Merry Christmas!

I have been so bad at taking pictures lately. I don't know what my deal is! But I am going to make sure we get lots of fun video and pictures over Christmas this week. I am so excited to see lots of family and to party! I love Christmas time! Brody doesn't have to go back to work after tonight until January 5th! I hope that you all have a relaxing and safe holiday with family and friends. I am anxious to see how bad this storm on Christmas Day will be. Brody and I are going to be traveling to Kaysville (of course) so hopefully we don't have to spend half the day in traffic on slick roads. It is also my wish that everyone feels the true meaning of Christmas as we celebrate the birth of the Savior Jesus Christ. It is amazing to see all the good around during this time! Merry Christmas to you and drive SAFELY out there!!!

Love, Ash

My Friend Don

Can't sleep. All I can think about is a friend of mine who passed away today (Tuesday). I used to work with him but he was more than a project manager at the company I worked for, he was a friend and one who I looked up to often.

This is just a fun picture I look at from time to time to remember some of the awesome experiences I had with my "Team Wadman". I am so proud I was able to be apart of something so BIG and so GOOD! Don White is in the front row on the left (only picture I had of him). What a strong and dedicated man! He's just one of those teddy bears that give great hugs and always make you smile! This picture was during a Leadership Breakthrough training course with Rapport where I can remember specific moments when Don lifted me (spiritually and literally) and taught me. He will be missed.

I wish it did not have to be so sad to loose loved ones. I know it is not the end though. I am so thankful to KNOW I will be with my family forever. I love my daughter and my husband so very very much. I know that my Savior died for me and that he was resurrected so that we can all have eternal life. What a blessing it is to have a knowledge of the truth and be a member of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.

Family Tradition

Every year since Brody and I have been married we have been cutting down our own Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving. Nope, no "Black Friday" for us! Last year was a little hard since Taylor was just 6 weeks old and we had to bundle her up in the BabyBjorn. This year though, we still had to pack her, but she was much more... Alert! She loved being in the back pack going hiking.

And she got a kick out of ginger running all around us!
We decided to go up Preston, ID way instead of the Uintahs where we have always gone in the past. Got a tad lost in farm lands where dogs were chasing the truck and biting the tires. There really weren't many signs and we had never been up Mink Creek but oh well, we found what we were looking for anyway.
There really is some fun to be had up in the mountains, walking/hiking in the snow searching for the perfect tree- just don't count on many more branches than Charlie Brown's tree- and then having a little hot soup out of a thermos! It was lots of fun! Ginger always makes it more fun too- she loves to pounce through the snow!
That night I of course had to start the Christmas decorations that always take me the rest of the weekend to finish. But it's all worth it, right!!! The only thing I dread are the lights on the tree.



I love my village. Thank you Jo for helping me get it going over the last few years. I decided it would be easier not to put in under the Christmas tree this year. Taylor can reach the furniture it is on but she is doing pretty well with the self control. I am sure she will start to test my strictness though.
Brody did a great job on the outside lights. He scared me to death up on the roof! I wouldn't leave the ground beneath him- I told him I'd catch him!

K so I have to post this picture too. I am so mad- this is the only picture of Thanksgiving day we got. This is the first picture we have ever gotten with all the girl grandchildren on my mom's side.

Taylor- "um, get off me", Ellie- BORED, Carly- "I'm a Princess", Kayla- ya, a bit mad

We are so thankful for...

Each other
Ginger and Pepper
Grandmas and Grandpas
Moms and Dads
A warm, cozy home
Food in our bellies
Jesus Christ
Temples
Good neighbors
Rain and Snow
Sun and Stars
Knowledge of the plan of salvation
Cousins, Aunts and Uncles
Friends
Music
Horses
Missionaries- and especially Wade on a mission!
Toys
Milk, binkies and blankie
Snowmobiles
Beautiful Ford Truck
... and a garage for the truck
Our Prophet today Pres. Monson
The Book of Mormon
Video cameras and still cameras
Blogging!
mountains, rivers, and trees
health and strength
FAMILY, LOVE, and HAPPINESS

So much more we are thankful for but we will stop there. Hope everyone has/had a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving!
Love, Brody, Ashley, and Taylor

Thoughts about Twilight!

