thanks again gma and gpa Asplund

I FINALLY spent some of my birthday $$,

and wanted to show what YOU bought me.Hungry Hipp0 Game

High School Musical Puzzle

mini Operation Game

Hannah Montana Singing Microphone

I saved a little $$ to buy some clothes too.

Thanks again and I LOVE YOU!!!

What is YOUR take??

So I was having a conversation with a close friend of mine about the topic of "sleep-overs". It came up because Ame had one last night at our GOOD friends house, the Robinson's. The friend I was discussing this with said her husband is Sooo against it, even with cousins! I said that Ame has only slept over with grandparents, cousins and her friend Savannah (or them at our house). Now I wouldn't just let my kids go to ANY friends house, especially one that I didn't know REALLY well, but to say NO to the whole idea?! My sisters stake actually brought this up in their stake conference and said NO SLEEPOVERS! I do understand the reasoning behind it, sometimes, but I think it should be left up to the parents discretion. Sleepovers bring back so many fond memories of MY childhood, both as I was younger and even as I grew older. I know that times are very different now days, than they were 20+ years ago (man that makes me feel old), but I think saying NO *period* may be just a little too extreme!!

What are YOUR thoughts???????

Adopted Grandma Social

Our Young Women adopted grandma's in our ward,

and, as the Personal Progress Advisor, I was given the

opportunity to plan a get-to-know-you social.

I was sad I didn't get any pictures from the actual

event, but we had a great time.

Had simple, but fun fall decorations

Played: 2 truths & 1 lie and

T.P./camping/tell about yourself-game

Frosted halloween cookies

Ate LOTS of treats

Drank hot cocoa & wassail

The grandmas, YW and leaders had fun getting

to know each other, socializing and becoming even sweeter!

computer time

We found some old CD's of toddler games that Ame

used when she was younger, and this reader rabbit

one has become Kaipo's favorite!

He is always asking to play it now.

That means we have one more person

fighting for time on the computer!

But I am excited for his new found interest,

of which he feels VERY proud.

I AM GETTING BIGGER, he says :)

Family Night

My sister and I decided it would be fun to ALL

go visit a Pumpkin Patch for Family Night.

The first place Karli got an address was JUST

an open field of pumpkins. We were looking for

a little more than that, and at this place we

found a great time!!

It was SUPER cold though. I had brought beenies and gloves

for the kids, but was grateful that QUinn decided to

stop at Walmart on our way (even though I didn't want to)

and pick up a few extras.

We got to take a hayride out to another pumkin patch.

Which was quite the adventure, having just had a storm.

The tractor driver kept teasing that he was stuck in the

mud. I am very glad he was just joking!

**********************

Here's LeAnne with her cute family (minus Jason).

She was brave to come along with all 4 of her kids, without

Jason. I was very impressed at how well behaved her

children were. They're such good examples!

We missed you, Jason!

Kaipo talked this kids ear off the whole time!

His family owns the place, and Kaipo had soo

many questions for him.
This boy was very cute with Kaipo.

I told Kaipo he was the expert, so he still think

that is his name.

Here's Kaipo and Ryan having fun in the mud!
We are all in search for the perfect pumpkin!
Kaipo is sitting on the pumpkin he has claimed.

Ash was soo cold, but still had fun (I think).

He wanted to get down and run, but his boots were

just a little too big and kept coming off.

Our tour guide let everyone take a guess at the

weight of the largest pumpkin ever(between 500-2000lbs)

It was somewhere around 1600 and LeAnne guessed

1500, so she won and got to take an extra special pumpkin

home as a prize (Jake is keeping special watch over it).

SO now we have a large collection of pumpkins

decorating our home (some from the 1st

pumpkin patch visit and the rest from last night).

OOPS!!

I feel soo bad!

I killed our 1st family pets.

I thought I did the few simple things

needed to keep the goldfish alive, but

apparently not!

The food I got said right on the bottle-

helps maintain clear water, but the water

did not stay clear. So Monday morning

I took them out, put them in another glass

and got clean water in their homes.

I was told by the fish lady at Wal-mart to

not use tap water, only distilled.

So I used the filtered water from out fridge.

Well this morning, Kaipo was looking at them

and said "mommy they're floating".

YES they were! Sideways.

Ame was way more sad than Kaipo.

