Simple Pleasures

WOW-I am not dead

2011-10-03T10:37:00.000-07:00

Holy crap buying a house is exhausting....I am not really good about blogging (obviously) while I can hardly stand sitting in a messy disorganized house. My cabinets are almost done...like they are curing right now and then I will have my kitchen back...ahhh I can't wait. I am loading new pictures onto the computer so you all can see my stinkin cute kiddos and I am tired. Blah and tired

Little quick update
Levi is 6 months
Kenzie is 2 1/2

kenzie talks our ear off....not as fun as it sounds
and levi melts our hearts with his perfectness :)

Inside the House

2011-08-02T08:20:00.000-07:00

Please Excuse the mess of some of these pictures :) We are unpacking in some of them.

We love being in a house (is it expensive.....yes) but we are gaining control of finances and excited to start living.....

Here are a few pictures:

Secrets REVEALED....our new addition

2011-06-03T11:57:00.000-07:00

Well it's true we are welcoming a new addition to our family....

well actually this addition is something that we all fit inside...

WE ARE UNDER CONTRACT ON A HOUSE!!! HOLY CRAP!!!!!!

We are hoping to close July 1st, the bank wants to close in June...we will see what happens....

It is a perfect house for us! RIGHT next to the back side of the elementary school, on a corner, three car garage, a huge yard... (the list goes on)

Here is a picture of the new addition....

Wish us luck! All that has to happen is the house has to pass the inspection! Then we will be closing :)

ps: anyone getting ride of/selling a decent lawn mower....

M.I.A.

2011-05-25T07:29:00.001-07:00

Dear Blog,

I know that I have been missing in action BUT I do have a very good reason. Hopefully I will be able to share it with you soon....a week or two! I have pictures I need to put of Levi and Kenzie but I have been SUPER busy and not just being a mom....Hopefully I will be able to share good news soon.

~Ashley

Easter Egg Hunt

2011-04-29T20:17:00.000-07:00

We must have taught Kenzie something right (besides that watching the Office rules). She was a pretty good Easter Egg hog...good thing that there were TONS of eggs for Nursery Kids :)

The Birth Story (Warning LONG and NO details left out)

2011-04-09T11:41:00.000-07:00

Well, Kenzie is at Grandmas for the weekend and Derek is studying for a HUGE test that he is taking on Monday...this means I have time to myself with Levi...since he is sleeping I can BLOG!!! YEAH...well here is Levi's birth story...

We are going to start in the first week or so of March. I was having a hard time breathing and catching my breath...so I was a little nervous because IF I wasn't getting enough oxygen I wanted to know that our Baby Boy was, SO I went into the doctors. Obviously I wasn't in labor, the doctor checked me, I was still at a one but getting "softer." AND Levi was doing just fine...she told me that he was a GOOD 7 lbs. (this wasn't my normal doctor she was out of town). I thought WOW that's big already. I was about 36 1/2 weeks almost 37.

Well things went on as normal as they can with a huge belly. At my 37 week appointment Derek wanted me to ask about being induced and the doctors opinion and philosophy. She said that it was totally fine but they can't induce until 39 weeks, and they don't induce on a weekend. So I went home and talked to Derek. He thought that it was a great idea and we decided to schedule for March 25th.

I went to my appointment on the 22nd and told my doctor what we decided. I had told Derek that if I wasn't dilated anymore than a 1 (still) then I wasn't going to schedule an induction, obviously my body wasn't ready yet). Well I got checked and I was a 3! YEAH, scheduled it for Friday.

We dropped Kenzie off at my Mom's on Thursday night since I had to be there early he next morning. Obviously I didn't sleep very well and was up early-like 4 and decided to play Wii until I took a shower and such. Derek got everything in the car and I was making sure I didn't forget anything and my phone rings and it is the hospital asking me if I was still coming. I said yes, aren't I supposed to be there at 7:30? They responded...you were supposed to be here at 6 we like to have you prepped and ready for the O.R. by 7:30...I said okay we are leaving right now we are just about 15-20 minutes away...see you soon, bye...

..........WAIT a minute did they say O.R.???? Hum...that doesn't make sense.....

Oh well, we drove to the hospital and went inside when we were flooded with "I'm so sorry, we're so sorry, sorry sorry..." They got me mixed up with someone who was having a c-section. BUT we were 15 minutes early! That is better than late! So They get us all set up.

My doctor came in and broke my water sometime between 8:30 and 9 (consequently while Derek was wondering the halls trying to find his way out to go get stuff out of the car HAHAH). Because the baby was doing so well they told me that I didn't have to be hooked up to any monitors and could walk the halls.

~Side note: when they broke my water with Kenzie it was like the flood gates opening and I filled like 5 of those bed pads in seconds....this baby's head was like a plug and so it just trickled...

While walking the halls I had to return frequently to the bathroom to change everything, since there was plenty of "water" leaking everywhere filling up the pads I was wearing :) OH JOYS OF CHILDBIRTH

.....fast forward a few hours (nothing really exciting happens.....My contractions are really regular and I am dilating great! With them just breaking my water. The contractions are getting harder and the anesthesiologist was going to be tied up for a while and I needed to decided if I wanted it. Well I didn't, I had a horrible experience with the length of time it took the other guy to give it to me (45 WHOLE MINUTES) with Kenzie....PLUS he was feeding his cows....Well Avista always has 2 there so I said, okay I guess I am ready, well he was already in surgery and so they called the other guy. No big deal

We said a prayer...cause I was SO freaked out...and he showed up. Gave me the paper work. Explained some stuff. Told me he was going to describe what he was doing....I told him please don't, I don't want to know and don't care to know, he gave me the numbing shot (feels like a sting) and 45 SECONDS later he was done. Well consequently I start balling...LITERALLY....tears streaming down my face...I WAS SO HAPPY!!! I said thank you about a gazillion times and he was on his way.

Fast forward a little bit, my doctor came in and said WOW I thought you were on Pitocin because your contractions are BEAUTIFUL! Nope my body is doing it YEAH!!!!

Fast forward to 4:45pm...ok I am starting to feel pressure...so we called my nurse and she checked my again still at 9 1/2 but she thought that I could push past it...so we practiced pushing...

-THIS IS WHERE I WILL GET GRAPHIC-

We would push on contractions and I would have a great first push but the other two were crappy...

Let me explain why: My Nurse (who WAS AWESOME I LOVED LOVED LOVED HER) would put her hand in me so that I could feel where I was supposed to push. Well that weirded me out...I could feel her hand and it just was awkward. So we did these practice pushed for about 15 minutes and I finally said, "I don't mean to be rude but can you take you hand out and then let me try" She said oh of course usually that helps people. HAHA well next contraction I pushed ONCE and she said oh we need to call the doctor don't push again. Well keep in mind I can feel everything because my epidural is wearing off...rather quickly. So with every contraction I am crying and trying to breathe and not push....almost impossible. The pain is getting almost unbearable...

She called the front desk at 5:05

She called the front desk at 5:15

She called again at 5:25-asking for ANY DOCTOR

My doctor walks in at 5:25 (luckily) There were about 6 nurses in my room ready to deliver the baby.

My nurse says, can she push (as the are tearing the bed apart, pulling up the stirrups, and getting me situated) My doctor says just let me get my gloves on....

contraction-
nurse-grab your legs and push,
me-I can't it hurts to bad,
Derek- Ashley the baby is coming grab your legs and push,
me-ok, (I push for maybe 5 seconds)
Doctor-Stop,
me-okay,
doctor unwrapped the cord from his neck,
doctor-finish pushing,
baby-WAHHH,
me-WAHHH owee, owee ouch ouchie...uh....

~ps I think Derek recorded on his phone (sound only) this previous part..not sure though

Me: I am ready for some IB Pruefin
Nurse: You have an epidural in
Me: It doesn't work
Nurse: you need to at least eat something
Me: ok, then can I have medicine
Nurse: Ya, let me go get you some crackers and pain killers
Me: Thanks

~now the after birth

Doctor-this is the week of stubborn placenta's
5-10 minutes later it is out....BEST FEELING EVER....Even when I had Kenzie delivering the after birth feels AWESOME (at least to me) It is the most relieving feeling in the whole entire WORLD!

Nurses-he is 7 lbs 3 oz
DR- WOW he must of liked to be stretched out cause you always measured big!
Nurses-19 1/2 inches long

Doctor-you don't need any stitches
Me-REALLY! YEAH (in an exhausted excited tone)

Welp that is the story I know it is long but I wanted to write everything down while I remembered it!

It truly is a miracle!

I love Levi, it was totally worth it! (plus I have been having a great recovery)

Some pictures

2011-03-28T16:26:00.000-07:00

I forgot to add some pictures to the last post...here they are

Levi Keith Cook

2011-03-28T14:23:00.000-07:00

He is here!!! Levi was born on Friday, March 25th. I will eventually getting around to the birth experience but not today...here is a short version with some specs of Levi :) haha

I was scheduled to be induced on Friday. They broke my water and my body did everything on its own...NO pitocin. YEAH!!! He was born 5:28pm with 1 push and NO stitches YES!!!! He was a cute little 7lbs 3 oz boy and was 19 1/2 inches long.

Have a great day!!!!

