tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10605114435635094162024-02-01T21:23:34.902-07:00The Adventures of Matt & AshleyMatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15523934808383554915noreply@blogger.comBlogger128125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1060511443563509416.post-56248182757133811442017-10-01T07:28:00.000-06:002017-10-01T07:28:00.351-06:00Conference traditionsI love how conference weekend feels like one big holiday. The local grocery stores run it off candy and party food and then the city dies down for a couple hours at a time. <br />
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I've tried all sorts of things to get my kids to quit fun and watch conference, but out of all the elaborate plans, I really like just buying a new puzzle and doing it together. It's still more choatic than I'd like, but I am dealing with four children!<br />
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We also spend at least one session with Grandma and Grandpa Webb. This morning we'll be eating breakfast with them. Mmmm.<br />
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<br />Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05113289148792315324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1060511443563509416.post-91322385747021076542017-09-19T09:46:00.000-06:002017-09-19T09:46:08.935-06:00Funny IvyMy sweet and sassy Ivy keeps me on my toes! Here are a few things I want to remember about this stage in her life (21 months)<br />
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<ul>
<li>I have to put locks on the fridge otherwise she gets in and breaks eggs, spreads shredded cheese around the house, and takes a bite of whatever she sees</li>
<li>She loves to dress up and calls dresses and skirts "Elsas"! She wears dress up heels whenever she finds them.</li>
<li>She has a cute little strut she does whenever she is happy or sassy!</li>
<li>Our next door neighbor, Mia, is her best friend and she calls her "Mine-a". She always asks to play with her!</li>
<li>She loves to paint her toenails and will do it herself with surprising accuracy if that drawer is ever unlocked.</li>
<li>She is the best little talker! We have full on conversations with her about what she wants and does not want.</li>
<li>She recently learned to climb out of her crib with great skill! Now she won't go to sleep in her crib unless we lay down on the floor next to her.</li>
<li>She loves watching TV (unfortunately) and her favorite show is called "Little Baby Bum" which just has nursery rhymes and songs. She always asks to watch "Baby Bum!"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05113289148792315324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1060511443563509416.post-88904452964755440992017-09-19T09:37:00.001-06:002017-09-19T09:37:10.569-06:00PerfectionSometime I feel like I can't do anything right, but then I do something nice for someone and I remember that I am a good person with good intentions and despite my shortcomings, that's the thing that really matters.<br />
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Expectations, "Shoulds", Guilt, Comparison. These are the things that steal my joy and distract me from the blessings in my life, my family. How do I rid myself of these shackles? These reminders of my imperfection in temporal things? Honestly, social media has a lot to do with it. As a stay at home mom, it can feel so nice to feel connected and relevant, but then the comparison starts creeping in. I wonder if I'll ever conquer anxiety.Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05113289148792315324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1060511443563509416.post-3340559227771325752017-09-13T23:46:00.001-06:002017-09-13T23:48:34.513-06:00Well, I missed a few thingsSo, it's been 3 and a half years. Just a few things have changed, right? Today I started compiling a birthday baby book for Parker and this blog did a pretty good job capturing the moments of our lives and I do regret not keeping some sort of journal to document memories. So here we go again!!! What has changed in the last 3.5 years? Let me count the ways.<br />
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<ul>
<li>We added Marissa, Jamin, Myla, Hailee and Jack to our extended family</li>
<li>We vacationed in Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Escalante, Bryce Canyon, Ogden Canyon, Heber, Idaho, Yellowstone, and more</li>
<li>We had a miscarriage and that was a difficult time in Ashley's life</li>
<li>We got pet rats! Kinda gross, kinda cute. Its a special balance.</li>
<li>Ella & Ivy were hospitalized with RSV</li>
<li>Parker was Baptized</li>
<li>Ashley ran the American Fork Canyon Half Marathon</li>
<li>Matt probably changed jobs 2 or 3 times...I'm having a hard time keeping track. He currently works for Brightpoint Consulting and gets to work from home with a bit of travel</li>
<li>We moved to a new home in Lehi and we love this neighborhood and house so much</li>
<li>Miss Ivy Viola was born and completely captured our attention with her spunky personality <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05113289148792315324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1060511443563509416.post-34816637516352653952014-05-09T17:02:00.000-06:002014-05-09T17:21:24.754-06:00Tommy is Three!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ceJeIvb4hoi2F-78VlLuaRu8ULnYAaNRBqjgVH19HpOMiYeov2yBbrxPE9jEu5eIpqI5vWg48AnofQulJIedjYsyp-CXmKXiGg7_XQgAOi-j8VRu-920-uSg_bUiM9h1x7bDo5NhH0rz/s1600/DSC_0378+Tommy+is+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ceJeIvb4hoi2F-78VlLuaRu8ULnYAaNRBqjgVH19HpOMiYeov2yBbrxPE9jEu5eIpqI5vWg48AnofQulJIedjYsyp-CXmKXiGg7_XQgAOi-j8VRu-920-uSg_bUiM9h1x7bDo5NhH0rz/s1600/DSC_0378+Tommy+is+3.jpg" height="342" width="400" /></a></div>
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My baby boy is three! He chose "puppies" as his birthday party theme and had the time of his life! To this day, 2 months later, he is still talking about his "doggy party." We made puppy puppets, practiced our doggy skills like fetch & finding bones, and each kid adopted and named their very own puppy! I love making birthdays special for my boys and I think Tommy felt very special on this day!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAZIZh6-W9eqxPPC-A7m13OqOxGfSUaCvG5V5jDZgEgA74cZiT6OME4xILJEezS8lFVsX4HDI4V1N3fzhoo4UTtq4sBcZremCoPKgFUwnpDSkytOviLG9L6NcKYhf-9TkGORp6c4tjGIjt/s1600/DSC_0301+edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAZIZh6-W9eqxPPC-A7m13OqOxGfSUaCvG5V5jDZgEgA74cZiT6OME4xILJEezS8lFVsX4HDI4V1N3fzhoo4UTtq4sBcZremCoPKgFUwnpDSkytOviLG9L6NcKYhf-9TkGORp6c4tjGIjt/s1600/DSC_0301+edit.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sarah & Shaylee making puppy puppets</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Asher creating his puppet</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigh0MP4nz_kbT6ZsIq0azioqdpiuDsAUl8To5r7y6wpbmLbff8Q1LxCdgYYEYrXnpb6mVfZW-l_7a4KN6_RvJiD4e4uMlQYIcETM9zRl7ZJQuUIB2i8f9hUhyphenhyphenmLPBMuBMJi31mDeioEpzJ/s1600/DSC_0303+edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigh0MP4nz_kbT6ZsIq0azioqdpiuDsAUl8To5r7y6wpbmLbff8Q1LxCdgYYEYrXnpb6mVfZW-l_7a4KN6_RvJiD4e4uMlQYIcETM9zRl7ZJQuUIB2i8f9hUhyphenhyphenmLPBMuBMJi31mDeioEpzJ/s1600/DSC_0303+edit.jpg" height="320" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tommy demonstrating his puppy puppet</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf4RHF6B-vY0SdPziwfV2DfBiycgKf-Zg_k3mEECVERuK-Hxr9sk5fKSvw-rkam48MtK8eyNU4pbMAJw7b9a9t3BBSlfRN5afla76F1lQ-ubzYsq006pT7GEZQ0Jv9l7hufmwxaCqQJXvR/s1600/DSC_0305+edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf4RHF6B-vY0SdPziwfV2DfBiycgKf-Zg_k3mEECVERuK-Hxr9sk5fKSvw-rkam48MtK8eyNU4pbMAJw7b9a9t3BBSlfRN5afla76F1lQ-ubzYsq006pT7GEZQ0Jv9l7hufmwxaCqQJXvR/s1600/DSC_0305+edit.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doggie Bag & Adopt-a-puppy party favors</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOinSI2A2G9oIQ0lsF1WHGI7BE6csOqqz9OHHvScVlBHEPE_LgIHkK3vSmUUwcoxZCMUKw_qvqxCrSFf-py556RufuFAygxuDpRQ5EuOLOWVW4wa3RgwDznfgr9jeJiC8PV1dn4drA_epS/s1600/DSC_0311+edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOinSI2A2G9oIQ0lsF1WHGI7BE6csOqqz9OHHvScVlBHEPE_LgIHkK3vSmUUwcoxZCMUKw_qvqxCrSFf-py556RufuFAygxuDpRQ5EuOLOWVW4wa3RgwDznfgr9jeJiC8PV1dn4drA_epS/s1600/DSC_0311+edit.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Presents!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0O64gWj3ecXKsjtJ8AmHe4jWQxON7-hYpTpqn7Ef8xUV3HnpQXUNpU8Yq5oXT8U-6mrNkWb4YWSoVJfCqoPD7v3TFENDGcFvHh9WUkt3_PBfi8mTzNV8MXnuNz0CjLuJjxGvQ-smfcJgJ/s1600/DSC_0317+edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0O64gWj3ecXKsjtJ8AmHe4jWQxON7-hYpTpqn7Ef8xUV3HnpQXUNpU8Yq5oXT8U-6mrNkWb4YWSoVJfCqoPD7v3TFENDGcFvHh9WUkt3_PBfi8mTzNV8MXnuNz0CjLuJjxGvQ-smfcJgJ/s1600/DSC_0317+edit.jpg" height="320" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tommy couldn't be happier!</td></tr>
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<br />Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05113289148792315324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1060511443563509416.post-15609550531472587992014-03-19T17:43:00.000-06:002014-03-19T17:47:52.819-06:00My Love Affair of Science FairPeople are usually confused about what I do. For 3 years I taught a science fair class at AMES and despite what you are thinking, not once did we make a volcano with baking soda and vinegar. It's a shame, I know. Many of the kids' projects were WAY OVER MY HEAD! I just helped give them the resources they needed to take their project to the next level. Just to give you an idea about how amazing these kids were, here are some of the projects they developed:<br />
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</div>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">The Suitability of Algae
Protein Residue as an Effective Biofuel</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">A
