We spent a week up at my parents house in Idaho.  The kids had a lot of fun in the leaves with their cousins, Abbey and Cameron.

My dad was diagnosed with colon cancer about 3 years ago while they were on their mission at the London England Temple.  When they discovered the cancer it was already at stage 4.  For the first 2 years he was on chemo and when the chemo finally stopped working for him (almost a year ago) he went off it. He has done really well until the last few weeks.  We try to spend as much time with him as possible and spending time helping my mom.  He has always been such an amazing example to me.  He is kind, loving and funny.  I couldn't have asked for a better father in this life.

Halloween again

Halloween is normally my favorite holiday (except Christmas of course).  However these past couple of years I have not been in the mood.  Normally I go all out and decorate my house like a haunted house at a carnival.  Last year I went all out but got so sick of the house being so messy that I took them down the day before Halloween. This year I put up some lights and leaves and the kids threw the grave stones in the yard and we called it good.  I'd even forgotten about costumes this year.  Until 4 days ago when the kids asked what they were going to be for Halloween.  We always have a ward chili cook-off where the kids wear costumes.  So we did a little searching on Pinterest and came up with some fun costumes. 

Ethan of course thinks he is to old (I don't think anyone is to old to dress up) and he has to work on Halloween.  

Emery decided to be Josh Dun, the drummer from the band Twenty One Pilots.

(I know YIKES right?) 

 

 Nate wanted to be the Riddler from Batman Arkham City video game. It was really fun making his costume.  I found a green jacket at DI and then sewed the lapels and the tie added a ? here and there.  But the funnest part is the cane.  It is made out of 2x2 wood pieces and a wood dowel. 

And Will wanted to be a cross walk sign!  His is my favorite.  It's a cute costume, however he won't be able to go trick-or-treating while holding the sign, so we will have to figure something else out. 

 So those are our fun kids and the super fun costumes!  Another year of candy and having fun! 

um...years?

Since Instagram came around I haven't blogged (obviously) in years.  All my pictures are either there or Facebook.  But as a random thought I started reading old blog posts and laughed at my cute kids and realized I miss the journal entries that go with a blog.  So...since it's been to many years to catch up, I'll just start from now and try to remember to add stuff every once in a while.

Ethan is 16 almost 17 and a Junior at Alta High School.  He works at Papa Johns pizza, drives and is an amazingly awesome kid!  Who knew he would turn out so good?


Emery is 14, a Freshman at Alta High School, and is so much fun!  I am in Young Women's with her and am enjoying every minute.  She is constantly down in her room listening to music and drawing.

Nate is 12 going on 20.  He is in 7th grade at Indian Hills Middle School. He's so talented and funny!  He's in Young Men's and scouts and loves it!  He can whistle amazingly!  I mean, he can really whistle!

Will is the happiest 10 year old ever!  He is so happy, again, who knew "One screaming Will" would be so happy?  He is in 5th grade at Altara Elementary, my last in elementary school.  He is smart and loves people and has so many friends.


Josh is finishing up his military career!  He is retiring in March 2016 after serving for 20+ years.  We are still debating jobs and where we will live when that day arrives.  Josh also loves to write!  He is working on a huge fantasy novel, written several short stories, won several awards for some and has a few up on Amazon to purchase.

I am working at Alta High School in the Media Center.  Basically I am a librarian.  I am also working for Loralee Lewis managing her website and Etsy shop.  I love to create and design! I love to backpack and run!  I will be running a half marathon in November. 

Oh yea, we also have 2 cats....ugh...Kitty and Batman.

(These are just some random pictures I happened to have on my laptop) 

 Ethan and Emery at Youth Conference (What a sweet brother!) June 2015

 Kids playing Rumikub on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. August 2015

(they really do like each other)

 Rexburg Temple - August 2015 Will (not quite old enough yet) Ethan, Barron, Nate, Cameron, Emery.

 Ethan at his canoeing/kayak scout camp June-2015

 Ashton family-walking at the wetlands October 2015

Emery's bold new haircut! May 2015

 

 Nate 250+ mile bike trip with the scouts!  June-2015

Will Pine Valley Ashton family reunion September 2015