Gymnastics- Rec. Leauge

This year they started a rec. leauge for the 4 year olds at gymnastics. Ashlee loves it. They get to go into the big gym, as she calls it. They just had their Reindeer Games last week. They performed on the bars, vault, balance beam and floor routine with the help of Big Ashlee, their teacher. It was a mock competition for them. They were judged and then awarded ribbons for each event. After it was over Santa gave them a medal, their ribbons, and a present. Below Ashlee is doing a bridge. Ashlee with her medal and ribbons after the Reindeer Games. Ashlee's Rec. Leauge team photo (she's back row in the middle) and her individual photo.

Lights in South Hills

We decided to go see the Lights in the South Hills. The girls loved it. Peyton was overwhelmed by all the lights. The neighbors down the street had Halloween lights up at Halloween, so she calls the Christmas lights
"Halloween lights." She keep saying look at the Halloween lights. She could of stayed there for hours. This year they had a bunch of new lights and more lights then in the past.
Ashlee couldn't wait to see the camel.Peyton even let him eat out of her hand.


After we feed the camel carrotts he just stared at us. Later someone told us he eats 40 lbs of carrotts while he's there. I guess he wanted more.

Peyton's Birthday and Halloween

Hard to believe she is 2 already. Poor Peyton it seems when it comes to her birthday she has to get sick. Last year we thought she had H1N1, this year she had croup. Thank goodness for Mortin. She had a blast opening all her presents. Now where to put all the new toys. Guess its time to clean out toys.




I was pretty proud of myself this year. Ashlee decided she wanted to be Strawberry Shortcake and Peyton could be Strawberry's dog Pupcake. So I decided to make their outfits. I already had the outfits so I just had to buy felt, ribbon, yarn and a Strawberry patch. Got off easy this year. Everything only cost $6.00.

One Last Outing Before It Gets Cold

We took one last family outing before Fall hits. We decided to go to Dierkes Lake to fish. The kids all started out fishing but it soon turned into a swim day.

First Day of Preschool

Ashlee's first day of preschool.

Yellowstone & Bear World

Recently we went to Yellowstone with my in-laws. On the way there we had to pull over just outside of Island Park because it was raining so hard we couldn't see and the trailer was fish-tailing due to the standing water on the road. We had to wait about 15 minutes. We then headed off again. When we got into west Yellowstone there were trees blown over and roofs ripped off buildings, emergency responses had barely got there. We didn't think anything of it. We figured the building was being remodeled and trees fall over all the time in the forest. The next day we found out it was a tornado. Thank god we had to pull over or we probably would have been it. We then headed to Yellowstone Park. The girls loved seeing all the wildlife. Peyton called everything "eeellllllllllkk." It was cold (ran into sleet and were told one night not to be surprised to wake up to snow) but awesome. We took the girls fishing at Island Park Reservoir. It was cold and we didn't catch anything. Could of been we were only there 20 minutes because it was cold, rainy, and windy. Ash didn't want to leave. She would of stayed there all day if we let her. On the way home we stopped by Bear World. The girls liked the bears but loved feeding all the animals.

Update

We have since joined "Mom's Club." It's suppose to be activities and learning experiences for the kids, but I'm beginning to think it more for us moms to get out of the house and have adult conversation. The latest was fire safety. They had a fire truck and demonstration house for the kids. Ash didn't want her picture taken with the fire truck, so that's why she is not in it. One day we decided to go up south and drive around. We were gone about 4 hours and had to stop 6 different times just so the girls could go potty. No wonder I never go far or get anything accomplished in town. OK back to the story now. Peyton loved it because there were moo's (cows) everywhere and right beside the road. Ash enjoyed watching and seeing the hummingbirds up close. We dressed for summer thinking it was August so it would be warm. Boy were we wrong. Good thing I packed jackets, just in case, because we needed them. It was 54 degrees with about 30 mph winds on top of one of the hills. It was freezing cold.

Summer Pics

Just a few pictures since the last time I blogged. Peyton and Ash are starting to play really well together. Don't get me wrong they still have there sisterly moments but they are getting fewer and farther in between. Peyton figured how to get in the stroller and if she says "Ash push" long enough then Ash will give in and push her.

