We are going private!

Brian wants to go private.... Sorry I know this makes things harder for some of you. I have just learned to listen him. He is pretty in tune with things. However I lost my list I was making previously so please send me your e-mails again and I will send you an invite. I will also keep looking for my list. Thanks

Christmas Tradition

As I have mentioned in previous blogs I love to do sugar cookies... Well, we have a Call family party tomorrow and I decided to make more sugar cookies. The kids and I had a blast. I think I enjoy it more than any normal person would. Brian thinks I am CRAZY and well he is right, but I am pretty sure that is why he married me!!!! :)

The proud artists!! and some of my favorites.

Parker did this Patrick cookie. He was VERY proud of himself. I did the man with a broken leg and a Pirate guy. We were running out of ideas and we got a little weird. HA HA!!

These are Kenna's favorite 3. This is the winner of the craziest cookie award!! It is an angry star by Parks he thought he was pretty funny!!!

The best part about this tradition is that they taste better than they look and they always make people smile!!!

The party is over

The party is over!!! :(

We had soooo much fun. I was so happy to see all of my nieces and nephews. Why do they have to grow soooo much? It seems like just yesterday they were all little babies and I was the babysitter. I guess we can't keep them little forever.....right? Here are some pics of our fun time together. Thanks to everyone who made this possible, I know it is hard to travel and be away so THANKS and we LOVE you all......

Playing some weird game Zach brought. It was fun, I am going to have to remember the name of it so I can buy it. Quelf, I think that is it. Good fun.

Emi is in love with Brooklyn.... We may have to kidnap her this summer!!! :

Jake being his inner model. ( he really liked Emi's princess shoes!!) This kid makes me laugh like no other!! He is so much like his dad.

Sugar Cookie time with Candice. They were DEELISH!!!!!!!

Redneck sledding!!! This is the best way to sled!! You tie a giant piece of plastic to the back of Grandpas truck and he pulls you around for hours!!! I think we had a total of 8 people on the plastic at one time. In years past we have had up to 12 at a time. It truly is thee FUNNEST time ever. Brian even joins in on this!!!

Christmas Eve P.J.s!!!!!! I decided about 1-1/2 weeks before Christmas that we should make all the kids bottoms..... Yes, I am INSANE!!!..... Mom got all the material in Texas and sent it UPS It arrived and I got to work. We only had a few adjustments to do Christmas Eve but between mom and I we got them all done and it was a success.. There is nothing like new Jammie's!!!

Our kids are SPOILED! I know this, it is not a new revelation. I do have to say, in our defense, we made them earn their Wii by earning good behavior points. 1000 points. They are given 10 points a day. Brian told them about Santa 2 years ago so now we have to get creative. Emi got a stroller and Princess shoes....4 new pairs she was in heaven!!! (she doesn't know about Santa, and Kenna and Parks were warned about spoiling it for her or any other kids who don't know!!!) The sleds are a must... We got 18 more inches last night. Plus they went with their new snow pants they got under the tree.

Andrew got Rock Band 2, Brooklyn got a Hannah Montana guitar game, Jake got a remote control Hummer. Adael and Brig got Snow shoes. Look at all that paper!!!!!!! Andrew wanted to make a snow angel in it!! it was soooo much fun. I don't think I could do this every year but I want to do it in the summer some time so Matthew will come.

I also wanted to let you all know that the plungers were not needed!! Yeah we had a good plumber!!! thanks Jerry.

We had a Merry Christmas!!! And hope you did too!!!!!!!!

Family Photos

So T.J. and Candices friend is a photographer and agreed to take some family pics I think they turned out great considering the fact that it was a blizard out side and we had to change the location like 3 times. But we finally settled on the barn and I think they are nice. A little farmer John but still cute. P.S. Emi was a little butt the whole time.

My beautiful little family

Since Matthew would not come up for the party we invited his ex Karen. Once you are an Ashment........ :)


Grandma and grandpa with ALL of their grand babies.

Matthews boys

Zach, Connor, C.J., and Logan

Jons babies!!!

Brooklyn, Jake, Jon, and Andrew (PEACE OUT!)

Emi was in rare form.... NOT!!! At least the other two are behaving... for now!

T.J.s cute family

Brigham, T.J., Candice, and Adael

MA and PA.

These are not the best of the groups. However The fact that I am getting them on here is quite the feat!!! So maybe I will be picky next time. Besides I have a house full of crazy people and they wany more FOOD!!!!! AHHHH. I am off to make the sugar cookies!! MMMMM!

Christmas Tag

1- Paper or gift bag? I'm a little selfish about this, I love to open wrapped packages. But I often give gift bags. Is that bad???

2- Real or fake tree? I love a real tree, however Brian hates chopping them down. So we have a pre lit fake tree from ACE Hardware!( so un fun!)

