SPRINGBREAK…CONT’D ❄️ We went from red sand to snowy mountains and celebrated with Johnny on his 75th day skiing @snowbasinresort this year!! Between skiing with @snowbasinskiteam and lots of family and friends, Johnny spent a lot of time on the mountain this year, and he couldn’t be happier! So fun (and rare) having the entire family together! 💙 #springbreak #75days #waytogorambo #7littlehumans
I’m absolutely in LOVE with these girls and how much they inspire me!💗💗💗 #internationalwomensday #daughtersarethebest #7littlehumans @ellienerdforce @annie_kasht
✨MERRY CHRISTMAS ✨from our family to yours! We feel so grateful to have crossed paths with all of you and our lives are immeasurably better because of it. We hope you find love and light this season and many good things in the New Year! ❤️ the Ashton Family 📸 @jasonmcgrew #familyphoto #lovethecrazy #merrychristmas #grateful #7littlehumans
🍁🍂🌾 Fall is really showing off this year! Thank you @annie_kasht for going on this gorgeous walk with me today!! And yes, we hugged a tree. 🥰 Feeling grateful. #fall #fallinlove #7littlehumans
✨HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANNIE!!!✨ This beautiful girl keeps us laughing and is always full of surprises! Her adventurous spirit is contagious and she brings so much joy to our family. Love you @annie_kasht 💖 #happybirthdayannie #semisweet16☺️ #7littlehumans
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELLIE!! I love your guts!! @ellienerdforce made me a momma 23 years ago today…one of the best days of my life…and I was 23! My goodness, I just love this girl! 💗 #happybirthdayellie #iloveyoumost #7littlehumans
Homecoming 2023 ✨AnnieKate✨ I guess she’s old enough?? Annie and her darling date, Zander. First high school dance for this girl and I love all her smiles! The cutest friends right here 💗 And can you believe these amazing photos from Cariane Bowles?! Thank you so much!! I sure love you @annie_kasht You’re beautiful in all the ways! 🌸 #homecoming2023 #anniekate #7littlehumans
HAPPY BIRTHDAY HENRY!! 18 sure looks good on you! I’m one lucky momma!! You make my life better everyday ❤️ Love you @hdashton #happybirthdayhenry #luckiestmomintheworld #7littlehumans
BACK TO SCHOOL 2023 🚌📚🎓 This year I have 4 kids in 4 different schools and I’m having all the feels right now! Henry is at NUAMES and is a senior, planning to graduate this year with his associates degree…where did the time go?? Annie is a sophomore at Weber High doing A days in-person and B days online at home. I’m excited to see more of her this year! Sarah is in 7th grade, full time at the Jr. High. It was a super brave decision for her! 🥺 and Johnny is in 6th grade at Valley Elementary, back with friends and all the fun. Again…where does the time go? I guess it’s just one of those things we get to keep and hold in our hearts. I’m so grateful their mine! ❤️ @hdashton @annie_kasht #firstdayofschool2023 #lovetheserascals #momlife #7littlehumans
Love ❤️ #happyfathersday #lovehim #7littlehumans
The sky is amazing! Aurora Borealis comes to Eden and this is Annie’s photo she caught with her phone. We could only see white light as we stood out on the driveway and watched, but the camera could catch so much more. It was beautiful! My mom captured some light in Wyoming and my sister captured some in Kaysville. Such a treat! 💜 #northernlightsutah #auroraborealisutah #colorsinthesky #filtersarefun #7littlehumans @annie_kasht @anneclegg @hillarychris2
HAPPY 12th BIRTHDAY SARAH JANE! You’re one of my most favorite little ladies on the planet! Love you forever 💖 #happybirthdaysarahjane #sugarandspice #7littlehumans
Merry Christmas!? 🐔🤷🏼♀️😂 It was Matt’s turn to choose the pajamas this year…what more can I say?? 🐔🐤🎄❤️😅 #merrychristmas #chickenlove #7littlehumans
Happy Halloween!! 👻🎃💀 #m&ms #chikfilacow #teenageboy #felicia #7littlehumans
Climbed a mountain today! @hdashton and @annie_kasht are the best to have along! So glad I could share this amazing day with them 🍁⛰☀️ @cotopaxi #benlomondpeak #hiking #14.9miles #fallbreak #7littlehumans
School in the valley?? 🏄🏼♀️ #lovewherewelive #moneyshot #celebrating15 #happybdayannie #7littlehumans
Happy Birthday to my silliest Annie Kate!! 💙💙💙 Sure love you @annie_kasht Thank you for bringing so much love and life to our family! 💖 #happybirthday #loveyouloveyouloveyou #7littlehumans #schmay #schmater #schmäterling
