Latest. Greatest. Longest..

Just a few quick pictures from our cruise..wish I had all the time in the world to post more. And these most definitely are not doing it justice. Alaska is phenomenal..if thats even how you spell that word.





So, I could never catch up on everything that has been going on..but Alaska was completely beautiful! Things like that are not good for me because all I can think about is how gorgeous so many different places in the world are..and how I have to find a way to see every one of them even if it makes me broke (Ironic after my "Dream World" post isn't it?).

Just an attempt to share the greatness of our cruise much too quickly, we went to three places in Alaska and Prince Rupert, British Columbia. There were so many old people on the cruise, so at night we had the ship basically all to ourselves. We would stay up till two am on the Norwegian Star playing games with Shawn's parents, going to shows, listening to music,and my personal favorite--dancing at the country western hootenanny (Shawn actually dances..it's a secret-but he was so very cute)
Part of the cheap bargain deal of a cruise was that we all 4 share one glorious cabin (conveniently pictured above) There were four twin beds. shawn and I couldn't handle sleeping across the room from each other for all seven nights(naturally)..so we slept on a less then twin size pull out cot in between two twin beds that his parents slept on. One of the twin beds went unused and our room keeper seemed like he thought it was a little sketchy that we would let one bed stay empty..It was hilarious. Our cabin was teeny tiny we were laughing so hard putting our stuff away because we kept rubbing bums with each other every time we turned around...luckily for us Shawn's parents are so awesome and so easy to be around that it only made it more fun.

Our cruise left out of Seattle which was gorgeous in itself.. I wish we could have seen more. We stopped to see a family from Shawn's mission and I loved seeing how happy it made him to be back in that area. On the way home we stopped in Oregon in a random national forest to see all some greenery..Then we stopped for peppermint milkshakes at some Peppermint hole in the wall we couldn't resist--Its not like we had 15 hours in the car left or anything..taking our sweet time and getting side tracked is a real problem we have. We usually get made fun of for it..but thats fine :)

Over all-The shows, the food, and the scenery on the cruise were all far above my expectations..but the company was the best part. Thanks to Shawn's parents for inviting us and finding such a good deal!! We will love those memories forever!

Since we have been in Arizona I have been surprised how this weather has grown on me..I love the smell of the orange trees when we go running at night..I love the feel of the sun baking us, daily pool hair, and just being scorching hot all the time..this place has done it's job in keeping me satisfied. I am very grateful for the chances we have had to spend so much time here, with Shawn's family and especially our cute niece and nephew.
On a side note..Last week I flipped the heat on to warm up my toes..its pretty much a regular routine. Shawn looked at me and addressed me of course by saying, "Girrll, are you kidding me?" (ha I bet if you know him you can hear him say that, it's like his most used line) We can NOT Put the heat on in this car if it is above 90 degrees outside, my contacts are drying out...While I was laughing I figured that he makes sense and I would let him have this one. I guess he's pretty logical so he won that one. But usually I win, just for the record.

Last but not least of the latest (this is not included in the greatest) I wish I had pictures to post but our one and only favorite brother left for Iraq this week. He looks so handsome and official in his army clothes with Allen across the front. What Allen pride I have, especially now. I love that name and I am glad Josh is doing it proud. He hurt his foot and I begged him to play it up so he could get left behind. He let me know that is not what soldiers do. I am extremely proud of him, but worry about him everyday. I will post a picture on here soon when I can figure out how to get one..but for now, with the fourth of July coming up, maybe it's time we all pray a little extra hard for every soldier-not just Sargent Allen but the millions of others out there leaving families as well..

Happy summertime! I miss all of my friends I hope I run into some of you soon..in Arizona maybe??? Yes, that means I am hinting-COME VISIT!

The bad with the GOOD

Current Chaos: (Honestly-you can't hear about Shawn and Ashley aka the one, the only, A-team-without a lil bit of chaos) See look:

Finally got everything moved out and stored in my dad's basement..