3- When do you put it up? December 1st. I am a little O.C.D. about this. :)

4- When do you take it down? January 1st. I am a little O.C.D. about this. :)

5- Do you like eggnog? Gagging as I type. Not so much. I can taste it and that's about it.

6- Favorite gift as a kid? I have so many fun memories but I would have to say the Raggedy Anne doll my mom (Santa) made for me with my name embroidered in a heart on her chest. I still have it.

7-Hardest person to buy for? I am not good at picking gifts period. I can never make up my mind.

8- Easiest person to buy for? Emi, she does't care a single bit what we get her.

9-Do you have a nativity scene? Yes, I have a few. My favorite one is one I just got from my mom this year. She painted it when I was 12. It has been broken a few times but I love it. Thanks mom.

10- Do you mail or email your Christmas cards? Well lets put it this way, if you get a card from me you are very fortunate. If you get an email from me.... DITTO! I am horrible at the whole card thing. Sorry!

11-What is the worst gift you got as a kid? I don't remember ever getting a bad gift but I do remember not getting the ones I wanted. I wanted a Rubadub Doggie, and a Snoopy Snow Cone Machine. I didn't get them but I must have been happy with what I got.

12- Favorite Christmas movie? Christmas Vacation. Is there any other?

13- When do you start shopping? After Turkey Day, mostly on line.

14- have you ever re-gifted a gift? Only White Elephant gifts. That's what is sooo funny about them, Right?

15- Favorite thing to eat at Christmas time. Uncle Mikes Divinity......mmmmm it is heavenly!

16- Colored lights or clear? I don't discriminate.... I love and use them all!!!!

17- Favorite Christmas song? Religious-Silent Night, Funny-Police got my car by Cheech and Chong. It is very inappropriate but hilarious!!, Traditional- White Christmas by Bing Crosby. Good stuff!

18-Travel or home for Christmas? We did the travel thing to Arizona 2 years ago... toooo stressful. We are staying home from now on. If it is possible.

19-Can you name all the reindeer? Yes!!!! Sleepy, Doc, Bashful..... haaa haaaa!

20- Angel or star? Kenna likes angels so that is what we use. I grew up with a star.

21- Do you open presents on Christmas Eve or morning? P.J.s on Christmas Eve. And the rest in the morning.

22- Most annoying thing at Christmas? All the anti Christ in Christmas stuff. It just ruins the whole spirit of the season.(DORKS!)

23- Favorite ornament or theme? I love anything my kids make, and I love antique ornaments.Our house is a Hodge Podge of Christmas!

24- Favorite Christmas dinner food? Fondue at the Call family dinner. Sooo fun, and yummy!

25- What do I want for Christmas? Nothing, I have received more than enough this year!!!

26-White or warm Christmas? I love a good snow. But if I were to end up in Mexico or Hawaii I would NOT complain. :)

27- Favorite thing about Christmas? The music. I love it ALL!

28- Favorite Christmas tradition? Making moms sugar cookies, and delivering them to neighbors.

29- Favorite location for Christmas? With my family. :)

30 Who do you tag? Abbey, Kallie, Shirlene, and Tye.

The circus is comming to town!!!

We are selling tickets to the Circus!!! The Ashment family circus.

My husband is soooo excited he could just die!!! In all our married life I can't think of a single occasion that he has looked forward to more.... No this is not a week on the trails with his brothers and his girlfriend Honda (a CR 250R). It is the arrival of the Ashment family Circus!!!!! Yeah this is thee best thing to happen to him since well...... ME!!!!

O.k. I am totally exaggerating, He is not that excited. If you know my sweet man you know he is happy that I am that excited. He on the other hand is not excited. It's not that he doesn't like my family. He does. Its the crowds. He hates large amounts of people. Which is funny because his family is twice as big as mine. But then he does the same thing with his own family parties.

Back to the circus. They start arriving on Tuesday..... And will slowly filter in by the 22nd. I am sooo happy to have all my loved ones here. There is always the exception though..... Matthew and his wife Kristina. He has a bad case of Bahummbugedness. So his wife is going home to New York and he is staying in Seattle. It won't be the same with out him, but I am o.k. with it. I have to be. At least his boys will be here. :)

The kids and I decorated the tree and the house it is sooo festive I love this time of year. I can not wait for the CRAZINESS of life. 20 adults, teens, and babies in my house..... good thing I have 5 bathrooms with plungers!!!!!!!

SALSA?

So most people with two year olds know how funny they are. Our Emi is no exception!!! Everyday she does something that blows my mind or makes me laugh. This morning for breakfast she was in rare form. I don't know many two year olds that like salsa. Emi doesn't like it ....She LOVES it. I caught her drinking my home made salsa.(Yes for breakfast.. Don't ask) This is not wimpy salsa it is CRAZY HOT!!!! I put about 18 jalapenos in this batch. It makes your nose run, your eyes water, and your mouth burn. It tastes like salsa heaven, so I understand why she likes it. I just don't know how she can drink it!!!


Look at the joy in that little face!!!!

