Mother's Day

Mother's Day was awesome.  I couldn't have asked for a more wonderful day.  The boys and Brian made delicious breakfast with dipped chocolate strawberries.  YUM!  They also did all the dishes.  WOWSERS!  We went to church and sat through a wonderful program ending with more chocolate.   YUM!

Little Cooper wore his daddy's little vest from when he was a kid.  Charlotte made it for him when he was about Cooper's age.  He looked so adorable.  We came home and played catch on the lawn before heading to moms for a barbecue.  Everyone had such a great time.  We even ended the day in a little more chocolate.  WOWSERS!  Hope you all had an amazing Mother's Day. 

Practice

Brian has been coaching Kelton's baseball team.  It is fun to see him with all those kids.  He does such an amazing job.  What a great memory for Kelton. . . . and Brian.  On our way to practice I found a few fun places to take pics.  Here are a few shots from todays travels.  Any advice would be greatly appreciated. 

So I have been practicing taking pictures.  It is so much fun.  I am needing some serious help from the masters. . . MOM/CORT/WHIT.  Let's get together and shoot some pics.  I am in LOVE.  For some reason they didn't come out very crisp.  It must be a setting that I am still trying to figure out. 

The boys are getting so sick of posing for me.  They didn't last long, but long enough to take a few

Along our journey we ran into a small abandoned barn.  In the barn there was this amazing little nest.  Inside the amazing nest was this little blue egg.  Where is mama bird? 

Baseball and Bruises

Coop wearing his new tee from Born Ready

Brian has volunteered to coach Kelton's baseball team.  He is so amazing with all the little kids.  Tonight is their first game.  Hope all goes well.  Last night Carson had a game and the wind was blowing 100 miles an hour.  How do kids get to be so dang tough.  I sat out the game in the car shivering to death.  Rousers . . . . when is this weather going to turn? 

Brian hard at work in his welding shop

Brian crashed again on his bike a couple days ago leaving him all banged up.  Broken or bruised ribs, nasty knot on his knee.  I think he finally realized that he is not 20 years old anymore.  It hurts a lot more to crash now-a-days.   He has been out in full force building bikes.  He has fallen behind a little bit due to the lack of motivation in the weather.  Just think how green the grass is going to be after all this snow and rain.  YIPPEE!

AWESOME!

So mom and dad came up to visit today.  It was so fun to see them.  They took us all out for yummy ice cream at the local parlor.  It was great to have them at our home. 

Oh what a happy day.  I got the most amazing camera, and now I am absolutely infatuated with taking pictures.  I was so excited that I went down by the river to take pictures today with the boys.  Kelton is also infatuated with taking pictures.  He was so cute out there tracking down the perfect shot.  We had so much fun, and saw some pretty amazing things while we are there.  Happy, happy day.  Here are a few of my favs.

Busy

It's crazy how last week we were out of school early for a snow day and today it is 75 degrees.  What is going on around here?  Brian and I have volunteered to coach Kelton's baseball team.  So many hours, so little time.  How are we going to make this happen?  I think it will be a lot of fun!  Carson has been so busy lately.  He went to early morning track, afterschool track, and baseball.  He is only 11.  I wonder what will happen when he turns 12.

This is what it looked like last Tuesday.  Wow!

SO HAPPY

Brian headed to Salmon to do a little fishing with our neighbor Blair.  He has been super busy working that he hasn't had any time to play.  I was happy he was able to go.  I posted this on the bella rosa blog also, but had to share it in my journal.

What the . . . . ?

So 6 months have past since my last official update on the blog and so has winter.  I guess it must have been the long winter months that made me a blogaphobic.  The only problem with not blogging is that my kids are growing up so fast, and I am missing out on so many important events.  I guess it's just a matter of taking the time, and who the heck has the time?  I don't even know where to begin.  Let's just do a rundown of the winter months

NOVEMBER:

• Brian started getting pretty sick with abdominal pain.  Landed him in the E.R. several different times.
• Hosted my 2nd Thanksgiving by having my family from Rexburg come up. 

DECEMBER:

JANUARY:

Starting to fit in with the Ashtonites.  Got our first snowmobile.  I guess it's a good thing to have when you have 6 months of winter.  The boys sure seem to LOVE it. 

