Lord of the Flames

So the Saturday after Brendan left and Kate got her filling, me and a the two friends that I hang out with the most decided to hang out that weekend.

So let me just introduce them first before I get into the actually story.

So this is Matt and Mikey! 

(Mikey on the left and Matt on the right. And me in the middle)

So Mikey.

Mikey actually just moved out here like a month after I did form California. She's from Orange County, graduated high school, and came out here to work for her aunt for a few months before she goes to school at (guess where) BYU-Idaho in January. She's pretty much the super cute, blonde, skinny version of me. So it's been way fun getting to party with Mikey in Colorado before we both have to leave and get to party even more in Rexburg. I just love her! I think she's so cute.

So Matt.

Matt is a Military Brat and has been all over. Born and started being raised in Arizona. Then he spent 5 years in Japan, moved back to Arizona. Then moved back to Japan for three years and then moved back to Arizona for like three days and then went to Canada for his mission. Then he came back from his mission and lived in Texas for a while and then he left to California for six months before he finally landed up in Colorado Springs this last March for work.. So anyway, he's an engineer and works on satellites in the Air Force and has a really cool leather A-2 Flight Jacket that I want really bad.

So the story.

So the Saturday after Brendan left Mikey, Matt, and I all decided to hang out because it was Mikey's birthday the weekend before but her mom and sister were in town and then she was leaving to Utah for a week the next day to visit some friends so we thought that this would be the best time. 

So Mikey got off of work and then came over to my house to get changed. After she changed we all left and went to Chili's! 

(That was really my only random, selfish request. I know. And out of all the places to go Chili's? But sometimes, it just hits the spot.)

So that was really good and where the above picture of the three of us was taken as well.

So then after Chili's we were going to go down to Manitu to the penny arcade and do some damage there however, for some reason, when we got there it was closed. At 8:30 on a Saturday night! We were all super confused and disappointed as to why the arcade was closed so early on a Saturday however we didn't let that rain on our parade.

So then we all loaded back into Matt's car (which by the way we named Aeneas which is Greek for "the praised one." I just LOVE that little grey Aeneas) and started diving to the top of Cheyenne Mountain. 

So when Matt first moved here his crew went to the top of Cheyenne Mountain and so he has been wanting to take us before it go extremely cold so we thought that this would be the perfect time.

So as we kept driving up I soon found out why Matt wanted to take us. The higher up the mountain you got the more of Colorado Springs you could see and it was so pretty. (I tried to take pictures but that didn't really work out like I envisioned.) But it was just so quite and peaceful and all you could see where thousands of lights. It was just SO pretty. It was definitely a sight to see. I loved it. I think that my husband will have to propose there now. I don't really know how that will all work out but yeah. He'll just have to figure that out. Ha ha. Just kidding.

So after we looked at the lights we pulled off into one of the camp sites and built a fire for some s'mores.

So you like the random piece of wood? Yeah. I found that and thought that that would just be a fun thing to burn. And it was. But get this. See those three big pieces of real wood? Yeah. I chopped those up myself. With an ax. It was a pretty big moment for me. I felt like that one time at girls camp when the Bunting Boys and Kacey Kennington all took turns chopping wood for our fire. It was pretty much one of the funniest things I've ever witnessed in my whole life.

But anyways, Matt and I just keep looking for things to add to the fire but then stopped because after a while it got super hot! Mikey and I kept scooting back and because our legs were on fire. I'm pretty sure that the hairs on my legs were singed just by sitting close to it. And I was wearing jeans. But it was one of the best fires that I have ever been apart of. I'm super proud. It wasn't big but it was just hot! 

So part of this big venture was to introduce the Reese's Peanut Butter-cup S'more to Mikey. She had never had one and I was like, "Mikey, Girl. Really. You have never lived."

So I got it all ready and showed her and started chowin down.

So Mikey, not as sold on the idea, started her's and then took a dive into heaven.

Mikey's exact words after her first bite, "Holy cow. Oh my gosh this is really good! Oh my gosh. Who knew? Holy Cow."

It made me very happy. Told you Mikey.

Me and Mikey VERY satisfied.

 

So Matt was being  EEXTREMELY lame 

and wouldn't take any normal pictures. 

Until I told him we wouldn't stop until I got one good picure.

