More canvas prints

I made all of these faux canvas prints last week, instead of buying them already made. I am pretty happy with them. The black and white one on the top right is just a filler. I have one more 8x10 to make for that spot.

I swear they look straight on my wall, but in the picture they look a little wacky.

Mele Kalikimaka!!

Nate's mom brought this little hula ensemble back from Hawaii. I had Paige put it on today and she was acting the part, as you can tell. (And Kate couldn't wait to try it on.)

Christmas Weekend

Here is a video of Paige on Christmas morning. The first few seconds is her talking about Jesus being born, but I'm not sure if you can understand it.

On Christmas Eve my sister-in-law and I took Paige and her cousin to see Tangled. I'm not usually into animated movies, but I loved this one. It was really cute and well done. It was Paige's first movie theater experience and she loved it.

We hung out at Nate's sister's house most of the weekend, which is only about 10 minutes away. It was a fun weekend with lots of food and fun games. We all played "Just Dance" on the Wii, which was hilarious. And we also played a really fun game called "Telestrations." I would highly recommend it.

Nate's parents told stories to the kids, and Santa even showed up, which was pretty exciting for Paige. I don't have any good pictures though. :(

Kate got this cute, snuggly outfit from Nate's mom.

Sunday Best

Just some pictures

I found Kate under the easel yesterday. She's a little monkey these days.

Paige's Room

I finally got a vinyl tree for Paige's room! It was on sale at Kohl's for just $11! If you're looking for something like that, Kohl's had a few other cute options too. Like big flowers and stuff. Paige thinks it's pretty cool.

Great Deal!

If you're interested in getting "real" canvas prints made, you should check out artscow.com. My friend Elke just recommended it and their prices are amazing. Even though I am happy with how my faux canvas turned out, I wanted to get some bigger ones that looked really professional to put above our couch. I definitely plan on using this site. Thanks, Elke!

Faux canvas prints

I got this idea from my friend Janelle. It's way cheaper than getting real canvas prints made. Although Costco has pretty good prices on them. But doing it yourself costs like $4. Maybe less. You just use Mod Podge to adhere the pic to the canvas and then cover the whole thing with 3 or 4 layers of Mod Podge. Pretty cool, huh?

Here's another idea: This lady (who I don't know at all) put them on wood boards and painted the edges black, and it looks awesome. Here's her tutorial.

Day 29

Day 29- In this past month, what have you learned?


Where do I start? This has blog challenge has been such a life-changing experience. Ok, not really. I have put off this post for a few days because I can't really think of much that I've learned this past month. Weird. Plus, I don't feel like thinking right now.


Day 30- What is your favorite song?

I have always loved the song "Save Tonight" by Eagle Eye Cherry. I've listened to it so many times and I still love it for some reason.

Paige, the artist

Paige just drew this picture and said, "Mom, this is Kate!" I can't believe how proud I am. This is the first time she has drawn something recognizable.

Day 28

Day 28- A picture of you from last year and now... How have you changed?

Last year around this time...

Today...

A year ago I was about 6 months pregnant. I really miss being pregnant. Although, the morning sickness was really hard. And last year my hair was long, but I cut it recently. I think I like it better long. This year I am enjoying motherhood more than I did last year. For a while there, I felt kind of depressed, unfulfilled, and overwhelmed. Over the last few months, I've been trying not to worry about the little things, like messes and tantrums. I just try to treasure my girls as much as possible, and I am honestly so much happier because of it. I don't want to look back on this time and feel like all I did was complain and yell.

Day 26 & 27

Day 26- What do you think about your friends



What kind of a question is that? I think all my friends are great. If I didn't, I wouldn't be friends with them.


Day 27- Why you are doing this 30 day challenge

I really like blogging, but sometimes I get stuck in a rut, and I can't think of anything interesting enough to blog about. I thought this sounded like fun and I like opening up about myself. I'm starting to feel like "Look at me!!" though. I'm kind of glad it's almost over. :)

Day 25

Day 25- What I would find in your bag

wallet
cell phone
keys
diapers
wipes
toys
headbands and bows
granola bars
sippy cup
crumbs
crumpled up receipts
the usual...

Day 24

Day 24- A letter to your parents


Dear Mom and Dad,

I hope you're having an amazing time on your Mediterranean cruise. You deserve it! You have both worked so hard and sacrificed so much for our family over the last 30+ years. I finally recognize those sacrifices now that I'm a parent. You both always set righteous examples for us to follow, and I am so thankful that I was raised in the gospel. I know I was a beast of a teenager, but I have a feeling that justice will be served as I raise my own teenage daughters. I love you both and I feel so blessed to have been raised by such wonderful parents.

