Goodbye 2009!

Why is it that when you grow up time goes by so FAST?! I've been working on making my blog into a book--one of my goals for last year that I actually remembered--and looking at all of the pictures from 2009 has been very humbling. We are so blessed.

I came across some pictures that I wanted to make sure were included in the 2009 blog book so you get a peak at them now. If you'd like to click out of my blog now, it won't hurt my feelings...but I know Grandma and Grandpa will enjoy a look back at the year! These picts were picked randomly, but each was chosen for some sentimental reason.

Hello 2010! And Happy New Year to you!

Print your FREE New Year's Banner !

{Happy New Year Banner}
First you'll need to print out the banner. You can click on the picture above or click here to get the download. {The zip includes the banner, hat, and flags.} We used cardstock so the banner would be a little more sturdy. You could also print the banner out on different colors of paper and the would be totally cute.

Then cut out the letters. This should be easy since all you need to do is cut the 81/2"X11" page into fourths. {Each letter is approx. 4.25"X5.5"}
And if you can't wait for your mom to use the paper cutter, you can just get your own scissors and go for it! {Sidebar: He's a lefty, but used his right hand for scissors...hmmm!}
Now decorate those letters! Ethan chose to use blue glitter paint, but you could use crayons, markers, glitter glue, or anything fun to make your banner pretty!

Then we waited for the paint to dry...

And while we waited, we pulled out our leftover curling ribbon and cut it to make the banner. {This was a great project for Ethan: Measuring+cutting=a great time!}



And don't you worry about Aidan...he got a hold of some curling ribbon himself and had quite a good time with it!

Then we made holes on each side of the letters & used the curling ribbon to tie the letters together...



And it turned out so great!


{Party Hat}
Don't put those markers away quite yet! Its time to decorate your party hat!



Color, cut, tape, & make a few holes and you're almost done!



Let those creative juices flow...

{Party flags} Okay, these really are cute--I orginally had in mind to put these on toothpick to put on the finger food on New Year's...like cheese, olives, etc., but I couldn't find my toothpicks! So, they turned into little flags.:) I'm sure you can think of other fun ways to utilize these stickers!
These little guys print on address label sheets: Avery 5260/8160 They are in assorted colors so the kiddies can still decorate them if they want to.


So go and have some fun...and Happy New Year!

A sledding we will go...

Like most of you, we are recovering from a fun filled holiday weekend. We stayed home this year and spent Christmas with Bob's family.
{I debated taking the boys to Oregon for Christmas, but the thought of wrestling Aidan through the airport and on the plane, and then keeping him out of things at my parents house -- it was pretty much a no-brainer to relax at home!}

On Christmas Eve Day Will {Bob's dad} blew up the sledding tubes, loaded them in the back of his pickup, we threw the kids into Wendall's {Bob's brother} minivan, & off we went to a fun hill!


This great hill was no secret {as you can tell from the number of kids having a blast}, but it was PERFECT for these little guys. It was a great, fast ride and the hike back up wasn't too bad. What more could you want as a kid?!

The lighting outside and I love how these pictures turned out. Here's a few of the Ashby cousins having a great time!

{London} He even got a nice "trophy" shiner from the sledding adventure!

{Emma} This gal is a go getter & she couldn't be any cuter!


{Sarah} She's growing so fast! And I love that Ethan is smiling in the background...that's a hard thing to find when I'm taking pictures these days!:)


{Ethan} Case in point...

But I love his rosy winter cheeks and freckles in this one.

Get ready for a ride! This play by play is of London and Ethan...bring back any memories of your youth? I can't get enough of their faces!









{Ethan, London, Will, and Aunt Cami}
{My favorite gift} I have to end this post with a picture of my the best gift I received this year...
I love it. Driving home one day last week, Ethan asked me if I liked fuzzies. I told him yes. So when we got home he made me close my eyes and hold out my hands. This salsa bowl with fuzzies was a sweet surprise. You see, he LOVES his fuzzies--they are a prized posession, and she shared them with me. Ahhh.

Coming soon...New Year's ideas for the kiddies!