Ashlyn's First Day of Preschool

August 17, 2010

I took Ashlyn to pick out an outfit for her first day of preschool. This is the cute little number she picked out with a little help from me. I gave her a choice of three different shirts and I was surprised when she picked the black one. She knew she wanted a shaky/skirt. She calls skirts shakies because she likes they way they move when she shakes her booty. It is hard to tell in this photo but she is shaking it in this photo. We went to an open house a few weeks prior and she had been excited to go to school ever since. Her teacher's name is Dana Elmer and the preschool is at her house on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:30-3:00. Ashlyn has 9 other classmates.

After we went to the open house she kept telling me she needed a packpack (backpack). She loves Minnie Mouse but she calls her Daisy. There is no telling this little girl anything! She believes what she believes. I have tried to tell her this is Minnie Mouse but she refuses to listen to me.

Ashlyn did great! She went right in and got busy.


Every time we drop or pick Ashlyn up, Landon fights to get out of my arms. Then he makes a beeline for this toy. I think he would really like to stay.

A Bunny For Ashlyn

August 11, 2010

Ashlyn is our child that loves to tease. Her favorite person to tease is Whitney. It is something of a role reversal, isn't it? She has found that nothing gets Whitney worked up faster than to take her beloved Bunny. Before Chris deployed the first time in 2003 he took Whitney and Gavin to Build-a-Bear. Whitney played the recorded voice message so much that halfway through the deployment the battery died. She was heartsick! Chris was able to order and record a new voice message over the phone. Which was a huge relief!

Whitney always tells Ashlyn "I've had that Bunny longer than you've been alive!" One day I had a talk with Ashlyn about how special Whitney's bunny was to her and how she needed to stop taking her Bunny. Which resulted in Ashlyn saying she wanted a Bunny. I told her to tell her Daddy. Not long after Chris surprised her with a visit to Build-a-Bear. Since our move she has not wanted to sleep in her room. After we got back from our vacation Chris started the crack down on getting her to sleep in her own room. The bunny served as a prize/continued incentive for her to sleep in her room. Chris said she did not even entertain the idea of getting any other kind of animal.

Ashlyn and Best Friend Bunny

This photo was just taken in July. Whitney still sleeps with Bunny in her arms every night. In a lot of ways she is still my biggest baby. She still has to be tucked in every night. Her princess blanket must be placed over her with the princesses facing upright and facing straight ahead. She must have both silkies and Bunny.

Back to School 2010

August 9, 2010 was Whitney and Gavin's first day back to school. Whitney is in Mrs. Simek's 6th grade and Gavin is in Mrs. Mitchell's 3rd grade. Chris gave them some great father's blessings that morning before they headed off.

Typically I do not buy the kids a back to school wardrobe mainly because it is still roasting hot. That way I can get better deals on fall/winter clothes as the season goes on. I let them pick out a new shirt. Whitney chose to wear an older shirt.


Gavin picked out this baseball shirt at Old Navy. Chris really wanted him to get a shirt that said smooth like butter with a graphic of a stick of butter. Gavin was not going for it. He said, "that doesn't make any sense".

Both kids did not want anything but Converse sneakers for school. Gavin really wanted his to have a pattern as opposed to just a solid color. This took some searching but we finally found the perfect pair. When I said we were going shopping for new school shoes Whitney said she did not need new shoes. What girl turns down new shoes??? She also said she would rather wear old Converse shoes as opposed to a new shoe of a different brand. Now that is brand loyalty!

I washed her two old pairs and she was as happy as could be. She was more interested in buying school supplies. She was disappointed that her supply list this year was kind of short. She is in search of the perfect pencil box. I have bought this girl many pencil boxes over the years.

Gavin Turns 9!!!!

July 27, 2010 (Yes, I am over a month late posting.)

The birthday boy straddling that invisible state line between Nevada and Arizona.

Gavin's birthday morning started off with donuts eaten in the car. The plan was to go on the Hoover Dam tour on our way home. Then we found out it would be $150.00 for all of us to go on the tour and decided to pass. I can remember going on the tour as a kid and it was interesting but I was not expecting to pay $30.00 a person! I was surprised by all the international tourists that were there anxious to go on the tour. Chris had been talking about getting him a "This is my Dam t-shirt" but they did not have any. He and Gavin had been chortling and making dam jokes for weeks so this was a big disappointment for them.

