather was amazing! We LOVED getting wet on the Grizzly River Run and all took turns getting soaked!! We never had to wait in line!!
Will and Nate were both tall enough to go on all the rides! Nate loved every one!! But Will however, turned green and may have blacked out on the Screamer, and didn't want to go again. And was terrified of the Tower of Terror! Go figure.....Screamer
Josh's favorite ride!!! By far!!!! Probably mine too......
Toy Story
Emery, Nate, Will and I dressed up as robbers, Ethan just wanted blue hair, and josh had some disgusting tattoo scars/bullet holes. But there were some really elaborate costumes there, people went all out!Behind them is the castle with the skeleton dance from silly symphony (Beth this was for you!!) We used to love this cartoon and would laugh our heads off.
We also had a day to go to the beach (of course it was the one day that was cloudy and cold) but the kids didn't care! They got soaking, swam, and got extremely sandy. My best friend, Kira, of 28 years (wow I'm old) was able to come with her husband and 2 absolutely adorable kids. It was a lot of fun to see them.My friend Kira's little girl, Mari! So cute!!
There were about 6 dolphins swimming and playing. They were riding the waves, surfing, jumping and diving. It was so cool to see these amazing creatures. (of course this was the only photo that turned out, they were just to fast for my camera)
Josh, Ethan and Emery also caught some little sand crabs!!! Ugly little things.
After going on trips like this, I realize just how great my kids are! They appreciate so much and get along with each other so well. It makes it all worth it!!
A couple of weeks ago Ethan had a cello recital. He was nervous but did very well. Sorry to say his cello teacher resigned, and we have yet to find him another teacher, which may or may not happen at all. But he is still playing the cello in his school orchestra.
Josh and I have had our kitchen table for about 8 or 9 years. It has been used and abused. The top was literally wearing out, there were parts where the finish was worn right off from use. And our sweet Ethan had carved the word "Hi" into it (hey at least it was just Hi).
(like the old kitchen?)
A year or two ago I painted the legs and backs of the chairs and the table black, knowing that someday I would finish the top, when I could figure out how to do it.
Well that someday came!
It was actually very easy! I sanded it down, stained it a much darker color and coated it with polyurethane, and now it looks like a brand new table! It only took me 4 days and about $20. :)
Emery has been writing, directing and staring in many movies made using my camera. So the other day I broke out my OLD camcorder...(it takes those old 9mm tapes)....and charged up the battery..(that lasts about 10 min)....and let her have at it! She has been having so much fun! Who'd a thought? Maybe she will be a writer, director, producer and star someday and make us our millions.....*sigh*
Ethan started Jr. High! And with that a first in the Ashton household.....he was EXCITED to start school! He was excited to get a locker, and to be hanging out with the older kids from our neighborhood. He could hardly wait till his day finally came and was upset that I had to take him out for an orthodontist apt. I'm sure in a month he will be begging to go to the orthodontist...LOL!
Emery is in the 5th grade! She, for once, wasn't super thrilled. But now that she's gone 2 days she is excited again! She has a great teacher and one of her best friends is in her class.
Nate is in 3rd grade and is just.....Nate.....
me..... "Nate are you excited for school to start?"
Nate..... "unuh?"
me..... "Are you going to be glad to see your friends?"
Nate..... "unuh?"
me..... "Nate are you excited to clean your room?"
Nate..... "unuh?"
me..... "Nate are you excited to go to Disneyland?"
Nate..... "sure"
Such a little stinker.....
Then we have Will.
me..... "Will are you excited for school to start?"
Will..... "YESSSERIE! I AM GOING TO BE GOING TO FIRST GRADE AND I WILL HAVE LUNCH AT THE SCHOOL AND I WILL SEE ALL MY FRIENDS AND I GET TO WALK HOME WITH ALL THE OTHER KIDS............(30 min later)........AND I WILL BE THERE ALL DAY AND MY TEACHER..........
me..... "unuh"
We finally started Will in soccer. Or better named Bumble Bee soccer. This is his first time playing a sport. (poor deprived child) hehehe He was so excited and was jumping all over. It is so much fun when a kid is this excited to do something (even when I've been there, done that, got that jersey......ugh) He was really cute running around the house with his little shin guards and soccer shoes.