Bioassay on Natural Pesticide Filtration</span></span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 21.466665267944336px;">The Suitability of </span><i style="line-height: 21.466665267944336px;">Elaeagnus Angusifolia </i><span style="line-height: 21.466665267944336px;">as a Bioindicator of Sulfur Dioxide in the Ambient Atmosphere</span></span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">A Low cost approach to parallax based three-dimensional mapping</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">Detection
and Analysis of Point Mutations of the Oxidative
Variety in the K-ras gene </span></li>
</ul>
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I still don't really know what that last one was about, but hey, the judges did and he made it all the way to the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), the largest science fair in the world. I had the opportunity to attend ISEF as a teacher observer when another one of my students was selected to attend.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUyHH2XEBpdqDzKLND2D9lDQq7bedWAD3_tE7pOC6TrRm0Y4e5q6XVb6BqtA9_3g_r-8d7oTcCuxiVrcZLFbPF00BIJb0EgWI8o9vT7ANHBQy7c_uq9Z0Mf1QSHL19cD5t2DLVPNH1Aotr/s1600/IMG_0011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUyHH2XEBpdqDzKLND2D9lDQq7bedWAD3_tE7pOC6TrRm0Y4e5q6XVb6BqtA9_3g_r-8d7oTcCuxiVrcZLFbPF00BIJb0EgWI8o9vT7ANHBQy7c_uq9Z0Mf1QSHL19cD5t2DLVPNH1Aotr/s1600/IMG_0011.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think there are around 2000 projects and they were all amazing!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Z9_q-Jn4cd2jJWc-aNo9mhVz3kTCeTpnxPkUOaCt0XMGLrrCCCQNt2q3hfN9yDlYO2xKzsVxMTsGy-WG9QVjU3cmjgJ7c-y63D_RyOhm4Kk79LYjcpzYmZ57cSqpo54-_SXBrMGNWTCa/s1600/IMG_0075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Z9_q-Jn4cd2jJWc-aNo9mhVz3kTCeTpnxPkUOaCt0XMGLrrCCCQNt2q3hfN9yDlYO2xKzsVxMTsGy-WG9QVjU3cmjgJ7c-y63D_RyOhm4Kk79LYjcpzYmZ57cSqpo54-_SXBrMGNWTCa/s1600/IMG_0075.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was my student's project. It was titled<br />
"Quantifying Implicit Stereotypes through Cognition of Ambiguous Speech." <br />
He won multiple awards on his research. Basically, he found that people misunderstood<br />
certain phonemes when they believed a person from a specific race was the source of audio.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I really enjoyed my job, but I am a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to these sort of things, so I had to quit. I couldn't be an awesome (supposedly) part-time teacher and an awesome (mostly) stay-at-home mom of 3, so I had to choose one and I chose to be the stay-at-home mom of my three young kids. </div>
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But before I quit, I (along with my co-teacher, who also quit) were asked to run the district-level fair for all the charter schools that lie within the Salt Lake Region, 7 school districts from Park City to Tooele. So now I have a new project to put energy into. This has been purely a volunteer thing, but hopefully it can turn into a paying gig. The google forms we were using for the hundreds of registrations just weren't cutting it, so I made Matt program a website that would do everything from registrations to scoring. The web program he made might now be used for all the districts in our region. I like to brag about him, if you can't tell.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiJl7NkHijMsGT03N7orZhT5n_jXQjyrNufn9Gmgkl0BKULwL9An0NP3KMEOjx37rkFUfRZIxxlXhBYzYB045YY4_sU9xLDW2Qgk78es4lC10J0euiCf7FNxQcFtg9tlpDlXtIlwT-ahyphenhyphenw/s1600/Final+Logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiJl7NkHijMsGT03N7orZhT5n_jXQjyrNufn9Gmgkl0BKULwL9An0NP3KMEOjx37rkFUfRZIxxlXhBYzYB045YY4_sU9xLDW2Qgk78es4lC10J0euiCf7FNxQcFtg9tlpDlXtIlwT-ahyphenhyphenw/s1600/Final+Logo.jpg" height="109" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matt also made a logo, because we can't be a legitimate organization <br />
without a logo, right? Also, Matt is awesome.</td></tr>
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The reason I have volunteered so much of my time doing this is because I have seen kids benefit so much from participating in science fair. I've seen painfully shy kids develop confidence. I've seen disorganized kids learn time-management. I've seen all these kids learn, not only science, but important life skills that will help them be productive adults. I am an advocate of project-based learning for this reason. I would love to see schools focus more on teaching students in ways that apply to real-world situations which include projects, cross-curricular assignments, and internships. I really would love to go back to school and work on a Doctorate on Educational Leadership & Policy and do some research on these types of methods and have some sort of impact on our state's educational system, but who knows. For now, I'll just run a local science fair and see where it takes me. <br />
<br />
<br />Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05113289148792315324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1060511443563509416.post-32166194606876676892014-02-24T15:23:00.001-07:002014-02-24T15:25:08.003-07:00"Happy Birthday Tommy" or "How to make a birthday special while completely ignoring your kid"Happy Birthday Tommy! Today your brother gave you strep throat and your mom will ignore you for a large part of the day, well more like the week....but maybe I should back up...<br />
<br />
Three years ago was the day of the AMES science fair, which for me was a big deal. I was in charge of it after all. It was the culmination of months of student research summed up in pretty boards decorated with graphs and tables and student interviews with grad students and PhDs from the U. I love science fair day, but a little over 9 months earlier I had quit my job so I wasn't anticipating giving birth on the day of the science fair. Fortunately, as a condition of my employment, I told the principal that I had to have someone else to run the science fair program with me. Fortunately, I had Tara to run the fair that day.<br />
<br />
I woke up Friday, February 24th 2011 and got ready for the day. I was scheduled to be induced that day, but I had to wait until I received a phone call to go to the hospital. I could sleep in, relax, get things ready for the baby, and wait for a phone call or I could go to the school and ensure everything is ready for the science fair. Of course I chose the second option. I went into school to help with the set up (as a nine-month pregnant lady, I wasn't much help) and to double check that all the details had been taken care of. I was able to see my student's final display boards and wish them luck before I got the phone call and rushed off to the hospital anxiously awaiting the arrival of my baby boy!<br />
<br />
I didn't have to wait long. After a couple hours of labor and 3 big pushes, Thomas Alexander Budd arrived. A beautiful 8 lb. 6 oz. package of joy. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN7RrqWIxlWCsg8Rvvsh0H1STz-76m-eEy49ttZTnbzoERv5nAxa50k_wUACgqx2-jseT6PJXv5UpMQwXnTYIiI_3A_GaVyBBTTQRC88ydrTP7bumWJnhVXVzI5DWnkjT3wBqRufihvJXM/s1600/1sleeping+edit+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN7RrqWIxlWCsg8Rvvsh0H1STz-76m-eEy49ttZTnbzoERv5nAxa50k_wUACgqx2-jseT6PJXv5UpMQwXnTYIiI_3A_GaVyBBTTQRC88ydrTP7bumWJnhVXVzI5DWnkjT3wBqRufihvJXM/s1600/1sleeping+edit+2.jpg" height="320" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Isn't he just perfect?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I really timed his birth poorly. I no longer run the AMES science fair program, but I run the district-level science fair for all the charter schools in the Salt Lake region which includes Tooele and Park City and guess what? It always lands on the same week as Tommy's birthday. In the past, I just rescheduled Tommy's birthday. He didn't know the difference between Feb. 24th and March 3rd! This year we had a small celebration yesterday with his grandma and I will have a bigger birthday party in a week which will give me time to plan it a little better and make it special. You can expect a proper birthday post in a couple of weeks.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIeW7VfmrL8JzSBk1MuRtXV7J9pZE5eV_GoYXwQ4PQ-R11haV6BcCrKDcbC7Fk01j8LkC67K5zjiA9oyhhNZG4qNgnrYpYAxKVrByK2sYGLG1UlBtsE8kDzjlE125SqSnO6m1pp2QuWeqQ/s1600/DSC_0507+edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIeW7VfmrL8JzSBk1MuRtXV7J9pZE5eV_GoYXwQ4PQ-R11haV6BcCrKDcbC7Fk01j8LkC67K5zjiA9oyhhNZG4qNgnrYpYAxKVrByK2sYGLG1UlBtsE8kDzjlE125SqSnO6m1pp2QuWeqQ/s1600/DSC_0507+edit.jpg" height="320" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tommy in deep contemplation of another year gone by.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzVq3SHq78kusuDjO90ShCdDBUYiZuiw46eRZcE3ocPzxBMwbmw4g6Ya8wH9JIEO65Jw8eBT8F8JvIwQviASCM_CsPqS0jWXvkU05h23IvQVHj1Doyp3AAnvTWCSe7j_camVZxTfrgZdOt/s1600/DSC_0509+edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzVq3SHq78kusuDjO90ShCdDBUYiZuiw46eRZcE3ocPzxBMwbmw4g6Ya8wH9JIEO65Jw8eBT8F8JvIwQviASCM_CsPqS0jWXvkU05h23IvQVHj1Doyp3AAnvTWCSe7j_camVZxTfrgZdOt/s1600/DSC_0509+edit.jpg" height="320" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tommy loves all things tiny and cute so we found him the smallest stuffed puppy in the store. Yes, we found it down a pink aisle and yes, we removed the very feminine dog tag found on the collar.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb-r3X4iYS71MWtSGcNFMTHwQotoyY1ls0DfxYlIaKf9xCsA7lM8CQ2tiegOxh1PJqF5QUm74Argx0pT3oBAYwhPBBvLgdoEsw-91Fy6UrNJSOZBl6VFwZtc5z0f-_Ybg3gp4D_M-ybBcu/s1600/DSC_0512+edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb-r3X4iYS71MWtSGcNFMTHwQotoyY1ls0DfxYlIaKf9xCsA7lM8CQ2tiegOxh1PJqF5QUm74Argx0pT3oBAYwhPBBvLgdoEsw-91Fy6UrNJSOZBl6VFwZtc5z0f-_Ybg3gp4D_M-ybBcu/s1600/DSC_0512+edit.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everyone is happy in this picture, even Ella eating the instruction manual.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And in case you are considering turning me into DSFS, I am not completely ignoring him. He is just watching a little extra TV which, to him, actually makes his birthday extra special!Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05113289148792315324noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1060511443563509416.post-22917989536614750402014-02-20T18:21:00.002-07:002014-05-09T17:15:35.959-06:00Ella, My Love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC5XHXgRwAPwt8KEHEAxmTFhtf3gSG-z2iyD9V5C6hyUTu9y0orli7HfZOmThGWZ1aA-RKlKXN-kFjTRkKw9j1Jpfh_F17Xh0aLqzRrjqlWifhPVPgLm26s5F0yHqSlPYK1DGfCStKi-Vp/s1600/2013-34355-24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC5XHXgRwAPwt8KEHEAxmTFhtf3gSG-z2iyD9V5C6hyUTu9y0orli7HfZOmThGWZ1aA-RKlKXN-kFjTRkKw9j1Jpfh_F17Xh0aLqzRrjqlWifhPVPgLm26s5F0yHqSlPYK1DGfCStKi-Vp/s1600/2013-34355-24.jpg" height="287" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