OK so I'm just gonna put it out there. I am not one to critique but the anticipation for this movie was more than any other for me.
There was no point in the movie where I FELT Bella and Edward were truly in love.
I wasn't expecting to see every detail in the book but I was hoping to at least see and feel how much Bella and Edward are in love. I wanted to feel the fight in him to stay away and the fight in her to keep him close.
A few things were not explained but I really didn't notice until afterward when I kept analyzing everything. So I guess I really don't care cuz I still loved the movie.
I thought it was interesting to see someone else's interpretation of the book.
Kirsten Stewart portrayed Bella very well in my mind.
Robert Pattinson is simply gorgeous and I thought he was amazing!

Overall I really loved the movie for what it was. Oh, and Brody even loved it too!

Tag!!! Now you're it!

Eight Favorite TV Shows
1. The Office
2. My Own Worst Enemy (gotta love Christian Slater!)
3. So You Think You Can Dance
4. Friends
5. ellen Show
6. King of Queens
7. American Idol
8. Dancing With The Stars

Eight Favorite Restaurants
Out to eat! What's that? We go out maybe once a month
1. Maddox
2. Timber Mine
3. Olive Garden
4. Famous Dave's Bar-B-Que
5. Chili's
6. Pizza Hut
7. Lee's Mongolian
8. Ogden Pizzeria

Eight things I did yesterday
1. Watched some home movies and labeled the DVD- 5th one hour DVD from the last years footage. Apparently we record a lot.
2. Talked to my grandma and grandpa on the phone
3. Played blocks with Taylor
4. Made breakfast when Brody finally woke up.
5. Prepared my lesson for Nursery
6. Went to church
7. Made Dinner while talking on the phone
8. Watched "Get Smart" with Brody

Eight Things I Look Forward To
1. Having another baby! (no, not expecting...yet)
2. Going to see "Twilight"
3. Thanksgiving
4. Going to Cut down a Christmas Tree- Family Tradition
5. catching up on scapbooking
6. Decorating my home for Christmas and spending our first Christmas in this house
7. Saturday- date night with good friends we haven't seen for a long time
8. "The Office" episode next week!

Eight Things I Love About Fall
1. Flannel Sheets
2. The leaves changing color
3. Football
4. Sweaters
5. Cold smell of the air
6. Furnace smell- I like it in this house but not the last as much
7. Pumpkin Pie
8. Thanksgiving and Christmas coming soon

Eight Things On My Wish list
1. New Wardrobe
2. To see my friends more often
3. Gas to stay under $2.00 a gallon so I can drive for often- miss my family
4. Affording a professional photographer
5. Having Taylor's baby video done and spending whatever
6. My husband to get a Crohn's treatment
7. Actually, for doctors to find a cure for Crohn's disease
8. To have a years supply of food

Eight People I tag
1. Steph
2. Jenny
3. Camille
4. Andria
5. Makenzie
6. Melanie
7. Mandie
8. Megan

Need a Photographer!

We are looking for a professional photographer to take our family picture soon. Yes, I finally talked Brody into it! Amy I contacted your friend Anne Pearson but I think she'll be too far away for us to pay her to come down here. So, we are looking for someone good that is maybe a little closer to where we live- around the Logan or Ogden area. We want to do an outdoor photo. So if anyone knows of someone please let me know, or else I'll just have to settle for someone I find on the internet, and I'd rather be referred to someone of course. Thank you!

First Time Trick-or-Treater!!!

We had lots of fun with Taylor on Halloween. She looked so cute in her Piglet costume.

We even dressed Ginger up- as a Ladybug! She has mellowed down so much lately. Poor ol' girl. We took her trick-or-treating with us and all the neighbors and kids got a kick out of her. She was very good.

