Good Things Utah

This morning as I was picking up scrambled eggs off the carpet to get ready for the big "TV shoot" I wondered if we'd be ready in time. Thank goodness I had some help from some GREAT people!! {I'll give more detailed credits at the end of the blog.}

Turns out the segment is for Good Things Utah. For those who don't already know...GTU is a show on ABC4 at 10AM hosted by 4 "anchor women"...its kindof a local version of "The View". I'm waiting to hear back from Nicea {the reporter over the segment}, but the rumor is that it will air on Monday.

At 1st I was a little nervous, but once Bill {this awesome cameraman in orange} started working his magic, things actually seemed to go really well! {The other girl is the intern.}


Check out my "reality show" mic in the back of my jeans. When they asked me if I'd seen one before I told them the truth: "Yeah, I've seen them on The Hills.":)...


I guess Nicea was suppose to come and interview me since it was her story, but something came up and she couldn't make it. Hey, it happens. Since we are both BYU grads I have to give her some slack!:) Some of you may recognize her...So it was Bill, Caroline {the intern asking the questions}, me, & the wild man Aidan. {Plus my Bob, Aunt Diane {who saved the day}, and Heather's sister Katie who was so great to bring her baby to "model" the car seat blanket!}

Here's Bill giving me some pointers...heaven knows I needed them! Most people say "Um" as their catch phrase, but not me. One of my biggest downfalls is saying, "You know?" all of the time. It drives Bob crazy. I really hope they just edit out all of my public speaking woes!

Check out Super Spy Ethan sneaking some brownies while his mom is busy...

I'm so curious to see how it all gets put together! It was a really fun experience.

Now for my thank-you speech. But really, I couldn't have done it without these guys!

So let's give some high 5's for these guys!!

Bill the camera guy! {Make me look good veteran;)...you are so great!}
Bob {Thanks for being patient with me, for your pointers, getting Aidan ready to go!}
Diane {Thanks for bring up the car seat blanket & for your help and feedback!}
Katie & Eliza {You are so great. Thanks for volunteering...Eliza was a perfect model!}
Heather {Thanks for calling Katie!}
And everyone else who sent good wishes! {You guys rock.}

Looks like I'll be start the drawing for the baby giveaways on Monday!

TV What?

So here's the news I've been so excited to share. I waited until the last minute to blog about it, because I just wanted to make sure that it would really happen! As the UPS guy dropped off a bunch of packages today I realized that it really will happen!

Here's the 411. About 2 weeks ago I got an email from a guy in Phoenix asking if I'd be interested in doing a TV segment with an ABC affiliate in SLC. Hmmm. Sound like a prank? I thought so too.

I emailed him back asking if it was a joke, and he emailed me this. Its a link to another "mommy blogger" who just finished a live TV segment. This guy {we'll call him Grant}, explained that he was looking for a mom who blogs and has a baby to help demonstrate some baby products. However, instead of being live in studio like this mom, he wanted to set it up so that a reporter comes into a home and has a mom {me} talk about the products while a baby {Aidan} demo's them. {Yes, let's all pray that he cooperates...and not doing this segment on live TV was a GREAT idea.:)}


And after many emails and planning with Grant, this is the low down:

-All of the items I'm suppose to talk about are here! We are testing them out and I'm trying to figure out what to say about them. {Oh yeah, and hope the "practicing" helps me not make a total fool of myself.} They also sent me some of the things to give away on my blog...Yippee!!

-A reporter will be coming to our house Wednesday to shoot this segment. {Hopefully just after Aidan wakes from a nice restful nap;).}

-Here is what I will give away after the segment airs...a size small Baby B'air, a pink tub-time bumper, & a tilty sippy cup. I'm also going to throw in one of my Car Seat Blankets & a pattern to make your own CSB! {More info on that will come later.} We will also be talking about {but not giving away} the Baby Briefcase & the Sport Brella.

Now a few "Q&A" asked by the 2 people I've actually talked to about this:

When will it air?
I don't know yet. They are suppose to let me know when they come Wednesday. I'll be sure to post about it and get a link if there is one. All I know is that it will be ABC.

How did they find you?
Grant said it wasn't easy, but he did a search on mommy blogger SLC. I guess just got lucky!

Are you excited?
Yes, but nervous {of course}. Today I tripped and totally fell as I was taking down the Sport Brella. I just hope I don't do anything to make too much of a fool of myself!