New Years Resolution

2011-03-10T21:51:00.000-08:00

Okay Okay I know that it is March but I basically have been trying to figure out how to word what I want my new years resolutions. First, this is definitely not for a "pity party" I think that I need to write all of my feelings down, it will hopefully help me keep and succeed at this years resolutions....

Well here is goes....

My 2011 New Years Resolution is.....Take time for myself.

Now the explanation. I have been a little unhappy, feeling really useless, and basically all around crappy basically about everything. I have been literally praying for some kind of answer for me...and I need to take time for myself. I literally don't do anything by myself: not bath, shower, put my makeup on (if it even goes on), do my hair, blog, NOTHING.

So things that I have been working on that should help my by the end of the year (and hopefully earlier):
1. Actually put make up on (even if it is just mascara and eyeliner)
2. Take time to read my scriptures (even just one verse)
3. Take time to blow dry my hair once a week or so (those who know my hair know this is a pretty big time commitment)
4. Treat myself to a new shirt or jewelry or something (Derek and Kenzie aren't the only ones who should get things)
5. Find joy in everything
6. Get adult interaction-not just on the phone. (It is hard to talk to a two year old all day)

Now this is going to be hard especially for the next few months. I am going to have a baby and am already preparing for the emotional turbulence that I will be experiencing and talking to my doctor about the medicine I need to be starting when the baby is born, from previous postpartum with Kenzie. We are going to be moving in June too...AHH I know we are gonna be a little crazy.

I have been jealous of my friends that work. They get to go somewhere, speech with adults, and get a change of scenery. Now, I wouldn't change being a mom for anything, BUT I have been feeling like I need to do something different, as I told Derek when he got his new job,

"You get a new job that brings new and exciting challenges but basically you are gonna like better, for me to change my life I have to get fat and push out a baby, then recover from doing so. IT IS JUST NOT FAIR."

I need to find the joy in being a mom, I mean I really love it but sometimes have a hard time, I just feel useless.

To start to combat these feelings besides the list above is to sell Avon. I am not into pushing sells to anyone but I feel like I can order makeup or jewelry (because pricing is AWESOME) and meet new people and interact with other adults, while feeling like I am doing something with my life AND if I do more things I know I can be more organized and get more things done.

I wanted to post my website here so in case you didn't get my email about my new online store you have access to it.

www.youravon.com/acook7816

Now, wish me luck...I have a feeling that this is gonna be a pretty crazy year but I hope that by the end it is a successful year and I feel better about being a mom and can realize that I am not a useless turd, (HAHA).

Thanks for listening....Good luck on your New Years Resolutions!

Part 2 of Kenzie's Birthday

2011-02-23T16:40:00.000-08:00

So Derek was in charge of the camera during Kenzie's family party. The only picture that we have is this one of the cake...AND I TOOK IT! HAHA The rest are videos and they are long and you don't need too see those :)

So we had my parents and we ordered pizza, opened presents and had cake and ice cream.

Well, here is our picture :)

Kenzie's Birthday Party

2011-02-20T22:00:00.000-08:00

Kenzie turned 2! I can't even believe that it has been 2 years, I can totally believe that Kenzie is 2 because I feel like she already acted 2 BUT that it has already been 2 years since she was born....HOLY COW~that is a little harder to believe.

Any ways, a few of us met at the Dinosaur Play Place at Flatirons to have a very low key Birthday Party. The kids were running around so crazy that I wasn't able to get pictures of everyone but here are a few that are blog worthy.

OH MY OH MY OH MY

2011-02-18T07:54:00.000-08:00

Derek and I went to borders yesterday and I love looking at Magazines for cute ideas. There was an adorable apron magazine, called Apronology....and this was on the cover....

I AM IN LOVE....I even dreamed about. There is a tutorial in the magazine and I really want to go back to get it...is it kinda impractical...YUP....but maybe I can make it into a summer skirt...maybe I will be over my head in flowers I haven't decided yet...the only thing I have decided is that I LOVE IT....here are a few more that I love from her website.

I LOVE THEM ALL....I think that I have convinced myself that they would all be adorable skirts, especially for the summer....I might have to start on one....AHHH I LOVE THEM I can't even describe how adorable I think these are....

ps...here is her website which I LOVE EVERYTHING THAT IS ON IT!!!!

donnadowney.typepad.com

~Ashley

Estes Park

2011-02-01T21:39:00.001-08:00

In September we were able to take a trip up to Estes Park. We wanted to go up and see the Elk and the leaves changing. We haven't ever really taken a day trip any where and thought it would be a fun family outing. IT TOTALLY WAS. We drove all the way up to the top of Trail Ridge Road. A very fun ride especially since we were able to take Derek's mustang because it hadn't started snowing yet! Kenzie got altitude sickness (we are pretty sure) she was totally having a great time in Estes Park…then when we got to the top of the mountain she wouldn't hardly move and didn't even want to walk just be held and had a little bit of a fever…WEIRD…then when we got to the bottom she was fine. We loved this trip together and had a ton of fun walking around main street Estes Park. I am not going to lie….there was an AWESOME taffy shop that had melt in your mouth salt water taffy (one of my weaknesses) and I definitely ate the whole bag of taffy. IT WAS AWESOME. Here are the pictures from our trip!

Pregnancy Brain ;)

2011-01-08T20:59:00.000-08:00

An exerpt from a couple of recent conversations....

1. While we were in Idaho driving around town
Derek: how are you doing?
Me: good I am hungry
Derek: what! you just ate breakfast
Me: what are you talking about?
D: you just said you were hungry.
M: I did? I meant to say I was comfortable...oops

2. My sister, Emily had just come over after piano lessons.
Me: hey Em, how are your jammies?
Emily: what? Ummmm...
Me: what did I just ask you? Did I just ask how your jammies were?
Emily: yup I am a little confused
Me: you should be I meant to ask you how your piano lessons were! Oops I have really bad pregnancy brain!
Emily: well piano was good and so are my jammies ;)

So I am pretty sure that it is only going to get worse from here on out.

Consider yourself warned

FIXED LINK Kenzie's 2 year pictures

2011-01-03T19:19:00.000-08:00

Head over to Caralee Case's photography blog and see an adorable preview of her pictures :) caraleephotography.blogspot.com

And ENJOY

It's a ..........

2010-11-20T05:54:00.000-08:00

BOY! Kenzie is gonna have a little brother ;) she wants a puppy or a sister....so she is a little disappointed but I am still not convinced that she knows the difference between brother and sister. But she does know the difference between brother and puppy. Haha she cracks me up! Derek and I are excited to have one of each.

Yup I do

2010-11-08T17:50:00.000-08:00

Yes I let my daughter run around BUTT naked...she is currently right now climbing on the couch in her birthday suit...she is so comfortable in it and runs really fast with out the wind resistance of clothes :) HAHAHA but when she is naked she doesn't pee on the floor she remembers to go in the toilet.

Can I let her run around all day nakie...nope...but i do when she is so happy and free....as i think any one would feel

oops jinxed it...I just stepped in pee... got to go

oh well diaper and clothes coming on

What I needed :) thanks Rebecca

2010-11-01T20:45:00.001-07:00

After a long day that ended in mostly frowns I read my friend Rebecca's post. She is an awesome teacher, wife, and friend. Unfortunately this is our only chance in this life to raise our children…I can't do it again and my goal it to be happy with the results and NOT want to have a do over.

"If I had my child to raise all over again,

I'd BUILD self-esteem first, and the HOUSE LATER.

I'd FINGERPAINT MORE, and POINT the finger LESS

I would do LESS CORRECTING and more CONNECTING.

I'd take my eyes OFF my watch, and WATCH with my eyes.

I'd take more HIKES and fly more KITES

I'd stop PLAYING SERIOUS, and SERIOUSLY PLAY

I would RUN through more fields and GAZE at more stars

I'd do more HUGGING and less tugging."

— Diane Loomans

Posts are coming…just slow, tired, tired, tired, tired, and tired….

A Heart Rate of 155

2010-10-05T14:36:00.000-07:00

That is what our baby has a heart rate. Nope not Kenzie, the baby in my tummy (well you know where). I am a little over 14 weeks prego! We are excited and not sure how two babies is going to be...but sure we will love it most of the time.

I feel like I have been dishonest with everyone we just didn't want to tell anyone for a while then i just got used to not telling anyone :) So here you all go. Hope you enjoy the news

PS~Derek didn't want me to write anything until we found out what we were having and I said no, so aren't you glad I didn't listen to Derek :)

IF

2010-09-30T07:08:00.000-07:00

IF....

I wasn't lazy with the putting pictures on the computer from the camera I would have something to actually post about.

I wasn't tired and wasn't as caught up in reading everybody's posts I would post something of significance.

I wasn't to busy I would do both of those things listed about.

My kitchen wasn't so stinking small I would want to cook (hopefully because I do like to cook, its just I only have ONE small piece of counter top)

My laundry room wasn't in my kitchen I would ~~want~~ be able to do more laundry

My house could stay clean for a whole 24 hours I would be ecstatic

I was I was a SUPER MOM~ I would be able to do all of the above, alas I am just Ashley and imperfect, and always going to be imperfect, I will try and I will try my hardest and when my hardest isn't enough I don't want to be judged because that is the only thing that we are asked to do, DO OUR BEST.

hello

2010-08-24T07:42:00.000-07:00

I thought I should write something...

