Welcome Home Shalee

My brother Shalee has been on his 2nd tour to Iraq this past year. He was there when my father passed away, which was sad, but luckily he was able to come home for a brief time for the funeral. Today he came home for good (Well, until the next deployment...ya never know...) A bunch of us went to see him at the National Gaurd Airport to welcome him home. It was great to see him. I'm glad he is home.

Remembering Dad...

Here we go!

Alright, so I've gotten on here to post about 3 times since yesterday, and everytime something happened and I didn't get to finish, then my stinkin computer kept shutting down on me, so I just put Aspen down for a nap and I'm going to try to get through this...we'll see...

Drea Got married on Saturday. It was a beautiful wedding. I was sad happy...that's the worst! Because I am super excited for her. She's one of my best friends, and she has been there for me a lot through the past few years. And I was sad because now she's moving to California and won't be here to hang out with Michelle and I. I have only had 3 close best friends in my life that have STAYED my friends and helped me through the hard times. Charlotte, Michelle and Drea, and it sucks to have such great friends not be close enough to hang out with. I love you Drea, Congratulations, I truly wish you the best! And I'll just come soon and visit you in Cali! It was a great day!! The ceremony was so awesome and drea was BEAUTIFUL!


The other thing that happened this weekend is Aspen decided to start potty training again. She has done so good the past few days and only wet 2 panties so far...well, pooped one. She is getting so good at going by herself. I'm hoping this will work this time and she'll keep with it. She bounces back and forth a bit.

I got her a swimming pool and she LOVES it. She had her little friend Hayden over to play today and they were so cute in the pool. She kept trying to kiss him and he kept pushing her away. That's my girl! I'll have to teach her when she gets older that she can't kiss the boys I guess. I have pictures...I will post them tomorrow.

Cute things Aspen said this week:

Yesterday in the swimming pool, "Mom, come swim" "I can't I don't have a swimming suit on" And Aspen says "Go and get it, go get your swim suit" and walks me in the house! What a stink! ha ha.

then this morning I asked her when she woke up iof she wanted to go to the potty, and she looks up and says "No thank you, not right now"

She is growing faster than I can believe! She's a sweetie. i love her lots.

My little Aspen

I'll have to post pictures tomorrow. But I had a fun day with my little babe today. She is growing up so fast! I took her to the park here to play, and she loved it. She is growing faster than I planned though. She told me today "I do it myself" when she wanted to go down the slide. Before today she always made me catch her. It made me kinda sad. I mean, I'm glad she is growing, and she's so stinkin smart, but I miss my baby at the same time. She wanted help to climb the ladder to the slide, and when she got to the top, she said "Thank you VERY much mom". She talks like a little grown up now. She was even able to swing on the swing and hold on herself wihtout me swinging with her...when did she grow up? I wonder where I have been...I didn't see how much she has grown until today, it's happened so quickly right before my eyes.

I usually look at her and think of the chorus to the John Denver Song "For baby for bobby"

"I'll walk in the trees by your side
I'll cling to the warmth of your tiny hand
I'll do anything to help you understand'
I love you more than anybody can"

I hope as she grows, she'll still need me sometimes, and that she won't ALWAYS want to "do it myself" It's amazing how fast the years go.

So fun!

Check out my friends and my pictures on Heather Taylors blog. They turned out sooo cute! What a fun day. Heather - you are the best! Thanks for a fantastic day!

What a week!

We love Aspen. She is so funny sometimes. I honestly think she is smarter than both of us. The other day Ashton took her to the park to play and let her slide down the slides. He said that when she got to the top, she said "Come on daddy" and Ashton told her he couldn't, and then he said that she looked at him mockingly and said "aw you to litttlle?" I laughed so hard when he told me this, because I can just see my little imp saying this. She sometimes thinks she's the mom around here. She sure keeps us smiling and I am always super thankful for her.

Today we went up the canyon "shooting" with Ashton and his brother. It was fun, and Aspens first time. She threw a fit about having to wear the earmuffs and the "monkey leash" but I didn't want her getting anywhere near where they were shooting guns, nor have her lose her hearing. She liked watching her daddy shoot his gun. And don't worry, we keep the guns locked up, and teach her about not ever touching a gun. We aren't that bad of parents.