Happiest of birthdays Ellie!! 💖🎉🥳 She’s feeling 22 today and celebrating with a semester at Disney World. She’s already managed to see more of the globe than I have and I hope she keeps up her love of life, people and adventure. I love you Ellie!! I wish I was the one giving you a hug!! ❤️ #happybirthdayellie #feeling22 #7littlehumans
Happy Birthday kiddo!! You’re one of my favorite people to celebrate! Love you to pieces! 🎉❤️🥰 #happybirthdayjohnny #mybabyis10 #7littlehumans
In Provo this weekend for a dance competition with Annie and had so much fun chasing murals around town! These are just a few, but it’s such a great way to bring color and joy to a blank space 💜 #provomurals #coloratown #dancecomps #downtime #7littlehumans
Saturday Family Fun ❤️ #BigFamily #familymatters #familymemories #saturdayvibes #2022 #7littlehumans #kidfun #singleparenting #scienefun #ParsonFamily #youtubechannelsoon
Matt captured this shot today of me and Johnny up on Moonshine Ridge underneath this super sweet Sun Halo. One of my positive takeaways from this pandemic has been finding the courage to approach life and learning with more creativity. We decided to homeschool the two littles this term so we could have much more time with them exploring the mountain. We’re loving it!! Plenty of people have caught onto this long before I have, so many thanks to those who have created resources that make this experience much easier and accessible on my end. We’re still working to find our flow, and it’s tough at times, but being outside this much and making memories with some of my favorite people has sure made my days feel so happy! #sunandmoon #sunhalo #homeschool #snowbasin #gratitude #22degrees #7littlehumans
Cousins are the best! 💙❄️⛷ #snowbasin #cousinsarethebest #skisandaboard #7littlehumans
HAPPY HALLOWEEN 2021!!! 💀🎃👻 “Felicia,” dressed and named by Annie, is always super sweet to pose for photo-ops with everyone! #happyhalloween #byefelicia #lifeguard #fishsticks #chewy #sharky #madmooseemployee #cutefootballplayer #invisibleman #7littlehumans
“Take my hand. Take my whole life, too…” ❤️🍁🧡 #fall #family #fallinginlove #7littlehumans
Another September baby!! 💗 HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANNIE KATE (just a few days late 😉) When Matt and I were dating, we hiked Angels Landing and happened to meet a rock climber on her way down after soloing one of the nearby massive sandstone walls. Her backpack towered over her tiny frame and she asked us to take her photo for her as she was the first female climber to solo that particular route. We were so impressed by her!! And her name was Kate. We tell Annie she was, in part, named after the toughest women we ever met! For Annie’s birthday we took her to climb Angels Landing. She was AMAZING!! I sure love this little girl of mine and her GIGANTIC personality!! 💖💖💖 #happybirthdayanniekate #schmater #mcshnerd #angelslanding #zionnationalpark #7littlehumans
Parenting this boy is one the best parts of my life!! Where does the time go? I sure love you Henry! I hope your 16th was awesome!! ❤️ @hdashton #16awesomeyears #loveyouhenry #7littlehumans
Here we go again! 🙌🏼💙📚 Annie - 8th Sarah - 5th Johnny - 4th We had heaps of smiles this morning! This is gonna be great!! 💙 #backtoschool2021 #lovethesecrazies #7littlehumans
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to the man I’m lucky enough to be with!! Through it all, I love him the most, and there’s no one I’d rather adventure with! 💗 #happyanniversary #loveyoulover #7littlehumans
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOHNNY!! He turned 9 today! This handsome little guy is growing up fast! He loves RC cars, playing with cousins and friends, snuggling his pets, playing sports, painting and drawing, messing around on the guitar, snow skiing and just all around being a kid. My favorite thing is when he still feels like he wants to snuggle in close to watch a movie or listen to a good book. Holding onto as much as I can! Sure love you Rambo! 💙 #happybirthdayjohnny #nineyearsoldtoday #7littlehumans
Morning runs ☀️🍂🌾 #morningrun #ogdenvalley #soluckytolivehere #7littlehumans
