Trunk or Treat

After we went to the Utah football game we rushed home to get the kids and ourselves ready for our ward trunk or treat. Our ward's activities committee did such a nice job of putting everything together and the evening was such a fun night! It was so fun to see everyone dressed up and to see how everyone had decorated their cars with Halloween decorations. We were boring and didn't get the chance to decorate ours because we ran out of time with going to the game and all. Even though we didn't decorate our trunk, we didn't go empty handed. I entered the Chili Cook off Contest and tied for first place for my chili. My friend Carlynn also won for her Blackberry pie ( my recipe). I was so proud of her. Unfortunately, her pie was gone before I had a chance to taste it, but I know she did a great job making it!
Kaleb and Karmindy had fun despite the very chili weather! Kaleb looked spooky in his Dark Knight Costume and Karmindy looked darling in her fairy costume. Kaleb was especially excited for tonites little outing, that in family prayers the night before he thanked Heavenly Father that he could go to the trunk or treat and asked him to bless him to get lots of candy. Little stinker.... Kaleb with his friend Matthew

Another funny story was I was teaching Kaleb the trick or treat song this afternoon, "Trick or treat, smell my feet, give me something good to eat." He told me he loved the song and sang it through the house. At the end he would say, "Give me something good to eat, as long as it doesn't have nuts in it!" ( He is allergic to nuts!) He is so funny!! We were so glad to have an opportunity to get out for the evening and spend it with our fellow ward members/friends.Me with my cute kiddos!Kaleb with his friend Jaxon

Go Utes!!

Today we had the opportunity to go with some friends to a Utah football game. They have season tickets and go to every game! They invited us because one of their family members couldn't use their tickets so they invited us to go. We were able to get a babysitter for our four kids and we took off a little early before the game to grab some lunch. We went to a yummy BBQ restaurant called Sugar house BBQ! It has some of the best ribs and potatoes ever!! After lunch we went to the game. It was such a great game to go to even though we got rained on! Utah played Air Force and it was fun to watch the F16's and F22's fly over before the game. Also, President Monson was there to watch the game and they introduced him on the big screen during the first part of the game! Our friends have great seats- we were on the fourth row, north end of the field. It was fun to be up close and personal with the team- you could almost smell the blood, sweat and tears! Just kidding but almost! :) Thanks Don and Carlynn for inviting us! I think you have converted us to the dark side! Wink, Wink.

Me and Carlynn enjoying the game!The view from our amazing seats!

Apple Pie in a Bottle

About a week ago, I took a road trip up to Kaysville to see my Aunt Linda. She invited me up to come and get some apples from her apple orchard. She needed to get rid of them before the frost got them. When we got there we headed up to her orchard and she let me taste all the different varieties that she had. I chose some Gala and Cameo's. They were the sweetest tasting to me and I couldn't wait to get them home and make bottled apple pie filling with them. I did just that! I used my Grandma DeMille's Apple pie filling recipe. It is so delicious and easy to make! On Tuesday this past week, I got together with my friend Carlynn and we went to town making apple pie filling. Carlynn has been so gracious in letting me use her camp stove to can on. In return, we split the bottled goods! It works out to be a nice little trade. We canned 24 pints of apple pie filling and 6 quarts! I think we will have enough pie filling to last us for awhile! After canning, I really enjoy seeing the pretty bottles on my pantry shelf. It gives me such a great feeling knowing I have put something away for a rainy day!

Wtiches Night Out (Night 2)

This past weekend I had the opportunity to go to witches night out on Friday with my friend Amy and then again on Saturday night with my mother in law and sister in law! I thoroughly had a bewitching time both nights!! Saturday night was an adventure and it was fun to visit all the shops again and see all the costumes that people come up with. My MIL, SIL and myself were even interviewed by some news station about our experience!! Hopefully it wasn't one that everyone will see. I don't think quick on my feet so my answers were not clever or witty. In fact, they were dumb! Oh well, it was a fun evening and I am glad that I got to spend some time with Nicole and Laurie. Thanks ladies for a fun night!!

So you think you're a Witch? 2009

Tonight I had the opportunity to go to Witches Night out at Gardner Village with one of my very good friends. We got dressed up in our bewitching costumes and first headed to dinner. We had originally wanted to go to Archibalds Restaurant (located at Gardner Village) but the wait was over an hour and a half long. We decided on going to dinner at a nearby Chili's. We wore our witch costumes and Witch hats in and had a great meal. We really enjoyed all the on lookers gawking at us as we ate our food. We felt a little out of place and wished we had eaten at Gardner Village. Eating at Chili's was worth it for me when little kids would point and say, "Is that a real witch Mom?" or "Look she waved at me!" At least we made some little kids nights. After eating dinner we headed to Gardner Village and enjoyed browsing through the shops. We each found a ring to add to our witch costumes! After shopping for awhile we took a break and sat on the sidelines and people watched. It was really fun to see all the costumes! One thing for sure is that a venue like this really brings out the crazies! I guess I am one of them! Tee hee. After our outing, we headed to Walmart so I could return something and it was fun to walk around and have more people gawk at us and ask us whether the "Witch Convention" was in town or if Our Brooms were out side. People are so hilarious! So many fun memories....Thanks Amy for a fun evening! Can't wait to go next year!
My great find- My spider ring. It matches my costume and has orange and black rhinestones!