Whitney wanted a picture with the statue because in a Percy Jackson book they come to life and give Percy a ride.


The whole fam-dam minus me!

Poor Ashlyn! Doesn't she look pathetic? While we were walking around the dam she was very whiny. At first, I thought it was just her usual birthday envy. But then I started to think she was not feeling so hot. As we were driving across the dam she threw up all of her chocolate milk. Not fun in the 110 degree baking heat. We had to do our best to clean her up with bottled water. The Hoover Dam trip was a bit of a bust.

At least he got two cakes out of his traveling birthday.

Present time!

I found Gavin this Touch-N-Brush (AS SEEN ON TV!) on the clearance aisle at Toyrsus. Chris thought it was the stupidest thing ever but I knew he would love it! Chris had to eat his words and say the best words in the English language "you were right". My kids are total suckers for those infomercials on TV. Pair that with Gavin's obsessive dental hygiene and his hatred for a messy toothpaste tube and this baby is worth its weight in gold.

Chris had to make a lot of calls to find Rock Band 2. They are coming out with a new system this fall so everyone was sold out of this one.

Gavin rocking out on the guitar. Look at those rock star moves!

Gavin's Birthday Eve

We started our journey back to Arizona on July 26th which is Gavin's birthday eve. I felt bad that he had to spend his birthday traveling. The bright side was that we were able to meet up with all of my family for dinner at Fuddruckers. Hamburgers are
Gavin's most favorite food. No matter where we eat you can be sure Gavin will order a hamburger. I realized Gavin had never celebrated his birthday with any of his extended family before so that was a fun first for him.



The whole fam!

Dad & Gavin

Mom & Gavin

Thanks for the 6 pound bag of candy Aunt Wendy! If only you had kids so I could return the favor. =D

Opening his gifts. Zoee was right on hand in case he needed any help.

He got all 9 candles so looks like that wish will be coming true.
Thanks for getting him a cake Aunt Hollee!

Zoee's got a real talent, does she not?!? Had to share this one cause it makes me laugh.

Pioneer Day Celebrations

Left to right: Sterling, Chris T., Isaac, Preston, Mark, Chris W. and Gavin

The Kattelmans hosted a delicious BBQ on July 23. I had been looking forward to Natalie's potato salad for months and it did not disappoint. We had a great time relaxing in their beautiful back yard and stuffing our tummies. July 24th is Pioneer Day in Utah. The city of Bountiful had a parade, festival and fireworks that we all enjoyed.

Sweet Natalie P. bought all the kids little trinkets at the festival. The girls got these cute little crowns that Elle and Mark are modeling. Whitney did not want me to miss the chance of taking a photo of The Mark in his.

Whitney and Ashlyn waiting for the fireworks to start.

The best part of any parade finding the thrown candy.

Elle & Natalie K.

Having fun on Elle's slide.

Landon enjoying Elle's swing.

A cute shot of Marcus!

Pattersons

Marcus, Porter & Ashlyn

We then met up with some more of our Bama family at Ogden's Tree House Museum. It was a super cute children's museum. I accidentally left my camera in the car while Chris made what was supposed to be a quick trip to pick up a birthday present for Gavin. He ended up being gone for most of the time we were at the museum so I hardly took any pictures. :( It was so good to see and visit with them! Chris was sad that he didn't get to see the boys for very long. Thanks so much for making the trip into Ogden to see us!

Porter, Emilie, Colton and Kaden


Em & Me


We didn't get to see Dave while we were in Utah because he had recently left for Arizona, to do some helicopter training. When we got back home we were able to spend some time with Dave too! Ashlyn spent a lot of time on Dave's knee while he was here. Chris kept trying to convince Dave to stay with us instead of at the barracks. Ashlyn still tells me how she wants to go back to our old house. And that she misses Porter, Porter's Dad and Porter's Mom.

Skycoaster

This first shot is just to give a little perspective on the Skycoaster. Chris and Joie were both dying to go on it. At first Chris wanted me to go on it with Joie and Whitney. Throughout the day he kept teasing me about going with them.

