Birthday Trip For Me

My Dad had a business trip planned for Texas before we even moved down here.  So I had been looking forward to figuring out a way to see him while he was in the same state as me.  Then for my birthday my Dad flew my Mom out so she could drive with me and we could all spend a few days together.  I had been looking forward to this trip, and was so excited for my boys to get to see their grandparents again.  Ashton was off the wall excited. 

I picked my mom up late Saturday night.  Sunday morning we had peach cobbler and blew out candles to celebrate both my moms birthday and mine.  Ash made Grandma play cars all morning with him.  After sacrament meeting we said goodbye to Jason and took off on our adventure. 

We met up with my Dad by Austin at his cousins house.  We took Ashton to the park so he could get some energy out and then had dinner at The Cotton Patch.  We got to the hotel in San Antonio late that night.  This was Ashtons second time at a hotel but he was so excited and thought it was awesome having a sleepover with Grandma and Grandpa. 

Monday we checked out downtown San Antonio and took the boys to the childrens museum.  Even I was super entertained there.  Ash has grown up so much in the way he plays and interacts with things.  I love watching his mind figure things out and discover new things. 

After Grandpa got done working we went swimming at the hotel.  The pool was freezing, but Ashton never wanted to get out.  He loved playing with Grandpa. That night we went and walked around the Alamo and the River Walk.

The next day we took Ashton on a miniature train ride, that had a tunnel and everything, then we drove to Austin which was where my dad was working that day.  We went to an outdoor mall for some window shopping and lunch and then played in the outdoor fountains.  We had to stop in Barnes and Noble so Ashton could play with more trains too (the boy really likes trains).  That night we went downtown to the Congress Avenue Bridge.  Underneath the bridge live over a million bats and at dusk they all fly out to go eat.  Its the thing to do in Austin apparently, there were tons of people everywhere all waiting for the bats to come out.  It was pretty crazy watching all of the bats flying all over the place.  We watched for about a half hour before packing up and they were still coming out when we left.  I will say though, there are hardly any bugs in Austin.

We drove back home Tuesday night, the trip went by far too quickly.  We had to take my mom back to the airport Wednesday morning.  We were all sad.  Julian and Ashton both loved all the time and attention they got from Grandma and Grandpa.  I love watching them love my boys.  While we were away I kept forgetting that I didn't still live in Utah, and that I wasn't just on a vacation with my parents.  It was so sad to remember that all this having fun and happiness with them wasn't going to last past a few days.  It's hard to explain, but it just felt good to have them around again.  Getting a nap and being able to sleep in while my mom had the boys sure helped with those good feelings too!

The Big TWO

Birthday time again.  I can't believe another year has flown by.  I'm so proud of all of your achievements this past year buddy! From walking, to jumping on the trampoline, to flying down the street on your bike.  You've got an amazingly good arm and love anything to do with balls, cars, trains, airplanes, trucks, helicopters, motorcycles, firetrucks, and you are an avid stuffed animal lover.  You take such great care of all of your stuffed animals and love every single one of them and like to make sure that we love them all too.  You are getting more and more words by the day and I know you are working hard on this whole talking thing.  You are so much fun to be around and I feel so blessed and lucky to be your Mom.

This is right after your two year check up, buying some party supplies.  Sucker in one hand and a cookie in the other

I didn't have the ambition/energy to do a real party for you this year (sorry dude, but lets be honest you won't remember it anyways).  You still had quite the good birthday though I think.  

The day before your birthday your Grandma and Grandpa Snyder drove up and brought you a new big boy bed! Twin size!  Grandma took you to the store and let you pick out any toy you wanted, you found an awesome motorcycle that you love. We also celebrated with Panda Express and Root Beer Floats at our house. 

On the 27th Dad had to work so it was just the two of us.  We met up with your buddies Kayson and Landon Reynolds and had lunch at McDonalds and played at the play place.  Then we went home and watched Planes together like three times.  

