Happy New Years

With the family getting bigger, and having different schedules, getting together for holiday's is a bit tricky. This year New Year's Eve was no different.
Paul & mom ended up being sick, Kelsie, Josh and Tyler worked, dad works early tomorrow morning, so the rest of us got together at Lindsey & Tyler's home to celebrate. We had cheese steak sandwiches, veggie and fruit trays, 7up with kool-aid ice cubes, cheeseball with crakers, chocolate cheeseball with nilla wafers, and more little snacks! Of course we had way too much food, but what's a party without food? We played games, listened to music, watched some YouTube videos that Ransom discovered, and visited. The kids were having a great time at first, and then, the night comes.
With a few more tantrums thrown, I told everyone, instead of celebrating at 9pm (as planned), we would celebrate in 5 minutes (8:30pm). Everyone agreed it was time. We counted down, gave hugs and love, cleaned up and were out of there a few minutes later. On the way home, I kept thinking how blessed I am to have the family I have. This next year is going to be a great one. I am so excited to see the changes and memories this next year will bring. Happy New Year!
-ash

 

Jack took it upon himself to be the "official" diaper changer (I didn't let him change any diapers). He would also let us know who was stinky! 

Like father, like son

Just watching the two of them together makes me so happy! Jack loves to help Paul with anything and everything. He loves to help carry with dad too. The best part is, Paul is wrapped around Jacks little finger. These two are the best little buds!

-ash

Carlos Bakery

I love the show Cake Boss with the Vilastro family. They make me laugh, and make me want to eat desserts and have some great spreads of food for the holidays. Paul and I decided that one day, we would love to go to New Jersey to their store. I have a growing list of the desserts to try. 

We came to Las Vegas for my cousin Jennifer's wedding. As we were driving down the strip, there was a sign for a Carlos Bakery in the Venetian. I looked it up, and got so excited! I called Paul and told him what we were doing later that night:)

After the wedding dinner, we walked (what seemed at first like a quick walk, but turned out to be sooooo much further, and moms poor back and legs) we made it. I had to wait in line to get in, and then I was in... Made the list of what to buy (lobster tails, crumb cake, cup cakes, cannoli's etc) I watched the package in the white boxes with red and white bakers twine. I was so excited to try them, and was not disappointed!

Family photos

This morning we had our very first family photo's taken. My good friend Ali Martin took them for us. I was so excited to get them done finally, and I know I had really high expectations. I think that was my doom actually.
We met her at 8am up in the canyon. It was early and also 42 degrees and windy. Jack was a wee bit grumpy. We went up a little trail and got positioned. As she started taking them, Jack wouldn't look at her, or exchange his grumpy face for a happy face. He wouldn't let me hold him, or near him. As some of the pictures prove, he looked unhappy, grumpy, cold and miserable. Even with the photos that Jack and Paul took together, he wouldn't look at Ali. She tried to go around to catch him by surprise, but no, he kept his face in Paul's neck. We were there for maybe 30 minutes, then I had finally had it. I called it a day and vowed to NEVER TAKE FAMILY PHOTOS AGAIN!
On the way home, Paul told me to take a deep breath, and let it be a memory. Next time would be better. I sure hope so.
-ash

"i got it mom"

jack is finding more and more, that he likes to do things all by himself. there are a few things he will let me help him with, but most things, he likes to do them alone. while we were at pebbles, he grabbed a cutie out of his "pack-pack". i asked him if he wanted me to help him, and he just responded, "i got it mom". he was so confident, and before i knew it, he had peeled it and was eating. i can't help but stare at him and wonder...when did he get so big?
other things he has to do on his own... getting out of the truck, going down stairs, cutting his food, going up the playground ladders at the park, carrying my yoga mat to put it away, pulling his pants on, opening up a movie, pruning the plants in the yard, etc...
i continue to be astonished at how big he is getting and how much he is learning, and what he is teaching me.
-ash

