Fun Fall Pictures

The kids and I went to the park today before Sasha's music class to take some pictures, it was a cool but beautiful morning. They did great, thanks for cooperating with me.

Here are a few pictures from our trip to Salt Lake.

We are so thankful that we were able to make it down for Grandma's funeral, and to spend some time with our families. Thank you for the time that you were able to spend with us.

We had a great time celebrating Braden's birthday with everyone!

Even though he didn't like the cake, he doesn't like getting his fingers messy.

Our afternoon at the Hogle Zoo

This elephant was dancing to the music that was playing, it was quite fun to watch.

Silver Lake @ Brighton

Thanks again everyone we loved seeing you!!!

Though next time we are looking for a different way to get there. 14 hours each way was a bit too long for all involved. We are glad that it was an uneventful drive.

Color, color, color

Something that I have always enjoyed is decorating, though I am definately not as good as some others in my family. It would get a little interesting when it would come to redecorating the house as we were getting older having so many different opinions about what would look the best. Lets just say that we each have had our "moments" where our ideas turned out "great". The lamps in my bedroom :) Emily and Mom couldn't see what I was thinking, then they were there and they both loved them. For me that is a rare occurrence, but I still love it. I struggle more with staying with one style consistently throughout a room. There are so many styles that I like I have to watch that I'm not getting too messy about it. Some day when we are done with school and have an income again I might get to really have fun decorating, for now I just keep dreaming.

I found a fun test on Design Mom, it will let you know how well you see color. My score was a 4, though I was hoping for a "0", oh well. How did you do?

Oh, how I Love You Grandma!

Here are a few pictures of some precious memories that I have of Sasha, Braden and their Great Grandma Corey

Grandma meeting her first Great Grandchild - Sasha

Sasha and Grandma 2 years later

Grandma seeing her great grandson, Braden, for the first time

This is one of my all time favorites

Grandma with her two Great Grandkids

Thank you for loving them as much as you loved me.

I love you!!!

No pictures that I post, or words that I may type could ever adequately pay tribute to this wonderful woman. There have been many times that I have wondered what I would do when this beautiful friend, teacher, confidant, mother, grandmother... was no longer here. I woke this morning to the news that, this is now a reality. One that I, amongst many others, must face. I haven't allowed myself to cry, today, though I know it will come, I had to be there for my kids. There were times that I got tearful, but I kept thinking I must be strong, I must be strong. I have never questioned that there is life before here, and life after death. This is something that is part of me, I know that I will see Grandma again, I look forward to that day. I must find ways to live my life so that I may have the opportunity to see her again. I treasure the many gifts that she has given me, I still have a collection of countless cards (birthday, Christmas, Easter, Mother's Day...) that some may find frivolous, but thank you for letting me have these treasures Brit. I am so thankful that Grandma had a chance to get to know two of her Great Grandchildren (in this life), though they likely won't remember her I have joy in the thought that they also have had the opportunity to know her a little. I loved hearing her stories, repetitive as some may have become, it was great to hear the light in her voice and see the light and excitement in her eyes as she would share many of them. While there are many experiences that I could share there, this one is so precious to me. Sasha, Braden and I were blessed enough to have the chance to go to Salt Lake in April (for a great birthday surprise for Dad) and were also able to spend some time with Grandma. She hadn't been doing very well, so I didn't expect it to be the greatest visit, but as we reached her door, and knocked to let her know we were coming in, she answered. We went for a great walk that day, and talked. The conversation wasn't something that really stayed with me, but the excitement that she had that we were there is something that I won't ever forget. She kept telling us that she looked out her window, and couldn't believe what she was seeing, it couldn't be, we were in Washington, but then there we were at her door, we really were there! It was a great surprise for her, something that she didn't forget, and something that I will always hold dear. In nearly every conversation we had after that day I became more and more thankful that we had that chance, because it was something that would bring a youthful excitement back into her voice. I could hear her smiling. Thank you so much for that opportunity, those who made that day and memory possible.

Thank you for always being there for me Grandma, for loving me unconditionally, for answering my endless questions, teaching me so many things, for loving life and those around you. Forgive me for not adequately sharing these things with you when you were still here. Please know that I love you, and miss you. I'm sorry that I couldn't be there more often, thank you for being so understanding, I've really missed you, and always will. Thank you for your example of a wonderful life, and wonderful children, I hope that I can be a small part of the woman that you are. (now the tears are coming, a little)

PS ~ I would love to have any one that has a memory (or as many as you would like to share) of Grandma Corey please do so in the comments. I would love to have as many as possible.

PSS ~ Thank you for listing to my rambling thoughts.

PSSS ~ To those who still have the opportunity write a letter, or just a note to those that you love to let them know how much they mean to you while you still have the chance.

HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY BRADEN

We are so thankful to have Braden as part of our family. We wanted to show you a little bit of him as he has grown up during the past year.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HANDSOME!!!