Also this week I took care of One of my best friends boys, and got some pictures of Aspen and Hayden playing. I know I have some shadows on the pics, but remember, I am afterall still learning this photography thing, and I'll continue to get better. But I thought these one's were cute of them playing in the water on the bucket. I had to put a stop to it after my little stink decided to start drinking the dirty water...go figure.




Okay, I know...you are thinking holy snot does she always have to write a biography...well, when I only get time to post once a week now...this is what happens. I'll make my next two adventures short. Wanted to give a shout out to my really wonderfully great friends Andrea and Michelle. And the best photographer of course...Heather Taylor. She is the best. We did a session together in our wedding dresses yesterday because Andrea is the last of our little friend group to get married (We all lived together in college) and so we decided to have a fun photo shoot in our wedding dresses (I know...kinda silly) but it was SOOOO much FUN!! We laughed so hard and had a great time. Maybe I'll have a pic to post later on, or maybe Heather will post one on her site...

And LASTLY, for mothers day, Ashton surprised me with the movie "P.S. I love you" I am obsessed with this movie! It's my new favorite (Used to be "My best friends wedding" it is such a sweet movie and I LOVE LOVE LOVE the soundtrack! Love Irish accents! It was totally a surprise for me. He is the best. I'd been talking about it non stop so it was a great gift. I Love you Ashton! Thanks for being a great thougtful husband! Thanks for letting me share my week everyone!

Congratulations Daniel!

My Nephew Daniel received his mission call this week to Ghana Africa!! He leaves in August. I am so excited for him, he's a great kid. Good luck Daniel, and do your best! Wahoo!

Happy Birthday Daddy

It's my dad's birthday tomorrow. Today my family got together - all of us that could. We were only missing Shad, Shaylin, Shalee, and there families. Everyone else came out to Newton to spend the day and celebrate daddy's 70th birthday. Or "would be" 70th birthday. It was a good day. I love being with my family and couldn't imagine life without them all. Each one is special to me in different ways and I hold special memories of each of them. (Just skip down to the pics if you don't want to read about my family - I won't be offended - there are lots!)

ShaMayne - my eldest sister - she has taught me how to endure
Her husband Jack - He has always been a listening ear, and a shoulder to lean on. He is a pillar of strength and wisdom
Shaun is my eldest brother, and very smart. He is loving and patient
His wife Kerry - Kerry has always been the type that makes you feel special, she sincerely cares about you and shows it.
Shaylin - I really haven't had a chance to know Shaylin very well, but he always takes care of my taxes for me and is a nice brother
His wife Karen - She's talented. She has so many interests and talents that I admire. She made my first Prom dress...a dress that I designed myself and drew up on paper, and she figured out how to make it.
Sharik - he loves people. He and his wife Cheryl have some of the biggest hearts I know. They TRULY know the true meaning of serving mankind, and of giving the shirt off your back. They GIVE more than anyone I know. They are so selfless and kind!
Sheldon - He baptized me when I was 8. He is such a people person, and I watch him to pick up on social skills. I am not a very great "Social" person, and he is wonderful at it. He is kind and fun - full of life. His wife Angie is so nice. She is always willing to talk to you and she is a great listener.
Sheridan - He is FUN. He has a great sense of humor and is always smiling and laughing. His wife Amber is a hard worker, and a very good person in general. She is always willing to help me at a moments notice. I've appreciated the friendship I have grown to have with her.
Shad and Gaia - we don't see them much, and I don't know them as well, but they have always been loving when they are around, and Gaia is a terrific cook!
Shiloh - He and I haven't always liked each other, but over the years I think we've grown closer, and I'm amazed at how smart he is. He has a big heart, and really cares about people more than he lets on
Shenla - We've struggled over the years to have a good relationship, but I love her. I think that she is stronger than SHE thinks she is. And besides, she is the closest sister in age to me, and she is willing to show up when I need her.
Shalee and his wife Jill - you'd think I'd know him better since he is closest to my age, but he left home early on and I never got to really know him, but I like to see him smile, and hear him read poetry or tell jokes. He's a funny guy.

That's my family! Just felt like sharing about those closest to me. I love them all.

Here's some pics from the weekend too. Sorry bout the long post. It's been a while since I posted, and for some reason family is a big deal to me right now. I miss my dad and hope he's having a blast in heaven. My brother in law Jack gave me a blessing tonight and said that my dad is closer than I know, and that there was purpose in his passing at this time...and I believe that's true. We did a Temple session tonight too with most that could make it, we did sealings. It was awesome being there with so many of my siblings. I love this gospel!