Anniversary Gift from my hubby!

My hubby surprised me Sunday morning with this little poem attached to a bottle of mandarin lime bubble bath, 5 beautiful orange Gerber daisies (one of my favorite flowers, roses are also another favorite of mine.), and some Swiss chocolate.

Mark is very good at writing poetry and I always look forward to when he surprises me with something he has written. I am a lucky girl!

~Mark's Poem~

This year's anniversary present your senses will tickle,
As we celebrate six wonderful years of our lives,
Fall flowers with brighten your day, enlighten your eyes,
And provide a most scintilating scent.
The touch of soft, smooth skin the bath soap will surely guarantee.
Some yummy chocolate that I know your taste buds will find tremendous.
And the sound of mountain breezes with the peace no kids can bring.
On this the day of our union, know that you are sweet to all my senses and that
My love for you has never been stronger. I look forward to many more years
of spending time with the most important person there will ever be in my life.

A Bewitching Good Time at Gardner Village

This afternoon my friend, Carlynn and I took our 4 kiddos to roam around Gardner Village for the afternoon. While we were there, we let the kids check out all the fun witches that were on display, go on pony rides, visit the petting zoo, and pick out a treat at Aftons Candy Shoppe(Kaleb picked Skittles and I got some of their fabulous fudge). When I asked Kaleb what he liked the best about his trip to Gardner Village, he said, "Being with my friend Matthew and seeing the scary witches, and riding the ponies." So cute! Carlynn and I took turns watching the kids so we could quickly browse some shops that peaked our interest. My favorite thing about Gardner village is all their cute little shoppes each one has something unique and fun. Besides getting to see what each of the shoppes had to offer, it was really fun to see the kids get so excited about seeing everything. I L-O-V-E Gardner Village! It is such a fun little place to visit and it has a magical feeling every time I visit. If you haven't been here, I highly recommend making to the trip to see what this cute little place has to offer.

The Boys standing in front of the witch who was going for a hula hooping record!Choices, Choices. Which will Kaleb and Matthew choose? The Haunted forest or Oz?The boys loved the duck and fish pond and the Witch that was fishing in the background."Look Mom! There making witches brew!"Carlynn with the boys!Me with the kiddos, Sitting for a spell!Kaleb loves his little sister!Matthew and LukeOur cute little Punkins! L to R: Luke, Matthew, Kaleb and KarmindyKaleb the cowboy!Karmindy and Matthew petting the cute little baby lambsThe kids posing withe the goats at the petting zoo.

Happy Anniversary! 6 whole years?

I can't believe that Mark and I have been married for 6 whole years as of Sunday October 11, 2009! It is Crazy to think that it has been that long. Time has really flown by! I have loved every minute of it!! I am so grateful for Mark and for the opportunity to share the last Six years with him. He is a wonderful husband and is always concerned for my and my well being. I truly am married to the best man in the whole wide world! I am so grateful for my sweetheart and all that he does for me and our little family. I love you honey. This year to celebrate we have made reservations to stay at the Stein Erickson Lodge in Park City. Click here to check out the swanky rooms! We will be living the lives of celebrities- at least for one night. Celebrities sometimes stay at this lodge while attending the Sundance Film Festival. Some of the rooms can go for upwards of 2 grand a night. A little to rich for our blood I should say... but Did I tell you that we will be getting one heck of a deal? Well we will be. (Smile) They have fall and spring packages that are out of this world. They offer them during their down seasons. I am so excited to stay in one of their luxury suites with a hot tub on the balcony with a mountain view. We also will have a fireplace in our room along with a jetted hot tub. To top it off we will have an opportunity to eat dinner in their 5 star restaurant on the premises. I totally can't wait!!
In the meantime, I made this candy bar bouquet for Mark:

It was very easy to make and I attached the candy bars on wooden skewers with tape and then placed them in a vase I already had. I attached this little poem to it:

~MARK~

My Dearest Sugar Baby,
Happy 6^th Anniversary! I love you to pieces!
Our love is worth more than a 100 Grand.
Even though our life together has had some sour patches

at times, we have also had Mounds of Joy!!
Our Good-N-Plenty life together, and with the kids,
is better than shopping on 5th Avenue on Pay Day.
Even though we have both gotten a little Chunky
along the way, U-NO I think you’re a Big Hunk and a Hot Tamale!

You are my Bit-O-Honey, and don’t Snicker, but there are
more stars in my eyes for you than in the Milky Way!
Kisses,
Ashlee

I think it turned out cute! I couldn't wait to give it to Mark so I gave it to him Friday night instead of waiting till our actual Anniversary. I love you honey- Happy Anniversary! May we have many more wonderful years together!

