The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

I hope everyone had an excellent Christmas...I did. Because I work for the school district, I get two weeks off for Christmas break. Awesome. We had a pretty big snowstorm at the beginning of the week, and Melanie and I took the opportunity to take Kimby and Katherine outside to play in the snow. The girls had a lot of fun, but we didn't stay outside for too long. It was just too stinkin' cold!

You can see in this picture that the snow is almost up to my knees. This was after the first snowstorm that we had-- we got more snow on Christmas Day.

It was pretty laid back this year, as all of my siblings were spending time with their in-laws this year. We did have Melanie and Spencer (and the girls) for Christmas Eve though. I love Christmas Eve! For me, it's almost more awesome than Christmas DAY. We have a party every year, do Christmas crackers, presents, etc. This year (and last year too) we watched a Trans-Siberian Orchestra DVD called "The Ghosts of Christmas" (or something like that). Katherine loves music and dances to it whenever she hears it. I tried to upload a video of it on here, but it won't let me. I might try to add it later on Mom's computer to see if it will work then.

I also made a train this year for Christmas Eve. We had so much food, though, that we didn't eat it. It is now sitting in the freezer waiting for everyone to be here for New Years Eve. It took me forever, and nearly sent me off the edge, but in the end was worth it.

We had a little fun with our Christmas crackers...This has nothing to do with Christmas, but it was so cute, I couldn't resist.

This was Christmas morning. I got mom a Snuggie-type thing. I don't even know what it is, really. All I know is that you wrap up in it and it keeps you warm (oh, and it looks funny). Mom saw the commercial for a cheap version of this on tv and kept saying that she wanted one. I ended up seeing an ad for it at ShopKo and was able to get her a nice one for Christmas.This is what Ashley got for Christmas! I've been practicing a lot, and will probably end up taking lessons (even though I cringe at the idea). I broke the E-string (the smallest one) on Christmas day, but was able to get it restrung on Boxing Day. I don't know how good I'll be, but it's fun to play, regardless. I also got a gift certificate to get keyless entry installed in my car, gift certificates to Mama Inez and Sizzler, stuff for my guitar (strap, books, picks, tuner), a book in a series I'm reading, a hat and scarf (shown in the picture below), a gift certificate to Fandango, and Mamma Mia. I hope I didn't leave anything out. Anyway, it was a great Christmas. I hope everyone had a safe and happy Christmas. Stay tuned for my New Years post--A Year in Review.

Thanksgiving and Tavaci

I haven't really written very much in the past couple of months. To be honest, I don't really have much to write, and when I do, I'm too lazy to. So, going back a couple of weeks--Thanksgiving was pretty awesome at our house. My whole family was there (all 21 of us). Jeff and Jen didn't know if they were going to be able to make it, but in the end, they showed up on Wednesday. It was a great Thanksgiving weekend (although it consisted of Wednesday-Saturday/Sunday). We played a lot of games, Rock Band, Laser Tag (which was awesome!), watched Fred Claus, woke up insanely early to go shopping on Black Friday...did I leave anything out? On Saturday afternoon before Jeff and Jen left we had a 30th birthday "party" for Jeff. It was pretty fun to decorate the house. We also had Walmart make a picture cake with a picture of him when he was a little boy. It was cute.

Anyway, the holidays are definitely upon us. Mom, Dad, Melanie, Kimby, Katherine and I had the opportunity to go see Kammi and London in their Christmas Tavaci performance. I think I had a little too much fun with the camera on the way over, though!

(I didn't even tell Katherine I was taking the picture. I was sitting behind her and reached the camera up blindly to take the picture. I had no idea if she had seen the camera or what the picture looked like until I looked at it. I almost died laughing. That's Katherine for you!)



(Okay, I agree...I'm weird)

The performance was really cute, and the girls did a great job. Tavaci is singing and dancing together. I told Melanie it was like a kids Trouveres. Sullivan has gotten bigger, even in the two weeks or so since I've seen him! It's crazy! He's going to be a lot different the next time I see him. After the performance, we went back to Jeff and Jen's for an hour or so. Kimby had so much fun playing with the girls! Case and point...

(most of these were "props" that Kammi and London used during their performance)

Anyway, we are in desperate need for new pictures of the kids for our wall so I decided to take some while I was there. Kammi's and London's turned out really well. As for Kimby (the least photogenic child I have ever known), well...this is how her "photo shoot" went--

Anyway, if I don't get around to posting again in the next couple of weeks, I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas!!

Sullivan Jeffrey

Okay, so I have the cutest new nephew in the world! Isn't he adorable?

Sullivan Jeffrey was born on November 19th and weighed 8 lbs. 12 oz and was 20 1/2 inches long. He is definitely an adorable addition to my gorgeous nieces and nephews (I'm not biased, though! :) ) Say hi Sullivan!

He is definitely loved by his big sisters. I love seeing pictures of them together.

So, I haven't met the little guy yet, but I'm hoping to very soon! Welcome #10! :)

Edward and Halloween!

I know that it has been a long time since I have had a new post. For a long time I didn't have any news, but when I did, I was too lazy to post anything. Most of the people who read my blog already know everything anyway. Oh well, here it goes...