The next day, Thanksgiving, was your day! We took down your crib, said goodbye to your binky and got your new room all set up! Grandma Beckstrand wanted to do a little birthday for you while we were there for Thanksgiving Dinner.  I should have known a "little birthday" = a BIG Ashton celebration when it comes to Beckstrand parties.  There were balloons and decorations and tractors and special Ashton things everywhere!  You got spoiled with so many presents and there was even a pinata in the shape of a space shuttle, which you thought was absolutely awesome until everyone started hitting it.  You took a few good swings at it but got pretty emotional when the bigger kids started breaking it.  Sorry bud, you will soon learn that pinata's are awesome and they are even more awesome when they get broken!

I made pumpkin dessert for your birthday cake (it was Thanksgiving after all) and you did a stellar job at blowing out the candles.  

We practiced a lot.  I'm not sure you fully understood what all this meant but you knew you would be 2 once you blew those candles out.  I was very proud of you for being so brave and doing it all by your self.

Mom and Dad love you so much Ashton.  Two years has gone by so quickly.  Wish I could slow it down while you still love to snuggle with me and need me to kiss any owie you might receive and hold your ears when things are to loud and you're scared.  Everything about you is everything I've ever wanted.

Park City take 2

I had so much fun in Park City earlier this summer that all I wanted for my birthday was to go back.  It wasn't quite the same relaxing trip, but it was an adventure for sure.  Stephanie and Dallin came up on my b-day to watch Ashton and Jason and I headed to PC.  Since my birthday was on a Sunday things were pretty quite.  Jase got us a ton of snacks and treats and we spent the evening being lazy and relaxing at the hotel. 

This picture about sums up the rest of the trip.  

We woke up the next morning and headed for Park City Mountain Resort where we rode our bikes up (no lifts for us) before heading down, which is always the best part.  I about died, as usual.  But loved the scenery and the ride back down (as usual).  Next we headed for Jordanelle where we picked up some paddle boards and spent a few hours out on the lake.  My parents had gotten Jason and I gift certificates for our birthdays and we were excited to try our hand at it.

Looking back we should have done it opposite, adventure day then relaxing night... Rookie mistake. 

June 19th

I had a special surprise party planned for Jason's birthday this year.  However, with some medical stuff going on with his parents I decided to cancel it and go to Plan B... Family Pictures.  Jason's favorite thing in the world!

 Actually Kayli was coming into town from nannying in Luxembourg and it would be the last time we were all together before Stephanie left on her mission.  We went for the quick and cheap Target option. That way if they didn't turn out, no worries.  The day before family pictures Ashton was running out side and fell. hard.  His poor nose.  I couldn't believe the timing of it.  Again, grateful it was just Target.  

We worked really hard on practicing saying "cheese" and smiling for weeks.  He still refuses though.

After pictures I had my Dad suggest that we go to Dairy Queen for ice cream.  When we got there all of Jason's family was there as well and I had arranged for Jason's favorite DQ ice cream cake to be ready for us. 

 It was a small surprise, but still a surprise non the less (something I can't pull off well with Jason).  Love you Jase!  Happy Birthday and thanks for being such a good sport!  

Birthday Baby Boy

Ashton's Birthday, where do I even start.  I swore I wasn't going to go all out for a birthday that he wasn't even going to remember.  I stressed and stressed over what to do for him.  Jason would say I went overboard, but I think it was perfect!  I restrained myself from inviting all of Ashton's buddies (aka my friends) and we kept it simple with just our families.

I took work off and Jason didn't have school that day so we started the day off by heading to Wal Mart to buy cupcake making goodies.  Ashton is obsessed with balloons so we let him pick out his very own Birthday Balloon.

When we got home there was a package waiting for him from Great Grandma Morehead.  This was his first present he got to open and was so excited for his new puppy dog.

Making cupcakes for his party was a huge "Mommy moment" for me.  I don't know what it was about making and decorating 40 something cupcakes that made me feel like a real mom but it sure did the trick.

For Ashton's party we went to Jungle Jim's Playland.  

I really loved how his party table turned out.  It was probably a little much for a place like Jungle Jim's but this was me restraining myself. 

We didn't want anyone to bring presents so we asked everyone just to bring a balloon, since those are his favorite anyways.  No one listened though and he got spoiled (Thanks everyone!). 

We had pizza and treats and played in the arcade and rode all the rides we could.