I have been really busy lately. Mostly crazy things that are happening to Derek's Car. It runs one day and won't start the next. Then we got it fixed and the next day Derek was in an accident (don't worry no one was hurt). A few days before that Logan came to visit us(or that is what we would like to think)! He is here for a couple weeks then goes back to school. I have had a car off and on for a few weeks....it is annoying but we are saving money cause I can't go to the store...but we also don't have very much food. OH WELL YOU LIVE AND LEARN...but no worries we do have a third car and my sister uses it for the summer which is over in like a week or so, so it will be great to have a more dependable car again....

I am tired :) Life is exhausting sometimes

Concert at the Park

2010-08-05T08:00:00.000-07:00

I am all for finding free things to do and we used to go to concerts at the park once a summer with my Young Womens group...it was awesome :)

Don't know the band that was playing but it was fun when we went...hopefully we can go again soon!!

<><><><>

Cheese :)

LOVE THE PICTURE

Mommy and Kenzie

Kenzie LOVED the music!!

Playing with DADDY :)

OUR FRIENDS!!!!

2010-07-30T13:00:00.000-07:00

Derek's parent's dropped Kenzie off at our Friends Matt and Lindsey's :) It was awesome seeing them and wish that we could see them all of the time. Pretty much Lincoln and Kenzie LOVE eachother :)

Lincoln has some lady skills, he put his arm around Kenzie WITHOUT any prompting...it was AWESOME

Look over there Kenzie :)

ADORABLE

Playing :)

Lake Powell

2010-07-30T08:00:00.000-07:00

We went to Lake Powell the First Week of July...it was pretty awesome. Logan (Derek's brother) came with us and we had a fun time. Grandma and Grandpa Cook watched Kenzie for us (which we won't go into to many details but I only had a break down a few times...I have never left Kenzie EVER) Any ways here are a few highlights:

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On our way to Lake Powell...the boys got to sleep (lucky) and yes they chose to sit by eachother in the back seat

The View about from where our house boat was

Good Morning Derek

Silly Kids

My Sister Emily and my cousins

Birthday "23"

2010-07-28T07:00:00.000-07:00

Well this is going to be a post that I will want to have so I figured I would write it.

Last week was my birthday. It was fine...pretty insignificant pretty crappy...but that is fine...it made my day when my friend wrote a post about me...Thanks Rebecca, it really meant a lot, especially since you are the only one who called me...you can read it here.

Basically I didn't do anything but here is a few pictures...ps my cake was HUGE!!!!

Family Picture

INSIDE SUPRISE

BUT WHO CAN HAVE A BAD DAY WHEN YOU LOOK AT THIS AWESOME FACE :) I LOVE KENZIE SO MUCH!!!!

ROCKIES GAME

2010-07-27T21:04:00.000-07:00

Well its been a while, we have been busy! But because I want to blog everything it will come one at a time :)

So when my Brother had his homecoming, welcome home speech my Aunt Charlise and Uncle Greg came out for a few weeks and stayed with my parents. It was so awesome to see them, they live in North Carolina and we don't see them very often. While they were here we went to the Rockies Game. It was Kenzie's first game complete with outfit (of course) :)

It was a ton of fun, we sat on the opposite side of the stadium as them BUT GOT A GREAT PICTURE...go camera! Kenzie was pretty good considering this was her first game and she doesn't like sitting on people's laps HAHA

Walking to the Stadium

Derek Kenzie and Matt walking to the game....

Kenzie, Alyssa, and Matt

Dinger (or something like that)

Family at the rockies

The awesome FAR FAR AWAY PICTURE

WHO LOVES DIPPIN DOTS!!! I DO I DO

What I love...

2010-06-26T13:01:00.000-07:00

This artist is Rachelle Miller, I LOVE HER ART...I think it is quite possibly the most perfect nursery art ever (at least for my style) I LOVE IT, Here is just one of her amazing pictures.

website: http://www.rachelleannemiller.com/

Welcome Home Elder Morgan

2010-06-23T15:44:00.000-07:00

Elder Morgan came home two weeks ago! It was so awesome to see him. He met Kenzie for the first time! I know that he had such a great mission. He had his homecoming speech on Father's Day. It was amazing, for those of you who went and heard him speak it was completely awesome. I almost cried the whole time because I couldn't believe how much he matured and has been blessed by the Lord. He has such a strong testimony. I have been to many missionary homecomings. Matt RIVALS all of those, it was one of the best thought out and prepared talks, (of course I am a little bias he is my brother!)

It is such a blessing to have Matt in our family. He has learned so much and I look forward to listening and learning from him! Welcome Home Elder Morgan!

The Lord helps these boys change into men. A simple call from the Lord changed this boy forever!

With love and finding simplicity in everything,

First Trip to the Lake

2010-05-28T21:14:00.000-07:00

It has been REALLY nice...HOT in Colorado (today it is 22 degree's above normal...it was close to 95!!!!). We went up to the Lake on Wednesday! Here are a few pics!

MY NEW FAVORITE PICTURE!!! Kenzie and my Dad (grandpa morgan)

Getting their feet wet!

WAY TO GO DEREK!

Kenzie's Seat :)

YES

2010-05-24T20:33:00.000-07:00

Today I won finally Jeopardy. That is the second time in one week! I rule :)

I must say that was a great ending to a great day!

really??? REALLY????....Seriously!

2010-05-21T15:35:00.000-07:00

Today was the first day of cloth diapering it...it is only 4:30 and WOW have I had a day. Before I continue I just want to make it clear that I think that these are all coincidences, nothing particularly to do with cloth diapers...hopefully things go a little smoother.

9:30 am: KENZIE JUST WOKE UP!!! WOW what a start to a great day!
10:45 am: Finish eating eggs, toast and jam for breakfast, put the first cloth diaper on, get dressed, leave to go run errands (we had to take some of the cloth diapers back from the store downtown.)
11:15 am: Look in the rear view mirror on the car and see EGG CHUNKS FLYING OUT OF KENZIE'S MOUTH as she is barfing everywhere, find a place to pull over and assess the damage.
11:16am: WOW it is worse than I thought and smells horrific-I almost barf.
11:16:30seconds am: Start using wipes to clean up the best I can. Questioning WHY DID SHE BARF????
11:17 am: While cleaning up I realized that ALL of the chunks of eggs were not chewed, when she at them, they slide right down.
11:18 am: Came to a few conclusions: 1st: Kenzie ate more eggs than I thought she did (HAHA) 2nd: Kenzie does NOT like chunks in her throat...so she gagged herself (this isn't the first time) until she barfed.
11:20 am: Stripped her clothes, of course DID NOT have an extra set, wiped the seat of best I could, and went to the diaper store.
12:00 (noon): Arrived at walmart to by a new outfit, I wouldn't usually do this, but I had A TON of errands to run and I could not go home.
12:00-12:15pm: Mom's, dad's, grandma's, kids, EVERYONE looking at me, some would say...WOW that is the perfect outfit, some would say ADORABLE, some would say, SO CUTE. Kenzie was in her cloth diaper, shoes, and a hair tie with a bow. Now, I am sure that these people thought that I would PURPOSELY dress my little girl in NOTHING to go shopping. I felt like super white trash. Yes I know it looked like that on purpose (especially) with the bow, but it wasn't.
12:45 pm: Finally got to my mom's house, gave Kenzie a bath, she pooped in her cloth diaper for the first time...interesting...and went to the mall.
3:00pm: Pooped again in her cloth diaper...even more interesting....but I SURVIVED!!!!!

Now I am home, thinking about the day. Don't get me wrong. I got A TON DONE that I needed too. Now to survive the rest of the night...and if I do...I will say that cloth diapers were successful for the first day.

GroBaby

2010-05-17T16:30:00.000-07:00

It is offical! I ordered my first cloth diapers....AHHHH I am scared. They have already been sent. I finally decided the cute diapers, GroBaby, which is changing its name to GroVia. I went to a GREAT cloth diapering class at a local AWESOME baby store The Giggling Green Bean. After discussing with my friend Lindsey (who also does cloth diapers) and been thinking about it pretty much since Kenzie has been born, I AM TRYING IT! I am actually thinking that I am going to like it...I know that it more work but I do think it is better for a lot of reasons. I found GroBaby covers and inserts for 30% off and I would love to support the local business more but I got free shipping, not tax and the diapers were cheaper....so this time I am not buying from them (I am actually taking the things back that I did get because I did decide on GroBaby.) I will keep you posted if you would like...I still have to try it but I am hoping that I really like it.

We shall see....

You have to admit...they are SO STINKIN CUTE!!!!!

picture thanks to....The Natural Baby Company

Playing with Photoshop

2010-04-09T10:55:00.001-07:00

The Cushion

2010-04-02T14:35:00.000-07:00

Twas' the night Derek and Ashley went to her parents house,

Every creature was still stirring, even the mouse (Samson the Dog)

The house was clean with love and with care

In hope that it would stay that way while they were there

We were hoping to sleep snug in the beds

With visions of summer days wakeboarding in our heads

With Kenzie in her footsies and Ashley in her snaps (haha?)

We hope to settle down for a long nights nap.

When all of a sudden there rose up a clatter

Derek had finally caught up with them, and Ashley asked "what's a matter?"