My Darling Ella,<br />
<br />
How is it possible to love someone so much who has only been in your life for 8 short months? But a mother's love is stronger than most conventional types of love. A mother sacrifices her time, her sleep, her body, and sometimes even her sanity to nurture the infant in her life. Serving someone with that much commitment almost always creates a bond stronger than can possibly be described with mere words.<br />
<br />
When you were born, the nurse was gushing over how beautiful you were! In hushed tones, she confided that you were, in fact, the cutest baby born that day. The nurses curled your long, dark hair into a crazy-looking mohawk. You were the perfect newborn. Actually, you are pretty much a perfect baby. Your Grandpa Budd once asked me if you ever cried because he had never heard you do so. You were just so <i>chill</i>! Tommy would pretty much topple you out of your little swing. I walked by to see you hanging upside down, head fallen to the floor. Yet, you didn't cry. You cry a lot more now because you know what you want, in particular, you want ME. Sometimes you will put your face directly on my face, nose to nose, and then cuddle your entire being right up next to my heart. A hug from a baby. I really can't think of anything more beautiful.<br />
<br />
More than I can say, I have enjoyed having you in my life. You have brought me so much joy when I have needed. I am amazed at each new thing you learn as you get older, but desperately want you to stay little. You are perfect!<br />
<br />
Thank you for blessing my life, my sweet little angel.<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
MamaAshleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05113289148792315324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1060511443563509416.post-24037429186749263452014-02-20T07:54:00.001-07:002014-02-20T07:54:10.725-07:00To My Tommy Valentine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFtDju19mGMabYQQhSxu9nNeH2rSVlGe3OjU4Q_H6Ux5FghzVqv-Solwjf_cuMn03BswrWGO1i2MrvhymL9j4NVSpPn1Jffh3NZFq_LnaFv0WAycniFXuj-XavE-NfWISxG409cxr3RH9a/s1600/2013-34355-18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFtDju19mGMabYQQhSxu9nNeH2rSVlGe3OjU4Q_H6Ux5FghzVqv-Solwjf_cuMn03BswrWGO1i2MrvhymL9j4NVSpPn1Jffh3NZFq_LnaFv0WAycniFXuj-XavE-NfWISxG409cxr3RH9a/s1600/2013-34355-18.jpg" height="286" width="400" /></a></div>
Dear Tommy,<br />
I feel like I understand you. I've always thought that Parker is like Daddy and Tommy is like me. It's like there is a special Tommy/Mommy club and we are the only two members. Others have said that you are a serious child, but I know you are just as silly as any other kid, just not everyone is special enough to see it. You have bright eyes (that happen to be beautiful too)! You look at the world and try your best to understand it. You constantly take in information and process it without saying a word. I never taught you how to count, you just counted to ten one day before you were even two. We watched the movie <i>Frozen</i> as a family and a week later, you started singing one of the songs! You're just a little sponge absorbing the world around you. <br />
<br />
Speaking of music, I can tell you have a talent. You have always had very good rhythm. When you were very young, you did this fancy little dance that looked like you were riding on a horse. Adorable! I usually listen to the radio at a fairly low volume when we ride in the car, but as soon as you hear a song you like you yell, "Turn it up! Turn it up!" You definitely have opinions about the music you like and will change the radio station if you don't like what you hear. I am very excited to see what you do with your musical skill.<br />
<br />
There is a serious side, a silly side, and a sweet side which is my favorite of all. Your hugs and kisses are so wonderful! You have a special love for babies and animals. When your sister was born, I had to fight to keep her safe from your excessive loving! You love puppies and pretend to be one all of the time. You especially love small things. If you find something small, you will try to keep it forever by hiding it in your pocket. Your bed is filled with stuffed animals. Each one of them is important to you.<br />
<br />
Sometimes you do naughty things as most two-year olds do, but when you say, "Sorry, Mom!" in your sweet little voice, my heart melts. You seriously have the cutest voice ever! You also speak very well for your age and, unlike your brother, you are tall so I often treat you as if you are older than you really are, but you usually step up to the challenge. You proclaimed that you were, in fact, 5-years old, like your brother, and demanded that I let you go to preschool with him. You love your best friend, Parker and want to be just like him, but I don't want you to be. I want you to be you because I love who you are!<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
Your MommyAshleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05113289148792315324noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1060511443563509416.post-45749664684219409592014-02-16T11:40:00.002-07:002014-02-16T11:54:41.869-07:00My Perfect Parker Valentine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG_W4uDDBgtAsdTKg46hLSjuPYYfAZK0jjvizMg5ZNuAds3uB9PhIJIOf_ICUOIELvVITXt1h7_IIda4hWjDupQGk-yuI_5e-m1UM4CFkK8JSXvidzNM0I-LAKKO8MFVb_lRNLBkFN4ZcA/s1600/2013-34355-33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG_W4uDDBgtAsdTKg46hLSjuPYYfAZK0jjvizMg5ZNuAds3uB9PhIJIOf_ICUOIELvVITXt1h7_IIda4hWjDupQGk-yuI_5e-m1UM4CFkK8JSXvidzNM0I-LAKKO8MFVb_lRNLBkFN4ZcA/s1600/2013-34355-33.jpg" height="286" width="400" /></a></div>
Dear Parker,<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLvaZUqdZ9isgw1iXML2Y_B3UoGWCghkSps_vC8fatNCyvCxHP3bp3zjfjmHK8J3yGDi7IEGkoVTop6iAE4_QQ5I68trQl-aSnTEaz5Sgckb33J2ef3SEFmoIos5sPzuV6frr_km6zPYP2/s1600/2013-34355-18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a>Oh, Parker, you light up my life! Did you know that you started smiling when you were just two weeks old? At first I thought that maybe you were just a bit gassy, but no, the pediatrician confirmed that you were just one happy baby and the smiles have continued day after day. Your laughter is so easily provoked that I am privileged to hear it often. Even your baby sister knows you are the funny one. No one can make her laugh like you can. Even just saying a few words to her in a silly voice gets a giggle out of her while I nearly have to perform acrobatics to get the same result. <br />
<br />
You are silly, it is true, but you are just as sweet. You frequently express your love to me which is more than I feel I deserve. Empathy is not usually found in a five-year old, yet you have been concerned for other's feelings for years. I remember watching <i>Kung Fu Panda 2</i> with you. There is a scene where the mother has to leave her baby and you burst into tears and hugged me so tight and I burst into tears and together we were a blubbering mess. You are always energetically bouncing off the wall, yet you can be, and very often are, quietly thoughtful. You are quite the contradiction.<br />
<br />
You always want to know how everything works and have proudly declared that you will be a robot inventor. You very well may be with your mechanical skill. Your ability to understand things amazes me! Your questions are very coherent and you listen well when I give you as scientifically accurate answers that I think are just slightly out of your ability to understand, but you surprise me often and understand anyway. Your Daddy and I very impressed with your knowledge of energy conservation and your Lego-instruction-following ability. I know your Daddy was just like you when you when he was younger. You are both very silly/smart individuals with a great capacity for love.<br />
<br />
Suffice it to say, I am very, very proud of you!<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
Your Mommy<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9NL9MmSBox-koBj5e8aubGi6CfAAPXMSz28giFtIyAhZguo7rpHu7O84vN99KKFt4NRGBuKbr3P3IwhX_oNHSzo1c8jUQs0jDFuC2GKSrkG8jQF5N80d_uwmKa_bS1RYeZby7X9YL9mnn/s1600/2013-34355-18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05113289148792315324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1060511443563509416.post-32933707055636010762014-02-15T19:12:00.002-07:002014-02-15T19:12:47.092-07:00It lives!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI2dSlK6xS2Ral7yaKwlXLX4PZTxXCoaOlIJg72CsldQWMzXpJEWzBBFHdnSh8Hl6Cehk9cKwKTPExIQpsq5cAt4IVMbfLqKx-EFNajwEDnV-gCEfxYtkq3bDDP6Ng3gNX3bsSOFnH8AM5/s1600/itlives.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI2dSlK6xS2Ral7yaKwlXLX4PZTxXCoaOlIJg72CsldQWMzXpJEWzBBFHdnSh8Hl6Cehk9cKwKTPExIQpsq5cAt4IVMbfLqKx-EFNajwEDnV-gCEfxYtkq3bDDP6Ng3gNX3bsSOFnH8AM5/s1600/itlives.jpg" /></a></div>
That's right, my blog lives once more! I can almost hear the surprise. "What? You have a blog? I had no idea." Well, that's because it's been, well, let's see....two years since I last posted. So after a long hiatus, I decided to return.<br />
