12 Years of Asher

This morning started with ham, bacon and cheese omelets and hot cocoa with vanilla marshmallows. For his 12th birthday Asher got some new pants, a stylin' hat, a lego set, and book of "Useless Information", and a running jacket.  At school I brought in a cake to share with his class and the wonderful Mrs.Cook had him climb atop his desk while we sang and clapped, 

Hooray for Asher he's a darn fine guy,

Hooray for Asher he's a darn fine guy,

He certainly is a daisy,

He drives our class crazy,

Hooray for Asher he's a darn fine guy!

With 35 kids in his class it's a good thing I bought a huge Costco cake because it was g-o-n-e, gone!

Then as a special surprise Scott picked Asher up from school and took him to lunch. And, as a special surprise to me he bought Asher an airsoft gun. uh huh. yep. 

Something I would never purchase.  Asher's over the moon. I think I'm just keeping myself out of this testosterone lovin' deal.  

Tonight is mutual and Asher will be joining Chloe and I. We are either going sledding (not likely) or playing dodgeball.  It's like they planned this activity just for Asher! He loves dodgeball.  

This is Asher at 12:

Loves basketball and is a great shot.

Wants a dog more than air. 

Loves mashed potatoes and gravy.

Likes to wear fedoras. 

Grinds his teeth to the nubbins.

Very competitive.

Loves babies.

Just became a Wierd Al fan.

Very open about his feelings with his parents. 

Great endurance (ran 5 miles with me a couple weeks ago). 

Reading Old Yeller for the first time and loves it. 

Self proclaimed: Dad's right hand man. 

Happy Birthday Ash. We love you much.


Asher's 12 Year old Stats from Dr. Kendall herself,

Height: 59.5 inches tall (60%)
Weight: 78.7 pounds (25.03%)
BMI: 15.63 (12.3%)

34 Feels Good

Weekend birthdays are the best. They can go on and on.
And mine did.  Scott had scheduled me for a massage on Thursday.
My kids had been working out my sore leg muscles with a rolling pin, so this was a high class treat.
It was a bit painful, but for a good cause.

Then on Friday I went "hiking" with Ging.  I had wanted to hike part of Timp or
possibly Stewart Falls.  Unfortunately both trails were snowy and so we hiked the foothills
by Ginger's house.  It was a beautiful walk with great company. We had smoothies afterwards.

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Friday afternoon Scott took me to the new Pirates movie. I'm not a big movie buff, but I find the Pirate movies entertaining and it was just that. It was nice to get away together in the middle of the afternoon and eat a large popcorn for lunch.

Saturday was the actual day of my birth. (Thanks Mom.)
I got up early and met Terri for breakfast at Communal.
We had my birthday lunch there last year and I've been eyeing their breakfast menu for months.
Terri arrived with a pink polka-dotted balloon in hand dressed for the temple.
We shared a delicious breakfast of lemon crepes with creme fraiche, drinking chocolate, a giant biscuit with raspberry and strawberry jam, and the house omlette with home fries.

Oh mama.  You just savored each bite.  It was wonderful.
When we finished we drove around and found Britney's apartment and tracked her down at work.
We pulled into the MTC on her lunch break and chatted for a bit.

At home Binh and Joe had come to visit with their friend Bachel.  They brought a giant Costco chocolate cake, and the children all sang.  That evening Scotty and I went out with 3 neighbor couples.  I laughed so much my cheeks were sore.  It was such a great time.

On top of all that I got cards in the mail, well-wishes online, and phone calls with singing and promises of slobbery kisses.

What a fantastic 34th Birthday.  I wish each year was like this. I loved having time to connect with people individually doing things I loved.

My Mom has a journal entry from the day I was born.  I was not an easy delivery ( little did she know that was a sign of things to come).  Mom has heart problems and things were not going well with her heart during my delivery.  In a panic I was delivered with forceps and still have those scars on my face.  Mom was  not able to hold me as they were carefully watching her heart.  She continued to ask for her baby knowing this would make her feel better.  They finally obliged.  Having had children of my own I am so thankful to my own Mother for her sacrifice in getting me to this earth.

Our Aidy

The day began with his Birthday Breakfast pick.

Triple batch of Buttermilk pancakes, syrup, bacon, and hot cocoa with whipped cream.

That'll get any tired body out of bed. Especially the Mother who needs to get cooking.

Aidan woke up with a smile and tidied the family room while I was cooking. 

After breakfast and singing with a sparkler we gave Aidan the gifts of an 8th birthday. 

Namely:

A journal and sour gummies

Beyblades

Socks and Undies

96 count of crayons

&

A nice scripture set with his name on them. 

Aidan is a light in our home. A happy boy who takes care of others. A lover of animals, candy, breakfast food, friends, pants that fit up over his belly button, his blanket, and being outside. A great speller.

A quick learning pianist. Hazel colored eyes and a smile that melts a mother's heart. 

Happy Birthday my boy. 

Asher's 11th Year

Being born in the year 2000 has some advantages.
First being it's quite easy to remember how old you are.
Just take a look at the calendar.

