Toad's Treasures Lifestyle Family Blog by Emily Ashby: August 2009

JC Mini Reunion!

One of the best experiences of my life was studying abroad for my last semester at BYU. Amazing just doesn't describe the 4+ months studying the Old and New Testments and walking where they actually took place. It still seems surreal that I was in the same place that the Savior was 2000 around years ago!

Aside from all of the spiritual and secular {the classes were NOT easy} learning, I met people that really changed my life. Living {what were those things we got if our rooms were clean?}, eating {Sabbath ice-cream anyone?}, traveling {love those big buses}, worshipping {what a view}, and playing together {don't want to brag, but being on the team that took the JC VB championship was GREAT} you really get to know people. And I was blessed to get to know some of the best.

{Dome of the Rock} This was taken from the Orson Hyde Garden on the Mt. of Olives. Love that Samekah. {Samekah=Fish in Arabic...hopefully I spelled it right...its been a while;)}

So going to a little mini-reunion was a no-brainer for me. It was great. We really missed those of you that couldn't make it, but hey...there's talk of a 10 year reunion back in the Holy Land! Start saving your pennies!:)

{April & Zoe} This is my cute friend {& old roommate} April who send me the picture of the Toad crossing. Love her.

{Falafel balls} Thanks to Erin and her family who hosted the little event & made homemade falafels for everyone...with all the dressings! They were the best I've had since Israel.

{Traci and Rebecca with Suzie's little babe}

{Dave & baby Betts} Spittin' image!

{Jacob Jarvis & "friend"}

{Group shot} This isn't everyone that came, but here's the little group who gathered. It was so great to see them and remember the great times together. Let's do it again soon people.

Gift Ideas {from other blogs}

{Birthday gifts}

{Christmas gifts}

{Neighbor gifts}
Jam Labels
Yummy Pretzels

{Kids gifts}
Bean Bag Chairs
Kids DIY gifts

{Baby Gifts}
Baby gift basket

Take Me Out to the Ballgame!

Here's another addition to my series of "Things I Love About Utah". The super fun minor league baseball games!

Our family got in for $9 {with an entertainment book coupon}, got a free train ride along the backside of the stadium, played on the playground that included a bouncy slide and maze, watched a great sunset, rolled balls and chased them, ate cotton candy, sang "Take Me Out To The Ballgame", & drove home in 15 minutes.

{The Grassy Hill}
We sat on the grass behind the fence inbetween center and left field. There was a slight hill and Aidan couldn't crawl/attempt to walk up and down it a hundred times. He would hit the ball down and chase after it. {Which is also an activity that he enjoys at home or anywhere there a ball.}

{Aidan's 1st Game}

And it was also an exciting preparation for a Rookie T-ball Coach {Yes, that's me} and a 1st time T-ball player {Ethan}! And after our 1st game I've decided that one of my top priorities would be teaching the kids "Take Me Out to the Ballgame". Yes, I made a fool of myself trying to get the team to sing {Ethan help me out thank goodness} , but we have 5 more games to do it!

By the way, this team could not be ANY cuter.

Photobucket

I've been featured!

Remember a while back when I posted about Ethan's Soccer Team Party?

I was featured on this super cute blog! I love this blog and get alot of cute ideas from it.

And since I'm on the topic {and since T-ball starts Thursday}, I figured I'd post some pictures from the soccer season! So, a little late....but here they are!:)

{Hollee} I'm featuring this picture 1st because I love this little gal. She was the only girl on our team, and only the only one to score a goal almost every game! She's one of Ethan's best little friends...and I think they may be why she signed up.;) And this isn't the last you'll see of her...she's going to play tball too. Can't wait.

{Action packed!} Yes, every now and then "cluster ball" gave way to a break away.

{Team Cheer} A highlight for these little guys...our team cheer! Go Super Kickers!

{Hard times} Sometimes a lack of goal making lead to some sad faces. {But how cute is he!!}

{Fun times} And while some where sad, others were enjoying every minute. {Even if it was only because of their cool visor and sunglasses.} I can't help but smile when I see this picture...

{Great Season} All in all, a great fun season!

{Trophy} And after asking each game for his trophy...he got it! And he was one happy little soccer player!

AFR Post, finally!

Finally, the Ashby Family Reunion post!

{We are trying to milk every second we can out of summer so I haven't been on the computer much lately. I'm sure I'll be in a blogging frenzy once preschool starts next week. {And if Aidan-my personal assistant-will give me a few seconds to myself.;)

First of all I have to give a big "Thank-you" to Bob's Grandma Ruth and Aunt Florence for all they did to coordinate this great event! We had a really great time.

{Reunion Theme & Shirts}

{Red Moose Lodge}
Bob's Gma rent out this entire lodge for the family! She decided she wanted to enjoy us all while she was alive instead of us all coming to her funeral...not a bad idea I say!

We stayed 3 wonderful nights, and it was a REAL vacation for me. Since they had it catered, I didn't even have to lift a finger to make a meal! AH, it was great.

{Ruth Card Ashby: Age 92}
This is Bob's Grandma. Something I learned about her this trip is that Cardston, Alberta was name after her father! Evidently he was sent by Brigham Young to settle up in Canada. She now lives in Tennesse with Bob's Uncle Eric and his wife and family.

{Talented Eda}
Some of you that went to Ricks or BYU Idaho may recognize this next family member. This is Aunt Eda who is a Music Department Chair and directs several choirs up at the college in Rexburg. She is an extremely GIFTED woman. A few years back Bob & I had the honor of attending a concert downtown that featured an Oratorio that Eda wrote. {Yeah, look that up...its pretty impressive.} Eda is a great example and woman.