Left on a last minute 7 day Alaskan cruise that we lucked into with Shawn's parents (I'll post all about it later)

Forgot to keep out the birth certificates when we packed..(my fault)

Drove straight from Seattle to Arizona (25 hours) after the cruise.

Job interview in Phoenix. HAd to drive myself and almost had a heart attack.

Three days later driving CLEAR back up to UT with Shawn's little brother to work three 12 hour shifts before starting work in AZ.

Small dramatic mishap on the way up..Waiting to hear just how bad the car damage is.

Been away from Shawn for 5 days..longest we have ever gone (i've been a little cranky..)

So I haven't been sleeping well worrying about insurance, replaying the accident, air mattress at my sisters, being away from home (my Arizona home that is)..but today I realized although chaos basically defines Shawn and I way too well, and it is far too consistently company in our home..I don't mind. Without chaos our lives may get boring..plenty of adventures would be missing-so what. We will take the bad with the good I suppose, what else can you do?

That's all I have today..until life calms down just a little and I can post some pictures of our wonderful trip. For now I am loving the few bonus days I get with Jaimee and sophie! Sophie gets cuter by the day and has grown soo much already..
Thanks to our wonderful amazing family and friends..we have the best family they helped us move, helped us settle in, shipped over night birth certificates to Seattle, the list is neverending..hope everyone is having an amazing summer!

My Big Time Dream World

Soo..if you were to ask me where I wanted Shawn to whisk me away to and live forever and ever I would say some far away place such as Boston, or maybe possibly Rhode Island or New Hampshire. I wouldn't even hesitate. That's where we would raise our adorably forgetful, smart yet airheaded children- and live forever in a teeny tiny town on the east coast-in a homey cottage-with a lighthouses close by(got that idea from Anne of green gables book 4 by the way)
hmm yes that sounds perfect and cozy and nice. I'll take it.

If you were to ask me where I would go if I could pick a vacation anywhere in the world I would say Africa, without thinking twice. Maybe to climb Mt.Kilimanjaro by night and save African children from AIDS by day. When Shawn used to talk about the day he would apply for grad schools I would say as far as possible, somewhere we have never been, just ME and YOU.

I still think going away is a good idea for different reasons..and I still have this raging sense of adventure that I have to calm-for Shawn's sanity and my own. But I have to admit..we have changed BIG time-without realizing it. Last weekend-Shawn's nana passed away and had a funeral, my sister celebrated her first mother's day, my mom celebrated her 25th mothers day, my dearest Aunt Lori got engaged to a very cute boy, we met our new nephew Nixen Bradley, and spent lots of time with Kylee and my 2nd and brand new mom.


We couldn't stand to miss ANY of it..proven by 32 hours in the car in less then 5 days. We drove clear to Idaho just to see Sophie and my mom for mother's day weekend. Then CLEAR to Arizona to go to Nana's funeral and see Shawn's family for mother's day. I enjoyed the funeral and really felt like I walked away a better person-although I didn't know nana for very long, I was completely inspired by her life and the things I learned. It was worth every hour of our drive.
WE realized we love our families more then anything..WE must. It took 32 hours of driving, a cell phone dropped in a wendy's water cup,4 brand new tires ($450), and a two hour drive in the WRONG direction to accomplish it all but somehow we made it.





And my point is-unfortunately everything my mom taught me is true after all. More then Anne of Green Gables fairytale lifestyles, more then growing up on the east coast with lighthouses and beach bum children, and more then dare devil trips to Africa-we love brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews, and of course our MOMS. I have no idea where we will end up..and hopefully someday we do make it to Africa-but hopefully after a million more years of school and work..we can settle nice safe and cozy around some of these people we love so much..and not too far from all of them. Everything else comes and goes..but these are the people who remain constant. We have great wonderful family. They are making real life better then my dream world after all. Crazy how that happened. Thanks Family. We owe ya one

Moving On and Moving OUT..

