The year of "FIRSTS"

This year there was a lot of new things to do and try for everyone.

                                      First time without training wheels for Jordyn

                                         Peddle peddle peddle

                                         First crash

                                         First time panning for Gold

                                          First gold fleck found (look really really close)

                                         First braces

                                         First painted toes

                                         First star made of hair

                                          First time in scouts for Ty

                                           First time playing football for Ty

                                         First time having two boys in Football

Also Reggie learned to ride a two wheeler for the first time at three years old in Sept. 2014 I only got  video no actual pictures. Way to go my brave, fearless boy!

Ashton's Tenth Birthday

March 25, 2014

Happy Birthday Ashton!  You are the best helper in the world, you are getting so big (almost as tall as me now), you are a sensitive sweet boy always looking out for others and wanting to be everyone's friend and I love that about you. 

This year was a friend party for Ashton. We kept it low key with pizza, brownies, presents, Nerf guns wars and football until dark. I think everyone had fun including Cory.

                                         Presents........

                                          Presents........

                                          and more Presents.

                                          The Whole gang came.

                                         Cory joining the fun. The it was him against eight crazy boys it was so funny to watch. They got each other good!!!

Ty's the BIG #8

February 13, 2014

When your child turns Eight it is such a special Birthday. Ty chose to become baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Saints. He is excited for this blessing to be made clean and have a fresh start of the times he didn't choose the right to now continue to make good choices and to be an example to others. We are so proud of him! He is my joy, my goofball, my considerate little buddy. Congratulations on your big day and Happy Birthday WE LOVE YOU SOOOO MUCH!!!!

                                                    What a handsome guy

Dad and Ty in their whites ready to get it done. 

 We switch off every year between a friend Birthday party and a family one this year Ty got to choose what to do together as a family. He chose bowling and we ask Gpa and Gma Slade if they wanted to join us for the night.

                                                              Ashton

                                                         Gma

                                          Gpa darn it missed that one pin!

                                                Reggies first bowling trip

                   Jordyn had more fun spinning the balls around and around on the racks.

                                           Cory feeling robbed of a strike

Scouting

January 2014

Ever since Ashton has begun scouting he has really enjoyed it and taken off.  Then we moved to Lehi and he has the best leaders. They just don't make them like that very often.  They are organized, engaged, and fun. We will be sad to leave them.

Good Job Bud!!!!

Christmas 2013

Christmas in a new house was a little different trying to figure out where to put the tree and the presents, but we got it done.

 Ashton and Reggie decorating the tree, trying to find the perfect spot to put the bulbs.

 My little angel get the Honor of putting the Angel on the tree.

 When the tree was all done. We always like to sit back, turn the lights off, listen to music, and talk about all the symbolism on the tree and at Christmas and how the commercial things actually represent Christ and the TRUE meaning of the season.

 It wouldn't be Christmas Eve without traditions. Dad Building the gingerbread house with the kids while I get the goodies.

 The best part of Christmas morning is seeing their faces as they see the gifts.

 Ty looking good in his new Karate gear. Still needs to figure out how to wear correctly, but he'll get there.

 The only thing Jordyn asked for, for Christmas is an Umbrella, CHECK!

 The kids get to open a gift on Christmas Eve and because they already caught me making their blankets the boys got to open those as their gifts.  I didn't want Jordyn to feel left out so she got a girly store bought one.

 This was Ashton's big gift.  We told him we couldn't afford it so he better be extra good so that Santa would bring it. I guess he passed because he got what he wanted.

 Oh the fun of exploring the new toys :)

 After opening gifts it is always off to Gpa and Gma Slades for Christmas Brunch. It is all the works and is so yummy.  This year was extra great because it was the first year in a long time that we actually got the whole family there together at the same time.(Almost all I guess we were missing a niece and nephew and families, but the most we have had in years)

Christmas at Temple Square

The Christmas Season never feels complete until you go to Temple Square to see the lights. It is a relaxing night, a night to be with family, remember what Christmas is really about, and enjoy the beauty all around. 

 These are the falls going down the Conference Center

 I had to get my Husband in a picture too. That's my cute family.

 We had to take a picture without the flash so you could see all the lights.

 Oh my daughter makes me laugh!  They were posing by a statue for a picture and Jordyn was just sitting there really still and we asked her what she was doing and she said that she is part of the statue.

 Oh the wander of water.

This is one of the walkways outside of Temple Square, but i had to get a picture the whole row of trees were lit up. It was so beautiful!!!

Veterans Day and my Favorite Soldier

 My Dad is a highly decorated (retired) soldier. When Veterans day comes around every year it seems that my dad always has something going on. Whether it is a speaking engagement or some kind of honor presented to him. This year he was nominated for a prestigious award up at the University of Utah. Because the war (I think WWII) was signed to end on the eleventh month, the eleventh day, in the eleventh hour the U celebrates eleven Veterans on that time and at that time each year. Each Veteran was escorted up on stage with a active military soldier and presented a metal. While they were given their metal there was a story and a little history read about the Veteran. There was some great patriotic music, taps was played for those lost, and a cannon was shot for remembrance also. Then after this ceremony the Honored Veterans and guests were invited to a really nice luncheon. It was a really neat ceremony and I was so proud of him!

 This is my parents with some really good friends of theirs Sid and Nancy. Sid and my Dad served together and now they go to dinner and travel together some times.

 After the ceremony the audience was invited to come up and talk to and say thanks to the honored. This is the Mayor of Saratoga Springs Mia Love congratulating my Pop.

 My Pop and his escort for the Day

 The President of the U presenting my dad with his award

 My dad is so serious sometimes and this is the only picture I could get of him smiling. This is when he saw his friends Sid and Nancy out in the audience. He has a nice smile I don't know why you don't see it more often.

 Out in the hallway they had a large board telling about each of the Honored Veterans. The same things was written in a program. It really was a good day I was honored to be invited and share that moment with him. Congrats Pop!

 

 

My niece Alisha, dad, and my Bro. James

 

Ok so this was a different day earlier in the year I think it was July 4th but, I realized that I didn't put this in here and since it was another time my dad was given an honor I thought I would post them together. This was a ceremony in the city which he lives. There is a monument in the city cemetery that has service men and women's name engraved on it. It is different than other monuments because it posts the name of not only the dead but of the living service members of the city. It has a wall for each branch of the military but also the police force. Each year they do a ceremony and take down the flag that has been standing there all year and put up a new one. They give the past year to someone they decide to Honor that year and this year my father was chosen. He was asked to speak but, wasn't aware that he was the one chosen with the honored flag that year it was a humbling surprise.

 My Fathers name was also added to the wall of Army service men and women

Mom always by dads side supporting him.