1st day of school!

 Today was a big day at the Asays!  Stetson started 2nd grace with Mary Hecimovich and Kandace started kindergarten with June Kovacs-Robins.  Well where to start.
Michael didn't have to go in until noon that day so he got to help get everyone ready and walk with us to school which was great.  I gave Kandace about 4 outfit options the night before and she chose her new Frozen shirt which was no surprise to me.  The day before, we had a catastrophe at Blanco Blanco where her bangs got cut way too short.  You can request a special post about that if you want.  I don't have anything to say about it other than we probably won't be taking her to cosmetology schools for haircuts any more. 
Stetson and Kandace woke up great on the big day.  They were both dressed and ready to go long before it was time to go.  They were super anxious and excited to start the first day of school!  We'd gone to registration 2 nights before which went great and they both seemed excited about their teachers.  Since Kandace is our picky breakfast eater we bought her some fruit cups we thought she'd like so she had that and Stetson had cereal.  After our traditional pictures outside we headed towards Rose Park elementary.  Michael and I could barely keep up with S& K they were so excited!  When we got there there were tons of parents with their kids obviously, all walking in the circle like usual.  I jumped right in the circle with the kiddos while Michael and Janelle watched.  When the bell rang, Michael made sure Stetson got to the right place (I think he might have gone by himself though) and I took Kandace to her line.  We were standing there feeling very anxious when Ms. K (Kandace's teacher) instructed the parents to tell their students how they would be picked up that day.  So I started telling Kandace how she would be picked up and she thought I was leaving right then so she started to cry.  I told her I was still going to walk her inside and go in her classroom (which I did last year with Stetson) but then the principal said that even though it was my call, she said the sooner we said our goodbyes, the better.  So I kissed my girl with tears streaming down her face and quickly walked towards Michael and Janelle and had my first "first day of school" cry.  In my defense I didn't cry the other 2 years. Michael told me I could cry as much as I wanted.  He thought it was funny but he said his mom cried the first day of school every year, too. (love ya Jan:)  Being 37 weeks prego definitely doesn't help with my emotions, either.

This is my sweet girl waiting in line.  I LOVE THIS FACE more than I can say. 
So I cried and complained to Michael all morning until my friend Melani came over to help me decorate my kitchen cabinets.  I had to dry it up for her. :)  I worried and stewed all day about Kandace (I knew Stetson was doing good and didn't worry about him) and couldn't wait until 2:20.  The time arrived and Kandace was a super happy girl and it was one of my best mom moments to see her face when her class lined up to come out the door and her eyes met mine.  She talked the most about lunch, then talked about "pencil work" and some other details.  I was so happy to have her home again and to hear about her day.
On the way home, Stetson said he loved school and couldn't wait until the next day.  I don't really know either of the kids' teachers but I'm hoping for a great year for both kids.  I'm always anxious for parent teacher conference where I can get the low down and get a better idea of whats going on.

Today was my 2nd day home with just Janelle and I really relished the moments today mostly since I wasn't as worried about Kandace.  I went visiting teaching to 3 different sisters all morning and she was a trooper and I was so proud of her and happy to have her with me.  She will be my buddy for another year at home so I need to take advantage of it and find some fun stuff for her to do.  It is super weird only having 1 at home even if its just for a couple more weeks.

This and that

 Here's a low down of what went on the last few days of summer.  The weather changed all the sudden and instead of blazing hot days in the 90s, it rained a lot and was cooler which is a welcome change for those of us who are pregnant :)  I took Kandace with me to JoAnnns which is a fabric store I'd never been to but I had a 50% off coupon for it and needed some supplies to start a rag quilt for Morgan and Fallon's new baby, Vera.  Picking out fabric was so fun, lots to choose from.  Kandace however had an epic meltdown, the kind that your child development professor warns you about and that you spend a whole class talking about.  It.was.crazy.

