Ben, Kate, Archie, Annie

January

2012-01-25T11:09:00.000-08:00

This month has flown by as it seems the rest of my months will while I've got small children in the house! Here are a few things we've been doing:

-painting (on paper, faces, the table, the walls, and the floor...)
-Annie learned how to sit by herself, fall to her tummy, roll to her back and sit her self back up! She laughs at everyone (in an encouraging way!), she is a delight even when she is sick, which she has been. I secretly cherish those nights when I have to sleep with her in the recliner because she is coughing too much. I know those nights will be less and less as she grows up.
-We've been trying to get outside still, despite the cold, we take walks and attempt to play at the park on days when the sun is out
-reading! We all love to read and having the library so close is a blessing, mommy, Archie, Annie and Daddy all have lots of books to read.
-cleaning/organizing- Archie is really resisting nap time, so it has become clean and organize time, today is his bedroom
-exercising, i am loving my elliptical, thank you Ben!
-drooling, Annie must be getting a tooth soon, she is non stop drool and snot

-having family time. Ben is just working, not doing any other 'project' or application, so we have had a lot of time together, it has been wonderful. We play and read and cook and take family 'trips', one of Ben and Archie's favorite spots is Macey's to get 23 cent ice cream, we are going to try to take advantage of this time and go to museums (the free ones) visit family, do small dates with our kids and do family outings as the weather is nice. I love it!

-praying, baby Issac was born about a week and a half ago, 10 weeks early! He seems to be doing well, well enough for 10 weeks early, but we've been able to talk to Archie a lot more about prayer and how when we pray Heavenly Father can bless other people, like Issac, Owie, Aunt Christy and Uncle Alex. We love our new cousin:

Painting. I think I was watching as he emptied all the paint bottles onto the plate, I am pretty sure I was on the phone and Ben was on the computer.

I just love these two!

December already

2011-12-10T13:55:00.000-08:00

Archie loves the swing down at Grandma Jakes- Kristen captured his tummy dropping pleasure perfectly.

I love my family! Sometimes it is challenging to be a mother or a wife or what ever it is that you being or doing. Of course it is challenging, if it weren't we wouldn't grow and learn. But no matter how many tantrums we go through per day, and not just from my 3 year old, or my 5 month old (yes I am including myself in here, not just throwing Ben under the bus) it is all worth it. I loved my family growing up- I had tons of fun with my brothers and with my parents, we traveled we played games we had special traditions and we still get together and have tons of fun- family is the greatest. I am now learning how amazing it is to be a wife and a mother and to be creating those priceless memories in my own little family unit. Annie is the happiest girl I have ever known. She will smile and giggle at you even when she is exhausted- she plays this game before she goes down for a nap; she likes to sleep on her tummy, so when you put her down, she rolls on to her back, then waits for the eye contact from the nap enforcer (mommy) and just laughs and laughs! It is as if she is saying that she knows she did what you didn't want her to do and it was funny. She'll cuddle and coo and make you feel like you are the only person in the world, she gives you so much attention if you give it to her. I LOVE being her mom!
Archie is our 'big boy' and he loves to remind us. He loves to cuddle after his naps, he is a helper in the mornings getting the milk, juice, cereal and bowls out for breakfast. He is very protective of Annie, calling her 'my Annie' or 'my little sister' so others know not to take her away. He has been going to Joy School and really enjoying that. I can't believe he is getting so big! He loves 'fixing' anything with his tools, loves playing with cars and trucks, loves to 'take care' of his little baby (which usually consists of putting her down for a nap and then getting her up and wrapping her in far too many blankets) and loves playing with his cousin Alex (although some days you wouldn't be able to tell that he loves her so much).
Ben and I have found that we really have to schedule just being together into our days. It really is only for a couple of hours in the evenings that we have time to watch a movie, sit and talk or do other necessary but boring adult things. So that time lately has been precious to me- I love my Ben. Well I have some pictures that I have been meaning to post, so here they are.

So Kristen is an amazing photographer- she so willingly took some family pictures for us and we thank her!

Just a happy Kate with her family.

Bananie and Mommy:)

My sweet heart.

My other sweet heart.

It was too cold for Annie's cute outfit so she wore her bear suit instead!

Family.

Just love this girl.

Daddy and Archie, buddies.

Annie propped up, this must have been around 4 months old.

I walked in Archie's room and he pointed up to his light fixture and said, "see what I did?"

Best friends in the making.

Archie 'working' and 'fixing', the mittens he has on are his work gloves.

A battle wound from a little accident at grandma's house- after the tears Arch thought it was pretty cool.

My little princess- I don't know what was wrong with her eye, this photo was from a month ago!

Handy dandy Archie and his tool belt.

In his new coat from Grandpa and G-ma, thank you!

His new clothes from grammy!

His morning of 'working' in the cupboards.

Happy Birthday Archie

2011-11-07T17:03:00.000-08:00

Little baby boy Nov. 10, 2008

Little Baby boy not really enjoying his first birthday cake, Nov. 7 2009

Little toddler boy loving his pumpkin bread on his birthday date with mommy and daddy Nov. 6 2010.

Little Boy anticipating his chocolate cake with construction trucks all over it, Nov. 6 2011.
Daddy and Archie put the cake together (hence the digger climbing up the side of the cake...)

Whoppers make great 'rocks' or clumps of mud, and if you break them they make 'dirt' too.

Uncle Devin, one of the greatest Uncles in the world, definitely in our family. He is so patient and fun and does anything and everything he can for his nieces and nephews. He saved the day at the birthday party by helping Annie be happy- she liked looking out the window:)

Our family photo- if you can't tell, Archie is not very happy with being asked to sit and take a picture, this was the best one.

