Tuesday, April 10, 2012

March Madness!



Alice got this pillow case from her Aunt for her birthday, with special crayons that after you are done you iron it to set the coloring in.  We never gave her guidance as to what to color a picture of.  But, how fitting that she drew a picture of our family, especially since at the top it says 'Families are Forever.'  This is the first time she has ever drawn a picture of our whole family.  Looking at it just melts my heart.





March 20th, 2012
It has been 4 years since Ashley passed away.  In some ways it feels like it has been forever, and in other ways it has gone fast all at the same time.  We really miss her and wish she could physically be part of our family, but we know she is with us spiritually.  A lot of  emotions surface more than normally this time of year.


Thanks to so many friends and family who remembered Ashley and thought of us on this day, and did many nice things like this.  Beautiful!

We wrote notes to Ash to take to the cemetery.  This was Alice's.  
I just love how she worded things.

We always pick something fun to do on this day that Ashley would have enjoyed.  We took the kids to see The Lorax, this was super fun, because we have never taken them to a the movie theater.  The loved the movie, but might have loved the popcorn and treats more!

We also visited the cemetery, of course!



Another fun thing we did that weekend was go to Paul's parents place in beautiful Midway.  We enjoyed swimming, golf cart rides, and playing at the park.  It was a quick overnight trip, but totally worth it.


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One project we have been working on is Cole's room.  It has been nice during an emotional month to have a project like this to work on to keep us extra busy.  
We are ready to transition him to his 'big boy' bed, so we wanted to get the painting done. 

Before:
Everything, even the ceiling was beige.



After:
Awesome! Right!  Paul spent all day on a Saturday putting up reverse wall board.  There are a lot of tricky angles in this room.  He probably went up and down the stairs 50 + times to make cuts in the garage!  He did amazing and it looks perfect.  He said this is the hardest project he has done so far.  Then I puttied, sanded, caulked and painted.  Everything except the grey had to be done on a ladder.  Good thing I did it now before my balance was even more off.  I was really careful and had no problems, excepts soar muscles in my neck and shoulders from 3 coats of white paint on the ceiling.
We love it and Cole loves it.  He has spent the last 2 weeks in his new bed and has done great!  He looks so little in it compared to his crib.  But he looks way more comfy, with his soft blankets and comfy new mattress!

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Fun in the Snow @ the Cabin

We had a great time at our Cabin this past weekend.  The kids totally loved all the snow, sledding, and snowmobiling!  

Faster Daddy....Faster!

Having a little REST!

Our little snow bunny!




Snow covered stairs make a perfect slide!



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Happy Valentines Day to our Sweet Angel!


Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Family Photos

Family Photos
Part of our reason for doing family pictures now is that as of next week Paul starts and exciting new job as the Executive Officer of the Salt Lake Home Builders Association.  He needed a business picture taken and I needed to get the kids 2 and 4 year old pictures taken, so why not do the family at the same time especially since it was no extra cost!
This was a big step for me.  We have not taken a professional family photo since Ashley passed away.  It has always been hard for me to even think about doing.  Each time I have gotten the just the kids pictures taken I drive away in tears, just thinking...it's not complete!  Well I was barely able to hold the tears off as we started, but did leave with a few tears.  I know it's a good thing for Alice and Cole to have pictures of us as a family.  Part of me can't believe Alice is now 4 and we've never had a family picture taken with her.  They need them and we need them, but it will always feel weird and be hard for me, it will never feel complete, but this is the way it is.  I am grateful for Paul's encouragement to get them done, even if I am 19 weeks pregnant in them! Oh well.
As a way to remember and think of Ashley in our pictures we decided to have this pink gerbera daisy in them.  No matter what we are wearing this flower will be in all our future family pictures to kind of represent Ashley.

















January Happenings

Christmas Eve Jammies!
They love them!  Both were sick but excited!


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January Happenings...

Alice's 4th Birthday!
New Barbie scooter with light up wheels!




Sleepover with Cousins!


Alice's dream come true!  Maverick snuggling on her lap!  

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Merry Christmas!


Friday, December 23, 2011

Christmas Performance



Alice's first dance performance.  She was really excited and a little nervous.  We weren't sure if she would freeze up on stage, but to our amazement she shined!!!  We are so proud of her!  She takes dance with 4 other friends but unfortunately we don't have a picture of all of them.  She has loved dance so much.
What a cute little puppy dog.





Grandma and Grandpa Calton came to watch and were so proud of her.  She was a little hungary and sad after her.

She was so excited to see Santa she could hardly contain her excitement!

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Alice placed every single candy on this gingerbread, she wouldn't let me help.  She just told me where to put the frosting.  She was very particular about what and where she wanted things.  Then she wouldn't let me take her picture with it!

Snow Buddies
Need your driveway shoveled, we are for hire!


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Preschool Performance
Alice did AMAZING!  She was one of the loudest singers and got really into it all!