Summer Fun

Summer life is so crazy and full, I just don't have time to sit and write about all the fun we are having! We just returned from a two week road trip to Utah/Lake Powell. Joe drove the entire 5 days there and 3 days back pulling our boat.
Don't ask.
We had an amazing family reunion at Lake Powell and got to visit lots of friends and family along the way. We are enjoying lots of boating days and have finally gotten the water trampoline out and the zip line going again. Time for backyard fun! Here are just a couple of shots from the summer so far. The ones of me on the sky ski were taken at Lake Powell, the ones of the kids on the tube are from this week at Mill Creek and the ones of the kids getting the tramp ready were taken just 3 days ago in the backyard.

Broadway Debut

Friday night was my niece's Broadway debut! At 10 years old she has officially performed on Broadway. The real deal. And in "WICKED" no less! Here's how it all went down:
A couple months ago my brother and his wife took their daughter, Gabe, to NYC to see Wicked. By sheer coincidence they were attending on one of only 2 nights during the year that they auction off a walk-on role for charity. I won't tell you what my brother paid in order for his daughter to have this amazing once-in-a-lifetime opportunity...but I will say it was worth every cent! We got to go backstage and meet some of the cast and experience the hair and make-up, wardrobe and music preparations. The whole thing was exciting. After the performance Gabe came out of the stage door to adoring fans wanting her autograph. I think she may be hooked! We had a fabulous time with my brother and his family. We did all the things you are supposed to do while in NYC. Times Square, Central Park, shopping like crazy, walking everywhere. It was AWESOME! PLUS, I got a cute new bag. :)



Sophie and Gabe with the Wizard and Madame Morrible

Trip to AZ

I love to travel! I love everything about it. I love airports, flying, packing and seeing new things. I especially love seeing old friends.
Last week I took Sophie with me to visit some college friends in AZ. It was great to see them and so fun to observe their lives. So different from my own. I didn't have to cut the grass once! :) I especially enjoyed gleaning new ideas from them. Everything from decorating and fashion to food and family traditions. My sweet friend Amy was so generous with her time. She took us shopping, out to eat, to the movies, the waterpark, golfing and the indoor playground. She bought us gifts and even loaned me a car. Her family was so sweet and her kind husband even gave me excellent golfing tips. Sophie had a fabulous time with Amy's daughter Carly. Those girls have so much fun together. It was a blast to be with Monica, Amy and Missy as well for lunch at Sweet Cakes. I also got to eat lunch with my good friend Barbara. It is always so fun to visit with her. She it a total crack up. It was especially fun to look at old college pictures at Monica's house while she made us a delicious pasta and panini lunch. So weird that now our kids are the ones taking the college pics. Sigh. It was a blast and I can't wait for Amy and her kids to come visit me. I have a lot planned. Cow tipping to start.

Favorite Videos

These are my favorite videos. I wish I could find someone to make a cool video of my life.

Brian & Eileen's Wedding Music Video. from LOCKDOWN projects on Vimeo.

Meet the Brockintons from ashley brockinton on Vimeo.

20 Years!

It's been 20 years since Joe and I were married. I said to him the night before our anniversary, "20 years ago this very minute I was dry heaving." I'm so mean. :) But he isn't. And just to prove it, he had an AMAZING anniversary celebration all planned out. We went to the temple in St. Louis first thing. Kinda cool to be in the temple exactly 20 years later to the minute. Then he surprised me with a most exquisite diamond bracelet. One diamond for each year. I'm still reeling from that one. Then we ate crepes and quiche at a little street cafe before walking through Forrest Park to the outdoor Shakespeare-In-The-Park theater. We watched THE BEST play. It was "The Merry Wives Of Windsor" and was so very funny and well done. We then took a cab back to our super-duper fancy hotel where there was a stunning bouquet waiting for me in our room. The next morning we ate more chocolate and strawberry crepes and then home to work in the garden. :) I am blessed. Some of these pics are from my phone, so the quality isn't that great. Oh well.

This is Landon's arrangement of A Poor Wayfaring Man Of Grief. You have to listen to the whole thing. It starts off quiet, but man!! Landon sure does like to put his own spin on things!! Oh, and you need to turn off the song playing on this blog by clicking the pause button on the player to your right.

The garden is tilled.

The dog is sunning.

The chicks have arrived.

The berries are leafing.

The strawberries are blooming.

The tomatoes and peppers are growing.




IT'S SPRINGTIME!!!!!!!!!!