2012 according to Instagram

2012 couldn't have been much better.  

We saw so many changes and experienced so many firsts with our little man.  

Every day was a new adventure.  

Since this blog has turned more into a journal/scrapbook than anything else and most of my memories are on Instagram now, these are the photos that I just don't want to forget.

Like smiles.

The best baby eyes ever,

and baby toes.

We went to a few BYU games.

(9 months)

Worked on our muscles

so we could show them off at Seven Peaks.

(7 months)

Had the best cuddles. 

Helped Dad with homework projects

and helped Aislinn, Alex, Annalise, and Mom at work LOTS.

We played with puppies

(9 months)

and a few more of Ashton's favorite things.

Ashton loves snuggling all things soft but he loves driving and playing in cars even more.

Getting to eat solids was a pretty exciting thing this past year,

(7 months)

anything end everything from straight onions to spaghetti, to raspberries, to donuts, he loved it all.

We walked for a cure with CureSearch again, go team Super Skyler!

(10 months)

Got a new car seat

(7.5 months)

and learned about computers, teeth brushing, cooking, and some light reading.  

Adventured with Mom to California

(5.5 months)

and to Idaho for a family reunion.

Had an amazing Baby Blessing.

(3 Months)

The best Halloween

(11 months)

and a perfect Birthday.

Recap of 2012
Live: Alpine, Utah
Drive: BMW, and a Prius (yes we got a new car, and yes I miss the Maxima, and yes we now drive a Prius, check out our gas mileage and you won't make fun of us).
Work: Blue Lemon for Jen
School: BYU for Jase
Church Callings: 12 year old Sunday School teachers and RS Activity Committee
Travelled to: Canada for Jason, California for Ashton and Mom, Idaho a few times for all, Las Vegas for Jen and Jason, and St. George for all.
Highlights: Baby firsts, swimming, baby laughs, Band of Horses, the zoo, Real games, playing, crawling, walking, all things Ashton.
Goals for 2013: Play harder, laugh more, make it to the Temple, find time for each other even with our busy school/work schedules, try and drive the same cars all year long, take the MCAT, graduation, hug Ashton till he just can't take it anymore.

My favorite Insta pictures of 2012 that haven't made it onto other posts:

 (5 months)

 (3.5 months)

( 9.5 months)

(4 months)

(11 months)

(4.5 months)

Oh the many faces of Ashton Jay

Make-A-Wish

The Make-A-Wish foundation has always been one of my favorite charities/organizations ever since I can remember.  I've always been intrigued and amazed at all they do.  Last year Skyler got to go to the wishing room to make his wish.  It was an incredible experience, one I am so grateful I got be apart of, but at the same time, wish that it was for different reasons.

Make-A-Wish goes all out for everything.  When we went with Skyler the first time, they give everyone a "wish coin" to throw into the wishing pond out side.  Then you go inside and everyone gets to say a wish of their own.  When it was Skyler's turn he only had two wishes.  To have his own Chuck E Cheese room or to go to Chuck E Cheese.  He then got to go into the wishing room and put his wish in the wizard hat  We then went around the room and all said what our wish for Skyler would be.  This was crazy emotional for all of us.  The wishing room is beautiful and peaceful and exciting all at the same time.

When they announced to Skyler that they would be granting his wish, Chuck E Cheese and his girlfriend Helen came to his house to tell him.  A few months later they surprised Skyler with his very own Chuck E Cheese game room.  They transformed the family room in Grandma and Grandpa's basement into a full on mini Chuck E Cheese.  All sorts of games, prizes, food, pizza, everything a little kid could ever dream of!

This picture of Ty and Jason just makes me laugh.  Notice how they are both standing.  Brothers.

We recently got to go back to Make-A-Wish for Skyler's star raising party.  After wish kids wishes are granted they get to come back to Make-A-Wish and write their name on a star which is then raised up to the ceiling with all of the other special stars.  

Then they treated us to yummy cupcakes and even more presents for Skyler.  This time Ashton got to come with us (I guess he was their before too).  I know he will not remember this but I was very excited to be able to take him inside the wishing room.  We kind of had to sneak in but I really wanted to see it one more time.

