Swimming!

There is nothing more fun than swimming with your best friend, for hours on end, at the Faifield Inn hotel pool in Gillette, Wyoming. 

After Kelsey performed at competition, Jemma, Emily, and I headed back to the hotel to swim. Laura and Kelsey stayed to watch the older girls perform.  We were at the pool for a good 5 hours and they were still swimming strong when we made them get out of the pool to eat dinner and get into bed. 

It was a great weekend spent with friends!

Girls Weekend

Jemma and I tagged along with Emily, Kelsey, and Laura to the dance competition in Gilllete. Jemma and I had made a deal a while ago that if she stopped sucking her fingers then she could get her ears pierced this weekend. She worked really hard at breaking her habit and earned her ears pierced. She was so excited, especially to have her best friend there with her. They begged all the time we were shopping in Hobby Lobby, so we caved and headed to the mall. It was all fun and games until her anxiety of the unknown got the best of her. Jemma began to cry in the chair and wanted to sit on my lap. I kept telling her she didn't have to get her ears pierced, but she pushed ahead and within a matter of seconds it was over. Fortunately, after about ten minutes wondering around the store looking at all the jewelry and fun accessories, she realized her dreams had finally came true and her ears were pierced. And of course, adding another stuffed animal to our collection of 500 help brighten her mood considerably.  

Hiking

When mom is away, the boys will play!

Jemma and I headed to Gillette, Wyoming for a girls weekend. The boys headed to Idaho to pick up Matt's deer head and to do a little hiking in Grace, Idaho. 

Birthday Boy!

Matt turned 38!  I can believe what an old guy he is becoming!  

I think he had a good birthday, despite being so old. On top of his new mountain bike, he got a new BYU blanket, courtesy of me. The kids found him some jersey, a hunting magazine, and gum. They also made sure that he had trick candles on his cake, hence all the smoke. We were pretty scared the smoke alarms were going to set off. Happy Birthday Matt!  You might be one year older, but you are also one year wiser!

Student of the Month

Bennett earned March Student of the Month in the 4th grade. This is what his teacher, Mrs. Wheatley said about him:

"Bennett displays excellent leadership skills and work habits. Taking on student council this year has been a first for Bennett, and he has been a responsible and hard-working representative for our class. When it comes to school work, Bennett gives his best effort and never gives up! He is a role model to others in how to work hard to accomplish his goals. From meeting and exceeding his AR goal, to passing all 4th grade Khan Academy math skills, Bennett shows that he is capable of accomplishing anything he sets forth to do. Way to go, Bennett!"

Spring Break

After the winter storm was all said and done, we received 27 inches of snow!  So we put the kids to work shoveling. And I do have to say, it was hard work!  The snow was packed with water and was really heavy. 

Heather, Grandma Julie, Ethan, Brogan, and Kinzlee followed us home from Utah and stayed with us the week of Spring Break. The kids had a blast being together, and being loud!  And while the kids were doing kid stuff Grandma Julie, Heather and I did grown up stuff like make a bazillion cookie, hot glue cushions for Matt's trailer and make a BYU blanket for Matt's birthday. 

Heather and I ventured out in the snow to get the cushions from the Plaisted's garage. Unfortunely, we didn't make it far in their driveway and got completely stuck. It took us about 45 minutes to free ourselves and get back on the road. I was a little bit nervous we would be walking home. 

Spring Break 2016

Just another day in paradise, a.k.a Lander, Wyoming. 

Why does Mother Nature hate me so much!

Easter

Easter weekend was a whirlwind event. We headed down to Utah to watch Felicity and Ella perform at their ballet recital. After the recital all the kids stayed home while the adults went to dinner to celebrate Jason and Michelle's birthdays. While we were out the kids all raced around to clean and decorate the house for Michelle. They also baked her birthday cupcakes. 

Next morning was Easter. We all got ready for church and then the kids had an Easter egg hunt. 

This Easter wasn't as peaceful and reflective on our Savior Jesus Christ as I would have liked it to be. But we did get one thing right...spending time with family. 

I am so grateful to my Savior for his sacrifice for me. He suffered in Gethsemane and took my sins upon him and then he died on the cross for me so that I would be able to repent of my sins and return to my Heavenly Father. He did this for everyone. And because of him we can all have the blessing of belonging to an eternal family. I love all my family so much and rejoice in the comfort of knowing that we can be a family forever. 

*Matt's early birthday present. It's about time he upgraded his mountain bike. 

Ashlee's Parenting 101

Turn your kids against one another to get your desired outcome. The kids want to go swimming. I want them to eat their dinner without having to nag. No one is allowed to swim unless everyone finishes without me having to say a word. Hence, Jemma and Bennett looming over Jacksen, threatening him if he doesn't finish. 

Charming Date

While in Gillette, I took this guy out on a date to Arby's. 

He wanted to prove to me that he could indeed put away 4 roast beef sandwiches, and he did. Such determination!  I'm impressed!