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANNIE!! This gorgeous little lady is 13 years old today and keeps our family entertained. Not only is she hilarious, but she’s dedicated, kind, and straight up amazing. Love you Annie!! 💗🥳💗 #happybirthday #13yearsold #7littlehumans
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELLIE!!! 🥳 As she so generously pointed out to me, I’ve now been a mom for two decades! Officially no longer a teen, this gorgeous 20 year old is following her heart and working hard at creating the path of her choosing. Living and finding a job in Florida, going to school, and making new friends, I’m just so proud of who she is and is becoming. Love you Bellzie! 😘 #happybirthdayellie #20yearsoldtoday #ilovethisgirl #7littlehumans
HAPPY BIRTHDAY HENRY!! 🥳 My boy is 15 today and I couldn’t be more proud of him. He has such a good heart and fun personality I feel so lucky everyday to be his mom. Love you Henry! 💙 #happybirthdayhenry #15yearstoday #7littlehumans
MAX and BLUE ❤️💙🐶🐶 A huge thank you to @sashton73 and @lissakay05 and all their kids for taking care of these massive fur balls for the past year so we could enjoy our epic family adventure in NZ. THANK YOU for giving them so much love, time and attention, we are so grateful to you for your goodness and generosity! ❤️ #maxandblue #theboysareback #7littlehumans
NEW ZEALAND WE LOVE YOU! For a year we’ve been wrapped in your adventure and your love. We are forever grateful and forever changed and even though the time has come for us to leave we feel so happy to know we always have a home in Gizzy. Arohanui ❤️ #leavingnewzealand #wemissyoualready #7littlehumans
Last day of school for these crazy littles! So many mornings running out this gorgeous front door to the beach school 💙💙💙 #lastdayofschool #mycrazylittles #wewillmissthis #7littlehumans
LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!!! Too many “last times,” I think we’ll just need to come back. Already planning a trip! 💞 #nzweloveyou #notgoodbye #seeyousoon #7littlehumans
It’s not everyday I get backyard lemons brought to me through my kitchen window! 🍋 #backyardlemons #lemontree #wishicouldtakethetrees #7littlehumans
COOKS COVE 🌊 Brilliant blues and greens! Pretty much sums up the day. • The littles decided they wanted to be first up and down the mountain which was fabulous!! I didn’t have to drag anyone anywhere... • Stunning scenery, “Dr Seuss tree,” muddy shoes, and a sleepy seal. Not bad for an afternoon. 💙 #cookscove #beautifulhikes #NZhikes #newzealand #drseusstrees #7littlehumans
No fireworks this year but still celebrating the Stars and Stripes ⭐️ We went exploring around the nearby tide pools only to turn around and find the tide was coming in quicker than expected...we nearly went for a swim...it was gorgeous! 🌊🐚🌟 #starsandstripes #tidepoolsnz #7littlehumans
16 YEARS! 💖 We totally laugh like this everyday. - We never ever fight. 🙄 - We always remember our anniversary! - Except when it was yesterday 🤦🏼♀️ - Here’s a fun fact. I don’t even know how many years we’ve been reminded by my mom that it’s our anniversary! 😂 - The saving grace is that we’re equally guilty of letting it slip. This year we actually celebrated the night before because we were talking when the alert showed up on my phone and I said, “Oh! It’s our anniversary tomorrow!” - Then Matt said, “Oh crap!” - He already made a commitment and I had scheduled lunch with a friend so we decided to go out to dinner early. We’re very practical that way. 😉 - It was super romantic!! - #Marriage Goals! - #happyanniversary #evenwhenweforget #romanceisreal #7littlehumans ❤️
FRONT ROW SEAT ☀️🌊🌾 We leave this place in exactly one month from today. Sentiment is dripping from my soul and will soon begin to pour. I indulged in a run (mostly a slow stroll) yesterday along my normal route, taking advantage of some much needed sunshine, and stopped to rest at my favorite bench. I was far from being out of breath, but it suddenly hit me that I’m down to just a few precious weeks where I can literally walk across the street and enjoy this front row seat to the most beautiful sunrises I’ve ever seen, or the gentle close of an evening gander, or a peaceful spot to simply enjoy the clean air while watching the waves roll into shore. - We’re going to miss this place. 💙 - #frontrowseat #sentimentalmoments #7littlehumans