FEBRUARY:

• Took Carson up with his 6th grade class to teach them snowboarding.  Had a blast.
• Brian had several tests done to find out if it was his gallbladder.
• So many birthday celebrations.  I turned a whopping 36 years old.  Not sure if I like the idea of being 40 soon.  Kelton celebrated his birthday by turning 9.  __________________________________.  Cooper turns 3!  What a great month of exciting adventures.
• Brian gets surgery to remove his gallbladder.  Thanks to Dr. Heather who knew it from the very first moment!  I won't ever let Brian forget it either.

• Carson and Kelton were involved in basketball.  They really seemed to enjoy it.  This was Kelton's first year actually playing basketball.  They did awesome.

MARCH:

• Spent most of the month of March having a herniated disc in my back.  Yousers, I was a grump.
• Brian turns a whopping 37 years old.  Crap, where has the time gone? 

APRIL:

• April 2-6 spring break.  It just snowed and snowed for spring break this year.  I VOW next year to not be around during spring break.  We will LEAVE for spring break - somewhere warm. 

So that is a quick rundown of life in the super fast lane at the William's house. 

COWGIRL UP

So yesterday my neighbor Cris called me up and asked if I would like to go out on a ride with her. Now, I was thinking bike ride, but she was thinking horse ride. I hesitated for a moment and said "SURE"! Now if you know me well you know I am no where near a cowgirl. It takes some serious flexibility to stradle it yet alone have the cordination to guide the animal where it needs to go.

I HAVE A NEW NEPHEW!

Ash and Cort just had their third little boy yesterday. Carson and Kelton were so excited about it. They kept saying ....."NO WAY". He is one cute little fart. I think he looks a lot different then the other two. Ash is a pro at the whole giving birth thing. She makes it look so easy.....even though I know it really isn't at all. Way to go girl. You are AWESOME. I am so excited to see the litte guy. I just LOVE new little babies. So innocent, sent from above. I can't wait to meet you little Henry. See you soon.

Shut Up and LISTEN

Because this is my personal journal I will document an amazing experience that happened to me last week. Due to the fact that I can only remember things for about 24 hours meant I better document it NOW. I know we all have days when we just need a little extra help from above. You know, God. So I was on my knees giving thanks and also asking for forgiveness of all the many errors I make in life. One specific thing I asked for that night was for the Holy Spirit to be with me. For many, many years I haven't asked for this specific thing, but I felt like I needed to. I don't remember many times of the Holy Ghost kicking me in the butt to say "LISTEN".

I was on my way to work the next morning for our annual inventory day. This meant waking up at 4:30am and heading out the door at 5:00am. I was driving down the main 2 lane highway on my way to the big "BURG". It was lightly snowing outside with a brisk wind blowing the car. I was going my normal speed of 68mph. I always drive 68mph - no less, no more. About 15 minutes into my drive I get this overwhelming feeling "SLOW DOWN". It was almost like someone grabbed my foot and lifted it off of the gas pedal. "SLOW DOWN"! I slowed down to about 65mph. I just kept saying to myself......that's weird. No more than 30 seconds later I came round a corner bend and a car was just passing a large semi on a double line. I couldn't see the car until it screeched to make it around the semi.

Now, if I were driving 68mph I would have been hit by the car and possibly KILLED. It is hard to explain the feeling you have when you know for a fact that it was the Holy Spirit with me that morning. It took me 35 years to really understand what the Holy Ghost was all about. Well, today I found out. So all I want to say is that you just need to SHUT UP, and LISTEN!
I hope you are all doing super duper. Talk soon!

GIVE-A-WAY TIMEE

Hey my 4 followers, there is a "Born Ready give-a-way. Go here http://www.aubutfamily.blogspot.com/
Happy day.

POTTY TRAINING

Last week we decided that it was time for little Coop to grow up just a bit. I know I have been wanting him to be a baby forever, but that is just not possible. He is now two and a half years old so I guess it's time. We made a special trip to Wallymart and purchased some sweet big boy undies. Oh how I love a little cute butt in big boys. We took them home and talked to him about how he needed to be big like Caillou. Well, I had no idea he was SO ready to grow up. After about 2 accidents he was a pro. POOING and PEEING like a champ.