I don't ask for much Matt!

So then Matt and Mikey took a few pictures. Oh my gosh. Some of the funniest things ever. I wish I could have just started recording instead of just taking pictures.

This was fine. But then they just got silly.

I don't really know what this is but I call it Matt's GQ.

And Mikey. . .being. . .Mikey.

I think this is my favorite.

What can I say. They are dorks but they make me laugh.

So this next picture describes my relationship with Matt. 

He gets busy when and then leaves himself vulnerable. So then I take advantage of that and I attack.

However. . .

it usually doesn't ends up in my favor. So then when I ask for help, Mikey is just sitting there and is laughing so hard I don't get any. However, in this case, she just happened to snap a few pictures while she was laughing. 

I actually felt kinda bad. I meant to push him backwards and instead he rocked forward and, somehow, his hand landed on some hot sand! I felt really bad but luckily it didn't burn him. It just. . . surprised him. And luckily he had just put the fire out so no flames were involved. Just the remains.

So then we packed up and started headed back down. It was so much fun. But it wasn't over yet.

So on the way back to Aeneas (the car) this white truck comes flying super fast down the mountain. So then Matt says, "was their door open?"

So then just a few minutes later we see their car pulled off to the side and this guy starts waving us down. So Matt rolls down his window and this guy walks up to the window and says, "Y'all got any jumper cables?"

Matt did so he steps out of the car (and then I locked the doors Dad. Don't worry) and helps these guys jump start their car. So while this is happening they start telling Matt their whole story.

Turns out their battery had died. So they were going super fast because they were coasting down the mountain and their door was open because the guy was standing out of the car shining a super small flashlight on the road to see where they were going because their head lights went out. Can you say billies from the hill?

So from the, "Ya'll got any jumper cables," to the guy standing out of the car shining a flashlight on the road, Mikey and I almost pee'd our pants form laughing so hard. It was the best, most random way to end the night. We joke about it all the time and  people just look at us like we are so lame. But that's ok because if you were there you would be laughing too.

It was crazy but I am definitely lookin forward to what other crazy adventures the three of us will encounter.

The Follow-Up.

So a couple of weeks ago Kate went back to the dentist to get her first filling! We weren't really too sure how well Kate was going to react to the numbness or the pain if any. So Corinne took the morning off and took her to the dentist.

However, apparently she did extremely well.

She did super good through all her prep and by the time the dentist was ready to come in and start drilling, 

Kate was all smiles.

(The dentist drilling and doing a few last minute touches.)

So anyways, at first we thought it might have been a traumatic episode full of fit throwing and crying and just really bad, and I was hoping at some point she would just be tired and want to sleep or cuddle if anything; however, she was all over the place! You would have thought that someone gave her crack instead of the numbing medicine they give you. All day long she was hyper. She couldn't even take a nap after she got back form school! It was quite funny. Corinne and I were not prepared for this type of reaction. However I guess this was a much better reaction then the one we were expecting.

So Kate is doing great! We have been monitoring the amount of sugar and gummies she eats and got her some pink Barbie mouth wash that she looks forward to doing every time she brushes her teeth.

However Lynn and Gary are here and it has been a little more tricky to watch her sugar intake however I have decided that if she happens to get another cavity soon, we're blaming them.

Good-Bye Brendan. Oh Just Kidding.

So three weeks ago Brendan took a trip back to Cali. He stayed in San Diego for a few days for a conference and then drove back to Bakersfield to go on a hunting trip with a few of his friends (it was elk season). After hunting he was was then going to drive a U-Haul back to bring a few remaining items that were left in Bakersfield to Colorado.

So Brendan, Kate, myself, my friend Matt who I invited to come with me just to make sure I  for sure got back to the Springs from Denver because Brendan took the GPS and I had never driven to or from Denver, so I was taking all sorts of precautions.

So after Brendan loaded all his luggage and I loaded my purse with enough snacks and drinks for Kate that could have lasted her a week, we set off. It was a fun car ride; as well as pretty. The drive is full of gorgeous scenery.

So side note. Matt is in the Air Force. So he just recently got his A-2 Flight leather Jakcet. SUPER cool! So I found it in his car like a day after her got it and have pretty much been trying to plot a way to steal it when I leave in December. I think I look super cool and I feel like the girl from Top Gun. 

