Flat Karlee

Karlee's 2nd grade class read the book, "Flat Stanley", about a child who is smashed flat and sends himself on a vacation in an envelope. They brought home a person made of paper to decorate and then had to send them off to some far away place for an adventure. When the "Flat" people came back to school they had lots of stories to tell. Karlee was really excited to send her "Flat Karlee" to Hawaii where my cousins, Joe and Paige Nemrow, live with their family. "Flat Karlee" was returned today and after seeing the pictures, I have to admit...I am contemplating flatening myself and sending myself on a little trip!

"Flat Karlee" went surfing and got to visit BYU-Hawaii! Karlee was really excited that "Flat Karlee" came back with sunglasses, a laie, and even her own surfboard!

I need to send a HUGE thank you to Paige for all the work she put into this! I knew that she would make it special for Karlee and I only wish she could have seen the smile on Karlee's face when she was telling me about it today. As a Mom, it was very special to see someone do something so meaningful for my baby! So, thank you so much to Paige, Andrew and Rebecca!! Welcome Home, Flat Karlee!

Run-a-Round!

This week was full of exciting events! Karlee and 4 of her friends participated in the school talent show. They have been practicing for weeks and I was so proud of how well they did! The five of them choreographed a dance, gymnastics, jump rope routine all by themselves! I thought it was so cute...but they were missing something...so I went out and found these matching High School Musical shirts for them (they did their routine to a High School Musical song). Shake your groove thing, girls!!


Rylee had another belt test in karate this week too! She was a little nervous, but did such a great job! She is now a white belt with a green stripe. She is not showing any signs of giving up on this activity! Don't worry though, she still insists on wearing bows and couldn't be more of a girl!

Jake had to fly out to Arizona for a day this week and we got to hang out at Chuck E. Cheese with the Clarks one evening. Last night we had a family pajama party and watched our new High School Musical 3 DVD together...even Aunt Brooke came over to party with us! We are keeping plenty busy and looking forward to a warm Spring on the way!

Nice Mask!

Tonight we had tacos for dinner, at the request of Karlee, and Spencer was more interested in the tortillas than anything else. He figured out tortillas make a better mask than dinner! Once he had his mask made...he was no longer interested in eating! Also, notice that Rylee and Audree are wearing their swimsuits...the high today was 39 degrees and I can't get those girls to keep their clothes on!! Happy Dinner!!

Snowed In!

Well...we weren't actually snowed in...but it would have been nice if we were!! This weekend was our annual trip to our friend's cabin in Heber. We are lucky to have friends who let the Nemrow crew take over their cabin for one weekend in the winter! It's the perfect escape with a hot tub, lots of snowmobiles, sledding hills galore and a warm fireplace inside!This year every member of the Nemrow family came up...even Brooke and the newest member of the family...Bristol!! Each time we go up the kids get a little older and the trip gets a little more fun! This year I personally went tubing down a cliff that should have killed me...but it was so fun and I am so sore!!

It's totally relaxing up there and I only wish the trip lasted a little longer...the kids have so much fun with their cousins and we drink more hot cocoa than should be humanely possible! There are hundreds of pics, but I think these 3 give you a good idea of what we were up to!

Professor Ashlee

Ok, I'm not a Professor, but I did give a lecture at BYU yesterday. I was asked by the teacher of a BYU Women's Entreprenurial (did I spell that right?) Class to come give a lecture on running my photography business. She found me through one of my recent advertisments. I was asked to discuss how I got started, how I run a business and continue to be a stay-at-home mom, and what advice I would give to someone who wanted to own their own business.

I was surprised that I was asked to do this...I personally think of my business as a hobby and was excited that someone outside of my house would find this venture successful enough to talk about. Anyways, my lecture lasted 50 minutes and I think it went well...I base that judgement purely on the fact that nobody was asleep during it! I was also excited to find out that previous speakers in this class included the owners of the Shade Shirt company...wow, I don't even WANT to be that successful!

Anyways, just one more interesting thing I did this week...I am looking forward to a totally mundane and predictable time with my kids next week. If you haven't been to my website, the address is

www.ashleeelizabethphoto.com

Jury Duty

The past 2 days have been some of the most interesting I have had in a long time. I arrived at the courthouse at 8:00 a.m. Monday morning (VERY early for me!) and went through a long process of jury selection. I thought for sure I would not be chosen because I admitted that I generally think people are guilty before I know the details of a case. I guess that wasn't controversial enough information, because by 1:00 that afternoon I was chosen to be on the jury for a domestic sexual assualt case.

The case lasted until 4:00 Tuesday afternoon...then the jury deliberations began. I was really nervous once the case was done and I realized the heavy duty I was about to embark on. It's such an interesting thing to be with 8 strangers and have to make a unanimous decision beyond a reasonable doubt. I was the youngest of the group and felt that each of us in the jury room had such unique and different backgrounds and perspectives. After we started our deliberations with a prayer (only in Utah County!) and got going it became clear that this wouldn't be an open/shut case. I have to admit that when I entered the deliberation room I really didn't know what I would do, I wasn't sure who to believe.

So, we all discussed the evidence and our feelings about the victim and the defendent and the witnesses. At about 5:30 we realized we weren't close to a decsision...we ordered dinner (the court covers the cost because you can't leave the room until you have reached a verdict). By 6:00 we had 7 of the 8 people convinced one way and we spent the next 2 1/2 hours talking and discussing until everyone in the room was totally on board with the verdict. By 8:30 we called the Judge and said we had finished our deliberations. By 9:00 the lawyers and everyone were back in the courtroom and our verdict was read..."The Jury has found the Defendent guilty of both charges". It was a difficult thing to be a part of. Certainly the victim wasn't an angel and the defendent was not a nice guy...it was a story that was difficult to believe...it made me realize the incredible blessings I have in my life. I am more grateful for a loving husband, happy children, great friends and a concerned family than I have ever been.

Go Jazz!!

On Saturday night Jake and I had a rare date night that lasted more than 2 hours!! We went to dinner with Jake's parents and then to a Jazz game with 14 of Jake's brother's and sisters (including spouses/friends). Even though the Jazz lost to the Cavs we had a GREAT time!

It really is so fun when we all get together...the more, the merrier! Thanks Jim and Judy for getting the tickets and thanks Brooke for watching the kids! I told Jake that since the Jazz lost this one...we will have to go to another one soon.