The time has come that we are saying farewell to lovely oh so wonderful apt number J309. I have had my tears about it already. Life is taking us to MESA, ARIZONA in just a few weeks..and I couldn't be more happy that Shawn's family will be close by! We are hoping to lay by the pool, swim, go to the lake,go camping, play with the fam and adore the little babies. Oh oops I forgot we are actually going there for work..who cares about that.
Last summer Shawn went by himself..that will never happen again. It was pretty tragic.


I have loved everything about South Jordan, our neighbors, our ward, our apartment, our balcony, our view, our train that passes 8 times a day and shakes the apt and honks it's horn. I love that we came home to this place right after our honeymoon and stayed up all night making it feel like home. I love that we haven't had AC the whole ten months and have had to fall asleep at times on the balcony for some cool air. I love that we have neighbors that will just walk in any time of day..
Sweating to death with no AC..notice the glistening faces


But I love being hot, I love being so hot I feel like I'm going to die. And I have no tolerance for being cold. So people tell me I will become a big Mesa fan, and Shawn thinks I'll be hooked for life. Being by Shawn's family will only make it that much better..it's bitter sweet. I will miss my job..but it will still be there when I come back. Life just keeps flying past..WE do have a new nephew waiting for us in AZ. Nixon Bradley Mcneil is oh so cute and was born just a few days ago to Shawn's sister. We will be all over the babysitting..

Time goes too fast..I swear we just moved in. Before we know it we are going to be old and boring like this couple we saw at dinner the other night. The wife was reading a book and the husband reading sports illustrated during their date. Please help us to never get to that point..Someone else joined us at dinner that night..Little miss Soph. It is going to break my heart to not see this little face all summer long. When I get home she will be grown up and might actually fit into some newborn clothes.


In between studying for finals Shawn has allowed me a few hours of his time..and then we he studies I have to promise not to say a word. It's pretty dang hard to know he is right next door and I can't say anything. I figure when I get his time I better make it worth it..so we have been to the driving range (I am pathetic), to dinner, and spent time with some friends.
This picture was taken for proof that every month or so my hair does come out of the ponytail...but not often.


We don't see our friends nearly enough because we are all just so busy..Whit and Mike came over for dinner last night and we were so glad to see them. They are always fun to have around :) Oh and we think they are the cutest dating couple ever..




Thanks everyone for making our last few weeks in Utah fun already..Arizona here we come!

Our new obsession....

We have been loving that baby after baby has been joining our family. We love holding them, but handing them back when they cry is always nice too. We love being an Aunt and Uncle again and again. We will have one new niece and 3 new nephews all in about 6 weeks time...

A week ago today we met our newest niece, Sophie Grace Griffith. She is seriously so adorable, she is teeny tiny with the most perfect features I have ever seen.

It was so nice to have my mom here!! I loved being able to stop by and see Jaimee and my mom on my days off. I have a feeling I am going to love the fact that Jaimee isn't working right now so I have some company when I'm not working and Shawn is at school. I miss living by my family much more then usual now-I am doing everything in my power to get them moved down here! Even Abby has grown up sooo much. She is hilarious and thinks she owns the world. Which she should. Tyler and Shawn love when she comes down this picture is pretty typical..Abby loves it.

I love this little girl and already feel like we are so lucky to know her. I can't wait to watch her grow up, and see how much more cute she becomes every single day. I couldn't possibly love her anymore then I do. Thanks little Soph for joining the family!!


Also a quick shout out to the rest of our gang of nieces and nephews..We have princess Olivia with her faithful brother little Henry who we miss so much in Texas, we have perfect Kylee in Arizona who we have worshiped since we met her, and we have Beckam who is completely adorable and has kept us company this last month until Sophie arrived. Every time we see any of them we wonder how any kids could possibly be more cute then them. More babies are coming from Shawn's sister and my step sister within the next few weeks. We are thankful for our family and we love them ALL so much!!

hmm and the question of the day..are Shawn and Ashley baby hungry??? Maybe, maybe not. It's our little secret.

Lake Havasu

Shawn and I packed up the car this weekend and went to Lake Havasu. We have gotten very good at packing and unpacking the car lately. I am excited to have just a few calm weekends at home coming up--I have always loved being home. Lake Havasu was so beautiful this time of year..Shawn's mom and I ran a half marathon on Saturday morning. It wasn't pretty..but we finished!