Brian had taken the boys out to eat at Frost Top while I was at work the other day. He went to pay the bill and asked Carson and Kelton to keep an eye on Coop outside the restaurant. Well, he came walking out and little Coop had his pants dropped - whizzing in the flower bed (with an audience). So PROUD.....SO PROUD!!!!

Hunting season is in full blow. Brian has been off scouting the area for his big game winner this year. For male ego sake I hope he gets one. Carson hangin' with Uncle Griff at the shop - we miss you guys.

Terrible TWO'S.....No WAY!

Little Coop feeding the dog his bag of cereal. What a nice boy!

Wowsers! Can anyone invent a time slower downer machine? I need one. Life has just zipped by. The boys have been off to school for a bit now and they are really enjoying it. Carson does complain every now and again about some of his "have to" classes, but I think they like it for the most part. Carson is still playing soccer with the 8th grade team. Yeah, he is only in 6th, but was asked to play up with the older kids. Kelton went to Carson's practice and was brave enough to ask the coach if he could play with the kids. The coach put him in and can I just tell you how impressed they were with him. He would NOT back down to any of the older kids. He stole the ball, played the field and made some goals. Yeah, Kelton is in 3rd grade. They couldn't believe their eyes. Kelton is their new mascot. Helping out at the games and volunteering when someone gets hurt. What amazing kids I have.

Coop has been keeping me busy at home. I LOVE being able to stay at home with him. We have been baking cookies, going on walks, and making play dough together. It makes me sad to know that in a couple years he will be out the door too. WWWWAAAAAAAAAA!!!!! TEAR!!!!!!

I know I say this over and over but it has been so amazing to have my husband work from home. I get to see how awesome he is and he makes me do the WOW factor on a daily basis. He has been working hard on many projects for the building. Find out more here http://www.kelsonbikes.blogspot.com/. Currently, he has built his first carbon lug cross bike. It is so radical words can't describe. Teton valley will be running a story in their magazine for next summer. They are coming here next week to do a photo shoot. Pretty exciting stuff! I am happy for all of his hard work and talents. He ROCKS!
I have been having fun working here and there at the hospital. Just enough to get out of the house. I know I am lucky to be able to do that and feel super blessed. I have also been busy designing a few more tees for "Born Ready" and working on projects here and there. One of the new and exciting projects is a women specific bike company. I am currently writing up business plans, researching the market, and developing some products to sell online with the bikes. The company is called "Bella Rosa". I think it will be a fun time, and look forward to the adventure. Life is so busy, but again I am so greatful for being able to live in such a wonderful world with amazing family and friends.

Triathlon Madness - New Year - Mounted Squirrel

It is hard for me to believe how fast time flies. So many fun adventures in the past little bit, but not enough time to document them all. So here are a few updates.

August 15th, 2009

Ever since I was 14 years old I saw my dad do a triathlon. Year after year would pass and I would say to myself how badly I wanted to do that event that I saw so many years ago. Last year after the Rush Triathlon I commited to many that I was going to do that event in 2009 even if it killed me in the process. I had a lot to prepare for since I had absolutely ZERO swimming skills. When I was young I was infatuated with water. I would race kids across the pool like a smooth sailing sailboat.......and WIN. I could jump off any bridge in open water and swim for miles before I would begin to tire. As the years went on and swimming resources became limited my swimming skills were NO more. I have been horrified of water! I know now the dangers that lie within. Well, to make a super LONG story short. I only had 4 panic attacks in the water, nearly drowned, and suffered like a mad man - but other than that it was awesome. I was SO happy to get out of the water that the biking and running/walking was a BREEZE. My favorite part of the whole race was seeing and hugging my dad and family at the finish. The feeling of knowing that I have accomplished something I NEVER thought I could was truly unforgetable. I feel like I can do ANYTHING!!!!!! Next year?

MORE TO COME

Something to BLOG about

Why in the world has the whole blogging world gone bye bye? I have noticed so many of us faithful bloggers have all but disappeared from blogging existance. Why is that? Is it that we have lost valuable hours in the day and we don't have and can't find TIME? Well, time is just a small portion in the big picture. We all have the same amount of time in one day don't we. Or do I get shorted like 5 hours? I can't seem to figure it out. I can't find the stinking TIME to do my blogging business. Well, here we go again committing to do better as an old faithful blogger. I am once again committing to my faithful 4 blog readers that I will try better to do some blogging.

