The Girl of Many Faces

Ice-cream

Today Madeleine and mommy had a girls day out! We went to lunch and to see the Rockettes Christmas Spectacular! What's an outing without a little ice-cream on top?

Baby's First Christmas

Merry Christmas!

Welcome to our little corner of the world! This is the grand unveiling of the Ashton family blog! Well, okay, maybe not so grand, but it's here! In typical Ashton family fashion we are behind the technological times, blogging no exception. We're not really blogging types, and debated whether or not to join the blog world. Alas we came to the conclusion that this would be an excellent way for our family and friends to keep tabs on us. Our primary objective for the blog is to create a newsy appendix to our simplified Christmas card. This blog is essentially a year in review, hitting the highlights of our family in 2007. With the blog, those who want to know more about what we've been up to can, and likewise those who don't need more detail can just enjoy the card! If you're here, you're at least a little curious, and we're happy to have you! In lieu of our usual Christmas letter, enjoy the Ashton family blog . . .

Established 1997

It's hard to believe, but on this day 10 years ago our family was officially established! When we got married 10 years ago we didn't give much thought to just how lame a December anniversary would be. It's not unlike having a birthday in December; it gets overlooked and pushed to the side. But when you're in college and in love with only two weeks between semesters, you don't think about these things. The one hidden blessing to having your anniversary in December is that at this time of year we reflect more on the many blessings we have been given, and easily our greatest blessing is each other.

Scout Dallin

Dallin turns 8! Turning 8 is a big deal. It means getting baptized and becoming a Cub Scout. Dallin is really excited about both.

Thanksgiving

We spent Thanksgiving this year with Shannon's family.

We have a lot to be thankful for this year. Most of all family and friends.

Firsts

First day of . . .

Second grade. Dallin (8) loves school. He's an excellent reader. Among his extensive animal library, he also loves reading Harry Potter.

Preschool. Madeleine (4) has an enthusiasm for school that we've never seen before. When she realizes it's a "preschool day" you'd think she thought it was Christmas considering her level of excitement. She is definitely ready to be a kindergartener next year.

Ballet. Madeleine is taking a ballet and tap dance class this year. She just loves to dance!

Well this year for Trevon (11.5 months) was full of "firsts." He's such a happy baby, and oh-so busy!

Yosemite

Our family took a much-needed weekend trip up to Yosemite. Highlights include waking up to sunrises over Half Dome, making s'mores, hiking, stumbling upon a heard of deer in a meadow, de-bearing the car each night, swimming in the river and this view . . .

Three for Five

We don't have a photo to capture what sums up the later part of July and a good part of August for our family (actually we do, but lucky for you we aren't into posting gory photos of our daughter's innards), but suffice it to say three of the five of us now no longer have an appendix. To make a painfully long story short Madeleine ended up in the hospital twice during this period with a ruptured appendix. This very sick little girl made it through this tough time, as did her parents. She didn't actually have her appendix removed until September. If you're thinking to yourself that we're repeating ourselves or that this sounds like something you heard from us last year, you're right! Dallin had his appendix removed, with far less agony, about a year before Madeleine. And of the five of us Shannon rounds off the list of the three in our family currently without this useless, yet highly problematic organ.

Six Boys and The Girl

Shannon's brother and his family made a visit to California from Indiana. It had been way too long since we had seen them. Enough time had passed that between our two families we had two moves, two new jobs and two new babies since the last time we had seen each other. Now when we get together these cousins number six boys and "the girl" as one of Madeleine's cousins affectionately calls her.

Chad, Brooke and the boys, Tanner, Kaden, Trevor & Devon

Tanner and Dallin with Grandpa Monroe at Tanner's baptism after-party (like the Oscars after-party, but way cooler)--we're very proud of you, Tanner!

Crazy cousins! Tanner and two of his cousins, Mason and Dallin

Trevon with cousin Devon. We would need cousin Trevor, Devon's older brother, in the picture for you to fully understand just how confusing we made it for grandpa and grandma when we chose the name Trevon.

Hellas

Hellas. Did you know that was Greek for Greece? In June Shannon spent a wonderful 10 days with her good friend, Jen, in the land of ancient temples, the olympics, souvlaki, countless olive trees and Mr. Portokalos (no seriously, we met him!). Greece is a fascinating country. It is a place full of contrasts. It is so rugged, yet so exquisitely beautiful. If you want, you can eat at McDonalds in the shadow of the Parthenon. In Greece the best thing to expect is to be surprised.

At the Parthenon on the Acropolis

Charming Nafplio

A real Greek salad

Shannon with Jen on the island of Santorini. How lucky you'd be to have a friend like Jen.

Santorini

Not sure what heaven is like, but Santorini is a darn good contender

The domes of Santorini

A Royal Birthday

Princesss Madeleine Turns 4!

Birthday girl

Party crowd gathered around the princess and her castle cake

The littlest, and arguably, cutest birthday guest, Trevon

Madeleine and Dallin on Madeleine's actual birthday

It's my birthday, it's my birthday . . .

Legoland

A little spring break outing to Legoland

Fighting Vader

Lunch entertainment

New York City a la Legos

The City by the Bay--a little shout out to Shannon's home city

Okay, these last two of the Lego Volvo XC90 are mainly for the benefit of Shannon's brother, Chad, who loves cars!