Day One Entry: Oct 29, 2018

Andrew's first written words to me

Andrew has been learning so many things in his kindergarten class. It surprises me how fast he is reading, writing, and doing math. It pleases me that he loves every minute of it. One of the points of emphasis is "sight" words. It is a list of words that the teachers want the kids to recognize instantly without having to sound the words out. I am sure they strategically pick some of the words as evidence by my experience with Andrew today. Andrew showed me the first thing he wrote in his new notebook he got today. "I love Dad." Melted my heart.

Spencer helps to do the dishes

Spencer and I hung out in the house while Wendy and the rest of the kids went to a special math program. So I did what I normally do at night "alone." I turned no a Netflix show and cleaned the kitchen. Spencer meanwhile entertained himself by coloring, playing with play dough, and (for the longest time) washing the dishes. Eventually it became to hard to wash from the stool so Spencer got a little closer to the action.

Ben

Oct 16, 2018 Lydia meets the Stuart’s

Lydia meets the Stuart's

We visited my parents house so Debbie and Dad could meet Lydia. Wendy says she likes to watch me at my parents because I seem more engaged and relaxed. I always enjoy visits with my parents. I do miss the more frequent contact we had when living in SLC. The boys had fun snuggling with grandpa. Amber initially startled Spencer but later he warmed up to her.

Learning about a State Trooper

When we stopped for lunch at the Subway in Jerome a state trooper came in and ate. As we headed out after eating, the state trooper asked if our kids liked police cars. He spent the next 45 minutes explaining his job to the boys and letting them use his tools.

Andrew got to sit in the driver seat of the car. He turned on the engine, used the megaphone, and turned on the lights and siren, Cameron watched but did not want to get into the car.

We all watched the lights turn on.

Andrew and Cameron got to use the stop and slow signs.

We watched the taser electricity go off.

Andrew tested the friction on the road.

46°F Clear
2 E Frontage Rd S, Jerome, ID, United States

Ben

The Boys meet Lydia

The Boys meet Lydia for the first time

Shhhh..baby!

Spencer enjoyed water

Spencer helping Lydia put on her hat

Spencer loves to help Lydia into her car seat

Race to the baby!

We get to take a sister home!

Spencer is excited to have a sister int he car seat next to him

Lydia Stuart joins the family

Lydia Stuart has joined us!

First order of business: pictures of the little one

Moments after birth

What is this outside thing?

Birth Story - by Ben

I took off work a week prior to the Lydia's due date. All three of Lydia's older brothers came roughly a week prior to their due dates so in my naivete I assumed that Lydia would follow suit. The "1 week prior to due date" passed without a birth, the following day passed, and the third day passed without a birth. Wendy's OB examined her and declared that the baby would not join us anytime soon and scheduled an induction for 2 days after Wendy's due date.

I felt slightly foolish for taking the time off before birth; however, the boys and Wendy loved having me around. The boys played with me, worked with me, and created a cardboard castle. The family even took a day trip to Medford on Thursday. Wendy did not have to cook meals and took many naps. After three days of me being home Wendy expressed that she felt so much more rested and now felt like she actually had the energy to have the baby.

Lydia took Wendy at her word and that night around 10:30 PM Wendy started to have contractions. At 12:30 AM Wendy came down to inform me, watching an Avenger's movie, that Lydia planned to join the family. I expressed delight...and went to bed.

At 4 AM Wendy woke me up, based on the timing and intensity of the contractions it was time to get ready to go to the hospital. Only one problem; all the people that we had arranged with to stay with the boys while we went to the hospital all were unavailable. Fortunately, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has a ministering program. We called Debra and Darrell Schofield, the couple who ministers to us, at 4:15 in the morning. Being the saints that they are; they immediately agreed to come over and watch the boys.

After they arrived Wendy and I "rushed" to the hospital; following all speed limits of course. Upon arrival the staff escorted us to the "triage" room to evaluate the labor's progression. Wendy had already dilated to 9.5 cm. They moved us immediately into the neighboring room, the resident OB never left the room, and the on-call OB hurriedly was called. Shortly after the on-call OB arrived he suggested breaking Wendy's water and the baby would be born. They broke Wendy's water at 6:00 AM and Lydia was born at 6:04 AM. All 7 lb 13 oz and and 21.25 inches of little girl. I joke with Wendy that it was the easiest labor ever...for me. All I had to do was drive her to the hospital.

