Heart Attacked

The Mia Maids came over while Ashlee was gone last Wednesday and heart attacked her room. She was so excited when she came home after a long day and found her room full of love. She is so excited to turn 14 and this was a great welcome into the Mia Maids. I am so grateful for our ward and the great youth leaders. They have been such a blessing to our family and so great for Ashlee.

My Valentines Date

Husband couldn't make it home from school for Valentines so it was Ashlee and I for the big weekend. We went to Grand Junction to see one of our favorite comedians, Brian Regan. The show was hilarious and at one point my eyes were so blurry from crying tears of laughter I couldn't see a thing. Afterwords we ate at Taco Time (Bill hates the place) and then came home and played Wii Cheer all night. We had a blast together and I am lucky that she is my Valentine!

Old Enough to Look 16.

This past month Ashlee auditioned for a play at Magic Circle Theatre. The audition information said they had to by 16 or older to audition, but Ashlee tried out anyway and got a part in the upcoming Cinderella play. I was blown away by her audition. They had to sing, dance and do a reading. I wasn't worried about the singing (obviously) or the dancing, but I had never heard her read a script. Holy Moly was I surprised to watch her read lines with one of the Prince hopefulls. She was fantastic, like it came natural for her. Not one time did she look or act nervous. During the auditions the director kept pulling her and this other 19 year old girl out of the group to audition with the princes looking at chemistry between both of them. I over heard the mother of the 19 year old saying she was a theatre major at Colorado State, and Ashlee was doing great keeping up with her. I was so proud. I think we have found her niche. So the practices begin and the play is going to be in June. I am excited!!

Kitchen Make-Over

For my birthday in October, Mike and Cheryl sent me some money and I decided to use it to make some changes in my kitchen. It has been a long project but the kitchen is finally complete!! So here are the before and after pictures. (My favorite part of the kitchen is the curtain that my Mom made while she was here for Christmas. Thanks Mom!) Thanks Mike and Cheryl for the B-day money!!

Here are the before pictures:

Here are the "during" pictures:

And here is my new and "VERY" Improved Kitchen:

So Proud!

Ashlee is such a great girl. I am continually amazed at her sweet spirit, her natural desire to be obedient (unlike me), and her great gift of kindness. We received this email last week from one of her teachers. It makes me so proud that she is my daughter. I love you Ashlee.



-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Ashlee
From: "Kurt Scriffiny"
Date: Thu, January 15, 2009 12:38 pm
To: bill@emailhilliard.com

I just wanted to send out a quick note saying how much I appreciate Ashlee’s awesome
attitude and work ethic. She is one of those students that really makes teaching enjoyable
and fun.
Kurt Scriffiny

Our Christmas Eve

We had a Christmas Eve dinner with our friends, The Palmers, and Mom and Dad. We had a great time, eating and then we sang Christmas karaoke, and read the Christmas story.

Merry Christmas 2008

We had an eventful Christmas this year. We were especially grateful to have my Mom and Dad with us and to get to spend time with our friends. Ashlee made out like a bandit (one of the only benefits of divorced parents, you have four sets of grandparents, and two parents to give to you.) We enjoyed the Thursday Christmas with the rest of the week and weekend off. Poor Bill was very sick and made a trip to the doctor on Christmas Eve to get some antibiotics. Needless to say he waited up "all night" for Santa. He was miserable on Christmas Day but he was a good sport.

Ashlee and her Wii (Well... our Wii, since we can't get the adults off of it.)

No Christmas would be complete without Edward!

Mom is so fun at Christmas. Everything is exciting for her.

Little Bill with his Bronco's blanket that Ashlee made him. It came in handy on his very sick day!

The boys with their prizes from Santa!

The Wii in Action!

And YES... we had a White Christmas!