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And why am I returning? This blog will now be my gift to me. Honestly, I have been having a hard time lately. I have three kids and I love them more than anything, but they have sucked my soul dry. Too harsh? Ok, let me rephrase. I have given them every ounce of myself and I feel like there isn't anything left ... that isn't better is it? I am trying to make more time for myself and one thing I would like to do is write, just a chance to use my mind in a more intellectually creative way (not that figuring out how to get my son to poop in the potty doesn't get the creative juices flowing).<br />
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I feel like I need to explain...I love my children more than anything and wouldn't change any of my decisions leading up to this life if it were possible (well, maybe I would have told my pregnant self that going crazy on pizza probably isn't a good idea). This job of motherhood is just incredibly difficult. Some days it feels like I'm perpetually repeating myself a la "Groundhog Day." Fortunately, the monotony is peppered with moments of such unbelievable emotional fulfillment that I can't remember why I would ever complain. Moments so heartbreakingly perfect that it completely overcompensates for the hours I spend cleaning up bodily fluids (Two potty references in one blog post...too much?).<br />
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So here I am, writing about any darn thing that comes into my mind and you know what? It's nice.Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05113289148792315324noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1060511443563509416.post-43001488253131772542012-01-18T15:54:00.004-07:002012-01-18T15:58:47.263-07:00To clean or not to clean<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Life gets crazy, right? I know everyone is different, but if I don't write something down and make a plan, it doesn't happen. For this reason, I created a cleaning schedule. I would say it takes about 40 minutes a day - that seems reasonable. I am always all or nothing. So I either follow this schedule and have a spotless house or I go weeks without cleaning and live in a pig sty. I'm sure my children will grow up confused by this. Hopefully one day I'll find a happy medium, but until then....<img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 309px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX6-Rt2ujxN5npbY1dRaT61mjiGMk8iPeNwjBlGUa6q6563cQLtJsmhq0XqHv-Yy-Qq6B9AMdjHEyk1AMMP_BYibrsGNt4N8_Y_0iJT_B7bnympj-vFUAtKW1XN7YSkHTpSYALOP0k4Tk9/s400/weekly+cleaning+list.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699110078043399666" />Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05113289148792315324noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1060511443563509416.post-3318200882572948892012-01-18T15:44:00.002-07:002012-01-18T15:54:05.979-07:00I'm backSo I'm back from my unplanned blogging hiatus. Life just got busy and I just stopped blogging...and I'm sure nobody really missed it. I didn't even miss it, but I've decided to use this blog as a fast and easy way to document my family's life. Novel idea. I know. So, keep an eye out for my posts.<div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05113289148792315324noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1060511443563509416.post-88530713708478632232012-01-03T19:18:00.001-07:002012-01-03T19:18:14.092-07:00mapAshleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05113289148792315324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1060511443563509416.post-15097459718040772122011-06-09T12:53:00.002-06:002011-06-09T13:02:52.527-06:00Learn and Play: Wheeler Farm<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGfaiWjahJI6Miy0TFbPzMHUW0DvX1nmmFYMH_u7ucdcDhG5hDaQ65Q1-jFj9IhCu2bgG694J8usTb3LmTvC6c-NU5yV1ucNp3Vh0xHCQmDeKvP-JAS__0rxfUe7q0heivEtJdIQybKg9k/s1600/1DSC_0576+edit.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGfaiWjahJI6Miy0TFbPzMHUW0DvX1nmmFYMH_u7ucdcDhG5hDaQ65Q1-jFj9IhCu2bgG694J8usTb3LmTvC6c-NU5yV1ucNp3Vh0xHCQmDeKvP-JAS__0rxfUe7q0heivEtJdIQybKg9k/s320/1DSC_0576+edit.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616297475472951938" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl3usDC3FVlFJUO5oP7pDNgupwcHXn-nqo3hTN9ev0aqtX8Cbth5jrw6yseqKf5OT0ckUinl6iLDSn66vwJudDE5-OFnZBOwdE_KkwlA_Vuvg97ijOWwvzhSdOcoSQQAwd3Bao_jxNltu3/s1600/1DSC_0571+edit.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl3usDC3FVlFJUO5oP7pDNgupwcHXn-nqo3hTN9ev0aqtX8Cbth5jrw6yseqKf5OT0ckUinl6iLDSn66vwJudDE5-OFnZBOwdE_KkwlA_Vuvg97ijOWwvzhSdOcoSQQAwd3Bao_jxNltu3/s320/1DSC_0571+edit.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616297472387805154" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7uQ6r7XSn-08X_6C69DZOr8pkcyARbZUVtp2dj6-l93WbkpwjT4n1Hb_wHSd6nSjx5-lHIjWV3uRVFmAqhyphenhyphenjXsY-DnEI6bgBlTCWZcNl4KuW31zKv06T3e2MpNxJWQeflG1IMzDWrA3rj/s1600/1DSC_0566.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7uQ6r7XSn-08X_6C69DZOr8pkcyARbZUVtp2dj6-l93WbkpwjT4n1Hb_wHSd6nSjx5-lHIjWV3uRVFmAqhyphenhyphenjXsY-DnEI6bgBlTCWZcNl4KuW31zKv06T3e2MpNxJWQeflG1IMzDWrA3rj/s320/1DSC_0566.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616297464100248418" /></a><br />Once a week, Parker joins a group of friends to learn something new. It is a "joy school" like group that me and the other moms put together. We rotate weeks to teach the alphabet and go on a field trip once a month. Parker looks forward to it every week...and so do I. <div><br /></div><div>On May 5th, we went on a field trip to Wheeler farm. Parker is so enthusiastic about everything and ran from one animal to the next laughing. </div>Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05113289148792315324noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1060511443563509416.post-28672405059775453102011-06-07T13:37:00.010-06:002011-06-07T15:45:28.861-06:00My Beautiful Baby Boy<div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span">1 day old</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkkoE9RwBhKC9Ci1eD1LRbKdYvIDHkYckVsQmJemP5D1qjh43lsaqOXak7FFQbAn78TYzFUrJOUsBbeM_24KCp2plWmJxcSHfU3OokFB7kLU4cQ3SsNzl2gnHtFgz6nzWlM0UVfE19gJw5/s320/1sleeping+edit.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615565127595141282" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); ">3 days old</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD6QFwZCgbw4v8SjvKYUYUYCy0TtG6pWNI1iEGaDV9-71ZCURqF946UuxxyDmFhDBTC0Et9pqy-TGU52IR2__XDrGGsA-eygQxCcEsg4G10x7GSoOsjPbjzt5lixSmQgdWpO-ivZGTGIT7/s320/tummy+time+edit.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615565136960329874" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); ">1 month old</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqU-1EVm0flER93FZuL84AIkoHWx6IGScjxvEGyOYCS8O9GbV_wZ4eLpuLGSwln6vrAOfaPx7NGtEjVmrLjEGFR3Od3NnlTY-SAmlcdo1s3vTY5m2NYsO48Q_vzIHmd4i39_IMhnw4KGh9/s320/1DSC_0339+edit.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615565148284049970" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivxyTzZ_fyBh_f8lHz-GZC3dNM-Q2x2V2aTTbRVjyEE1sXOSNdIMxKyetxxVX0dDN5TFLDbCKLJCg_oMseaNJMHNUSL1y6scrVFWFb_dGUSNW1FzWfz-toI9xoaXoZULi0XBIsd9eTCxvi/s320/1DSC_0350+edit.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615565157347755266" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRrn4xJE4MG7BqGbSaN4rTTbV7MOUcIkwpOJ0Xj9si3I9lXJ4cyYdyAqoPhubCKeTHRsLkYwI7B6A0G4-MNQGJl84gw63x5reXeWCYvHtgJKKiyPd391hS-p2BlBH0J6km7zWZT4_5nivf/s1600/1bathtimeDSC_0399+edit.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRrn4xJE4MG7BqGbSaN4rTTbV7MOUcIkwpOJ0Xj9si3I9lXJ4cyYdyAqoPhubCKeTHRsLkYwI7B6A0G4-MNQGJl84gw63x5reXeWCYvHtgJKKiyPd391hS-p2BlBH0J6km7zWZT4_5nivf/s320/1bathtimeDSC_0399+edit.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615568876683419330" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">2 months old</div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP32IGGgEkEFQ1GI__LhuVemOR2I4jE4iIpLMt1PXYA5nPzeRhgdG6cMWUrTbb2CBYa-iDtYWia2j8uCsFoz_v8xUTeVghQD8KKv3lWPH96VdAfMIjdtMDca-5faKy4oaabcDDNzhirqiG/s320/DSC_0488.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615566453474605394" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span">3 months old</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY0OPYI1DntThawSh-qGik1O3hy28j5EPpN6XKIk9YTHk1gdFJxhLWTHt9xaiRNXN8N7YDHZMoJUDR4yOe6Q0Ja7qWGhSfbujtRqFarlsSlt4KqTG0U3J4BNnGnQQhYt-SOXbzF9tMwTUN/s1600/1DSC_0683+edit.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY0OPYI1DntThawSh-qGik1O3hy28j5EPpN6XKIk9YTHk1gdFJxhLWTHt9xaiRNXN8N7YDHZMoJUDR4yOe6Q0Ja7qWGhSfbujtRqFarlsSlt4KqTG0U3J4BNnGnQQhYt-SOXbzF9tMwTUN/s320/1DSC_0683+edit.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615568014830035810" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHYVs_HrDPgz4IAXewkm_W6_mmO_eVQaFXR49Ku4Xx-28-ghteBbuxpypxHEsim63T2rCbnG2I9g3woxnNHEmuhVyd2A9xs0G90EIefSAY35lSp6znWTa5v5seEy4c6EHo0UbTQx36mQfc/s1600/1DSC_0679+edit.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHYVs_HrDPgz4IAXewkm_W6_mmO_eVQaFXR49Ku4Xx-28-ghteBbuxpypxHEsim63T2rCbnG2I9g3woxnNHEmuhVyd2A9xs0G90EIefSAY35lSp6znWTa5v5seEy4c6EHo0UbTQx36mQfc/s320/1DSC_0679+edit.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615568005681141026" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP32IGGgEkEFQ1GI__LhuVemOR2I4jE4iIpLMt1PXYA5nPzeRhgdG6cMWUrTbb2CBYa-iDtYWia2j8uCsFoz_v8xUTeVghQD8KKv3lWPH96VdAfMIjdtMDca-5faKy4oaabcDDNzhirqiG/s1600/DSC_0488.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRQoad9ZLkWdNvkS75n45mlagl52gZKCwuwVjyptySulK5_zkmCbXgnBzE69K1Avnb_Jv1WN-XUc6wNuCnBq2dJir3XBIHB_9uauVDIyGtapEe9I11LVWFoOvRwxlVka0_Z3EQtREhlz_1/s1600/1smileDSC_0526+edit.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRQoad9ZLkWdNvkS75n45mlagl52gZKCwuwVjyptySulK5_zkmCbXgnBzE69K1Avnb_Jv1WN-XUc6wNuCnBq2dJir3XBIHB_9uauVDIyGtapEe9I11LVWFoOvRwxlVka0_Z3EQtREhlz_1/s320/1smileDSC_0526+edit.