playdough

tonight, i had a bit of "therapy" happen. you see, i like to have things clean, in order, and as they should be. i'm learning quickly, that my way isn't the only way when jack is around! i had purchased some playdough for jack a couple weeks ago, and he loves to play with it. of course, the "anal" in me wouldn't let him play with more than one color at a time because, heaven forbid the colors get mixed together. when he is done with one color, and it is put away, he is able to choose another color (lame, i know).
well, tonight was the priesthood session for conference and we sisters got together to visit and eat. the kids saw the playdough and asked if they could play with it. of course they could. as soon as they each picked out their colors, i reminded them to not mix the colors and if they dropped any on the floor, to pick it up. i turned from them then and continued visiting. a few minutes later, i leaned over jack and asked how it was going. of course i looked down and saw that jack had taken some of conrads green playdough and mixed it with his. i will admit i was frustrated at first and tried to take the green off of the purple. jack put his hand on mine and said, "look mom, look what i did!". he was so excited and instantly my frustration left. i realized then that it was important for them to play. i kissed jacks cheek and told him how proud i was at what he created and let the kids continue to play.
by the time the cousins had their fill with the playdough, each color was mixed into one giant ball. conrad and phoebe were so proud of what they were able to accomplish, and i must admit, i am too. it felt so good to let it go, and let the kids play out of the box that i had tried to keep them in. the funny part about tonight was when i told katie what the kids had done. with widened eyes she asked me which of her kids started mixing the colors. abby mentioned that jack was the one who started and she immediately told me how she doesn't like the colors mixed either! i am glad i am not alone...
-ash

bowling

paul ended up working over the weekend, so a few of us thought it would be fun to go bowling. i was a little nervous to take jack with me, but he ended up loving it. my first couple of turns, he would let me help him push the bowling ball down to the pins, and then he wanted to do it himself. of course it took a good 5 minutes for the ball to make it down (mostly it would roll into the gutter), but he would jump up and down so excited at what he had accomplished. i think we almost got 50 points...almost. i always have so much fun hanging out with jack, and i love our little date nights.
-ash

piper:)

tayler and i were finally able to get our schedules together to have piper and jack play at the park. when i first met piper, she won me over. she has the most adorable face, beautiful curly hair, funny personality, and her name is piper (which is very fitting). i know it's a long shot, but i would love it if they got married. if i could choose, i would.
they spent the afternoon swinging (i think piper loves to swing as much as jack), ran up and down the hill, stuck sticks in the dirt, and back to the swings. it was a beautiful sunny afternoon, with two of the most adorable little ones.
-ash

a perfect morning

lindsey worked her last shift at pebbles today before the baby comes, and asked me to watch lucy. i was happy to, and knew jack would love to play with her. the moment they see each other, they scream, jump up and down, and hug. then over and over again tell me that they see each other. they can be the greatest friends, and the worst enemies. they are only 8 months apart, and i am often asked if they are twins. these two are quite a pair.
today, they wanted to have popcorn, play in the dirt, eat a quesadilla, read books, lay down on pillows and hide under the blankets, climb a tree, chase each other growling, be pulled throughout the house on a blanket (3 times is never enough!), and push each other on the swing. but, once they found the water, there wasn't anything else they would rather do. it was a great morning, and i am so thankful for cousins!
-ash

thanksgiving point

jacks very favorite place right now, is thanksgiving point with the horses. paul and i purchased a year pass up there, so now he can ride the horses all he wants. amy, ali, katie and i thought it would be fun to take the kiddos up there for a little picnic lunch and let them roam for a while. we had a great time chasing the kids, enjoying the sun, and visiting. we couldn't keep phoebe, jack and mason off the horses, but for the sake of jax's boredom, we finally got them off to go for a wagon ride and to look at the other animals. we got to the pigs as they started eating. it was really funny to watch them fight over their food, and the kids could have watched them for hours. it was a nice afternoon to get away and let the kids play. thanks for coming with us amy, mason, jax and reese, ali & winslow, katie, phoebe & morris!
-ash

phoebe's birthday

for phoebe's birthday this year, katie wanted to take those who could go up to thanksgiving point to ride the horses and see the animals. i knew jack would love, love, love to ride the horses. usually, paul or i get to be the horse that he rides. to ride an actual horse, he would love it, and i knew we couldn't miss it. we headed up with lindsey and lucy, amy, mason, jax and reese, katie, morris and phoebe. the weather was supposed to be stormy, but we would rather be there with a little rain, then in the heat and crowds (well, i would)!
as soon as we got there, the kids rushed to see the baby chicks, and the huge cow. we all smiled at each other knowing we created happiness. i purchased a couple tickets for jack to ride the horse and we headed outside. it was so fun to watch the kids chase each other, watching the animals, and excitedly mimicking animal sounds. jack loved the horse. he kept asking me to watch him and would say "mom, look at the horse". after the 2nd ride, he pet the horse and said "good horsey". my heart melted. we also took the kids on a wagon ride and jack loved the tractor. by the time we were ready to leave, the kids were wet and it was close to nap time. we had a great time!
-ash

a new back pack

jack has been asking for the past few days for his own back pack. paul took jack to the store and surprised him with a few options to choose from. he chose a small black one with a huge byu "y" on it. he fills it with his treats, books and toys, and then loves to walk around wearing it. if i put his water in it, it becomes too heavy and then he leans forward to keep from falling back. a pretty funny sight.
-ash

sleeping? i think so...