{The Slide}
Bob's dad {Will} was put in charge of outdoor entertainment...looks like Aunt Florence and Uncle Eric enjoyed it very much!

{No Girls Allowed}
We went to knock on someone's door and when Ethan saw the sign he explained that NO GIRLS were allowed here there. :)

{The Group}

{Family Photo}
Somehow I was percieved as being able to take pictures & ended up taking some family photos. {Thank goodness for my camera!!} Here's Bob's younger brother Wendell and KatieMarie's cute family. Hey, at least he'll have a family pict for Seminary this year!

{Will, Bob, Aidan}

Thanks for a great time Ashby Family!

Toad Crossing

My cute friend April & her super great husband Sean {all you JCers know how cool they are} sent this great picture to me. They are currently living in Jerusalem, but travel all over the place. Most recently they went back to visit England where they lived for a while. She was so sweet to think of me when she saw this sign.

I LOVE the respect they have for Toads in England.:)

For those who don't know the story my "nickname" of Toad, here's the run down. When I was little I loved the water and especially splashing in the tub. One day as a I was in the tub on my tumming "swimming" around and my grandma Johnson came in and saw me. She said I looked like a toad, and from then on called my Emmy toad.

This name stuck and most of my close family {and Josh O'harra} still call me "Toad". Thanks to my brothers I'm also referred to as "toadface" or most recently {thanks to his dad & my brother} my nephew Trey called me "toadsqat". I have to admit, I love when Trey and Lucy call me "Toad". They put a special emphasis on the "O" part and it always makes me smile.

So there you have it. The story of a little Toad.

A few things I could live without...

Tonight as I changed Aidan's 3rd poopy (& super stinky) diaper in 15 minutes, a few things crossed my mind. There are a several things in my life that if they never happened again I really wouldn't mind. You can see where this is going...

So here are just a few "I could live withouts" at the top of my list, in no particular order:

{Toilet Attachment} If I never again had to get Aidan and his wet, germ ridden hands out of the toilet I wouldn't complain one bit.

{Dishwasher Magnet} If you ever wonder why my dishes are rarely done consistently, its because I can only do them when a certain baby is sleeping. Period.

{Carseat Cryer} This is guranteed. Put baby in carseat. Try to distract. Fight. Tears. Screaming. Finally its over. Sometimes my "day out" will revolve around how many times I have to deal with the previously mentioned senario.

{High Chair Challenge} Since the buckles don't keep him down, I may try bungees. Now you know why sometimes I just leave food under his chair.

{The Diaper Derby} The battle of wills. All I need is 6.7 seconds flat to get the job done. But the 29 inch 21 pound contender seems to prefer a full & often poopy diaper. My best move: The sit on the baby backwards to hold him down.

{The Stairs} Any suggestions? I have a gate, but the opening and shutting is a total pain.

{The lack of brotherly love} Self-explanitory.

So as to not sound like a total complainer--I have to say that I LOVE being a mom. It has been an aquired taste for me, but one I wouldn't trade for the world.

And on that note...I had to post a few more pictures from Aidan's birthday. Man I love this these little guys.

And I'm off to eat some Ghiradelli's and watch 17 Again. My date for the night:

Fair times

Since I'm on my "what I love about UT" kick here's a great one for ya...

FREE COUNTY FAIRS!

I'm not sure what it is...the mix of manure and cotton candy smells or what, but county fairs are so great. {I'm sure it couldn't be the years I spent with those animals!:)}

Since the boys and I have already been to 3 this summer I figure I'd better put in a plug for the "county fair". And if you're a local, here's a website that has the ones going on this weekend (just scroll down and you'll find the list). Utah and Davis Counties are hosting their fairs---and from what I hear Utah county even has a rodeo! {Oh man...with this kind of talk you might just see me pushing the boys in the sit'n stand too...:)}

Last weekend my friend Heather and I headed to the SL County Fair & although it was windy (hence Ethan wearing his sun glasses to keep the dust out of his eyes), it was totally worth it.

{Pet a Camel?} I must confess I've never been to a petting zoo with a camel and huge turtle in the same area. I haven't been that close to a camel since living in Jerusalem! Fortunatey it seems that the baby camels aren't quite so smelly...thank goodness!

So pack up the kids and go for it!

{TT} Water Bottle Label Tutorial

Lately (as you can see)I've really been into this making water bottle labels...

You could make them for any occasion...birthdays, sports teams, bridal showers, baby showers, or any event. They are a fun detail and people get a kick out of them. (Well, at least I do!)

I've had several people ask how I make them so I thought I'd give a quick rundown. Its super easy and most could probably figure it out, but its always fun to see how other people do things...so here you go!

#1 Measure your water bottle label. This will let you know how big to make your labels.

#2 Pick your graphic. I made this in photoshop, but you could just cut and paste any picture into Word. Just make sure its less then 2 inches big. (Words alone would also work great...I made some with a few words and 2 big letters for a Sunday School lesson I taught a while back. They were pretty plain, but the youth really liked them.)

Then copy and paste your graphic down the entire page. It will look like this...

#3 Cut each graphic out the size of your label.

They'll look like this after they are cut:

#4 Take the original label off and put the new one one. Secure it with tape where the paper overlaps in the back.

#5 And tah dah! Your own personalized label!

I also think they'd be great with some colored drinks like soda or juice! Have fun!

Email me with questions if you have any! toadstreasures@yahoo.com