A while ago Josh and I got called to be Tribal Leaders at our Stake's Youth Conference. Normally the stakes do a Trek, but this year they decided to do a Book of Mormon YC. I have to admit we were both extremely nervous, hesitant and as it grew closer stressed.(Remember our costumes that I made?)
We had 2 Youth Leaders (Jordyn Arndt and Mitchell Pace) from our ward, and 8 other kids from the stake that we didn't know and one leader from our ward assigned to our tribe. About 2 weeks before, we (and the YLs) came up with the name of our tribe, made a flag and designed a side of our shields. Our tribe name was Eklegomai, which means "chosen" in the early translation of the bible, in Greek.
As soon as the buses dropped us off we watched this HUGE lightning storm roll over us. Josh told all the kids and leaders to get down in a valley, crouch down and spread out. I think lots of the kids thought he was being paranoid, but we learned the next day that the camp over had 2 scouts get hit by lightning and one was killed.
We hiked up the mountain (about 4 miles) carrying a palanquin each tribe had built to carry some of our gear. Josh and I (not being very handy) built ours out of 2 plastic tubs the kind with snap of lids. Which turned out to be quite useful.
As we were hiking we had the most amazing rain storm hit us! I am not kidding I have never seen so much rain at one time! It was as if someone turned on the hose or dumped a bucket over us. It was incredible. But the kids were great! No one complained, we all just huddled under tarps and watched in amazement as the road started slipping away under our feet. And eventually started walking holding the tarp over us and those carrying the palanquin. When we got to the top we had about 5 lbs of mud on our shoes and were all soaking wet.(Jordyn and Brittany) Great attitudes no matter what!
(Sean and Caroline) Look at the freaking rain!
When we got to camp exhausted and wet, we thought we would have to set up our tents in the mud, but we no! One of our leaders had decided to set up our tents for us and with the help of some of our cooks were all set up before the rain hit. So when the rain hit he was able to see where the water flow was and dig us trenches. Other wards were not as lucky. They had to set theirs up in the mud and struggled as they washed away in the mud. A few of their tents, gear and all, got soaked.
As we sat around the camp trying to dry out from our hike, another storm hit! I was laughing so hard because it was in sane! The quantity of water was amazing. Josh's tent literally had a river running under it!(Colten) trying to stay dry, we were laughing so hard!(I wish it wasn't so dark and sideways, I couldn't figure out how to flip it)
By the next morning it was sunny and beautiful, as if it never rained.
The stake had made amazing props, costumes, scenery and reenacted stories from the Book of Mormon. I must say, I was scared it was going to be cheesy. It wasn't! It was so well done. The hours they spent getting it all put together is unbelievable! Each of the 5 wards in the stake also did a reenactment. And every one of them were so well done!Traer and Ashley(the other tribe from our ward) each ward had two tribes. Burning their palanquin.
Brother Bateman! We were laughing so hard we were crying!!
Bishop Long (King) Hanging out with the ward
We had great food! The food crew were amazing! (I've never eaten so well camping before in my life)
We had lots of wars. The wars were related to the some of the wars in the Book of Mormon. They had most of them like flag football, if you lost your flag you were dead. There was also a tug-o-war and water balloon war.(This was our shield that the YLs came up with
Omega = the end. When it was on this side we were Lamenites, the other side was done by the stake. And when it was facing this side we were Nephites.)
tug-o-war
One of my favorite reenactments was Lehi's Dream of the Tree of Life. They had a rope leading all around the stake property with tempters all along the way, trying to get the kids to let go of the "iron rod" They had built a large and spacious building where people were laughing and dancing and trying to temp them. (all in pitch blackness) Josh and I were also tempters. We stood near the end and tried to confuse the kids as they got close to the end. Some of the kids when they let go and then realized they had been tricked said "oh I can't believe I fell for it" or "I left for that?" The kids that were alone were easier to lead astray than the kids that were helping each other, there were bishops along the way to give them encouraging words and if they let go of the rope they were to go back to one of the bishops, repent and then help get them back on track. Anyway, so many great lessons could be taught by this activity alone!
