The Happy Fourth

I've always loved The Fourth of July, mainly because of the memories I have of spending it fishing and watching fireworks with my Grandparents in Idaho.  Also I really love fireworks, there is just something magical about them that I can't get over.  

This year was perfect.  We went to a pool party at our friend Aislinn's house in Provo, had the yummiest food and swam and played.  

Aislinn spoils Ashton and I think he loves her for that.

That night we went to another BBQ and watched Fireworks at Brent and Krista's.  They have a little boy, Mack,  just one month older then Ash.   Brent and Jason were best friends growing up, so they are destined to be buddies too. 

(I just love this picture of these two best friends with their little babes.)

Yes I made everyone dress in matching clothes and pose for a picture, you can just tell how thrilled both boys were for this idea.  But, hey your first Fourth of July is a special day.

Blue Vegas

Apparently Vegas is becoming our place to vacation during the summers.  Jase and I went last year together while I was pregnant with little boy Ash.  This year we got spoiled by Blue Lemon and took our first solo vacation with out the little guy.

We went down with all of the Managers from the three different Blue Lemon locations and stayed in a huge house they rented for us.  Hung out by the pool for most of the day, hopped a party bus for a night out, fancy dinner at Sinatra, walked the strip, SLEPT STRAIGHT THROUGH THE NIGHT (I think this is what I had been looking forward to the most), more pool time, BBQ, spa day with massages and manicures, shopping, more yummy food, another amazing night sleep, morning at the pool and then we were headed home.  Quick trip, but much needed and appreciated.  BL is the best! I love working with so many fun and crazy people.  

Ashton stayed with my family and even though I felt super guilty leaving him I don't think he missed us all that much.

Family Pix

It's been a loooong while since we did family pictures.  Last family picture looked like this:

Pre-mish brothers and little Stephy, somehow Dallin looks the exact same. (Love you Dall-Guy!)

We took some pictures on Grandma Liedtkes 85th Birthday.  Love all of these people so much!

Sadly these are some of the only pictures we have taken since Ashton joined our little family that weren't on a cell phone.

50 years of LOVE

My Grandparents celebrated their 50th anniversary this June.  They are such an amazing example to me of strength, pure love, endurance, humility, kindness, patience, and happiness.  I have always had a very special place in my heart for both of my grandparents.  Being the oldest grandchild I think I got to be a little extra spoiled.  Having my Uncle only four years older than me, and my Aunt only 6, made me feel more part of the "kids" and not so much the "grandkid".  I loved visiting Grandma and Grandpa growing up.  Which we only got to do maybe twice a year since we were in Washington most of my childhood and they were in Idaho.  I remember my little brother and I use to swing on our swing set as high as we could thinking and hoping it would lift us off the ground and we could fly all the way to their house and land on the neighbors trampoline.  

My Grandpa has Alzheimers and has been dealing with it for about 3 years now.  It is progressively getting worse and worse, but for the most part he still knows we are his family, he just can't quite figure out how.  My grandma still takes care of him, the house, and all the rest of us, while faithfully serving in all of her church callings.  She truly amazes me.  We wanted to throw them a big party with all of their friends and family.  But things are a bit more tricky now with Grandpa so we opted for a more intimate party with just us close family members.  Every other year we get together for a family reunion.  This year it was at Island Park, Id.  

(just missing 3 people this year I think)

This was the first time most of the family was going to be meeting Ashton and I was so excited for him to meet his little cousins.  Especially Jase who is just a few weeks younger than him.  They will be best buds I'm sure of it!

We went for a hike to Mesa Falls, ate yummy food and spent lots of time together.  

I will admit camping with a baby is much harder than I ever imagined it would be.  I think I forgot about naps, and the fact that it is very loud with 40+ grandchildren running around all the time.  Jason was such a good sport and spent the majority of the time trying to find quite places to let Ashton rest.

On June 15th, we distracted Grandma and Grandpa and setup the "mess hall" with all the decorations I could come up with.  

I got put in charge of decorating, and I think it didn't turn out half bad for camping. 

We managed to surprise them (or at least that's what they say). We had their wedding cake recreated and displayed pictures and a slide show of them and did some gifts and of course ate cake.  

It wasn't much but, Grandma if you are reading this, I hope you know we wanted to make things so special and that we all love you and Grandpa so very much.  I am in tears just writing this with how much I care about you both.  

Congrats on 50 years.  You have set the bar so high for all of us!

(pictures like this make my heart happy)

Solids

 Our first attempt at solids (aka rice cereal) was pretty successful.

Baby was fully onboard with this idea and loved it.

Almost as much as he loved the spoon. Someone likes having control (oops wonder where that came from).

Second attempt wasn't as promising.

6 Month Stats:

Length: 28" (92nd percentile)

Weight: 19lbs 11oz. (84th percentile)

(just incase you were concerned about his small head circumference at his 4 month check up, he is now in the 31st percentile, not so so teeny anymore.  His cheeks more than make up for it.)

