Fridays Letters

Dear Blogger: I'm not so sure what happened but 4 posts got submitted on Wednesday.

Even when I got back and look it still says they are scheduled for a different day!!

What the heck!

 See them here, here, here, and here

 

 

Dear Polar Express: Here we come! With new Christmas Jammie's to boot.

 

Dear Winter: I'm beyond excited for all that you bring.
Christmas cheers and cozy days.

 

 

Dear Cameron: Thank you for being a good sport despite the Holiday madness.
I love it.

We are on our way to see Santa Clause in the North Pole.

I hope you all have a fabulous weekend.

 



Jammie Time

There is one thing I love just as much as Christmas.

Christmas Jammies.

 

 

I love them.

I had to be careful choosing because my little girly girl will not wear anything that is not a

"jammie dress"

Shes a tough cookie.



They appoved.

Winter Bucket LIST!

 

Ladies!

The time has come for a Winter Bucket List.

Cameron took one look at this list and said

"umm we pretty much have to do something every day"

Tis' the season babe, tis' the season.

Plus we have already kicked some out of the way already.

 

Some of them may not make sense to you because it is customized to my little family.

 

If you have any questions about what any of them mean feel free to ask me

Worldess Wednesday

This girl kills it.

 

5 minutes for mom, 



Cara Box

This month was my very first Cara box! I'm so glad I decided to do this little swap. This Lovely was chosen to be my partner and I had so much fun getting to know her through her blog this month. Her sweet little boy is absolutely adorable. And like she said..us stay at home mamas have to stick together!

She is so so sweet, make sure to check out her blog!

This Cara box theme was "childhood" She sent me some goodies that made my childhood come alive again with princess chap stick spaghetti ingredients, skittles, and a yummy candle!

I'm so glad I signed up this month, perhaps I shall do it again!

Tuesday

Hello Tuesday.
I start this day like any other with a coffee in my hand and snuggles on my couch.

I start this glamorous day without one dish in my sink and a new blog header that I managed to do by myself.

Toys are put away in rooms and laundry is turning and will soon be ready to fold.

My Christmas tree lights are shining and it brings a scenes of "hominess" to our house along with pumpkin in the air.

Soon my little girl will have a tight bun in her hair and she will be patiently waiting to leave for ballet. While my other will have a messy face and a hat, blanky, cup, and Binkie in tow. Both will be waiting at the door as I scurry around gathering last minute things.

We will bare the crisp cold and make our way to ballet after a quick Starbucks run. There I will pry Remy from the water fountain countless times and chase her out of the ballet boutique .

After dance is over we will find a place to eat lunch with my sister in law and niece and there we will wrestle with the littles to be quiet, sit down, and of course to stop touching each others food.

We will head home for naps and quiet time and shortly daddy will come home.

We'll have a dance party or play hide and seek and eat something that was whipped up for dinner.

We will put the littles to bed and I will end my night in the same place I started. On my couch in the arms of my man watching some dumb show that I will most likely fall asleep to just to be woken shortly to go to our bed.

Tuesdays.

My story. Women Connect '12

I love this link up. I thought it would be a fun link up to tell my story. Who I am, and how my family of four came about.

I remember having a conversation with my big brother when I was a sophomore in high school about my future. I had recently broke up with my boy friend and I told him I could see myself being an obsessed work a holic living in a pent house suit single but with a big dog, oh in a big city of course. Never in my life did I think I would end up where I am.

I moved to a "big" city right after graduation in sight of my new life. Well that new found life I hated. I came home every. Single weekend after a full time school and work week. Finally After a double shift at my nursing home job, a huge anxiety attack, and a phone call to my mom and Cameron I packed up my Toyota Tacoma and drove two hours on zero sleep and two weeks left of school.

I couldn't cut it. I ended up at Cameron's house and a week later we had a apartment together. Then two years later we welcomed our first little girl. And or second little girl a year and a half after that.

 

You can tell right off the bat that I'm a obsessed mama of two gorgeous little girls. You could probably agree that I'm
A young mama and appear pretty dang happy.