We all worry about the troubling times ahead, but as I saw these 150+ kids at this YC, whether they wanted to be there, or whether their parents dragged them or bribed them, their testimonies, their attitudes and spirits were all their own! I do not fear for our future, I have new found faith in our youth. We have strong amazing kids that have such incredible testimonies. Each one of them has something different to offer. I think I learned more from them than anything!
In the end there had been many small miracles, testimonies strengthened and friendships built. I am hoping that they will do this again in 4 years so Ethan and Emery can have this experience!
This week we are (again) not going to be around for a child's birthday. Last year we were gone for Nate's. This year we will be at Youth Conference (I'm sure I will post about that later) during Will's. We promised him he could have a party this year since he has never had one with friends. So we had his party early, which was very stressful since we are getting ready for YC.
His party actually turned out really cute and lots of fun. It was a camp theme, with fishing, shooting range, arts and crafts, fitness, hot dogs, s'mores, and bugs. (hehehe sounds funner than I'm sure it was) My favorite part was the S'mores on a stick. They turned out so cute!! And the little hobo satchels for the kids to take home.
My parents are leaving for their mission for the London England temple on Monday. They've been in the MTC for about 2 weeks and are having the best time ever. My sisters and I took them out to dinner for my mom's birthday a couple of days ago and they couldn't stop smiling! They are so happy and excited! We were able to get my entire family together just before they went into the MTC and had a big picnic. It was fun to have all of my family around for the weekend. Since everyone was in town, we bumped Nate's baptism up a week (mostly so my parents could go) It was really special having everyone there for him. Josh's sisters were in town and were able to come (and of course his mom and dad) which just added to the amazing day!
He was so excited and I've never in my life seen this kid nervous, like he was that day. He is such an amazing kid, so smart, loving and stubborn! We love him! It was a special day for the little guy, and we are so proud of him. Also the following weekend on the 2nd, Josh's sister Abbey was married to Bill! (and I don't have any pics) We were so excited for them! They were married in the Salt Lake Temple.
Emery had a piano recital on June 11th. She has been doing so well! And we are so proud of her!
I wish I could have been on the other side to get her hands playing, but regardless she did very well.
She also participated in the AIM (Achievement In Music) program. Which is an evaluation/testing program which just helps the student be more aware of their progress. They get to play in front of evaluators which gives them more practice performing for others.
Well, the ending of another school year has come! Ethan thinks he's so grown up now that he is done with elementary school. Next year he goes to Jr. High! (kinda freaking me out) Emery will be in 5th grade, Nate goes into 3rd and Will starts 1st! YAY for me! All day school next year!We are looking forward to a very busy yet FUN summer!! But trying to keep my sanity, I usually come up with some sort of chore chart so the kids stay busy and not letting the house go to pot (to much more than it is).
A couple of years ago I made this chart....and hung it inside my hallway closet.
Last year I had the kids do different chores that would earn them time on the TV or some sort of computer game. They each had a bucket that they would put their tokens. After doing a job (I had a list of things they could do with the corresponding time, ie. sweeping the stairs=15 min, something like that) they would put their minute tokens in the bucket and could either use them or save them up. (they usually wanted to save them up since 15 min barely gets you started on something) It worked pretty well, but I needed to mix things up a bit so they wouldn't get to burned out. So this year I made a list of all the things I wanted each kid to do. They have to show me their chart before being allowed to hang out with friends, watch TV or play toys. Very simple! I also have on there "mom's choice". This is so if I need something different done, I don't get whining and complaints saying "it's not on the chart". Sneaky eh?
The kids had their usual parade at the school. Josh showed up and Will was so excited he ran out of the line and jumped in his arms. I'd say that worth the drive/leaving work.
(Notice...no decorations? LOL I took them down the night before, I was so sick of them) I think next year I need to only put them up the week before, I think they are too messy.
(Notice...no decorations? LOL I took them down the night before, I was so sick of them) I think next year I need to only put them up the week before, I think they are too messy.
