Thanksgiving 2009

We enjoyed a very delicious Thanksgiving at Nikki & Rob's this year. This was the "kid's table" (minus the 2 babies that were also there).

Ashton thoroughly enjoyed her Turkey Day dinner. Some even made it in her mouth! I think the cranberries were her favorite...just like her Daddy!

Still Crafting...

Finally getting some crafts finished that have been "lingering" in my thoughts (and closet!). Made my BFF a true cork board. I only used the ultra-chic "3 buck Chuck" (aka Charles Shaw from Trader Joes) wine corks. And for those of you who may not be familiar with it, YES! it only costs $3 a bottle. It's the tastiest $3 for sure! But just to prove that we do have a wee bit of class, I did put a Luzon & Clos Du Bois wine cork in the middle - we're not cheap ALL the time...just most of it. :)

"She's Crafty!..."

The blank wooden letters were my Mother's Day gift when I was pregnant with Ashton - it was Jason's way of telling me he was going to "let me" name her that. (what a guy, eh?) I thought it was a very sweet gift, however, I just finally got around to painting them - with some "help" from Alyssa of course. I can never do crafts without her right by my side begging to help out. As soon as they are dry they will be up on Ash's bedroom wall - though I'm pretty sure she'd know what her name is without them...but they turned out cute, eh?! :)

Iraq - November 2009

1SG Evershed and CPT Connor - posing with all of their stylin' gear on! Wow...glad I didn't meet him looking like this! ;) Sooo just kidding Jay! Looking good.

Charlie Company guys posing for a photo after a mission. (Jay is on the far left) - he's already lost too much weight if you ask me. Hard not to smile when they're all smiling, eh? :)
Love you Jay!

Iraq - October 2009

Jason and an Iraqi soldier completing some night missions. He finally sent me some photos of him so I can share them with everyone! They have been pretty busy in the last few weeks, so unfortunately he doesn't have as much time to send pics and skype as we'd like.

Jay and another Iraqi soldier...he's making so many new friends!

Jay and his guys completing a night mission - making a road block or check point??? not sure.

Poser Jay by one of his Strykers. Looks a bit warm there...I'm sure those waters next to him are nice and cold, NOT! Mmmm...refreshing. No camels in the background here, but apparently they've run over about 3 of them since they've been there?!? I sure hope PETA doesn't read this.

"Treats for Troops!"...or just Daddy & CPT Connor

The girls & I enjoyed a delicious dinner at Krista's house (aka: Mannie) and then Alyssa got to "help" make cookies for Daddy and CPT Connor. They had to make non-melting ones...so they chose Reeses Pieces cookies! Mmmm...(Mommy can eat one too). Alyssa loved putting ALL of the ingredients into the mixer - but she wanted to wipe her hands off after each stick of butter, but Mannie wouldn't let her! (I'm surprised she didn't just eat the butter).

Ashton was "helping" bake too (or maybe supervising)...on the floor with the tupperware. Who knows what she thought she was mixing/baking - but as you can see, she was licking the spoon! Silly girl. :)

Alyssa stirring in the Reese Pieces! Good thing there was no video done of this, because if Daddy & CPT Connor could see the entire cookie making process...they just might not want to eat them. I promise Alyssa washed her hands before she started and only licked her fingers a couple of times during. Either way - the cookies were made with L-O-V-E! Now they are off to Iraq.

Enjoy Daddy!!!

Ashton's 1st Zoo trip!

Today my Mom & I took the girls to the Zoo - it was Ashton's 1st trip and she loved it! Even though it was October, the sun was out and so were the animals. Ashton loved the Lemurs - kept calling them "kitties! Kitties Momma!" Well...close enough.

She thought the fish were pretty cool too. She really loved the next area where the water/fish go over your head too - she just kept looking up and saying "Ooooo" and pointing at the fish. Very cute!