Don't you think? I love it. It just makes me happy and super warm. So after this picture Matt played with my camera and took a ton of candid pictures that was super fun to go through all of them (NOT); but among them there is this one of me texting and I only put it on because Alexis and Adam like to take pictures of me texting and do it as often as they can. 

So here is another one we can add to the collection.

(Don't you just the jacket! I'm in love.)

So anyways, we unloaded,

said our very sad good-bye's, (Kate was extremely sad),

and then he was off.

So while Brendan has been gone Corinne's parents Lynn and Gary came out because they wanted to be here for Halloween, and wanted to do a small Thanksgiving dinner, and work in a little bit of Christmas too since they won't be back out here til next Spring. So it has been fun with them here. They are just so funny.

So here is the twist. (the "just kidding" part). So Brendan wasn't suppose to return until this Thurday, Friday the latest. However, he decided to fly home a whole three or four days early instead of drive home. So that meant I had to drive to Denver International Airport today. All by myself. So today, for the first time, I drove all the way to Denver International Airport. All by myself! And I did! No one was with me, and I didn't use a GPS, I didn't look it up on Map Quest or Google Maps, and Matt didn't go. So yeah. I pretty much feel SUPER cool and accomplished knowing that I got there all by myself.

So we are so glad that Brendan is back and then he had a good time on his trip. He was able to see friends, his family as well as mine! Alexis and my mom passed through LA when he was there with his brother so they were able to talk for a while.

Anyways, we just missed him and are so happy he is back! Especially Cammy.

Craziness!

Sorry. This is another picture-less post.

So the past few weeks have been, well, crazy. So lets start with two Sundays ago. 

The missionariess came up to me and asked me if I could kinda of watch out for this less active YSA, Heath, so he doesn't feel so alone. So I was like, um, sure. I guess. No problem. Whatever. So I went to class and kinda asked him how he was doing and how his week went, you know the usual, typical questions you ask someone you haven't seen in a while. 

So anyways, the next day, they came over to talk to Brendan but he was just leaving so instead they just started asking me questions about myself and how long I was planning on hanging around. So after about five or ten minutes of interrogation, they asked if I could go teaching with them. (insert that sound of scratching a disc and stopping the music because i'm pretty sure that is what I heard.) So then I was like, um sure? I guess? Secretly, I was trying not to pee. So I got invited the hang out with the missionaries.

So the next night, Tuesday night, I am cooking dinner, probably singing, acting like I am Julie Andrews or Rachel Berry, everything is just going just swell, and then I get a phone call. It was a '719' number which means it's a Colorado number so I didn't really know what was going to happen. So I answer my phone and here is the conversation:

Me: "Hello."

Mystery Caller:"Is this Ashlynn?"

Me:Ah, yes. This is Ashlynn.

Mystery Caller:Hi Ashlynn. This is Josh Paige"

Me:"Oh. Hello Josh Paige. How are you doing?"

Josh Paige:"Oh. I'm doing good. How are you doing?"

Me:"Oh, well I'm doing good, thanks."

Josh Paige (Josh Paige by the way is the Bobby Ray look-a-like who I have really only talked to like three times maybe.):"Good. I hope you don't mind I got your number from my dad." 

(And I should mention that his dad just got called to be the bishop.)

Me:"Oh no. That's totally fine." 

(It's not like it's on the ward web-site or anything, but whatever.)

Josh Paige:"So you know how I volunteered to give the lesson on Sunday [in the YSA Sunday School class]?"

Me:"Yes?" 

(At this point, I'm having ideas as to why Josh Paige is calling me.)

Josh Paige:"Well, I just got called in to work on Sunday and won't be able to teach anymore, and so we were talking about it at dinner and my dad [the new bishop] thought that maybe you would be able to sub for me."

(insert the record scratching, music stopping sound)

Me:"Ohhhh, Haaa. Ha ha. Ah-ho, Josh Paige."

Josh Paige."I know! I'm sorry. I feel really bad. If it's too much or you don't want too don't worry about it. I can see if maybe they can go into the adult class if it's too much. I am so sorry. I feel really bad."

