So Much Going On :)

Ben and I have been married two years. It's been so rewarding, at least for me, though I am sure he would say the same :) I get to stay at home with Asher and I babysit my friend Nicole's baby Grant a few days a week. Ben has 3 quarters left of school and then he will have a BS and officially be a Computer Programmer.


Not a great pic, but a great memory! We are in downtown Seattle at the Market Place where there are tons of people and fish; flowers come by the dozen (seriously it's like $3 for 12). It is gorgeous there.


Go Seahawks! This is Ben's favorite team so for our anniversary our brother-in-law Jeff got tickets for us to go- we went with Amanda and Jeff too, it was really fun. They lost, but we had fun anyway- these are some die hards that let us get our pic with them.


The Seahawks field is HUGE and loud- they have the record for causing the most false starts for their opposing team; bc it's so loud it makes it so the opposing team can't hear eachother :)


Amanda and me at the Seahawks game- She and Jeff did so much for us last weekend. Thanks so much! Also, Amanda is expecting the 13th grandchild on the Zolman side- we are all so excited :) She and Jeff are headed to MN for work- Jeff's a Psychologist and Amanda works with computers. Needless to say they both do pretty well for themselves!


This was a street performer that had Asher pretty entertained. The guy could balance a guitar on his chin, do 2 hoola hoops and play another guitar (I didn't get a pic of that amazing stunt).


Jeff and Amanda at Applebees, we had a fun time just hanging out with
them and their cute puppy Trixie.


Asher and Trixie playing- they are the same height and loved playing together. Asher loved giving her hugs and Trixie loved giving Asher kisses :)

So, I realized that the reason I am not so great at blogging is because it's all or none- I spend hours looking at blogs and updating my own, or I don't look at anyone's blogs and don't update mine- the lesson; balance :) Isn't that the quest of life though- to have perfect balance?! Anyone who has got it down let me know how you do it!

Asher and I love hanging out all day, he is such a happy kid and makes sure we know what he wants. For example, I go to wipe his nose and he shakes his head back and forth so fast, while screaming, that all I end up doing is spreading snot across his face! It's like I have to wrestle him down to change his diapers, too. I can't complain though, he keeps life fun and interesting!

The top picture I took today after he had been in the laundry room staring at the dryer for more than 5 minutes- that's a really long time for a 13 month old -he was totally enthralled!
He is close to walking, but still prefers holding our finger as he goes. He now weighs 24 lbs and is 30 and 1/4 inches tall, he is getting so big and our life has so much purpose as his parents!

The three Lopshire boys, so handsome (and hairy) with their shirts off. We'll let you know if Asher has hair on his chest/back by the time he's 2. He probably will!

Asher is one! The Lopshires all went to 7 Peaks to celebrate Asher's first birthday and Grandpa Jerry's 50th birthday. Asher wasn't so sure about the cake at first. Then he got into it after Papa J smashed a handful into Asher's mouth. He also got a baby boy doll from Grandma Becky, which I think is awesome. But Ben kept telling Asher, "this is the one time that I will let you punch something in the face," a little dramatic, I know :)

PS Sorry that I am not so good at updating my blog, I just don't make time to do it. My sister Julia is a great blogger, so if you want all the updates you should go to her blog (you can connect from mine).

Asher and Grandpa Z

The first picture is of Grandpa Zolman feeding Asher. At our trip in MT Asher was kind of clingy, but as soon as he saw my dad he went to him, it was a so sweet and a nice break for me! My dad calls Asher "AW" for Asher William. It's cute, even though it reminded me of the rootbeer at first!

Asher loves to stand and carefully move from cushion to cushion. I don't know why he loves standing and walking so much (with help), he doesn't even crawl yet! He rolls around and scoots backward. I'm not too worried though, I never crawled (I scooted) and I didn't walk til 18 months. We just take things a little slower :)

Memories in Montana

My 2 sisters Natalie and Julia, our 4 kids (Nat has Sabra 4, Kezia 2, and Zander 11 months and I have Asher 10 months) and I went on a trip to Montana. It was so memorable and these pictures are just a few that we took in Great Falls at my Grandpa Art's grave. My parents are both from Great Falls and we saw my dad's mom and her husband, Grandpa Niel. That's a picture of them below.




I didn't know my Grandpa Art very well, I actually have no memories of him, but it was nice to see his grave and reflect upon how things have changed. My dad has made a complete 180 since his childhood. He and my grandma joined the LDS church when he was a boy, and that was the beginning of all the transformations. From a childhood of alcohol, hostility and abuse, my dad embraced the hope the gospel brings and did his best to raise us 9 kids with my mom. I am very grateful for that. Now my siblings and I, with our spouses are trying to raise our children with firm core values and Faith in Jesus Christ.

After 2 days in Great Falls, we went to Big Fork where my Grandma Vicki loves. My Grandpa Lee passed away a few years ago and so my grandma lives in their beautiful lakeside house alone (actually right now there is a family taking care of her since she was in a bus accident and broke her femur and her hip). The house is set on Flathead Lake and brings back so many fun memories of my childhood- boating, swimming and running up the twirly stairs in the house (sorry I have no pictures). I hope that my grandma continues to feel better!

The last night we stayed in Missoula after we went to my cousin Rande's wedding. She is the oldest daughter of my mom's youngest sister Sharla (these are the names of all of the girls, Sheila (my mom), Sherill, Shauna, Sharla). It is a total tongue twister! All of my aunts were there and my cousin Lindsay, her baby Dean, and my other cousin Chelsea, her husband Travis and their 2 boys Cole and Carter. We don't see extended family that much, so we just caught up. Chelsea's boys are sooo cute. They are 5 and 6 and fearless. They came up to me, "Hi my name is Cole, What's your name?" Carter did the same thing, shook my hand, and then they said, "nice to meet you." Talk about manners!!

I need to mention a highlight. We met my mom, dad, brother DJ and sister Amanda in Missoula. Amanda flew in from Washington and I just love her. She is married to Jeff and I secretly hope that they will move back to Utah where all the family is (on both sides). He will be done with his post doctorate Sep 1 :) My parents and DJ made a week of the trip and went to a few temples on the way, including the Cardston, Canada temple. I am so thankful for my wonderful family. I'll admit though, I was ready to come home and cuddle with my hubby Ben!



DJ and Asher :)

Sick Baby :(

Bath time is so much fun! Even though Asher was more interested in looking at the camera in this pic, he really loves to splash like crazy. It's been so fun having a baby and experiencing all of these fun moments. I think that Ben is ready to have more (he has been since Asher was 4 months) but since I am the one that throws up and feels sick most of the pregnancy, I think we'll wait a bit :)

Right now Asher's ears are both infected. It has been terrible for us and especially for him. It's so sad to hear him groan in pain. Last night, at about 1:00 AM Asher was so wired and so tired that he was disoriented. He kept looking around like he didn't recognize where he was and he screamed any time I tried to lay him down or rock him. I wanted to cry! Luckily the antibiotic is kicking in and tonight he is fast asleep. This is my first experience with a really sick baby, so you all know how that is.

Actually, he first got sick at Kim Bell's house, a friend I hadn't seen since right after highschool (this is why I like blogging, we get back in touch). I had just fed Asher and was standing up to leave and Asher threw up all over me, himself and the floor. Kim's 2 year old Jaxson heard me let out a little yell and he ran over and asked "What happened?" It was so cute, he talks so well. I hope that her kids didn't get sick, too!