Summer Updates

My desktop computer (where I keep all the pictures) is running so slow, that I can't blog on it... it takes 10 mins to open blogger and upload 1 pic. So, this is my attempt to be patient and give some updates for the last month using the laptop.

I can't believe how fast this summer is flying by. Here's a picture log of what we've been up to.

We've been going to the swimming as often as possible, but with 3 kids it's getting too difficult to get action shots of them in the pool. So break time is the best time for pictures at the pool.

Tod loves the pool as much as his big brother and sister and loves to show off his pastey-chunky thighs.

Kimball and Jack enjoying a break with juice and snacks.

It was also Kimballs birthday at the end of July. We celebrated at family dinner with Kimball's cousin Lilly. My sister-in-law Katrina and I tag teamed an attempt at a fondant cake. It didn't turn out too bad, and now I'm not as intimidated by fondant. It was pretty fun to work with.I can't believe how fast she's growing. And able to blow out 3 candles.

Kimball showing the cake looks just as appetizing after it's been chewed.

She's also old enough to grow a fabulous moustache like her grandpa.

On her actual birthday morning, we had a couple of presents and balloons ready for her when she woke up. She was barely awake, but managed to climb up on the table with her eyes half way open to check out her presents.

Jack managed to get in on the brithday action too. Kimball learned the hard way that balloons don't come back after you let go of them outside. So we made a trip to the party store to get another balloon (hey, it was her birthday) and Jack got one too. On the way home, we checked the mail, and there was a birthday package for Kimball from Nana. And being the wise nana that she is, she included a treat for Jack too. So, overall a good day for all the kids.

I'll update more about the Hafen Retreat at the Ranch when I bribe (favorite cookies or something?) a certain brother-in-law to help us speed up the desktop. (Hint - that means you Chris).

TIMBERRRR!!!....Rub-a -dub-dub

Have you ever seen a big tree fall to the ground? Well, the Ashton family managed to make the 4th of July a little more memorable at my parents house. There was a tree in there back yard that was starting to lean in the wind a little too much. You could say it was "leaning." Anyways, the grass around the tree started to move up and down as the tree blew back and forth in the wind. It looked like it was gonna tumble, so we (by we, I mean my brothers) decided to help it a bit. It started with a pocket knife cutting the sod, and ended with a chain saw cutting some roots. And with one more big gust of wind down it came.

Kimball and some of her cousins playing on the tree post tipping over.



As a mom, I can't help but taking pictures of my little ones in the tub together. Maybe because I know there are pictures like this of me floating around.

And this is my latest achievement (every little thing counts as a win in my world)... I managed to french braid Kimball's hair. With an episode of Diego or Dora, I can get her to hold still just long enough. Once it's done, it's a whole other story trying to get her to keep it in.

And one last little video to show Tod and his occasional smile and giggle. He's getting so big so fast, and is the most mellow baby I've ever met.

The Ever Expanding Ashton Family

I'm not quite sure how my mom manages to do this every 4th of July. She gets all of us in one place at the same time, and even orders t-shirts for us all, and almost all of us are smiling.

I call this the "real" picture.

But this is the REAL picture.

And here are all the grandkids (minus 2 on the way). It's too bad there isn't a picture of all of the parents yelling behind the camera trying to get the kids to smile. That was a classic picture.

Thanks Mom for making us do this! The pictures are great.

Thanks Abe and Kim for actually taking the pictures!

Loving Every Minute of It

Here's a little update of the mellow couple of weeks we've had.

Jason enjoys his time at home, especially when he can get one of the kids to take a Sunday afternoon nap with him. There is really nothing cuter in this world than this.






Kimball continues to entertain us with random facial expressions, and when she gets bored with her own face, she decides to spruce it up a little with some marshmallows from the cereal box.



We decided to give Jack his summer "hair-cut". The poor kids hair would be drenched within 2 minutes playing outside. And that's in the morning when it's only 90 degrees. So, we buzzed him. I'm always a little sad to cut his hair because it's so soft, but as my brothers used to say... "there comes a time in every mans life when he's fuzzy." Or something like that.


Tod continues to grow so fast. He loves to gurgle and chat, and is starting to really figure out his hands and will grab at all sorts of stuff like toys, his plug, my nose and Kimball's hair. He's now 4 1/2 months old. Time flies! He's getting in some good tummy time, along with some great facial expressions. He and Kimball will get a long great (we hope).

While Jason and I were at the pool last weekend, a random stranger, said to me "You didn't have your kids close together, did you?" Normally I appreciate a good sarcastic comment, but coming from this skinny lady in a bikini tanning herself I was a little taken back. She asked how many I had and their ages. I just told her I have 3 under 3 years old, and she asked if I was still sane. I replied that I still had my hair so yes, and that my mom and mom-in-law both kept their insanity through this same experience and so I could do it too (though maybe not as well.)

When I told my mom about this exchange, she gave me some great advice. She said that whenever people would question her and my dad about their large family, they would give details about how many and when they saw those looks of disbelief and horror they would add "And we love every minute of it." And, that's the truth, I'm sure my parents will admit to hard moments but us kids always knew that they not only loved us, but they enjoyed being our parents.