I live for my girls. I'm lucky to be a stay at home mama and for now I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm truly blessed and thank the stars above every day that I'm not some lonely work a holic I pictures I'd be.

Next on our timeline is our . We have been dodging the question "when will you guys get married" for well years now. We finally came to a point with our family of four where it
Seems like good timing. Seems right.

I'm happy that I won't feel like I need to defend ourselves anymore. I'm happy that I won't feel like people don't take us seriously anymore. I'm happy that ill finally have my families last name. And I'm very happy to decorate with a monogram now and not feel silly.

I'm excited about the journey ahead for us. We are so blessed so young we have so much in store for this little family of four.

That one time when I got 3 Leibsters in one week!

 Way back when...a couple weeks ago honestly. I was nominated for the Liebster Award 2 times!

Yay! I've already had one but I definitely got a kick out these two...in one week!

They made me smile.

Then I got an email from my sweet bloggy friend and also my ornament swapper who also nominated me! WOW that's three.
Thank you all.
You can see my first Liebster award here

Each blogger nominated must post 11 things about themselves.

-You must answer the 11 questions that the tagger has asked.

-The blogger must create 11 questions for the bloggers they are nominating.
-You must tag 11 bloggers with less than 200 followers for this award.
-Tell the bloggers you are nominating them, duh!
-No tag backs!

 

So here are 11 random facts about yours truely.

1. I love birds.

2. I LOVE change. I'm always changing something around.
3. I want to go back to school in the next year for a marketing degree.
4. I want to move to a different city in the next 5 years.
5.  I have to wash my feet at night. Even if I'm not showering, I stick my feet in tub and wash them.
6. PB & J will probably always be my go to snack.
7. I never used to like babies, now I'm the weirdo that wants to hold the babies she doesn't even know.
8. I could quite possibly live in leggings.
9. I favorite food is spaghetti.
10. I'm not afraid of spiders. Cameron is like deathly afraid of them. Someone needs to balls in this family :)
11. I prefer Corona.

Okay so I'm running short on time because the littles are already 1 hour deep into their nap.
So I'm only answering one ladies questions!


 Thank you (Cassidy Amy Jenni) all for the award!!
They are all such lovely ladies you should make sure to check them out!

------------------------------
These are Jennis questions

1. If you could live off of one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?

-spagetti

2. What is your dream car?

New Range Rover

3. What is your favorite holiday tradition?

Looking at christmas lights, I love all things lights

4. What is your favorite candy bar?

hmmm, three muskateers

5. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go and why?

Bora Bora. It just looks amazzzing.

6. What is your favorite book?

Pride and Prejudice.

7. What does your blog name mean?

Well my name is Ashlea with an A

8. What is your favorite utensil to use in the kitchen?

flat burner

9. If you could tell your 16 year old self anything, what would it be?
To calm down.

10. What is your favorite ice cream flavor?

Baseball nut from baskin robins

11. If your life were going to be made into a movie, who would you choose to play you?

Alexis Bledel from Gilmore girls.

And here are my questions for my nominators.
1. What is one of your favorite child holiday traditions.
2. Whats your dream job.
3. What would be the first thing you'd do if you won the lottery.
4. Where do you see yourself in 5 years.
5. Whats you favorite reality TV show.
6. Whats your favorite scent.
8. If you could choose a Hollywood starlet to raid their closet who would it be?
9. Favorite color?
10. Favorite Disney Movie?
11. Whats one beauty product you can not live without.

Here are my Nominators!!!
Tammy
Amanda



Coolest Mug Ever

 

LOOK AT THIS MUG YOU GUYS!

I'm absolutely obsessed with this mug!

It was so thoughtful.

And honestly its my favorite picture EVER.

Me and ALL of my girls.

Niece included.

Thank you Leah Im so obsessed and I will cherish this baby forever.

 

P.S. I OWE you big.



Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree

 

We decorated the tree.
After I climbed up the ladder and threw down the tree parts from the loft in our garage.

I offered to do it and I cussed out my brother the entire time. Because he of course was the one who chose to put it up in the rafters while he was helping me clean up our garage months ago.