Finally I told him I would go. He can tell when I am bluffing and he could see that I meant it. Now I could have rode it and been fine. Would I have enjoyed it? Not at all! But I could have done it. Now really I knew that he wanted to go but did not want to pay for all of us to go as it was a little pricey. Out of the pure kindness of his heart he decided he would go as he was worried about my neck. ;) Granted, I do have a weak neck and that is a large part of why I do not like to ride a lot of the rides but I don't think that was his real reason for sparing me. Then he just had his hands full convincing Whitney to go.

The Pierce Boys were the first to go up.


Whitney, Chris and Joie all suited up and ready to go! Poor Wit was a nervous wreck! I think she would do just about anything to please her Dad though. I am proud of her for being brave and trying it out.




Starting the climb to the top. I felt bad for both of them because they couldn't wear their glasses. Both girls are as blind as bats! I hate not being able to see and so does Wit.

The drop.

Look at us!!! We're flyin'!!!

The new Tamron lens Chris got me for my camera was awesome as you can see from these pics. It is able to zoom in from far away and still take great close up shots without having to change the lens.

Lagoon!!!

Left to right (back row): Chris W., Sterling holding Ethan, Heather holding Landon, Wit, Natalie P. holding Ashlyn, Joie, Stephanie, Chris T. holding Calvin

Front row: Marcus, Isaac, Gavin, Preston, Ben

MIA: Natalie K., Mark and Abrielle

This is the group shot we should have taken at the beginning of the day. Before Natalie K. and Abrielle had left. Tons of pictures in this post. I could have posted so many more but I controlled myself, somewhat.

In typical Chris Weaver fashion we were waiting at Lagoon's gates for them to open and they were pushing us out at closing time. This was my first trip to Lagoon. Other newbies were Whitney, Gavin, Ashlyn, Landon, Ben, Calvin and Abrielle. It is a fun place! I did not expect it to be as big as it was.

The little escape artist otherwise known as Ethan gave us a scare when he wandered off. He wasn't too pleased to be trapped in his stroller after his taste of freedom. Look at those big, sad puppy dog eyes! I almost wanted to let him out. Almost.


Here is Ben with the dragon he won for himself after his Dad failed to win him one at the old pop the balloons with darts game. He also won a smaller dragon for his baby brother Calvin. Ben is the Man!


This is one of the few rides I went on. After 15 years of marriage Chris still cannot wrap his mind around the fact that I do not like roller coasters.

Gavin, Ashlyn and Isaac taking a little break. Ashlyn is in heaven here!

Landon's favorite ride.

We were so happy that we were able to take our niece Joie to Lagoon with us! She was an excellent tour guide and gave us the inside scoop on all the rides.

Joie couldn't wait to take Ashlyn on the Dinosaur Drop ride because that was her little sister Audrey's favorite ride.

Time for ice cream!!! Yum!!!

Ashlyn made Isaac hold her hand while walking around Lagoon. This shot doesn't even begin to capture how giddy with delight she was! Notice how she has his hand locked in both of hers. She has caught herself a man and he is not getting away. We hear that the little girls can't leave poor Isaac alone.

Preston and Gavin

Tall, blond and handsome or tall, dark and handsome!

More ride shots.

Steph, Joie, Wit and Natalie P. getting ready to ride Wicked. The baddest roller coaster at Lagoon. Once they were seated Whitney started to have second thoughts. She started to get up but Steph just pulled back the bar and said "you'll be fine!" Afterwards Whitney was glad she went.

Judging by the expressions on their faces, I would say that blonds really do have more fun!

Ben was not a big fan of the rides

This little doll is Abrielle.

The Terroride was the first ride these three and myself went on. Joie was just a little excited. We don't get to see Joie very often because we have always lived so far away. All day long I could not get over how much she was like Chris at an amusement park! No patience, literally running from ride to ride and wanting to ride every ride ASAP. Now we know who to call when he needs an amusement park buddy. He always has to talk Whitney and Gavin into going on the scarier rides and sometimes he is not successful in his attempts.

The cute and fun Tarbets - Calvin, Chris, Ben and Steph.