We just got back from going with Stephen for appointments (for work) to Seattle and then Portland. The kids love going because they get to stay in a hotel and go swimming. Although my kids are a lot like me and only like the hot tub. The sad thing this time is that the hot tub wasn't working and didn't even get above 82 degrees :( Kids were devastated and so was I. But we did get to go to Target one time and Jo-Ann Fabrics another while Stephen was meeting with people. And I get to read! I started and finished the first Hunger Games book yesterday and I have mixed feelings. VERY good book as far as I am concerned, but sooooo depressing! It reminded me of this short story we read in grade school called The Lottery. About how every year a village draws a name and then they stone that person to death.... I know DARK, right?!??!?! Well, Hunger Games is worse. But I will be continuing on to the second book....

On a Much happier note Paisley said her first "real" sentence!!! My kids are NOT early talkers, while other 2 year olds are blabbering away about the dog and the post man and going to the store and stuff, my kids are more one word type of kids. Beck did not speak anything real understandable to other people until he was over 3 and even now people have a hard time trying to figure out what he is saying. So while other cousins/friends Paisley's age are talking away Paisley says things like "meeee hhhoooommmme," and just recently "mmmeeeee hhhuuunnngggrrryyyy" I am purposely dragging out those words because that is how she talks. So anyways, back to my story. We just got home from this short trip over night and I have the bags unpacked, kids bathed, down for the night watching My Little Ponies. I am on computer and Paisley comes in, "Meeee ooovvvie urrr bed" (Me Movie your bed) I about screamed/laughed/cried all at the same time. Up until now she has only been putting maybe 2 words together if that, for the first time a few night ago she looked up in the night sky and said "Mmmmoooooon," so you can imagine my surprise at this nice little sentence. although fragmented, a sentence to Paisley all the same.

Now she just cam in and said "meeee mommyyy ur lap" (Me mommy your lap) Maybe there is hope for these Ashton kids anyhow!

I haven't taken many pictures the last little bit, I dunno what's wrong with me??? We've just been busy doing our routine I guess. I have subbed a bit at school and gym and my niece Alizah drew this picture of me at school one day. Beck has been busy with school, he goes to Maestra Jasmine's class on Mondays and Wednesdays and Miss Becky's class on Fridays. Paisley and I usually end up hanging out at the school until he is done. Except on Mondays when I go to piano. I love piano! I really wished that I practiced more though. ;) One day I will be able to play a song that someone will recognize. I started last January, so it has been about a year. My long term goal is to play "If you could Hie to Kolob," it is my favorite hymn.My little brother, Kalan, came for a quick visit to pick up his car. He has kept it here to save on parking in Seattle. He is trying to sell it, so if anyone is interested in a Jetta for $5,000 let me know. It's a 2005 I think... hmm. maybe it's a 2008. We went out to Othello last Sunday for the Ashton November birthdays. It is always hard to drag my children kicking and screaming away from their cousins when it's time to go home. :) I like Moses Lake, but sometimes I am sad at what I am missing in Othello.
ss.

Beck and his buddies Jackson, Colin, and Piper on his soccer team 2010

Beck and Paisley at the AIM Halloween Carnival on the 30th. Picture taken by Julie Waites Photography.

NEW YORK BABY!!!

This picture was taken 7 years ago on our first trip to New York. I had never been and it was on my "bucket list," so Stephen surprised me with tickets for Christmas...
Brooklyn Bridge and the George Washington Bridge below.

Stephen and I went to New York where his parents, Bob and Ann, are serving a mission until April. It was so good to see them! We got to see and do lots of fun stuff.

We went on a boat ride around New York and got to see all the beautiful trees with the colors of the leaves changing for Fall. And of course the New York Hard Rock cafe with a delicious burger was one of our first eats... Stephen humored me and I got to stop at a flea market, even though it closed 5 minutes later :(Seriously, yeah, for awesome buildings and architecture!Times SquareLOVE all the fun detail... I have always been a sucker for old buildings and fire escapes...George Washington Bridge. Stephen and I, day 3???And of course we had to eat at the famous Tom's Restaurant from our favorite Seinfeld show! I ain't gonna lie... food was not incredible... ;)American Museum of Natural History. I had never seen so many fossils before...Rupert from the Hello Deli on the Late Show with David Letterman. We ate sandwiches here before the show. Super nice guy.David Letterman was really a fun experience. Stephen and I both answered the Late Show trivia correctly so we both got a set of tickets, so Bob and Ann got to come with us. Charles Barkley was on. I was surprised at how funny he was. Dave was exactly like how he was on TV. :) We waited around out back after leaving the studio and saw Michael J Fox walking in for the next show. My silly camera was super slow, so all I got was the back of his cute little head behind the big guy and by his blond wife. Sad photog skills, I know... BEST. PIZZA. EVER. and I was actually full! Bob and Ann know all the good eats and which subways to steer clear of. They are like regular New Yorkers now!

Statue of Liberty. We also saw two Broadway shows. Mary Poppins, super good, and Wicked. Awesome good! Loved them both!!! Wicked was probably my favorite because it was a new story line to me and I LOVED the music. I actually got teary eyed at the end! I had a great time and I thank Bob and Ann for letting us stay with them. And I thank Stephen for footing the bill and letting me get our charicature pictures drawn! And here is us 7 years from when we first took a picture in front of the LOVE sign... :)

Thanks to Tiffanni and Ruben for watching our babies! This is the first trip we have taken without either of them them since Beck was born. We missed them terribly, but I did read two books. ;)

Halloween 2010

We made it back from our New York trip just in time to celebrate Halloween. The ward party was on Friday night and at the last minute Beck decided that instead of his awesome (in my eyes only I guess) Mr. Bones costume, he was going as Batman, yet again... sigh... Paisley was a cutie pat tootie fairy Princess and shed her tutu and wings minutes after arriving at the church.

Good thing that Beck went as Batman! He found his very patient Primary teachers as Batman and Cat Woman!! He was pretty excited!

The next night we made it to the AIM Halloween Carnival down at the Gymnastics Center. Beck decided once again to change his costume, but this time he was a storm trooper, but he couldn't have a "red light saber mom!!!" so he used an old light saber sword he got at the fair a while back.

At the AIM Halloween Carnival they got to play games and also each won a gold fish... also, yet again. ;)

Trick-or-treating was fun. We went to our old neighborhood, so that we could also see old friends. Last year Paisley had fallen asleep before she even got to go trick-or-treating, so this was kind of her first real experience. She was hesitant at first, but then by watching Beck quickly caught on!

Beck Beginning Soccer October 2010