 This boy lost his other top tooth at church during primary.  Good thing Michael is his primary teacher. :)

 This boy started his first day of clinicals the Billings Pediatric clinic.  He's doing great.  Having a consistent schedule is pretty nice, he's home at 5 most days.  He pretty much follows the pediatrician around which gets old, and observing lots of kindergarten weill-child check ups which are boring, but his professor told the class to always act super excited about whatever you're observing so Michael's been working hard and trying to do his best.  He's anxious for when he can have a little more jurisdiction and hands on experience.

 These girls love their dad and always want to hug and kiss him before he goes anywhere.

 Stetson started piano a few months ago and its been nice to see him shine in an extra-curricular activity since sports haven't exactly been his strong point.  He takes lessons from Rachel Weitz, a girl in her master's program at MSU-B.  He picks up on things very quickly, a lot of times going through his worksheets and filling them out correctly without any guidance from me, which always surprises me.  Its nice that I have some background and can help him in this area.  I'd love to see him continue this skill for a long time.   His lessons are Monday at 3:15 at the college and its a challenge dragging all 3 kids across town and entertaining the girls during the lesson, but worth it.

 The FHE before school started we made homemade icream.  Aweswome.

tea party

Kandace was invited to a tea party birthday party last Saturday and I thoroughly enjoyed helping her get ready. :)  Its so fun having a girl most of the time :)

Stetson loses teeth

A couple weeks ago Stetson lost his 3rd tooth, one of his top ones. He was taking a bite of his breakfast burrito and it popped right out.  I was upstairs and he ran up really excited to tell me the news.  It was Sunday so the toothfairy had to do some scrounging to get a pack of gum and a $1 but we made it happen!

Michael took this pic a couple weeks ago, so I'm aboutr 35 weeks.  Shannon gave me a bunch of maternity clothes to borrow and this dress was included--its been fun to have some different stuff to wear.

1st day of school 2014

 Today was a big day at the Asays!  Stetson started 2nd grace with Mary Hecimovich and Kandace started kindergarten with June Kovacs-Robins.  Well where to start.
Michael didn't have to go in until noon that day so he got to help get everyone ready and walk with us to school which was great.  I gave Kandace about 4 outfit options the night before and she chose her new Frozen shirt which was no surprise to me.  The day before, we had a catastrophe at Blanco Blanco where her bangs got cut way too short.  You can request a special post about that if you want.  I don't have anything to say about it other than we won't be taking her to cosmetology schools for haircuts any more.
Stetson and Kandace woke up great on the big day.  They were both dressed and ready to go long before it was time to go.  They were super anxious and excited to start the first day of school!  We'd gone to registration 2 nights before which went great and they both seemed excited about their teachers.  Since Kandace is our picky breakfast eater we bought her some fruit cups we thought she'd like so she had that and Stetson had cereal.  After our traditional pictures outside we headed towards Rose Park elementary.  Michael and I could barely keep up with S& K they were so excited!  When we got there there were tons of parents with their kids obviously, all walking in the circle like usual.  I jumped right in the circle with the kiddos while Michael and Janelle watched.  When the bell rang, Michael made sure Stetson got to the right place (I think he might have gone by himself though) and I took Kandace to her line.  We were standing there feeling very anxious when Ms. K (Kandace's teacher) instructed the parents to tell their students how they would be picked up that day.  So I started telling Kandace how she would be picked up and she thought I was leaving right then so she started to cry.  I told her I was still going to walk her inside and go in her classroom (which I did last year with Stetson) but then the principal said that even though it was my call, she said the sooner we said our goodbyes, the better.  So I kissed my girl with tears streaming down her face and quickly walked towards Michael and Janelle and had my first "first day of school" cry.  In my defense I didn't cry the other 2 years. Michael told me I could cry as much as I wanted.  He thought it was funny but he said his mom cried the first day of school every year, too. (love ya Jan:)  Being 37 weeks prego definitely doesn't help with my emotions, either.