THE ROADS OF NEW ZEALAND 🌿 I could easily create an entire IG account fully dedicated to New Zealand roadways. Nearly every single one feels like the road less traveled and the backdrop to magical stories. We like to complain about the endless twists and turns and long for straight, unbending highways, but these roads have led us to so many memories and discoveries we might actually miss them. The driving, not so much, but the outrageously scenic splendor, most definitely. #newzealandroads #taranaki #windingroads #theroadlesstraveled #fairytaleforest #7littlehumans 🌱
Happy Father’s Day!!! I feel like I hit the jackpot with these three! 🥰 #happyfathersday2020 #dadsareamazing #7littlehumans
Just because 🍁🧡🍂 #henry #autumnleaves #growingup #7littlehumans
This is my dad...he has cancer. My amazing dad has recently been diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma. It’s a rare cancer of the bile ducts and extremely tough to treat, but he’s an optimist to the core and therefore his future is bright! Fortunately, he’s currently only at stage 2, which in the world of cancer, is highly encouraging. I know some of you who follow my account also know and love my dad, so I wanted to let you know of the IG account my parents are starting to inform and update family and friends of his condition as well as treatments he will be undergoing. The goal is not to obtain followers, but rather to document the process and this journey through words of faith, hope, and humor, all characteristics my dad exhibits to the fullest. If you know my dad and would like to be present for this part of his journey, you can find his story @thebilefiles. Thank you for the outpouring of love and support we have already been receiving from so many of you. We are humbled by your prayers and your love and feel immensely grateful and blessed by your concern. Please don’t hesitate to message me with questions at anytime. We love you 💕 #cholangiocarcinoma #livingwithcancer #thebilefiles #7littlehumans
KARAKIA TIMATA KARAKIA are Māori prayers used to bring spiritual guidance and protection. Sarah repeats this beautiful karakia each morning at school with her classmates. While English translations of Te Reo Māori fall short in conveying the full depth of meaning, the beauty of this karakia spoke to my heart in it’s relevance to the deep civil unrest which resides in our country and throughout the world. Children inherently love and embrace diversity of color, language and culture. We can learn from their open hearts and minds and do better. Let’s see our white privilege. Take responsibility. Listen to voices of POC. Learn and unlearn. Swipe to hear Sarah repeating a karakia of peace and unity. 🙏🏼 • • • Kia hora te marino Kia whakapapa pounamu te moana Hei huarahi mā tātou i te rangi nei Aroha atu, aroha mai Tātou i a tātou kātoa Hui ē! Tāiki ē! • • • May peace be widespread May the sea be like greenstone A pathway for us all this day Let us show respect for each other For one another Bind us together! • • • #karakia #maoriprayer #weneedtodobetter #bindustogether #7littlehumans
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOHNNY! Johnny turned 8 years old today and was baptized a member of our church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It was such a tender experience and so memorable! Typically, baptisms take place inside the church, but because of the current social distancing measures our church buildings are temporarily closed and we were able to perform the baptism in the ocean. Johnny was so excited, and playing at the beach at your baptism is an extra bonus! This unique experience, shared with family and a few special people, has been a beautiful highlight of ours. We loved celebrating Johnny today as he received so many sweet messages from friends and whanau both near and far. We love you Johnny!! 💙 #happybirthday #baptism #7littlehumans
OKITU SAND DUNES 🌾 #funinthesun☀️ #lockdownnz #7littlehumans