This is the pre-party celebration, happy Archie:)
We had an awesome party. Kristen decorated and made absolutely delicious cupcakes, we had spaghetti and meatballs with garlic bread and sweet potatoes. For dessert we had cupcakes, birthday cake and incredible home made strawberry ice cream from Kara and Devin. We did a cake walk so everyone could win prizes and Archie got his favorite things: tools and trucks. It was the best birthday of his life, until the next one.

I can't believe he is already 3 years old. We've gone a lot of places and done a lot of things in his short little life, but certainly the most memorable moments are the times when we are just at home laughing and playing with daddy or cuddle time with mommy. Actually my favorite moments are starting to become the times when he and Annie interact and just make each other laugh, the longer they look at each other the more they laugh. It reminds me of me and Zach growing up, I loved (and still do of course!) my brothers- being a part of a family is the best. Here are some pictures- I try every time to get them in the order I want them to be in, so we'll see how it goes this time, I have never been successful. (After I wrote this I realized the pictures were above and not below, so I am still unsuccessful... no big deal)

Guess what we have?!

2011-10-09T19:17:00.000-07:00

A potty trained boy!

I guess he has been going on his own for a while, but it is official now that I don't have to remind him all the time, and he just runs into the bathroom on his own to 'go'. Who knew the sense of accomplishment that comes from potty training is so strong for the parents, not just the child!

We also have a beautiful baby girl who calms us all and loves to smile ( didn't want to leave Annie out of the success:))

Love you guys!

Our Life

2011-09-08T14:30:00.000-07:00

Things have been happening- we went to Denver, which was AWESOME, we moved, we have all started potty training (yes it involves us ALL), Joy-School started, Annie is starting to get a sleep schedule (which also involves us all, minus Arch)!Archie learns quickly which will be a benefit to him at some point, but is a hindrance to his mother currently.

Banannie in her cutie white dress from Grammy!

Another Banannie- I can't get enough

Archie hiding from Owie in the cupboard in our hotel in Denver, they loved to play together!

Archie riding Alex's bike and wearing Alex's helmet- meanwhile Alex came and asked me if she could ride her bike and when Archie was 'gonna get OFF?!' Poor girl, Archie is becoming a bit of a bully sometimes, he is bigger and more of a barrel-er, using his physicality to get what he wants...

Cutie naked babies, lying on the floor of our new apartment!

Picking blackberries with Alex and Kristen in cowboy boots.

Owie looking content but a little confused because Archie just stole his broom that he was playing with and when I asked him to give it back he screamed "NO!" happily and laughed and ran off... We love you Owen!

Photo Shoot!

2011-08-16T12:50:00.000-07:00

Kristen came over and took some wonderful pictures, she is so great at this I LOVE the pictures she took, thank you so much! And for some reason I cannot for the life of me get the pictures in any order that I want them to be in, so they are mixed up but at least they are there.

The red boots and the boy.

They do love each other, sometimes it may not seem like it, but then there are these moments.

Archie lost focus for a sec and Annie began to slip and slide to the right...

Archie is trying but Annie was wiggly...

The first of a few pictures where Archie is getting a little bored :0)

Precious. She had a tight hold on those tiny little vines.

Tucked in the vines.

So cuddled in the green.

"Hooowwww loooonnngggg are we dooooooing this?"

Perfect.

I can't believe they belong to me.

Sittin'. (not really, she can't sit yet!)

Kristen is amazing, I mean Annie is beautiful, but this picture was all Kristen capturing a sleepy/grumpy baby at the perfect moments with the perfect light.

Treasures...

2011-08-01T09:35:00.001-07:00

I don't have a picture of Ben, but I should... Kids, smiles, D.I. purchases, my garden treasures and the cutest experiences that you just can't be mad about. Last week was full of treasures.

Archie giving me a sly smile after he sneaked outside while I was disposing of a dirty diaper.

So this is a picture of how Archie gets around the kitchen. The bucket-stool has been great except recently when he uses it to access whatever he would like while I am nursing...

Here is a prime example: The boy wanted some Jell-o. So, he got a cup out, the jello package, some scissors of course and went to work. I walked in at the point where he was about to add water... Needless to say we made jello and ate it with dinner that night.

These are Annie's cowboy boots that my wonderful friend Brittany bought for her! I can't wait for her to wear them.

Banannie:) This was her attempt at a smile and my attempt to capture it.

Cucumber! I have garden treasures!

Piano! This was an amazing trip to D.I., our local thrift store. I went to get some shoes for Arch, which we bought, pic below, and that night Ben, Tyler, Devin and Pat were unloading this 8 ton piano into the garage! It is my temporary-while-I-still-live-too-far-away-to-move-my-great-grandmothers-piano piano. Only $75, super treasure.

The jogging stroller. My husband indulges me- but this is going to be our favorite activity once Annie is a bit older.

The D.I. 'running' shoes (Archie wouldn't try them on until I called them 'running' shoes) and RED cowboy boots! I couldn't believe it, there they were just sittin' on the shelf, I grabbed them, shoved them on Archie's feet and he complained for a minute then wouldn't take them off. When we got home he first ran down the sidewalk in his running shoes, then switched to a strut in his cowboy boots.

Another garden treasure: green onions:)

Ben, Kate, Archie, Annie

2011-07-26T14:34:00.000-07:00

I have finally gotten around to posting some pictures. It has been a fantastic month! I can't believe how fast it has gone and how many fun things we are able to do with a newborn in the summer time! If I can do it I am scheduling the rest of my children to be born in the summer months!Archie visiting us at the hospital...

Holding his baby sister, precious:)

Daddy helping the kids get along...