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615566444247055522" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSuSJRD_2616PV5x07tRQ5gAyPJ1z03fYIvtHStJ90U-_ECxfqv7gtb5hpcDGycgosyrs55MblkbWZXxjmXm8vGjb1WoZ9qv-DAaiVhDs_xl4V9UO4dA9KaDdMHFoEQjckC_rR3txO0lcp/s1600/DSC_0582+edit.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSuSJRD_2616PV5x07tRQ5gAyPJ1z03fYIvtHStJ90U-_ECxfqv7gtb5hpcDGycgosyrs55MblkbWZXxjmXm8vGjb1WoZ9qv-DAaiVhDs_xl4V9UO4dA9KaDdMHFoEQjckC_rR3txO0lcp/s320/DSC_0582+edit.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615566430524805426" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Tommy is now 3 1/2 months. He is growing so fast. He now loves to make all sorts of happy noises, especially if I smile at him. He just started laughing this month. Baby laughter is the most beautiful sound. He has also discovered his hands and how to put them in his mouth. He loves to suck on two fingers at the same time, his index and middle finger. Hasn't figured out the thumb thing yet. He is sleeping through the night most of the time. Sometimes he will sleep around 9 hours at a time. He is so easy going and pleasant and now loves to smile at his Mama. He also thinks his big brother is pretty funny. He has adorable little dimples in his cheeks when he smiles. I've got to get pictures of them. His eyes are changing color. They are turning green with some brown specks. I'm sure he will have hazel eyes like mine. He also has a flat spot on the left side of his head. It was very pronounced last month, but it is rounding out. That is the side he loves to sleep on. All I have to do is rub in between his eyes and down his little nose to put the kid to sleep when it is his nap time. What a great little boy! I love love love my beautiful little Tommy.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivxyTzZ_fyBh_f8lHz-GZC3dNM-Q2x2V2aTTbRVjyEE1sXOSNdIMxKyetxxVX0dDN5TFLDbCKLJCg_oMseaNJMHNUSL1y6scrVFWFb_dGUSNW1FzWfz-toI9xoaXoZULi0XBIsd9eTCxvi/s1600/1DSC_0350+edit.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqU-1EVm0flER93FZuL84AIkoHWx6IGScjxvEGyOYCS8O9GbV_wZ4eLpuLGSwln6vrAOfaPx7NGtEjVmrLjEGFR3Od3NnlTY-SAmlcdo1s3vTY5m2NYsO48Q_vzIHmd4i39_IMhnw4KGh9/s1600/1DSC_0339+edit.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD6QFwZCgbw4v8SjvKYUYUYCy0TtG6pWNI1iEGaDV9-71ZCURqF946UuxxyDmFhDBTC0Et9pqy-TGU52IR2__XDrGGsA-eygQxCcEsg4G10x7GSoOsjPbjzt5lixSmQgdWpO-ivZGTGIT7/s1600/tummy+time+edit.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkkoE9RwBhKC9Ci1eD1LRbKdYvIDHkYckVsQmJemP5D1qjh43lsaqOXak7FFQbAn78TYzFUrJOUsBbeM_24KCp2plWmJxcSHfU3OokFB7kLU4cQ3SsNzl2gnHtFgz6nzWlM0UVfE19gJw5/s1600/1sleeping+edit.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></div>Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05113289148792315324noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1060511443563509416.post-62837670274981013342011-05-30T08:21:00.003-06:002011-05-30T11:16:42.131-06:00Happy Memorial Day & quick update<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3YgMShUcx7kIE9t2Y0DTW1MshOWfsi8G5NW69KYho9jjDWNGhaPuTXUknFISOz8BPFAXwcyEKh1OiOkJ6gf8JbTOlsA1GS9Y7Z2ncMLevKM_n47b0H9TeXr8VOMD41deLxChh5W3WeLSW/s1600/red+tree.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 281px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3YgMShUcx7kIE9t2Y0DTW1MshOWfsi8G5NW69KYho9jjDWNGhaPuTXUknFISOz8BPFAXwcyEKh1OiOkJ6gf8JbTOlsA1GS9Y7Z2ncMLevKM_n47b0H9TeXr8VOMD41deLxChh5W3WeLSW/s320/red+tree.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612514832074479250" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span">A picture I took a few years back</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small; "> at Arlington Cemetery.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small; ">Thank you to the military men and women who give of themselves to serve our country.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Hello everyone! I know I've been quite absent from the blogging world. Sometimes it is nice to have a big long break. Especially if that break comes right after having a baby. So here are some things that have been happening in our lives:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span">I had a baby and he is beautiful and I love him. My boys make me so happy!</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span">Matt and I had birthdays. We are now in our "late twenties." It kinda freaks me out. I have been feeling so old lately.</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span">My sister-in-law, Sarah, had a baby too! Finally, someone in my family who can relate to my stage in life. Little James is perfect and I know him and Tommy will be best friends.</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span">Matt blessed Tommy at church in May. It was nice to have all the family over to celebrate him.</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span">I went back to work to finish the school year. My students did so well at the regional science fair and have flown all over the country to compete in several national and international science fairs.</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span">I quit my job....and then I changed my mind. If that sounds familiar, it is. I did the same thing last year. I just love what I do and I am lucky enough that I work at a school that is so flexible and understanding. I don't think it is possible to find a job that I only have to go into work 6 times a month for only 2 hours each time and do the rest at home through email. It is so rewarding to help mentor my students with their projects.</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span">I watched the biggest loser finale. A-maz-ing!</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span">Matt has been working on the basement like a madman! It should be finished next week!</span></li></ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span">I have a plethora of pictures to post of all the fun things going on these last couple of months, so keep your eyes open.</span></div></div>Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05113289148792315324noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1060511443563509416.post-84246429575232471822011-04-14T12:39:00.006-06:002011-04-14T13:10:04.005-06:00Baby Shower<div style="text-align: left;">Last weekend I threw a baby shower for my sisters-in-law Rachel and Sarah. I am so excited for them. They are both expecting their first child this year. Finally Parker will have some cousins and they will be around the same age as Tommy. Around 80 people came, which means I had crazy amounts of food to prepare. I thought it was fun and hope Rachel and Sarah had fun too!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So at first, I got all ambitious and wanted to throw the most beautiful magnificent party ever...and then I came back to reality. I remembered that I have a newborn baby and a small budget. But let me tell ya, if I had never had to sleep and had unlimited amounts of money, it would have been the most marvelous baby shower ever seen by man (and woman). So I cut out the fresh flowers and cute party favors and this is what I ended up with:</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRj0s2GoR_DqpAX_UnkK6l3Ctoag9AZiW-MrtW1HJRP9WarTMEX5uFynYdzqc3jldYBjSU7moknpaTxnMoX2LoNIYM4SpAdfTs-fvAqLe76sxN86EyZ-vzcLlVTNr_1eNqHsVQGwcu7RUj/s400/DSC_0457.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595513419072445250" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span">The guests of honor, Sarah & Rachel</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6GrzntYMr31zrwOVy4NIfUdSVLD3oPydIomEl0DaWX90xQb7poajfZb1F73hj-ius0eFgZrfTyi3TptNTerYNjcTTdNHCCXHpwtGAng_FSt2oihl2mCaA00MRXgmVV5Fu1x1gGxVuQXxO/s400/DSC_0443.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595513357668615794" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Food, glorious food</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifyTg3I7WrPYQ2WY2XH5mF7enbOOE8Gi1kzE-WHlEbs1OnkYP1K-aVPcfmrENvbNmMm5bN52-kM_m_uw6ivJISIjY8BnFWc636glZl2b5POxHVDb5rnCzTDx8qvpbyomG1p_BBlFAIHKxs/s400/DSC_0445.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595513373558367666" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Of course, I had to dedicate an entire table to dessert. </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Brownies, chocolate chip cookies, sugar cookies, and cheesecake!</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">It takes a long time to bake hundreds of treats!</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1MkX_cV5jpFoUKzIq2WkwD1_0ogiFedcEM0YvrckPjaru-RdS-9_SIoJ5U-nF3jFR52gJAuf8822lGryv1iUhSMFogQqTKhtJgFT7-HS1W7lUHMdt-Psz_8M6G_42i8h2wvkyLHCfztkg/s400/DSC_0447.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595513395789811618" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Guess the baby game. </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Can you guess who A is (the first on the bottom row)? </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">If you said Katie Holmes, you were right!</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi64c2IpbryhSEx6R7Vd19pzqXS9BhUJLcPixSnIkyaNLHHBqzNt4fPJStspAIgUSLAdrOTp7QSdM4P4iY51TQM9evA0ZKIuVibGQw1biPbBbWzCrV93EGMp5UsTw11it64p43S8wIMh9Zw/s400/DSC_0476.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595517644087213042" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Great Grandma and Grandpa Budd with Tommy</span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVQRjdblMuEwTnbMqsXhrPd4Yn1BrBY3hwvFhbKnDcux6V9ihRlHs4elJpgySCK6F5D8jO2Seb5fhYlIgVRIH8zsElVNRNIxyYtZpDG-kgJ-COX2MRq2wTiF4PvwWke_wCUCMVx3fQpC_p/s400/DSC_0474.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595517624400094162" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Thanks to the guests for all the wonderful gifts!</span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGE_F49_u3oz8whTcKAL20a1fmADFoLCgNChi9uQUtovsqO4psDBw9o7OyxOj7A2siv31JNLzukVd6qy0-I6lz28FRn7oOdPuyMwM0kYfAyuT0zQcHaD-5sIZjMs1vK5nyc27XEBCNPOyb/s400/DSC_0458.