She is sooooo fun. She doesn't even ask for water or milk. She just chows. Again I am at a loss for words. She just makes us all laugh.

Puppies and Poop!!!!

I thought you should all know that on Thursday we brought home Pepper. She is now one of us and it is fun. However........ I just can not handle the poop! (Gagging as I type) Mel said it was bad but I thought that she meant it was because she had 8 puppies pooping. Nope it only takes one. We are currently trying to get through the diarrhea faze of this project. Parks is soooo happy she is here and he keeps feeding her and feeding her and feeding her. Not good. We have discussed the food portion thing and she no longer is allowed to eat until she is as round as she is tall. Poor pooch. All in all she is a good girl. I am sure she will be a good source to blog off of. And I am sure we will have more poop!!

MMMMM Stuffing and Pumpkin pie!!!!

Oh, the joys of FOOD!!! Oh, the joys of weight watchers. I decided my nether regions were getting a little (alot) out of control. So I started Weight Watchers. I was doing great!! My friends and I even started working out Mon, Wed, & Friday mornings at my house. I lost 8 lbs and a few inches. Enough to feel the difference and see it. Yeah go me!!! maybe if I keep it up I can go to Mexico and not hide in the pool!!! :)


Enter Thanksgiving........

Never mind!!!! I am going to EAT!!! So I did. I can happily report I gained 5 of my 8 lbs back!! NICE. that part stinks. I have to get back on the horse. So it all starts over again. I can't feel bad though, because I had an awesome time with my family this year.


We spent our holiday at T.J. and Candice's house in Idaho. It was a first time for my family to go to their house because they used to live in Oregon and as I have stated before.... We don't travel. (curses that accounting side of my hubby!!!) I was so glad they moved so close to me, it is nice to have some of my family close by. Dad flew up from Texas, and Jon surprised mom at my house!! it was great.Too bad Matthew is so holiday challenged!! ( He is special like Jerry's kids.LOL) We still love him.
So we had great food and fun. We introduced dad to Rock Band and we met Jon's "friend" in Russia on web cam. It was cool. She is very nice and very Russian!!! The kids were loud and Jon's finger gets a little bit out of control. If you are sensitive to the bird you may want to skip past the photos!!!!


ROCK BAND it's a family affair. And the only picture you will see of Brian. He hates the camera.


A little mind numbing for the kiddos... It's a good thing. Ahhhhhh!


This was Emi's new obsession. She would not get off of this dang thing!! and if anyone looked at it she would freak out!!!


We don't take pictures of food we eat it!!! Sorry. Candice loves blue glass, can you tell? It looked awesome before the vultures moved in.

This is Candice she is AWESOME!! I just love her.

Mom and DAD!! See I do have a dad.....

Sorry! this is T.J.s tongue and Jon's bird. Now you know why I am the way I am.....I was the only girl and Matthew is just as strange.....
So that was my Turkey day!!! I got my stuffing fix and my pie fix. I should be good till Christmas. I do need to loose that 5 lbs though so I don't add to my tab!!! :) All in all it was pretty darn fun!!! Welcome to the redneck side of my life!!! Haa Haa haaa!!!


P.S. I didn't do Black Saturday. I figured enough people die on that day, I don't want to be one of them. And who wakes up at 3 A.M. for a Leapster anyways??? ( Sorry Tye!! but you my friend are CRAZY!!)

baby curls!!

Well I am usually the kind of person who can handle hair situations... Unless your hair dresser turns your hair Ronald McDonald orange and fries it so you have to cut 8 inches off and then she............ sorry I got into a bad place there. Let me continue, Emi has very cute blond curly hair like mine was. It is curly in the back and straight in the front.That was the o.k. part what was sad is that it was so uneven and she still had that easy to get nappy baby hair in the back. So it was time to fix things. Thanks to grandmas encouragement we got it done (TRAUMATIC!!

You cant tell it here but the back made the cutest little ringlets ever!!!

I can do it! I can do it! I can do it!!!!!

Emi loved her hair!!!! She thought it was soo funny to touch.

She is sooo beautiful. And so so sweet. even with short hair.

you can still see a little bit of the curl in the back and I have to say it does look better. Thanks for the help Grandma.

Blog the Dog

We have officially picked a name........

PEPPER

She is sooo sweet we just love her. We have brought her over to our house several times to play. She is such a good puppy.

Sweet Pepper

Brutus,Butler,Pepper

Emi is obsessed with her it is hilarious. We brought over two of Peppers brothers to play and Emi had to hold all 3 of them she kept grabbing them by the tail and holding them by the neck. It was a disaster. I guess we have some puppy etiquette to work on. We hope to bring Pepper home by the 15th or so.

Poor puppies!!! Good thing we were there to save them.

Parker is gearing up for pooper scooper duty!! he is soooo excited. I think we all are, it has been real cool to be around her since the day she was born. Thanks Mel for letting us barge in all the time.