Ashton Christmas Card 2009

Just thought we'd squeeze in our Christmas card for the year before the end of the day. We hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas, and has a Happy New Year!

(Taken this morning after opening presents, please excuse the lack of make-up)

Love,
The Ashtons

Better late than never!

I figured I'd wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving week by finally posting our Halloween pics.

On our first trip to Dallas for the month we were able to go to the Flower Mound Pumpkin Patch.

Getting home from our ward Pumpkin Carving Party. Katelyn's first costume was Bell.

Heading to school with her friend Victoria

"Supergirl" leaving school with her "SuperMan" Rex and friend Addy

Back in Dallas for Halloween/"Little Red Riding Hoods" birthday, and Ellie's blessing!

So proud of my "Redneck"

My creepy niece Lauren

Sweet Little Ellie and her cute butt

Actual Halloween night. How many adults does it take to take 2 little girls Trick or Treating?

Ellie's blessing day!

Had enough yet? :-)

PRESCHOOL!!!

Decorating her new lunch box

Meeting her new teachers:
Miss Martha & Miss Rebekah

Her new classroom

Off to her first day and so excited!

Katelyn had no reservations about me leaving her there

I feel very blessed to have such an independent child who loves everybody.
The only problem is...

...what to do about her baby brother who is lost without his big sister :(

Lake Shasta 2009

We spent a very eventful 8 days at Lake Shasta last week. There was some lost luggage, some midnight boat rides to the marina, some bad weather(which we never get). Then 4 people from our group spent the 3rd day in the E.R. There was a broken arm, broken foot (my dads), a concussion, and other unfortunate events. Then the next night we had some sewage overload which damaged some bags, and probably scarred my niece for life:) To top it all off, I got an awful cold and Samuel was an absolute nightmare the whole trip. I think we might take a break from Shasta next summer.
(P.S. I didn't mean to make it sound like it wasn't any fun. I'm still totally glad we went, a houseboat is just not ideal for toddlers and mom's with little patience:-)

Katelyn was lucky enough to visit the cockpit on our flight to Shasta

A Stormy, Happy 4th!

Just before we were suppose to leave for our night of swimming, bbq'ing, and fireworks, this happened. We thought our night was ruined but luckily we were heading west to Odessa where the clouds were free of rain.

Katelyn's first time letting off fireworks, can you tell?

Samuel wasn't loving the smoke and loud noises

Aren't they cute!

Happy Mother's, Father's, & Anniversary Day!

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Father's Day

Yesterday Ben and I celebrated our 7th Wedding Anniversary! Thanks to a wonderful friend who offered to watch the kids, we were able to go on our first date in over a year on Saturday night. Dinner AND a movie, and we didn't talk about the kids once. The first few years may have been a challenge, but I'd do it all again to get to where we are today!