This & That

I haven't posted in a while, these are a few pictures that were on my camera from the last couple months, so I figured I better get them on here!

Alley is becoming such a great reader! She loves to read! She won two certificates from school for reading so many books. Each Certificate was worth a personal pan pizza from Pizza Hut! She let Ashlyn have one =) So, one night we had Family Night at Pizza Hut! Great Job Alley!

(She is such our little nerd in this picture...haha, but our cute nerd!)

Just a few of Ammon at the Softball gamesOur little animals Yummy Chocolate mess

taking a break for snacks at the park...

Our little man in the dirt with a hammer

Aaawwwww... my 2 tired boys!

8 years!

Engaged Christmas Day 2000 Wedding Day May 19, 2001 It's crazy how much has changed in 8 years and that we now have 3 kids and 1 on the way! I can't wait for the next 50 years! I love you so much Artie! Happy Anniversary!

Let's Play Music Mini Summer Class

Summer is coming so fast and I'm excited to say that I will be doing some mini Summer Let's Play Music classes. Ideal age is 4-6 or 7. I will do two 2-week sessions, Daily 60 minutes for 2 weeks at my Home! Session I- June 15-26 $45 Session II-July 6-17 $45 (there will be a student materials fee and small deposit also) Register for one or the other! Deadline for the first session of summer sign-ups is MAY 29TH. I'm also currently registering for Fall. This will be a fun way to get a preview of the following year. Your child can start learning music & it will be something fun for them to be involved in this summer! It's all about FUN!! I'm thinking around 10 am for classes! If you are interested leave a comment with your email, suggestion for good times, what session you might be interested in and any questions you might have. You can also email me at aashaner@rconnects.com. I will email you the complete registration form! For more info on Let's Play Music visit: http://www.letsplaymusicsite.com/ If there are 5 or more that would like a free sample class soon we can do that in the next couple weeks and I will hand out all registration information then!! Fall classes will begin early in August, I will take a 3 -4 week break at the end of October to have my baby and then classes will continue for the rest of the year! YEAH!!

Sweet Little Prayers

The other night Alley came into our room early in the morning saying she was scared and she had a nightmare. Artie had just left to work and so I told her to climb on daddy's side and sleep a little longer. I was starting to dose off again and I heard her saying a little prayer that she wouldn't be scared and that everything would be alright. Soooo sweet! I love the faith that she has and that she already knows Heavenly Father is there for us whenever we need him!

She is so caring and is becoming quite the little big helper. She tries to take care of me because I haven't been feeling well at all with the pregnancy. She tries to get me what I need and says "I hope you get feeling better mom." She is also such a big helper with Ammon. She takes care of him like a little mommy! She also loves to get Ashlyn and her cereal in the morning and today she wanted to make lunch =).

Alley is becoming such a big girl, I can't believe she'll be 6 in a few months. She still loves school and is reading sooooo good. She loves it!

We Love the sweet young girl you are becoming Alley! We love you!!

Easter 2009

*Coloring Eggs* *Saturday before Easter at Grandpa & Grandma Laub's* Getting ready to go 4-wheeling, my most favorite thing ever!! Daddy & AmmonAmmon & AshlynAshlyn, Uncle Randy & ShayeAlley the little model =)Grandpa, Alley & JavenThere they Go!!*Ammon hunting Easter eggs!!*

Then it was time for...

"Easter Bunny Forest" behind Grandma Leavitt's Can you see any eggs??? They were everywhere!

Alley found one of the Lucky eggs that Grandpa Laub hid real good, her egg was good for a giant bag of M&M'sAmmon was pretty much done hunting by this time and was ready for another 4-wheeler ride. That kid never wants to stop riding the 4-wheeler. If he sees one, he wants to go!!Uncle Walter & All the kids trying to find the other lucky egg that Grandpa hid.

(it was good for a 1/2 pound of Grandpa's Jerky! Kaden ended up finding it!)*Easter Morning*

(Their buckets look pretty empty, they had already dug through before I could get a picture..haha, but they got way too many goodies, Easter clothes & a few fun toys and stuff to play with)

We had a great Easter!!

I never got a picture of them in their nice easter clothes...but I'm hoping I start feeling better and then I can go out and get some nice spring pictures of them soon!!

Our New Puppy

A couple days before Easter Daddy brought us home a Puppy! We gave the kids a few options of names and of course they liked ABBY. I guess she can't be in our family unless her name starts with an "A" hahaha. She's been a good dog so far!

