Random May and June

Random days in May and June.....Nate got the Altara school award....such a good student!

 

 Emery performed on the piano in the mall...

 

Nate and Emery had a spring recital....they both did very well.  This was Nate's first one.  He was so nervous.

 Ethan...hmm where to begin...LOL

 He wanted to put the watermelon on his head like a helmet?  Strange child.

 And we got Cowabunga Bay season passes this year!  So we will be spending a lot of time here!!

Ethan, Jake, Luke and Ty

 

Emery and Will....

Emery's Birthday

Yep so my little girl is 11!! 

I surprised her and pulled her out of school to get her ears pierced!  She was so excited!!  I also took her out to lunch.

 Then, that night we gave her her gifts and had cupcakes just for the family...(Dad's favorite kind)

 The only thing she really wanted was a Green Bay Packers jersey and her favorite player is Clay Matthews.  And if you've seen Emery in the last 4 months, you know, she LOVES it! 

 On Friday, she had a late over 80's birthday party with all her friends.

Pac Man Cake......

 Dressing the part.....

 Girls just wanna....

 Shrinky Dinks......

 Twister.....

 Dance party to the 80's tunes.....Followed by a music video staring the girls....

 They had the most fun watching the shrinky dinks....

Catch-up

Wow so it has been a very long time.  So quickly I will recap our spring and summer.

Back in April, Nate had a school program....he was in the square dance. And what a cute little cowboy he makes. 

 Easter.....Ethan and Emery...typical Ethan..

 Nate and Will....

 Easter morning...primary lesson in the background.

 Also in April, Grandpa's birthday...We made a picture card for him since Grandma and Grandpa are on a mission at the London temple.  We sure miss them......

 Crazy picture...(notice Nate has an A+ and Ethan has a D-  hmmm....sound familiar?)

A good hair day

This week was red ribbon week at school.  Today was crazy hair day!  These kids were lookin' good!!

Oh yeah, and Emery got the Altara award last week!  Yea Emery!!

January Funk

I've been doing a bunch of projects around the house lately.  Trying to get out of the January funk.

 First of all I painted my bathroom cabinets.  I have been wanting to do this forever!  I was just to chicken!  One morning I just woke up and said today is the day!  So I painted them black.  They look really great!  I still need to frame the mirror, replace the faucet and tile the floor (which will include redoing the sub-floor, and probably the tile behind the tub, which will probably then include a new tub and possibly a new toilet.  So that one will have to wait a bit.) 

 

Then I redid Emery's room AGAIN! I think I've repainted her room 4 times.  But I've finally got it right. 

(before.....ugh what was I thinking?  And this was such an improvement on the first try....that was scary!!!!!  I wish I could find a picture)

(AFTER....so much better!!  The walls are a still a little plain, and I still need to make something for the window.)

The color is a beautiful icy blue.  I accented it with white and black (mainly zebra print).  I still need to spray paint her bed and her dresser black.  (Now that I've done my bathroom cabinets, I'm much more enthusiastic!)  I also made her name to match the new decor.  And all of this looks sooooo much better in person!!

But the best thing about the room is her reaction.  She said as we were moving furniture around and making her bed, "I don't feel like a baby anymore, with all the cutesy pink.  I feel like I'm growing up."  Not that I'm excited for her to grow up, mind you!!  But she was so happy with the colors and LOVED the zebra print!!


And this last one I made this for primary. I put it on here for my sister.  :)     

January 2012

I just had to share a funny story!  I wish so bad someone had a video of this cause I know it would make me rich......anyway....

So New Years Eve....

(just to set the stage)
We are with our neighbors in our circle for a little New Years party, fire pits, hot chocolate, lots and lots and lots of popcorn.  I had made a pinata to look like the ball that drops in Times Square, filled it with candy and hoisted it high in the tree, tied it to the mail box, ready to drop at midnight! 

Kids were gathered around ready for the exciting moment......when candy will burst free from the ball.

We count down.....5....4....3....2....1!  I cut the string.....the ball drops............  

Then NATE (my way to smart for his age, boy) ...........CATCHES THE PINATA....AND TAKES OFF RUNNING!! 

The kids are in shock, then reality sets in and they all start chasing him!!

I finally stop laughing, catch him and smash it to the ground, letting all the candy loose and so the kids stop freaking out.

I love that kid!  He is always good for a great story!

Christmas 2011

One of our traditions on Christmas Eve is opening presents we got for each other.  Usually we get them pjs or slippers or blankets... and I always take a picture, goofy and serious (well as serious as the Ashton kids can get)

 I made each of the kids shirts!  I also made one for Josh and I.

Christmas morning, the kids were up bright and early, begging to open presents.

Ethan and Nate got an xbox360.....we didn't see them the entire Christmas break.

  
Emery got an ipod touch......we didn't see much of her either.

Will got a remote control excavator....we HEARD a lot of him.

But his favorite was a toss up between the cowboy gear and the tractor.

My favorite was the present from Josh to Emery.  They have had this ongoing game of hiding this disgusting shrunken head from Halloween.  It has ended up in the most random places.  But the best was Josh wrapping it in a box for Emery Christmas morning.  It was sooo funny!

BLAST FROM THE PAST!  Josh and I were scanning photos of our childhood for presents to both of our parents and I thought I would post a couple.

What a cutie!!!  I love the Cookie Monster slippers and I totally remember that record player.  So much for my kids ipods. hehehe

I loved that star on the window, I think it was made from garland and coat hangers, and lit up.  I also love that we are swaying with the music as we sing!  I loved my childhood!!!