I seriously was shaking. I was terrified.
The tree was put together by time the littles came home and they were fully prepared to decorate.

Raygan was very persistent and was moving them around until it was perfect.

 

 

 

 

 

Remy on the other hand was more interested in playing with the ornaments.

 

 

We pretty much forced my parents to stay for some beers while we decorated and we bribed them with wings and fries. It so worked!

We danced around to now that's what I call Christmas while I reminisced about the way better N'sync Christmas CD that I must get my hand on.

Cameron was jolly and in spirit although I got scolded from him for moving the ornaments around after they placed them. I'm sorry but we needed a little more then the first three feet decorated!

Note: ALL of the ornaments in a row.

 

The star!  We got done with all of the ornaments and Raygan took a look at the tree and stated...

"somethings missing!! We need the star!!"

I was shocked she even knew that's what happened next.

So that's what they did.

Then of course Remy had to follow in her footsteps.

 

Have you decorated your tree yet? Do you have any traditions?

 

 

Thanksgiving is Over.

I'm sitting here now waiting for my girlies to walk in my front door.

They stayed with my parents for a couple days after our holiday dinner.

 

I'm thinking about Thanksgiving and how well it went.

It was grand! I honestly thought I was going to be crazy having Thanksgiving at our house.

But I couldn't have been any less stressed especially cooking for a chef!

I think I'm getting good at gatherings.

Although.

I DIDN'T TAKE ANY PICTURES!

Who does that? I was busy doing my thing and didn't take one!

Not one family photo, or even one of my girls!

 

But it was nice and relaxed. We lounged around the living room looking at Black Friday adds and planning our route as the girls gave us a dance show!

 

Im thankful that both of our families can come together for events so easily and from now on I feel as though these events will be held at our house.

 

Just hopefully we'll have a new house next  year.

 

Like previously noted my parents had the girls for two nights so me and Cameron were sneaking in a date night.

We got all ready, dress with boots on and poof, we fell asleep on the couch.

Him sitting straight up with me laying accross his lap.

Once again WHO DOES THAT!

Luckily when we woke up it was around 7:00 and we were still able to get in some Chinese food with a horrible waitress.

Score!

 

 

I hope all of you had a great Thanksgiving weekend.

 

Did you brave the Black Friday craziness or did you stay in?

 

Book Swap Reveal

So I got this package in the mail with the return sender name

"Guess Who"

OMG who could it be!

Obviously that made it was more exciting.

Imagine me ripping open the box in a hurry to see who it was.

To my excitment it was My Girl Natalie.

How the heck did that happen?

Im not so sure how, but it made my day!

So I wont ask questions.


Im in love with the cute coffee mug she sent me first of all.

And the book. She got it spot on with the book.
I've been wanting to read this book forever.
So thank you Natalie!



Easy DIY Table Runner

I've had some holiday decorating plans up my sleeves. I hope I get around to most of them. Like I've stated before thanksgiving is at our house this year...how that happened I'm not so sure. Cameron came home from his friends from his bed bath and beyond family and friends sale with a turkey platter and gravy pores. Two days later I heard Thanksgiving was at our house?

Umm ok. No pressure there.

Aside from the pressure it gives me a reason to decorate a little more and do some home up lifting!

I came up with this little number. It was super easy and probably a total of 6 dollars.

 

If you don't know how to cut burlap I'd refer to these instructions. Or it could end up a hot mess of uneven-ness.

I cut the burlap into 1.5 yards X8.5 inches.  I wanted it pretty wide sitting on our table. Then I used E6000 To attach the lace. I tried a couple different glues beforehand and once again this glue worked. It seriously works with everything!!!!

I attached the second layer directly above the first and I love the simplicity if it! Perfect for thanksgiving!

Monday Mini Bucket List-Weekend Update!

This week has probably been one of the most productive weeks of my life!

I shampooed carpets, and moved around the living room furniture.

We got rid of a ton of CRAP that desperately needed to get out of our home, and it totally opened up the space.

As of now I have a giant space all cleared out for our tree...I wanted to put it up Sunday but Mr. Party pooper wasn't having it.

So we shall see, sometime this week.