Me: Ohhhh. Haaa. Ha ha. Ah-ho, Josh Paige. Well not gonna lie. Not what I was expecting."

Josh Paige:"Ha ha. I know. I'm sorry."

Me:"Oh no. It's ok. Its not your fault. Well I mean you didn't plan on having to work. But, um, no. I think that should be fine. I can teach for you."

Josh Paige:"Are you sure? I feel bad and you don't have too if you don't want too."

Me: "Um no. It'll be fine. It's ok. Really."

Josh Paige:"Really? Are you sure?"

Me (by now I was trying to hide the panic in my voice and the fact that a little part of me wanted to pass out):"Yeah. No. Really, it's ok. For you Josh Paige, I can teach on Sunday."

Josh Paige: Now laughing. "Aw Thanks Ashlynn. You're awesome. Thank you so much."

Me in my mind:"I know, right?."

The rest of the conversation pretty much consisted of him telling me what lesson we were on and then asking for my hand in marriage. Ha ha. Just kidding. But yeah. Wanted to pass out a little.

So then I ended up going out with the missionaries on Thursday which wasn't as bad as I thought as I thought it might be. Not because I didn't want to be there I just didn't want to say the wrong thing or something along those lines. I didn't really have to talk a lot, which was nice for everyone, and we talking about the Tree of Life so it wasn't too bad.
So then I taught on Sunday and it actually went pretty well. Josh sent thank you cookies which was way great because I was in need of some chocolate to help calm the nerves. But I forewarned them that the only other time I taught was the sunbeams for three weeks and all we really did was color pictures and eat goldfish; however it ended up going well so I was just thankful for that.

So then on Monday. I get a text from the bishop's secretary, or clerk(?, whoever makes the appointments) saying that the bishop would like to meet with me. I figured it was a meet 'n greet because he was new and I am new(ish). So I went in Tuesday night for my meet 'n greet which was pretty much talking about my family, and my current plans, and my future plans for school, and ended up walking out as one of the YSA Sunday School teachers (once again, insert the record scratching, music stopping). Yeah. Wasn't expecting that one either. I'll be team teaching with Josh and maybe one other person and we'll just rotate but. Whoa! I definitely made a chocolate run that night.

So I am kinda nervous just because I am the youngest person in the class and don't really have any life experiences besides making brownies and eating chocolate. But I just have had this quote going through my head a lot since then that, "the Lord doesn't called those who are qualified, but qualifies us through our callings."

And it's only for a few months so hopefully I don't do any serious damage or turn someone completely inactive; but if I do I won't be here to see it so sorry about that. But anyways blog. These have been the latest grey hairs on my head.

The Snow Day

So this past weekend was a pretty big weekend. Oh Friday Kate went to the dentist. She got her x-rays taken for the first time and get a cleaning. She loved it. The x-rays at some points were a little uncomfortable but she was a trooper. 

Then Friday night I went roller skating just to prove to everyone that I really can not skate. (Thanks Alexis for that mental scaring). However I did fall a few times and lost my balance, I did surprisingly well. Not Michelle Quan or anything (yet) but not as bad as I was expecting. And almost a week later here is what still remains. 

I'd say it's healing pretty quickly. I was almost gonna take pictures the day after when it looks like I got thrown down a flight of stairs but it was kinda gross so I didn't. 

So really this is the best part I've been wanting to post about. We all woke up on Saturday and found out that it had snowed! I was SO excited! Surprisingly. I thought I might have been scared because my wardrobe it not totally made for the snow but I wasn't. So Kate and I quickly through on some clothes and went out side to play. It was so much fun.

This is what the cars looked like.

The front yard.

The front porch.

One side of the back yard and the some of the neighbors.

So this is what Kate looked like. It was so cute. She reminded me of the little brother on "The Christmas Story" who can't put his arms down mixed with a pink ewok from "Star Wars". She just did and I loved it. 

So this is me pegging Kate in the chest with a snow ball. Luckily Corinne had perfect timing. It was quite funny. Just so everyone knows, I more like tossed it at her instead of full on throwing it at her just so everyone doesn't think I am totally abusive.

So after we through a few snow balls at each other  Kate said that she wanted to make a snowman. So I was all for that. 

However like 45 seconds into actually making it I noticed that Kate had left to do other things like. . .

making snow angels. 