He just loves to caress her cheek and give her kisses, I love it!

Going home from the hospital! Get us outta there!

The beautiful dress that aunt Kristen made.

Archie's reaction to me saying, "can I give you a hug?!"

Grammy came to visit so we took her to the balloon festival, Archie got hooked on the Darth Vader balloon for some reason and couldn't keep his eyes off of it. He still asks to see the pictures of "mask Vader".

As you can see, Arch isn't really interested in anything but Darth Vader.

Don't you love it when newborns smile or giggle in their sleep? I LOVE it. And I happened to get a picture of my daughter doing it. I love saying that! My daughter...

Close up.

Another Vader and another Archie not looking at the camera.

The beautiful blessing dress that my wonderful mother-in -law made for Annie.

Annie wearing Archie's big boy shorts (we are trying to entice him to pee in the potty).

Great Grandpa Archie sitting in a WWII tank in the 4th of July Parade!

Another close up of Annie:)

Such a small little girl:)

Hangin' out.

Peek-a-boo!

Uncle Tyler, Daddy and Archie getting ready for a camp out! Is anyone smiling in this picture?

Banana boy wearing pull-ups.

Annie Banannie

2011-06-26T12:36:00.001-07:00

She is here and she is wonderful. We are all in love. I will have some pictures later; I just want to say that having children and being married are two of the greatest experiences of my life. I can't believe how love just exponentially increases for everyone in your family when you add to it, it is amazing. For all the bad that can be felt in life the good outweighs it every time. I love my Annie and my Archie, and especially Ben.

My second experience with being locked out...

2011-03-15T08:26:00.000-07:00

I decided I couldn't take the smell of the garbage anymore...I am sure I was the only one who could smell it, as everyone here has a cold, but my super pregnant nose has not failed me, although sometimes I wish it would. So I heaved it out of the garbage can, still in my pajamas, bare footed and with a toddler on my heals asking: "mom, doing?!" I thought I can race outside and just throw it in the big garbage can before he can make it out of the door (and seeing as how he refused any type of clothing this morning I did not want him outside). So in a minor flash of forethought I put on a coat, it's cold and I want to be warm, however, my forethought did not extend to my feet. I raced outside and raced back to the door, I could hear Archie struggling to open it, here is at least one door that he still cannot open, while my feet were burning with cold. I reached out to the door handle thinking of the welcome warmth me toes would encounter only to find that the reason Archie could not open the door was because he had locked it. Twice. I mean he had dead bolted the door as well as locked the handle, I could tell he was just fidgeting and trying to figure out what to turn to get the door open, so he really didn't know what was going on. But because I had screeched outside he screeched inside with laughter the funnier he thought it was the colder my feet got, as I hopped back and forth outside telling him to unlock the door, my senses came back to me and I realized I could just go through the garage...
But, as mentioned above this was the second time this has happened to me, with slightly different details... my advice is don't go outside without shoes on unless you are sure you can take the cold or unless you're sure your toddler knows how to unlock the door he/she has just locked.

The Biter

2011-03-09T20:42:00.000-08:00

Not that he bites people, he just takes huge bites of my chocolate, peanut butter filled egg.
We were finishing lunch the other day and I decided that we should share a treat. Knowing that Archie is 2 and I am 27 and he has a little mouth and I have a big mouth (relatively) I figured that telling him he could take a bite of my Reese's peanut butter egg would still leave me with most of the treat. I know, I know, I was taking advantage, but really he doesn't need all that sugar... so I held out the treat and gently touched it to his lips and sooner than I realized his teeth were encompassing 3/4's of the egg! He grinned at me as if he knew my plan and he had won. He did, however, what he doesn't know is that because I am 27 and he is 2 and because I am 5'5" and he 32" I can reach the cookie jar where the treats are hidden, so I helped myself to another, without sharing with the biter.
Someday, sooner than later I suspect, he'll realize he can cleverly reach most things on the counter with some creativity and then he'll be the 2 year old out smarting his mother, or at least secretly eating chocolate.

Christmas and Family

2011-01-27T09:45:00.000-08:00

We had a wonderful Christmas. You could see Archie processing what was happening and having more fun with toys and presents and excitement. He misunderstood the excitement though, and went for the unwrapped wrappings in the trash bag rather than the nicely wrapped presents under the tree. It didn’t matter to him he was happy to get his hands on anything toy or not. We spent the morning playing, eating, puzzling, and resting. Temple square later that night was fun, but we arrived too early for the lights, and after spending and hour walking around in the cold as a group we decided to leave, and we took about 5 steps and as if on cue all of the lights surrounding the temple turned on. It was magical. We reveled for about 2 minutes, it was still very cold, and then left, feeling satisfied that we got to see what we came for. Archie absolutely loved the attention he was getting. Aunt Kara, Uncle Devin, Grandma, Grandpa, Mom ( I am now “mom” not ‘mommy’ or ‘mama’… my little heart broke a bit, my little baby is not a baby) Daddy, ( how he got to be ‘Daddy’ and not just ‘dad’ escapes me, but makes me smile) and Archie. He would go from adult to adult bathing in their laughs and kisses and chases, not at all ready to share his pack of grown-ups with anyone. And he didn’t have to. We left two days after Christmas to spend a week with my family where Archie isn’t the only grandchild, but the only one that could make it to Colorado. So it was another round of amazingly fun laughs and kisses and chases from Grandpa M., G-ma, Aunt Laura, Uncle Bernie, Uncle Zach, Aunt Courtney, Mom and Daddy:) We do our best not to spoil the child, but how can you spoil a little boy who basks in your attention? Instead of too many ‘things’ he gets time and love and books read and trains played and pictures drawn. It is the most surprising, purest relationship. I am living the life that I always wanted but wasn’t sure how to express. Days may run into days and life isn’t always exciting, toilets need to be cleaned no matter where you are! But, I have an incredibly loving husband, who is committed to our family and our family’s happiness and a son who makes me laugh out loud and want to cry because he is so sweet. However, just like all lives, mine isn’t sunshine and roses and smiles every second of every day and that is why it is so wonderful. We learn hard lessons sometimes and make tons of mistakes most times, and burn dinner so the house fills up with smoke two times… but, I am rescued by that charming man who walks into the smoke filled house and opens windows, finds fans and says “don’t worry, let’s do date night tonight and take Archie with us”. Then, when it happens to him the next time, I will be there to rescue him. And Archie will be there to watch and learn, a) how to use the oven, b) how to use a timer, c) how to comfort and calm, d) how to make the best out of a burned dinner (because sometimes you just have to eat it when there is nothing else and the budget is tight!) I love my family, especially husband, kids, aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters, grandmas and grandpas.