LIFE’S A BEACH 💙🌊🐚 Life in lockdown seems to have brought many emotions to the surface. A friend asked how I was doing and my reply went something like; Oh, you know, the usual...feeling happy, then sad, then excited, then bored, feeling motivated then entirely unmotivated, tearful, numb, creative, crazy...how were your last 20 minutes? 😜 Somedays the struggle is real, and all feelings are valid. Right now I’m feeling so grateful to be in a place where a walk can do wonders! Do you have a favorite spot? What are the best parts of lockdown for you? What is the worst? How are you doing?? 💕 #lifeinlockdown #lifeisabeach #beachlife #beachwalks #beachlove #soluckytolivehere #lovewhereilive #covidemotions #gratitude #7littlehumans
“We are now about to visit the most marvellous places and see the most wonderful things!” -James and the Giant Peach 🍑 #roalddahl #jamesandthegiantpeach #bedtimestories #imagination #childrensbooks #7littlehumans
PAPER AIRPLANE TUTORIAL ✈️ Johnny has discovered that he loves folding paper airplanes and has been working on his own modifications. This is his current favorite design and wanted to share! I’ve split into two videos. If you’re interested in making your own DM a photo of the finished product!! 🛩 #stayhomestaysafe #travelrestrictions #papertravel #paperairplanes #paperairplanetutorial #covid19 #covidplanes #7littlehumans
GO FOLLOW HENRY!! @hdashton. • My awesome son, Henry, is working on a school project to raise environmental awareness, and as part of that he’s started an instagram account that will feature great info as he seeks to learn and share more about our amazing planet and how we care for it. CHECKI IT OUT!! 💙🌊🌏 #environmentalawareness @teensofinstagram #7littlehumans
💙🌊🌏 Capturing the moment becomes tricky. Do I obsess with the camera so I don’t miss a thing, or do I ditch the camera so I don’t miss the moment? #capturethemoment #liveinthenow #findingbalance #beachlove #thisismybackyard #okayreallyitsmyfrontyard #sigh #7littlehumans
AKAROA was a beautiful place to wrap up our South Island trip. We went out on a boat to view the Hector’s Dolphins which, of course, are now our favorite species! Once endangered, they’re found only in New Zealand, and they’re just so cute!! Very small in comparison to other dolphins, and the black and white markings with the black, rounded “Mickey Mouse ear” dorsal fin make them irresistibly charming! We saw blue penguins, also super tiny and overloaded with cuteness, and fun little fur seals. Sarah was our eagle-eye as she was nearly always the first to spot the wildlife along with Elby, the adorable dog that came along in the boat to help find the dolphins. She was so fun to have along! Johnny got to drive the boat for a time as we made our way back to the harbor, and we followed up with some fresh fish and chips in the charming little town of Akaroa. I would highly recommend this whimsical corner of the island! Wow! Are we sure happy to head back home to Gizzy!! Living in a motorhome for 2 1/2 weeks with 6 people is tight!! 😂 We’ve had so many good times, learned so much, struggled a bunch, were inundated by crazy amounts of scenic beauty, and feel so grateful for the health and safety that have accompanied our journey. We’ve never taken a trip quite like this and I could go on forever about it, but I won’t. South Island, we loved you! 💙 #akaroabay #akaroadolphins #hectorsdolphins #bluepenguins #furseals #sogladtogohome #motorhomelife #7littlehumans
Sarah and Johnny have been learning how to use filters on the photos. We all love color, right?! I actually think they did a pretty nice job! We visited the TOKATA LIGHTHOUSE at NUGGET POINT and had fun watching all the fur-seals swim, wiggle, and sunbathe on the rocks below as well as gannets nesting high on the cliffs. We’re at the bottom of the South Island and have felt the energy of a rugged ocean, the beauty of the rolling plains, misted by multiple waterfalls discovered ocean caverns, unique wildlife, and experienced a bit too much drive time. We’ve watched so many movies as we’ve travelled 😄 Our favorites have been The Incredibles, Despicable Me, and The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. Why lookout the window?! 😉 #megafilter #tokatalighthouse #nuggetpoint #furseals #yelloweyedpenguins #gannets #movies #7littlehumans
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SARAH JANE!!! 🥳🎉💖 It’s so great to be nine!! We’ve all enjoyed a fabulous day of NOT HIKING in Queenstown! 😁 Thank you for bringing spunk and lots of life to this family. We love you! 🥰 #happybirthdaysarahjane #nothiking #basecampadventures #shotoverjet #skylinequeenstown #7littlehumans