Alyssa got to go in the Budgie Buddies exhibit. I only bought her one seed stick, but another little boy in there was having nothing to do with the birds and threw his stick down and went crying outta there. His mom picked it up and handed it to Miss Thang, who was more than willing to use the bait to coerce the birdies. After they finished all of the seeds, she went running out to my Mom saying "Grammy, Grammy...the Budgie's are totally cool. That was a totally cool za-zibit!" (yeah, she meant to say "exhibit" but it came out more za-zibit) Either way, it was cool. We ended our day with some good 'ol Round Table pizza - where Alyssa told me "your pepperoni has fire in it Mom!" Well, couldn't we all use a bit of spice in our lives? All in all, it was a great October day!!! Just wish Jay had been there to share it with us. (Love ya Hun)

HiYa Daddy!

Hi Daddy! Since our connection to Daddy isn't the greatest at the moment - we've chosen to communicate through our Blog for a bit. I took just a couple quick pics of the girls (because our photo card was full). I was trying to make Ashton smile by making faces at her...instead of smiling, she decided to make faces right back at me! Such a comedian - kind of like her Daddy thinks he is. ;-)

Ash getting ready for one of her gourmet meals that I cook her...HA! Big sis Alyssa has to help me convince Ashton that the food is yummy. Alyssa will take bites and then give some to Ashton. Ash apparently doesn't "believe" Mommy, but if Sissy is eating it, then it must be okay. I guess I should just accept this as the norm, eh???
We love & miss you SOOO much Daddy - hope you call or email us soon.

Kids say the Darndest things!

Okay, let me rephrase that title..."Alyssa says the darndest things!" She continually manages to crack me up - pretty much on a daily basis. So, not only I am trying to remember to put them down in her journal I'm making for her, but I thought I might share some of the latest "Miss Thang Quotes."
1. On her BD I asked "do you feel older, do you feel 5?" Alyssa's response: "Hmmm...actually Mom, I feel 15!"

2. She was out cutting flowers and arranging them in a vase and while she's doing this she says: "This is so much fun, I'm going to do this for the rest of my life!" (wellll, she does have Grammy & Poppa genes in her). ???

3. After cutting a ton of flowers at Grammy's...she says "this is like we're getting ready for my wedding." I say "well, you can't get married for at least another 25 years." Alyssa: "I'm not getting married until I'm at least 100! How old will you be when I'm 100?" (I had to distract her to something else so I didn't have to explain death to her. Yikes!)

4. "I like Discovery better than LightHouse Christian." worried, I asked her why. Alyssa's response: "Discovery doesn't tell me what to wear - they're cooler."

5. She made a bracelet for Jason to take to Iraq and when she gave it to him said: "You have to wear this when you're in Iraq, because I put Jade on it and Jade means good luck and you need good luck." (awweeee, just looking out for him).

Well, I just wanted to share a couple of "Miss Thang Quotes" with y'all. I'm sure there will be more. She truly thinks/acts like she is an adult...which is such a double-edged sword. But definitely amusing - which is a welcomed thing...especially nowadays. Gotta love that girl!

Family Photos 2009

On one of our last sunny days of the summer and on one of the last few days that Jay is home - everything actually came together and we got Family Photos done! It has been our "to do" list pretty much since Ashton was born, but we can now cross it off. YES! We are so fortunate to have a talented photo-friend, Krista. She did an awesome job and Jay is taking some great pictures with him. I had to have a few with just Daddy & his "biggest girls." Love it!

strolling down the avenue...orrr, my parents nicely shaded driveway...whichever way you want to see it. ;)

OMG! All of us together, all of us looking at the camera and all of us pretty good looking - no silly faces, no odd expressions, etc! All the stars must have been alined that day. I don't really care how it worked, just that it did and we have precious memories. Now Jason can "take" all of his girls with him. Awwwww...

Thank you Thank you Thank you Krista! (aka the girls' "Mannie.")

Happy Birthday to...ME!