Life is so dang interesting! Kids say so many funny things. Why don't we document them? Because they grow up in a blink of an eye. The other night Kelton came running in the house and said "come here mom you have to see this. There is a two headed dragonfly outside.....come FAST!!!!" I can't help but laugh at funny kid stuff. They make me have a constant smile on my face.

We have come and gone to many bike races this year for Brian. He has done well and I think enjoyed himself miserably. Last month we spent a week visiting Brian's folks in Teasdale, Utah. We had a great time. Boys went lizard hunting, ate yummy food, and sat around talking to good folk. We always LOVE our visits there.

The soccer season has come to a close. Carson and Kelton played their guts out and showed the team of Ashton just what they are made of. Carson got invited to play soccer with the 14 year old kids at the Jr. high starting in September. Way to go boys.

I have been having fun making some kid tees to sell on Etsy and other places. The other day they featured little Carson wearing his bike tee. I flipped out! That was like the coolest thing that has happened in at least over a day. Super RAD.

There is always something to blog about, so get blogging!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CARSON - SCHOOL IS OUT

JUNE 5, 2009
Today was the last day of school for Carson and Kelton. It was a fun filled day! I helped out in Carson's class making a pancake breakfast for all the kids. Wow, can they eat. After the breakfast the kids had field day. They played games, and had a blast. I think they had a great year. It is sad when your kids say they would rather stay in school than have summer break. What are they teaching them? Well, we will have fun together this summer.

JUNE 10, 2009
Carson celebrated his birthday turning 11 years old today. I can't believe how fast he has grown. It makes me SO sad to know he is not a my baby anymore. Why, oh why can't he stay young forever? We decided to go to Rexburg in the morning and celebrate early because of baseball tournament games he was playing later that night. We started the day off with the early showing of Night at the Museum. That was a hit. I laughed so hard I think I wet my pants. What a hoot! Next, we headed to Craigo's pizza for some lunch with Grandma Berta and fun with his good friend Dawson. We ended up at the shop doing a little climbing and visiting with GOOD friends and family. Griffin was in town and surprised us with a happy visit. We always LOVE seeing him. Our friends Gheen and Beth from Utah also stopped by. Wow, it was great to see everyone. The boys climbed for hours and little Coop did some serious swinging. Ever since we sold the shop we haven't been down much to climb so Cooper was LOVING every minute on the rock wall. We had a tournament game to play at 7:00pm so we headed home. On our way home we got a call saying they canceled the game due to BAD stormy weather. It was a great day and yes they do get older, but I am so happy I can get wiser with him.

WEATHER

Kelt eating up his watermellon.....YUM

"Life isn't about waiting for the Storm to Pass.... It's about learning to dance in the Rain!"

I heard this quote the other day from a friend of mine. Just when I needed it the most. It has been so windy, and rainy, and just plain miserable. Why is it that the weather........can make or break your day? Why is it that we can't go out and do a naked rain dance in the windy/rainy weather? I have noticed lately that my attitude has been deeply affected by what is happening outside my window pane. I seem to EAT more, exercise LESS, and GRUMP at just about anything I can think of. NO MORE......smack. I needed a good beating, but can't seem to talk Brian into giving me one.

We have been doing baseball 4 nights a week. The boys are loving it even though they get get their butts kicked half the time. Brian has been helping coach Carson's games and does such an amazing job. Those kids really LOVE him. It is sure FUN to watch.

The other night I came home from teaching my spinning class and Brian had been helping a customer with bikes. That means Carson and Kelton were in CHARGE. I walked in the front door expecting to find a BIG mess, but to my surprise it almost had a sparkle to it. Upon walking through the door I didn't hear or see one boy. I called and Kelton came running out of the bathroom. "Mom, mom come here quick." I rushed to the bathroom door expecting to find someone bleeding and hurt. This is what I found. Cooper sitting on the potty, red faced, and pushing as hard as he could. I walked over to him with a HUGE smile and looked in the potty. There was one little bity marble sized poop in the toilet. Coop was SO happy with himself. I can't even get this kid to sit on the dang thing. It was the cutest moment EVER. My boys are growing up so fast. And what wonderful, amazing boys I have. They are a TRUE joy.

