Ashton Turns 5!

Who can hula hoop 540 times, has the most endearing lisp ever, and can rock a birthday crown like it's nobody's business?

Ashton Cole! That's who!

In May, we celebrate the baby of the family--who is far from a baby these days! Turning five brings a lot of "big kid" milestones... wiggly teeth, the SECOND row in primary, and the big one--Kindergarten!! 

Ashton chose a NINJA birthday party theme--and we don't go small. We invited a real Geisha girl and Sensei trainer to help us out! 

But Ashton's major birthday demand was this simple but firm request: 

NO GIRLS INVITED!! 

Our Sensei trained the future warriors in all ninja disciplines:

Flexibility and Control

Mad Punching and Kicking Skills

Endurance

And Balance and Speed.

After proving their skills and connecting with their inner warrior spirits, the trainees were made official NINJAS! 

HI-YAH!

(Birthday Interview Post to come...)

Pinewood Derby Crashes

April brought Carson's first Pinewood Derby. No, Justin who can build and fix literally anything, still hasn't figured out how to build winning cars.  But---to our credit, we NEVER cheat and our cars always look AWESOME! .... At least our kid wasn't bawling this year. Progress! We'll get it figured out by the time Ashton comes around! 

 Carson loved it, and he was totally satisfied that his car won a few heats! 

Cars, however, were not the only things going too fast that night. While we were cheering for Carson, Ashton and Londyn Ferney suffered a major collision in the hallway when they both came around a corner from opposite directions. Those little heads swelled up immediately. Best friends seem to share everything... even their first shiners.

By the next morning, Londyn looked like her normal cute self... but Ashton resembled a boxer.  

 His healing lasted for months. His eye went from black to purple to turquoise to green to yellow... It was quite the color show!

 But don't feel bad for this little guy. This black eye was positively the coolest thing that could ever happen to a four year old. Everywhere we went, mere strangers felt compelled to ask about his injury or give him a high five! Ashton felt like a superstar!

Easter 2014

Easter 2014 is somewhat of a blur for me because I was so very sick with "morning sickness" (which happens to be the most incorrectly named sickness of all time). But clothes still need washed, dinner still needs made, and holidays still come--no matter how wretched you feel. (Blogs are one thing that can slide however--thus my six month absence.) This picture right here captures what my life was like in April...

 I had set up cookies and frosting for the kids to decorate, and then quickly excused myself to go collapse on my bed in nauseating agony. A few minutes later, Ashton was climbing up beside me, shoving this "decorated" cookie in my face "to help me feel better." So very sweet.

This year we ventured to Ammon's little local Easter egg hunt, and the kids had the best time!

Best Buds--Carson & Noah

 This moment was so funny... Ashton and this little boy were both staring intently at this egg just inches from their grasp--waiting for the siren to sound. (Ash got it!)

Best friends Ky, Haydn, and Paxton left their homes that morning all without baskets--thinking they were much too old for such childish games. Of course they ended up participating and being the most competitive of all the kids in the park--using the hoods of their jackets for make-shift baskets!

3-2-1... and they're off! Is not this the greatest photo ever?

 Ky happened to find a "PRIZE EGG" and we left with a long board and helmet. Egg-cell-ent!!

That bunny always does WAY too much. Even terribly, miserably sick bunnies.

 Big Foot Bunny jerky? Um, YES!

Sweet Kenna in her Easter dress--the only kid to get our traditional Sunday clothes. The boys informed the Easter bunny that they DID NOT want church clothes this year. They wanted athletic shorts!

And then this picture. This picture which I hate and love at the same time. This picture which will forever be one of my only tangible memories of our baby. Our baby that never held this toy. Our baby whose eyes we never saw open. 

When I first discovered this pregnancy, it was unexpected and took some time getting used to. But it was buying this Easter basket for our fifth child that made him suddenly feel so real. (We were buying something for him! He was really coming!) I remember Justin and I laughing at Wal-Mart--going through the messy bin of Easter toys--trying to find the perfect toy which looked like it could be for either a boy or girl (even though we were just positive that it was a girl). It was one of those moments when we were both perfectly happy. We were having another baby--and we both admitted that we were so thrilled for this untimely surprise. Surely it was meant to be.

I say Jameson's name out loud every day--determined to never forget him. I continually pray for understanding about my son's purpose and plan. It really is ironic that my picture of Jameson's memory is a symbol of Easter--the very thing that gives us hope that we'll see our loved ones again. And I hope. I hope with all my heart. 

Spring Break 2014

Our 2014 Spring Break was OUT OF THIS WORLD... literally. We started things off by meeting the Ferney family (our BFF'S) at a Jazz game. It was our first time to attend a NBA game--so fun! But the best part of our little adventure for our kiddos was staying in the same hotel with their best friends! Who needs exotic trips? You just need friends!

And then we met up with our other best friends (Stevens cousins) at the Salt Lake Planetarium. Mars was nice. Very relaxing...

Until we realized that there was no oxygen there.

Carson Turns 8!!

On March 30th, our cute Carson turned the big one... 8 years old!! He was so excited to finally be the "Star Student" and make his very own poster to share with his class.

We celebrated with his best friends by going out to a movie and Orange Leaf!

Carson was thrilled to start Scouts!

And equally thrilled to receive a RipStick!

And now for the Annual Birthday Interview... 

Here is ALL ABOUT CARSON AT AGE 8!

Favorite Subject: Reading, writing, music, science, and "Neo" time
Best Friends: Same, Noah, Will, Caleb, and Tyler
Favorite Food: Waffles with extra peanut butter
Favorite Song: "Happy"
If I could be a super hero, I'd be: "Green Lantern--because he's a scientist like me, and I'm pretty sure he could defeat SuperMan."
Favorite TV show: Young Justice
Favorite thing to play: Super Heroes
My Hero: Kyler--because he saved me when we were tubing on the Snake River.
Favorite Disney Character: Buzz Lightyear
Something I can't wait to do: Become an Inventor
Favorite Season: "End of Spring/Beginning of Summer"
I'm good at: Ripsticking
I'm scared of: Chucky, the Doll!
Favorite Primary Songs: "My Heavenly Father Loves Me" and "When I'm Baptized"
On my dream day, I would: "Ride a motorcycle that could go any speed!"

Carson, I just love that you are so unique and creative! You're kind, obedient, confident, and the funnest big brother to Ashton! And not to mention--SO handsome! I love that you sing out with all your heart. I love that enjoy reading as much as me! I love that you are passionate about your dreams. I love that you know who you are, and never worry about following the crowd. You are so special to me. I must be the luckiest Mom ever to raise such a neat little boy! I love you with all of my heart.
Love, Mom

Kenna's Dance Competitions 2014

I'm six month behind on blogging... too far behind to tell stories or share fun details... but I wanted to be sure to share some pictures from Kenna's ballroom competition season in 2014. Ballroom has become a huge part of her life, and consequently, mine too! During her 7th grade year, she was on Extreme's Junior Blue team--dancing The Lorax and Notre Dame. The kids on her team are her very best friends. She really blossomed this year, and had a great experience partnering with Kolby Hillman. The following pics are from four different competitions.