DIY Place Mats

We have a glass table, so place mats are most definitely a must.  And I have been trying to find easy, creative ways to decorate our apartment without it becoming obnoxious or overwhelming.  So, the last time I was at Joann's, I picked up some fabric and ribbon and whipped up a couple of sets of place mats for Valentine's day and St. Patrick's day.  They are super simple and inexpensive.  Four cost me just about $10. I used 1 1/2 yards of fabric. I cut 8 pieces of fabric 15 inches by 18 inches.  sew 2 pieces right sides together leaving a 3-4 inch space open to turn right side out.  Turn them right side out. Iron them so they're nice and neat.  Stitch the ribbon or ric-rac on in any design you'd like (be sure you use the same color thread).  Tie a cute little bow and stitch it on, and enjoy!  I love ours.  They were very quick, very simple, they are very washable and came out so cute!
Happy crafting,
Ashlie

Snausage Dingers and Race Car Drivin

This weekend J conveniently had four days off while the kiddos also had four days off. Saturday they just hung out around the house.  Sunday they got up and tried to go to the movies, but Aiden smashed his finger in the door while stopping for something to eat.  He told J he thought he was going to be sick because it hurt so bad.... Meanwhile the text "Aiden smashed his finger in the car door.  He is ok, but call ASAP" just about gave me heart failure when I got it!  When I got home that night and saw his poor little bruised pointer finger, I started teasing him (after hugging him of course) calling it a sausage finger.  We're still laughing about it, mostly so WE don't cry about it.  It has slowly become lovingly named the snausage dinger.   On Monday, he seemed to be feeling better, so J them to Lewisville (about an hour away) to use a groupon I purchased a few months ago.  It was a family fun park complete with mini golf and go carts.  They had a blast.  I will include a few pictures of Aiden tearin' up the track.  All in all, I'd say it was a pretty successful weekend....But J sure was relieved when Tuesday came around and the kids went back to school.  Hope all is well with each of you!  Lots of love from Texas!
XOXO,
Ashlie

He sure was excited to be driving all by himself!

Look at that smile!

Howdy From Texas

So for most of you, you already know that we have picked up and moved to a small city on the outskirts of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. There is much opportunity for us here both professionally and personally. We moved in August and I can honestly say the last few months of my life have been a roller coaster ride. I have been trying to get to my blog to begin updating for family and friends who may be interested in our daily lives, but have not actually sat down to do it yet, so here it goes:
Since moving here Aiden has grown so much. I swear he's such a boy now. He cracks me up. He is working on reading and loves his new school (although he sure does miss his old one). On of the new challenges that I faced moving here was that for the very first time Aiden would have to attend daycare. Boy was I nervous for him and me. It takes a lot of faith to allow your child to be with anyone but you. I have had lots of struggles with that, however, he LOVES going there most days. Not only that, but somehow, by luck, I ended up picking a daycare with amazing teachers and staff that recently was voted best in the metroplex. I say by luck because it was the very first one I walked in to and knew it was perfect for him. It is set up like a home... Daycare would never be my first choice, but he seems to enjoy it.
In August, I helped open the Fort Worth location until my store was ready. We opened September 22,2011 in Arlington. The process was long and exhausting, but I sure do love the experience that I got.
The holidays were a little rough, but skype has been a major lifesaver! We talk to my parents a few times a week and occasionally I even get to see my sister and brother-in-law. Sometime around early November, I found out that I would be having a niece or nephew this summer! Boy am I excited?!?! I can't wait to see my beautiful sister and her fantastic hubby become parents! And of course to snuggle and spoil that sweet baby rotten....and teach her all of the things my sister taught my son...(think about my sweet 3-year-old singing "ridin dirty"....
So, that is life in a nutshell... I am going to make it a goal to update this thing at least once a week, so please feel free to check back for more fun tales of our adventures in the Lone star state :)

Love to all,
Ashlie

Hello June!