On the road to Glenorchy 💙 #7littlehumans
A few days ago we spent the afternoon paddling around the confluence of the HAAST and BURKE rivers in the Haast Pass. A big shout out to Matt for finding these places and bringing the energy to keep this mighty crew moving!! We experienced the emerald pools and falls in the Burke River, then all practiced paddling through the gentle rapids of the confluence in our packrafts. It was a remarkably beautiful area, one we will always remember. Thanks Matt, we sure love you! 💚 #burkerivergorge #haastriver #confluence #packraftnz #familytravel #familytravelnz #7littlehumans
HOOKER VALLEY TRACK to a closer view of Mt Cook was 10k’s of impressive views. Our best walk yet; we absolutely fell in LOVE with this place. Sarah Jane managed, even with a blister on the way back. She was one happy trooper, and with her birthday coming up in a couple of days she had one request. “Mom? Can I help plan my birthday?” “Of course!” I replied. She then explained, “I just don’t want to hike on my birthday.” “You bet! Absolutely NO HIKING on your birthday,” I said. She smiled...and it was the best view on the hike! I love my Sarah Jane! 💖 😂🥳🥰 #aoraki #mtcook #hookervalleytrack #nohikingonbirthdays #7littlehumans
AORAKI/MT COOK • How do you greet your morning? #mtcook #mtcooksunrise #mackenzieregion #shewakesuplikethat #anniedancing #blanketdance #7littlehumans
Quote of the day! 😂 #mtaspiring #wordsofhenry #7littlehumans
PORORARI RIVER GORGE made for a beautiful morning before the storm hit. #packraftnz #pororaririvergorge #7littlehumans
MOTUKIEKIE is a beautiful rugged beach on the west coast of the South Island. We took an off beaten path through the jungly hillside to emerge onto this rocky outcropping of scattered boulders in the sea. Annie’s footage of the rain soaked path reveals Sarah’s true feelings about the experience. 😄 #motukiekie #welcometothejungle #southislandwestcoast #7littlehumans
CASTLE HILL, straight out of Narnia, is a fabulous playground for kids and climbers alike. We had so much fun climbing over and around the boulders, and while there, we met this darling young man named Kai. We helped direct him to his lost coat and spent a bit of time chatting and laughing together. He’s part of a youth outreach mission group and was so kind and cheerful! He wanted to leave a blessing with us before he left, so we prayed together and it was so sweet to feel of his genuine desire to help lift the spirits of those he meets. It was a beautiful beginning to our trip! #castlehill #chroniclesofnarnia #naturesplayground #yom #7littlehumans
Johnny had a great evening out with Little Rippers! Thanks to awesome coaches @gisborne_boardriders and for this sweet as photo of Johnny working on his pop-up! 🏄🏼♂️🌊🤙🏼 #littlerippers #gizzysurf #7littlehumans
The swimming hole at the MOHAKA RIVER FARM was the best place to spend a hot summer day! We jumped off the rock all afternoon, Norm and Meredith included, tried a little fishing, and enjoyed a nice little river float. And as if that weren’t enough, we received the most amazing surprise after we got home tonight. Our friend, Dave McClutchie, shows up with a fresh catch from the ocean as a gift because he’s just that kind of guy. 3 Crayfish and 1 Blue Moki! Wow!!! Checkout my story to see our reactions. What a cool way to wrap up the summer!! 🦞🦞🦞🐟 #mohakariverfarm #freshfishdaily #thanksdave #deliciousness #7littlehumans
OTATARA PĀ in Napier was so beautiful in the golden light! A Pā is a defensive or fortified Māori village and it was lovely walking through this one at sundown. #otatarapa #napier #goldenlight #7littlehumans
REES VALLEY was the most beautiful afternoon! We hiked in through the valley with the awesome Bryce and Karen Bitton for a nice little float down the river. Matt taught Bryce how to dance, (yes it’s continuing), we conquered the muddy marshes, saw more waterfalls than I think I’ve ever seen, for sure more sandflies than I’ve ever wanted to see, and just loved being in a beautiful place with fabulous people. Thanks Bryce and Karen for such a great time in NZ! We’re looking forward to the next float! #reesvalleynz #reesriver #packraftnz #brycehasmoves #sandflies #7littlehumans