One day I was doing laundry, turned around and my laundry basket was gone. When I spotted it Peyton was inside and Ash was covering her up with a blanket. Ash pushed her around for most of the afternoon. They have a toy room and bedrooms full of toys, but would rather play with the laundry basket. Maybe I shouldn't buy toys any more.

I have been asking Ashlee if she wants her ears pierced and she always says no. So the other day Ashlee's cousin Lilly got her ears pierced. We asked Lilly if it hurt and she said no. But Ashlee still didn't want her ears pierced. Then Lillys mom said they had lots of earrings to choose from, even Hello Kitty. After that she wanted them done. This was about 4 pm on Wednesday. Finally at 11 am Thursday I couldn't handle her asking "Can we go pierce my ears now." Needless to say more they were pierced by noon on Thursday. She was so brave and didn't cry. They wouldn't let her get Hello Kitty becuase it was her first piercing and they weren't surgical steel or 14 k. gold. So she got blue flowers to match Lilly's pink flowers.

T-Ball

Ashlee started T-Ball last night. She was so cute. The first at bat she struggled hitting the ball far enough to be able to run to base. Luckily they let them keep hitting, they don't let them strike out. After that she hit fine. She got to bat 3 times, reached base all 3 times, and scored all 3 times. She was excited to get a uniform (a shirt and hat), as she calls it. She had so much fun and can't wait for the next game.

Fossil Days

We went down to Hagerman for Fossil Days with Matt, Kerstin, Ryan, Nan, and Tracy. We had never been to it before, but will go back next year for sure. They had about 6 rides that Ash and Ryan could ride, about as many as the fair. Ash and Ryan got their moneys worth on the rides for sure. The workers were so nice compared to the ones at the fair nad the rides lasted at least three times as long.

Fishing

Top-Ashlee packing her chair around. She put it on like a backpack so it was easier to carry. Middle-Ashlee and Ryan playing. Bottom-Karsen, Grandpa Tracy, Peyton, and Ashlee feeding the fish. The kids loved it. The fish would fight and splash to get the food; getting them all wet.

A few weeks ago we went to Hagerman to go fishing. Grandma and Grandpa Stanger, Matt, Kerstin, Ryan, Trevor, Karrie, Karsen and Kaulin joined us for the day. The kids had fun feeding the fish at the hatchery and fishing in the ponds. Even though we came home empty handed we all enjoyed the family fishing day.

Couples Weekend-Fishing Trip to Shoup

Adam and I fishing.

Me trying to land my first fish.

Us and Lex and Marci

My 1st Steel-head.






A month ago Adam said he was setting up a couples weekend with us and Lex and Marci. I was jacked. Where were we going, what were we doing? Then he said fishing.I always said "It doesn't sound like fun. Sitting on a rock and fishing all day." Finally Adam convinced me that I needed to go fishing. After me dragging my heels I decided I would go. I was also guilt tripped into it by a few people. Boy was I wrong about my statement, we had a blast.By 7:30 p.m we had fished almost 9 hours. And I can say I hooked and landed my first Steelhead ever, and I also hooked 3 others. Now looking forward to the next Couples Fishing Trip.

Ashlee's 4th Birthday

Hard to believe she is 4 already. I couldn't wait for her to crawl, walk, and start talking. She is becoming less and less dependent on me every day and that makes me sad. Now that she is 4 I want her to be little again. They grow up way to fast. We are so lucky to have all of our family close by, so we were able to share her birthday with everyone. In addition to a party with her family we also had a birthday party with her friends. Ashlee and her friends had a blast and played for hours with no fights or problems. Not bad for 7 kids playing together. Ashlee had a wonderful birthday and loved every minute of it. Thanks to everyone for the gifts and birthday wishes for Ashlee.

Chuck E. Cheese and Swimming

We decided to take the kids to Boise to celebrate Ashlee's birthday. We went to Chuck E. Cheese. Ash had a blast playing the games and sliding on the slide. After Ash and I put the tickets in the machine to be counted, we turned around and there was a guy in a Chuck E. Cheese mouse costume, walking by us. Ash let out a huge blood curling scream. I was holding her hand and I could feel her shake when she screamed. The Mouse stopped, turned around and took one step toward us and Ash let out another blood curling scream. After that we went swimming at the hotel. Ash loves the hotel because it has a 1 foot swimming pool. She will not go in the 3-5 foot pool. So the 1 foot pool is awesome.