We don't really have any other Christmas photos, I used our video camera most of the time and still have to get the videos uploaded. These pictures were from our Family night at Thanksgiving Point, taking a wagon ride through the lights in 'Santa's Village, it was a lot of fun.

Thanks to Kristen

2010-10-26T06:12:00.000-07:00

You are the best- in so many ways, right now i will just highlight one of the ways. Thanks for taking great pictures and letting me borrow them so my family can see what we do too, instead of just having to hear about it over the phone lamely with no pictures. You directly facilitate Archie's Michigan grandparents viewing of their grandson in Utah. Thanks!

Ward Halloween Party!

2010-10-26T05:59:00.000-07:00

Ben and I were accessories to Archie: he was the Rebel 1950's style. I guess you could call him a Rebel without a cause, but he really wasn't tough enough for that, and I had to keep kissing him on the cheek because I thought he was so cute. I don't think rebels let their mommies do things like that...
This was the best family costume of the night, and I was pretty sure they won, but an announcement the next day confused me... you guys still won in my heart! Absolutely the cutest, even you Tyler.
Uncle Ben with the Princess and the Rebel. The princess is preoccupied with the fake earrings on her earlobes and the Rebel just wants the piece of candy I promised him if he sat with daddy and Alex to take a picture. Uncle Ben is the only one performing up to the standards that we expected.

We had a blast! Kristen made a chili for the cook off and it was delish, but it did not win, maybe next year! I think I ate more desserts than chili because the dessert table line was so much shorter... the kids got to do their trunk-or-treat inside because it was raining; Archie didn't really like squeezing down the hall with 30 other people so he only got about 6 pieces of candy, not that he needed more- but maybe his parents did. But don't feel bad for me and Ben, there is still Grandma's work party and the actual Halloween night, so we'll be swimming in candy by the end of the month:)

2010-10-21T07:37:00.001-07:00

cinnamon rolls, not roles...

Business in the front... Party in the back

2010-10-21T07:07:00.000-07:00

The beginning... my precious little boy with precious hair...
Sittin' there like a champ with his cape on, lookin' kinda bored actually...
His prize for sitting there was every once in a while aunt Kristen would feed him a bit of marshmallow :) But he took to licking the chair too, which was full of his hair....
The first stage!
The last stage. Had a bath, ready for bed. When we all got up this morning we were surprised all over again!

We took a vote one night around the camp fire and decided that Archie's hair was just long enough in the back to have a mullet. Aunt Kara was dedicated to the doo and ended up cutting it all evening; between swinging and walking around, eating dinner and running to get the clippers the hair cut took a couple of hours! Thanks Aunt Kara!
The mullet doesn't really go with his Halloween costume, but we couldn't pass up the opportunity.
While all of this was going on we had a fantastic night cooking tinfoil dinners in the backyard between Tyler and Kristen's and our house. We had s'mores and tried to cook cinnamon roles over the fire. It was so much fun! Yeah for family dinners. Grandma and Grandpa played with the kids, the boys played with the fire (and cooked the food) and the rest of us just enjoyed, except Kara and Archie they were down to business in the salon :) It was a perfect night.

The Very Peculiar Day....

2010-09-05T07:30:00.000-07:00

It was a Friday. Our plans were the same as any other day; eat breakfast, play outside, have a snack, play outside, eat lunch, (take a nap) play outside. So, when a little lion came walking through our backyard things changed (only in minor ways however, nap time was still an absolute, and all designated eating times were still observed, really it was just AWESOME to play with a lion).

We found her in the back- we still aren't sure to this day where she came from or where she went when she left. Archie and I talked about it and we think she lives in the big tree and she only comes out on days when the tree guards are on vacation, like last Friday. The friendly animals have a whole city under that tree; that's what we think.
Well, little Archie was just walking around the house with his hands in his pockets wishing for an adventure- and then we went outside.
The little lion and Archie became friends right away. They both had similar colored 'fur'. They were about the same size. They also seemed to speak a similar language.
Archie taught the lion how to play with the toys, for, down under the tree the lions don't have toys.
The little lion even learned how to drive a car- and then....
She was gone. Archie searched everywhere, he ran through the back yard, and even asked the chickens if they had seen the lion, but she was no where to be found. The chickens didn't know where she had gone, but they did tell him not to worry. Someday she will come back, she may not be a lion, but she will come back.

I asked Archie if he was sad. He said he wasn't because the chickens told him everything would be okay.

"I don't understand" I said.

He looked at me with a loving pity in this eyes and said with confidence: "she will come back mom, don't worry."

I didn't question him further.

"But she won't be lion anymore, she'll be a horse" he said simply.