Is Aidan excited?
Um, I think that kid was born ready. And I guess as long as everyone remembers to shut the bathroom door {that kids LOVES the toilet}, and that I don't go too far away {if I do he screams at me}, or he doesn't start throwing everything out of my tupperware cabinet, things should go alright.:)


I'll keep you posted on anything else. Wish us luck! {We'll need it!}

Love the Ladies

In today's world there is are so many mixed signals about what a women should be doing. Being a "mom" --especially one that is not in the workforce--is not exactly praised highly in our society. I'm so grateful for the guidance and strength that comes from being a member of one of the largest women's charitable organizations in the world...The Relief Society.

Last Thursday I got a call from my friend Heather who wanted to know if I wanted to go to the Annual Relief Society meeting with her! {Another great thing about living in SLC.} It is broadcast all over the world, but if you have tickets {they're free} you can actually go to the Conference Center and enjoy the inspiring messages with other women.

It was a great meeting. One message that really touched me was about "Minding the Gap". Anyone who has been to England and rode the subways has seen the sign "Mind the Gap"...it pretty much means "watch your step" from the platform to the train. If you're not careful you could trip, fall, & really hurt yourself.

One of the speakers- Barbara Thompson - talked about the "gaps" we need to be aware of in our lives. She said: "Many of us have gaps in our own lives. Sometimes it is the difference between what we know and what we actually do, or the gap between our goals and what we actually accomplish. These gaps can be reminders of ways in which we can improve or, if ignored, can be stumbling blocks in our lives."

It was a great reminder to me of the "gaps" --temporal and spiritual--that I have in my life & how I need to try harder to be better in a number of ways. {No, I won't list them all & bore you with my weakness...:)}

It was a super night! If you missed it you can listen to all of the talks here. If you'd like to learn more about the Relief Society and how it was organized, you can click here or to learn more about the members of the Relief Society & their beliefs you can click here.

1 Corinthians 13:8--"Charity never faileth..."

Thanks Heather!

PS Stay tuned...tomorrow I have some fun\exciting news to share {no, I'm not prego}!

And...like last April I'm planning on posting some fun activities for your kids to do during conference!

Wheeler Farm Baby!

Even though summer may be over, the weather is still good & let's take advantage of it! If you're a local looking for something free and fun to do...pack a lunch & head on out to the middle of the valley! Wheeler Farm is one of our favorite places to visit. Its especially fun to visit in the spring {with the new babies} or in the fall {with all the great festivities}. Here's a peak at some of the fun at the "farm"!

{The Animals} Sheep, pigs, cows, rabbits, duck, geese {what out for them!}, & chickens are just a few of the animals you'll see! There are also 2 calves now, they are very cute.:)

Aidan kept pulling the sheeps wool. It was pretty funny....well, for us--probably not for the sheep.:)

Aidan and his cute friend Sadie enjoyed the animals right at their level...{can you imagine how weird it would be to have a pig your size?}


There are so many fun thing so see! {Here's my friend Heather and part of the gaggle of kids that came with us!}


Aidan loved chasing the birds...{see the pigeon escaping on the right?}


He also followed the chicken as far as I would let him. Poor chicken. :)


{Tractor Rides!} If you feel like forking out $1.50/each you can take a tractor ride around the property. It isn't the coolest ride you've ever taken, but the kids love it...and we all know that's all that matters.:) You can also milk a cow for $.50 at 5 PM.:)

The treehouses they have are favorite amongst all of the littles...

and so is tree climbing!

So grab a few friends who are up for a good time {like Heather & Katie and their cute girls--thanks guys!}, and enjoy the afternoon on the farm!

Stay tuned! Soon I'll have the marker drawing and some more great giveaways! Don't forget to leave a comment to be entered in the drawing!:)

Window Marker Giveaway!

I've once again been inspired by Dr. Laura. So, in an attempt to not be such a "naggy" wife & show my man more love-- I thought it would be cute to do something fun.

So I grabbed a window marker from the dollar store...


and Secret Agent Ethan {as he calls himself}. I distracted Bob while Ethan went to work!

We created a fun surprise to show our love for the man of the house next time he left for work!


And yes, he loved it.

I realized I haven't had a "giveaway" in a while...So, in honor of all of the great men in our lives I'm going to giveaway 2 of these great window markers! Then you can show your guy some love too! Just leave me a note in the comments, and you'll be in the drawing!

