Family Picture Day

Ayden Ashten
Uncle Wes helping Tana go down the slide
Oops this little Arizona girl does not like the feeling of snow on her fingers

Dad, Aunt Julie, Britany, Armand, and Brad

Mom and Taylor

Today Aunt Julie braved the snow to come take our family pictures. Our last one was taken just after Anderson was born and since all of our family would be together we had to get some new ones done. You can view our pictures here:

http://www.photoworks.com/photo-sharing/shareSignin.jsp?shareCode=AE39F32C71A&cp=ems_shr_alb_pml&cb=PW_APM

Afterwards, Tana, Ayden, and Ashten really wanted to go play outside so they got bundled up and headed to the big toy. It was so fun to see the kids playing together! When they were completely frozen they came inside and I fired up the cocomotion. While the kids were drinking their hot chocolate the adults played some Rock Band. It was so great to be able to spend some time together, especially with our Arizona family!

More Birthday Fun

Daddy, Grandma and Grandpa Acheta, Aunt Kristin and Uncle Wes, Grammy, Ayden, AJ, and Ashten. Ayden wanted to get a "slime kiss" from AJ...YUCKAnderson recovering from the kiss Ayden and his one lone present we let him open
Ayden listening to his birthday messages. One from Geoffery Giraffe and one from Megan and kids...they sang Happy Birthday. Ayden thought it was funny and said they were screaming!

Last week I asked Ayden where he wanted to go for his dinner on his birthday since his party isn't until the Saturday after. He chose Old Country Buffet. We invited all the grandparents and Wes and Kristin. I knew Ayden wanted to go there because the fact that he can have chocolate milk for dinner. He did confirm this as soon as we sat down.

Game Night

Eric, Cameron, Dad, Terry, and KathyAshten and Cori coloring
Diane, Wes, Kristin, and Toni
Grandma playing a game of ZeroAshten giving kisses to AJ as he sleeps
Grandma decided to have an FHE night tonight. We all brought snacks and played games together. The kids had lots of fun playing cars and coloring. I am very grateful that Grandma would put this together. I love that the kids get to play with their second cousins since they don't have any first cousins living around here. I used to love family get togethers when we could play with all of our cousins when I was young and I often feel sad that my kids don't have that.

Labor Day Wedding

Kristy and Andy Ayden sat very still
Ashten was a little wild man

Anderson was fine...he was eating macaroni

(thank goodness for an outdoor wedding)
Today my cousin got married over at the Stake Center. The ceremony was outside, it was hard for the big boys because they saw the ball field and just wanted to go play in the sand...somehow I didn't think that that would be appropriate. Luckily for them, the ceremony was straight to the point. Afterwards, there was a dinner inside. The boys had an awesome time playing with Ashley and Cori in the nursery. Sometimes (not always) it is such a blessing to have a big extended family living nearby. Afterwards we went home, put the kids to bed and vegged out for the rest of the night. It was nice to recover from the adventurous weekend we have had.

FUN IN THE SUN

Ayden running up to do a big splash in the pool. Ashten "Momma don't take my picture!"
What studs!
AJ was eating the yummy pink watermelon.

But he enjoyed the white and green parts equally or more!
WooHoo what a hottie!
Dad, "uncle" Dave, and Gavin
"aunt" Storm, Ashten, and ArmandAyden, Ashten, and MomGavin...mmm yummy S'moresGrammy taken by Ashten Finally, a nice day. We went outside and blew up the pool (which took forever!) Only to find out that it had a HUGE hole in it (which is why it took forever!) So, me and the kids walked down to Walgreen's and picked up a new one. When we got home... Armand was there! What a great surprise! Mom and Dad invited us over to their house for a BBQ so we headed down there with our new pool. We had a blast playing in the water and BBQing. It was a perfect day!

Party Time!

Kristin and Wes at their new house.

Gabriel and Ashten watching Aunt Kristin cut her cake.
Ayden being himselfAnderson SOOOO tired!
We had a great time with yummy food and cake at Kristin's Birthday / Housewarming Party. I spent all day on the cake and the last hour getting food prepped. I was worried that no one was going to show and we'd have all this food leftover but they had a great turn out and we went home with no leftovers. The boys had a blast playing with their cousin Gabriel having paper snowball fights. It's so cool how kids can bond so quickly with their friends/cousins even when they only see them 2-3 times a year.