Christmas Cruise to Mexico

We are back in the USA! We had such a great time in Mexico and on the ship. It was a 7 days and we stopped at 3 ports. We spent a day in Cabo San Lucas where we Kayaked and snorkeled. It was amazing! In Mazatlan, my dad and siblings went parasailing. We also played on the beach and shopped. The 3rd port was my favorite on Christmas in beautiful Puerta Villarta. We played on a beach and found a cool little rain forest nook with a rope swing and a rock slide. I could have stayed there all day. Our taxi driver "Nacho" really knew the best spots. The ship was huge and had so much to eat and do. We really loved spending time with my family. What a perfect Christmas! I took a Gazillion pictures and so I created a slideshow highlighting the trip.

The First of Many

Here are the first few pictures I've taken with my new toy. It came in the mail yesterday and I'm not ashamed to admit that I let a high-pitched squealed escape as I opened it. And yes, I'm a cheater cheater pumpkin eater for opening it already! I'm not good at anticipation, I guess. In my defense I've been saving for it for a LONG time and I couldn't stand to wait any longer.

{Announcement}

I'm due on Cannon's 2nd birthday - June 16th
The baby is 12 weeks along
We are so happy!

Thankful

I'm of the persuasion that Thanksgiving is the best holiday ever. It's all about the things that matter most. Family, food and football. I guess it's kind of tradition to make a post about gratitude on this day. I really feel so thankful today for a lot of things:

• First of all, these two boys. I love them with all my heart. I can't imagine a life without them. My sweet, loving, huge husband. My funny, crazy, precious little son.
  

• My family. They are where I go to feel normal. I love both of my crazy families.
  

• My friends. They are all great. If you are reading this, I consider you a friend and I'm thankful for you.

• My Faith. My Savior. The Restored Gospel.
  

I could really go on and on but I'll keep it short and simple today. I hope you are with people you love today. I hope you have a delicious and satisfying meal. I hope you feel the love of a Savior. I hope you enjoy a great football game!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Deep Thoughts by Ashley

I'm copying Emily today because I have a lot on my mind...

• Cannon chipped his front tooth. We don't know when or how it happened. I was getting him into his pjs on Tuesday night and I saw that part of his tooth is missing. I'm having nightmares of it turning gray and falling out. It's really not too terribly bad, but definitely noticeable. Poor neglected kid.

• I'm so excited about going to Twilight with Jarom and friends tomorrow night. We went and picked up our tickets yesterday just to be safe. It's ridiculous how giddy I am.

• I really want Panda Express for dinner or lunch even though that's what Cannon and I had for lunch on Tuesday. I know, it's horrible for me, but so yummy right now.

• I really hope BYU wins on Saturday. Jarom just gets so depressed if they don't play well or lose. He takes it all so personally. I hate having a moping husband for a whole weekend. Go Cougs!
  

• I wonder if Jarom ever gets sick of ham and cheese sandwiches. That's what I make him for lunch every single day.
  

• We are traveling for Thanksgiving and I'm already stressed about packing . I hate packing for trips. HATE IT!

• Jarom has asked me to make him chocolate chip cookies every single day this week. I still haven't done it. Maybe today?

• Cannon is obsessed with shoes lately. It's really cute. He found a pair that he wore when he was tiny and is determined to wear them. He also really loves to walk around in my high heels. I think it's funny. Don't tell Jarom!

• Jarom NEVER looks at this blog unless I show him something. But, he reads all of yours over my shoulder when I check them.
  

• That's all!
  

Picture Tag

Kelly tagged me like a week ago maybe longer. I'm supposed to post the 6th picture from my 6th folder on my computer. I love that this picture was the one I had to post. It was taken just before my 20 week ultrasound where we found out Cannon was a boy. It's my very favorite picture of my pregnant belly. I also love that Jarom is a part of this picture. It makes me {almost} want a big pregnant belly right this second. Emphasis on the almost.

I don't remember how many people I'm supposed to tag. So I'm tagging Allison, Brynn Losee and Kyrsten.

On a side note - Cannon just brought me his blanky, climbed up on my lap and fell asleep. It's the sweetest thing to see him sleeping. I never get to hold him while he sleeps anymore. I could watch him like this all day.

Sneak Peek for Mandi

Here are just a few of the pictures I took of ridiculously gorgeous little Haven. She turns one on Saturday. She's SO darling. It was nice to be around such a frilly girl too. No trucks or trains for this little princess.







p.s. Mandi - Good luck choosing just a "few" good ones. ;) She really doesn't take a bad picture even when she wants a sippie cup!

Halloween Haunts

Every holiday with Cannon just gets better and better. Last year he was so angry about being in his costume he only wore it for a few minutes. Good thing I bought one in a huge size. He was a lion again and he LOVED it. He walked around the house 'roaring' all day. It was hilarious. He also liked trick-or-treating. His favorite part was handing out candy to all the kids. They had to be really patient while he grabbed the candy and shoved it in their bags. As they were running down the steps, he would throw a few pieces after them too. Jarom and I just laughed at him.