The story he told of him running over a cushion,

It happened so fast He couldn't swerve just keep pushin'

Luckily the Mustang had enough clearance to go

And Derek was just glad that his engine didn't blow

I was glad he was safe but he told me the cushion didn't go flying

He could tell the cushion good riddance and good bye-ing (is that a word?)

Well the night was long and Kenzie woke up at Four

By the time six o'clock came around I was ready to snore

Derek left for work for the day

I said good bye and he went on his way

While taking a diaper to the trash

I looked at the drive way and noticed something stashed

While I studied the item I realized what I had discovered

The cushion that Derek ran over, mystery uncovered!

I called him and told him what I had found

He laughed and told me to keep it around

Now this cushion just sits outside

Wishing and waiting for someone to confide!

It made my week and I thought it might make yours

This is a true story and I hope it doesn't make you "snores"

~Ashley

Birthday Cake

2010-03-23T13:50:00.000-07:00

A while ago my friend Lisa, asked my mom and I to make a birthday cake for her cute little boy Jonathan. He loves cars and so my mom and I designed and made this cake for him. I must say that I am really proud of it. It was such a fun experience to make decorate with my mom! Thanks for asking us to help you on Jonathan special day :) It was a priviledge

One Year old Pictures

2010-03-18T16:38:00.001-07:00

Here are a preview of the unedited versions of Kenzie's Pictures. They make me laugh, that one tooth just cracks me up!! Hope you enjoy. Thanks again Celeste!

Dearest Cell Phone:

2010-03-15T15:56:00.000-07:00

I am so grateful for you. Yes I have dropped you down concrete stairs, on the ground, out of the car, in the store, and worst of all in the toilet. Yes Kenzie talks to you, wants you, kisses you, licks you, sits on you, and drops you (just like her mom). Yes, I tell you how dumb you are when you DROP my calls and think that sometimes I want to purposely throw you on the ground. But alas, You are smarter than me, you have a built in, never forgets, memory! How would I survive day light savings time without you! Thank you for the reminder and polite way you change the time without tell me how dumb I am!

~Love, Your abusive owner :)

Having Fun with Kenzie

2010-02-28T11:38:00.001-08:00

I wouldn't enlarge any of these pictures...No makeup

IT'S GONE!!!

2010-02-28T11:36:00.000-08:00

MY HAIR IS GONE. I love it. It is so much easier and looks way better because I actually do it! Whittney did a great job THANKS!!!!

Our Friends

2010-02-28T11:30:00.000-08:00

Holding Hands...sorry the picture is so blurry.

Jace, Whittney and Jaxton moved to Denver for an internship! We are so excited to have them close again. We met them in our family ward in Rexburg. We LOVE hanging out with them and are just so excited and are going to miss them when they leave...hopefully they will end up here again. Jaxton and Kenzie are six weeks apart from eachother and they get along so well. They have such a good time together we are both so lucky!

Valentines Day and Anniversary

2010-02-28T11:22:00.000-08:00

Kenzie ate almost two WHOLE waffles!! She loved them

Derek LOVES waffles with Ice Cream...(so do I)

On Valentines Day Derek made us heart shaped waffles. They were delicious! We didn't have any eggs so I looked up a substitute in one of my cooking books and it said, 1 egg=3 Tbsp of Mayo. WHAT???? Well we tried it and it totally worked. They still tasted like waffles!

Our anniversary was also two days later. Derek and I took cash out of our account and went shopping. THE RULES: don't spend more than the cash we had....We have never just gone and spent money without thinking about our purchases and it was awesome. Kenzie spent the night at Grandma's (I cried like a baby, I had never left her over night and I thought that I was being a bad mom) then we picked her up the next afternoon and we went swimming and the Paul Dedra (sp?) Rec Center...there are two water slides and Kenzie Loved going down with derek and I.

OVERALL a great Valentines Day and Anniversary of THREE YEARS!

Racist?!?!...I will let you decide

2010-01-29T20:05:00.000-08:00

So as part of my daily routine I go to Walmart, well it feels like daily but I am sure it's not quite that many times. Any ways, I have noticed lately at the two Walmarts I go to they have been checking receipts (like Sam's and Costco when you leave). So the first time I am standing in the line to leave the store get my receipt ready and the "greeter" says you are fine. I say thank you and leave. Then just a little while ago Derek and I were leaving and this was a the other Walmart I frequent, AGAIN waiting in line to leave and when we get to the front the greeter says you are fine, and we leave. Coincidence???

The fact that you should know:
BOTH times I was the only white (Caucasian) person in line, the rest were Hispanic! (EVEN THE GREETER)

I am not sure what to think, I would like to think it is because I look trust-worthy and I have a baby, but most of the people in line had babies/kids. So I am not sure what to think, I am glad they trust me, and obviously I wouldn't steal...but just because I am Hispanic doesn't mean anything.

Just a thought,
~A trust-worthy white mom :)

Happy Birthday Kenzie

2010-01-29T08:32:00.001-08:00

Kenzie's Birthday was on Wednesday. We had a party for her on Monday with all of her "boyfriends" :) My mom and I made Kenzie's cake and it turned out SO CUTE!!!!

You can see the last 11 months on the side bar....She is growing so fast :(

Kenzie Looks SO OLD!!!

Taking her Bows out

YUM

At Kenzie's Birthday Party, Jaxton, Cole and Kenzie running down the hall :)

Jonathan sure loves his mom

Jaxton poking Wyatt :)

Being Creative

2010-01-12T21:21:00.000-08:00

I couldn't get a good picture but you get the idea, the middle picture is 11x14 and the sides are 8x10. I got everything for this project for less than $25.00 I love hobby lobby

And I know that they are not straight I still have to get some of that yellow tacky stuff to make sure they stay straight

Cute Kenzie (be warned...Really cute and she doesn't look like a baby)

2010-01-12T21:09:00.001-08:00

Her 11 month pics

I blow dryed her hair and I loved how poofy it was especially with a bow!

She is EVERYWHERE!

Note to self: Babies turn blue if you give them a blue fruit roll up!

She has such pretty bright blue eyes! (9 Months i think)

Before

After

Bubbles

2010-01-12T21:06:00.001-08:00

Yes her hair naturally stands up :)

New Years Time Capsule and a cute unpacking Picture

2010-01-12T20:57:00.000-08:00

10 years ago...holy cow, our Young Women's made time Capsules. I forgot about it for probably 8 years and remembered it last year. So when I brought it to our apartment I couldn't wait to open it...then we went to Idaho and I FORGOT IT!!!! SO I HAD TO WAIT LONGER. Well so here it is. I remember thinking when I made it, I am going to remember what is in here. Well 10 years later, a college degree later, a marriage later, a baby later and moving who knows how many times, I did NOT remember. It was really fun to see things that I like and pictures that I had put in there! Thanks to all of my Young Womens leaders! And to everyone that reads this that was in young womens with me, what was is yours? Do you still have it?

And I thought that this was the cutest picture of Kenzie :) She is so funny, and such a good unpacking helper

Trip to Idaho

2010-01-12T20:40:00.001-08:00

Derek, Kenzie and I had the opportunity to go to Idaho for New Years, to visit family and friends. It was such an awesome trip. First of all because Kenzie got an A+, we only stopped once on the way there and once on the way back. (Luckily we had to stop to get gas or else Derek wouldn't have stopped at all...he is crazy) Kenzie took a little while getting used to a new place but she did okay. It was so fun to see her and Annaliese "play" it is going to be so fun when 5 months isn't a big difference! They both are walking and by the last time they were together followed eachother around, and Kenzie showed Annaliese how "cool" it was to go up a few stairs, turn around and SIT...sorry Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Brittany and Uncle Ryan. Hopefully she isn't doing it anymore :)

We had a great time seeing our family and friends. Thanks for the great visit. Hope to see you all again soon!!!

She's a sad Panda
Annaliese did not want to eat, but she has a mean Aunt Heather that made her! Okay just kidding well kinda, Heather is NOT mean AT ALL, but she did make Annaliese eat!

Carrying Kenzie's Blanket

Boys will be boys! Ryan just ran full speed to slide on the sled, but I think Derek pulled it out before he got there....RUDE, I KNOW

Notice that white rectangle above Derek's head, Tanner (the one on the right) just threw it to hit Ryan (the one on the left, that is crouching) AWESOME PICTURE

Brothers and Sister! (and Tucker)

Merry Christmas....FINALLY

2010-01-12T20:34:00.001-08:00

Derek (and I guess, me) got an early christmas present...it's a little embarrassing because it definatley NOT SMALL!!! Oh well, he works hard for Kenzie and I :)
Brian and Derek unwrapping the beast

Noah's Ark, we have had this for over a year! I was so excited to give it to Kenzie, and she got that awesome toy box! We found the coolest toddler/child toys www.littlecolorado.org They are sweet (we got it on sale, even better)

Our Christmas! It was so fun!!!!!