This is my sweet girl waiting in line.  I LOVE THIS FACE more than I can say.
So I cried and complained to Michael all morning until my friend Melani came over to help me decorate my kitchen cabinets.  I had to dry it up for her. :)  I worried and stewed all day about Kandace (I knew Stetson was doing good and didn't worry about him) and couldn't wait until 2:20.  The time arrived and Kandace was a super happy girl and it was one of my best mom moments to see her face when her class lined up to come out the door and her eyes met mine.  She talked the most about lunch, then talked about "pencil work" and some other details.  I was so happy to have her home again and to hear about her day.
On the way home, Stetson said he loved school and couldn't wait until the next day.  I don't really know either of the kids' teachers but I'm hoping for a great year for both kids.  I'm always anxious for parent teacher conference where I can get the low down and get a better idea of whats going on.

Today was my 2nd day home with just Janelle and I really relished the moments today mostly since I wasn't as worried about Kandace.  I went visiting teaching to 3 different sisters all morning and she was a trooper and I was so proud of her and happy to have her with me.  She will be my buddy for another year at home so I need to take advantage of it and find some fun stuff for her to do.  It is super weird only having 1 at home even if its just for a couple more weeks.

summer wrapping up

 For FHE last Monday, Michael told us all to hop in the van for a fhe "surprise."  He wouldn't tell anyone where we were going.  I was thinking he'd broke down and was going to take us to the fair, which for some reason is the last place in the world he wants to go and there has to be a lot of persuading and asking before he'll give in...but it wasn't the fair, he took us to the temple.   Since its Monday, the gates are closed but we enjoyed walking around it.  I feel peace just when we're coming up Shiloh to go home and it suddenly comes into view.  Its amazing that just the sight of it can calm my nerves and bring me such a sweet spirit.  It was hotter than blazes (my new favorite expression) at the temple so we took a lap and then got frosties and icecream cones at Wendy's.  While we were at the temple I kept thinking of what Russell M. Nelson said when he came to Billings last Sunday for a special conference (awesome I know!) He said take your children to the temple and let them feel the walls.  I literally wanted my kids to reach out their hands and feel the temple that night.  We'll have to go another day.

 This guy isn't a huge fan of the pool, either, but every now and then we can guilt him into it.  Janelle finally wears her new swimsuit she got for her birthday.  She always complains for a little bit that it "feels funny" but we just distract her and she's o.k.  Michael finished his last day of class yesterday.  He hasn't said much about it but I know it feels good to have a short break from it all and a permanent break from the classroom.  He starts his first rotation in a couple weeks.  He is a trooper and has worked so hard to get to this point.
His class had a "last hoorah" bbq at Veterans park yesterday afternoon.  I didn't get pics but his 2 closest buddies were Andrew Swensen and Jaran Mills, both from Utah, both LDS.  We love them and their wives and hope we can keep in touch somewhat.  Andrew's wife Brooke had triplets a month ago and has been in Logan for the last couple weeks while Andrew finished up.  Jaran and Sarah will be here until Sept.  They're the greatest and have watched my crazy kids a couple times.  Sarah has come over a couple nights when Michael's been gone just to chat and keep me company.  They've been married for almost 6 years and haven't been able to have children yet.  Its been an eye opener and heart breaking to see them experience this and we hope so much that this blessing comes to them soon.

 Janelle is endlessly entertaining us.  She melts our hearts and keeps us laughing every day.  We are nuts about her.

 I wasn't going to get a pedicure this year but I broke down and took Kandace with me to the beauty school to get one yesterday.  Its getting hard to bend down and I thought a little pampering wouldn't hurt.  Kandace chose 3 different colors for her toes, so she had a pattern AND got gems on hers.

 Last night after the bbq we took the kids to the fair.  It was also hotter than blazes but once the weather cooled and we wiped out our entire life savings on tickets and treats, it was a pretty nice time.