I truly do love every minute of it! I'm going to steal something my sister wrote on her blog a couple of weeks ago to sum up how I feel. She explained it perfectly, and I agree with her 100%.

"I remember when it used to be acceptable to respond with "a mom" when asked what you wanted to be when you grow up. Is it just me or are those days long gone? Work, education and worldly statuses have overshadowed women's true role to be a mother. I'm not ashamed to say that this, what I'm doing right now, is what I've always wanted. I've never worried for a second that I would regret having kids so quickly or so close together. I'm not anxiously awaiting the day they leave the house so I can go back to work. I don't feel that I am at all supressed by staying at home with my kids every day. It is the most fufilling, rewarding thing I've ever done. So in answer to "What do you want to do/be when you grow up?" I answer proudly - I am doing it. I am a MOM and that is enough. That is everything." ~ Sammy Jacobson

I am a blessed woman to have these kids, and to get to share raising them with Jason. Thanks Mom, for showing me that I need to explain that even if I look insane - I'm loving every minute of it.

To Nana and Papa's house we go...

Here's what we did while we escaped home for a while.

Kimball entertaining herself during the ride.
(The nursery song leader should be so proud.)

We went swimming 3 different times at this fabulous indoor pool in
about 20 mins away from Nana and Papa's. I love small town pools they aren't quite as strict as the pools I used to work at. Which means Kimball and Jack got to ride down the big water slide with Jason and I. And, I could catch Kimball as she jumped to me from the diving board. Just sad I didn't get a picture of it.

Tod loved the pool, he just floated around checking out everything, and didn't even sputter when Jason and I passed him under water a few times.

We fed some ducks and geese at a pond that I used to go to as a kid (yes, very nostaglic)

The kids had a great time. We loved watching the kids chase the geese, until they wanted to follow them into the pond. Thank goodness for long-armed parents and sturdy t-shirts that didn't rip under the weight of the kids.

Aside from all the activities, we really just loved hanging out with Nana and Papa, and with Sammy and David's kids Ashbug and Hannah.
Three little monkeys swingin' in a tree.

Kimball and Ashbug trying to dance together.

Papa and Ashbug getting a portrait done by Kimball
(she's getting pretty good with the camera)


And, last but not least, we took a trip to Hogle Zoo in SLC. We had a great time. I have one of Kimball's favorite TV shows "Go Diego Go" to thank for her yelling "three-toed sloth" when I pointed one out to her. The adults also had a good time watching some giraffes, but I won't go into detail, let's just say it was a National Geographic moment.

Jack was thoroughly enjoying his time walking around with Papa.



He thought the animals were great and all, but most the carousel was his favorite.


Abbey enjoyed her time being pulled around like one of the kids.

And I had to get a picture of Kimball at this drinking fountain because I have a picture of me drinking out of that same one when I has her age.

We had such a great time - THANKS Mom and Dad - and now that we're home, we're trying to get back to real life. And, Kimball and Jack are catching up on some missed nap times. Even to the point of falling asleep in the same bed.

Simple Pleasures - a photo journal of a week at home

The simple pleasures (as captured on camera) include...

Catching some Z's on the kitchen floor while
Snow White aka Kimball watches
(consequences of being able to climb out of the crib, but not back in)

Sharing a delicious homemade strawberry shake with Dad

Learning how to cross your eyes
(with Mom hoping that you're just as good at un-crossing them)


Being able to reach into Mom's make-up drawer and getting mascara confused with the eyebrow pencil

And, enjoying a ride on your favorite dump truck in the backyard before it got too hot.

Out of Desperation

My little sister Sammy, is always trying to convince me to start crafty projects. We talk about all the cool things we see and how we could make more a lot of it. Well, she finally convinced me of a project worth while - a quiet book. Making it through a whole sacrament meeting is quite a challenge for our little family so "out of desperation" to do so, I started this project. We've spent many hours on the phone discussing different pages, what works, our sewing machines, and all sorts of other issues. I can even say that I've lost sleep over this silly little book, as I lay in bed thinking of other pages I could do, and how to do them. Sammy explained on her blog that it was a good thing she wasn't a perfectionist, or else this project would never be completed. I second that. So here Sam, this is my final result (even though I'll be adding more pages later).The front cover

Shoe-lace page

Counting beads and apple (snap) tree - Kimball's favorite

Road Pages (the red thing is a pocket/garage for the hotwheel car)


Button flowers and Barn w/ finger puppets.

Mailbox and Notepad/pen

Velcro gumball page

So, miracle of miracles, I finished a sewing project. The good thing about this little book is that I can keep adding to it. I just consider it finished because the covers are finished, so it's functional. But as my sister and I have become quite obsessed, we keep finding ideas of other pages from other peoples blogs. Thus, more pages will be added in the future. Oh, Sam, I would recommend that you sew all the way around the gumballs on the velcro page, they take quite a beating being pulled on and off. The felt is already separating from the pellon.