jack and lucy wanted to take a little nap (which really means no one sleeps). they have to have their blankets and pillows to do so. then the snoring starts, and then the peaking through sort-of-closed eyes and giggling. i love moments like these, and i love the fact that jack has someone to "nap" with.
-ash

the horse

anytime we are anywhere near ransom and katie's house, jack wants to take a ride on their horse. he asks me to watch him over and over. then he as he slows down, he says "easy horsey".  makes me laugh to see the joy on his little face. he is also getting better at looking at the camera and smiling. if we aren't near their house, and i can get on all fours, i get to be his horse. of all animal noises i ask him to make, the horse is by far my favorite.
-ash

naked, naked, and more naked

jack loves being outside and he loves playing in the water. why not add in naked? he loves being naked! he loves to squirt me with a water gun, and when i told him i would get him first, he ran away, then got a water gun, filled and got ready. after our little fight (me splashing while he soaked me) he got his truck and put it in the pool. it was a great day!
-ash

lettuce

jack loves lettuce! i mean it, he loves lettuce. in fact, he loves most of his veggies. abby likes to take out that thicker part of the romaine, and she gives it to him as a snack. i giggle and laugh as i watch him eat the whole thing. i am so glad he loves his greens...maybe he should pass that love of veggies onto me.
-ash

Chainsaw

There is nothing more than Jack loves, than watching Paul use his chainsaw. Earlier in the summer, Paul helped our neighbors, the Smith's, take a tree down with his chainsaw. Jack sat up on their porch with Colleen, watching Paul cut it down while eating sweedish fish. Even now, when we walk by their house, Jack points to where the tree stood, and asks if I remember "dad cutting it down", then he tells me all about it. We knew he needed one of his own. We got the chainsaw at the same time we got the mower. Jack loves to hide in the trees and cut away. Plus, he makes a great chainsaw noise.
-ash

girls & dad weekend

we all thought it was about time we should have a girls weekend. we got together and thought of all the places we could go and the things we would like to do. we settled on durango colorado. we would drive out early in the morning, and get there late afternoon. then spend a few days, and drive home on sunday afternoon.
about a month before we were to go, mom hurt her back. we all knew she wouldn't be able to ride in a car for 8 hours, even though she would tell us she was up to it. we decided to look for places about an hour away. we decided to go up to salt lake. we wouldn't do shopping, but we would hike and try to do things out of the ordinary. we put our input in of what to do, and made an itinerary. grandma betty came down to watch jack on thursday and friday while paul was at work.
the moment had arrived. we piled in the suburban, and headed up to park city first. i deemed myself "sister matriarch" of the group and we were off to a good start. we started in park city and did the alpine slide and the coaster (whose line was about 45 minutes long). mom and lindsey watched and had a snow cone (lindsey also realized that she had taken the van keys). we grabbed a bite to eat at an okay mexican restaurant and headed to the hotel in salt lake. we were all getting along and laughing. it was really nice to be with just my sisters. we got to the hotel (marriott inn and suite), unpacked, took a tour around the hotel and looked at the pool. the hotel was offering a happy hour with free food and drinks. we went down and had some wings and soda and then read by the pool. went back to the hotel room and played games late into the night. we laughed and laughed. lindsey and abby shared a bed, katie took the couch cushion and slept in a tight ball on the floor, kelsie and i shared the pull out bed and dad and mom had their own room. we fell asleep talking.
friday morning, we woke up and lindsey was feeling under the weather. we went to breakfast and brought back some toast for lindsey. she was throwing up and decided to stay back from our hike and rest up to feel better. mom found a really pretty hike up little cottonwood canyon to cecret lake. it was about a mileish to the lake. by the time we got up there, it was a little cool, but perfect. on the way up to the lake, we talked and kelsie us if there was something we could change about our bodies what would it be. i mentioned that i would like to have a longer torso, mom said she would want skinny legs. she paused and kelsie said "just your legs? wouldn't that make you out of proportion?" mom stopped walking and her mouth fell open. all of us instantly started laughing so hard.  we laughed the rest of the way up the hill. the lake was beautiful and there were so many salamanders in it. mom caught one for me to hold and it brought back so many memories from visiting grandpa and nana in california. oh i miss them. we got back to the hotel, and lindsey still was not feeling good. we called mrs. cavanaugh's chocolate factory and made an appointment to go on a tour. we left lindsey again and went on tour. after the tour we went to ruth's diner for dinner. our waitress wasn't that great and i didn't have much of an appetite. we got back to the hotel, went swimming, read by the pool and played games well into the night. abby slept with kelsie and i (kelsie in the middle) and again, we fell asleep talking.
saturday morning, lindsey woke up feeling better, but not ready to go out yet. we went to the farmer's market and we were sorely disappointed. after the farmers market, we went to orson gygi's and then up to bruges waffles and brought some back to linds. when we got to the hotel room and lindsey was getting ready! we went to the leonardo museum to see the in and out display of animals. it was fascinating and kind of nauseating at the same time. dad and mom stayed at the hotel to take a little nap so it was just us girls. we went back to the hotel to pick up dad and mom for dinner. we picked a really good authentic italian restaurant, setebello, for dinner and had some gelato to top it off. we went back to the hotel to read by the pool and then play games into the night. some of our favorite moments are playing cards at the table.
we woke up early sunday morning, ate breakfast and then went to banbury donuts so we could take some home to the guys. we went to a flea market and i found the greatest treasure. i have wanted to find an old typewriter for so long and i found one! it was only $20!!! i was thrilled. after the flea market, we went to hike donut falls. the hike was really nice, but once we got closer to the falls, some rocks had fallen and it would have been really hard for us to get to it. we settled in for lunch in the shade and talked.
on the way home, we talked of our favorite memories, and what was ahead for the rest of the summer. we also started planning for next year. it was so nice to be away with just my parents and sisters, and as always, so nice to come home.
-ash