Wacky Wednesday

This past Wednesday, I headed to our church building to participate in our wards Relief Society Wacky Wednesday. Also known as Super Saturdays! Each year I look forward to these. It is so nice to get out of the house and enjoy some time away from the kiddos, visit with other women/friends and make things for my home. This year I signed up to do a Wooden Witch, and some wood blocks. They turned out so cute and I am proud of knowing that I can be a crafty person at times and make something that I can display in my home. Here are a few pictures of my projects:

My SpOoKy Blocks!

My wooden witch. This picture actually makes it look so small but each letter is really around 10 or 12 inches tall! (This was my favorite project!)


Boooo Blocks!

Meet me at the Pumpkin Patch....

Today, We went to one of the local pumpkin patches as a family. In fact, we went to this same patch last year. There is actually one pumpkin patch that is closer to our home this year but we decided to go to the first pumpkin patch that we have gone to as a family since living up here in Riverton. We have our loyalties and Mark and I are pretty sentimental. This year the farmer of the pumpkin patch added a few more features to attract people to his patch. He had tractor/hay rides going non stop while we were there. (Last year we just timed it right and the farmer called us over and asked us if our kids would like a ride on his tractor. He was just in the process of putting his tractor up for the night.) This year they also had a children's corn maze. It was really fun to walk through it with Kaleb and see him get so excited to see where the maze would take us. Like last year, Kaleb also enjoyed sitting on all the old antique tractors and using a small wheelbarrow that they had there for the smaller kids to use to haul their perfect pumpkins! Karmindy enjoyed running everywhere and touching all the pumpkins and also like sitting on the old rustic tractors with her big brother. Our little family outing will be one that we will remember! My cute little pumpkins in their Halloween attire!

Kaleb driving one of the many tractors- "Hey Mom, this is like Grandpa DeMille's Tractor!"

My precious little pumpkins!

The family!

Halloween Pumpkin Cookies and a Little Haunting....

Its a tradition in our family to make sugar cookies each year for Halloween. I just couldn't wait till the end of the month, so Kaleb and I put on our chef's hats and went to work making these beautiful pumpkins.

One thing that I started this year was a Phantom Ghost in our neighborhood. You secretly deliver some goodies, along with this poem and a clipart picture of a cute ghost:

The Phantom Ghost has come to town,

To leave you some goodies, I see you have found.
If you do not wish a curse to fall,
Continue this greeting, this Phantom's call.

First, post this Phantom where it can be seen,
And leave it there until Halloween.
This will scare other Phantoms who may visit.
Be sure to participate, you don't want to miss it!

Second, make two treats & two copies of this Ghost with a grin
Deliver them to two neighbors where this Phantom hasn't been
Don't let them see you, be sneaky, no doubt …
And make sure they put their Phantom Ghost out!

Next, you have only one day to act, so be quick!
Leave it at doors where the Phantom hasn't hit.
Deliver at dark when there isn't much light...
Ring the doorbell and run, and stay out of sight!!

And last, but not least, come join in the season.
Don't worry, be happy, you need no good reason.
This is all in good fun and we are just trying to say...
HAPPY HALLOWEEN AND HAVE A GREAT DAY!!

I used this cute clipart for Neighbors to hang in their window or on their door to let everyone know the Phantom Ghost has Haunted their home:

I love getting into the Holiday spirit!

Showered in Blue....

Another highlight of the trip to Southern Utah was getting the chance to hold my cute little nephew! He was born on Mark's birthday!!!! His name is Traeson Karson DeMille. He is so cute and tiny- What a little peanut!!! I love how tiny he is and also his hair line is so cute! He has a permanent foe hawk! He is delish!

Tickled "Pink" to Go Home!

This past weekend, Mark and I packed up the kiddos and headed to Sunny Southern Utah. We left on Thursday afternoon when Mark was able to break away from work. We got to my parents house that night around 8! We made pretty good time considering that we got away later than we wanted to. The reason for our trip to Hurricane this past weekend was to throw a Baby shower for my cute little sister. She is having a baby girl in December. I couldn't be more excited to be an Auntie-twice!!

On Friday morning, my mom, sisters and myself worked on getting the food and making preparations for the shower. One of those preparations was having my mom teach us how to make chocolate dipped strawberries! We had fun learning from my mom. She is an excellent cook and I always tell her that I hope that I can be as good as of a cook as she is one day!!

My cute mom teaching us how to dip strawberries!
Me and my cute sister in law taking our turns to dip the strawberries! I know I am goof!

The finished products!

The shower was a huge success!! Here are a few pictures from the shower......

The favors that we gave to the guests! We attached this cute lil' poem to some yummy smelling bath salts! My mom did such a cute job on making these!


Table with all the goods- Croissant sandwiches, fruit/dip, veggies/dip, chocolate strawberries, cookies and cake! It was all yummy! Yes, I sampled it all. (And it shows! :) )


The DeMille Gals! L to R: Tiffany (the cute lil' pregnant momma), Kamberee, Amber, me and my Momma!
More food! Yummy!