Love,
Ashley

Day 23

Day 23 - Something you crave for a lot

I'm always craving a vacation. To pretty much anywhere at all.

I also crave donuts all the time.

Days 21 & 22

Day 21- A picture of something that makes you happy

About Paige's forehead: On Thanksgiving Day she was spinning around and ran into the corner of the wall really hard. She split her head open pretty bad, and we thought it might need stitches, but we just taped it closed and it is healing pretty quickly.
I just love these girls. It's so fun to see them interact. Paige loves Kate so much. She is always trying to make her happy, and making sure she is safe. I can't wait to watch them grow up together. I hope they are great friends.

Day 22- What makes you different from everyone else

I'm the only person I know who doesn't like the sun very much. I kind of avoid it. Weird, I know.

Days 19 & 20

Day 19- Nicknames you have and why you have them

I don't really have any nicknames. But when I was younger my siblings would call me Aslan sometimes. Remember the lion from "The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe? That's where it came from.

According to Nate, my name is "Babe." He rarely calls me Ashley. Nate's nephew actually thought my name was Babe for a while. :)

Day 20- Someone you see yourself marrying or being with in the future

I think I'll stick with this guy.

Day 18

Day 18- Plans/dreams/goals you have


1. Run my very own business someday, even if it's something pretty simple. I have lots of ideas, but none have been good enough yet.

2. Live in a home with a view of the ocean.

3. Retire on a small farm. I want to grow tons of fruits and vegetables, and have chickens and maybe some sheep. I would love to feel self-sufficient like that.

4. Learn how to not care what people think of me (I wish Nate could teach me how- he's a pro).

5. Raise righteous, happy, confident children.

6. Find a hobby that I am passionate about.

Day 17

Day 17- Someone you would want to switch lives with for one day and why

I guess I'd say Colbie Caillat. I love her. Well, not like that. You know what I mean. I love her music, she seems so chill and care-free, she's super talented, she gets to perform and has lots of fans, and she's rich and all that great stuff. I'd give her life a try for a day, no prob. But then I'd switch back cuz my life is pretty great too.

P.S. The mastitis is gone. I'm feeling good. Phew!

Day 15 and 16

Day 15- Put your ipod or shuffle on-first 10 songs that play

I don't have an ipod. I use Nate's sometimes, but it has lots of songs that I'm not a fan of, so that wouldn't represent me very well.

Day 16- Another picture of yourself

This was taken in 2004 when I worked at Synergy Worldwide in Provo. My co-worker kept a pet tarantula at his desk and I decided to hold it one day. It was a lot more disgusting than I thought it would be.

P.S. I have a bad case of Mastitis, and it's not getting better. Have you ever had it? Any tips? Poor me. :(

Day 14

Day 14- A picture of you and your family

Christmas 2009

Day 13

Day 13- A letter to someone who has hurt you recently

I've been thinking all day and I've got nothin'. That's a good thing I guess.

Day 12

Day 12- How you found out about blogger and why you have one

I've had this blog for almost 3 years, but I have no idea where I first heard about blogger. I can't remember who's blog I was stalking when I decided to get my own. I thought it would be a great way to keep in contact with my friends and family. And since my family is all spread out, I wanted them to see pictures of what we are up to. I love blogging. It's fun.

Paige is in ballet and tap now. It's adorable. She actually does really well in class and listens to her teacher. I'm surprised how much she has learned.

Day 11

Day 11- Another picture of you and your friends


Me and my sisters. They also happen to be my friends.

Fitness blog

has been updated.

Day 10

Day 10- Songs you listen to when you're bored, happy, sad, mad, hyped

Wow, this 30-day challenge is more work than I thought it would be.


Bored: Save Tonight- Eagle Eye Cherry

Happy: Jason Mraz or Colbie Caillat (I love them both.)

Sad: Fix You- Coldplay

Mad: Sarah McLachlan

Hyped: Evacuate the dancefloor- Cascada

Day 9

Day 9- Something you're proud of in the past few days

I already mentioned this, but I've lost 6-7 lbs in the last 2 weeks and I'm pretty proud of that. Nate and I have been doing a weight loss competition for the last 2 months or so. My weight has gone up and down a lot, but I finally got serious and won the competition! I lost the weight by eating around 1,200 calories a day of mostly clean foods. I've talked about eating clean on my weight loss blog. It's basically eating non-processed foods- mostly fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and complex carbs. So yeah, I'm proud of that. I'm hoping to lose a few more pounds, and I will be super proud if I can get back into weight training and firm up.