our little mower

Jack loves to watch me mow the lawn. Sometimes, I even let him help me push it. Sure it takes twice as long, but he loves to help. Our neighbors let Jack play with their kid mower (while their grandkids were away). He loved it, and I mean loved it! Paul and I decided to look for our very own. We found a great deal on a mower on Amazon, and he can't seem to put it down. I love watching him help, and most of all want to help.
-ash

 

(Jack and the neighbors mower)

bear lake getaway

our dear friends, the robisons, called mom and asked if we would be interested in using the last few days of their timeshare. of course we said "yes!". we planned, shopped, packed and were on our way. those who were able to go... ransom, katie and the kids, josh, mom, abby, lindsey and lucy, paul, jack and me.
when we got there, we became familiar with the room, unpacked and then packed up for the beach. we played and played and played at the beach. there was a smaller sort of overflow pool (about 14" deep) from the lake that had about 15' of beach separating it from the lake. it was perfect for the kids to play in. jan told us of a beautiful hike to go on that would take us to a lake the boys could jump into from a rope swing. it was about 40 minutes away from the condo.
we ate pizza at our favorite restaurant, made sure to get raspberry shakes, chocolate covered raspberries the size of paul's thumb, burgers and more shakes. lucy ended getting up sick so she and lindsey went home early with josh and abby (who needed to get home for work). the rest of us stayed and played more on the beach. we also rented a couple wave runners and had a blast.
it was so fun to watch jack play in the water. he would drive his trucks in it, pile the sand into a pile and then stomp it flat over and over again. the instant he saw the playground with the swings, he was done with the water. all he wanted to do was swing. when he got his swing-fix in, he played and played in the water. other memories...
-paul and jack had a little sleep out in the tv room
-paul's brand new phone was stolen on our last day there, and we spent the entire afternoon trying to see if we could track it, or texting the person who stole it telling them to be honest. i'll just say that put quite a damper on the trip
-lucy threw up while we were in line to get burgers...oh the smell!
-jack giggling made me so happy
-the fact that paul was able to go on such short notice was awesome!

-ash

owlz game

last night we went to an owlz game...
it seems that each summer, we have a list of things we want to do. usually includes a couple baseball games, hikes, new places to eat etc. we do some of them, but not as much as we want. a few days ago, we looked at the owlz schedule and said "it would be fun to go sometime". all the sudden, i said "let's plan to go to one now, how about monday?". it was planned. we had a great time.
-jack loved eating popcorn, in fact, he had a hard time sharing
-the bigelow's came a little late hoping to see fireworks (this game wasn't close enough to the 4th)
-the owlz mascot, came to get a high-five from jack. jack started to raise his hand, and then he saw the hand and then underneath, there are feathers. he couldn't figure out where to high-five, so he didn't.  it was really funny
-the owlz won!
-we had a great time answering jack's questions of what was happening...of course he wanted to know "why" to everything
-i ate a hotdog...(i don't like them), but it seems fitting to have one at a baseball game.