So, we'll keep our eyes peeled for a horse to climb out of the tree and appear in our backyard to play.

Video!

2010-08-25T08:28:00.000-07:00

Kristen helped me and we figured out how to post video, finally! This is just a test video, from Memorial day, Archie, Ben and I went to a park to play, and this is them walking to the swings and swinging. Enjoy.

let's vote

2010-07-02T16:49:00.001-07:00

after you have looked at T and K's blog, tell me who you think Archie looks exactly like.
My vote is for Zach.
My piano teacher says he looks just like Ben (my husband not my brother)
A friend said he looks just like grandpa Brady.
What do you think? (especially the picture with the popcorn)

I asked for permission...

2010-07-02T16:46:00.000-07:00

so go check out Kristen and Tyler's blog. Krist has been documenting life much better than I have, and since we are together all the time and doing tons of fun things she has them on her blog! There is a link on the left side, just look for Tyler and Kristen!

Vacation

2010-05-18T07:42:00.000-07:00

If I can figure out how to post video, I will put up some memories from our trip to North Carolina. But for now I will just write in a few highlights.
1. Archie adored his cousins, and tried to do everything they did, he especially liked to hold Nick's hand as we walked down the beach, so cute!
2. We tried to body surf in the cold water on a hot day. It was mostly us getting knocked down by salty monsters but it was a lot of fun.
3. We walked through pouring rain to eat "the best Mexican food on the planet", it was worth it.
4. I read a book and didn't watch tv and it was great.
5. I know this might sound a little crazy but I LOVE exercising in the humidity of the east, the west is just tooooo hot, but I got to go running on the beach and around the beach houses, and it reminded me of summers in Michigan.
6. Ben and I ate ice cream on the beach... the tide was coming in and the sand was cooling off from the day, it was a perfect date.
7. Dr. Brady (Sam) graduated and that was pretty cool. Mohammad Yunis spoke at his graduation and that was also wonderful. And Arch only squirmed and kicked a little during the graduation day- we strategically sat at the very top of the bleachers so we would be able to exit any time we wanted. As it turned out, Archie was pretty content as long as he could get out every once in a while and go pick up some rocks.
8. We got to spend a lot of time with Natalie's family as well, the Dorsey's and that was fun. Overall, a really amazing trip.

Breakfast

2010-04-29T06:31:00.000-07:00

After a three day hiatus from bananas we are finally back on the regime. One banana in the morning, first thing, before kisses, before diaper changing, before anyone else has time to think, 'nana?' he asks. Then, throughout the day there are several more requests for a 'nana', but not in the sense that Archie is just asking for a banana, if that were the case I could deny him each time. "Mother,may I please have a banana?"
"No Archie,please choose another delicious yet nutritious snack, you have already had 12 bananas."
Okay, not quite 12, but if it were possible I am sure he would consume that many. No, his request is more of a plea, a cute, makes you want to cuddle and give him anything he wants type of plea. In his quest for a banana this is what I hear: He says "Nana?" and rubs his tummy, the sign for 'please' in ASL, and it enters my ears and my brain as "mommy I love you more than anything and all I really want is a banana to eat and to smush in my fingers and to love you forever and be your little boy forever... for...ev...er"

Maybe that is why we have such a communication barrier. Archie is just asking for something to eat and I am weeping on the inside that he isn't my little baby anymore but cheering on the outside that he actually knows what he wants and can ask for it! Being a parent is complicated, but bananas are easy, so one for breakfast and occasionally one for dinner, if there is absolutely nothing else to be eaten.

Running, Swimming, P90X-ing

2010-04-10T14:35:00.000-07:00

So, the Biking isn't my forte, but I will get there...
The weather is not quiet warm yet, but the sun is out and it seems like everyone just can not possibly wait another minute to be outside and play! That is me and Arch at least. My brother in law Tyler has p90x so Ben and I have been doing it sporadically, it is kinda fun, but hard and it HURTS! We are getting in shape for the summer of races and relays and -athlons of all sorts! Really we are going to the beach in North Carolina in a few weeks and we just want to look good :)

So the schedule is: on April 17th I am going to attempt my first ever 10k. It is on the river trail that is just to the North of where we live, so Ben and Archie probably won't have to stand around waiting for me, they can lounge at home after they watch the dramatic 'bang' of a start.
May 1 (which is also potentially my niece's first ever birthday, (first as in the day she will be born, not turning one)): Devin, my very talented brother-in-law and I will be doing a relay run; a half marathon. We are not exactly sure how it works, but we are doing it!
And finally, as far as I know on June 12th: a true half marathon all by myself.... can't wait!

In between I'll be running and swimming and doing other fun things with my fam. I love warm weather!

Posting!

2010-03-24T13:12:00.000-07:00

Turkish hats from Zach! Thank you, the winning team had to don the hats just to make it an emotionally fair game. At least the losers could get a good laugh in.

Archie wearing the hat Ben took from his dad at the top of the 'Y', we made it! Of course, Arch was carried the whole way and slept the entire length down, but he sure did enjoy it.

Ready for a 5k! It took us about 28 minutes. Archie is an amazing runner.

Hangin' out lookin' at something. This was not actually an exhibit, it was just a bit of forest, they loved it.