In honor of my BD, but really more so we had an excuse to go out without children, Jay, me, Rob & Nikki went out to a Mariners game! Nikki had a little surprise for me after the 2nd inning: Ummm...Yes, how loverly of Nikki to put my actual age on the SafeCo Field jumbo-tron. (it's just because she's older than me and is happy that for a brief time we are the same age - brief!).

Jay and I...but definitely more Jay...enjoying the garlic fries at SafeCo. He just loves those stinky things.

My BFF, who set up the whole thing...she spoils me. We are waiting in the Pyramid beer garden for a table inside to eat. Really good friends, food, and "spirits" - what more could a BD girl ask for?

First Day of Kindergarten!

September 2 was Miss Alyssa's first day of Kindergarten!!! She was SO excited to start. She carefully picked out her outfit...but Mommy picked out the ruffled bobby socks (I think they're darling!) Alyssa, on the other hand, tells me: "Mom, I look cute...but I'm not so sure about these socks." I assured her that they looked super cute and off like a big school girl she went. However, when she got off the bus at the end of the day, there was one piece of her outfit missing...yep, the socks! I ask her where they are and she tells me: "Ummm, my feet got sweaty and they're in my backpack." Ohhh well...I tried. I've kind of known that my days of dressing her were over - now I'm absolutely positive.

Even Daddy went in to work late so he could see his "biggest girl" off to her first day. Awww...

There she goes crossing the street to get on her very first bus. (socks are still on at this point). Alyssa HAS to ride the bus to school...even though it is literally a 2 block ride, but I think it's her favorite part of the day!? Pretty sure we could walk to school faster than walking to the bus stop and waiting, but she loves it...and doesn't riding the bus become very "uncool" pretty soon?? Then I'll wish she would. Ohhh, the irony.
We're proud of our Miss Independent Kindergartner!

"Mountain Man!"

Jason (and CPT Connor) and bunch of other guys from his Battalion climbed up to "Camp Muir" on Mt. Rainier! At the top they all broke out a can of Rainier beer and enjoyed...

What a view as you climb. Only 7 hours worth of hiking for this amazing site!!!

There he is - the Mountain Man himself. Put a check on the "bucket list" for this one. Wish I could say I've climbed Mt. Rainier. Awesome job E-shed.

More Yearns, Utah camping/fishing photos...

Poppa "E" and Alyssa by the campfire...our Alyssa - such a girl with her "hand on the hip" pose.

Jay & Ashton - day 1 of fishing. Ashton actually really enjoyed the outdoors.

Ashton & Mommy hiking around the lake/mountain area, while Daddy fishes on at the Lake. Gotta love those baby back-packs. (Thanks Aunt Nikki).

Camping: Crazy or Courageous? (Utah 2009)

The Evershed Entourage' enjoying the campfire after a long day of fishing and "hiking" around Yearns, Utah.

I love this photo of Alyssa & Jason. It's about 6:45am and she is SO digging the fishing thing with Daddy. Luckily, up at Yearns - you are catching a trout almost every time you put your line out there...and Alyssa just loved reeling them all in. (and then letting them go) "bye bye fishy, go back to your home."

Alyssa handing her Daddy a worm for his line. Didn't take her long before she was touching the worms and "petting" the fish.

Ashton - "the morning after." She actually slept great, but I think the altitude and outdoors made her nose run like a faucet. She was happy though. I swore we were severely insane for trying to camp/fish/hike with 2 little girls...but it actually turned out to be pretty fun. Can't wait to do it again after Jay gets back! It was SO beautiful and fun to see where Jason's family camped when he was growing up and to watch him share that with his kids now. I am very thankful for this experience! What a great memory for us all...well, maybe not Ashton...but she'll see photos! ;)

Happy 4th of July!!!

