Was it worth it? Disneyland

My sister Sam and her family decided for their last spring break in dental school, that they would drive 18 hours to meet up with us, and my parents, and then all go to Disneyland together. I hope it was worth it for her, because we loved having their family with us and we played at our favorite place.

Some of our kids in the tub the night before we left.

Kimball and Jack waiting to ride the Matterhorn.

Tod and I deciding to take a pass on the teacups ride.

Kimball and Jack could spin all day long.

A night without kids in the park.  We actually rode on Peter Pan without the kids.  It made sense at the time.

Kimball creating her own fun in the hotel by finding the smallest place she could hide.

Reach for the sky!  Bubble guns keeping all of us entertained. Love the taste of that soap.

Help, Mater is eating Jack.  Or Jack wanted to see if Mater liked him that much.

The dad/papa corner in the shade keeping cool with a couple of the kids.

Best Papa award goes to... PAPA, for attempting to strap on my sisters little girl.

Best Nana award goes to... NANA, for taking the kids on a spinny ride.

Where to Start?

I've been procrastinating the update for a couple of reasons. First, and most expensive reason was that Kimball and Jack had too much fun with our digital camera, which is now the old digital camera because we had to get a new one. A fun, unexpected present for my birthday back in January. I had a great birthday. Jason made me his fabulous tres leches cake complete with candles and everything, which we all thoroughly enjoyed! I can't believe I'm 32. I was talking to one of the young women and it hit me, that she was half my age. Feels like I was just in young womens a couple of years ago.

Then our fabulous landlord put in a new sink for us. The old one was very shallow. And, Tod decided to test out the bath time potential in the new model. Yep, I think it'll work.


Kimball and Jack found Kimballs costume (a lobster) from her first halloween. They just managed to fit their faces in the head part and took turns running around, pretending to be lobsters.

Just call him Lobster Jack.

And Tod, continues to grow more and more each day. No childhood is complete with out naked bath pictures. Their little bums are just too cute.

One day, Jack decided to dump all of his toys into this little pop-up tunnel, and sit on top of them. Just to prove he is the ruler of his domain?

Then came Valentines Day.
This is how our table looked the night before (we like to have the kids wake up to a little surprise.)
And here are the smiles the next morning.

Tod's not quite sure what's going on, but his balloon is pretty entertaining.

Kimball loves balloons and was ready to keep Tod's for him.

And Jack was just happy because he knew he was getting some sort of treat. And, two of these balloons are still flying high at our house. I can't believe how long they last. Jacks has gone the way of the wind, he's obsessed with letting balloons go and watching them fly away.

Next, we went up to my parents house for a little road trip.
While we were up there, my sister Cally delivered her 3rd baby, but first girl, Zoey. I was glad I got to be there and see my brave sister bring this little girl into the world. She had pitocin without an epidural (I call her a masochist). Welcome to the world Zoey!!


We celebrated Tod's first birthday.
Okay, so this cake is more about the adults than Tod, but we figured he'll get to pick his own for his 2nd birthday. We all wanted to enjoy this 4 layered mint chocolatey goodness.

Apparently Tod didn't mind us picking his cake. He dove into it (headfirst) and was still ready for more after his first piece. We decided a bath was a better idea.


I can't believe how fast a year goes by. Here's a recap of his 1st year.
One day old.

1 month old.
Three months old.

8 months old.

One year old.

Here's to many more years to come little guy!

Motivation: Part 2 - Christmas and New Year

A Christmas Eve miracle! I fought every anti-social, homebody, hermit tendency I've ever had, and invited some friends and their kids over to the house for a Christmas Eve shindig. I have to give a shout-out to my husband for helping and encouraging me through my anti-socialness and doing most of the work for this party.The night started out with the kids decorating cookies and getting loaded with lots of sugar.

After, all the sugar we tried to get our kids to perform the Nativity. This is as good as it got. The angels were perfect, the younger boys weren't having anything to do with it, and Mary (Kimball), wouldn't come sit down until she had her fancy church shoes on, but the baby Jesus was very well behaved, of course.

Kimball, her shoes, and our neighbor Ammon trying to be as patient as he could as Joseph. The adults enjoyed singing some carols and hymns while the kids worked out the rest of their sugar. Thank goodness for our friends who enjoy music and can hold a note much better than myself. They really helped me get into the Christmas spirit and remember what this day is all about.

After the shindig, we put the kids in their new PJ's and got them excited about sleeping, so Jason and I and Santa (of course) could get ready for the next morning.

Here is some of the joy that was captured on Christmas morning.

After Christmas, we headed up to Midway to visit my parents and my sister and her family. To sum it up, it was COLD. The few times we ventured outside the kids were dressed like this.

Then, the only way I was getting out of the house was for a trip to the tubing hill.

Jason being the ultimate dad, and pulling his 2 kids, plus his own tube. We were very grateful this place had a tow rope to get us to the top of the hill.


Kimball - cold, but happy.

Jack - cold, and trying to decide if this is worth being happy for.

And now, this is the last thing recorded on our camera before it was destroyed by an over zealous cameraman. Kimball or Jack has officially killed our digital camera. So, I guess I'm getting a new camera for my birthday this year.

We took this video because we were trying to show how Tod has started dunking his face and blowing bubbles. He has since gotten much better at lifting his face back up to get a fresh breath of air.

And, on another note... Jason and I found out that baby #4 (due at the end of May) is a BOY! We were kind of expecting a girl and had a name all picked out. So this has thrown us for a loop, and we're having a difficult time coming up with a name. As far as having 3 boys in a row, I'm very excited and hope we can keep the testosterone to a manageable level as they grow up together.