FLyiNg KiTeS

The kids really loved flying kites....after a few tries we finally got a day when the wind was just right!

The Funny little things....

I'm trying to keep up on writing all the funny little things the kids say and do...I know there's more, but this is what I can remember for this time! *I still haven't been feeling well, the kids and I were headed somewhere and I felt like I was looking pretty scary, but too sick and tired to put myself together well...haha Me: (looking in the car mirror) "I look scary, guys" Alley: No you don't mom Me: awww...thanks Alley Ashlyn: You look scary to me! *I had to take the kids with me to my OB-GYN appointment, the full exam....(if you know what I mean) As we were walking out of the Dr. Office Alley said, "I wanna be a daddy." (I think that's how we all feel at those moments...hahah) *The kids are always talking about the pets they want...Alley says she wants a puppy & Ashlyn wants a kitty. Daddy brought home a puppy for Easter! Ashlyn didn't seem thrilled at all! We got the puppy all settled and we sat on the couch and Ashlyn said "When the puppy DIES let's get a kitty!" (Well Ashlyn hopefully that puppy will survive until you're 15! haha)

First Pics....& this is the PITS!

So, you can bearly tell that it's a baby in there....it's still way small to see too much. But, it's there! It was cool to see it's little heart fluttering! So, here are the first pictures of our little baby! I've been super sick! It's no fun! I've just been sooooo nautious. All day every day since about 7 1/2 weeks along. I can't take the regular prenatal pills, I had to ask my Doctor for chewable ones, because swallowing big pills like that is soooo hard, it makes me wanna throw up. He said he thinks I'm the only one that likes them, and he gave me his whole stash of them....woohoo! A couple of weeks ago he also gave me some pills that are suppose to help with nausea. But, they haven't helped =( So, I stopped taking them. I've tried anything I can thing of and nothing is working! Anyway, today after my doctor appt. I had to stop by Walmart to get a few things. I hate going shopping while I don't feel good, all the smells and stuff just make me sicker. I tried to hurry! I got what I needed and was not feeling good at all. I got in my car and had just bearly got out of the Walmart parking lot and I hurried and pulled onto the side of the road, opened the door and starting puking my guts out! Yucky! People passing were just staring....how embarrassing! This sucks so bad! I just hate this part of Pregnancy and I can't wait until it's over!! The things we do for our children! =)

Let's Play Music! Yeah!!

I haven't been feeling too great!(pregnancy issues...lol) But, I was able to attend my training to become a licensed teacher for Let's Play Music! in Orem, Utah last week! Let me tell you, this is the best Music Program for young children. The Music Window is between the ages of 3-9 years old. This program teaches young children (starting age for this program is 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8- also depending on the child) HUGE concepts but in a fun way for them to understand. It's soooo great! I just love it! I can't wait to begin teaching next Fall! But, SOON I will begin registering for those classes & I will soon be doing some Free Sample Classes so you can fully see for yourself how much fun it will be for your child and how educational it really will be in teaching them MUSIC! Parent involvement is also a must! A few of you had some interest in this last time I talked about it, I will contact you with when I will be holding sample classes. I have fliers and things with more info if anybody would like please let me know! Music education is so important for children and especially during that critical window between ages 3-9! I'm so greatful that I can be a part of that for children and I'm greatful that I was able to learn so much about music as a young child! If you'd like you can check out more about this at www.letsplaymusicsite.com and if you watch the video make sure you put my name in as the teacher that sent you! Thanks!

Whew! It's OVER!

Well, it's finally over! Cowgirls the play/musical went for 2 weekends in a row. We practiced so hard and it really took a lot of dedication and time away from our families. So, it was very hard that way! But, I made some new friendships and performing was soooo much fun! I think I really grew as a person, and as a musician (I guess that's what you could call it). I really gained a new kind of confidence that other wise I don't know if I ever would have! All performances went so well. The crowd loved it...it was funny, had lot's of energy and just left you happy afterwards! We had a lot of fun together as a cast. Hmmm...now i'm not going to know what to do with myself everynight for 4 hours!!?? It's weird! But, Im so happy for this accomplishment and overall very FUN experience! Closing night we got a Standing Ovation! =) It was always fun after every performance to talk to our audience in the foyer. They thought we were amazing...haha, it was kinda weird to hear that! But, so great after all the hardwork we put in!