We said goodbye to Sunny and Pepper

and down the toilet they went.

After talking with a neighbor, I think I found out

I probably froze them, using cold water straight from the fridge.

I vaguely remember my sister-in-law telling me

to let the water sit over night B4 putting them in

the clean water.

OOPS! I neglected THAT step.

All I can think is good thing we didn't get bunnies first!

HE did IT!

Kaleo, is Quinn's brother, just younger than him.

I think many in the family, didn't think HE would

ever take the plunge into marriage.

But he did and we were so glad to be apart of THEIR special day!

And here are the guys...patiently waiting!!

Keilani is the youngest niece and got to be the flower girl.

She was very cute!

Quinn's beautiful sisters.
And the bride and groom saying their I DO's.
notice the best-man and grooms-men are
not wearing the flower leis in this picture,
as they were above.
As the bridesmaids came in, they were
each given a lei by the guys.
the ceremony from a distance (as I chased
my boys around in the back).

The casual wedding atmosphere felt as though it
should have been on a beach, rather than in a
church with the rain coming down outside
and the temps in the 40's.
But it was still so beautiful!
The reception was full of cultural entertainment.
Quinn's mom invited native american dancers.

Kaipo was quite intrigued by the

eagle dancer.

And the hoop dancer was very cool, as well.

Quinn's older sister, Kuulei and her son, Kekoa

shared a musical number.

She sang, while Koa played the Ukulele.
They have quite the talented family!

Quinn's uncle catered the food and also had

Polynesian dancers.

I may be partial, but I thought the best

entertainment was our very own Tahitian Dancer!

Ame did an awesome job, even though she said

she would be to nervous to dance in front of her cousins!
**************************

Of course everyone was running behind,

so pictures didn't get taken until AFTER the reception.

We snapped a quick family photo.
I wish I would have gotten one of the WHOLE family,

but I am sure I can get a copy from someone.

Kaipo waiting patiently for the wedding to start

and practicing his SHAKA.

I'm not sure, but it looks like Ash

is trying to copy his bro.

Ame and her two cousins-Ella and Olivia(not pictured)

decided to dress alike, since their

other cousin got to be the flower girl.

The video below is of a special family song.

It was Quinn's grand-fathers favorite.

They sang the 1st verse in Hawaiian.

Quinn and his dad also sang it at

Kaipo's blessing (in Maui).

Ame shakin' her tahitian bootie

A Few of the Unexpected

We woke up to THIS, this morning!

For those who live in Utah, this sight is no surprise,

but for those who live in warmer climate...

aren't YOU jealous!

I knew it was suppose to rain/snow a few inches,

with the storm we got that started rolling in on Friday.

We got a good amount of rain yesterday, so I was hoping

that was it. But no.

At least the kids are excited!!

I am just happy it didn't come yesterday/last night and

interrupt the wedding and commute we had to Provo.

Speaking of the wedding (the next blog will be about that),

another thing I didn't expect was to come home

with PETS!
Introducing our 1st family pet...

Sunny and Pepper

And the last unexpected thing to happen was this...

Ame was running around, being crazy with

the cousins @the wedding and fell of the stage.

Now she has a BIG FAT lip!

An EXTRA early morning

Today was National WALK YOUR CHILD TO SCHOOL Day

(I'm not sure where or how they come up with these days)

but it made for a fun, refreshing morning.

-Ame, Garritt, and Jackson-

After my EARLY morning run, I got the kids up and going

a little early, so we could meet our neighbors to

walk to school together!

I expected to see A LOT of people out walking,

but that wasn't the case. It was quite COLD this morning

so maybe that kept others from

WALKING THEIR KIDS TO SCHOOL,

but not us!

The Pumpkin Patch

My preschool class takes a fieldtrip once a month,

and THIS one was extra exciting!

We got to visit a pumpkin patch.

I got to pick out my very own pumpkin.

I chose a huge one!

I also picked out a gigantic one to take home,

for my sister

and a baby one for my brother.

It was perfect weather and we had a great time!

We even got Krispy Kreme donuts & chocolate milk.
My brother Ash came along too,
even though it was right in the middle of HIS nap time.
We got to find candy in the hay pile.
THAT was cool!
Here is my class, plus 2 other classes.
We all go together when we have a fieldtrip.
Our teacher told us all to put our hands on our hips.
I have quite the pose, don't I??
This was a much anticipated trip,
and it was so worth it!
Now our hand-picked pumpkins are decorating
the steps in front of my house.