O Motivation, where have you been hiding? Part 1

I'm finally getting motivated enough to sit down at the computer, instead of trying to get a nap, to make an attempt to catch up on our lives. Let's get started.

After Thanksgiving, we headed to Disneyland for a quick trip. Really we wanted to hang out with my brother Ben, and his family before they moved to Missouri. And very rarely do we pass up an excuse to go to Magical Kingdom.

Kate, Kimball, Anna, and Jack trying to keep themselves entertained while they were waiting for their Mickey Mouse pancakes.

I made Jason "take one for the team" and go on the teacups with Kimball and Jack. I really am getting old, because there is no way I was riding that ride without turning green. Thanks J!

The best part of this trip was that Jack and Kimball are both tall enough to ride some of the good roller coasters. We all rode on the roller coaster in Toonland.

And this is Kimball getting ready for her first time on Thunder Mountain. Yea for being 39 in. tall! Disneyland becomes a whole new world. She laughed, screamed, and giggled, and rode most of the ride with her hands up in the air. It was very fun to take her on her first real roller coaster! She can't wait to do all of the other rides.



Tod gets a video in this post, because he gave us quite the scare before Christmas. His stomach decided it was going on strike which began a week long bout of the pukes and diarrhea. After one trip to an E.R., 2 office visits to the doctor, and losing one pound, Tod and this stomach ended up being admitted to the hospital. He had to stay for 3 1/2 days, on an I.V. and being tested for all sorts of stomach viruses. His vomiting stopped, but the diarrhea still continues (yes, currently still has the "rrhea"). So, we're testing his diet to see if maybe he's intolerant to gluten and if not that, then I'll try to eliminate lactose from his regimen. Either way, he's doing a lot better, is very happy and gaining weight again.

Here he is post hospital and doing well. Practicing his "zerbert" skills on the couch.

Once we knew Tod was going to be okay, I started stressing about getting Christmas taken care of. Unfortunately, this was the year I had procrastinated much of my Christmas responsibilities, and being stuck in the hospital for a couple days sure didn't help. We didn't Christmas cards out, but here's what they would have looked like.

What happened to November?

I'm going to blame my sister Abbey for the month long break from blogging. She usually harasses me about updating my blog. But, I guess that's what happens when you get a real job. Congrats Abbey on your teaching job!

We went to the air show out at Nellis Air Force Base, but this is the only picture I took. Kimball was entertaining herself as all the planes were flying over us.

Tod has discovered that he can climb over things, and how to pull himself up to standing. He loves being mobile because he can find Kimball and Jack to play with them.

A week before Thanksgiving my parents called and said you better get up here sooner than later because of the weather, so we hopped in the car and drove up the next day, on Friday.

My parents weren't kidding. This was the day we were supposed to drive up on. Thank goodness for warm coats and a sister that will make us take a self-portrait to capture the crazy weather.

Kimball wanted her own portrait with her first snowman.

Eventually, Kimball ditched her snowman for rides on a sled being pulled by Daisy (my parents ranger). From front to back - Kimball, Ashbug, Hannah, and Jack.

And after a long day out in the snow, what better than a movie night. Nothing like your own bowl of popcorn and Toy Story 3.

How I love this man! Jason drove up with me, and then flew home for work. After being a single mother for 4 days was I ready to have him back. Not just to help me take care of the kids, but to take care of me. I try not to ever take him for granted, but living without him for a few days is a good reminder of how much I need him and that I am so lucky to have him. So, in the spirit of Thanksgiving here are a few of the things I'm thankful for this year...

I am thankful for Jason, and for the kids we have and for the new one on the way. For my parents, who are willing to clean out their garage and turn it into an indoor play area with space heaters, bikes and electric ride on cars, so that our kids (or their parents) don't get "cabin-fever." Also for the best thanksgiving dinner ever, and great conversations about everything and anything, but mostly about knowing who we are. For my dad who will be my own personal Super Nanny and teach me how to get my kids to stay in bed, inspite of me not thinking I could be strong enough to follow through with the plan. For my siblings and their kids who play with my kids. We love cousins!!! I'm greatful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and for the way it always helps me keep things in perspective. It was the perfect thanksgiving week to help me get ready for the Christmas season.

To: Ashbug Love: Kimball

Kimball didn't want Ashbug to be sad, so she made him a video message.

Halloween and Other Good Times

Here's what we've been up to lately.

Kimball is my little cheese ball and decided to bring Tod in on the action. She was asking to play with him and then she wanted to make sure I documented the good time.

I had been procrastinating the day of Jack's haircut, and this is the result. Long enough hair to make a great mohawk after his bath.



I was complaining about how much I dislike the crawling phase, and Tod must have decided to show me it's not that bad. So at 8 months, he perfected his army crawl and now cruises all over the house. Here's to an early walker (I hope).

Tod getting excited for his first Halloween.

This was at the end of our trunk or treat at church. Notice we all look a little like we're ready to be back at home. Kimball's bow turned into a rambo head band, Jack was ready to strip down, and Tod, well, he was just happy be there.

On Saturday before Halloween, we drove up to St. George to go trick or treating with some of the Ashton cousins. I need to give a shout-out to my brother who made his son the Fox News Anchor complete with TV and Antenna. Very Cool!! It was a great trip. Kimball had a great time, and really got the spirit of asking for candy. She was so disappointed when someone didn't answer the door, but then quickly moved on in search for more candy.