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595517604103329074" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px; " /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">And another picture of Tommy 'cause he's so darn cute!</span></span></span></span></span></div>Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05113289148792315324noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1060511443563509416.post-12059195961669462722011-03-03T13:06:00.004-07:002011-03-06T11:28:55.321-07:00New arrival!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirYXRTaZ-xZNp68a4zqCSXnYMEPcG0r8Ebs2vQruHvFybZchjprIs0iZnVDkdqnXA2bNSojBvLrKkf_aVjBE7ybKyWuXK4Iu3SptqblLO9NnNwWGxLpxr2TnrERPqd47mK4nRudyAC1KJT/s1600/sleeping+edit.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirYXRTaZ-xZNp68a4zqCSXnYMEPcG0r8Ebs2vQruHvFybZchjprIs0iZnVDkdqnXA2bNSojBvLrKkf_aVjBE7ybKyWuXK4Iu3SptqblLO9NnNwWGxLpxr2TnrERPqd47mK4nRudyAC1KJT/s400/sleeping+edit.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581035477104428786" /></a>Thomas Alexander was born on February 24th at 2:49 pm. He weighed 8 lbs 6 oz and was 20 inches long. He is perfectly healthy and so am I. It is true what they say. Giving birth the second time around is much easier.<div><br /></div><div>Everything goes faster the second time around. Like twice as fast. At my 36 week appointment, I was already 2 cm dilated and 70% effaced and I progressed every week. Since Parker was pretty big, late, and painful to get out, I decided to set a date to be induced 2 days before my due date which, ironically, was the same day as the science fair which I've been working on all school year.</div><div><br /></div><div>I never went into labor like everyone predicted I would. I think my body just gets ready soon and does nothing about it until late. February 24th came and I was waiting for a phone call to tell me to come to the hospital. I was 6th on the list and the nurse said it would be around 10:00. I slept in to about 7:30 or 8:00, but couldn't sleep any longer, so I got ready. I couldn't handle just sitting around the house, so I decided to visit the school to see how the set up was going and to get a look at my students' final displays. Everyone at work thought I was crazy for coming in, but I was glad to help out a little right before I was going to abandon them for several weeks. I finally got the phone call and went to the hospital at 10:45. After I checked in, the nurse gave me pitocin (to strengthen the contractions) at 11:30. My doctor was going to break my water, but I decided I wanted the epidural before the contractions started hurting. Unfortunately, the anesthesiologist was busy, so I had to wait to 1:00 to get the epidural and the doctor broke my water around 1:30. That really got the contractions going and I quickly progressed to a 10 by 2:30ish and started pushing. I only had to push through 3 contractions and then another extra push to get him out. The pushed lasted around 15 minutes I would say (I had to push for over 3 hours to have Parker).</div><div><br /></div><div>Everyone was surprised at how big he was. He was 3 oz heavier than Parker and a .5 in shorter. This surprised me because he was a week earlier. My doctor says I'm just programmed to have big babies. My mom had big babies too. In fact, I (the first) was 2 weeks late and weight 9 lbs. 6 oz. and was born through C section. The rest were all induced and I think that is what I'm going to be doing.</div><div><br /></div><div>Little Tommy is so sweet. He doesn't cry much and he sleeps pretty well for only being a week old. He has huge feet and some dark hair, but not nearly as much hair as Parker. It will be interesting to see what color his hair will be in the end since Parker's hair color has changed so much.</div><div><br /></div><div>Parker loves Tommy. He is always giving him kisses and trying to share toys. He calls him Thomas. I think he thinks he was named after Thomas the train. It has been hard for him to adjust to sharing his mommy. He now carries a blanket around and wants me to hold him while he is wrapped in it. He also wants to wear disposable diapers (I'm not using cloth on Tommy yet since he is so small and needs to be changed over 10 times a day) and Parker also doesn't want to wear pants, I guess because Tommy doesn't have pants on a lot. I think he is adjusting and that I am adjusting because at first Parker would cry if he wanted my attention, and say mama, and try to climb on top of me when I was feeding Tommy. Now Parker knows to wait until I'm done and I will give him my full attention. It has been more difficult than I thought it would be for Parker.</div><div><br /></div><div>I feel so blessed to have these two precious boys. I love being a mom!</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdhtJkXYMuee0fCa4_m3ccxHVhqiOEARs5RI8bVaey6ibVUsbVDgR2-iv2NmS-NatqJIt52-MU5F3yQnE1PRkSy0EASlY4VZGAR7Qffy3MDw_PP3V3W_WbOvU8sDjhnaE_kuGs4n-gHyVz/s1600/with+mommy+and+daddy+edit.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdhtJkXYMuee0fCa4_m3ccxHVhqiOEARs5RI8bVaey6ibVUsbVDgR2-iv2NmS-NatqJIt52-MU5F3yQnE1PRkSy0EASlY4VZGAR7Qffy3MDw_PP3V3W_WbOvU8sDjhnaE_kuGs4n-gHyVz/s400/with+mommy+and+daddy+edit.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581035472767875394" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSdEKSRoeG7MgI6T_86xXrzMgGDs-N2u_dDvCsQe1uqGcn3NPLfUmKn0LffRNq-WW1nEmNEUGFjbzylBFMRyjPjv-i3nkksIM_caTszi7kY6qwKdGlbEFBD5on0vWzrrqU_2lWC9gdr4wS/s1600/tummy+time+edit.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSdEKSRoeG7MgI6T_86xXrzMgGDs-N2u_dDvCsQe1uqGcn3NPLfUmKn0LffRNq-WW1nEmNEUGFjbzylBFMRyjPjv-i3nkksIM_caTszi7kY6qwKdGlbEFBD5on0vWzrrqU_2lWC9gdr4wS/s400/tummy+time+edit.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581034976947528018" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_-Vv-AN1Zi3vR3r6hLtmIc_7scClKN9OASXV5-Bmb9-4BW1EICcMt6HQHQW79e7_yK9_K1X3aN2x7KZ820S9NYTyxeGNkvx-EYCPRywTGv6ni9TwZXTHWNIf2Sv3bj4r1M1iANDyaHLMa/s1600/my+three+boys+edit+crop.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 381px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_-Vv-AN1Zi3vR3r6hLtmIc_7scClKN9OASXV5-Bmb9-4BW1EICcMt6HQHQW79e7_yK9_K1X3aN2x7KZ820S9NYTyxeGNkvx-EYCPRywTGv6ni9TwZXTHWNIf2Sv3bj4r1M1iANDyaHLMa/s400/my+three+boys+edit+crop.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581034965707041218" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG3QaXeWwxIp9VAzpZDKiOMhtOPR6OsZmPEzOrTTOvuufl4IkA_dNxXE7ohx4MQVUK0jCPM9UQmNPLAizbGtQmZ8gFpAkoVtENOWQNhuVi0VkQvKZ7dIoPmBI5KoWI3QSULqSM0N9R0DnT/s1600/headshot+edit.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG3QaXeWwxIp9VAzpZDKiOMhtOPR6OsZmPEzOrTTOvuufl4IkA_dNxXE7ohx4MQVUK0jCPM9UQmNPLAizbGtQmZ8gFpAkoVtENOWQNhuVi0VkQvKZ7dIoPmBI5KoWI3QSULqSM0N9R0DnT/s400/headshot+edit.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581034962552893890" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV1MqRXT5G5AlVQsallJJS2eHQFUBqbdmkaK0gFE_GqapJ6d8SRhJwZMO9cdMzXD0r1KGd_RwYQnqah_pdarnIO9dmjYip1Q9mBHk8ht4rCrz1ygVAMQMEUu8pNp9ZNb1rZSGe96OpG2R5/s1600/big+foot+edit.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV1MqRXT5G5AlVQsallJJS2eHQFUBqbdmkaK0gFE_GqapJ6d8SRhJwZMO9cdMzXD0r1KGd_RwYQnqah_pdarnIO9dmjYip1Q9mBHk8ht4rCrz1ygVAMQMEUu8pNp9ZNb1rZSGe96OpG2R5/s400/big+foot+edit.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581034955199862114" /></a><br /><div><br /></div>Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05113289148792315324noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1060511443563509416.post-78672084249650795882011-01-12T16:15:00.012-07:002011-01-14T09:29:34.252-07:00Best. Christmas. Ever.<div style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Wow. Christmas is so much more fun with children. This was the first year Parker understood what was going on and it brought me back to my childhood a little. In fact, I was so excited for Christmas this year that I could sleep Christmas eve. I woke up around 1 am and didn't get back to sleep until around 4. Well, part of that was excitement, the other part was anxiety. I woke up having braxton-hicks contractions every 5 minutes. How terrible would it be to go to the hospital on Christmas eve? It would ruin Christmas. I ate a little something and took a nice warm bath and finally they slowed down after about an hour. </span></div><div style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">I was a little stressed because my family was all coming over for a big Christmas Breakfast, then we were meeting up with Matt's family to go sledding, and then a big Christmas dinner party that evening with them at my house (not to mention I hosted another Christmas dinner at my house just days earlier). It was a big, busy and wonderful day.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Parker loved all his presents. He is such a spoiled boy, being the only grandchild on both sides of the family.</div><div style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">The breakfast was delicious. I made <a href="http://peaceablethings.blogspot.com/2010/11/cinnamon-french-toast.html">this french toast</a>, but added homemade orange syrup (recipe from Amanda). There were no leftovers.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Then we took Parker sledding for the first time up Big Cottonwood Canyon. He LOVED it. He also discovered the joy of snowballs. He would pick up a handfull of snow and yell "SNOWBALL!" as he threw the chunk at us. Then Matt decided to go down a bigger hill and snow flew all over poor Parker's little face. Matt tried to take him down that hill again, and Parker just looked back at me with his arm extended and said "mama" as if asking me to save his life. Poor kid is always tortured by his daddy.