Something I've Never Done Before...

Well, tonight I am doing something bold, daring, adventurous, exciting. And I still can't believe I am doing it! AHHH! I am going to Hollywood to audition for the TV Show, "Don't Forget the Lyrics." I love the show--it's a karaoke style show on Fox, hosted by Wayne Brady, where you can win a million dollars by knowing the words to popular songs from many decades, and the best part is, I get to sing! I decided, it's time for me to do something fun, you know? I really like to sing, those that know me well know this, and especially to sing along to the radio, and my favorite video game is Karaoke Revolution. I don't have it, but whenever Karina and Adam bring it to Mom's I love to play. I have no idea what is going to happen, but I do know it's going to be fun, even if I don't make it. I'm going with a friend so I don't have to drive alone, and she can be there to support me. Wish me luck, everyone! And by the way, we just got a video camera that takes pictures...as soon as I figure it out, I will post some pictures and maybe video.

6 Things You Didn't Know about Me

Well, I'm finally doing this post. This is a hard one for me, because I wanted to make it interesting, and I just couldn't think of anything! But, I was tagged by Alexis and Karina, so I'll give it a try.

1. I absolutely HATE having my hair messed up. I make sure when I pull it up, that there are NO bumps or stray hairs. If I finish, and find one, I have to fix it, or it will drive me crazy! And if one of the kids messes up my hair, I have to fix it right then--I can't ignore it! Is that weird?

2. I still bite my nails. I really wish I had listened to my childhood friend Angie Casetta's mom 17 years ago when she said to me, I'll buy you ice cream if you stop biting your nails. I never did. I don't do it all the time, but I wish I could stop!

3. I am perfectly content with doing absolutely nothing. If I ever get free time, I would be so happy to just sit on the couch and stare at the wall. Just to be able to think and ponder about something would be great! Or maybe it's because I'm kind of a lazy person...I don't have motivation for a lot of things. I need to work on that. Wow, this post is becoming therapeutic for me...

4. I have an idea for a children's book series that, when I have time to write it, will become a best-seller and I will be as rich as JK Rowling (well, maybe). I've had the idea for a long time now, and when the kids are in school, I will hopefully not be lazy and actually take advantage of the free time I have to write my masterpiece.

5. I wish I could be more crafty like my cousin Rhonda or my mom or Grannie. I want to learn every craft out there, and I want to take art classes and learn how to paint and sew and draw and sculpt and do pottery. I think there is an artistic side to me that I haven't explored.

6. Lastly, I have a trial that has plagued me for life and will continue to plague me! I am a horrible scripture reader! I have really good periods of reading, and then something happens, like I go out of town, and I have to start all over. I want so badly to be a good scripture reader but I have accepted the fact that I will never be perfect at it.

I hope you learned some interesting facts about me! I'm going to tag my friends in my ward if they want to do it: Bethany, JoAnna, Melanie, and Kristen.

Preschool art

Julianna comes home everyday from preschool with the funniest things! Today she brought home some sort of hat with foil antennas, maybe? I'm not sure, but I asked her if she was an alien, and she said yes. So they're learning about aliens, huh? But most of her works of art are very seasonal, like the top picture--a pumpkin pie, which was basically brown construction paper with sand sprinkled on it. She seems to be loving preschool. I have a file drawer where I keep all her "masterpieces."

On another note, Blake took his first steps today! He took about 4 steps 5 times in a row, walking to Joel when he got home from work. He wouldn't do it for me all day, so I asked Joel to try, and he did it right away! Knowing Blake, he'll waste no time getting up and walking all the time. When I get a good picture, I'll post it.

Thanksgiving Fun with the Foote Family

Joel's mom, Beverly, and her husband, Tony (and Blake in the background!)

Joel's grandma, or Nana, as everyone calls her.

We went to Santa Ana to have Thanksgiving with Joel's mom's side of the family (the Footes). We stayed at Nana's house, and got to visit with lots of Joel's cousins and aunts and uncles. But the real treat was having Joel's mom and her husband there. We haven't seen her since Julianna was a little baby! So they got to see Blake for the first time, and Julianna all grown up. We ate at Mimi's Cafe for Thanksgiving. There were about 38 people there! It was a pretty good meal, but it didn't have my mom's rolls! We just had fun hanging out with everyone. Joel's sister, Briana, and her boyfriend, Matty, came out that day, and Joel's brother and his girlfriend, Sarah, came too. On Friday we went to the El Toro Cemetery where Joel's dad and his sister Laura are buried. And then we drove around Irvine, and they showed me their old houses they used to live in. Irvine sure has changed! It was a great time, but very tiring! We were going to come home Saturday, but we ended up coming home Friday because we were all just beat. And then Saturday morning, my sister Callie's baby girl was born, Liliana Reese Ashford. So Saturday night we visited her in the hospital and got to hold the baby! Such a beautiful little girl. And of course, we ended up staying the night at my parent's house in Corona, and we got to visit with my sisters and brother who's back at BYU now. It was a great week! I wish I took more pictures! We will be getting a new camera for Christmas, hopefully.

Blake is 1 year old!

Happy Birthday Blake! He had fun eating his cake and pizza and making a mess. He's starting to stand more now, and has almost taken some steps a few times now. Maybe he'll take his first steps on Thanksgiving! But he had a good birthday.

Blake's pre-birthday celebration

So I can't believe November is almost halfway over already! It's been a while since I've posted. Here is a picture from today's little party we had for Blake and his two friends Isaac and Jacob at the park. They had cupcakes and cookies and loved getting messy! Sorry the picture's not so great--it was shady and my camera isn't so good. (Blake is the one in the middle). And then last week while I was out, I found a toy for Blake's birthday. It's his little car he can drive now. Also, Grandma and Grandpa Maxwell came on Saturday and gave him a cute farm house and tractor set with animals and sounds. He loves his new toys! We might still do a little party for him on his actual birthday, Friday the 16th. I'll post some more pictures then.

Washburn Halloween

About to go trick or treating.

Happy about her candy!

Holding piece of candy in each hand.

At the Pumpkin Patch.

Julianna the Scarecrow!

Our BYU cheerleader at the Pumpkin Patch.

Blake put his foot in the picture! Good timing.

My BYU cheerleader! Isn't she cute?

Joel took on the pumpkin this year. A zombie face! It looked pretty cool in the dark.

Hope you all had a great Halloween!