Taco Soup!

I am so glad that you all enjoyed my Taco Soup. Here is the recipe.

Taco Soup

1 lb ground beef
3 TBSP dehydrated chopped onions
1 15 oz can pinto beans-undrained
1 15 oz can corn-undrained
1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes
1 4.5 oz can chopped chili's-undrained
1 envelope of your favorite Taco Seasoning
2 cups water

In a large kettle brown the ground beef and the chopped onion until no longer pink. Add the pinto beans, corn, diced tomatoes and chopped chili's (do not drain the water from the cans dump everything in don't be shy!). Add an envelope of taco seasoning and 2 cups water. Bring to a boil reduce heat and simmer for 20-30 min. If the soup looks like it is too thick add more water.

If you would like you can add desired amount of grated cheese, and tortilla chips to your bowl

Just Dance !!

Mindy at her Christmas dance recital.

In The Bleak Mid-Winter

Is is just me, or is she the cutiest kid you have ever seen?

Earlier that day she told a joke at her Kindergarten Christmas program.

(Mindy) Why is it so cold at Christmas?
(Chase) I don't know, why is it so cold at Christmas?
(Mindy) Because it's December!

Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha

Rumors?

Since my Ambulance adventure the question has been asked and rumors report that I might be Pregnant. I would like to answer this question:

NO!

Brian and I are not ready to have another child we have weighed the pros and cons of the issue and at this time we have decided it is not the right time.

Pros-

1. Children are a blessing.
2. Babies are cute.
3. Tax deductible.

Cons-

1.Internal organs are still recovering from Mindy, Josh and cryptosporidium.
2. Nine months in the womb. (see #1)
3. Gestational diabetes.
4. No cream soda and chocolate covered pretzels because of the diabetes. (see #3)
5. Delivery.
6. Feedings at all hours of the night.
7. X amount of years worth of diapers.
8. Joshua the Destroyer. (I can't take my eye of that boy!!!!!)


Now this does not mean that we are done and don't want anymore kids. This just means that I am not physically or mentally ready for another child.

For any of you that has ever had a child that gets into everything, you will understand that I cannot take care of an infant while making sure that Josh is not sitting on top of the refrigerator, swinging from the chandelier in the kitchen, or spilling a 10 lb bag of sugar on the floor because he wanted to play in the sand (and sugar looks like sand. Right?)

So for now the cons definitely out weigh the pros.

I got to ride in an ambulance!!

Monday December 8, 2008 will go down in Ashton family history as a day that NO ONE will ever let me forget!

I must go back however to Wednesday December 3, 2008. I went to one of my doctors, who prescribed me a new medication. OK, I filled it and took my first dose on Thursday December 4, 2008. (Happy Birthday MOM!). OK, OK, now we have to go back further. Tuesday November 24, 2008 I was at my ballet class (HA, HA, HA, for any of you that need to laugh it off, take this moment to do so.) I injured my leg and it left a very odd and funky bruise. I promise this story is going somewhere?

So we return to December 4, 2008 (Happy Birthday MOM!) I took my newly prescribed medication and set up a different Dr. appt for 1:30 that afternoon because my leg was still bothering me. When I got to the Dr. office my blood pressure was too high and my heart rate was too fast and the bruise on my leg looked suspiciously like a possible blood clot, so my Dr. sent me to the hospital for an ultrasound of my leg and a chest x-ray. The tests were negative for blood clots, but the chest x-ray did show an inflammation of the lungs. The ER Dr. diagnosed me with Pleurisy. (I had never heard of it either but many famous people of the 1800 died of it, like Benjamin Franklin. Who knew?) The ER Dr. told me to go home and rest over the weekend and that I should be fine by Monday. WHATEVER!!! By Monday December 8, 2008 I was in such bad condition that my sweet, kind mother in law came to help me with the kids and stayed until about approximately 3PM.