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Here are some fun Christmassy things we did this year:</span></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span">Made an advent calendar and counted down 'till Christmas</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span">Went to a live nativity with Grandparents</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span">Went to temple square</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span">Made an ornament to represent our year</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span">Did a service project for those less fortunate</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span">Had french toast for breakfast on Christmas morning</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span">Went sledding</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span">Sat in Santa's lap</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span">Made gingerbread houses</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span">Listened to lots of Christmas music and drank lots of hot cocoa</span></li></ul></div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto;"><u><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMrD9x67RH3IciGije4ZaebGvIm45ghB-DMIphLre2yejpEREdTl5zvoK0IjDe6knXvhFTEr6OZq_gefhVlnWXsKJkkAi4fq0b2mgBepMKnKLE4Gkh_T3FLEhPfHTZcIcINXxSTDZO67aN/s400/Temple+square+edit.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561444261044085970" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 174px; height: 400px; " /></u></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivCiqKudI-WQrf7htyRfP0EI1yM4wcB-5OFwfXAGI-za_SB-0p4MF4Qy4e9Abz-loVmickkWAjZ7C41V8QLy0KUeAXG5sGggnXVTP9elQZvOcNwxz-0IrKb436lYONv74oQoUjP0GClye9/s1600/in+the+tent+edit.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivCiqKudI-WQrf7htyRfP0EI1yM4wcB-5OFwfXAGI-za_SB-0p4MF4Qy4e9Abz-loVmickkWAjZ7C41V8QLy0KUeAXG5sGggnXVTP9elQZvOcNwxz-0IrKb436lYONv74oQoUjP0GClye9/s400/in+the+tent+edit.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561447446363183522" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPbw7vhBEInyRFRG9KR7NLxO1f2OpOBREpGvA1EP52be3wlyppZw7r02W9_0lP4lHQ1gFDhpCXJHZdpYPg9m8Y9oqO9iThqz0Ls278FAhLjGev2hb1fmu0HSpc0MxZIe2lLS6vdwrtMfJ0/s1600/loves+buzz+edit.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPbw7vhBEInyRFRG9KR7NLxO1f2OpOBREpGvA1EP52be3wlyppZw7r02W9_0lP4lHQ1gFDhpCXJHZdpYPg9m8Y9oqO9iThqz0Ls278FAhLjGev2hb1fmu0HSpc0MxZIe2lLS6vdwrtMfJ0/s400/loves+buzz+edit.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561446690052664210" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwUVlEPtcwWTus5NCC-NSjbVo3bi_yiIZASlmFz91alqqlPvquVlwDKtUCYZaTrIkMc1cEF59nPtgz4koOLHfT6VxK3QpZGQARSSu1auT9UXJhrbNKCUSemkE41mJK0oD-4zCKpuSc6859/s1600/Matt%2527s+present+edit.jpg"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmWtleKvd2O5vSLfO3bEjEehPOyztv_h1pZam2d8Jccapan34lh4SEDKdk8tkwcuW5q2ctMFQ-GLR1Gr5KOz-a8WeA-vh7Egfr-izO9Ruwo6Wm65CBfTlbesmnltBN7BUUtooFUhoELV3S/s1600/opening+grandma%2527s+gift+edit.jpg"><img style="display:block; 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margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg099f0Lvp0diAw4a8HqiR7xhWkjHaoZMxqmVkRjZ5gJQFLKoBw899V3WyYwr0z7x9WZdEK18-3QRiJirtuhI1dJLbLCFjCbnz3M9DUAfxIce2QlArXRZnEBFOEjRe2Nd1PgG6vVlHgW4GW/s400/2010+ornament+edit.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561443792797924146" /></a><br /></div>Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05113289148792315324noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1060511443563509416.post-56033236690994819272011-01-04T10:31:00.009-07:002011-01-10T12:36:35.656-07:00Top 50 moments of 2010This year wasn't as "adventurous" as 2009, but there sure were a lot of changes and things to keep us busy.<br /><br />1. Helping my students dominate the Salt Lake Valley Science and Engineering Fair<br />2. Fixing up our condo...just to sell it (Why did we wait so long to finish it?)<br />3. Selling our condo after living there for 3 years...a great 3 years!<br />4. Moving in with my parents for 3 months while our house was being built (Where, I might add, there was no room for us)<br />5. Feeling like my life is in chaos while we live at my parent's house (My clothes were in boxes the entire time)<br />6. Discovering Parker's talent for singing<br />7. Learning about the stress and fun involved in have a house built<br />8. Parker finally getting to go to nursery & LOVING it (& his parents loving it even more than he does)<br />9. Parker learning how to hit a baseball<br />10. My sister-in-law Rachel marrying Spencer<br />11. Going to Youth Conference with the Bluffdale 1st ward as "Goodly Parents"<br />12. Winning free Bosch kitchen appliances ($7000 value) from the Home Expo <br />13. Learning that "Sprinkler World" is completely incompetent in designing a sprinkler system AFTER we installed the whole system and then having to redesign it ourselves so it would work. I'm a little bitter.<br />14. Painting all the doors, trim, and accent wall in our new house<br />15. Matt graduating with a B.S. in Accounting from the University of Phoenix (and having the student loans to prove it)<br />16. Quitting my job<br />17. My brother Casey marrying Sheralee<br />18. Parker learning his ABCs<br />19. Finally moving into my brand new house<br />20. Matt and I running the Ragnar Relay<br />21. Hydroseeding our yard and watering it a bit too much. Who knew that grass could grow mold?<br />22. Expecting baby boy #2!!!<br />23. Unpacking all of our books and office furniture and finding out the next week that I was pregnant and needing to pack it all up again and move it to the basement and needing to move all the baby stuff upstairs into that same room<br />24. Decorating my new house - work in progress<br />25. Getting a fancy shmancy smart phone - at least fancy for me.<br />26. Taking a lot of naps - that first trimester is a killer<br />27. The principal convincing me to keep my job (under my conditions)<br />28. Starting to potty train Parker and then getting lazy about it<br />29. Experiencing the scariest thing in my life when Parker had a seizure<br />30. Riding in an ambulance for the first time ever<br />31. Paying a ridiculously large hospital bill for sitting in an emergency room for 20 minutes and a dose of Tylenol<br />32. Continuing our tradition of sharing a Cafe Rio Pork Salad<br />33. Taking a 4 day break from life to read the "Hunger Games" series<br />34. Participating in the first ever "Great Lakes Relay" from the Great Salt Lake to Utah Lake. Our team took 2nd place (out of two teams)!<br />35. Being called to the Young Women Presidency again<br />36. Fun vacation visiting Sarah & Eric in Cedar City to see their new house<br />37. Parker turning 2 and discovering that it isn't terrible at all<br />38. Matt attending Grad School for his MBA<br />39. Practicing making the best chocolate chips ever (and gaining a few pounds in the process)<br />40. Matt becoming superman and starting to finish the basement along with going to school and juggling a busy career (it should be done before the baby comes)<br />41. Parker discovering Buzz Lightyear<br />42. Watching "Arrested Development"<br />43. Taking Parker Trick or Treating for the first time<br />44. Learning how to make homemade rolls<br />45. Parker learning how to dunk a basketball<br />46. Hosting 2 Christmas parties at my house within 2 days of each other -- it almost put me into labor.<br />47. Matt winning the ugly sweater contest<br />48. Having Christmas in my new house and making new Christmas traditions<br />49. Going sledding on Christmas day. Parker LOVED it when snow wasn't flying in his face (thanks daddy)<br />50. Going home early and going to sleep well before midnight on New Years Eve. I'm getting old...or boring...or both. <br /><br />Overall, this year was one of change and gratitude. Matt and I are both so grateful for everything we have been blessed with. Here are some things to look forward to in 2011:<br /><br />Having a baby boy<br />The basement being finished<br />Reading more books<br />Completing P90X and being in the best shape of my life<br />Matt running a marathon<br />Getting my PR for a 5K<br />Lots and Lots of rock climbing<br />Finishing our yard<br />Vacationing with our families<br />Starting a garden<br />Parker learning how to read<br />Saving lots of money<br />Having tons and tons of fun!Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05113289148792315324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1060511443563509416.post-276819634772525852011-01-03T13:15:00.006-07:002011-01-03T13:50:03.234-07:00Keeping the Romance AliveI don't know about you, but sometimes (and by that I mean always) it is hard to think of things to do with Matt without spending a gazillion dollars. That's why I'm so excited that I discovered a new blog called "<a href="http://www.thedatingdivas.com/">The Dating Divas</a>." Seriously. They've given me tons of fun date ideas. I personally know two of the "divas" and they are awesome. Plus, this week they have a giveaway every single day. I would encourage you to check it out.Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05113289148792315324noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1060511443563509416.post-33499171996301398242010-12-17T17:31:00.002-07:002010-12-17T17:35:43.118-07:00Christmas at my house<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx_OY0l80wR5rG6QvPeNTV5KY8P9lfEKwTjtXYqd4wX0yUJKQERB5EUl4Fub_suT8I38NSYj11ePVQQR56yT9CdlQX44oS1wPb7S1RKKoWCECJN2pm8AlO6nPko7cg2GX3p9PCSCTXf2b-/s1600/tree+lights.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx_OY0l80wR5rG6QvPeNTV5KY8P9lfEKwTjtXYqd4wX0yUJKQERB5EUl4Fub_suT8I38NSYj11ePVQQR56yT9CdlQX44oS1wPb7S1RKKoWCECJN2pm8AlO6nPko7cg2GX3p9PCSCTXf2b-/s400/tree+lights.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551814285232457474" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdR_e0btyEa_iKwOms9yyf40rAbCHwFskkyBPuEG4t1kTLuHw-4HmGlo_9QBcRTBLPMM6pL-k2TF_LT16hSkQtsqVqpIUUlf0yJgePXqi9ibnhXAjU5hmGZva8VD2O-QAl3l2MpCcfUIiR/s1600/stockings.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdR_e0btyEa_iKwOms9yyf40rAbCHwFskkyBPuEG4t1kTLuHw-4HmGlo_9QBcRTBLPMM6pL-k2TF_LT16hSkQtsqVqpIUUlf0yJgePXqi9ibnhXAjU5hmGZva8VD2O-QAl3l2MpCcfUIiR/s400/stockings.