Yeah. She didn't last very long doing the manual labor thing but luckily I'm a Mexican so it all worked out.

So after we played for a little bit longer we got kinda cold and we all came in for some hot chocolate with marshmallows! It was like something people would do on a movie.

As I am drinking my hot chocolate I happen to look over at the right time and notice that Kate was just laying on the floor. She wasn't sleeping or anything but I think she was just a little overwhelmed from all the excitement.

We had to rearrange our plans for the day due to the snow and because parts of the high way were closed so after doing that, Kate and I decided that we would go back outside and play some more before the sun came out. So I started helping put Kate into her suit. It was funny.

Putting her suit on.

Now putting her shoes on.

The first thing we did was makes some more snow angels since the snow was pretty smooth.

This is my outfit that I wore. Mom wasn't to surprised that I matched. I had been saving up all my sets of three, (a hat, scarf, and gloves) my whole life for this very day. I had about four layers on top that all coordinated with my set too.

So then Kate decided she wanted to throw some more snow balls so then I suggested that we make a fort for her to hide behind. Silly me forget that Kate is more of a supervisor. So then I decided to build an igloo instead. And I was almost done too! But then as the sun came out and I somehow hit the top of it funny and the whole roof collapsed. I'm pretty sure I heard it laugh, and mock me on the way down.

This was what was left still standing.

It would have been a legitimate first igloo too. It was long enough that Kate could have backed up into it, or Lola could have used it as a little winter house. (Lola is our little chiuaua/dotson mix. Not very big.)

Sad day.

So after the sun came out and we came in Brendan thought it would be cool to go look at Garden of the Gods again. So we went up a little higher to look at the peak and I thought I would take pictures at a much better, prettier angle of the kissing camels.

But one of the coolest things of the day was the peak. It just sat in a big cloud.

I thought it was so pretty.

Brendan thought I could probably get some cool planking pictures, but there wasn't anyplace that I liked. However I then remember Kelsie told me that planking was totally out and owling was the new thing. So for Kelsie, 

I thought I would give it a try. I kinda like it.

The Golden Triad

So I don't know if you remember our good friends Joe and Desi Ross? I don't know if I have have talked about them yet but they were our friends who we went to the renaissance fair with. So anyways, this past weekend they moved houses from Parker, CO to Aurora, CO. So I think I had the best part of the job. While they moved and labored and packed and what not, I was on "kid duty" which pretty much meant to keep them occupied while Corinne, Brendan, and Desi (Joe is currently deployed so he missed this crazy venture) did all the things that they needed to do without having to worry about the little kids running around. 

So first we loaded all the kids up and I took them to the new house and we played there a little while.

From left to right: Barrett, 3; Rogan 4; and Princess Kate 4 going on 14.

It of course was empty for the most part so we played hide-n-seek, then they ate some chicken nuggets, then decided to watch Alvin and the Chipmunks on the laptop.

It was pretty cute. Kate had her sleeping bag and the boys brought their pillows and blankets so they all gathered around the laptop and laid on the floor.

As the loading trucks started getting closer we loaded up back into the car and all went to the park so they weren't running around while they unloaded and moved all of the heavy objects. We played for a while and then they got kind of tired and decided to take a break and have some juice and a small snack. 

After we were ready to leave the park everyone at home was still unloading the trucks so then Desi and Corinne just said that if I just drove around they would go to sleep and guess what. . .

they did. It was really funny to watch them all just slowly fade out. So I drove around for a while and they all went to sleep I was told I could get me a treat so when they all tapped out I got a Wendy's frosty as a "job well done" treat because really, it was. 

So after about two and a half hours we headed back home and played there with all the toys in the play room that had been unloaded. So finally after a few minutes of nagging, Rogan convinced me to build a track for his train. So for missing a few pieces and 45 minutes later, I think Thomas the Tank would be pretty impressed with my mini version of Sodor.

After dinner, the kids and I rough-housed for a little bit and played more hike-n-seek (because now there where lots of boxes which upped the intensity).

So then Desi started taking some pictures of the kids and so she could send them to Joe; so naturally I gave her my camera and asked her to take a few for me for the blog and to help me remember how much I enjoy my job.

However because they are 4 and younger this is the best one I got.