I'd like to get it out of the way before thanksgiving...his argument is we need the room for Thanksgiving.

What sucks is he has a good point. BOO.

 

Its a sense of reliefe.
The clearing out, and organizing.
One that I desperatly needed.
Its a fresh start, and something new to look at.
----------------------------------------
 

1. Put new curtains up!
2. Make new recipe.
3. Go to the park for another try in the leaves....(last week was an epic fail.)
4. Make table runner for the table.
5. Put the girls stockings together (did I mention I have purchased everything already?)
6. Have a spa night with my littles.


Im shortening my list this week due to the holidays, and the fact that my mom is taking the girls over night so I can do some BLACK FRIDAY SHOPPPING. yep Im one of those crazies.

Happy Monday!

My Kids are Cute.

Love this picture.

 

Her hands are always in her pockets.

She never sat still!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this picture of them.

Daddy got a bloody nose.

Dare Devil.

Peek A Boo

Fridays Letters

Dear Cameron: Are you ready? Im about to deck the halls around here so you better be excited to participate. Love you!
Dear Hot Dog Shop: I loved our after dance lunch, not only were you delish it was a perfect spot for 3 crazy girls. We shall see you again.
Dear Nutcracker: We are about to purchase tickets for a little mama date with Raygan. All I remember about you is for a busy 5th grader I wasnt having it. Lets see what a 3 year old thinks.
Dear Weekend: We have lots to do!!!!!
Dear Pinterest: Me and Cameron have been on the search for a new Christmas Morning Breakfast Tradition. Yup thats right, he loves traditions as much as I do. Obviously we are going to do a test run before Christmas morning but we have still yet to find one!! Banana bread french toast is so far the winner.

Parenting Fail

This time it was not my own parenting fail but one that affected my children.

Have you ever heard of Real Deals.

Well my bestie took me down to our Real Deals warehouse last week for my very first time.

I've been wanting to go for years but just forgot about it for never went!

I was so excited! I've always heard about their great deals and their unique stuff!

 

Anyway. At this particular Real Deals they had a little play area smack dab in the middle with a child lock gate.

I shoved my kiddos in there to the mini kitchen and the box full of purses.

They were excited and Raygan asked me

"I get to play in here mom? While you shop?"

Yes sweet girl you do.

Win for mama, and win for the littles.

 

As I was meandering around the little warehouse I kept peeking over at them because

well I'm a mama and I'm psycho.

 

During one of my "peeks" I noticed a mom opening the gate to put her daughter around Raygans age in.

Apparently the little girl did not want to go in so the mom

LEFT THE GATE OPEN.

Yes, left the gate open for the two previous little girls (who happen to be extremely cute and curious) to walk out of at any given moment.

 

I was clear at the end of the store and saw that Raygan was starting to head out.

I freaked out you guys.

 

This mother obviously doesn't have the fear of kidnapping and rape like I do, or frankly didn't care because it wasn't her children. Which tickles me in the wrong way.

I'm all for looking out for other peoples children.

I'm the first one to approach a lost kid, and the first to help one get up off the ground.

 

I was furious.  I obviously ran through this quant little warehouse and as I was approaching the gate, my sweet littles were on their way out.

 

How could someone not care? Not think?

Its irritating to me.

 

I said something snarky to this lady, and I still don't care that it wasn't very nice.

Especially now a days where the world isn't so sweet.

It was last week and I'm still pissed as hell.

That was my first time ever leaving them at a little play area and I'm not so sure Ill do that for awhile!
(even though it was a extremely small area and I could pretty much see the whole place standing from one corner!)

 

Have you ever experienced anything similar?
How did you handle it?



Wordless Wednesday!

Happy Wednesday Friends!

Monday Mini Bucket List

I'm relieved to be back into the swing of things around here. Our computer is freshly fixed and we are all settling into cozy cold days. Quite cold actually, we are no longer able to get by with a light sweater. Our fall seemed real short. It will be snowing in this dessert sooner then this little family knows it.

