Six Months

Although I have the best of intentions to post blogs on a weekly basis, it has been SIX months since my last post. I feel like I should be making a confession to my small group of followers: Dear followers, it has been six months since my last post. Please forgive me.

I'm sure you have had many sleepless nights wondering what has been going on in the Hill family. Here is a quick rundown, so you can now sleep at night:

• Eastan turned 13! Yes, he is a teenager!
• Nick and I went with our good friends Jim and Heather to Las Vegas
• Nick turned 31 and we celebrated in Vegas. 
• We got to spend much needed quality time with our dear friends Nick and Aubrey
• The entire family traveled with my parents and my grandma to Florida. Sienna had her first beach experience and loved it.

I promise to have more creative posts later. I write them in my head all the time (I'm crazy like that), they just don't come to fruition on paper, er...computer.

Nick, Aubrey, Ashley & Nick

My dad, Sienna, Nick and Eastan

My grandma and mom

Even teenagers love to play in the sand.

Doughnuts are always better in Florida!

Sienna & Papa

Sunset in Florida

Vegas love

Jim and Heather

PB&J Face

Sienna loves her PB&J. She has a very specific way to eat the sandwich, too. She pulls it apart and licks all the peanut butter and jelly off the bread. This usually ends up with her smearing the peanut butter and jelly ALL OVER her face. Once she gets all of the inside goodness, she will proceed to eat the bread. It's the cutest thing but not fun to clean up. I love that girl!

A Time to Rest

Eastan is now in 7th grade. Where does the time go? He started Cross Country and has practice every day after school. On the first full week of school, Eastan came to me with a very serious request. It was around 8:30 p.m. and I was sitting in the kitchen catching up on my work email. The conversation went like this:

Eastan: Mom, can we sit down and plan a time for me to have just, like 30 minutes of down time. You know, where I can just relax and not do anything.

Me: (Remember, I am at my computer...answering emails...just finished making dinner, cleaning up dinner, etc) What do you mean?

Eastan: Well, I just had to run around all day after school and then when I got home, I didn't have any time to relax. Each time I started to relax, I had to get up and jump over another fence.

Me: Sure, we can do that. Didn't you watch a movie in your room for like 45 minutes?

Eastan: Well, I did but I had to stop because Dad told me I had to sweep off the back porch.

Me: (Trying to be as sweet as possible without laughing in his face) Ok, we will sit down and plan a time for you to relax.

Eastan then went off to bed and I finished answering emails. Oh, to be a seventh grader!

Random Thoughts

I went to the gym yesterday. It was a dreary and cold day. The kind of day where all you really want to do is throw on your comfy clothes and eat comfort food. But, I summed up all the positive energy I had inside me (which was NOT a lot) and made myself go. While I was there I had a few random thoughts.

1. Wouldn't it be awesome if there was some one standing at the door when you entered the gym cheering you on? Something like this, "Good job! Way to drag yourself to the gym! You are going to feel so much better when you are done! You're a rockstar!"

2. Hairy legs are bad when all you have in your gym bag are shorts. When you combine that with legs that haven't seen the sun in about seven months, it gets worse. The unltimate is hairy legs, that haven't seen the sun in seven months with sock and jean lines!

3. A few people from the gym acted like they hadn't seen me in forever...probably because they haven't. But I felt the need to tell them that I HAVE been working out at home. Why do I feel the need to convience them of that???

4. In the same respect as #1...There should be a person standing at the door when you leave congratulating you of your accomplishment. "Look at you! You did it! Don't you feel better? You already look skinnier than you did when you walked in the door! You are going to look HOT in a swimsuit this summer!" Some people might think that's a little over the top and borderline harrassment but not me! I'm vain like that.

Nothing Like This

Last night, I went to a Rascal Flatts concert with my long time friend Allison. Here are a few things I learned.

1. If you are a popular male country singer, you can get away with wearing glittery jeans and button up shirt.


2. Rain is a good thing


3. A guy named Joe Don can actually be cute...well, maybe only if he is in a popular country band and plays a guitar


4. Although it's been a long time since I've listened to country music, I'm still pretty fond of it!


5. Some friends you can go years without seeing (literally years) and pick up right where you left off. Those are the kind of friends you will have forever. Cherish those friendships. Thanks Allison for a great night!

Viking in Training

Nick and his buddies have a floating group called The River Vikings. I don't think I have written about them before, but some of you know who they are. For those of you that don't...you are better off.

The River Vikings planned a day float for this Saturday. Nick thought it was time for Eastan to go floating with the Vikings. Eastan was very excited about going on the float. On Thursday night, he came down with a temperature of 100 degrees. He ended up staying home from school on Friday but as the day went on, he started to feel better. Before he went to bed, his temperature returned. Nick told him that if he wasn't feeling well in the morning, he wouldn't be able to go on the float. Eastan was very upset and told Nick he was sure that he would feel better. He took a Tylenol and went to bed. In the morning, his temp was gone and Eastan joined the Vikings.

When Eastan returned from the float, he immediately told me that he earned $30. I figured he earned the money by hauling some one's canoe to the car. I should have known better. I mean, he was with the Vikings, after all!

Here's the story:

He was standing on a rock by the river. Micah told him that he would pay him $10 to jump into the river. Paul joined in and said he would pay him $20. Fully clothed, Eastan took the challenge and jumped in. When his head popped out of the water he said, "I've been sick. My mom isn't going to be happy." The water was very cold and E was a little panicked. He changed into his dry clothes (thanks for being prepared Nick) and went on the float.

About four hours later...the fever was back.

To be a Viking, you have to earn your horns. The official word hasn't been given, but I think Eastan's horns are budding.

Snow Much Fun

Eastan, Sienna and I have been snowed in since Tuesday morning. Other than the occasional visit from Mrs. Irritable, I think I've managed better than expected. Technically, I could make it out but Nick has been driving my car to work every day. I decided that taking the risk of getting stuck in the Civic with Sienna and Eastan was not worth it!

Eastan has played in the snow EVERY DAY. Even when the wind chill was around 10 degrees. He LOVES it. He gets super hyper. And laughs A LOT. Sienna is a different story. She also LOVES being outside. She will actually fuss when you bring her inside. Unlike Eastan, she is extremely serious while outside. She doesn't even crack a smile. It's like she is just taking it all in.

Today was the first day all four of us played outside. We met Josh, Zoe, Link, Mary and Shannon at Mary's house and went sledding. We had a blast. Here are a few pictures.