I am so grateful to have ran with her. Something about having a mom by my side made me feel like life was okay and the world was good no matter what. I am more proud of her then I am of myself! She has five kids, she is 48 (oops) and she ran 13 miles. She is awesome and I love her.

At mile 10 Shawn was on the corner and I didn't even see him. That's when the run was getting hard and the sun was coming out. I have never been so happy to see his huge smile, and his bright blue eyes that I love so much. He threw his arm around me for a sec and ran with me for just long enough to keep me going for the next few miles. When I crossed the finish line he yelled loud and clear "Number ten's my wife!" and I realized I am so lucky to have him as my number one fan. He drove seven hours both ways and never even considers letting me drive. He stopped every hour on the way home to let me move my legs and go to the bathroom (and usually get a treat). He is the greatest. Next time he BETTER be running with me. It would be way easier for him that's for sure.



I only ran ten or eleven miles when I trained so at mile 12 I decided I wanted to to shoot myself. I came to a dead halt in front of the mile marker sign and just looked at like are you kidding me?? A lady with a bald head grabbed my arm, she was wearing a shirt that proudly sported the pink breast cancer ribbon. She told me I would not stop, and I would not walk the last mile. She was just what I needed. I lost her somewhere throughout that last mile, but I am grateful she stepped in when she did. I thought the last mile about her, and about how grateful I am to have the means to run. I have seen too many patients who don't have the strength to walk to the door and back. So I realized, I am very grateful for my family, I am very grateful for my number one fan, and I am very grateful for my health and the fact that I am able to run..even if my time is not great. Even if I don't lose a million pounds. Even if I don't look fantastic at the finish line.

Spring Fever

Today I am suffering from a disgusting sickness called spring fever..I have to do laundry AND dishes AND buy groceries all in one day while feeling sick watching the snow fall. How lame. Shawn's parents are coming from Arizona tonight and I feel sorry for them to see this sight when they arrive.
Last week when the weather was actually normal we enjoyed it too much..
A trip to the Zoo: This was Shawn's idea after watching the TV series LIFE on the discovery channel. You should watch it! It's pretty good..Shawn is intrigued by life and was looking too hard at the bone maps at the zoo..nerdy?? maybe a little. These are my attempts at beginner camera tricks..also kinda nerdy.

He made a friend who jumped up on a ledge to help him look for spiders. I thought the sight was pretty funny..it's hard to tell who is more excited-


We had a few Picnics on our finally put together balcony. This is one of the reasons I wanted to get this apartment so bad.. and I have neglected it until this week-finally I got what I wanted and we had breakfast on the balcony on Sunday. It was my pride and joy for the week so I had to take a picture..a little old fashioned..but oh well. you do what you can right.


We decided to take a weekend trip to Vegas. We went with Jaimee and Tyler. Jaimee was a definite trooper because her baby will be here hopefully within a month! WE know their baby will keep them busy..and who knows we might be jealous-so we had to get OUR time in with them before baby comes and wins us all over. It was very relaxing. We played a lot, ate a lot, and spent a lot of time by the pool.

It was a very welcomed combo. Shawn had a hard time even laying by the pool for ten minutes, because he couldn't stand thinking about all there was to do. Him and Tyler went golfing and then begged us for a few dollars and tried their cheap hand at gambling. In the end we asked them their favorite part of the trip when we were loading up the car and they had to correct each other to say.."ohh spending time with you guys" like sweet little husbands should. haha hmmm...I don't know if I'll fall for that.

I love any extra minute I can get with my favorite boy..even if he won't just relax by the pool. I had to take a picture for the five minutes he could handle it.


Because we remember how great life can be without snow we are now sick and depressed as the blizzard goes crazy outside our window. SOOOO if you call and we don't answer..we will be trying to heal in our apartment with sun glasses on drinking pina coladas and listening full blast to the beach boys. come on over!