Here is where it gets interesting, Mindy came home from school and I sat Mindy and Josh at the kitchen table and gave them gingerbread (remember the gingerbread it's one of the best parts)and milk for a snack. Then I remember setting out Mindy's homework and sharpening a pencil. Then it starts to get a little foggy, because after that I only remember bits and pieces. I went, OK I ran, down the stairs to quickly change the laundry, but when I got down there I felt like I couldn't breathe and so I came back upstairs and called my Dr. His nurse said that I needed to go back to the ER, so I started packing up a diaper bag and then I really couldn't breathe. Sooooooooo I panicked and started hyperventilating and my right arm started to go numb so I called my brother in law Noel and told him that I couldn't breathe and he gave the phone to my sister Katy (who is not married to Noel she was just there at the time. Stay with me!) She didn't like the way I was sounding on the phone so she told me to call 911, so I did. I remember telling Mindy to go and get Mike or Brenda my neighbors across the street. She did as she was told.....almost. She first told Aurora, her best friend and Mike and Brenda's daughter, who answered the door. Luckily Mike overheard the conversation between the two little girls and ran over to my house to assist in helping me. The paramedics came and took my vital signs and prepared me for transport. I had NO idea until they took me outside to put me in the ambulance that a fire truck and 2 ambulances came to my rescue. My neighbors said they were relieved when they saw that I was smiling when they put me in. (out of embarrassment). Off to the hospital I went. They did all kinds of blood tests, x-rays and a CAT scan and told me that I am a very health person. However my resting heart rate was 99 and my blood pressure was 140/90 and I still felt like I could not catch my breath. The ER Dr. went ahead with the Pleurisy diagnosis and sent me home. When we got home we found that our cat had eaten the gingerbread and threw up all over our house. (YES! ALL OVER)

On December 9, 2008 my mother watched my kids and my mother-in-law drove me to my Dr. appt. Not believing the Pleurisy diagnosis and me being in very BAD shape, he made me go over every detail of what happened since the symptoms started. And guess what? I was having a reaction to the medication that was given to me on my first Dr. appt on Wednesday December 3, 2008.

I would like to thank Mike and Brenda for all the help that they gave me and taking care of my kids. And would like to thank Katy and Amy for come and getting my kids and comforting them so they would not be scared. And my mom and dad and Ron and Vicki for coming to comfort me while in the hospital. Thank you to My mom and Amy for taking my kids through the night so I could get some rest and my Mom and Vicki for the help they provided for me on Tuesday. Thank you to all of my concerned neighbors and friends and everyone that has brought us a meal or cookies. Thank you all so much!

Emily

Kitty Kitty.

Well I usually try to blog a least once a week, It gives me a chance to gab to thin air. However lately I have been busy. You see my cat Tiger my faithful companion that never left my side through the foot surgeries and the crypto and the gallbladder surgery, kept me company while I was recovering. I remember many times being in pain and he come and lay right next to me and I would pet him and it would make me feel better it would take the pain away.

He was acting funny about a week ago like maybe he had eaten something that he shouldn't have. He was sick to his stomach and was lazier than usual. I took him to the Vet and to my surprise it was not what I had expected. All of you that have a cat should know what I didn't.

Tiger was diagnosed with FIP (Feline Infectious Peritonitits) it is fatal disease that effects only cat by the progression of the disease he was either born with it or was infected with it at the shelter. Animal shelters are were they usually get it but is very contagious and your cat can be infected by drinking out of an infected cats water dish, coming in contact with an infected cats liter box or just playing with an infected cat.

Right now he seems to be OK, he is on an oral antibiotic with is clearing up the infection in his intestinal tract. However he will always be sick he will never get better fluid will continue to fill his abdomen and then his lungs until it is difficult for him to breathe. We will at that time put him to sleep.

So my wish for this Christmas, when I look under my tree this is what I would like to see.

JAWS!!!!

We finally named our snake. We thought Jaws was an appropriate name for the little guy!

Frosty Melted : (

Joshy's Frosty the Snowman melted in the rain yesterday, and is he still mourning the lost of his snow friend. I told him that it would snow again and we would be able to build a new one. He is not convinced.

As the song says "as he waved goodbye, saying don't you cry. I'll be back again someday."

GO UTES!!!!

The University of Utah beat TCU last night 13 to 10, earlier in the day Josh me made a snowman. Notice the red scarf and the U of U beanie. (I am pretty sure we helped the U of U win by building this snowman.

Happy Halloween!

Josh as Superman!

Mindy as the Glitter Witch!

I am the "Eye Ball Witch"

Trunker Treat Anybody!!

Frightmare's at Lagoon

Here I am Hangin' Around at Lagoon!!

Josh and Mindy on the Carousel!

MAMA T!