I hung around for an hour to enjoy the little one; then rushed home to take care of the boys. We still had no babysitters available. I arrived home to find that the Schofields had dressed the boys, prayed with the boys, fed the boys breakfast, and had fed the cat. The boys actually did not need much taking care of; but were glad to find out they had a new little sister.

Elder Ashton and Sister Ashton return from their Argentina Mission

Elder Arden Ashton Jr. and Lorraine Ashton returned triumphantly home from their 18 month mission in Argentina on December 14th 2018.

Everyone arrives at the airport 

Getting ready to greet the missionaries

Cousin shenanigans while waiting

They are home!!!

Picking up the lime-green luggage

The kids are super happy 

to have Grandma and Grampa back

Jump for joy!

Post-Thanksgiving trip to Coos Bay Oregon with Marsha

I am still adjusting to having a "normal" schedule as opposed to a nurse's schedule. One of the schedule changes that I am getting used to is actually having every holiday off; as well as sometimes having "extra" days off being added. I did not realize until about 1-2 weeks before Thanksgiving that I would also have the day after Thanksgiving off. Wendy, as soon as she discovered this, booked us an Airbnb at Coos Bay, Oregon. We needed to visit the beach!

As you can see Coos Bay is not right next door. The kids are learning to travel well, but at times still get a little stir-crazy. During one of these times, Wendy caught a park out of the corner of her eye. The kids played, climbed, jumped, until they exhausted themselves enough to get back into the car. It also allowed Wendy and I the first opportunity to play with our new 70-200 zoom lens.

State Parks

Just north of Coos Bay are three state parks right next to each other. The state parks have a little bit of something for everyone. We experienced all three. 

• Sunset Bay State Park: Beach surrounded by sea cliffs and trails
• Shore Acres State Park: Coastal area with formal gardens
• Cape Arago State Park: Headland with ocean views and cove trails

Cape Arago

The farthest north state park is Cape Arago.  This is the area to find lots of sea animals such as sea lions, otters, and seals. There is one island that we saw that hundreds of sea lions hung out at. There is also a lighthouse in this area. We did not make it to the lighthouse. 

Sea lions and a sailboat

Forest trail down to a cove

I call this my "stock photo"

Shore Acres State Park

Shore Acres state park originally belonged to a rich family. The family did not have good luck with their mansions. During the time they owned the land they built two mansions overlooking the ocean. Both mansions ended up being destroyed by fires. The mansions did not survive, but the botanical gardens did. 

Taking a snack break

No mansion, but a good view

Spencer as always likes to climb

Vacationing is thirsty work

The botanical gardens are the "Temple Square" of Coos Bay. Each year they string thousands of lights on the plants. They also have lights in the shapes of animals, some of which are animated. (Like they have at Zoo lights in Salt Lake City). There are also Christmas trees created by community organizations. We enjoyed walking through it.

At first we felt a little sad that we mistimed and arrived at dusk instead of night. We could see the lights but not as brightly as if it would have been dark. Later, as we talked to the curators in the visitor's center we discovered that we may have timed it perfectly. The night before, and they expected the same to happen the day we went, people waited two and a half hours in order to get in to see the lights. The park rangers had to keep the park open an hour past the normal close time in order to let the people who had waited for a long time to at least have 30 minutes to see the lights.

Santa taking a bath

Andrew is learning to love bird watching

Pretending to be "Mommy" using Wendy's coat

 Sunset Bay State Park

We decided to go to Sunset Bay State Park to end the day.  There may have been a fear that if we started there that Wendy and Marsha may not have been able to make me move along to any of the other parks. This is a valid concern. I do love the ocean and beaches. 

On the beach we took the opportunity to take our shoes off, roll up our pants, and go wading. Andrew and Cameron took a different approach. Andrew initially ran away from all of the waves whenever they got close. Later, he ran into the waves. Cameron, on the other hand, got hit by one wave without his shoes and then immediately went to put his shoes on. "Too cold!" This did not prevent him from grabbing a stick and "hitting" each wave as it came in. Spencer loved the sand and watching the waves. 

Andrew getting ready to run

Run, Andrew, Run!

Wading is fun

Hit the wave!

Mommy and Andrew getting ready to run

Oops! Cameron got caught!

Too high Daddy! I can't hit the wave!