We stopped and listened to a band playing on the grassy area at the end and took some selfies because we are so cool.
I am 35 weeks prego tomorrow.  My midwife won't take me any sooner than 37 weeks, so as soon as we hit that mark, I'm gonna be jumpin on tramps, eating spicy food like nobody's business, whatever it takes, to get this baby here.  This little peanut is sucking the life right out of me but we are thrilled about her arrival.  We got a toddler bed/dresser combo for Janelle's room so the baby can have the crib when she comes.  Janelle has transitioned to the toddler bed beautifully.  She loves to talk about how her dad set it up for her "again and again and again."  I hope Janelle and little baby are good roommates.  Keeping my fingers crossed.
I've had lots of braxton hicks which is different from my other babies.  Its been hard being pregnant all summer.  The heat takes it all out of me so we don't venture to the pool quite as much, and we hang out inside with the cooler blasting.
I've gone from bootcamp the first tri, then spinning the 2nd tri, and am now down to swimming, which is about all I can take now it seems like.  Swimming is refreshing and pretty much the best workout out there for expecting moms.  Super easy on your joints and makes you feel so weightless.  There's another lady in there whose prego but quite older than me but she whoops me.  I try to race her sometimes just to push myself.  haha
Stetson won a tablet at the library.  He got tons of hours recorded for the summer reading program and the more hours you get the more times you're entered for the drawings.  He was pretty pumped and when we dropped off our thank you letter he told the librarian he didn't like his new tablet, he LOVED his new tablet.  Kandace plays with it too and its great.  Its a more kid friendly version with tons of games and apps.

dryhead campout 2014

 Asays have been holding their cows by a pond in the pryors for about a month I think and last Friday they needed to move them and we thought it'd be fun to go stay overnight Friday so the boys could all move the cows Satuarday morning.
We left Billings about 3pm.  We stopped at my dads to get a pad and sleeping bag for me and then stopped at Asays to help them get some stuff packed and so Michael and Daniel could go catch the horses.  That took longer than planned but we made it up there shortly after Christian and Jill.  The first pic Michael took when we stopped to open a gate.  I've been bad about taking pics of my growing belly so here I am at 33 weeks pregnant.  I feel like I should be way further along and am having a hard time imagining going 7 more weeks.  Guess I better accept the fact. :)

 It was super windy when we got there but we hurried and got our tent set up and the kids played.  The kids loved catching salamanders from the pond and running around.  That night we had hamburgers, hotdogs, brats, potato salad and s'mores in the dark.  It all tasted so good and it was fun to be on the mountain camping.  Gpa Asay told some stories about how "deadman" got its name and some other stories of when he would go work cows with his brothers.  One time, Stan and a brother(s)? were working cows in Dryhead and noone came to pick them up or bring them lunch. His Dad and his uncle Dave Asay flew over and parachuted Stan's lunch to him.

 It was hard getting any sleep in the tent with my big belly and with Janelle waking up every hour or so but Stetson and Kandace slept great.  The boys saddled up the horses and left first thing Saturday morning to go trail cows and the rest of us followed shortly.  The weather was cool and the scenery was beautiful.

 S

 Stetson doesn't love riding the horses and hasn't had a lot of experience but we talked him into riding back to the horse trailer. Michael is a good sport.  I love him. xoxo

 As soon as we got back the weather quickly went from cool and overcast to "hotter than blazes."  We got this picture in front of an old cabin thats been up in the pryors for years.  I love old buildings.  The place we camped actually had a decent little outhouse too which made it nice for potty breaks.

 Stan & Jan made everyone pancakes, eggs and bacon for breakfast when we got back and then we took down camp and loaded up for home!  Camping with little kids is a lot of work but totally worth it.  I hope they have good memories of being up in the mountains and playing with cousins.

The whole crew: Ranee, Jared, Paige, Kasi, Britt, Daniel, Michael, Janelle, Kandace, me, Stetson, Jan, Travis, Jan, Stan, Carson, Jill, Landon & Christian