So, everyone knows by now that I got a new car. In fact, Dad just sold my old one tonight. It's kind of sad, but nice at the same time. I drove that car for eight years and it was very good to me. Anyway, so my new car is a 2006 Kia Optima. I like it a lot, but I don't enjoy the car payments! :)

Halloween was pretty cool this year. I actually decided that I wanted to have a party (I'm not really into the whole Halloween business). I do not like to dress up, I don't like scary things, and I've just never gotten into it. This year I decided that I wanted a party because I haven't been able to fully enjoy the holidays in the past couple of years. This year is going to be a blast! :) Anyway, Kimby was a "regular doctor". What a cutie.Katherine was a bee. I have to say, she is tied as the cutest "B" in the world. :) Hahaha. I know that Jamie doesn't like having pictures of his kids online, so I won't post the pictures I have of J and Becky, but they were pretty darn cute themselves. Jamison was "Thomas the Train" and Becky was a fairy. Very cute.

These were mice that I created for our party. If you look closely in the middle, there is a gummy cat. A little humor for you there. :)These are "crunchy bones". They are pretzel rods with tootsie rolls on the ends, covered in white chocolate. They turned out quite nicely, if I do say so myself.

Anyway, so...that's pretty much it. I have been substitute teaching for the past couple of weeks. Sometimes it's not so bad...other times I want to hit my head against a wall. I have always been under the impression that teachers do not get paid enough. That feeling has gotten stronger over the past couple of weeks (and I KNOW that subs don't get paid enough!!).

Oh, one more thing...this whole election business. I swear to you all, if it does not end soon I will go away until it does. I will hide in my room, cut off my access to the Internet, and stare at the wall until it's over. I'm tired of the backbiting, the complaining, the "I approve this message", Republicans AND Democrats, the economy, wars...anywhere, domestic or foreign affairs (all encompassing), Taxes, Gay Marriage, Abortion, the environment, Education, Health Care...oh, the list is never ending. Please, for my sake...do not mention the election or any form of politics around me. If you care for me at all...please?!?!?!

My name is Ashley, and I approve this message.

Idiotic.

Two cuties and one last day

Kimby and Katherine are growing up so quickly. It is so fun to see them learn so much in such a short amount of time. The fact that kids learn so quickly will never cease to amaze me. It's fun to watch.

(I bought this outfit for Kimby when we went to England 2 years ago--now there's a new England fan in the mix!)
Katherine has recently discovered the "crawl to the stairs" game, where she crawls as fast as she can until someone runs after her. It's fun to watch her smile and giggle, but man is it tiring! :)

Every time I see Katherine she becomes more and more of a toddler. She likes to walk around the room (holding on, of course) and she giggles with every step she takes. What a cutie!

My last day at the mail center was last Friday. It was kind of sad to say goodbye to some of my favorite people in the world. I'm not upset though...I need to move on. I'll visit them too. It's not like I'm going anywhere. :) Here are a few pictures of my last day...

Since it was Amanda's last day as a full-time employee, we both got a cake and presents from Bob and Julie. We both got cheese (yum yum) and I got a crossword book--I've already started using it, but it's hard without Bob-o-pedia :) ) Anyway, about 5 minutes before we shut the window, I was attacked with red ink stamps. Nice. I would have been more upset (as I have in the past) if I didn't know that alcohol takes the ink off pretty easily. Luckily enough for me, we had alcohol wipes at the mail center!

The Olympics and Chesterfield

Most of you are familiar enough with me to know that I am obsessed with the Olympics-- summer, winter, it makes no difference. I think every part of it is amazing (well, except watching the marathon--yawn!!). I have been glued to the tv during the entire 8 days it has been on--cheering on Michael Phelps, Jason Lezak, Aaron Peirsol, Ryan Lochte, Dara Torres, Misty May-Treanor and Keri Walsh, "the thin beast" (Phil Dalhausser) and Todd Rogers, Raj Bhavsar, Nastia Liukin, Shawn Johnson...wow. I could go on and on. What an amazing week!! Who could forget those amazing photo-finishes-- the 100m butterfly...enough to make my heart stop (if I hadn't known already that he had won!). One of the best wins for the Americans had to have been the 4x100 free relay. That was an amazing comeback by Lezak!! (It also doesn't hurt that they beat out the trash-talking Frenchies!!) :) Anyway, I've definitely enjoyed the Olympics so far!


Today I took a break from the Olympics and went to Chesterfield with Jamie, Malorie, Jamison and Becky. We saw some old houses and other buildings restored to their original states. We walked a long way today and my feet are suffering from it! Anyway, I had fun. It's always fun to see how excited Jamie gets when he views any kind of historical artifact. He really is a history buff.

(the old church)

(as you can tell, this is the blacksmith's shop) (this is a house there--it used to belong to the bishop)

I'm sure you all know by now that Michael Phelps has done what no other Olympian has ever done--8 golds in 1 Olympic Games (total gold count- 14 golds and 2 bronzes)! He set 7 world records and won in amazingly dramatic fashion. Hats off to Michael Phelps for being the best Olympian EVER!

My "little appendage" turned one!!

It's hard for me to believe that Katherine is a year old already! We had a party for her the day before her birthday (on Thursday). She was one happy girl!

"I'm cute...and I know it!"

"Ooooh...what is this??"
"I spy Ashee!!"

She had a good time with her cake! Spencer, Spencer, Spencer...that's all I can say about Katherine's cake. Anyway, she was an adorable "birthday girl" (even though she was confused by all the attention!).

"My fingers taste really yummy!!"

Melanie, Spencer and the girls took off to Lava and Bear Lake for a few days so I haven't seen the girls since last Thursday. I'm missing them...especially Katherine's grin when she sees me and Kimby's hugs and "I love you's". They are self-esteem boosters. :) I wish everyone lived closer (Jeff and Jen, Justin and Callie), but I am grateful that we are close enough that we can see each other often.