It's a ZOO out there...

What a great time to go to the zoo! In case you have not heard.... It is baby time at Hogle Zoo.
The main attraction is ZURI, the most adorable & playful elephant. She was born 8/10/09 weighing a mere 251lbs and 36 inches tall!

Off to the giraffes. Guess what? A sweet "big" baby! Here is a pic of a giraffe doing something I have never seen. He kept slipping... I was so afraid he was going to snap one of those long legs in half.

Sweet "baby" 7 feet tall. Mom is 16 feet tall. Beautiful creatures!

Then off to the cats. My favorite was the snow leopard and her cub. I was so in love I forgot to take a picture( here is one courtesy of Utah's Hogle Zoo website :).

While I was wondering if I could take the baby snow leopard home, Sam snapped these pics of momma tiger and one of her three cubs.

Baby did not enjoy having its picture taken!

We got the biggest kick out of this squirrel storing up at one of the many bird feeders . Smart guy figured how to get from the tree, and sort through finding all the sunflower seeds.

Star Wars Halloween...

Well, after countless hours of questioning and a blog poll, Ashlyn chose to be Padme'. Sorry to all of you that voted for Cleopatra, but this girl loves her Star Wars.
Dobie, on the other hand, did not enjoy being an Ewok

Protecting the universe and shooting a zombie.

FriGHtFuL FeAsT....

Mummy Meatloaf...
Vampire Blood...


Witches Teeth & Mashed Potato Ghost's...



Skeleton Bones....
Graveyard Dirt...

This is my attempt. I wanted to do something fun for Halloween dinner. After a LONG google search, this is what I came up with. I just wish my planning included a much better estimation of how much time the meal would actually take to prepare. (I am amazed what a little "Focus" can do to ones energy, thus speedy cooking.) The meal was ready WAY before Sam and Ash finished visiting the grandparents. In return the bones were quite brittle and the mummy was petrifying in the oven.... Oh,well! A girl can try...

It's a parade...

Someone loves everyone cheering for her!!!!

Ashlyn and Mrs. Kuhni
Grandma & Grandpa

We love going to the Halloween parade...

Great way to get excited for HALLOWEEN!

Us...by Sam....

Ashlyn's creation....Great use of the "whole pumpkin". More pumpkins should have horns!

The final product. Sam is so very talented.

His carpal tunnel and eczema are acting up, yet he worked through the pain

HE IS AWESOME!

For more of Sam's great work in the past go HERE ... http://blackham3.blogspot.com/2008/10/talent.html

I can't resist...

More...

A sneak peek!

Can you believe those eyes!!! I LOVE her EYES!!! No lipstick on those lips, my friends...just her natural beauty, and a bit of Chap stick! Thanks to my cousin Jess White of Bliss Portraits! I cannot wait to see the rest!!!!
I have never been more blessed in my life... I thank God everyday for the opportunity to raise such an amazing and beautiful daughter.

You get to vote...

After many intense online searches made by one indecisive eight year old girl... Ashlyn has asked that you, our family and friends, vote on her attire for HALLOWEEN! Your choices are......(drum roll please)

Cleopatra,
Plutarch indicates that "her beauty, as we are told, was in itself not altogether incomparable, nor such as to strike those who saw her."Rather, what ultimately made Cleopatra attractive were her wit, charm and "sweetness in the tones of her voice."
Elphaba,
(nickname Elphie) the green girl who becomes the Wicked Witch of the West
In both the novel and musical, Elphaba is the intense, broody, smart heroine who often carries a sense of burden of her oddness.

Padmé Amidala,
Is depicted in Star Wars fiction as beautiful and graceful. In Cloak of Deception, she is described as having "a slight figure and a lovely, feminine face. She was remarkably solemn for one so young. She took her responsibilities with the utmost seriousness."
Now you have all the details, and Ash is trusting all of you to make the right decision. You may leave your vote in a message, or vote on the poll to the right!!!

Happy Birthday to...ME!

I am blogging my birthday because i will no longer be having them...I will forever stay...36. That really hurts to say out loud. I am in morning a little. It is hard knowing i am closer to the big 4-0 than 30! My dad told me once that he loved his forty's. Not so sure...i will just experience them as a 36 year old.

Thanks to all my friends and family for the phone calls, text's, Facebook wishes, and gifts!

My great friends sent this cake to work. Susan Fox is the best! Thanks girls!