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551813943254190546" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYSEi_Sp1vD9j-j2UgGIRbQctfhFZ3o8J99eWcRAD5a6zAyQHGRYBf07V5PbbS2PBc4Uc3ZtMEJKrRj5-Fmk6vCkQu3DFikcpfCgpS31lcsv1Bm2UHa8BvsEzvddqW4fZC5TCVFsqDkJNG/s1600/gingerbread+house.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYSEi_Sp1vD9j-j2UgGIRbQctfhFZ3o8J99eWcRAD5a6zAyQHGRYBf07V5PbbS2PBc4Uc3ZtMEJKrRj5-Fmk6vCkQu3DFikcpfCgpS31lcsv1Bm2UHa8BvsEzvddqW4fZC5TCVFsqDkJNG/s400/gingerbread+house.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551813938439994274" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcpJYMuRLG2DW8SqsoRlz4XHbQCQb7ktnkFZOEhzgIGPn4rTmucp0snVOqOk5NoljC57kvyOtck_ugdI6l0wn11xHCAjgV6SxbPUWvpvpdB-srn9fxL3rnkL987BPg9OG-HnQss-PcciEq/s1600/DSC_0101.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcpJYMuRLG2DW8SqsoRlz4XHbQCQb7ktnkFZOEhzgIGPn4rTmucp0snVOqOk5NoljC57kvyOtck_ugdI6l0wn11xHCAjgV6SxbPUWvpvpdB-srn9fxL3rnkL987BPg9OG-HnQss-PcciEq/s400/DSC_0101.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551813928467289490" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6a4RT-cL3gf1Ika65J6zywlcjwkQ1iFsS7Pmr9K8hr6WeYWpZXOA2rQFZbA0WHFkluAw-c-BCVoURw_KN9BzwCqfeN8g-VVhWznesNb02cM_34C2fYQvew_lOsDCOqDzBbGx0Yc-OHDbK/s1600/front+door.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6a4RT-cL3gf1Ika65J6zywlcjwkQ1iFsS7Pmr9K8hr6WeYWpZXOA2rQFZbA0WHFkluAw-c-BCVoURw_KN9BzwCqfeN8g-VVhWznesNb02cM_34C2fYQvew_lOsDCOqDzBbGx0Yc-OHDbK/s400/front+door.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551813925770913746" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjekYKo6vZuW0RL0Z4hy4nmlbbVChtmMA7pcp76FLKiz786nNxeAxEjMBhySxlFutHryoJKEFr8ne1pixyavhOhNQ5H3jTcVGzp5CsB7DuezbzrOkOmkIzzYbg437vrikMYMHjiX03ugkaV/s1600/Christmas+tree.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjekYKo6vZuW0RL0Z4hy4nmlbbVChtmMA7pcp76FLKiz786nNxeAxEjMBhySxlFutHryoJKEFr8ne1pixyavhOhNQ5H3jTcVGzp5CsB7DuezbzrOkOmkIzzYbg437vrikMYMHjiX03ugkaV/s400/Christmas+tree.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551813921586518930" /></a>Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05113289148792315324noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1060511443563509416.post-59539509291465914912010-12-17T17:13:00.004-07:002010-12-17T17:51:14.882-07:00I'm a big boy now!<div>Parker keeps life interesting. It is both sad and adorable that he is turning into such a big boy instead of the baby boy he once was. </div><div><br /></div><div> He LOVES buzz lightyear. He found a little Buzz at my parents' house from when my little brother was small, back to the time of the first Toy Story and he hasn't let go since. He needs Buzz when we go in the car, when we go to church, and when he goes to bed. Funny thing is that he didn't even watch Toy Story when he became attached to the little buzz. When Matt and I showed him the movies, he went crazy. He loves them.</div><div><br /></div><div>Parker also loves his kitty cat, the one he got for Halloween in 2009 from one of my students. He needs kitty every time he goes to bed. He has gotten so good at make believe. He pretends that the kitty meows and tucks him into bed. So cute!</div><div><br /></div><div>Parker loves his friends. He especially loves Xander and Brayden - probably because they are boys, but he also loves his friends Sarah, Addi, and Cassidy. He gets so excited when the doorbell rings and immediately stops whatever he is doing and frantically runs to the door and looks out the window. I think he is looking for his friends.</div><div><br /></div><div>Parker knows practically all his letters and is now learning their sounds. He does still get confused between N and M and some of the lowercase letters. We try not to watch too much TV, but his favorite TV show is Super Why. I think he learns a lot watching it. It is usually on when I am taking a shower. Thank goodness, or else I would probably be a lot smellier than I should be.</div><div><br /></div><div>He is also learning to count things. He can recite his numbers up to ten really well and is now trying to go to twenty, but he gets stuck in the teens not knowing what is next. He loves 5 little monkey's jumping on the bed. I made little figures of the monkeys and it has really helped him learn how to count objects.</div><div><br /></div><div>He is so loving and kisses and hugs Matt and I constantly. I know it is far away, but I will be so sad the day he stops kissing me and is too embarrassed to hug me. He will come up to me when I am doing something and ask "Whatcha doin'?" So cute. He also loves his aunts, uncles, and especially Grandpa (papa) and grandma.</div><div><br /></div><div>He is such a good little boy. One time the nursery leaders came into Sunday school very concerned. They told me that he was crying and they didn't know why. They kept saying, "He never cries." He was just having a bad day because of an ear infection, but it is good to hear how well he does in nursery. He usually just runs into the room right after sacrament meeting. He loves it.</div><div><br /></div><div>I could go on and on because I want to remember him at this age forever, but maybe I'll save it for my journal rather than bore all of you with the little things I find so cute</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqM727dw6Q2r41XxAhM5Mz-J6HwXbNhpbI4FqoiVydmeECUjJm6r_8njb9I_yu0lReFJIeIeqKPOG6fSd_IyTZb-wYIsIKj2aqnVwXXNVENQHFz4fcvgSKZNsRHZPQSJcPK_WXaauQ5WaW/s1600/DSC_0100.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqM727dw6Q2r41XxAhM5Mz-J6HwXbNhpbI4FqoiVydmeECUjJm6r_8njb9I_yu0lReFJIeIeqKPOG6fSd_IyTZb-wYIsIKj2aqnVwXXNVENQHFz4fcvgSKZNsRHZPQSJcPK_WXaauQ5WaW/s400/DSC_0100.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551809188832834658" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYYmEylWnMezy4JxpARGSvzfKiexrBXqHansey5PhYR1xWxZGk-XaVoC0oAeHKz1ThN0MqbHSqY7JRrTRWktUP-wFjgP493v_GE2324TcYyOykq6uwyMYjivN6kUpLLS4qlsY-P00Qit3K/s1600/DSC_0099.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYYmEylWnMezy4JxpARGSvzfKiexrBXqHansey5PhYR1xWxZGk-XaVoC0oAeHKz1ThN0MqbHSqY7JRrTRWktUP-wFjgP493v_GE2324TcYyOykq6uwyMYjivN6kUpLLS4qlsY-P00Qit3K/s400/DSC_0099.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551809187178354338" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd3TqrqlF7HSw0K9XKts1rbfHxOVTScemtnoKifz7LKQRmeOJhaJ5hKrzXtdMD-yEbg69RA6x4lDegMzTR6NSxABocWoGKkEQTnTS7ed_jsj8I7RGt7ary_jK5Dig15gDwYVbco0uIU_ba/s1600/DSC_0098.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd3TqrqlF7HSw0K9XKts1rbfHxOVTScemtnoKifz7LKQRmeOJhaJ5hKrzXtdMD-yEbg69RA6x4lDegMzTR6NSxABocWoGKkEQTnTS7ed_jsj8I7RGt7ary_jK5Dig15gDwYVbco0uIU_ba/s400/DSC_0098.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551809182734408130" /></a>Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05113289148792315324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1060511443563509416.post-50642150343237535172010-11-09T09:08:00.004-07:002010-11-09T09:29:15.211-07:00Cupcakes!<div align="left">I don't claim to be very domestic, but occasionally I like to try my hand at something crafty or try to bake something delicious. Usually, I give myself a hard time that I'm not as good as other wives at sewing or cooking, but I try to remember that I have other great skills and it's ok that I'm still developing others.<br /><br />I love the book called "Hello, Cupcake!" It has really cute and easy ways to decorate cupcakes....easy enough that I can do it. Here are some of my creations.<br /><br /><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537585757629008242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZBnqtQ5bozkSjU-PkYJCxw_XukyaPybIGs3HlnUyy6AqwLkBBK_IEi1ol4qGDcchkle7AVOSliEFCy9Q1VEEm18LSQWnT2J5nPGWZbpFZrZqMhmhntbXCyOz7-xenvg2bjcvL5-rg_gMt/s400/Cupcake+edit.jpg" /> <p align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">This was a cake I made for Casey & Sheralee's wedding </span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /> </p></span><p align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;"></p></span><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAFWeLHhm-7PwPRmzoruMHxxXUFqRjRNrrQdMu0hWGCBU8md1nP_rvY6BWOf54mTTL8ZUi6a0_mXI1enf2pVB_kkuUMpSOAPkVLZP6gi7ePHN8ksY7jp0pvOHlKWfG6M_edArhiUw4IF5f/s1600/DSC_0317+edit.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537585756322495874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAFWeLHhm-7PwPRmzoruMHxxXUFqRjRNrrQdMu0hWGCBU8md1nP_rvY6BWOf54mTTL8ZUi6a0_mXI1enf2pVB_kkuUMpSOAPkVLZP6gi7ePHN8ksY7jp0pvOHlKWfG6M_edArhiUw4IF5f/s400/DSC_0317+edit.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> I made these alligator cupcakes for Parker's 1st birthday<br /></span></div><div align="center"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixRVI3slEpm_TlRCtyLQoIcaTM8rMBipSlorrTjOsskZ4nbWPKGdsMI_W1qeK0sZH2AkdvZ4WOnAlWJcOLJhdPD5Cm7hxzNvWhst1RNnX1hHHpjf2s6bs-Jp-6OX38nOsAKG_r9fVfWbbG/s1600/DSC_0805.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537585751252484594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixRVI3slEpm_TlRCtyLQoIcaTM8rMBipSlorrTjOsskZ4nbWPKGdsMI_W1qeK0sZH2AkdvZ4WOnAlWJcOLJhdPD5Cm7hxzNvWhst1RNnX1hHHpjf2s6bs-Jp-6OX38nOsAKG_r9fVfWbbG/s400/DSC_0805.JPG" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> I made these ball cupcakes for Parker's 2nd birthday<br /></span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO3o9fGmXyaVzdXypSXQXRhDBJMV0Pc8KhK9q5Mrgh4pGYQ4OotK1jSzJRihi91Ig_0LluHOGHmZuXaLXMppKVvyTBvdgbceJaYph4PYuBsImF9nXgXFuDWsbXQb8ux_G4lnaz0LNhFb32/s1600/DSC_0852.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537585741076439090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO3o9fGmXyaVzdXypSXQXRhDBJMV0Pc8KhK9q5Mrgh4pGYQ4OotK1jSzJRihi91Ig_0LluHOGHmZuXaLXMppKVvyTBvdgbceJaYph4PYuBsImF9nXgXFuDWsbXQb8ux_G4lnaz0LNhFb32/s400/DSC_0852.JPG" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> I made these pumpkin cupcakes for Halloween this year<br /></span><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /></div>Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05113289148792315324noreply@blogger.com7