Congratulations Anderson!

Anderson was chosen as the April Student of the Month in his kindergarten class. He worked so hard for this and we are so proud of him. On the 100th day of school he told me, "Mommy, I've been good for 100 days...I don't know how much longer I can keep it up!" But, he did and was rewarded for it. He was also given a "Best Behaved" award by his teacher at the end of the year. We are so proud of all of your hard work, congrats "B"!

Easter and Spring Break

This Easter and Spring Break were nice. We stayed around town and had some visitors. My sister and her family came out and so did our good friends from California and we just had fun around town.

Annual Easter egg hunt with cousin Scarlett! Family Picture


My sisters and I trying out our new "Snuggies" that my Mom and sister made for us! Our arms will never be cold again!

Spring break visit to Golf Land.

Cousins munching down!

Our friends from California came to visit and the kids decided to make hats...had to take a pic!

Happy Birthday to me!

Well, yesterday was my b'day, which started out kinda lame with a trip to the Dr. to get my 2nd round of antibiotics for bronchitis(I've been sick for over a month). But, being sick on your b'day does have some advantages, since Ashton stayed home to take care of Archer and I had a great excuse to lay around the rest of the day. I watched a couple of movies (did you know Hollywood Video gives you a free rental on your birthday?) and my day was greatly improved by everyone that showed me some love yesterday. I guess you all know me well, because people kept coming by bringing either accessories or various things to eat like, Del Taco, chocolate, juice, cookies, cake, Chinese food, a chocolate shake, and some M&Ms. I think I gained 3 lbs...totally worth it by the way. All in all it was a good day, so thank you to everyone for lifting my spirits and making it a great day either by calling, texting, emailing, blogging, snail mailing, or stopping by. And, thank you to those of you that are like me and either forget, or never know when anyone's b'day is because then you will forgive me if do it back!

Loving everyone today,

Andrea

Yard Sale!

Aiden and Anderson needed new bikes, since they were way too big for their old ones, so we decided to have a yard sale last Saturday to sell their old bikes, among other things. The boys also sold drinks, and in the end, we were just $10 shy of what we needed to buy these two bikes, which were a steal at my fave store Wal-Mart (Wal-Mart haters and Union reps may reply by snail mail)! This picture is from that night, they just couldn't wait to try them out. So, thank you to my fam that helped with the yard sale and to everyone that purchased our junk...I mean gently used and still very useful "new to you" stuff!

Blue and Gold Banquet

Aiden had his Blue and Gold Banquet for Cub Scouts and he and Ashton made this seven layer "Uncle Sam's Hat" cake for the patriotic-themed cake contest. They worked for a few hours making it out of 4 red velvet cake mixes, 3 boxes of fruit rollups, and 4 cans of frosting. Unfortunately, there wasn't enough time at the banquet for the cake contest, but I, of course, think they would have won!!!!!!!!!

Field Trip

I got to go on a field trip to a local dairy farm with Anderson's class. He loved feeding the goats and holding the chicken. My highlights of the day were when my cell phone fell out of the hayride and the farmer had to stop the ride and then run to go get it and seeing the newborn calf (especially the afterbirth still hanging out of the mother's body...scarred for life!)

And, yay, I got to be in charge of 3 boys! What a nice change from my usual day ;) (sarcasm)

Shea came to stay....

Cousin Shea and Aunt Natalie came for a visit to get a break from below zero weather and since they weren't here for Christmas this year we had a cousins' gift exchange and made gingerbread houses.

And we went to the Glitter and Glow festival.

Pinewood Derby....

Aiden turned 8 just in time for the pinewood derby, he and Ashton had about a week to get his car done, they didn't win, but they had fun working together.

Happy New Year!

We had some friends over on New Year's Eve and all three of our kids stayed up until midnight this year...so not worth it. We usually do a "kid's New Year" countdown around their bedtime, but this year they wanted to stay up. Aiden was so beside himself that the noise from the poppers made him cry and Archer was so hyped up it took him a while to fall asleep after. Anderson, a night owl like me, loved it! Aiden asked me if he can go back to "kid's New Year" next year...gladly!

This is the next day when Aiden was calm enough for us to pop the rest of the poppers.

Aiden's Baptism

Aiden was baptized on January 10th. What a great day, surrounded by family and friends. Thanks to all who traveled, helped, participated in the program, sent their love, and came to support him! He had the best day!!!

Getting ready for the big day, love this pic!

My side of the fam

Ashton's side...4 generations of Avarells

Celebrating...gotta love AZ in January!

Happy 2nd B'day!!

So, Archer is 2, doesn't that sound old?! Archer, you light up our days! You love to ride your bike in the house and break dance to the radio, you give the best hugs around the neck and kisses on the ear, and every time you see us you are so excited even if its only been a few minutes since we left you and you tell us "tank-oo" anytime we do the littleist thing for you. Love you, Bubs!!

Still the one......

10 years, can you believe it?! We've known each other for 20 years and been married for 10 and after all these years......I love you! Happy anniversary Ashton!
For our anniversary we were able to get away to Scottsdale over night while Grandma Nancy watched all three kids (isn't she the best?!) We didn't take a single picture the whole time, so here's some flashback pictures of us!