THANK YOU!!

Thank You Grandma and Grandpa Asplund for my birthday $$.

I am on cloud 9, and feeling pretty wealthy!

Here's my first purchase.

You will be getting "something" in the mail,

that is nicely decorated with these.

6 year pics

I MUST express a huge thanks to my fabulous sis, Karli,

for taking these fantastic snaps of our cutie pie! Karli said she was pretty easy to photograph.
The head tilts are ALL Ame!

If only all my kids were this easy to get great shots of.

And these are only a few of the many fun pictures Karli captured!

Thanks again little sis, if only I were as talented as YOU!

Oh Happy Day

10 Reasons I am feeling HAPPY today:

1. I got to spend the afternoon with my sister, having a picnic, talking and just hanging our with our kids @ the park.

2. We are having a much needed rainy day, which gives me all the more reason to stay indoors, be kind of lazy and NOT feel quilty!

3. My house is CLEAN, for the moment.

4. Everyone is healthy, at least nothing major (just a runny nose/cold for Ash).

5. It is Saturday, so I don't feel rushed to get kids out the door to school.

6. I have a beautiful home to keep us warm/cool (depending on the season-today it is keeping us WARM), dry, and comfortable.

7. Quinn has job(s) and works VERY hard to provides for our family, so I can be home with our children.

Thank You Honey, for your sacrifice, diligence and tiresome, long hours!

8. The kids were happy, getting along and playing nicely (I should have typed this one first).

9. I feel somewhat caught up on tasks that were nagging at me at 6am, even though I slept in until 7:00. THAT sure felt good!

10. Conference is starting in about 15 minutes!

weekend plans

178th Semiannual General Conference

I am soo looking forward to a weekend

full of spirit, rejuvination and inspiration!

I DON'T know how much I am looking forward to the

weather that is in store for us??

I guess the weather does have to change sometime, right?!

I sure have been loving the 80's though!

hhmm???

Billboards linking milk to autism stir controversy

Is cow's milk linked to autism? Some new billboards tell Utahns it is.

But some health experts disagree and call the campaign a harmful exaggeration.
Two electronic billboards along Interstate 15 in Salt Lake County will show a bowl of cereal and milk with the slogan "Got autism?" The warning sign is being put up by PETA, the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

not so LITTLE anymore

This post is a little late, but that doesn't mean we love our Ashy Boy any less!

On the 26th he was officially 18 months.

We had a doctor's visit on Monday,

and can I just say how great our doctor is!!

(Karli and LeAnne also have him as a pediatrician)

He is so personable, easy going, informative, and loving to the children.

Here is some info. to document about out not soo little boy:

weight: 23 lbs=25th%

height:32 in=60th%

he is not as big percentile wise as his older siblings were at his age,

but he is healthy and growing and that is what matters!

His vocabulary is slowly growing and includes:

uh-oh, dad, hi, up, uh-uh (no), he tries Ame too

AND he signs several other words:

dog, eat, more, all done

Ash loves to blow kisses, play patty cake,

and point to his body parts.

HE definitely melts MY heart!

Fieldtrip

Yesterday, Ash and I joined Kaipo's Preschool Class on a walking fieldtrip to the firestation. This picture captures well, Kaipo's personality. Notice all the other kids well-behaved, nicely listening to the firemen talking, and then notice MY BOY. He chooses to what and when he wants to listen! And other times it is Kaipo's wide-open world of freedom (or so HE thinks). I thought maybe that mind-set was only at home, but I found out it obviously is not!

Oh this boy...good thing he's such a cutie and I LOVE him so much, otherwise????

Each of the kids got a turn to spray the hose.

Kaipo thought THAT was pretty cool!

And here's the whole group. Ms. Michelle actually teaches 3 different classes. They all combine for fieldtrips and she assigns a few parents to come. Others are welcome anytime to join, as well.
The firestation is right next to a park, so we all headed to there afterwards for snack and PLAY time! We were lucky to have sunny, nice weather. If it would have been the day before, it would have been cancelled, cuz Monday was rainy and cold here!

I am so glad I have the flexibility to join my kids in things like this!!