Mother's Day in the Desert

Yes, I spent my first Mother's Day in the desert, while on my way to "The Desert".  I'll try and make this story as short as possible, but there will be an overload of pictures (something about having a baby makes you love every picture you take).

Long story short I got asked to help drive a car from Park City to Palm Desert by the family that I use to Nanny for out their.  I jumped on the chance to take a free vacation to California and spend a few days with my not so little girls and have the family meet Ashton too.  All I had to do was drive a car out there.  Easy right?  That's what I thought too.  We had the car checked out and made sure everything was ready to go the day before.  Sunday morning bright and early Ashton and I loaded up and said goodbye to Jason (who had to stay behind because of fun fun summer school).  We made it all the way to St. George before we had to stop and get gas and get out and play for a little bit.  I've done this drive a bunch of times, so I knew my next stop would be Barstow for gas.  We were on that loooong stretch of straight highway by Death Valley when all of a sudden the car started sounding like a lawn mower and I noticed the little icon that looks like a buoy floating in water (which I later learned is called the temperature gauge) had dropped down into the blue, which in my mind I thought was better than red, right? anyways I called Jase and he said to pull over as soon as I could. Before I knew it the car was smoking.  Luckily there was an exit I was able to take, the last and only exit for miles.  As soon as I took the exit the whole car lost power, no power steering, and no brakes.  I had to drive the car into some sand and pull the e-brake to get us to stop.  Yes I was freaking out, which made Ashton freak out, yes it was 100 degrees outside, and no we were not near ANYTHING!  There was a lot of drama with in the next 5+ hours that involved us being stranded in the hot car for over an hour before we could get a tow truck, and then being stuck in Bakersville for the rest of the time at a gas station while we waited for someone to come pick us up.  Did I mention we were driving a Land Rover, ya that explains a lot huh?

If I went into all the details of all the craziness that went on while stranded this post would never end.  After the initial freaking out in the car the rest of the situation was just completely laughable.  I usually get so nervous before any kind of trip, but felt completely calm and ready for this one.  I never even dreamt anything like this would happen!  We were on schedule to arrive in Palm Desert at 3:00pm but got there at 10 instead.  However the next day was spent completely relaxing and playing in the pool.

I have been obsessed with taking Ashton swimming and was so excited for his big debut in his swimming suit.

We swam.

We napped.

We had staring contests with the dog.

And we swam some more.

 We laughed and caught up on life.

 And I remembered why I love these kids so much!  

Tuesday we took one last walk down El Paseo before heading to the airport.   

Before the whole car breaking down thing I was so nervous to fly with Ashton, but after surviving all that, I felt like I could conquer anything!  Ashton did amazing, I loved having my little man with me so much and I secretly love all the attention he gets from everyone.  Just to top of our crazy trip, he had a blow out on the plane, I was too mortified to get up and try and get to the plane bathroom, plus I hadn't brought an extra change of clothes for me so we just sat there covered in poop for about an hour.  I apologize to all the passengers next to us who had to endure that smell the whole time.  So embarrassing...

Even though my first Mother's Day wasn't spent the way I had imagined I still loved Ashton and I's little adventure.  I just love being his Mom and I am so grateful to have him in my life.  Jason, as always, was super thoughtful and got me treats for my drive, a new gym outfit, and a super awesome kite.  

How he comes up with these ideas I don't know, but I love it! We also spent the Saturday before I left in Park City shopping and going out to eat with his family.  

I sure do love my life, car disasters and all.

Easter Firsts

This kid got spoiled! Which makes me feel spoiled, funny how gifts for him feel like gifts for me too. 

We had a great Easter this year.  We teach the 12-13 year olds Sunday School class, we did an Easter egg hunt with them and some of the eggs had scriptures telling the story of the Resurrection.  I don't know that I have ever really read the different stories in Luke, Matthew, and Mark.  I loved putting this lesson together, and learning more about the Savior and his atoning sacrifice for us, I probably got more out of it than they did.  Having Ashton in my life makes me even more grateful for the Atonement and for the blessings and opportunity we have to live with God and Jesus again as an eternal family.

After church we headed to the Beckstrand's for Easter Lunch and an Easter egg hunt with all of Ash's little cousins.  

We spent the rest of the evening at the Snyder's for more yummy food and another egg hunt.  Ashton got so much candy which he has lovingly shared with us and a bunch of new clothes from Grandma Snyder  (which he desperately needed since he has grown out of almost everything) and some sweet shades and beach towel from Grandma Beckstrand.

We also got the Pass of all Passes from Seven Peaks!  I am slightly obsessed and cannot wait to take my little dude swimming!

4 month stats:

Length: 26.75"

Weight: 16 lbs. 13 oz.

We are not even on the premature baby charts anymore, he is actually in the 95th percentile for length on the normal baby charts. Tall baby! But he is only in the 12th percentile for head circumference.  Big kid, with a little head I guess.