Chan..

Happy 13th Birthday Chan!!

When Ashtyn was just barely 3 months old we found out we were pregnant again!!!

Needless to say we were in absolute SHOCK! All we could think to ourselves is "how on earth did this happen." "really?" "Are you kidding me?" .. And Ben was just as happy as could be!! Me on the other hand..I had all of the feelings I'm sure most moms have when they have their second child. Do I have enough love for this little one? Can I love them equally? My baby was still a baby and I was having another!..How thankful I am for her surprise arrival into our lives!

When that beautiful little thing came into this world she had a presence about her that was all her own! And the LOVE?...it was just like magic, you just love them no matter what..to the ends of the earth. There is nothing you wouldn't do for this beautiful little creature.

Chan cried and cried until she learned to talk, and it hasn't stopped..Chan is very stubborn and she will be heard one way or the other! She is very BLUNT and straight to the point. If she disagrees with you then you will know it! I love this quality about her!

She is positive, kind, and full of love!

We love her so much and cherish each day we have her in our lives! How lucky are we!!

I LOVE YOU CHAN CHAN!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Chan's favorite things..

ANYTHING ABOUT FASHION

CLOTHES

JEWELRY

FRIENDS

VOLLEYBALL

TEXTING

RHINE STONES

SHOES

HAIR SPRAY GLITTER

PRETZELS & CHEESE

ACRYLIC NAILS

EAR RINGS

CRAB LEGS

SHOPPING

SLEEPING IN

(...again don't have time to dig up baby pics will do that soon!)

Ashtyn..

“I hear babies cry and I watch them grow,

They’ll learn much more than we’ll ever know
And I think to myself... what a wonderful world.”

......................................................................................

I knew it would happen, but honestly thought time would move slower than it has. My baby is 14 today! People used to say to me, "enjoy every minute because it will be gone tomorrow! " I knew I was enjoying my little ones, and also knew it would go quickly...just not this quickly!!

Ashtyn Sarai came into this world on April 21, 1996. She was such a joy from the second she was born! She was born with this "old soul" sort of spirit. She has always had this amazing wisdom about her that radiates to everyone around her.

We are so blessed that she chose us to be her parents! She teaches me everyday about unconditional love, patience and understanding, and was sent here to bring such happiness into our lives. She is so loved, cherished, and appreciated. How lucky I am to call her daughter.

I am always amazed as I watch her grow. Ashtyn has become such a lady. Conversation with her is enough to fill my heart and break it at the same time. Oh, how she is growing…

things i want to remember about ash this past year...

she always tries to make everyone around her happy

she loves animals

every morning she says "it's going to be an AMAZING day"

she loves Volkswagen Bugs and Hummers

volleyball is her life

make-up is her new BFF

she wants a new purse every time we go to the store, but she never carries them. :)
her eyes dance when she laughs

Christmas is her favorite Holiday
she loves the Gospel

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY GIRL!! I LOVE YOU!

hanging out at Great Grandma Rees'

Ash, Chan & Kyah Marie

Fishing at the trout farm in Utah

Muttin Bustin...

Ash and Alissa Morrison

Ash and Anz

Michael Bolton

A couple of weeks ago I saw an add in the newspaper announcing that Michael Bolton was coming to Idaho Falls, and thought I would really like to go. I always liked his music but as soon as I put the paper down I forgot all about it.

Then on Sunday we got a call from Ben's uncle Tim, who happens to be Michael Bolton's road manager asking us if we would like to come to the show!! We were so thrilled to hear from him because he travels a lot and we haven't seen him in 6 years. Ben grew up thinking his uncle was a "rock star" (because he has always worked for rock stars) so I think Ben was happier to see him than Michael Bolton, but we all had a great time..the girls LOVED the VIP treatment they got from Uncle Tim, and fell in love with the Saxophone players music! They were able to go backstage and get pictures and see all of the music equipment they had. Ash loved the piano and Chan loved the guitars!

I just wish we would have had more time to spend with uncle Tim but it was so nice to see him.

Ben with his Uncle Tim

onstage

Ash got to play the Piano, she thought that was sweet!

Chan sporting her VIP pass and posing with the guitars!

Ashtyn & Chan with Uncle Tim

Uncle Tim, The Sax player with the girls

Ash and Chan with the Sax player, he was so amazing too by the way! I have never heard anyone play the way this guy can! I would have got pictures of him playing but we were so mesmerized by his music! haha!

Easter???

This Easter was so COLD and WINDY WINDY WINDY!! It sure was not our typical "Springtime weather".

We decided that after the passing of Gramps that we needed to try to get out of our sad moods, brave the weather and go Easter Egg hunting!! The kids loved it anyway and hardly noticed the weather..

I loved that Easter and Conference were on the same weekend! I very much enjoyed the messages that were shared with us this weekend and hope that every day I can strive to be a better wife, mother, sister and friend.

We were so lucky to have my brother Bryce and his beautiful family up here to celebrate with us. We never get company, so we were thrilled they decided to come up. Their little baby Jayda is so fun and it was a great experience to celebrate her very first Easter with her! On Saturday Ben, Bryce and Jensen went out hunting, while Ashtyn, Chandler and Aubrey made watch bands, they turned out really cute, and now my girls want one in every color of their wardrobe! We all had such a great weekend! Thanks for sharing your Holiday with us guys!! Love you!

Even with all the craziness of the weekend it was nice to stop and reflect on the real reason we celebrate this wonderful Holiday! I am so thankful for my elder brother Jesus Christ for the

sacrifice he made for me, that I could have everlasting life!