"Firecracker, Firecracker...boom, boom, boom!" Yes, I totally did Ashton's hair to look like 2 lil fireworks...and her mommy thinks she's darn darlin! She instantly grabbed one of the flags off of the wagon and started waving it - she is such a true American lil girl! :)

OMG! Is this photo for real? All Eversheds in one picture together!?! Holy smokes...is it snowing in "you know where?" YES! we are all together...on the 4th of July no less. We all got up early and participated in the Bridlewood's (Nik & Rob's neighborhood) annual 4th of July bike parade. It is SOOO fun for the kids. They decorate their bikes/scooters/wagons all up in red, white and blue and go through the whole neighborhood (about 1/2 mile or so) and wave to people who are watching in their driveways. It is a very fun way to start off July 4th's morning!

Here's all "our" kids. Justin, Alyssa, Ashton, Paige and Allie. Of course Ashton is not looking at the camera...and don't ya just love the way Jason decorated Alyssa's poor helmet? Wow! isn't she a HUGE STAR?!? :) We all had a great day and hope y'all did too. Happy Birthday USA!!!

Growing Girls!

Alyssa (aka Ashton's 2nd mommy) and her lil sis Ashton literally "hanging" around in the yard on one of these many beautiful days we are having! Yeah, it SO feels like summer and the girls are totally enjoying it.

"Mom! Are you seriously leaving my hair in these 2 whale spouts?" (yes...I am so longing for Ash to have a wee bit longer hair, that I am doing the double vertical pig-tails...mommy is sorry Ashton...kind of) :)

Ballerina Buddies

Emily, Paige & Alyssa posing in their "Sleeping Beauty" ballet recital costumes. Their big performance is next week and the girls are getting very excited!


Gwenavere, Alex, Emily, Paige, Carrick & Alyssa posing in their costumes. "Princes and Princesses: Royalty"

Alyssa is very focused during her creative scarf dance...twasn't that long ago that I was doing the same scarf dance with the same teacher in the same dance studio...ohhh, fine - so it was SUPER long ago, but at least I can still remember it...for now at least. We are so proud of our 'lil ballerina.

1SG Evershed!

We are SO SOOO proud of Jay - he got "frocked" 1SG (First Sgt) on Thursday!!! He is now in charge of approximately 180 soldiers. It was a very nice ceremony, that of course brought a few tears to my eyes. Ashton helped me "pin" on his new rank during it (it's really Velcro now, but it's still called pinning). Of course, I'm the only one smiling - they all stay SOOO serious and he didn't even look at me during it! Not sure if I'll ever get the hang of all of these "Army wife" mannerisms and such...??? oh well. It was a great day and in true patriotic fashion I had both of the girls dressed in all red, white, and blue...probably another Army wife faux pas - again, oh well...

Unfortunately, the very next day at 'O dark thirty - Jason was out the door and gone to Fort Polk, Louisiana for training. Gotta love the Army...talk about a roller coaster of emotions: beaming pride, nervousness, happy tears, sad good-byes, crying kids missing their Daddy all in a 24 hour period - whew! Still, we are very proud of 1SG Evershed - Congrats!

Sisters in the Sunshine!

Yes! Yes! Yes! We are actually starting to have a summer here...though I probably just jinxed us all by saying that now (sorry). Anyways, in true Georgian fashion I insisted on buying the girls matching swimsuits so that they could enjoy the sun in style with each other. Okay, okay...I know Ashton doesn't appear to be enjoying herself so much in the first pic - but I promise you she WAS...I just grabbed the camera too late in the day - honest! She LOVES being dragged around by her big sis - through the sprinkler, over the grass and finally to "layout" on the beach towel. ;)

We're "cruisin"

She's not walking or crawling...we call it "couch surfing" or more popularly known as "cruisin." She holds on to anything and scoots along...shuffle step by shuffle step. It's so cute to see her do this and at the same time very frightening! I have enjoyed having Ashton being an immobile baby - now I have to worry about where both of the girls are! Yikes! Perfect timing for Jason to head off to Iraq and leave me to corral them both..."say a little prayer for me." :)