We hurried and carved out pumpkins since we put it off all week. I love carving pumpkins!

Ashley's, Taylor's, Brody's
Then last minute Brody and I decided to find something to wear.

Brody wore his Grandpa's old Leisure suit from the 70's. (My smokin' hot greaser renegade!!!)

Then there's me- I was just a chubby pumpkin.
We just went around the block trick-or-treating, which seemed like hours waiting for Taylor. But we enjoyed taking her! It was way fun seeing all the other kids dressed up too. Most the kids around here are under age 10 and there are lots of them. It is great! We love our neighborhood more and more. It was nice to actually have a few trick-or-treaters this year, and to even be HOME. In years past we left home to go down to Kaysville or something, but we didn't have many trick-or-treaters anyway.
This weather has been so nice! It was so weird to be outside on Halloween night in a short sleeve shirt. I am kinda looking forward to cold weather though- that means snow!!! I can't wait to hit the mountains... for ski slopes AND snowmobiling!
It was a very memorable Halloween for us!!!

Happy BOO to you!

Taylor is ONE!

A few pictures from Taylor's Birthday Party on Saturday night...

We had such a fun time with Taylor at her birthday party. She was so cute just sitting on my lap while we opened her presents. Thank you to everyone that came to celebrate with us and for the fun toys. She is loving playing with all her new things!

Addie and Tay- future BFFs!

"I can't believe our baby girl is one!" Well she really isn't a baby anymore. She has almost mastered walking, and within about a week! It is so exciting to watch her grow and learn everyday.
The Birthday Princess

This is about as close to a smile as we could catch on camera- and with a mouth full of frosting. Poor kid, there was so much frosting on this cake I think it made her sick. But she did have a good time eating with her fingers and feeding mommy and daddy!
Not many smiles that night at the party but at least there weren't any tears- that is until we started the cake clean-up.
I wish I could say I made this cake myself but that is not one of my talents. We bought the cakes at Smiths- very yummy too!

More Jackson Pictures

Don't all the tourists have to get a picture in front of the Antlers? We never have so I felt it was a must!

The water is GLASS! I wanted to water ski soooo bad!

Cascade Canyon- looking up at Mt. Teewinot. This picture turned out pretty nice I must say.
The back side of the Tetons. The colors were so beautiful up in this basin.
Brody- he was prepared with the can of Bear Mace that of course was not needed, luckily I guess.

We were so close to Lake Solitude (7 miles from the boat dock) but we had to turn around so we could make it back to the dock to catch the last boat across Jenny Lake. Five years ago we made it about this far as well and that time we knew we were going to miss the boat but we had to turn around or else we would have been hiking back in the dark. One of these trips we will plan better and hike to the Lake and maybe even further. Then we'll really be in bear country!

5 Year Anniversary!

September 24, 2003

My husband is my hero. I am so thankful for a wonderful husband who is the best at: being a daddy, making us smile, fixing ANYTHING, being sweet and silly, cuddling and kissing, protecting, comforting, and serving others. We learn more about each other everyday. 5 years has gone by fast and we have spent some fun times and rough times together. We are so happy to have a little baby girl too and can't wait to make our family bigger!
Brody and I celebrated our 5 year wedding anniversary last Wednesday. Actually we didn't really start the celebration, since Brody worked all day and night, until Thursday when we left for Jackson Hole, WY. This is one of our favorite vacation spots, and also where we honeymooned! What a beautiful and relaxing weekend it was.
Thursday we had planned on going on the Alpine slides after eating out at "Billy's" but come to find out, they closed the slides a week before. We couldn't believe it! So Brody humored me for an hour or so while we shopped! We found Taylor the cutest onsie to bring home to her. Then we headed up into Grand Teton National Park to camp for one night at Signal Mountain.
Mount Moran