I hope and pray with all my heart that Ashton will never have any reason to be a Wish Kid.  But I am so grateful for all of the kind hearted and giving people that do so much for these little kids who so desperately need and deserve a little magic in their lives.  Thank you Make-A-Wish for letting us be a part of something so special.  

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! :)

The Walk

Yesterday Jason and I were able to participate in the CureSearch Walk at Liberty Park.  It was such an amazing walk and I couldn't believe the turn out!  This was the first time that CureSearch has come to Salt Lake and so far it had the largest turn out of all the walks this year.  As a whole the walk raised over $70,000 for Childhood Cancer Research.  Team Skyler was in the top 5 for the groups who raised the most money too.  Crystal and her Mom put a lot into this event and it was incredible running into so many people we had never met all wearing Team Skyler shirts.  

There was a special feeling at the park, everyone was there for the same reason, we were all connected in someway.  Some had fought, some had lost, some are still fighting, and some where just their because they love.  It was an emotional event seeing so many Cancer Fighting Cuties running around with their little bald heads and fighting spirits.  I read a lot of Skyler's Buddies Blogs and it was like I was seeing celebrities all over the place.  I wanted to run up and hug so many of these little kids and thank them for their courage and example and tell their mothers that I pray for them and have spent many nights crying as I read about their heroic journeys.  

I was in charge of taking pictures for our team and loved every minute of the event!  I ended up running the cameras battery out there was so much going on and so many moments to capture.  To read more and see a few more pictures visit Skyler's Blog.  Can't wait for next year!

"Team Skyler

For the Fighters, Survivors, and Angels"

CureSearch

From Skyler's Blog:
"There have been too many nights when I sat holding my sons limp hand and listening to a mother down the hall sobbing at the loss of her child, or walked by parents with tears streaming down their faces.  I still cant get the images of my son laying in a hospital bed covered head to toe with tubes that were the only things keeping him alive out of my head.  Along with the pain, suffering and heartache though I have also seen miracles.  I have seen Skyler start breathing on his own when everyone thought he never would again.  I have seen him take his first drink after months of not being able to, and I have seen him take his first steps again.  I have also received many blessings. The support we have been shown has been incredibly humbling for me.  My eyes have been opened to how much good there is in this world.  There have been so many people who have picked me up when I didnt think I could go on.  Alot of those people were people I have never met before.  This last year has changed me for the better and I want to give back.  I want to help raise money for a cure.  I am proud to be able to take part in this CureSearch walk and am so happy that they have come to Utah for the first time this year."

All of the kids in the video are from Utah, some are survivors, others are still battling, and others are angels helping fight from behind the scenes.

July 9th, come walk with us!

Join Skyler's Team. Or any team for that matter.  They deserve a cure.

http://www.curesearchwalk.org/saltlakecity/teamskyler

Blessings and Love

Tonight Jason and I were able to go up to Bountiful to give Skyler and his mom a blessing.  Skyler is going in for surgery tomorrow to do a biopsy on his lungs.  He has been having bad fevers lately and the tests are showing that he may have a fungal infection in his lungs.  We are praying hard that this is not a new form of fungus.  Not the fungus that almost shut all of his organs down just months ago.  We can't bare the thought of seeing him go down that road again.  

He is one tough little dude.  

You wouldn't have known he was sick seeing him tonight, he was so happy and "normal".  As normal as a cancer kid can be, the lump under his shirt where his central line is, his fuzzy head now that his hair is growing back, the slowly healing scars from the many different tubes and surgeries he has already undergone.  He looked so big sitting in that chair tonight, with his arms folded, a wii remote in one hand and carmel popcorn in the other, he reverently closed his eyes while Grandpa and Jason gave him a blessing.  

A blessing of love and strength.  

It brought tears to my eyes.  I love that Jason is always prepared and willing to give blessings.  I love that he is worthy of the power that he holds to do so.  I love that my father raised me in such a way where I'm not afraid, or too proud, to ask for a blessing when needed.  I love that I have a testimony of the power, love, strength, and healing that can come from these blessings.  What an amazing thing, a direct line from our Heavenly Father, our own special love letter from him.  That he loves us, cares for us, wants us to be happy, and even though his answers may not always be our own, they are always for a reason.  He does not give us anything that we can't endure, and for that I am grateful.  

You are in our prayers Skyler, we ALL love you.

http://crystalandskyler.blogspot.com/