too long!

it has been too long! last year, paul i didn't do go cross country skiing once...shame. this year we weren't able to go in december, let's face it, we don't take the time like our dear friends do (boy do we need too!). we woke up to snow and said "what are we waiting for?" got the gear, and left for a quick run around a local park so we could be back in time for family plans. it is so worth it being outside doing anything.
paul is hilarious. he doesn't like to race because he gets way too excited and falls on his little bum, bends or breaks a pole. yes, every time. when i mentioned to race to the courts, he looked at me with a "are you kidding, i just got new poles" look. so i was off giggling, because i knew he would follow and i would be right. he didn't fall this time, but he sure made patterns in the snow i haven't seen in a long time, followed with words. it was funny.
what would make skiing better? i need to wax my skis bad. snow stuck= frustration and no smooth motions.
-ash

harmons

for our date, paul and i went to the draper temple. beautiful. it also gave us (really me) an excuse to go to the harmons on bangerter, which i hear nothing but raves about. holy cow...words can't describe. there are so many things i am passionately in love with (paul being #1) and this is on the list. not only do they have a gigantic cheese bar, but they have a gelato bar, a pizza bar, a place upstairs with a fireplace to sit and eat at, a big kitchen for cooking classes, it is clean, and the energy...i fell in love. i had a hard time leaving. i wanted to stay...
on the way home, we stopped off at the harmon's by our home and even though i love that store, i felt a little sad. i wanted more icecream and they didn't have it.
-ash

valentines day

at our house we keep holidays really simple. especially valentines day. we don't like all the "stuff" that is expected on just that one day. instead, we do things for each other all year long. but it is a holiday that is growing on me, and i can't wait to have a fun dinner with my kids the way my parents used to (plus great candy). we usually come home from work, order something to go, enjoy a movie and icecream, exchange handmade cards and make goals for the next year of what we want to be better at for each other. i always get paul a cabela's gift card (from his lips..."ash, don't spend time making me something and stressing over what to get me...i just want a cabela's gift card."), i get the candy (he eats most of it) and a movie. to me it is perfect.
this year, dad thought it would be fun to all go out and eat. we were missing tyler and linds, ransom and katie. we went to outback (they have the best tangy tomato salad dressing), went back to dad & mom's had dessert and watched a movie. when i got home, i had this waiting for me...he sure can surprise me...boy i love that man!
-ash

my 28ish old sister

today really was the perfect day. clear blue skies and warmer temps. lindsey wanted to play outside for her birthday. i was so excited to go sledding because i hadn't been able to earlier and plus our snowfall in the valley has not been ideal for sledding in the streets. the drive up the canyon was beautiful. i had never been up to mutual dell before. we are now wanted to get our family reunion up there. so pretty. we got our snow gear on and off we went. memories of the day...
-abby's higher than high pitch scream
-lindsey's loud boisterous laugh
-me realizing i am a ninny but wanting to much to be brave with jumping in the air onto my sled onto the snow (sadly tried it once before)
-tyler's no fear of anything (unless you count the steep hill with the jump going off the fence)
-paul protecting his head even though he was no where near anything to hurt it. then he went limp and his body just went...funny)
-dad knowing his boundaries (smart)
-frigid water bottle
-mom of course taking pictures and laughing which i love to see
-trying so darn hard to blaze our own trail...exhausting.
i can't believe linds is 28ish. where did the time go? i really miss the days of barbies, making the coolest roads in our planters for our matchbox cars, filling the sandbox with water with our dinosaurs, playing store and restaurant, and just plain being goofy (which i think we still are). happy birthday linds...i love you!
-ash

victory!

the ward and birrell home's are at peace...
-ash

this made my day

this is my cousin cameron and his companion. he is serving his mission right now and i can't believe he has been out almost a year. i couldn't be prouder of him and the way he is serving.
-ash

what a group of youth can do...

this brought tears to my eyes, and such a feeling joy and pride for the tender thoughts shared by the youth in my neighborhood. they are capable of such wonderful things, and they truly shine and are great examples of Jesus Christ. i am privileged to know them, and to follow their example. thank you...
-ash