Seriously, June is just a couple of days away?! I am in complete shock as to how freaking fast life seems to be flying! We have been so stinking busy with life that it all seems to be a total blur!
I took Aiden last week to our fabulous dentist. He has a very very small cavity. I was so sad for him. Mostly because I just had a couple filled and i hated life for a couple of days!
He has been such a stink lately. He is so bossy too. He wants to tell me where and when to do everything. It is ridiculous!
Last week he and J were hanging out and he kept touching the floor fan. J told him to knock it off 2 or 3 times. Aiden turned around and said to him "stop nagging me!"! Seriously!?! This is what I am dealing with. And his new fav thing to say is "snap out of it".
Don't get me wrong, he is incredibly cute and loving, but seems like he gets more ornery everyday!
On to a more serious topic...
I have been thinking about who has shaped me a lot this last week. Who has changed me and every role that each person has played in my life. I have remembered the big moments and the small ones. i think we can learn so much from reflecting on our experiences. My grandfather has always been my hero. He passed in 2007 (he was only 63) regardless, he still affects my daily life. Who has made an impact on your life? What made their presence so different or special?
I got transferred to a new store last week (hence the pondering about influences and heroes). I need to make an impact on these associates... each in their own way. For myself, for them, and for the fabulous company that I am a part of. Was there ever a manager that made an impact on you? Who was it? And what made them stand out?

Laundry... check... dishes... check... gym.... check

YEAH YEAH YEAH!!! A day of big accomplishments for us. Aiden loved the gym (although the man inside scared his tremendously). My trainer was great and taught me tons! She has a story and I love that! She's not just a cute little thing that has been that way her whole life! she's very relatable! And if you haven't figured out yet, 11 days after I signed up for the gym, I FINALLY had my first workout there! It was good!
Next on the list... last load of laundry for the week is in the wash! SCORE! And our rooms are clean! I feel on top of the world! YEAH! hope the day is going equally as welll for all of you! Back to work after four glorious days off:( wish me luck!

Oh the places we've gone!

As summer winds down a into my favorite season, I am looking back at all of the fun we have had over the last three months. We've been blessed with lots of family, tons of fun, and good health. In June we kicked our summer of fun off in California. Tons of fun was had there. And of course there were tea cups and a magic castle involved... and maybe a pair of mouse ears or two;)

Forth of July was a blast. Carrying on old tradition and enjoying homemade ice cream with fireworks can never be bad. In July we also got to join mom, dad, Taylor and Michael in Duck Creek, Utah for Duck Creek Days! We tons of fun there. At the end of July, we embarked on a new journey and a new place to live. Not too far from the old apartment, but lots more space to be had here. Aiden has his very own room for the first time in a couple of years! We are loving the extra space!

Seems like August came pretty dang fast! Some tearful goodbye's were said, the docs fixed dad's shoulder up (just a little maintenance work), a great friend got married to the love of her life, and I got a big promotion at work! We also signed up for the gym. (do I look thinner yet? probably not... I haven't been since we signed up...lol) All in all, I am very greatful for such an amazing three months. I am stepping into fall with bright eyes and a warm heart! I can't wait to watch the leaves change colors and fall off of the trees. Hot chocolate and sweaters and a great reason to snuggle up and keep warm with the ones we love! I love the fall! (too bad we'll have to weather a couple more weeks of summer temperatures before we make it there!)

Jason and me waiting to ride Space Mountain

Lots of fun to be had on the forth of july!

Feeding the fish without any attackers trying to consume limbs this time:)

We enjoyed an amazing come-back by the 51's! Lovin life at a great game!

What three year old's room is complete without a cool Lightning McQueen race car bed? He was so cute when we put it up... He was convinced that lightning sent him the stickers himself!

The maps were a great find at Costco and have already inspired hours of converstions about where everyone lives (fictional and real).

what a slacker!

everytime I get on this thing. i think to myself- man its been way too long. where do I even start?- then I get overwhelmed and log off. not this time. My big guy has become quite the swimmer. I'll get pictures up soon. More updates to come, but it's a start.