I can not believe thanksgiving is so close! This year it will be at our house so I'm starting to prep my home. I love this time of year where the definition of home is even more great. It's sweeter, and cozier. I'm excited for fewer last minute grocery trips and more early bed times!

So here is my Monday mini for this week! I'm concentrating on my home!

1. Re decorate shelves in the living room.
2. Re arrange couch and furniture in living room.
3. Purchase turkey roaster.
4. Make a snowman craft.
5. Christmas light/tool craft!
6. Go to the park and take pictures in leaves!
7. Go to the library for story time.
8. Make a new recipe.
9. Make a loaf of banana bread for a friend.
10. Order pictures for bathroom decorating



I've even talking to some of you blogging gals and have thrown around starting a Monday mini bucket list link up. What do you think? Yay or nay?

Weekend Wrap up!

We set of for Portland on Thursday. The show started at 630 and I reminded Cameron that we needed to get to our Hotel first and pick up my niece who lives there. Well I should have known. I blame myself now after all of these years being with Cameron I should've known.

All of his last minute bullshit drives me crazy. We were late.

Cameron drove like a bad ass to satisfy me.

15 minutes late for the Fresh Beat Band. On my defense we would have made it in time if there wasn't a freaking bank robbery in down town Portland making the traffic look like Time Square.

We missed one song, so no biggie. But if it would have been "rock star" I would have been the most mad mama you have ever seen. Thankfully my girls got to dance their little booties off to their song.

My heart swelled watching 3 extremely happy and surprised little girls.

Raygan had known that we were going to see them but I don't think her little mind comprehended it. We got there and they both exclaimed

"its the real fresh beats!!!" It was adorable.

They put on a good show although it was super short!

hmm I guess that's what a kid concert is about.

 

 

 

The next day we set of for Seattle.

Our city.

I can't wait till we can actually live there.

Some day. The timing just isn't quiet right now.

I was excited to show the girls around.

We took them to the aquarium and that was amazing to me, I'm not sure if I have ever been to one!

Raygan wasn't going to be satisfied unless she saw sharks, and thankfully we found some baby sharks. Even better.

Remy was loving being able to touch all of the star fish and sea stuff.

It was adorable.

They were very well behaved throughout that.

Then BOOM. Both got tired and both refused to sleep.

Bring on the attitudes.

I set the bar high and thought we would get to see more of Seattle,

But I suppose it's a little different when you travel with kiddos.

We went swimming at our hotel which was obviously a hit due to this cold weather we have.

 

 

Sunday morning we woke up and swam one more time as promised

and me and Remy dropped Raygan and Cameron off to go see the Sea hawks play!

Raygan has been asking for months to go to a football game with daddy.

She looked like a little Sumo wrestler with how bundled up she was.

Whilst they were doing that, me and my little hit up some shopping.

I had a minor anxiety attack after Cameron left me.

ALONE IN THE BIG CITY!

I get why he gets all frantic at times while driving...because he is responsible for all of us!

I just chill in the passenger seat like a boss and that's my role.

 

Me and my little sat in Starbucks like the locals. I held her while she slept as I replied to emails and drank (the best drink ever!) a chai with eggnog.

After she woke up, we set out for some shopping! She was seriously so great and helped me shop! She pointed to thinks and she actually picked out a shirt that I had bought.

Love her.

One minor problem tho. I was so excited to get my girls some H&M clothes and they didn't have childrens clothes there!

HELLOOOO.

Surly I could not be the only person in downtown Seattle that is looking for children's clothes.

 

Monkeys!

Cranky before we left!

 

 

 

Anywho...we could so do this big city living thing. She was diggin the big buildings and loved watching the people.

 

Cameron left his phone in my purse so he wasn't able to get any pictures of my girl.

He said she was great, ate a hot dog and he gave her a sprite.

 Wooo living crazy people, living crazy!

Although she did manage to fall asleep for a whole quarter and he said he just held her.

They sat right by a railing so she enjoyed leaning on that and people watching,

This was the face she made when daddy said he would get her a sprite!

 

oh and watching the football game.

I love that Cameron took her to that, they were both so excited for their date.

Even if she did fall asleep, they had a blast and I know she will remember that for sometime!