Halloween (Lots of Pictures)

We had fun carving pumpkins. I love that the girls are able to do it on their own and show their own creativity. They had fun digging in and getting dirty.

Ashtyn wanted to be a princess, she is ALL girl. She loved dressing up and getting her hair done, and she even got to put on a little makeup. This is her on the day of her Preschool Halloween Party.

Ellie wanted to be a fairy, she was the Water Fairy from the Tinkerbell movie. They were able to dress up on Friday for school. There was a short parade and then they had a party in her class.

These are just some pictures I took of the girls and Ian this week.

He's starting to smile a lot! It's so cute but it also makes me sad that he's getting so big already.

On Halloween day we had our ward Trunk-or-Treat. I borrowed a witch costume from my friend and she happened to have a witch costume that would fit Ellie & Ashtyn too. I was surprised, but Ellie and Ashtyn decided to change it up and be witches too. It was fun that we all matched. Thanks Jacqie!!

It's hard to see, but Shawn had a name tag on that said "Tony Brog, Class of 1975". That's our bishop, he thought that was pretty funny. Shawn's pretty proud of his Fro. This is my brother and sister-in-law, Derrick and Kristi as Beauty and the Beast, they're so cute. Ashtyn was pretty scared of The Beast.

This is Ian and his cousin Orvil (named after my dad). They're about 4 months apart and they're going to have so much fun together.

As I'm posting this, I'm noticing that in all of the pictures I look sooo tired. Ian isn't the best sleeper around. I know it will get better and I'm just trying to enjoy it right now while he's little because I know someday I'm going to miss it.

Hope everyone else had a fun Halloween too!!

Ian David

He's Finally Here!!

Ian David Herd

September 23, 2009

8 lb 3 oz, 21 inches

From the second he was born, he was so alert, just looking around wondering what was going on and where he was.

Ellie & Ashtyn love having a little brother, they can't get enough of him.

Kindergarten

Ellie started her first day of kindergarten this week. She was so excited, all weekend she was counting down...."only two more sleeps". I can't believe she's really old enough to go to school, where have the last five years gone?She is going to a brand new charter school in Ivins called Vista (which is why she's wearing a uniform). It should be a really fun school, the school is still being built so they are going to the Dixie Center for a few weeks until the school is finished. It will have a technology based curriculum, and will also have training in performing arts.

Ashtyn had a really hard time that day, after we dropped Ellie off at school she just cried. I'm not sure if it was because she missed Ellie or because she wanted to be at school too. Luckily she will be starting preschool in a few weeks.

Park City

Last week we were able to go to Park City for the Herd family reunion. It was so much fun to see all of Shawn's family. It's been two years since we've seen a lot of them (and it's been 7 years since we've seen some too). It was great to get out of the St. George heat, and to just relax. We went swimming every day, and spent every night in the hot tubs with the family.

The resort has a really fun kid's room with lot's of crafts, games, movies and other activities. Ellie wanted to spend every waking hour playing video games.

Our resort was right next to all the fun rides, Ellie got to go down the Alpine slide with Shawn, while me & Ashtyn rode the Merry-go-Round.

Ellie loved riding up the lift, when it was all over, she was talking to my sister-in-law and she said "I didn't even fall off!!"

Staying up until midnight every night took it's toll on Ashtyn, this is her on the way to dinner one night:

What a fun week, we love spending time with Shawn's family and wish we could see them more. My only regret was that I didn't get any pictures of the cousins, or any of the other families. I guess there's always next year.

Naptime?

A few months ago, Ashtyn decided that she didn't want to take naps anymore, despite the fact that she still needs them. I love finding her asleep all over the house and in the most comfortable positions.

She likes to watch Ellie play games on the computer. This is how I found her the other day.

And the night before that......

And some others over the last few months....... What a sweetie!!

Updates

So.....it's been a while. There are a few things that I wanted to post but have been so busy that I haven't. So, here goes......

Ellie's Birthday - Ellie celebrated her 5th birthday in March, I seriously can't believe it's been 5 years. She's growing up way too fast.

She had a really fun day, she woke up to pancakes......

went to her favorite class, Cooking Class.......

had an awesome birthday party at Hidden Valley Park with all of her favorite friends......

and had dinner at Pirate Island Pizza. What more could you ask for?

WICKED - After 5 1/2 months of waiting, I was finally able to go see Wicked in Salt Lake. It was such a fun day out with the girls...my mom, aunts, cousins, 2nd cousins, some removed....and a few boys too. I LOVED IT and I'm so ready to see it again. MANTI - While I was enjoying a fun day out, Shawn packed up Ellie & Ashtyn and drove to Salt Lake with them...alone. I think the DVD Player saved his life that day. He said it wasn't too bad, but by the time we met up after Wicked, he was ready to have a break. He went to the Supercross with some friends while I took the girls to Chuck E Cheese for dinner. We then drove to Manti late that night to go to a Mission Farewell for his nephew Riley the next day. It was a really good day, Riley did an awesome job on his talk....but unfortunately the night didn't end so well. After an accident involving a homemade smoke bomb and an explosion, Riley was life-flighted to University of Utah to be treated for some pretty bad burns. Our prayers are with you Riley and we hope you'll be in Chile soon!!

(Ashtyn's in love with their dog Vixie, she wanted to hold her the whole time)

Ashtyn's Birthday - Ashtyn celebrated her 3rd birthday on April 28th, where does the time go? We got home from Manti late the night before her birthday so I threw a party together at the last minute. She had a great time!!

She also got a special pancake breakfast......

and had a really fun birthday party with her friends!!

And last but not least, WE'RE HAVING A BOY!!!

We had our ultrasound on May 1st and we're so excited. Now, to decide on a name......why does it have to be so hard?

Happy Easter!!

Easter morning is supposed to be filled with FUN & EXCITEMENT, but unfortunately it wasn't this year, not for Ashtyn at least. She was throwing up all morning and didn't get to enjoy it much as I would have hoped. She was really sad that she didn't get to go to church and wear her new "Easter Bunny" dress (as she called it).

Luckily, after a few hours, and a long afternoon nap, (which she hasn't done for months, and something that Shawn and I really needed today too) she was back to her old self and she even got to put on her new dress for Easter dinner at Grandma's.

Ellie, on the other hand, had a wonderful day. She was so excited to see what the Easter Bunny left her. My favorite thing she said was, "I think the Easter Bunny knows my favorite color is green!"
Hope everyone else had a Wonderful Easter too!!