I know Ashton did not really understand all that was going on and that everyone was there for him, but I know he sure had a great time.  I'm so grateful for everyone for coming and spending the evening with us. 

The kid was completely exhausted by the time we got home.

Can't even begin to tell you how much we love you little man. 

 Feel free to slow down anytime now. 

Birthday Love

I love having our Bdays in the summer. I don't love that mine is after Jason's so that no matter what I do for him he can always top it.  Well, actually I do love how he always tops it, every year, is the best.

I had to work one of my longest days of my Blue Lemon career on my bday, over 16 hours and 4 events.  However I sure felt loved.  All my girls surprised me with treats and cards in the middle of work, Aislinn brought me lunch, Jason brought Ashton in to visit me with a rose, friends sent cupcakes, and when I got home Alex and Annalise had decorated the house and left more candy than I even knew what to do with.  Jason had huge presents wrapped that said I couldn't open until August 10th (this drove me crazy having them just SIT there for so long)

Well August 10th finally came and amongst some great "little" presents there was some awesome "big" presents.  Namely a boat and wave runners.  Jase set up a day on the lake, my Dad rented a boat and Jason got two wave runners.  

We headed out to Utah Lake at like 8:00 in the morning and stayed out till almost 8 that night.  It was a blast.  Jason's brother Ty came, and everyone in my family, except Eric who was off exploring Peru at the time, was able to come.  

Jason even let me invite Aislinn, Alex, and Annalise, we kind of took over the wave runners for a bit, I think we are all obsessed with them now.  We did some tubing, and I even got up on the wakeboard, twice, mainly to impress Jason.

I'm wishing I had more pictures now, but unless Ashton's in it, theres a good chance there is no photo evidence of anything else going on. 

Summer???

Not quite sure where Summer went this year...  I don't feel like we got to enjoy it like we wanted to and I'm sad to say that our Bikes didn't even make it out once all season.  We will blame this on the crazy amount of Credits Jason took this summer and on the 40+ Weddings/Dinners/Luncheon I put together.  Not to mention, I was feeling quite "under the weather" up until the end of July.  So what did we do besides work and school?

Tin foil dinners in the mountains with friends. A little bit of St. George. Celebrated Jason's Birthday.

Miniature Golf with the Fam.  

Go Karts. Lots of Ice Cream this summer. Played like little kids in the arcade.  

We did make it to the pool once or twice.  4 Wheeling for the 4th.  Fireworks, Fireworks, and more Fireworks.  

Massive bon fires (thanks Dad).  Some kayaking and cliff jumping at Causey.  Hiking at Sundance.

 Jason spoiled me, as usual, for my birthday, which led to a quick trip to Vegas. 

Where we explored every free form of entertainment possible, walked the strip till I couldn't walk anymore and lounged at the pool as much as Jason would let me.  (This has definitely been my whitest summer yet!) 

 Bowling, movies, BBQs, cabin trips with friends.  We got to walk for a cure and visit the amazing Make A Wish. 

Oh and did I mention I gained 9 pounds this summer? 

Ya, seriously.

So I guess we weren't exactly bored this summer.  But heres to a hopeful boating trip next year! :)

Dad,

I think you are one of the few that actually check up on this blog so I just wanted to give you your own personal shout out!

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

You are an amazing man, father, husband, worker, church member, and an all around great example to all of us! You emanate selflessness. Even on your birthday you are off all day working to provide for your family and gone all night serving others, fulfilling your church callings, and supporting your children.  

I am so grateful for you and all you have done for me! From raising me to love baseball, and always taking me with you to the different ball games, no matter where we are visiting.  To always showing interest in the things we enjoy, taking us to plays, sporting events, movies, shopping, etc.  For always honoring your Priesthood and being available to help us whenever needed.  

Remember when I was looking to purchase my very first car? You would spend your entire weekend with me looking at different cars, making sure I got the best deal and a good vehicle.  Those moments test driving $1,500 cars will always be a great memory for me.  Thank you for taking the time out of your already bust weekends to just BE with me.  

I love you Dad and I hope you had a great day!  Thank you for letting us spend a small part of it with you! 

Dog Lake, Attempt 2

Dog Lake, via Big Cottonwood Canyon

I can do it this time.

Maybe

Yes!!!!!!!