Rrraarrarararaarrr, tigers.
So much has happened and I haven't written about any of it, or shared pictures. I have been in kind of a funk lately when it comes to recording life happenings. I started a journal for Archie, basically it is just to write down one thing he did that day, and I have been keeping up on it, until I lost the journal! I swear, keeping a journal has been hard sometimes, but I've never not been able to write because I literally can't find it. Oh, well, I will just do my recording somewhere else, then transfer and Archie can sort it all out when he is my age.
So the highlights of the last few months are: I did a duathlon,5k run, 24mile bike, 5k run. Super hard. But I didn't collapse, I didn't stop running or biking or running, and I had my guys there cheering me on! It was great! However, I wasn't aware of the bike distance until after the race was over, I was operating under the knowledge that it was a 12 mile bike... during the race I thought to myself "this is taking a long time, I must be out of shape, but it feels like I am in shape..." when I talked to a few people afterwards my body and my brain clicked. We forgot the camera, we forgot the diaper bag, but we did remember our son, my bike and helmet. Who needs the little things... ( okay, sometimes you really do need the diaper bag).
So that was in St. George Ut, and it was in a beautiful red rock area, going through a national park, amazing.
So a couple of weeks ago Archie and I did a 5k, our first official one together. It was a bit of a cloudy cold day, but he just kicked his legs on the stroller, loving being outside.
Dad came to visit and that was so much fun! We hiked up to the 'Y', we played bags and ate lots of food. Oh and we watched the finale of the Bachelor and nearly gagged on all the drama.
Ben has been working hard on his thesis and other studies. Kristen and I and Kara too, are getting crafty with our etsy shop and having fun with that. We've sold to three different people!
We made a trip to the zoo for Alex's birthday, a really fun day. Archie and Alex had a lot of fun chasing each other around and seeing the different animals.

This boy can't get enough water. He LOVES to get wet, even in his church clothes...

Other Highlights:

Alex gets lost in her shirt, while Arch stands by watching.

Archie reads the paper.

Ben waits for me to get my hat too, so we can go to church...

Archie helps clean the potatoes for Sunday dinner...

And a beautiful piece of cheesecake from The Cheesecake Factory, where Kristen, Kara, Alex, Archie and I enjoyed a lovely meal and delicious dessert.

Etsy, link....

2010-02-25T08:39:00.001-08:00

Okay, so it isn't a link either..... today is going to be a challenging day I can tell.

Copy and paste it to your browser and it will magically take you to our shop.

Etst link

2010-02-25T08:37:00.001-08:00

Sorry, that link I posted below doesn't do anything, but this one does...:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/kandyapplekrafts?ga_search_query=kandyapplekrafts&ga_search_type=seller_usernames

Etsy

2010-02-25T08:16:00.000-08:00

I haven't blogged about our Etsy shop because I just didn't think to connect the two networks... but Kristen inspired me. So I am here to tell you that Kristen and I have been a little crafty and are selling some of our crafts. We are Kandy Apple Krafts, (spelled as one word if you are doing a search for our shop on the Etsy site) we are very slowly building up our inventory, but we have a few items if you want to check it out!

This is a link to our shop, enjoy!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/kandyapplekrafts

Pictures...

2010-02-15T21:35:00.000-08:00

So I posted some pictures below without posting any stories... I haven't been very good since Christmas time at putting pictures up, and I promised Salem I would put something up tonight! I promise tomorrow I will fill in the gaps! So from top to bottom, not in chronological order, but all of these are from January and February. Archie holding his new baby Jose, he gives him hugs and kisses then drops him on the floor. Next, Archie going down the slide by himself, we did a picnic, with Tyler, Kristen and Alex, so much fun, and the kids would not keep their gloves on...
Family photo (okay, this one is from December)
Archie just hanging out in this chair. We went up to Montana to visit Kristen's mom and brother, just me and Krist and the kids, one day while Alex was playing outside with her mama and gramma, Archie and I came in to get a snack and I couldn't find him anywhere. I walked into the living room and he was just sitting in this chair... to be honest I was a little freaked out at first, I thought someone must have been in the house and helped him get on the chair... nope. Now it is as if it is his personal mission to climb on everything at least once before he can do anything else for the day.
Well, this boy loves to be naked, but after a pee stain on the floor we really insist that he keeps his diaper on, and he loves to stand on things that could be dangerous to stand on. Cue the-mostly-undressed-standing-on-fire-truck-scooter phase.

More later!

2010-02-15T21:29:00.000-08:00

Sillyness and Christmas fun

2009-12-16T13:15:00.000-08:00

We have been having a lot of fun lately, we usually do I suppose. But I wanted to show a few pictures of the fun that Alex and Archie inspire in us.

Just needed to wear Archie's shirt and an oven mitt :)

One of their new favorite hang outs, under the side table.

Sharing is becoming more and more a thing of the present, so they take turns playing with the toy, while the other does the grunt work or chases in expectant excitement.

Our tree! We decorated a couple of weeks ago, Archie was more interested in the treadmill, as you will see below...

Archie + spatula = good buddies

He loves this thing, and expects it to be on every time he steps up on it, when it isn't on he is likely to walk right off the edge...

2009-12-06T12:36:00.000-08:00

It is Sunday. As many Sunday mornings go, Arch gets a bath before church. This morning, however, I played a more productive role in assisting with the bath routine: I was the photographer. In the two pictures below, one is Archie in present day, and the other is his not to distant future. In other words, I am increasing my insistence that Archie is ready for a hair cut. I acknowledge that many mothers don't want to cut their babies hair, not that I understand it, only that it seems to happen. Kate seems to think he can go for another eight to ten months. So, I give you Archie today (13 months) and Archie tomorrow (21 - 23 months).

The longest shortest year of my life....

2009-11-15T21:07:00.000-08:00

love love love

Happy Birthday to my Banana!

2009-11-14T12:17:00.001-08:00

Sour puss face, I guess the frosting was not his favorite...
I found some pictures on Kristen's blog, thanks for letting me borrow them. Enjoy!