Happy New Years and Merry Christmas

2010-01-05T13:30:00.001-08:00

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone we are currently on our way home from visiting family and friends in Idaho. We had such a great time these past few weeks with family and friends that I was thinking about how grateful I was for family and friends. We have blessed with great both! As Derek and I get closer together we realize how important it is to have each other and our beautiful, smart, funny daughter! Being parents has one hundred percent changed our lives and with emotions (Mostly my crazy hormones and depression) I couldn't say that it was great. Now I can! It is great! Now I can't say it's easy, rewarding yes, easy not so much. It's hard to give things that you get used to as just a husband and wife. Now don't get me wrong I love being a mommy and Derek loves being a daddy and I feel like it was the right time in our life. And some people its not there time and the Lord knows way more than we do. And just because someone isn't having kids doesn't mean that they don't want them or would be bad parents it could be its not there time and we can't judge that we just need to love them no matter what (Which sometimes isn't easy). That's all i wasn't planning on writing that much but the words just came. We love you all wish the best 2010 ever. Love, Derek, Ashley, and the crazy baby Kenzie

She's too little

2009-12-19T09:58:00.000-08:00

Kenzie runs into me at the end. I love her so much she is so cute!!!

Updates and Pictures

2009-12-17T10:46:00.000-08:00

It has been crazy as I am sure most of you are feeling the same way. Getting ready for Christmas never been so crazy. We have gone to Christmas Parties, Company Christmas Parties, Store awarding dinners and maybe we are slowing down! Hopefully cause lets be real, I don't even want to look at food or think about how much food was eaten by myself alone in the last two weeks! At the end of October/Beginning of November Derek, Kenzie and I got our first family pictures. It was so FUN, my friend Celeste took them and did a great job. Here are a few of them...I love them and can't wait to get them framed and hung in our apartment. :)

In the Spirit of Thanksgiving

2009-11-21T14:35:00.001-08:00

All I can say is BEAUTIFUL!

Pick Your Cupcake

2009-11-19T20:11:00.000-08:00

So, here's the deal. This week my mom was making cupcakes for a lady. She wanted to make Bee's for them. I told her that I would cut them for her and see if she likes them :) So I did and we put them on the cupcakes and WOW they are ADORABLE. We decided to start a small small business. My mom makes the cupcakes and I make custom picks. We are accepting custom orders and the lady that ordered the origional order, she ordered more this same week too!

Here's the Link, take a look and Follow us :)

http://pickyourcupcake.blogspot.com/

I know I know

2009-11-16T18:53:00.001-08:00

Lets just say we have been crazy. AHHH Derek and I both got the flu twice, Kenzie got ear infections and I think a little bit of the flu. So 6 sickness and two months later we are FINALLY getting back to normal HOLY TOLEDO that took forever. Well I am going to post a few pictures to walk you through the last two months, ENJOY...ps...Kenzie is getting so big I can't believe it, she is already walking in steps, 3-6 at a time!

Halloween, we painted her face and everything but we forgot our camera, oh well Derek and I were sick that night any ways
My poor sick family
Still sick

I know the saddest picture ever

She looks so big I can't stand it

She loves her dad, and I love these pictures

Probably my favorite EVER

Sneaky little monkey

Who me????

She feel asleep and I even got her out of her carseat and I even changed her diaper and she still stayed asleep

Kenzie's favorite spot under the computer desk

Playing with Daddy

Daddy's Girls

For you Reading Pleasure

2009-10-31T12:47:00.001-07:00

Yesturday I took kenzie to the doctors! THE VERDICT-Ear infection(s) Definately could have been worse, any ways while I was waiting I found this funny article from parenting magazine, and thought I would share,

TOP TEN WAYS YOUR LIFE ISN'T LIKE A REALITY SHOW:

1. Your morning weigh-ins are mercifully private

2. No hope of trading up to a multimillionaire, housecleaning husband who lives to give you foot rubs in wacky wife-swap episode

3. You drive a Ford, shop at Target, and drink Diet Coke all the live-long day, but no one give you a dime for product placement

4. You endure hourse of grueling photo shoots-but they're all at Sears and come out in wallet size with a faux-nature background

5. The only Extreme Home Makeover your getting is courtsey of a 5-year-old with a marker

6. You'd like to see Top Chef make three different dishes (one kid food, one vegan for your tween, and one that actually tastes good for you) every single night

7. (I don't like number 7 I think it's really mean but I will write it any ways) You really did marry your big fat obnoxious fiance. (And what's worse, no one paid you!)
See it is kinda mean

8. You never get voted off-even if you beg

9. You're surrounded by "real" housewives-but like you, they haven't shaved their legs in days

10. You know What Not to Wear, but Nothing Else Fits since you had kinds!!!

My favorite are 5, 8, 9, 10....that is why i took it from the magazine from the office :)

The longest day!

2009-10-28T09:40:00.000-07:00

This is starting on Tuesday(Yesterday) morning at 1 am

1am: Kenzie woke up, kinda weird, fed her went back to sleep

5:21 am: Kenzie woke up again, fed her and went back to sleep

7am Made Derek a Lunch, and kissed him goodbye for the day

9am: Kenzie woke up for the day happy as can be, since she woke up so late we were able to go to a play group!! YEAH

9, 9:15, 9:20: Tried to feed kenzie, WOULD NOT EAT

10am: Play Group

10:10am stayed in the car and fed Kenzie, still not having the nursing thing

11:15am: Kenzie got a little bit grumpy, went and tried to feed her NOT SUCCESSFUL

12:30pm Left the mall, dropped Lisa off, went to my moms tried feeding again NO (by this time she literally had not eaten anything!)

12:45pm Fed her some cereal and went home

1:20pm Kenzie woke up from a nap...that was a long one a whole 30 minutes

2:30pm Activity Days meeting

3:00pm Started nursing, only nursed for about a minute on one side LAME!!!! Now i am feeling the results of kenzie not eating

5:00pm Kenzie wouldn't stop crying, so I tried giving her some cereal, didn't want any of that, so BATH TIME and some tylenol, she was happy

5:30pm After I called my mom to come over and see kenzie because i didn't know what to do, SHE NURSED!!!!! 12 hours after the last time she nursed what a relief!

6:15pm Started crying again, figured she was tired due to lack of sleep, laid her in bed cried for maybe 60 seconds, asleep!

6:45pm She woke up, screaming, held her she feel asleep in my arms (reminded me of the reason why I am a mom) and decided to just lay her down next to me in the living room while i got dinner ready.

9:00pm Kenzie is still asleep on the floor. Derek called and said I am on my way home!!! YEAH...yes he was gone for 14 hours, lets just say all of the discount tires were VERY busy :) I told derek Kenzie was asleep and he was a little disappointed, he hadn't seen her all day, that is why I laid her down on the floor in the living room I figured that she would wake up any ways.

9:15pm Kenzie woke up, We played

9:45pm Family prayer, good nights, and kenzie ate again and slept all night!!!!!!

She slept until 6am this morning, went back to sleep until 9:30 and ate again at about 10:30 (about a half an hour after tylenol) and went back down for a nap at 11am!

Lets hope today goes a little smoother....

PS THE SNOW JUST KEEPS GETTING WORSE!!!!!!!!!! it is just dumping, YUCK

Eight, Kenzie just bein' CUTE!

2009-10-05T13:45:00.001-07:00

These are just a few random pictures of Kenzie eating and making a huge mess, and just playing! Hope you enjoy. I am all caught up...well mostly I have a couple posts that are missing but I can't find the pictures so sometime soon I will be posting when Logan came out and Matt and Lindsey and it was Derek's Birthday.

Seventh, Hammonds Candy Factory

2009-10-05T13:31:00.001-07:00

On one if Derek's day's off we fixed my sister's car, which is now our car, so we were going to a shop to get a few parts, fender and bumper, we could not find it. Called the number that we had and they had moved since our phone book said. While we were looking in the parking lot I saw Hammonds Candy Factory...I had read on colorado.com about different things to do for fun and taking a tour was one of the things. So Derek, being the nicest and best husband EVER, put aside the car thing and we went on the tour, it was short, sweet and FUN! Their candy is pretty good, not going to lie!

Kenzie smiled SO GOOD, she was excited for the tour too :)

Sixth, Dress up for Church

2009-10-05T13:18:00.000-07:00

Kenzie's hair is finally long enough to put in a pony tail, then i put a bow in it AHHHH I love it, all I could do the first time I put it in was LOOK and say KENZIE YOU ARE SO CUTE!!!

Kenzie and Me, my eyes were really irritated that's why I look kinda funny

I love Daddy

Kenzie and Daddy :)

Fifth, Bath Time

2009-10-05T13:00:00.001-07:00

So these aren't in order, I forgot that I needed to upload them last to first, oh well. So Kenzie loves baths, obviously :) and she loves her duck tub-THANKS LINDSEY. She was having so much fun that I had to take pictures. They made my day, hopefully they do the same for you. She is so funny and so cute :) not biased though

After bath time, she kinda looks angry :)

RARRRRR

READY FOR BATH TIME MOM!!!

Fourth, 7 MONTHS OLD

2009-10-05T12:44:00.000-07:00

My good idea gone bad! :) So as many of you know and can tell i have been taking pictures of Kenzie on the blanket that my mom, Grandma Morgan, made for Kenzie. My Plan was to take a picture every month, in the same 12 month onesie and bow, and then in a big frame put each one for the 12 months up to one year :)!!! Well these are her 7 month pictures, she is now 8 months old, those picture coming soon. But as you can tell she didn't want to lay down or wear the head band!!!!!!!! We will see what happens in the next few months to see if I am able to get 12 good pictures. It's not over yet, but could be crashing down in the next few months as she is getting more and more active.