Well, if you see my shiny buns glowing in the moonlight doing my rain dance - just know that I am greatful for the wind and the rain. That no matter how bad things may seem, they could always be a lot WORSE. Be happy for what you have and embrase EVERY day.

THE BIG FAT BATTLE

Yesterday I got to take Grandma Alice to her Dr. Apt in Poc

WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?

Wow, I don't know how you regular blogger's do it. I am impressed by those of you who update your blogs each and every day/week so that us slackers can have something to read. Yup, I get a big fat "F" for blogging this past month. I am in the zone now and committed to blogging at least 2-3 days per week. Aren't you all so excited? Well, I have realized how time consuming it has become, and jotting every little lame event is not worth the effort. So I will fill you in on the latest and greatest events in life.

Carson -

• As you are all aware Carson has these 2 fat rats. At first I really struggled with the idea of having some nasty rat that you catch in a trap conveniently located in my child's bedroom. Well, come to find out these little rats are actually pretty RAD pets. Carson has been the greatest little pet owner. He gives them good names, feeds them expensive food, and buys them cool rat toys with his hard earned cash. Yesterday, Carson was a little worried about Yoko. He kept saying that she was not acting right, and that we needed to take her to the vet. So I did my research (Internet) and came to the conclusion that it was definitely sick and I didn't know what the heck to do about it. Carson and Kelton's friends came over and were playing out in the field. Brian came in and said it looks like Yoko kicked the bucket. Yup, poor little Yoko is no more. Carson has been devastated to say the least. He cried himself to sleep, and went to school this morning with big tears in his little blue eyes. All he can say is why mom.....why? What in the world do you say to that? May little Yoko rest in peace.
• Carson started up baseball and loves every minute of it. Boy can he wack that thing.

Kelton -

(Kelton made some pretty cool leather bracelets for his friends)

• Little Kelt has been riding his little 50 like crazy. He made a little course around the yard and built some pretty sweet jumps. This will definitely stress out his mom.
• He is also playing baseball minor league and is really good. He is wanting to play catcher. Sounds like a pretty intense position. Kelton is one talented athlete. It just comes so easy and natural to him with everything he does.

Coop -

• Every day is an adventure with this little guy. He cracks me up! The things he says lately are so funny. He has learned to chew gum and teases me by saying he swallowed it and minutes later he is chewing like a camel.
• He loves hanging out with his brothers and doing big boy things. He doesn't like the big boy potty yet, but we are working on that. Any good advice? I am loving every minute of it right now. I feel so blessed to be able to stay home and watch my little boys grow. I don't miss a beat, and I am so LUCKY.

Brian -

(Brian's intense carbon fiber project - I don't know how to explain)

• Brian blows me away every day. I always say how talented this guy is, but I will say it over and over until I die. Brian is TALENTED. He has been working on a carbon fiber project that will allow him to build custom carbon fiber bikes. With all of his experience designing and building kayaks he has put that experience to work and using it with bikes. He has met with the engineers and they are working on 3 different molds to hold the carbon fiber together while it cures. It is a process that someday I will be able to explain to you, but right now I can't quite spit the words out that are necessary.
• Bri has been doing a little training for race season. Since the snow just melted off this last week he hasn't had a three month start like a lot of racers out there, but with the time he has had on his bike he has made every minute count. He is busy. He is GREAT.

Heather -

• I am still teaching my spinning classes 3 days a week. I really enjoy it, but the 5:00am thing I could pass on.
• Working hard on getting "born ready" business going. I am only able to do it in my spare time, and as you can tell with my blogging......I don't have much spare time.
• I am completely thrilled to see nasty grass with dog poo on it. That means that spring is on it's way - or did I miss it already? Well, I am so happy that the sun has been shining, birds are singing, and flowers will soon be blossoming. Happy to be alive and healthy.
• I have been completely infatuated with the electric guitar lately. Learning Thunderstruck right now.

Well, that is a quick update on life. I will keep you updated more frequently. Happy day.

FREE GIVEAWAY

Great giveaway this month on wechirp. Check it http://wechirp.blogspot.com/2009/04/giveaway.html