Archie turned one on Nov. 7th, and I am a little late in posting about the festivities. I went to the computer today where I thought I had saved the pictures that we took on his birthday, but they are gone... so I guess I didn't save them, and they are now deleted off the memory card, so I will just have to paint a picture in your minds with words about a marvelous first birthday party!

Archie woke up that morning and didn't look like a one year old, he still doesn't to me, but I guess I have never really seen him as 1, so I have nothing to compare it to, he is growing into it I suppose. I made a banner of flags that spelled out HAPPY BIRTHDAY, that are now the family birthday sign, Arch liked examining them in his hands, touching the fabric and the felt. We had waffles, with ice cream and strawberries, for our birthday lunch, I added chocolate syrup to mine, of course it made my waffle more delicious. Archie just had green beans and bananas, we weren't too sure about the dairy products yet (but we are now, he is all ready to go to eat any dairy he wants, or that his parents will let him!).

After the lunch we opened presents! Archie didn't really get the concept, he tried, half heartedly, I was too impatient, so I helped him open his gifts. He got a great dump truck with blocks, from grandma, a fire truck push/ride on toy from mom and dad, and a great book of pictures and words, that has been flipped through hundreds of times already, from Aunt Krist. A few days later, a wonderful package arrived from Grammy Manker, with a baby that Alex adopts when she comes over to play, a fun little truck and jammies. BUT, the best present of all, and the most short lived, was a giant box that Archie's new car seat came in. Seriously, it was the best toy for a few days, until Ben sat on it and kind of crushed it; it became a cave with a welcome mat, then just a flat dancing stage, then garbage, but recycled garbage, boo-yah.

So after presents, we played a trivia game, Alex and Archie style. Alex weighed 6 ounces more than Archie did when she was born, Archie has traveled through 20 states in his first year of life, Alex wears huggies and Archie wears pampers, and Alex's name has 19 letters while Archie's has 18. All interesting facts... I am sure if you study you will win the next Alex-Archie trivia extravaganza.

So now, onto the cake-! We put Arch in his booster seat in the kitchen. We got a free cake from a local grocery store that gives free cakes away for a first birthday, so I wasn't really concerned about what happened to it. Alex stood by, right next to, Archie while he investigated his cake. First he stuck his hand in and frosted his entire right hand, but he did not taste it until both hands were covered and he had no other option but to lick his hand of course. Meanwhile, Alex stealthily took swipes of frosting for herself, it was so cute, because Archie had a confused, slightly ornery look on his face, while Alex was just having tons of fun.

Taste test over, Archie no like, Alex like. Soon it became just tearing the cake apart, then a whine and a whimper to get out of the chair, he was ready for his nap, too much fun for the day.

It was a fun day, there were balloons, flags, waffles, games, presents, food, oh and an M&M cake, I frosted it with white vanilla, and did lines of the same color, but different shaped m&m's, so there were regular, peanut and peanut butter.

The kids took naps and we played cranium, then outside to play bags- it was a wonderful day. Thanks to everyone for having fun with us and being a great family! We love you.

Walking!

2009-11-01T13:11:00.001-08:00

Pumpkin Patch cheese balls for our Halloween Party!

Fun on the slide, he giggled all the way down...

Dressing up for our Halloween Party. Tyler is in his kilt, Kristen is in her high school prom dress and Archie is in his pajamas, he later put on his Banana suit, and he was a Banana in Pajamas.

He decided to start walking. Just this morning, and he loves it!

October has been a great Month...

2009-10-27T08:37:00.000-07:00

.... and it isn't over yet. We still have so many fun things to look forward to! Halloween parties, costumes, bobbing for apples, fun runs, delicious treats... where does it end? ( I actually don't think it does, because November is Archie's Birthday, Alex's Birthday, Thanksgiving, then December of course has many holiday highlights, then into January, with New Years parties, more birthday's, then February, with my birthday and valentine's day.... endless opportunities for excitement). Plus, I almost forgot, the second annual Brady family Decathlon has begun! Our first event: Pumpkin Carving. The winner: TYLER BRADY!

Ben and Archie and I were able to visit with Ben and Laura on our way back from the East, it was so much fun! Ben bought a motorcycle, so he let us take it out for a ride, it was about 30 degrees, so we didn't last very long, but it was fun. It was great to see Ben and Laura and their new house, which is done, yeah! We love you guys.

Just a cozy picture, Ben got tired so he thought he would take a rest, Archie needs to work on keeping his eyes on the road.... (just kidding for any grandparent who might have a tiny concern in the back of their mind ( the car was not running)).

Yorktown with Sam, Natalie, Nicholas and Christian! Ben is holding a big gun. He didn't get to shoot it.

Florence Nightingale and Grandma and a teddy bear patient.

Archie Banana and Grandma!

Florence, Grandma and Banana handing out candy at our neighborhood Trunk-or-Treat!

Alex and Archie enjoying the BYU Homecoming Parade. They really did like it, their faces may not show it in this particular picture, but i couldn't really see what I was doing when I chose this picture to upload... They got lots of candy and stickers, and only tried to crawl into the road a couple of times. Yeah for parades!

Archie 'helping' Daddy put in the child safety locks.

The Winning PUMPKIN!

All the others, in no particular order.... From the Left, Kate, Kara, Kristen, Devin and Ben.

Archie came back home and realized he was a lot more mobile and a lot more interested in the cupboards and refrigerator... to our slight dismay he likes to empty them both.

Playing dress up at Yorktown.

Races at Williamsburg! We had a lot of fun with Sam, Natalie, Nicholas and Christian, just spending some time together. We played and the kids played and I hope we can do it again someday. Miss you!

The Boys. Best picture I could get...

Home

2009-10-16T18:41:00.001-07:00

we are back in Provo. I'm tired, so i will post pictures later of our most recent adventures. It is nice to be home.