Third, Quick Trip to Idaho

2009-09-30T17:16:00.000-07:00

So when BYU-Idaho started school, my sister was going up there for her first semester. My mom and dad were planning on taking her up to school and coming right back. Well the morning that they were going to leave my youngest sister got a little sick. So my mom was going to drive the whole way there and back, with Alyssa her only company on the way to Idaho. So LAST LAST minute I told my mom that Kenzie and I would come with her. So 15 minutes after we told her that, they came and got me and we were off!!!! Left on Sunday back on Tuesday. While we were there, we saw Matt, Lindsey and Linclon (notice the cute video on their blog) and we had lunch with Matt, Monica, my sister and our mom's (just like old times). We also stayed Monday night at Derek's Parents (Grandma and Grandpa Cook). I was able to catch up for a few minutes with my friend Rebecca, when I went back to Derek's parents house I left my liscence in their car and didn't know, they ended up having to mail it to me. AHHHH-I hate not being able to remember things (I lost my keys a few weeks prior amd they are still gone!) It was so fun to see everyone and Kenzie had so much fun with her aunts, uncles, cousin, second cousins, and great aunt and uncle ;)

Smilin' in her carseat
Kenzie=the biggest smiler EVER....it's totally funny, she just opens her mouth as wide as it goes!!!!!!

Tanner and Annaliese, Kenzie and Grandma Cook and Ryan

She loves Grandma Cook

No, I didn't let Kenzie lick a blue skittle :)

Second :) First Camping Trip

2009-09-30T14:16:00.000-07:00

So we took our first camping adventure. We slept in a tent with my parents. Kenzie slept in her pack-n-play. She didn't fall asleep for a while, slept for a while in her pack and play, didn't have anything to sit against to try and feed her, cried for a while...oops, finally fell asleep again, sleeping next to me, of course I didn't get very much sleep, didn't want her daddy, FINALLY it was morning, I don't think I have even been so happy for the sun to come up. We ate a great breakfast and got on the boats, 9-6 ALL DAY kenzie and I didn't EVER get off the boat, lets just say, it was a long day and we were really really tired. Ready to get home to sleep. This ended up being the last boating trip of the season. I will post some video's and more pictures of the action! Later, being realistic, in probably about a month!

Land Locked State Surfing, Everyone sits on one side of the boat to create the biggest wave possible...my dad rocks!

Derek is awesome!

Life Jacket DIAPER...AKA the most awesome thing EVER!!!

Go get your Swimmin' suit on!

If you can't tell she was crying, and thought I was going to pick her up :)...i did

Charlie, Dad, Mom and Dora the Explorer Chair :)

First of Many!!! (Museum)

2009-09-30T13:47:00.001-07:00

So basically, I am a slacker, I have so many pictures and we have been doing so many things that I need to update really bad. Well a few weeks ago we went to the museum, it was awesome, their new health exhibit was very exciting. Derek and I invited Emily, and we had so much fun. We took a behind the scenes tour all about the different displays! There are elf's, angels, and star wars guys in some of the murals (So fun to look for). Also the tour guide told us all about the different artist's and how they painted, and what was needed to go into the displays, like ALL of the leaves in the displays are hand painted!!!!!!! In one exhibit there are over 3 MILLION, wow that is a crazy job. We want to go to the aquarium soon, so hopefully we will since wakeboarding season is about over :)

Emily and I about ready to get eaten by the T-REX

Cutest Jeans EVER!!!

Emily, Me, and Derek walking!!! Pretty sweet

Awesome dino's

At the top of the Museum, with down-town in the background!!!!

Daddy loves his little girl :)

Kenzie's Six month Photo Shoot!

2009-08-22T07:32:00.000-07:00

Kenzie is 6 months old, so we decided it was time to get her pictures taken. Penny's has really great deals and they turned out pretty good, she had a little bit of red eyes, like underneath, and i totally wish that they would just touch up a little, but you get what you pay for, oh well :) And she started CRAWLING EARLY THIS WEEK AHHHHHH....I am in trouble now :)

Finally an Update

2009-08-14T07:39:00.000-07:00

Lets just say I have been CRAZY...family reunions, birthdays, water world, visitors, traveling, almost crawling, starting food, wakeboarding, waterskiing, swimming, jazzercise, deal hunting, shop hop, sewing, cleaning, going to the fair, and these are the only things i can think of! I was informed by my friend that I need to update more...which i totally do but this summer has been NUTS.

Here are some updates on each of us:

Derek: Enjoying his job more...we are very grateful for a good paying, secure job. Obviously not dream job...I think it is rare for people to ever find their dream job, let alone in the first shot...Derek's birthday was yesterday, we went to water world with Matt and Linsdey, and Logan (Derek's brother). For his birthday I arranged for Logan to come out! Derek was suprised and we had a blast at WaterWorld...no babies just adults, one of the first time Derek and I have been together without Kenzie!!!

Me: Trying to get and stay caught up. AHHHH a never ending process I swear. Just doing the daily things, clean, making sure bills are paid, jazzercise, thinking up and making dinner, takes ALL day, then if i have errands you can kiss my brain GOODBYE! Next week I am going to some Elementary Schools, I would love to tutor some Elementary school students for a little bit extra money, every bit helps right? So you can spread my name around Colorado if you hear any leads!! I figure since I am almost certifide (I need to fill out the paper work) I might as well keep up on the skills.

Kenzie: She is getting so big! She is now more than 6 months old and she is hours away from crawling, she can push herself up from her belly to sitting, she sits on her own really tall and straight, smiles at almost anyone (she is starting slight stranger anxiety, and mommy attachment) laughing....Basically she is just the cutest EVER!

Here are a few pictures, Kenzie's 6 month blanket pics, and other random ones.

A silly Family!!!

This is Kenzie's FAVORITE thing...no joke!

Kenzie's First Jet Skiing Experience-She loved it, she was almost asleep by the time we got back!

Cousins!!!

Helping with Laundry

Before

After

Styling Kenzie!

6 month

Survey

2009-07-19T12:24:00.000-07:00

So as you can tell I have been putting every month a new picture of Kenzie in the same 12
month onesie and bow. I know that it is almost a week before turn 6 monthes..and i just put the 5 month pictures on the computer...I CAN"T PICK WHICH ONES I LIKE THE MOST..she is just too cute....so I need your help. I will number each picture and please help me pick the one that will be her 5 month...Thanks

Please just leave a comment and the number you think...

3
4

Awesome Alfredo

2009-07-19T11:57:00.000-07:00

So I made this alfredo recipe about a week ago...it is an easy yummy alfredo sauce and thought I should share..it comes from Family Dinner Cookbook, by Debbie G Harman, I got it from Deseret Book...pretty much every recipe is awesome between my mom and I we have tried most of them!

Fettuccine Alfredo

3 Tbsp butter
3 Tbsp flour
2 Cups milk
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp garlic powder
1 cup whipping cream
1/4 cup Parmesan

Melt butter. Stir flour into butter while cooking until smooth paste forms. Slowly stir in milk. Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened and bubbly. Add salt, garlic powder, and cream, stir well. Stir in Parmesan cheese. Serve over cooked hot fettuccine noodles (or whatever you would like)

ENJOY

FOUND....

2009-07-12T18:35:00.000-07:00

Okay so Alyssa's friend found her car...less than 12 hours stolen...that's pretty good, prayers are answered and probably the people who stole it realized that it was a piece :) And nothing was stolen out of it!!!! HOLY TOLEDO...

SWEET

STOLEN...MISSING...HELP

2009-07-12T12:22:00.000-07:00

My sister's Car was STOLEN...can you believe that...I am not really sure why they stole it, it basically ran and that was the only good thing about it. Let me describe it to you so that you are able to spot it driving...it is about a 95-96 Honda Accord, Black-well the parts that aren't rusty, the driver door and back seat door behind the drivers door is the only doors that open, glance over to the passenger side of the door: dents, holes, bumps, bruises, rusting-it looks like it has been through a war. Inside: well lets just say you will can tell that a busy teenager lives in it ;) no offense. Bumpers are dented...I am not really sure why someone would want to steel it. But they did, know we have to find it...the police have been contacted and guessing it might show up in a few days, we will see...maybe those mean people that stole it will get caught, hopefully, or at least she gets her car back...but seriously I am too embarrassed even to ride in it...hopefully they will be too embarrassed to and leave it somewhere with everything still in it and it runs.

If you see this piece of work please let me or my family know...espcially if you are currently residing in another state besides Colorado...unfortunately the car had a full tank of gas.

Please keep your eyes open, and us in your prayers...you never know what we can accomplish together

Cow Appreciation Day

2009-07-10T13:31:00.000-07:00

Those of you who know me, know i LOVE LOVE free things, free downloads, free samples, free anything and especially FREE FOOD! Today is Cow Appreciation Day at Chick-Fil-A aka the best most delicious chicken sandwiches ever(in my opinion). So today in honor of Cows everywhere, we need to eat more chicken :) So dress up like a cow(not that that is a hard thing for me I already am producing milk...okay maybe that was a little over the edge but it's true)...any ways, dress up like a cow and get a free meal...not just a delicious sandwich, but their delicious waffle fries AND a drink...AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME. Lets just say if Kenzie was older and I could convince them that she at chicken sandwiches I would have done it for her too!