(ps. I blogged our June mesquite trip...keep scrolling down)

Proud to be an American...

Our fourth of July was PACKED with fun!

We started our day as we do every 4th...

getting up at dawns early light...

5:30 to be exact. I love hot air balloons on the 4th of July.

This was the 25th year of the Freedom Festival balloons. I remember as a child hearing the announcer from our home on Grandview and running out to our deck to watch the balloons fly over the house.




Annual breakfast...

The Parade...

Grandma Blackham was in the parade!


Then off to the Porter's party...
Great BBQ!

A beautiful memorial for Don...not a dry eye in the house.

Water games...

Ashlyn going down!

Ashlyn LOVED the dunk tank.{we just noticed huge bruises on her legs from being dunked too many times!}

After a FULL day of activities, we still had one more place to go...

Stadium of Fire, featuring the Jonas Brothers and SHeDAISY. Oh, and don't forget the world award winning FIREWORKS!

Watching for KEVIN JONAS!!!!{Ash's favorite}





I have to admit...I really like the Jonas Bros music.
Sam is also now a closet Jonas fan... shhh... don't tell anyone ;)

The whole gang.

F-16's. The Pilots were just back from Afghanistan.

Lacie and Chase

It ended up being 18 hours of a great fourth of July!

Happy Birthday America. I am so proud to call you my HOME.

HOME of the FREE, HOME of the BRAVE!

Loss of a LEGEND...

(This was my favorite poster that hung lovingly on my wall)

I am a product of the 80's, and I LOVED Michael Jackson. I am saddened that the world has lost an amazing dancer, song writer, singer and humanitarian. Although, my love has faded over the years, my heart still hurts. I hope we can all remember him for all the good he did and the legacy he will leave behind. He IS the KING of POP, and also my first crush! (sorry dad-I know how much you despised his posters on my wall)

I made a play list of a few of my fave MJ songs. I challenge you to sit back, listen and not sing or dance...not at all possible :)

Summa time...

Our annual Mesquite trip...

Checked on Mom and Dad's Winter home.


The girls watched...

Seriously, bawled like a baby.

(Cried harder during UP than My Sisters Keeper!)

The boys watched...

Great time at the pool party....How low can YOU go?

Ash wearing her Limbo prize!

So happy the entire family could go this year!

Many lives...

She is a fighter!

I am not sure how many lives she has left...

Moab...

Sunday, we had the pleasure of taking Morgan back to Moab. She has been guiding whitewater rafting trips in Moab, for World Wide River. We did not "plan" on taking a 24 hour trip to Moab, or any trip for that matter... We ended up having a great time. I had never been to that part of Utah. I am hooked. What a cool town! I could live in such a town (if they only had a Target.) I am making "plans" to go back to do more hiking and take a tour with Morgan down the river! We left on Sunday around 4:30 pm... dropped Morgan off about 8-8:30... searched for a hotel... to bed around 10:00... up at 7am... breakfast... rock/fossil shop for our little "rock hound"... Arches national park at 9am... hiked and awed until 12pm... then back home... jiggity, jig! We arrived back home 4:00pm Monday. Wow! Crazy, yet fun. Very spontaneous. I am a "planner" and have not done something like this in a long time, OR, maybe never. I was so worried about having everything for everyone (we had about one hours notice), I forgot my own jammies! But, don't you fret. I did not forget the camera, or two outfits for Ashlyn (will it be cold? will it be hot?)

Even though we were worrying about Sybelle the entire time, we are glad we could help out and see beautiful Moab at the same time!

It's GREAT to be 8!!!

Today, our darling daughter was baptized.

The program was beautiful, and so very spiritual.

Thanks to the wonderful speakers, and musicians.

My Dad spoke so lovingly about Ashlyn and her new BFF, the Holy Ghost.

Sybelle, shared such sweet feelings about baptism.

Morgan and Sam Sr. shared a beautiful musical number, a Child's Prayer...

We are blessed to have so many family and friends who support Ashlyn, in her decision to become a member of the

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Words cannot express...

How much we love her, and how proud we are of her!

We love Ashlyn's innocence.

Ashlyn is an amazing girl...so insightful, thoughtful, and loving.

We are so lucky to be her parents!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A few memories, I would like to share...

*** Just before the program Ashlyn commented on how this would be the "best day of my life!"
***After she was baptized, as she was drying off, she said..."Look, I am all clean...and ALL CLEAN!"