Our first son turned 11 today.
He was able to have a very large birthday part over the weekend with lots of friends.
It included many of the things he loves;
Friends, soda, and friendly sports competition.
They played glow-in-the-dark baseball and dodge ball.

We got him that Ripstick he's been dying to have, and a Utah Utes jacket.
He was in heaven. He's been riding that thing non-stop and is already
quite good at it.  He has some natural athletic ability there. From his Dad of course.
When I delivered donuts to his class it was fun to see his classmates reactions.
Sheer excitement over having some sugar, and comments like "Woah, you guys look just alike."
And my personal favorite "You both have red hair and pimples."
mmmm. Those are freckles, not to be confused with the pus-filled pimple. No relation.

Asher rode with me to pick Scott up last night.  We stopped by Sonic and he ordered a large milkshake with a grin to match. The things that will bring an 11-year-old boy some happiness are quite simple, and it was fantastic to spend some time with just him.

He is an outgoing, funny, athletic, happy boy who makes friends easily, loves a challenge, and excels at math and the piano.
Happy Birthday Son.

How She Spent Her Second Birthday

The day started like most.

Chores.

Grace helped put away folded laundry.

Time for a relaxing warm bath after all that hard work.

Then a long nap while Mom ran errands in the snow. 

Post-nap she got ready for the party.

Grace shares her birthday with her cousin Britney and this year they celebrated together.

2. and 24. 

She'd been waiting to enjoy this cupcake for several hours. 

And she ate all the frosting first.

 Brit tried a selection of flavors.

 Time for presents!

A potty seat, little panties, a blanket, doll, and phone. 

We taught her to respond when asked how old she is.

She holds up her thumb and pointer finger and says "twooooooo".

Of course we all clap and cheer. 

Happy 2nd Birthday Pretty Baby. 

Much Ado About Chloe

You knew it was coming didn't you?
My sweet first born turned 12 early this morning.
Her Young Women's leaders came over on Monday to
talk to her about the program and all it entails.
She is beside herself with excitement.
She is so ready to go to Young Womens and soak up
every bit of it.
I keep saying they are lucky to have her.
That's really how I feel about her.
Her friends are lucky to have her, her teachers are, I am.

If I were to list some of the traits that Chloe embodies they would be:
A Peacemaker
Creative
Thoughtful
Hard working
A Nurturer
Obedient
Funny
Athletic
Sensitive
Forgiving
An Example

Recently one of her friends got braces on.  Chloe gathered her money and asked if I would stop by Arctic Circle on the way to pick up Scott and get her friend a shake that she could drop off because her mouth would certainly be hurting.  One of many examples of her thoughtfulness.

I brought a cake to her class today.  Her teacher said many kind things about Chloe and then prompted her to climb on top of her desk and the whole class started singing "Hooray for Chloe she's a darn fine gal, Hooray for Chloe she's a darn fine gal....".  So cute.  I teared up a bit. I did.

I love you Chloe.

7.7 One Lucky Boy!

Today is Cole's birthday. July 7. Lucky sevens. 

We're the lucky ones.  

This boy has blessed our lives since he came out a sweet little perfect miniature of his Daddy. 

So how did this 5 year old celebrate? 

Let's take a walk, shall we?

I had to catch a glimpse of the boy sleeping peacefully.

He's such a loud one that this is a rare moment. 

Presents bright and early.

Come as you are.

He's been waiting and wishing for a harmonica.

He finally got one.

The new Wii game he got magically made all the chores in the house

get done in a hurry.  No chores for the birthday boy, of course.

Lots of time on his 2-wheeler today.

And the helmet doesn't come off in between takes.

What great ears he has. They're so pliable. 

I love to wad them up in a little ball then let them spring free.

And to top off the night,

How to Train a Dragon@ the Sticky Shoe

with some of the most entertaining boys I know. 

"Mrs. Browning do you have a boyfriend?"

"I ran over a dead mouse with my bike."

"I have a crutch (crush) on the Wii".

Happy Birthday Cole Boy.

How I Ate My Way Through My 33rd Birthday.

It began at Communal in downtown Provo with Terri, Ging, and Mom.  

I went out on a limb and had the house made Hunter's Sausage with Spaetzle. 

It was ...interesting. I have to say the Potato and Leek Gratin was my favorite. 

After lunch we walked over to Rooster and enjoyed a chocolate molten dessert with whipped cream. 

This is my most favorite dessert I've ever eaten. 

I've eaten it thrice just to ensure it is my most favorite. 

Then I ate some Costco birthday cake. 

In case you're wondering it says, 

"Happy Birthday Princess Amy"

Scott had this whole theme going. I had a crown. The kids bowed when they addressed me. 

I look like a princess eating the corner off that cake don't I?

I enjoyed dinner at La Caille with Scott and our friends the Bentleys.

I have to admit I was feeling a bit uptight at this fancy French restaurant.

However, after a few good laughs we were all relaxed and had a fantastic time. 

I had the Cambridge shortribs. Oh they were tender and delicious. 

After dinner Scott surprised me with reservations to stay the night in SL and do some birthday shopping.  

It was a delicious birthday.