Oh and did I mention it was Jason's Birthday? How else could he ever get me to attempt this again?

Topped it off with Pizza Hut and Blue Lemon Carrot Cake (soooo good!!!)

Diamond Rio.

Oh and Fireworks. Yeah, I know how to throw a good Birthday.

Birthday Bikes

Happy early Birthday to us!

We've been wanting bikes for a long time now (especially Jason) and after much deliberation and shopping we finally found our perfect fit. 29ers. The have bigger tires then the regular 26" bikes so it is suppose to make them absorb things better? Or something about making boulders feel like pebbles? I dunno. I just liked the color.

We took them out last Saturday for our first Mountain Bike Date. Keep in mind this was the first time I had ever even tried Mountain Biking. We went on the Ghost Falls trail up above the Draper Temple. It was only about 4 miles round trip. It had some awesome views and some really steep cliffs. I have a huge fear of cliffs, and I may or may not have gotten off and walked my bike a few times. It was suppose to be an "easy" trail but even Jase said it was pretty tough. I was dying. But I felt pretty hard core, since I was the only girl we saw on the entire trail. Impressive right??

Holland

Well Jason did it again... He some how found a way to top my last birthday.  Last year he surprised me by picking my up in a limo and taking me up the canyon to Log Haven for dinner (among other gifts).  I told him last year that he had outdone himself and would never be able to top it.  But as always he was very tricky and sneaky and managed to make this years birthday even better,  by surprising me with a trip to Holland! 

Holland, Michigan that is.  It is a small Dutch town on Lake Michigan.  I'd been telling him I wanted to go check it out for quite some time now, and all the while he had already booked the reservations and planned it all out.  We left early Saturday morning and drove the two and a half hours west.  Jason spoiled me all weekend by doing all the things I love doing!  We spent the morning walking around a large art fair and going to see the last authentic dutch windmill left in the U.S.  and of course the beach.  I couldn't believe how beautiful the beach was.  You would have thought you were in California.  Waves and everything.  It threw me off every time I got knocked over by a wave and didn't come up spitting salt water out of my mouth.   It was so nice to relax on the beach together and watch the ocean, I mean lake waves, and the surfers and crazy boaters.  It was a pretty cloudy day and eventually started raining on us, so after the beach we went and checked into our hotel.  We stayed at The CityFlats Hotel right in town.  It was the coolest place I have ever stayed!    The whole hotel is very "green" and eco friendly.  From the soaps to the carpet to toilets.  Not that Jason and I are big greenies or anything but it was super cool and had a very fun and modern feel to it.  We had a suite that was bigger than our apartment with a huge bathroom, living room, and kitchen.  Not to mention Jasons favorite part, the two large flat screen TV's with surround sound through out the entire suite.  In an effort to save money Jason and I decided to do away with paying for cable so we have been with out TV for quite a while now.  It was the first thing he turned on when we walked in and we spent the afternoon watching the X games and waiting for the rain to stop.  Later that night we walked around downtown, had dinner at the New Holland Brewery Co. (we only drank the water I promise!) , and got ice cream at a little fudge shop.  The next day the weather was perfect!  After checking out of our hotel we went to a little dutch shop where they make and sell all sorts of dutch things, including wooden shoes.  Than it was back to the beach! It was such a perfect day and we spent hours laying on the beach and playing in

the water.  The drive home seemed to last forever, I in no way wanted to go back and start another week in the real world.  I love being able to spend so much time with Jason and I always have so much fun with him no matter what we are doing.  He is so great to me and I truly appreciate all that he does for me.   He also got me a gym pass to the gym he works out at and new gym clothes, among other things.  Spoiled, I know...  

For my actual birthday (two days later) we went out to dinner at a restaurant, I had been wanting to try, called Bahama Breeze.  When we got there I was surprised to find out that the family I nanny for had come back early from their trip in order to surprise me and join us for my birthday.  It was such a fun night spent with my wonderful husband and "Michigan Family",  they even got me a yummy TCBY cake with my name on it and everything.  Even though I miss my friends and family back home very much I feel so blessed to be able to share this adventure here in Michigan with Jason and to have met such a wonderful family who has done so much for both myself and Jason.