-ash

mother of the year award!

monday of last week, jack started getting a cold with a little fever.

tuesday (our anniversary), paul came home after work with a miserable cold.

wednesday, jack still had a fever (would go down when he had his tylenol), and paul was more miserable than the day before

thursday, i was celebrating because i wasn't sick, and i was able to take care of jack and paul. both of whom were miserable with fevers and sore throats. jack was very clingy, and paul was, well, let's just say doesn't do sick well.

friday, paul was feeling a little better, but jack just wouldn't get rid of his fever. i finally took him into the doctor at 4:50pm (last available appointment). the doctor took one look in his right ear and said "well, jack has a severe ear infection in his right ear, and his left ear is almost as bad as his right. it seems that there are puss pockets going down his throat as well." he must have seen my face full of horror because he quickly added "i don't think it's strep, but we will do a test just in case. i think it is from the ear infection". a quick swab and 7 minutes later, the test for strep came back negative, and we left to get his antibiotic. (in my defense, jack hadn't even made grabs for his ears...he was just grumpy!)

friday, 7:37pm...my throat started hurting and my eyes filled with tears:(

saturday, jack was still miserable and i joined him. my fever broke early in the morning, but i had the chills and was freezing for the rest of the day

sunday, paul woke up with pink eye in both eyes (ps happy mothers day to me!) and my throat had knives running down it.

monday (yesterday), took the day off of work, started having coughing fits and jack's lungs are starting to clear out...paul's eyes are much, much better.

to say the least, i'd rather have flu than this joy...
-ash

this is all i want!

warm weather

finally warm weather! jack runs up and down the sidewalk, runs into the planters, plays with dirt, climbs on the rocks/chairs/anything, asks me what anything and everything is, we look at the sky finding the planes and helicopters and of course laugh. we have a really good time. i love being with jack, and helping him enjoy being outside. i love days like these.
-ash

"help me"

when jack wants to help us, he says "help me", which means he wants to help us. he wants to help us with anything from mowing the lawn, whipping cream, to folding laundry. sometimes those things take a lot longer, but they are well worth it. i get to watch jack learn, and have fun helping.
-ash

a road trip & pauls grandparents

paul, jack and i took a little road trip to idaho to see his grandparents. i had never met them, and paul really wanted them to meet jack and i. we left friday when paul got home from work and picked up paul's mom betty on our way (we stayed with her sister ann and her hubby wayne, and they would have a chance to visit). about 1.5 hours from their house, jack started getting really fussy. we pulled to the rest stop to change his bum and he threw up! it was disgusting. i don't do throw up at all, but somehow got through it. after that, i drove and paul sat back with him and watched a little winnie the pooh. we got to wayne and ann's about 12:30 that night and went straight to bed. the next morning, i awoke to bacon, pancakes and eggs. paul, jack and i got a few things ready for our 1.5 hour drive further north to meet his grandparents. i dropped paul off (so he could visit with them out of the cold) and i took jack to a park nearby. i realized that my phone had died, so i had to borrow a nice man's phone to call paul and tell him where we were. paul and his grandparents showed up about 20 minutes later and it was really nice to meet them, to put faces with names. we then took them to lunch at red robin, (and yes, i got a chocolate malt) and headed to the warhawk air museum so jack could get some of his wiggles out and of course to see some cool history. we had a great visit with them and then took the 1.5 hour drive back to wayne and ann's home. we had a great dinner, fruit and cookies, jack took a bath, looked at all of ann's bird photos, and talked and talked. i am grateful for family and appreciate wayne and ann's hospitality. we slept great and we ate great. they have toys there jack loved to play with, and even played with jack. jack was a champ. he did such a great job in the car. actually, i think i was a little worse than he was. it's always nice to be home:)
-ash

happy easter

i started out the morning with a 6:30am easter morningside at the church. it was a really good way to keep easter focused on jesus christ, and yet still have the fun tradition of the easter bunny. we gathered together as a ward family and read from the new testament about the resurrection of jesus christ. i have so much to be grateful for, and i love my savior. i love knowing he died on the cross for my sins, and was resurrected three days later to give me hope. we had my dad's parents over for dinner. we had, tostados (seriously). we were going to have ham and cheesy potatoes, but the bigelow family doesn't care for those, so we had tostados instead. not your traditional easter dinner right? it was nice visiting and playing with the kids, and just relaxing. from our family to yours, happy easter.
-ash

1 blanket and 2 pillows

something that jack and lucy love doing, is pulling the blanket off the couch, each grabbing a pillow, and getting into the perfect position to relax.it is sweet to watch. they move around and around and around. reminds me of little puppies trying to get comfortable. i love watching these two play. they are at each other's throats a lot, but then they can be the best little friends. while they lay down, they pull and tug at the blanket, they take turns at lifting their heads to look at each other. it really is adorable.
-ash