Many things

I was reprimanded by my niece who asked for an updated post. And, I have been wanting to post for a while but I feel like if I dont' have a picture, that I don't have a post. So, I took some random photos tonight that I can talk about.

First off - the kitchen. I had a painter come and paint it this sage color that I saw in another house recently. I LOVE IT. Did I make myself clear? I can't stop looking at it. There is so much left-over paint that I will now be painting Jada and Evy's room this color as well.

And the crazy bathroom in frog green. I think it looks better in this picture than in real life, so if you don't like this picture, definitely don't come over. It's not quite what I wanted, but better than what I had in there prior. Don't ever put your vacuum hose somewhere that you can't look under. I sucked up some unknown object and parts of my vacuum started shooting off and ricoteying off the wall and needless-to-say I had to buy a new vacuum. So, meet Mrs. New Vacuum. A Eureka and so far, I like her!

This is what Jada and Evy are doing right now - watching a movie. So cute. And GROWING UP! Miss Jada can now write her name, Evy's name, her friend Josie's name, etc. And Evy is just being super cute lately! Thank goodness! They're both in the jammies they got from Santa.
This room depresses me. It's always messy and there's always bookkeeping or bills to do. Ugh. I don't like learning to keep a company's books without a class for direction!


Last Wednesday was New Beginnings for Young Women. Both my mormon neighbors needed to go and so I had all the kids over so the parents could go with their Young Women! It was so cute! I put in a movie, and they all plopped on the couch like this!!! Too bad they probably all have kinked necks from looking over at the TV. Somehow our couch hasn't gone back where it belongs before there's a Christmas tree to display.

Cute girls going to church one day.Evy being tormented by the dog who is now very large.

Christmas

This is how our house looked when John and I went to bed. We thought that tree thing was super cool.....The girls didnt'. They barely went in it. They did like the barbie and doodlepro, though.

Alex and Vanessa brought the girls these cute hats.

And Jada adorned herself with all her jewelry at once. Do you think she has enough? And she had tutus, butterfly wings, and ridinghood capes to choose from!

It was a fun Christmas, until about 4:00 PM when Jada declared sadly that Santa didn't bring her enough toys. I felt so bad that I went out the next morning and bought her some more. What she said was true, Santa brought her lots of stuff, but not any toy gadgets except for the barbies, which she's not that into yet. :) So, one trip to Toys R Us and one Tinkerbell medicine kit purchase and we were redeemed!

Am I supposed to choose one?

A knock on my door brings a friend holding these. Suddenly my plate of goodies doesn't seem up to snuff!!!!! I love my dear friend, Deb - thank you!!!!!

Latest goings-on

These are not in order, is it just me, or do pictures load in the opposite order? Here I am trying to capture a shot of my cute girl who drives us crazy.

So, Jada wanted a photo op.

....and another.

Awe, yes, the Santa photo. Hurray that I don't have to stand in a line at the mall! My work throws a kids' party every Christmas.

Doesn't Santa look thrilled?

Evy concentrating on her reindeer cutting.

The girls glued to Polar Express.

This picture is on our Christmas card, but it's much too dark, so I'm posting this better one! There is my handsome honey!

The girls playing in the snow - Evy is crying and Jada is comforting. How sweet!

A failed attempt at getting a cute photo of them for the Christmas card.

And, last but not least, Thanksgiving day. Nevermind the carrots to dip in the Ranch, Evy goes for it with the spoon!

Oops, one more. Jada being the "boss" of Gunner. Who, by the way is getting big fast. Too fast. How big, exactly is this dog, Dad? She's making him sit before she gives him his bone. :)

SO MUCH FUN!

So much fun tonight at my company Kids' Christmas Party. It's my highlight every Christmas because the kids get to get a gift from Santa and sit on his lap and I don't have to stand in line at the mall! I'm too tired to post pictures and details tonight, but I will this weekend!