Ashlyn's program cover...Thanks to Sam, her program was beautiful!

Thanks to my Mom, we had a wonderful luncheon afterwards.

The sunset on her "best day ever!"

Summer has begun...

The last day of school...

DANCE FESTIVAL!!!

The entire school performs on the last day of school.

The second grade performed a dance to the cutest montage of snowman songs.

Thanks to Julie...The song they danced to is playing...

The melting snowmen...

I would have posted a video, had I not messed up and pushed pause instead of play. Oops. I have officially been banned from the camcorder. Thank goodness my hubby is a great photographer!

Ash with Mrs. Thurgood

The cutest teacher with the cutest kid
Thanks to everyone{Grandma's and Pa's, Morgan, Lisa and Katie bug} for coming to support Ashlyn moving on to the 3rd grade. WOW, another year flew by. Now i need to find something productive for us to do this summer. Or, shall i say... for Ashlyn to do!
Wish me luck.

WAY TO GO CHASE!!!

He did it...

We are so proud of you Chase!

PHS Class of 2009!

Now on to real life...Best of luck to you stud muffin...

Success means having the courage,

the determination,

and the will to become the person you believe you were meant to be.

~George Sheehan

Remembering...

Remembering...That is what Memorial day means to me.
Remembering those who have passed.
Those who have served our country.
Those who died for my freedom.
Those who fight everyday for our freedom...

This year we headed to Moroni and Mt. Pleasant with Sam, Sybelle, Sarah, and Morgan. Dad Blackham took us on the "trek" around the cemeteries. I appreciate the time he takes to learn more about his heritage so he can teach us. He had great stories to share with us. Sam made the comment about how Ashlyn was different this year. She is grown up and understood so much more about honoring those loved ones. She also was quite concerned about not being able to put flowers on all the "Blackham" graves. If you have ever been to the Moroni cemetery, every other grave seems to be a Blackham. So, she went along picking every dandelion and placing it on the "Blackham" graves. Running around saying"here's another Blackham". She is so cute, I love her thoughtfulness.



I am grateful we were able to spend time as a family remembering...

Another great movie...

Loved, loved, loved it!

Hilarious!

Laughed so hard i had tears!

Hank Azaira is so funny.

I am already making plans to go see it again.

Two thumbs up...WAY up!

Enchanted...

Ashlyn has been a part of the wonderful acting group, Up With Kids. Her class performed "Enchanted." Ashlyn's parts{which she chose} were: Celia(from Monsters Inc.), mouse and a bride. She did an exceptional job...even the president of Up With Kids commented on how well she did. Ashlyn is a natural drama queen, and has a memory like no other. She can recite talks she gave in church last year. Up With Kids is an acting/confidence building group. I am not so sure Ash needs the confidence building part...She is so secure in who she is, I could use some of her confidence. She takes her acting serious, and takes direction very well. I wish I could "direct" her so well...

Before the performance. In her Celia costume.

She was awarded the outstanding performer award from Miss Allison.

Ashlyn with Miss Allison

We are very blessed to have family close so they can share these experiences with us!

It's your birthday!!!

Any man can be a father,

but it takes a special person to be a DAD...

My dad is the best dad in the entire world. He is kind, selfless, loving, humble, generous, a great business man & a hard worker. I have often been told "you are just like your dad..." This is a compliment, a huge compliment. I love you daddy! Here's to many, many more birthdays.

Here are a few people who love you too..

My handsome nephew Chase...

Here are a few graduation pics Sam took of my nephew Chase.
There are many more. I will post them after graduation :)

True miracles...

“Love works in miracles every day: such as weakening the strong, and strengthening the weak; making fools of the wise, and wise men of fools; favouring the passions, destroying reason, and in a word, turning everything topsy-turvy.”
Marguerite De Valois
Working in the NICU has made me a bit of a fool...The last two days I had the privilege of taking care of a true miracle. I love having a new perspective on life, and my career. I am blessed...

BACK to school...

For both of us...

A WICKED Day 5...

DAY FIVE... WOW! What a great end to a fun spring break. We went to see Wicked. LOVED it!
Wicked is about a land where animals talk and strive to be treated like first-class citizens, Munchkinlanders seek the comfort of middle-class stability, and the Tin Man becomes a victim of domestic violence. And then there is the little green-skinned girl named Elphaba, who will grow up to become the infamous Wicked Witch of the West, a smart, prickly, and misunderstood creature who challenges all our preconceived notions about the nature of good and evil. I posted a few fave quotes in my words of wisdom.
Wicked was by far the BEST play I have ever seen. Totally appropriate for kids [ 4 and up] and the grown-ups loved it. I highly recommend seeing it. If you need someone to go with, I want to go again;) We loved it so much, we are thinking of planning a trip to L.A. to see it again.

