Random Pictures

 

Ashby Boys Sleepover

This was the one thing that was on the boys bucket list that they just really wanted to do this summer. Forget Lagoon or Disneyland please just let us have a sleepover with the Ashby boys! Haha. So Tara of course made it funnier than ever for them at her house with homemade cotton candy and ghost in the graveyard out in the backyard and they had a blast! Then the next night they came here for mini golf, swimming, legos, and crepes in the morning. What would we do without our Ashby’s? They are the best boys in the world and I couldn’t have handpicked better friends for my Sons. I love their family so so much!

“End of School” Downs Campout

We’ve been having our End of Summer tent sleepover since I was a little girl to have a “reward ceremony” and celebrate the kids ending school. Somehow we couldn’t get it done before now but no matter. The kids had a great time! We all went up to the fire pit and Josh went from child to child talking about all of their accomplishments over the year and celebrating them individually. Then they all slept out in the tent together. I loved doing that as a kid and hope that they feel the same way about this fun tradition! Thank to Josh for heading it up year after year.

Father’s Day

Happy Father’s Day to the Best Dad in the entire world. EVERYTHING he does is for his kids (or me!) He spends SO much time playing with them, throwing the ball with them, practicing every sport with them, playing mini golf, playing tennis with Elle, driving them to school and all of their practices, taking them to the church gym, among a MILLION other things. He loves them so much and they all adore him. Elle put together a little basket of all of his favorite things. They all got him a “dadalorian” shirt and other cute pictures and gifts. All four kids gave the best talks in our home church for Tob. It was adorable. We got to go see Todd’s grave, and then spent the evening at my parents house celebrating my Dad as well. I’m so grateful for him. How lucky am I to have the best men in the world as my Father and Father of my children?!

Tate’s Baptism

 

Tate’s baptism. So much to say. Once again with Covid everything has changed and nothing is happening the same way it once was. Church is still online and the church has set some new guidelines for baptisms. Actually the guidelines kept changing. They went from only allowing 4 people, including the child being baptized and the one doing the baptizing, and then they said we could have siblings, then they changed and said we could have 10 guests. A week later it went to 30 and within another week it went back to 10. It honestly was all over the place for a month or so before his baptism. Bishop had mentioned we could just do it at our home in the pool and then we wouldn’t have to worry so much about how many guests but for a couple of different reasons I wasn’t sure how I felt about that. Eventually though it felt right and when I knew that Bishop was totally on board that’s what we decided to do. We were going to have the meeting in our home anyway so why not do the baptizing in the back yard?! We felt like it might really be a neat and unique and special experience that Tate would always remember. We had Tory speak on baptism and my dad spoke on the Holy Ghost. We had all of the cousins sing Tate’s Favorite Song.. I will be what I believe. We had my family, Toby’s family, and the Ashby family there. It was hard because part of me was really looking forward to keeping it extremely simple and focusing on the baptism with just our family and Grandparents but at the same time I understood everyone wanting to be there. I think it’s just that since Covid everything has become so much simpler (yet more complicated if that makes sense) and anything that requires much effort seems extremely overwhelming! I knew doing food for everyone would add to my stress but it all turned out really nice. I was a little concerned with being able to keep the spirit in my home with all the little kids and if I’m being honest there were a few tears from me after it just wondering if it all went alright but I think it did. I hope Tate felt the spirit and will remember this day and I’m so grateful for Toby being a worthy priesthood holder and being able to baptize our son. Pretty special day for a pretty incredible little 8 year old. 

Tate’s Birthday Party!!!

Last year when we thought the pool would be done I had planned Tate a shark party because of how much he’s always loved sharks and you know...the pool. But it didn’t get finished in time. And then this year with corona I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to make it happen. But we did it! We threw Tate the cutest shark party! We had the funnest favors, and decorations, and cupcakes, and all the boys had such a good time. It turned out perfectly. I was so happy for him. It was actually his FIRST FRIEND party! What kind of mom waits till her son turns 8 before she throws him a friend party?! Sigh. But we did it and he was so happy and so was I!