Ashton at age 2

Happy Birthday to the youngest member of the Stevens clan:

ASHTON COLE!

In the past year, Ashton has emerged from a baby to silly, high energy, streak-loving little boy! With the help of his big brothers and sister, this fun little guy is learning the ropes of childhood fast! In honor of Ash's big day, here's a look at this vivacious kid at age two:

* Ash loves books, Elmo, mom's ipod, and the Wiggles. But his favorite toy of all time is still a ball. He's got some amazing skills for a 2-year-old. You can actually play catch with him... Really!

* Ash has recently discovered the wonders of costumes! His favorite combination is sunglasses, a cowboy hat, and these two necklaces. Here's Ash in his classic camera pose--arm up while leaning to the side!

* Ash is the official scripture retriever. At scripture time, Ashton runs to the drawer and finds everyone's scriptures and delivers them to the appropriate person. (He's learned whose is whose!) He also puts them away when we're finished--carrying at least two at a time. (He's a tough kid.) He absolutely loves this job and takes it very seriously!

* Ash is very popular with all of my piano students. One student in particular always asks the same question the moment he walks through my door each week: "Is Ashy awake?"

* Ash refuses to leave his bed without his two favorite blankets and binki.

* Ash has a special kinship with Grandpa Stevens. He just loves it when Grandpa uses his pen to tickle his face!

* Ash was born with the boy sound effect chip--and he makes sound effects all day long... as he throws and catches balls, jumps, runs, sits...

* At the mere age of two, Ash has already mastered the art of comedy. He'll do anything for a laugh! Here's Ashton putting on one of his goofy shows at lunch time...

* Ashton loves the B.Y.U. acapella group, Vocal Point. He demands this C.D. the moment we strap him in the car by screaming "We Will!" meaning the song, "We Will Rock You." He tries to sing and beat box along to the entire C.D. When we come home, he sometimes prefers to stay buckled in his car seat listening to the C.D. rather than getting out and going inside the house. Now that's a dye hard fan!

* Ashton has always been a long napper. He still naps 4-5 hours a day!

* Ash loves his Daddy's truck. He also loves sitting on his Dad's motorcycle making uncanny motorcycle noises. I swear... little boys come programmed.

* Ash really loves it when the kids' friends come over to play. He especially loves tormenting Carson and his buddies by chasing them around with a sword. They are scared to death of him... because he hasn't yet learned how to play soft.

* Ashton LOVES food, and he'll eat ANYTHING! If you don't believe me, watch this video of him devouring a lemon at Johnny Carinos.

* Ash gets great satisfaction by yelling "No!" and "My" (meaning 'mine') at least 100 times a day.

* Ashton is crazy talented at destroying anything if left alone for more than five minutes.

* Ashton has always been so good about going to bed. The second we say, "Time for bed," he puckers his lips like a fish and kisses every member of the family and then happily goes to bed.

* Ash's most used word is "uck." Meaning "Look!"

* When Ashton wakes in the morning, he'll just play and talk softly to himself forever until someone finally goes and gets him. He is such a good natured boy.

* Ashton loves running to greet Dad and the kids when they return home with a hug.

This past year has been a big one for Ashton, and the next promises to be even bigger... potty training, sentences... let the fun begin! Happy Birthday Ashton!