Don't worry I didn't go all the way out...I just wore a black shirt with white card stock taped to it...what I will do anything for free food!

MUST WATCH....TOTALLY FUNNY

2009-07-07T16:25:00.000-07:00

My mom and mother in law introduced this to Derek and I this past weekend...SO FUNNY

Fourth of July

2009-07-07T12:44:00.000-07:00

For the 4th, we were busy all day. First we went to a breakfast, totally fun, then we missed the softball game but we went over to where the game was being played and we said hi to everyone. Then since my sister works at Adventure Golf...a miniature golf place that has go-carts and everything...we road those. At night we went over to the Andrews for a BBQ, it was all of the Andrews, all of the Talbotts, and all of us! There were 3 sets of parents/grandparents, 6 children/parents, and many children/grandchildren...it was so fun.

Derek playin catch with the guys
Kenzie refusing to keep her jacket on...she wanted to play with her toys too much!!

Derek and Kenzie sitting during the BBQ

"Z" showing us how big she is!

Last but not least the best family picture EVER :)

I am not biased or anything...right

A tribute to the best Daddys'

2009-06-23T13:24:00.000-07:00

To our rockin daddy!!!

Derek,

You are the best daddy, Kenzie loves youso much and you love her more than anything. You work so hard to provide for Kenzie and I, and even though I know I don't act very grateful sometimes I am, I know that you would do anything for us. Thank you Derek/daddy for everything you have done to make our lives better. We are so lucky to have you!

Love,
Ashley and Kenzie

I cant forget my dad!

Dad,

Thank you dad for everything that you have taught me. I know that there are many things I have learned from you and many things that Derek, Kenzie and I are going to learn as we all grow up. You are a great example of a great dad. Thanks for always being there for me,

Love,

Ashley

Funny Kenzie

2009-06-23T12:37:00.001-07:00

Kenzie is getting so big, Derek and I decided to give her cereal for the first time this last week...she was drooling and chewing and yelling at us, so we decided to try it out. Kenzie has learned how to roll over both directions and she can sit....holy cow Kenzie baby is getting so big!

Such a cute girl...

I want MORE...

Look how big I am :)

Kenzie really sleeps on her side...she rolled over on her side and fell asleep on the floor! HAHA she is so cute..and EVERY TIME i go check on her she is sleeping on her side

4 MONTHS

2009-06-23T12:22:00.000-07:00

Kenzie turned 4 months old and next week she turns 5 months!!! Here are some 4 month pictures:

This one is my favorite...

I love when we she smiles and laugh

Pucker up Lincoln...haha

She is getting SO tall!

2009-06-23T12:11:00.000-07:00

When we made it to Colorado I left Kenzie on our bed with some stickers/something to eat and keep her occupied while I unpacked! This is what i found: At first I thought....hummm...I guess that is what i get for leaving stickers with a baby....a few minutes later I saw this....
Okay, okay...I am kidding...i didn't really think Kenzie did it..I knew derek did...Silly daddy....he thought that they weren't very sticky...until we tried taking them offf...OOPS

Moving

2009-06-23T12:00:00.000-07:00

Derek and I moved to Colorado, on June 8th. We packed up our apartment over the space of a week and a half and moved!!! Kenzie was a big help as you may guess. When we loaded up the truck on that monday, Derek went to get the truck at 8 and we had people coming to help at 830..we thought would be enough time....NO...derek didn't get back until after 9! So while he was getting the truck family, people from our ward, and friends started piling in! All of the guys unpacked our apartment... by the time derek was packed AND we had the Budget truck loaded BY 9:52am...I know amazing not even one hour!

Derek and I got sick the night before we moved and it was not plesant but we decided since we got a good head start on driving we would drive all the way....one word to describe it...MISERABLE...never again will we be driving...EEEEWWW

2009-05-25T21:05:00.001-07:00

GO NUGGETS that's all I have to say :) updates coming soon....just a preview, we are moving in two weeks to Denver!!!!

5 Generations of WOMEN!!!!

2009-05-16T10:05:00.000-07:00

1 month ago Kenzie, me, my mom, my grandma, and my great-grandma went and got our pictures taken in Utah for a 5 generation. It was so fun, my great grandma was such a sport! Here are the beautiful pictures, but of course we couldn't resist getting some of Kenzie taken...LOVE IT!

Quick catch up

2009-05-03T08:02:00.000-07:00

I didn't do it :)

First good picture of the contagious SMILE!!!

Dressing up for Church

Sitting in the Bumbo-thanks lindsey :)

Look how strong I am getting!!

Dancing :)

Kenzie is now three months old...holy toledo. We are figuring out what we need to for our family and jobs, and what is going to be best. We are starting to think about what we can pack. And all I can say is that I wish it was one month from now...then we might know what is going on! But we don't, wish us luck and as soon as we know we will let you all know!!!!!!!!!!!! (Isn't Kenzie the cutest! We aren't biased though)

I know I know!!!!

2009-04-18T09:40:00.000-07:00

SO I know that it has been forever! But i figured Kenzie is asleep, Derek is at work and the apartment is remotely clean...so I can BLOG!!! And now i just heard kenzie starting to wake up...that is so typical :) lets see what i can get done before she is awake all the way.

Thursday & Friday, April 9-10th, Derek and I graduated! YEAH!!! Let me tell you it is the weirdest feeling to not have to go back to school...it's almost surreal. Now real life starts and job hunts begin! If anyone out there has any leads...let me know. Jobs are a little more scarce these days but we know that if we are able to keep living righteously and do what we know is right, the Lord won't lead us astray

Easter Sunday, April 12th, Kenzie was blessed on Sunday...we don't have a ton of pictures, it was really windy outside, Kenzie was starving, and the sun was out which Kenzie is totally not used to since it has only been out a handful of times and it be warm enough to go out side! Derek did an awesome job on the blessing; it couldn't have been more perfect!

(wonder why she's upset LOOK At this next picutre)

Tuesday, April 14th, we were in Utah. We drove down on Sunday night. We stayed at my Uncle Dave’s house. My great grandma is still alive so we were able to all meet in Utah and take a five generation picture. It was awesome my great grandma is SO funny, she doesn’t like pictures very much, it made everything really funny! In the end we got some great shots! It was my great grandma, grandma, mom, me, and Kenzie…5 generations of STRONG women! Those pictures will be posted later. On Monday night we met up with our friends Joe and Whit, they let us stay at their apartment for the night. We went to Tucanos (a Brazilian Grill) We didn’t take any pictures with them!! SHOOT…oh well, then on Tuesday morning we went to Temple square...I had never seen the Christos, which I have been to temple square a few times but never that part! It was awesome, one of the coolest things I have ever seen!

2009-04-16T09:19:00.001-07:00

I just set up my blog so I can blog from my cell phone! Let's see if it works :)

My sister looks like Bella Swan!!! Nojoke

2009-03-25T09:04:00.001-07:00

hopefully my computer will work better tonight so i can put better pictures up!!!

Funny Videos..and cute pictures

2009-03-24T16:14:00.000-07:00

After taking a shower!!!

I love to dress her up...you can kinda see her curly hair....i have to put hairspray/gel in it :)

we can't forget about our best friend Lincoln...

"Big Girl Bed!"

2009-03-24T16:08:00.000-07:00

Kenzie has been sleeping in her crib for about 3-4 weeks now...she is 8 weeks today!! AHHHH. And we LOVE it, we think she does too! So I figured I better put the pictures up for everyone to see...

I love my cricut....

2009-03-24T15:58:00.000-07:00

These are a few small crafty things i have done with my cricut i love it is so fun!!!

"Shopping ist"

The "L" fell off and i didn;t notice until AFTER i got it laminated!!!!!!!!!!!!! oops...it has character right???

This is for our dishwasher so we arent asking is it clean or dirty.....we can just read the sign

These are my menu's...every week i try really hard to fill them out...so far so good!

This lettering above kenzies's bed

Thanks Lisa

2009-03-23T12:06:00.001-07:00

It's already been 1 month

2009-02-27T17:31:00.000-08:00

So today Kenzie is one month old...and I really can't believe it has already been a month! When I was in the hospital those two days were the longest days of my life...and now it has been a month, I am in shock. I thought it would be good to write my experience of having a baby down, so I figured no better place than this.

Warning this is long...

Derek and I arrived at the doctor's office for my 39 week check up on Tuesday 27th. We had shared with Dr. Nelson that my mom was going to come today and had scheduled last week for me to be induced on Thursday January 29th. It was totally just a normal check up, I was dilated to a 3 1/2 ish and almost 100% effaced. I had been dilating slowly for about 2 weeks. Dr. Nelson then said...Your mom's coming today right?Do you want to have the baby today? Derek and I looked at each other with a bit of shock, ran through our next two days schedule and said SURE! She called and made sure they had room and walked up to the room.

