The Ashtons

Do any of the four of you that read this blog (I raised my number due to popular response) have a shoulder angel? You know, a conscience that has an actual voice and guides your moral decisions you make every day? I have one. (several voices but only one that acts as a moral compass) That voice belongs to Linda Ashton. She was my sunday school teacher and partner in Sunday crime. (ie skipping sunday school to sit in the car to hear the A's game or heading to In and Out to fill our tummies so we could pay better attention to the church speaker) As a young teenager she had the patience to take me under her wing and show me the beauty of Christs gospel in a way so profound that here I sit fifteen years later confident that I can pass those lessons on to my young daughters. I am truly grateful and fortunate for her kindness and example. And I am not the only one. I had the opportunity to do a photo session of her family who was gathered together this holiday weekend to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary and it was quite a site to behold. Mick and Linda Ashton were married 50 years ago when she was merely fifteen years old. There were over forty five people there for the shoot, all of their children, their childrens children, and in two cases, their childrens childrens children. Such a dynamic group of people I have never seen and I had a blast getting to speak with a few of them. The part that sticks out in my mind more then anything else during that crazy shoot was at one point having to pause as she looked out at the see of white shirts before her and welled up with tears as she saw what she had created and the legacy that had been started fifty years beforehand. She said (in a voice I know all to well, as it also plays the role of my shoulder angel) "Are you seeing what I am seeing? Isn't it incredible." And it really is incredible. Here are some previews for you to see and if you happen to read this, Thank you Thank you Thank you.

This is a great grandson, he is adorable! He is also eating a Starburst in this shot if anyone is wondering.

And here is mom with her girls.

This is Steff and her husband John and the second great grand baby, Autumn. I hope to post a blurb completely dedicated to Autumn sometime in the future because she is a doll and I can't wait to do her pictures!