We found the perfect camp spot at Signal Mountain

After a cold night under a clear sky in our tent we got up to go drive through Yellowstone Park- hoping to get lucky this time and see a bear. But, no. We haven't seen a bear in a few years up there. We took the pictures that day with our 35 mm camera and I have not gotten the film developed yet but I will post pictures when I do.
Friday and Saturday night we stayed at a condo in Teton Village. We had a blast going out to dinner, playin' games, and going to bed early. But dang, I never sleep as good as I do at home in my own comfy bed. Saturday we went on a long hike up Cascade Canyon. We took the boat across Jenny Lake. Starting this hike at 11 am was not early enough because we had to be back down to the dock by 4 pm to catch the boat back. So, unfortunately we did not make it to Solitude Lake again but we still hiked 13 miles in 5 hours. Yes, I am pretty sore today. Guess my Turbo Jam work-outs and walks weren't enough to get me in shape.
I will have to post more pictures of the hike. Cascade Canyon is beautiful!
Sunday we left early to come home because we missed little Taylor. Thanks to Brody's parents and my mom for watching her. We picked Taylor up at my grandparents house in Snowville where my mom had stayed with her. My grandpa said he thinks we should make a trade for her and was willing to give me 4 ducks, 2 sheep, and 3 horses! I love my grandparents. They are the most honest and good people I could ever know. Taylor had a great time with them too. I don't think she even missed us while we were gone.
This was a much needed vacation but it is good to be home now. Miss you Jackson!


What gorgeous mountains! I can't get enough!

My Little Sweetheart

Taylor has been especially sweet lately. We have been making a few changes with her so it has surprised me that she has been so pleasant. First of all I have been weaning her from the bottle for the past month or so. She is down to her sippy cup for breakfast, lunch, snack time, and dinner, and then gets a bottle in the evening. It's gone pretty well. She would only fuss with her sippy every once in awhile with the first meal. Then last week we cut back to one nap a day because she was really seeming like she wasn't tired till almost 11:30. So ever since she started napping from noon to 1:30 or 2:00 pm she has been more happy. You would think an hour and half is not enough for her I know, I still wonder myself, but she also sleeps 12 hours at night still so she must be getting enough.
I love being a mommy so much and Brody takes such good care of us. He loves to rock Taylor to sleep and just snuggle with her. Usually when he is the one to put her down for a nap he ends up falling asleep in the rocking chair with her. Last night I filmed him reading her a story when putting her to bed. It was so precious. She loves books.

We miss daddy at night during the week. I wish he could get on day shift.
I am very thankful that I can stay at home with Taylor. She is so fun. I love to listen to her talk gibberish and growl! That is her new thing. I think she was getting the kids in trouble behind us during sacrament meeting yesterday. They kept whispering, "say it" and then she would growl. It is hard not to laugh!
Our other favorite thing that Taylor does right now is "charge" while she is crawling. Whenever she goes full speed ahead she puts her head down. She used to fall on her face when she first started doing this. Brody says "Ramming Speed!". I have got to get it on camera.
On a side note, we finally started the sprinkler system project last weekend. My brother in law Blake came to help. Annie and the kids came out too. Taylor had so much fun playing with the boys all day. They would have her just bustin' up laughing. Oh, I love to hear her laugh like that! The boys even helped Brody and Blake and I digging trenches.

Well, Tyce helped a little more than Paden. This is Paden playing in the rain.
Thanks again Ann and Blake for the help, and coming out to see us! Brody still has a lot of work to finish on the sprinklers but we are getting there. We were also able to check "Concrete" off of our list. The patio and dog run/shed pad was poured last Friday. I can't wait to finish the yard. Brody needs a break. We are planning on getting sod next week when we get back from Jackson. Hopefully all goes well.

Movie Weekend!

Aside from the yard work last weekend, Brody and I decided to rent a few movies since I did not get to "get out". We ended up with the following: "Dan in Real Life", "I now pronounce you Chuck and Larry", and "Passage to Zarahemla". Dan in Real Life was the only one that was worth seeing again. It was pretty funny. We love Steve Carell and can't wait for "The Office" to come back on next week. We also really like Dane Cook. He is hilarious. It was weird to see him so serious in Dan in Real Life. This is my favorite part from the movie. We were laughing so hard Saturday Night! Watch this!