Evy and other things

Evy is in her terrible twos. She complains about EVERYTHING. She has to do everything herself, even the most impossible of tasks. Getting into and out of the car (in the dead of winter) is a very long task. She gets mad if I turn the car down a street she doesn't want to turn to. (Even if she has no idea where we are). She grunts and groans at EVERYTHING. And needs her binkie all the time. I want her broken of that thing. Fun times!

My favorite thing to do at BYU was explore in the Nutty Putty caves. So, now someone dies because he was being stupid, and they close off the entire cave???? This is beyond my ability to comprehend. Hundreds of thousands of people have visited this cave and it's the first death, and he was pushing the limits too far down some tiny tunnel most people never attempt. So, seal off that part of the cave, guys, but do not close down the entire, safe, cave to everyone!! And the article said the family thinks that is what the wishes of the dead man would be. Bolony.

Loving the Christmas season and constant Christmas music on the stereo. Off to clean the house!

Oh my....

where has the time gone? Maybe it will serve to just post some pictures and let you know that life is good at the Asbury house.


This summer brought lots of canning, canning, and more canning. Gotta love the salsa. I posted a picture of Shawnel, my darling friend who is moving away to California. My personal shopper. Gone. Help!


John built a house, and sold it. It's nice for him to have something to do. And nice to see an Asbury Construction sign!

Ah, the pumpkin patch. World's best creation for a kid.

Evy's growing up. And has stopped her screaming she did for many months. Lot's of time outs did it! She is precious!!!! I love her little size!

We bought a dog. No, rephrase - John bought a dog. That's all we're gonna say about that. But, I'm still married to him, does that give me kudos in heaven? :) He's good at pooping. And, Jada loves him. He'll be a big strong, Chesapeake some day. He flew here all the way from Maine!

We have not been sick KNOCK ON WOOD since February for the kids, and March for me, and I'm hoping for a lucky, lucky winter!

I have a new calling as Primary Chorister and it's a love/hate relationship. :) I hope I'll get the hang of it soon. John is the Executive Secretary and really loves working with the bishop. He has a lot of respect for a bishop's schedule!

Jada is in preschool 2 days a week and is so cute and happy. I'm excited for her to start Primary in January, she's so ready.

Wow, I feel like this is a Christmas letter!!

New Love

Ever since moving to our town, I have wondered what the draw is to those little snow cone shacks that pop up during the summertime. I had a snow cone once growing up and thought it was terrible. I finally tried one this summer, and whooaa, was I wrong!! I have three words for you Tiger's Blood. Baby. And, alas, since you close tomorrow, dear snow cone shack, I think I'll come visit you. 3 times.

Evy turns 2

Well, well, here I am again - so soon! I musn't delay the posting of my cute little Evy's second birthday!

Had to throw this one in. Let's just call it the Garden of Eden.

My my my

I havent' posted, and I dont' know why! (I am a poet). I guess since I'm always sad when you guys don't have anything new to say that I could at least drum up something of my own. I do have some pretty cute pictures to add, but that will have to wait. I actually have 2 sleeping children right now so I am going to make the most of this time and get some accounting stuff done. I know, I know, I'm not an accountant - and, frankly, in my BYU Finance program, Accounting 201 and 202 were my toughest classes. My brain doesn't work that way. So, me doing the Quickbooks for John's new construction company is a scary task to say the least. Thank heavens for my wonderful CPA here who has held my hand and guided me every step of the way (for a small fee, of course).

I am saddly realizing that summer isn't going to stick around forever, and am in complete denial of it, so I don't want to talk about it. So, there.

I am also in complete denial that my favorite neighbor with all her cute, helpful kids, may be moving away. That, too, I can't talk about.

So, my next post will bring some fun, new pictures for your enjoyment! Have a good day!

Vacation 2009 - San Luis Obispo

It's only out of love for mom that I posted this picture, because I look like a retard!
Grandma's house on the wonderful ranch!

Grandma in her kitchen.

Evy's new smile squint. I seem to remember Jada doing this at that age too! Evy's about to give the calf some hay.

Aunt Cheri with Jada on our walk looking for rabbits!

Aunt Cheri and cousin Natalie came bearing gifts!