Notecards

With the countdown on to Ethan's 5th birthday, {and believe me...he is counting down each day}, he is keeping himself busy with various "activities". If he had his choice Ethan would have a friend over every day, all day. Last week Hollee was over and they got in the last "water day" of the year. {Isn't she so cute?}

However, when friends aren't around the latest "activity" that has consumed Ethan's time is writing on notecards. A few weeks ago Bob & I were asked to speak in church. I'm old school when it comes to public speaking, so I pulled out my notecards to write down my "speech".

Ethan sat at the table by me, asked for a notecard, & started writing intensely. I didn't think much of it until later when I found notecards all over the house. We picked them up and started putting them on the kitchen table. Here's glimpse into the mind of this busy little man...

This one is my favorite...he said this was him & I fishing.


Yeah, this may be a random post, but aren't these the things moms never want to forget? Anybody have any extra notecards?;)

Car Seat Blanket Pattern Details!

Car Seat Blanket Pattern Details


This is a very easy pattern that comes with full color step by step instructions! I struggle at following "normal" patterns, that's why I created this one {with the help of my mega-seamstress sister-in-law Tanya}.

{Confession: I just got my 1st sewing machine last Christmas...this year has been the 1st real sewing I've done since I took a sewing class at Waldo Middle School. I'm loving all the fabrics they have now!!}
-How does it work? If you get the Epattern it comes in PDF form. Just open it up, print out the pages, and tape it together {pictured above}.

This is a really is an easy pattern. Even if you aren't the best seamstress in the world...if there is a will there's a way right? Please email me with questions! toadstreasures@gmail.com

+Emily Ashby

{TT} Pull out those cookie cutters!

I just wanted to remind all of you that there is more to life than sugar cookies around the holidays! {Although if you catch me on a bad day I can down more sugar cookies than you can imagine.} So pull out those cookie cutters and have some fun with your little ones!

This time we just used a box mix and cut out the shapes. If you want a recipe I posted one a while back that was pretty good...it was for more a "sheet" cake brownie.


Since Ethan believes that he is part vampire {thanks to his teacher at school who noticed he has "sharp teeth"} he demanded that he got to eat the bat brownie. {Well, okay. I can't just blame his teacher. The other day I was trying to explain to Bob some of that "rational" behind Twilight & Ethan must had picked up on a few things.}

And no, not all vampires drink blood.;)

"I am my kids mom"

Today I ran into an old colleague while I was out "playing" with the boys. We couldn't believe it had been 5 years since I quit my job to be at home. She asked me if I loved it. I was honest & told her how hard it was at first, but how I really loved it now. She then asked me {looking for a daycare for her little guy} if I watched other people's kids. I told her I didn't quit my job to be at home to spend time with other people's kids. She smiled.

I'm so happy that I can be at home with the boys. And I'm so grateful to say {in the words of Dr. Laura} "I am my kids mom."


"You have nothing in this world more precious than your children. When you grow old, when your hair turns white and your body grows weary, when you are prone to sit in a rocker and meditate on the things of your life, nothing will be so important as the question of how your children have turned out. It will not be the money you have made. It will not be the cars you have owned. It will not be the large house in which you live. The searing question that will cross your mind again and again will be, How well have my children done?" -Gordon B. Hinckley

{TT} Little Hands on the Farm

Okay people, this is going to be a long post...but if you are anywhere near SLC you'll want to check this out! We went to the 1st day of the state fair {big surprise}, and I couldn't wait to take the boys to the "Little Hands on the Farm" exhibit. Its the best thing about the fair, not only because its FREE, but because of how cute and fun it is. Here's what I mean:

The kids become little farmers. And yes, you know I have a play by play. I couldn't help myself.



Each child got an apron to go to work in & a basket.



They had a bunch of "stations" where you went to work as a farmer.





Some kids really liked certain kinds of "work"...



And some kids liked doing other "work".{Ethan was disappointed that "real" milk didn't come out.}



Planting, growing, and picking the produce was alot of fun for everyone.







Well, and playing in the dirt was alot of fun too...



Each "station" was fun to explore and learn from.







Driving your basket around in the John Deere "tractor" bike was my favorite part to watch.:)






Ethan loved to put gas in his tractor. {He's always begging me to let him pump gas at the real gas station.}



And off he went!



Until Brother wanted a ride too...



And then they were off to the final stop--



To trade in their hard work for $!! {And give back their work aprons-- after their mom got a picture.}






Then it was off to the Grocery Store to spend their hard earned $!





Ethan chose to buy crackers...



And Aidan was very excited about his chocolate milk.



What a fun adventure! And after we left "Little Hands" we went and saw the piglets...:)



Love the fair.