The director and production manager threw us and our families a party at Pizza Hut after our matinee performance on Saturday! They gave us Cowgirl baseball caps and just thanked us for our hardwork and dedication and for really bringing lots of attention to the "not so known of Virgin Valley Theater Group." They thought this was the best production they've seen in years! The Arts Council was very appreciative of us and that we made them so much money....haha. We had a packed audience every performance!

*this is NOT my belly in these pictures.....yet! =) It's my CHARACTER! People kept asking me if it was real =)*My sister had these beautiful tulips sent backstage opening night! That was really sweet!2 of my sisters came opening night and caused a racket whistling like crazy after my solo...that made it really fun!The "Trio"

Gretchen Olsen (Lee), Angela (Rita) & Nannette Nelson (Mary Lou)

The Cast: Gretchen Olsen, Nannette Nelson, Me, Heather Law (with wig =), Felicia Smith, Taylor Wier, & Dane ClinkenbeardA few clippings from the newspaper for my scrapbook!

Thanks to all the Family & Friends that were able to come and support me! You made it extra fun to perform and that was so nice of you!

Going Private...

I know a lot of you have been going private or thinking about it. I've been thinking about it for a while and I finally comfirmed my decision. (Thanks to Melinda =) Please email me or leave a comment if you would like an invite! I am fine with any family, friends... at least people I know to be able to check in on us! So, please send me a comment so I can invite you!!

COWGIRLS: Opening Night!!

Tonight is Opening Night of Cowgirls (the play)! We've been working really hard. Practicing 4 hours a day! The Theater has been re-done and looks so much nicer! The seats are a lot more comfortable! The Show goes this friday & Saturday, March 6 & 7th at 7 pm. Next Friday and Saturday, March 13 & 14th at 7 pm, there is also a 1 pm matinee on Saturday the 14th. It's almost sold out for the 13th! If you'd like to buy tickets from me let me know. They are $12, or you can buy them at the door as long as it's not a busy sold out night!

(we are not professional actors =) but it should be LOTS OF FUN and we've worked super hard)

Wish me Luck!! =)

Wow! What a Shocker!

I DO know how this happened =) Although it was NOT planned! It is a bit of a SHOCKER…someone else must have lent a hand. It really wasn’t in MY plans for this year....But, I think it will be just fine! I guess it’s just meant to be, Our babies will be born in '03, '05, '07, '09. We have a thing for odd numbered years, I didn’t think we’d make this last one… But, coming around October 29th, we’ll find out if it’s another daughter or a son!

{That’s right….I can’t really believe it, But we are expecting Baby #4 Due Oct. 29, 2009}

Artie's dream come true is to have a baby at Halloween time! haha

And it seriously is in the water! In my upcoming play, 3 out of the 5 main characters are pregnant, and MY character is the one who is suppose to be pregnant....hahah! And there are about 5 girls in our ward that are pregnant! I guess it's meant to be! =) I hope I'm not throwing up back stage this weekend and next....yucky! I'm suppose to be running a 10K marathon in May too! =( Maybe I'll just keep training the best I can and see how I feel!?

FuNnY KIDS...

I have got to be better at writing down the funny things my kids do and say. I've been really bad at that lately....I know there are many more, but I've already forgot. =( These might only be funny to me....haha! ************************************************ Ashlyn was not being very nice one day and this is what Alley said to her: "Ashlyn, you need to be like George Washington, he told the truth when he chopped down the cherry tree!" (They love Knock Knock jokes lately....this is pretty sad, but they think they are hilarious when they tell these jokes =) Alley: Knock, Knock Me: Who's there? Alley: Chicken Me: Chicken who? Alley: Chicken Egg! (Alley squealing with laughter) Ashlyn: Knock, Knock Me: Who's there? Ashlyn: Chicken Me: Chicken who? Ashlyn: Chicken LEG! (Ashlyn thinking she is so smart and smiling with satisfaction about her awesome joke!) (Location: At Daddy's work, Daddy checking a few things over the weekend, we are sitting in the car waiting! Daddy opens the car door to get out.) Ashlyn: "Ammon's stinky!" Me: "No, that smell is coming from outside" Alley: "Yeah, that's what WORK smells like Ashlyn." Me: (Laughing.....) Ashlyn: "I DON'T like it!"