The day started with our preschool Halloween party. It was crazy and stressful. I'm glad it's over. I think the kids had fun. They made pumpkins, and played some games. They also frosted their own sugar cookies for snack time. Yummy! I'm just glad it's over. :) Parties wear my right out. Cannon loved being my destructive helper. Haha!

I made pizza pockets for dinner. Cannon got into the flour while I was making the sauce. What a naughty boy! I got some pictures of him before I threw him in the tub for a quick bath and gave him a lecture to which he replied with a chuckle. Stinker! I love how right on the bucket of flour there is a picture illustrating the fact that you shouldn't let your kids play in it. Duh! Makes me feel awesome!

We dressed up and got ready for trick-or-treating as soon as Jarom got home. Cannon watched all the trick-or-treators while we waited to go.

Jarom was supposed to be the scarecrow but didn't feel like dressing up. I took Cannon down our street to a few houses and his favorite part was ringing the doorbell.

We were all ready for bed that night. Happy Halloween.

Hee Haw Farms

I took my preschool class on a field trip to Hee Haw Farms. What a fabulous field trip it was. They have so many cool things to do. We stayed for an hour and a half and the kids and adults were equally worn out.

We went on a hay ride, slid down the huge hay slide, played in the corn box, went through the corn maze, saw the animals, picked a pumpkin from the patch, and jumped on the hay trampoline.


The parents that came with us were so great. Jarom took the day off and came too. It was nice to have him entertain Cannon while I managed the kids and activities. I highly recommend Hee Haw Farms to anyone. They are reasonably priced and excellent to work with. The kids had a blast.

Cannon chatting with his agent

Las Vegas and GO JORDAN!

We took a quick trip to California to visit Jarom's family over UEA (aka the Deer Hunt). Dave had a conference in Las Vegas so we stayed with him at the Venetian. It was a beautiful hotel room and we had a great view of the strip. Dawn Noel came with us and she was a great auntie. She watched Cannon while Jarom and I did some sightseeing. We took Cannon on the gondola ride outside the hotel. He loved it for the first 2 minutes. Then he just wanted to jump in the water. It was such nice weather there. We loved it. We were there for a few days before we continued on to the Becar home.

We got there just in time for Jordan's homecoming football game. It was so exciting! He's starting as a sophomore. I can't believe how well he plays. They won and he was on the front page of the sports section the next morning for a sack. We had a great visit even though it was so short. It's always nice to go back and visit. We can't wait to see them again for the holidays.

Jordan took Cannon on a ride on their ATC. Jarom used to ride it when he was a little tiny kid. He was extremely proud to see his son enjoying his old toy. I only freaked out a little bit.

The Park

Almost every Sunday, we get together at Grandma's house. We eat dinner with my family and various cousins. It's always a good time. Last Sunday, we went to this awesome park. It is really tall and it has a beautiful view of the valley. Cannon loves slides. He's at such a fun age where he wants to climb and be a typical boy. I love to watch him do his thing. He climbed up the drawbridge thing all by himself. I can't believe my boy is so big. My sisters had fun climbing and going down the slides. My cousin Jaron even played for a minute.

There was a big hill that was perfect for rolling. My sisters and I rolled down all together. I giggled the whole way down like I was three. There is absolutely no way I am posting those pictures here. Not cute.

Virginia

In August I took a trip to Virginia sans Cannon. I missed that little boy a whole lot. I did manage to have a great time with my sister Whitney and my cousins Chris n' Kenni. They were great hosts. Whit decided to pursue her educational endeavors at Southern Virginia University. It's a tiny little school in a tiny little city. I got to play 'mom' and help her get nestled in to student life there. We took many trips to Walmart and Target. Thanks to our good buddy Mr. GPS we only got lost a handful of times. It's not so bad getting lost when you have beautiful countryside to look at. Virginia has a lot of countryside.

I stayed with my cousins that live there and go to school there. They were so great. We watched movies every night and I caught up reading several books that I've been wanting to read. We also got to chat and catch up on life. I relished my time alone. I went to a sidewalk cafe one day and ordered a smoothie and read a book for a few hours. That was definitely a highlight for me. Whitney and I ate at a Waffle House restaurant. The waffles really were delicious. I crave the yummy syrup we had with them.

Whitney was all settled in by the time I left. She and her roommates got along great. It brought back memories from when I first left home for school. She's all grown up and on her own now.

I'm so glad I got to go. Virginia is beautiful. I missed my boys though. Thanks so much to Jarom and Grandma Sheri and Grandpa Dave for watching Cannon while I was gone. He was definitely in good hands.

Whit by the mascot

She just loves to have her picture taken.

The Teapot house we drove by every day
Whit & Me

I'm Back

For now at least. I guess I was just relishing those last few weeks of summer. *sigh*

I also took a great trip with my sister to Virginia. We got her all set up for her first year at SVU. I'm all set up and LOVING teaching preschool in our basement. I can't believe I was so nervous. I love 3-4 year olds and we get snack time. What could be better than that?

I hope you will still show up here every once in a while to check in. I'm still planning on being here. I have a list of posts I'm planning on sharing sometime soon. I definitely have a load of pictures I've got to get out too.

That's all for now. :)

bye.