A little preview of who was coming, we were so excited (Sasha's 1st birthday portrait session)

Welcome, welcome, welcome... Braden Andrew 9 lbs 3 oz

My 1st Halloween, a cute little pumpkin

I love playing on this blanket, and mommy loves that I wasn't going anywhere by myself :) oh how quickly things change

My 1st Christmas!

Tummy time, look, I can hold my head up really well

Aren't I cute? Gotta love this smile!!!

I love music time, especially playing Sasha's piano (when she'll let me)

My 1st shoe shopping experience, they tasted really good :)

I'm 6 months old!

My 1st time finger painting, how messy can I get? By the way it tasted a little slimy.

Learning where my mouth is!

My 1st time in a boat, and I'm helping daddy row.

"High Five" - they are the best!

You do know that the bark doesn't belong here right. It is so much fun watching mommy putting it back as I throw it all over the lawn. It's good fiber too. (see me balancing?)

And...here I am one year later

Happy 1st Birthday Braden

A few things about our little birthday boy:

why walk when you can "crawl" so fast?

"bu bye" (while waving)

"aw dun"

only naps in the swing

great at falling asleep on his own for bedtime

loves CHEESE

will eat about anything and everything (keep small objects FAR out of reach)

climbs on everything

LOVES his Mommy, if she's around she has to be holding me

Daddy is a close second

loves a good swing, slide, park...

playing with cars, blocks, balls, Sasha's trike

We love you!!!

Braden's First Steps

Braden has taken a few good steps. He is by no means "walking" yet but he is seriously contemplating the idea. Here is a video of the event (well, actually the video captures his 6th or 7th steps because he took the first few obviously when we didn't have the camera out). We were enjoying the company of a couple of great friends that were helping us put together our new place when Braden decided that he wanted the book that came in Sasha's dinner. Here is a little video for all of you who are too far away to see him with your own eyes. We love you and miss you.

Braden also had a front tooth breach the surface, so his vampire teeth aren't going to last much longer. He is so much fun! He giggles at everything! Everything and anything is funny to him, whether it is something you do or something he does. What a happy little boy! We are so blessed to have him as part of our little family.

PS This took place on August 29th, for those of you who might me wondering :)

HAPPY GRANDPARENTS DAY!!!

Happy Grandparents Day!!! We miss you and wish that we could have been with you to celebrate this wonderful day. We want to thank you for being such great grandparents and parents, near and far. We love your phone calls, and visits even more, we look forward to our visits whenever there is a chance. We love you and miss you!!! Have a great day!!!

Here is a picture of Braden's "fangs" we love our little "vampire"! His top center teeth are coming in now, we are glad that we were able to capture this shot of him while it lasted. Sorry about the food on his face, it was the only time that I had a "captive" subject. And yes he has a "fat" lip, he was playing behind his high chair and slipped forward onto the bar. Poor little guy didn't appreciate that one much.

Sasha and Bobo, these two have become pretty much inseparable as of late. Life is so much more fun with your best friend at your side, taking a nap, going for a ride, playing with others, going shopping... and of course sleeping, they love each other. She also is loving to play "dress-up" with Mommy's shoes, for the most part I don't mind :)

We miss you and love you all!!!

(us at a BBQ with some good friends 2 weeks ago)

Visit With Bampa & Mama

We had a great time with "Bampa" & "Mama". Here are a few pictures of some of the fun times that we had together. There were many other enjoyable things that we were able to do as well. Thank you so much for coming to spend a little time with us, we loved it!!! We miss you already, and are looking forward to our next visit.

Counting!!

Sasha can now count to six all by herself!

"one, doo, wee, fois, fize, six" (my favorite is four)

It is so stinkin' cute! Her sentences are starting to come together too. It is so much fun to see her grow and learn. She just learned about having bones inside her body. "Bose size!" (Bones inside).

Braden is cruising like crazy! and walking very well as long as he can hold on to something. But it won't be very long until he is walking all on his own! He knows how to say "bye-bye" and he waves his little hand. So CUTE!

Kids are great! They make life so crazy, yet so much fun!

5 years strong

Tuesday was our 5 year anniversary. It was nice. Brit had class in the morning but took the day off of work. We spent the afternoon together just taking it easy while the kids napped. Then, we took the kids to a babysitter so we could go out to dinner just the two of us. It was nice to have some time to ourselves. We went to the Steam Plant Grill: Brit had a top sirloin - cajun style with garlic mashed potatoes; Hilary had Alaskan Halibut with some sort of coconut sauce that was simply amazing.

After dinner, we put the kids to bed and watched a rented movie. So we got our dinner and movie all on the same day (that's impressive). Even though Brit fell asleep during the movie (must not have been exciting enough) - it was a good movie though.

I can't believe five years have passed since that very special day. I am so grateful to be where I am today, with a beautiful wife to two absolutely gorgeous children! Thank you Hilary for all you do and for all you are.

Sorry everyone reading this - it is a little sappy, I know. But I guess you will have to just deal with it.

That was my beautiful bride to start my family 5 years ago and below is my beautiful family today.