Joey on top of the truck, as usual.

Two great kids. Two best friends. So cute!

Getting ready for the round-up!

Biggest helpers for Grandma!

Going home!

See following two posts for more pictures. My dear husband is grocery shopping for me (it's my least favorite chore!) and girls are napping, so I got in some much-deserved posting time today!!

Fun in the sun

Here's Grandma Asbury petting her favorite steer "Baby". She fed him from a bottle when he was born and he's always had a love affair with her. Now he's old and big and big and big.

Arriving at Avila Beach just a short drive from Grandma's house.

More pictures tomorrow!

Oh What Fun

Our trip to Grandma's in San Luis Obispo (Arroyo Grande) went well. The kids traveled great! It was reassuring that we can do this!

Shell Beach

Truckee, CA pit stop. Near Lake Tahoe.

I'll add more tomorrow!

California, here we come

Back to Grandma's house - yippee!!!

Me here, on a Friday night

Does anyone know if Better Homes and Gardens pays for photos? Don't these stands my husband made look great?! It's like art...in your garden.

MMMMmmmm - love 4th of July dishes....

Lion stalk

OK, so this is slightly unnerving, even though there was a fence between us. This weekend we went to the zoo and at the lion exhibit, you're only about 10 feet away from the lions. A female lion started stalking Evy. Everywhere Evy walked, the lion walked - and didn't take her eyes off her. Predator eyes. Much like this look. It was quite unnerving and made for a great story to tell from the zoo!

Last couple days around our house

I am too tired tonight to screen the photos, so you get them all and you'll have to screen them yourself. However, uploading them took waaay toooooo looooonnng.

Evy and John enjoying the cold cold water.

Our cute neighbor - Connor Frogley.

And his cute twin, Preston.

There's nothing I love to do more than boating!!

Jada found John's hat!

The reed that entertains while we pack up the boat. I mean, while John packs up the boat.

Evy found a mud hole....and did herself up quite dainty. With lipstick and all.

But no way would she look at mom with the camera.

Until she decided to do this....

My cute little muffin.

Baking and baking

Well, we have been very busy around here. The neighbor kids wanted to make a lemon meringue pie, so we made a lemon meringue pie. They wanted to make cupcakes, so we made cupcakes. It's been fun! Gives me something to do to get me out of the Boredom post I posted. The pie was much too hot to hold for picture taking....

And now, for my Father's Day feat - I did it! The Nie Mud Pie and it was AWESOME. It tasted really good the 2nd day. Mine's not as cute as hers, but it tastes the same!

And, one last topic before I clean up this house and go to bed....the bedroom. And, alas, I just noticed that one of the decor pillows is out of place!! Shame on it!!! But, you get the idea. One picture of Jada's side:

And one picture where Evy's side will join her someday.

I've been told to paint the room light green. We'll see when I get up the gumption.

Sequence of events

John mails a package to his sister for her birthday at the UPS store. Several days later, the package returns to us saying, "Return for additional postage $1.00". John notes that the $4.20 postage on the box doesn't seem like it was as much as he remembers paying. I find the receipt. Total paid for package at UPS store - $8.87.

Bad timing

Now everytime I think "Oh, I'll take a picture of Jada's new room to put on the blog", it's when she's napping. She's kind of done with naps. However, she has been done with naps for apparently too many days in a row - because I was able to put her down TWO DAYS in a row. She wakes up grumpy now, so I must have gone a few too many days without one. But, how can I wisk her away from her neighborhood friends when they are all outside playing?? :) So, usually I don't. Since I was ready to literaly commit murder by Saturday night - she's now had two nap days back to back.

Any ideas for 4th of July? I may just have to invite myself over to the neighbor's pool. With, or without them.

I am going to go read a book. :) A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. We'll see if it's any good. I always love a good book suggestion, and since my book club peetered out, I need some ideas!! Go here to see what I like. GREAT. And while I just installed that hyperlink, I managed to send an email to EVERYONE in my address book, asking them to be my friend on Goodreads. I will now go hide under a rock.