We had great seats...The 2 1/2 hours FLEW by...

WE LOVE WICKED!

We are blessed to have had such a great weekend. Thanks for everything mom! Thank you Dad for watching D3{"dearest Momsie and Popsical"}. Sam and Sybelle for watching tink. And last but not least, LISA for having an "in" and getting us such great tickets!

Spring Break...Day 4

Off to Salt Lake City...

First stop.

If you have never eaten at Moochie's, it is an absolute MUST! These cheesesteak sandwiches are close to the real deal.

Then we were off to ...

WE PLAYED IN THE OCEAN...

Under the Sea 3D transported us to some of the most exotic and isolated undersea locations on Earth. Allowing us to experience face-to-face encounters with some of the most mysterious and stunning creatures of the sea.

I would pay to see it again if given the chance.

Ashlyn forecasted the weather...

Walked on the moon...

Went to mars...apparently turned into an alien;D

Went swimming at the Hilton . Ashlyn loves to swim. She could care less that we did not go to San Diego for spring break as planned. She loved our trip to SLC just as much... They have swimming pools in the hotels. That is what matters the most to our little fishy!

After swimming for a few hours we went to eat...

Great gourmet burgers. Fun modern place.

I loved that we did things out of our "norm".

After dinner we picked up dessert at PF Chang's{great wall of chocolate- yum!} went back to the hotel, dived into dessert then, dived into the POOL again!
Great Spring Break day 4!!!

Spring BREAK...Day 3!

CLEANING!

Hey...It can't be all fun ;p
Notice...no toys on the floor! Yippee!
Getting ready for a yard sale or D.I. One of the two.


Forecast

Today
Mostly Cloudy
High 57°
Low 38°

Tomorrow
Partly Sunny
High 60°
Low 42°

Sunday
Mostly Sunny
High 67°
Low 46°

Monday
Mostly Sunny
High 72°
Low 49°

Tuesday
Mostly Sunny
High 76°
Low 50

76*. Can you believe it? Too bad it is one week late...

SpRinG BrEAk...Day 2

What a great day...despite waking up to 8" of snow.

Welcome to "SPRING" in good ol' Utah.

I think this photo says it all. One half winter one half spring.

{this photo was taken in snowless Sandy}

We started our day at the Living Planet Aquarium in Sandy. The girls had a great time...

{what a cute group of girls}

After soaking themselves in the Stingray pond...

We HAD to get new shirts at the new Nordstrom Rack.

After our unexpected shopping trip, we attempted to go to lunch at the Mayan...No such luck.

Closed for lunch.

We headed to T.G.I.Fridays. Had fun & ate way too much!

After lunch, we ended our day at Jordan Commons megaplex...

Great movie!

{a little more violent than i expected}

We had another great day with our great friends!

Bring on Spring break days 3-5, and the sun that has been promised to me :p

Enjoyin' Spring break..Day1

What to do on a miserable snowy first day of spring break?
Answer: Get pampered...
I HAD to get my haircut and Ash needed a trim, so we ended up at Season's Day spa. I have had my appointment for 4 weeks. I felt a little guilty about scheduling an appointment on the first day of spring break. However, this girl is so good you schedule around her, not vice versa. When I woke up this morning I was faced with the dilemma of... What to do with the child home from school? So, I called and got her a last minute appointment. While I was having the newest grey covered, Ash was totally pampered. She loved every minute if it. She even talked all of us into cutting bangs. This is a HUGE deal for both of us. Don't get me wrong...I love bangs on kids...just not on the kid who hates things on her face! This ought to be interesting. She feels so grown up, and now really looks 12 not 8. I finished up my with my hair, then was off to some much needed waxing when I found Ashlyn surrounded by spa workers who were trying to convince me "this girl needs more pampering". Ashlyn was really into this spa thing at this point and was asking for all kinds of treatments. So, we settled on "twinkle toes"

The pampering comes to an end...

Results....Darling twinkle toes! The result....Happy Mom...Happy Daughter!We had a great afternoon. We both look great and feel great too.

Bring on day two!