We called our families and shared with them the news. I was totally excited to tell my mom because she was on her way from Colorado and would be there that afternoon between 4 and 5. They started my on Pitocin about 11am. I started to feel a few contractions, this was NOTHING compared to what i was going to be feeling. Dr. Nelson came up and broke my water at about noon. Which is one of the grossest things ever! You can move without excreting tons and tons of amniotic fluid. Then warned my that once she broke my water, that is when the contractions really start coming, I said okay and thought really nothing of it. The Anaesthesiologist came in and said he was going home (I think to feed his cows, only in Idaho) and that he would be 30 minutes away if I needed him so keep that in mind. I said okay and instead of getting the epidural then he went home and that is when they started. After about 45 minutes I called the nurses between contractions and said I would be ready for an epidural in 30 minutes. The contractions came one after the other for about an hour and a half until the doctor came back. I thought I was going to die! I didn't ever even think that experiencing that much pain was even possible. Derek was having a hard time because there was nothing he could do about it. I could feel the contractions beginning to start and would start to cry and say no, no, no.

Once I received the epidural I was okay! Even though it took him a long time to give it to me it was worth it. 100% completely and utterly worth it. I then proceeded to go numb. I felt completely like a beached whale...once the medicine kicked in all the way. But it was totally worth it. Derek and I then played Wii for the rest of the afternoon....REALLY that is not a lie.

At about 2pm we were monitoring the baby and she was having a hard time recovering from the contractions. Her heart rate would drop and then pick back up and repeat. So they completely stopped the pitocin until about 4pm. They checked me again at 4 and I was about a 5-5 1/2. They started the pitocin again VERY slowly. They noticed that the Baby was completely on my right side...like the most lop-sided EVER. So they moved me to be on the left side to make sure that I dilated evenly and not just on one side. She did NOT like that, her heart rate would drop a little and they moved me back to my right side...we did this about four times...every time ended in the same situation-me back on my right side. Which is where she was almost the whole time.

At about 6pm, I was checked again. This time the news was shocking I was completely dilated. Holy Crap...that went fast. Since I obviously wasn't feeling any pain Dr. Nelson said i was going "labor down" for a little while, while she went to mutual (only in Mormon towns). Laboring down is just when your body moves the baby down further so I wouldn't have to push as much. At 8pm I started pushing. This was the first time it hit me...I WAS GOING TO HAVE A BABY, you would think the 9 months before I would realize what was happening...nope! Derek asked for a mirror for me, he knew that I wanted one really bad, and I completely wasn't thinking about that. I thought that giving birth was completely the coolest thing ever. I loved watching it...you may be thinking GROSS I AM NEVER GOING TO WATCH...trust me it was the coolest thing I have ever seen...really! At 8:38pm she was born and the first thing I said when they laid her on me was...she is HUGE! She was average, 7 lbs 11 oz. and a whole cone head of hair. The doctor warned us that she was a cone head before she came out...before I even started pushing. She was low for a long time.

After our parents left and we were settled in our hospital room we decided on the name Kenzie Marie Cook. We told our parents the next day when they came to visit.

For about the next week, I had a VERY hard time keeping my emotions together. I will fully admit that I had the baby blues. I could barely stand people calling me and asking how I was doing without crying let alone visitors. I knew people wanted to see Kenzie but could stand visitors for very long, yes I would have preferred not to see anyone, talk to anyone but with where we live and the family that is around that is impossible. The only people I wanted to be around were Kenzie, Derek and my mom. I could NOT, absolutely NOT have done it without my mom being here. By the time she left I was feeling more emotionally stable, not 100% but better and could actually go about normal day activities without crying.

Well I feel good now, I was down to my pre-pregnant weight within two weeks, you couldn't tell that from looking at my belly! Now I just have to start lightly working out...it has only been a month. Everything is going good now...hopefully Derek and I will be moving out of Idaho within 6 months, we have some ideas now so we shall see what happens we will know pretty soon what is going to happen.

Another Video-She's Awake in this one :)

2009-02-18T20:42:00.000-08:00

Our Weekend

2009-02-18T20:29:00.000-08:00

This weekend was Valentine's Day and our Anniversary. We have been married for two years. We didn't do much this weekend but Derek and I did go out to Coldstone on our Anniversary after he got off work. On Valentine's Day Kenzie and I, mostly Kenzie :), decorated cookies and made a cookie bouquet for Derek. We took them to his work and suprised him, he was really suprised to see us is his breakroom waiting for him to come up the stairs! I got Kenzie all dressed up for the day in a Valentine's Day out fit...I know she is wearing shorts but the outfit actually fit her and she has long socks... :)

Life has been pretty crazy around our place. Kenzie and I are home most of the day and we are usually bored by 6pm and wishing that Derek was home with us but he works until 10 and sometimes(very seldom) midnight. But we do our best not to complain because he is getting hours at work and is working really hard at school. School will end in April and hopefully by July we will be out of Idaho...begger's can't be chooser's.. but a girl's got to dream right??

Just like her Daddy

2009-02-18T20:12:00.000-08:00

Perfect unexpected timing

2009-02-02T09:48:00.000-08:00

She's Here!

2009-01-30T10:45:00.000-08:00

Kenzie Marie Cook was born at 8:38pm on Tuesday, Januaury 27th. She was a perfect 7 pounds 11 ounzes, 21 inches long, and pretty much the cutest baby girl EVER :) but don't worry we are not biased AT ALL...We are home and doing pretty well. We are enjoying our little Kenzie and the sweet spirit she is already bringing to our little apartment.

We went to the hospital on Tuesday morning and our doctor asked if we wanted to have the baby that day....how could we say no...that evening we had our first addition to our family. After the doctor broke my water and my contractions were actually progressing and getting HARDER I was more than willing to get the epideral...needless to say I was glad I did AND at least I know what contractions feel like (that's enough for me).

The doctor laid our baby on my stomach right afterwards while they were finishing up, I totally said that she was "really big!" and Derek got to cut the umbilical cord. I asked for a mirror to watch everything and Derek was brave and watched everything too. After it was all said and done that was probably the coolest thing that I have ever seen...and I think Derek agree's it was pretty cool.

Now that we are home we are able to relax and enjoy our little Kenzie. She loves laying on her Daddy's tummy for her tummy time and just sleeping by him on the couch while he plays Lego Star Wars. I am enjoying playing dress up...more than Kenzie enjoy's it :) Derek and I are going to give her her first bath tomorrow we will see how that goes, Derek gets to teach me because he got to watch the nurses clean her up while...

Everyday will bring new and exciting adventures. More updates and stories to come...

Picture Tag

2009-01-07T19:18:00.000-08:00

Lindsey Tagged me so here we go!

The rules are you post the 4th picture of the 4th folder, 8th picture in the 8th folder, 12th picture in the 12th folder and the 16th picture in the 16th folder. Then tag others to do the same.

4th in 4th

This obviously was taken before Logan was on his mission. We all tried on sunglasses while we were in Pocatello and my roommate Alyssa took this picture. I can't remember the exact reason we were in Pocatello but we were :) This was taken on Derek's old cell phone.

8th in 8th

Another cell phone picture :) This is Derek and Matt Day standing underneath the dump bucket of e-coli :) After this "FUN" day of playing at the splash park in Rexburg, Idaho we all got really really sick. I will spare the details.

12th in 12th

This is before Derek and I had even met! He is "rebuilding" and fixing his mustang that he drives now...ps even though we like his car, the conditions in Rexburg are not suitable for a mustang.

16th in 16th

This was when Derek and I were engaged. We wanted winter pictures and eventually ended up standing in a frozen over river, which we had to break the ice first. But we are just "dancing" on a frozen pond or something. It was really fun...plus the end result made for some pretty sweet pictures!

People I tag: Monica, Rebecca, Mom, and Brittany Cook

Try again!

2009-01-03T18:46:00.000-08:00

Test Run for my New Year's Resolution

2009-01-01T20:07:00.000-08:00

Alright now I am going to try something new...I am going to need you to tell me if you are able to open this scrapbooking page bigger. I want to start uploading my scrapbooking pages...one a week as my "blog" but I don't know if they are able to open up bigger so that you can actually read them...this is the test run, please let me know if you can click on the picture and make it big enough to read it :) Thanks

Cards

2009-01-01T19:57:00.000-08:00

For Christmas I got a cricut...ps it is totally awesome...I started making some cards and just trying it all out I am really excited to be making such "professional" looking cards. I mostly wanted my mom to see them so I figured i would just scan them in :) Hope you like them.

Our Date at the Zoo

2008-12-14T16:00:00.000-08:00

Derek and I went to the zoo while we were in denver...the weather was perfect and it was so fun to see all the animals that we got to see.

Before the pictures I thought that I would update you all. We are done with our internships and student teaching. Real life is about to start..but before it does we are just working as much as our bodies and work will allow us to work. We are just saving up money to get set up before the baby comes seeing how I won't be working for a while...at least. I think I am 32 week-ish..I have decided not to keep track because that just slows things down even more. When we do work we have totally opposite schedules. I will only work in the afternoon because I would probably kill people and be really snotty-its hard to hold my emotions in :) sucks to be everyone else! Then derek will work nights so literally we won't see eachother all day but such is life. Derek, despite his comments, I think is really getting excited. He mostly is probably ready for me not to be pregnant-even though I think I am a good pregnant lady :) We are ready for the wind to stop and the snow to melt in rexburg already-well not with out a few good snowboarding runs for derek. Everything here is just moving along and we are enjoying the holiday season...without further prolonging here are our zoo pictures:

The CUTEST RED PANDA'S EVER!!! They were are just a few months old!

And finally what would be a blog without a goofy picture of ashley's face :)

HAPPY HOLIDAYS, MAY ALL YOUR WISHES COME TRUE