"The Ruthie Song"


Oh, I love it!!!

Missing Logan

It has been too long since I have been to Logan. Logan has always been like a second home to me. Growing up my dad's family had a cabin up the canyon and I have so many memories there. Sadly, there was a fire at the cabin November of 2001 and it was devastating. I will never forget that night when I was home all by myself and this guy calls telling there has been a fire at our cabin. I was so scared and I couldn't find my parents. When they got home I had to tell my dad and I will never forget how hard that was. Now, with all the craziness my dad has been through in the last few years the cabin will not be rebuilt. It makes me cry when I think that I will not be able to make memories there with Brody and our children.


This weekend I was really wanting to go up to Logan and the Aggies vs. U of U game today. Go Aggies!!!
Brody and I had originally made plans to go to his cabin in Island Park but those fell through because we have so much work at home on our yard. We still did not end up getting tickets to the game, I guess we were a bit discouraged when we found out they were over $30 a ticket.

So I have just been thinking about how much I miss Logan. It is so beautiful up there. I have not only spent many weekends up there at the cabin in the past but Brody and I used to live up there half the summer in a tent or friends houses in Bear Lake. We will make it up there this fall I am sure though. We have to take a drive up the canyon to see the gorgeous colors, and I have to go to Fredrico's!

Yum, they have the best salad and pizza ever!

Due West Concert at Bella's (Melina's)

This is probably pointless to post this since it is just a few hours away but there is this new band called "Due West" playing at the restaurant Bella's (used to be called Melina's Mexican Restaurant) in Farr West. Maybe no one will even read this where it is Friday afternoon and most your evenings are already planned but if you do happen to read this and looking for something to do for date night, come to Bella's in Farr West for dinner and a concert. The concert is only $7, it is outside, and starts at 9 pm so dress warm. I saw this band at a club up in Park City and they were awesome! I think they will go big in Nashville.
Anyway, have a good weekend whatever you do.
Bella's Farr West
2651 North 1850 West
Ogden, UT 84404

Bye, Ash

Summer Wrap-Up

Soon after Labor Day I always start getting real excited for the fall. You know it is on its way when Football Season begins and the weather changes- I love the smells in the air during the fall. So I got to thinking about this summer and truly what a wonderful summer is has been. Not because we have been on vacations and done a lot of things away from home (because we haven’t) but because of all the new experiences and emotions in our lives. This was the first summer of our family of three and it has been unforgettable. Here are some of our precious moments:

• Moving out to Brigham City of course- It is perfect here for us and our growing family
• Being there for my younger bro. when he received his mission call to Portland, OR
• Laughing everyday with Taylor and watching her grow and change so much
• Decorating the inside of our new home
• Going down to "Good Things Utah" with friends and family to meet Stephenie Meyer and getting an autographed copy of "The Host"
• This was my summer of reading- I have never been much of a reader until I finally decided to read to the "Twilight" Saga this summer
• Meeting two tiny additions to the Liljenquist family- baby Pack and baby Wilson
• Seeing Kaden and Kalie Baird (Brody's nephew and niece that live in Virginia) for a couple weeks
• Spending time with the whole Baird clan up to the family cabin in Island Park
• Taking Taylor swimming to the pool and lake for her first times
• Witnessing Wade bear his amazing testimony and sending him off on a mission
• Many walks with Taylor in our quiet neighborhood
• First summer with air conditioning- awwww!
• Rodeos and Parades with family and friends
• Taylor's first fireworks
• Four wheeling in Island Park

It is kinda weird that Brody and I have not even spent one night in a tent this summer. Every other summer we have spent traveling, sight seeing/exploring, camping, hiking, etc. We actually will be going camping in a couple weeks in Jackson Hole and we can't wait to get away. Still there have been many fun and memorable moments with friends (some new, some old) and family! Now I am looking forward to fall for the following reasons: starting landscaping out here- yeah, Taylor's Birthday, Anniversary time, watching the colors change on the leaves, Halloween, oh, and the "Twilight" movie will be in theaters November 21st!!!! Eeeeeeeee, he, he, he!!!!