Mama T was delivered yesterday. My dad says that she is beautiful. She is white with black spots. My kids can't wait to see her. Mindy is excited because she can't wait to go to a horse race, she wants a fancy hat just like the other ladies wear. She wants hers to be Pink with Pink feathers. I want a Red hat for obvious reasons Red is for winners blue is for losers!

I can't wait to see her I will take a picture and post it asap!!

Emily

What! A Horse?

My Dad bought a race horse. Yes you read right a race horse! He decided that he needed a hobby so he is going to breed race horses. She will be delivered today to a stable in Draper. I will take a picture with her to confirm that yes this is true.

It's Cold

We all knew that this day would come. When the seasons change and so does our wardrobe. So as we say goodbye to summer, let us not forget how much fun we had!!

Mindy's first dance recital

The 4th of July parade

Many fun times at Lagoon. (Nathan just getting off Wicked)!

Minnetonka cave

4th annual Ashton Family retreat on the beach at Bear Lake

So when it gets cold all I have to do is remember how warm is was sitting on the beach at Bear Lake.

Interests and Hobbies

Brian and I have been married for 10 years now, and have decided to explore our interest and hobbies we can do together and things we can do apart.

For instance I take a ballet class one night a week with my friend Brenda. He plays basketball with the guys one night a week.




I collect Barbie dolls. ( I know nice jams)

He has a pet snake!

OK I admit it I like the snake.

Together we are super University of Utah fans, we like to browse through book stores, pet stores and museums.

We don't get out alone too often, however the Redbox at our local Wal-Mart has seen a lot of business.

We love each other more than when we were first married, He is my best friend and I his.

Party like it's 2008

Today was a very fun, very busy day. We went to two birthday parties and brought home our new pet snake. "Happy Brithday Anica and Taya!!!"

Anica had her birthday party at Hollywood Connection. Mindy went roller-skating, miniature golfing and took a ride on the dragon roller coaster. What a fun time they had! Thanks Anica for inviting us!!

Taya had her birthday party at her house. Zippity Doo Da the clown painted all the kids faces, did magic tricks and made balloon animals. We had a great time! Thanks Taya for inviting us!!

A good time was had by all!!!

Kaden's Baby Blessing

Yesterday my baby sister Katy and her husband Rob blessed thier first born!! Baby Kaden. We are so happy to welcome him into our family. He is so cute I just want to hold him, hug him and kiss his little cheeks!!

Katy returns to work today and Rob will be having a full day of father son time (Good luck Rob I know you can do it!) Brian remembers when he had to watch Mindy when I went back to work. It was a great bonding experience for them. I think that is how she became a daddy's girl.

I love Katy, Rob and Kaden very much and am excited to watch thier little family grow.

Our Grand Adventure

Yesterday (Friday) we went on a 'Grand Adventure'. We took the kids to the Humane Society and to 6-7 pet stores. They had so much fun playing the the animals. Their favorite animals to pet/hold were the kittens and the snakes!!! They also got to pet some birds, mice, rabbits and hermit crabs. We looked at a lot of dogs, fish, lizards, frogs, turtles, spiders and hamsters. The kids really enjoyed themselves and asked if we could go to another pet store after we left each one.

That Darn Cat!!

This is Tiger. He has been a part of our family since June 2007. For the most part he is the most gentle, the most loving, and the most snugly cat you would ever meet.

Until last night he only had one fault. He wakes Brian up on the weekends at 6:00 am for his morning rubs (well I guess that is a fault in Brian's eyes). Last night Tiger felt that his litter box was not as clean as he would like it so he went wee wee on a blanket on my living room couch.

We are thankful for a product called Nature's Miracle Just for Cats. And because of Nature's Miracle it is a miracle the cat is still alive.

I love my cat very much! He sat at my bedside during the recovery from all of my surgeries. He really is a good cat!

Joshua and his hat

Josh likes to wear Mindy's winter hat all the time. He is very proud of it! He has three different baseball caps: Cars, Batman and Superman. But he prefers to wear a stocking cap that make him look like a member of the Women's Olympic synchronized swim team!!

Kindergarten Yay!!

	Mindy started Kindergarten on September 2. She was very excited mostly because she gets to ride the bus.
September 2, 2008 was also a landmark day for Brian and me. Our 10th wedding anniversary. I look back and cannot believe that it has really been 10 years.
Amazing !!