Alright... That's a Wrap!

Box Elder County Fair

Brody and I have been all excited for the Fair activities this year, especially since we actually live in Box Elder County now, but we weren't quite expecting it to be as hard as it ended up being with a 10 month old. Taylor was really good for parts of the day and really grouchy for others. We have never been to the parade so I thought it would be fun. A bunch of my family was going to be there to see my cousin's little girl march with the "Va Dels" dance team. Trevyn is such a cutie. I would love to get Taylor into dance and gymnastics some day. Taylor was clapping and having a great time during the parade.

Well I guess she doesn't look too happy in this picture, but I think she was having fun.
Later we headed over to the fair to see some steers and pigs and other farm animals.
I forgot to take a picture of my cousin Carson's pig- Taylor started screaming during the second row of chunks. I guess a bunch of large, grunting and squealing animals right at eye level might scare a baby. We checked out the steers and bucket cow that my other cousins Rhett and Trevyn were showing as well. Oh, but I think my favorite was these guys. Almost disturbing these hens are don't you think?

Poor things!!!
Taylor's favorite was the pony- of course I am sure of this!

Isn't it every little girls fantasy to have a pony. Well it used to be mine but I think I also wanted to BE a horse. Yah, not anymore just in case you were wondering. It is still my dream though to give Taylor a horse and get her into barrel racing. Live my dream at least through my child's eyes right!
Right after this Taylor decided to come unglued just as I got in line for food. Brody was off getting his own. Good thing we found cousins and grandma Kris to help mom and divert some of Taylor's attention from whatever it was that she was pissed about. I'm sure I was very amusing as I was juggled a stroller, drink, and plate of my Navajo Taco- Delicious, but not worth $10.
The first night of the rodeo is Bulls, Broncs, and Barrels only. Oh, and mutt n' bust of course- very fun to watch. Almost as entertaining as Chubb's brother Randy Munns- Rodeo Clown. Box Elder County always puts on an awesome rodeo. Taylor ended up being very good the entire rodeo which went til' 10 o'clock. Very late for miss "early to bed, early to rise".


Brody and I (more Brody since I am with Taylor 24/7) are still adjusting to the dilemmas a baby can bring to situations. It's "all good" though. Like a couple weekends ago was really hard to be up to the cabin with all of Brody's family in a tiny cabin and nowhere for her to crawl around. Or having to sell our four wheeler and dirt bike. The adjustments in our lives are definitely worth it, no doubt. We love Taylor so much. Everyday she brings so much joy and laughter into our home- even when she is moody. We want to have a big family someday so I am sure we will get better at dealing with the drama and public tantrums.

Little Kayla Wilson

My sister Andrea had a little beautiful girl Thursday, July 31, 2008. She was born at 8:03 pm, weighing 6 lbs. 12 oz. and 20 in. long. She is so sweet. Brody and Taylor and I went to the hospital that night to see baby Wilson. Kayla looks a bit like her big brother Tyce. It is crazy how quickly you forget how little a brand new baby is. I remember when Taylor was born holding her and just feeling the most peaceful feeling holding her, and knowing she was MINE! There is nothing more sweet in this world than to hold a tiny baby. I want another baby!!! Yeah, I know, I still have one. But she does not seem like a baby sometimes. Taylor is growing so fast and plays so good. She has always been the best baby. I have been wanting to post a picture of Kayla for a while now and tell Ann, Blake, Paden, and Tyce again Congratulations! I am still reading "Breaking Dawn, almost finished though! I got a little behind while we were in Island Park last weekend. I don't want the series to end but I am way anxious to see HOW it will.

"Yeah, another girl cousin for Taylor"