Picture Update

2009-10-04T18:40:00.001-07:00

Here are some pictures of our Adventures. Not every adventure, but some of the highlights... and I am so bummed that we didn't get a picture with Nate and Ashley in NYC-- sorry, we'll all just have to remember that night forever:)

Archie kissing himself in a mirror at David's Bridal; we went with some ward members in New Bedford, it was fun to Stephanie get dressed up in wedding gowns, and Archie loved the floor to ceiling mirrors!

On our excursion to Boston with our friend Vickie we ran into Harvard's Marching Band-- music good, marching lines, not good.

I thought this was so cool... Harvard's Courtyard, and hundreds of colorful chairs just placed in the grass-loved it.

Aunt Barb, Archie and cousin Jeff- it was sooo great to see them, and I am glad that Ben and
Archie got to meet them. We love you!

Some Cape Verdean friends from New Bedford. We'll miss them.

Archie and I by the resting horses in Williamsburg, Arch wasn't too interested in the over sized dogs.

Uncle Nick and Aunt Barb- we struggled to get a good picture by the sheep, which you can't see really at all.

In Fredericksberg, VA with the Dudenheffers, here with Matthew and a grumpus Archie.

In Reading, PA visiting Aunt Dow and Uncle Rick- it was sooo wonderful to see them, it had been about 7 years since the last time we saw each other!

Family photo, looking across the river to Boston.

Vickie, Archie and Kate standing in front of John Harvard. We felt smarter just posing there...

At dinner with Milena, a wonderful woman- we love her.

Anniversary Picture! This was our celebration, pizza and peas for Archie- I love Ben, I love Archie and it was a great Anniversary.

Archie's "high" chair. We didn't have a chair in our make shift apartment in New Bedford to attach Archie's chair to, so he just sat on the floor like the rest of us.

Out side the Anniversary pizza place.

A delicious breakfast from one of the many bakery's within walking distance to our apartment, Portuguese pastries and orange juice.... better than it looks, much.

The tub in our 'apartment'-- Archie loved it more than his parents did.

Excited about his rake.

Happy.

Ben's 'desk'. We all make do with what we have.

Update

2009-09-17T13:58:00.000-07:00

Well, we did a triathlon and didn't die, traveled 15 hours and didn't die, arrived in New Bedford and then slept on the floor, no padding, and almost died, we found a bed; tonight we'll slumber peacefully and stay alive, all night long. Archie is well, Ben is well and Kate is well. We miss you all.

Kiss-wet-kiss-slap-of-affection

2009-09-08T10:39:00.000-07:00

Archie loves having his daddy home, and the evidence is that when Ben is laying on the floor Archie will crawl over to him, get on top of him and put his wet lips on Ben's cheek, then give him a hearty slap on the other cheek.

We are winding down here in Michigan, Saturday is the triathlon, then we'll leave the following Monday. I've been trying to get myself in good shape, but I haven't been in a pool or lake to actually swim in about 4 months, I have biked once, and I have only run over 3 miles at one time a hand full of times... but I'm doing it and I am so excited!

I have been making lots of zucchini bread, trying to keep Archie from hurting himself or getting into trouble around every corner in my mom's house, and working on more crafts with my friend Beth-- so much fun. Here are some pictures of our days here and a couple of videos.

This one ended up sideways, I don't really know how that happened. This is Archie after a nap and with help from his dad in doing his hair...

Beach! The only way we could get Archie to smile, but he still hid it from the camera.

I guess something was HILARIOUS.

Mama and Arch.

Grampa and Archie, splashing.

I did not get out all of the videos myself and the plop Archie in the middle of them... guess who did.

Just a crazy banana- it looks like two, but it was one...

We went to Reeds Lake, incidentally where the triathlon will be, and had a great picnic and listened to a band, while Archie entertained himself, and us I must admit, with a balloon from Uncle Alex.

The second video is a record of what seems to be Archie's favorite thing to do. He loves being outside, and he prefers cement to a blanket, or grass, or anything soft! He learned quickly that he doesn't like having his knees on the cement however!

Home is a Happy Place and White bread isn't.

2009-08-31T06:32:00.000-07:00

After about 3 and 1/2 weeks Ben is home with us again. He drove 16 hours straight from Boston to GR, and arrived around 3 am... however Archie and I were in Crawfordsville, IN, visiting my grandparents, so he had no one to greet him, but he did get to sleep in a bed instead of in his car at a rest stop. So Archie and I arrived on Sunday around 1 pm, and Ben was at church! We had to wait an agonizing (okay not really that dramatic) hour for him to come home, finally! But we all had a very happy reunion and Archie certainly remembered who Ben was. They are best pals all over again.

It is wonderful to have Ben home. Being apart even for a day, helps you recognize how much you rely on your partner for so many things. Not just in taking care of the children, but for the simple every day things, for affectionate moments, for hugs of support, for bad jokes :), for companionship, for sharing and laughing and to have someone to think up surprises for. I love Ben, I love Archie and being together is the best- especially knowing that we are an eternal family and can be together forever.

So we had a very nice day yesterday, we took Archie for a long walk, played, cooked dinner with Alex and Christy and Mom, and sat around the table for two hours talking and being with everyone. It was great. We also learned that white bread is our enemy. We were talking about diets and how to eat better in general, and my Mom pulled the South Beach Diet book, and it basically told us that if you are interested in ice cream, it would be better for you body to eat ice cream at the end of a meal, than to eat white bread, ever. Isn't that crazy?! Crazy interesting, not crazy crazy. So my thinking is that I'll never eat white bread again and eat ice cream every day! Boo-yah.

Okay, really I don't want to give up dutch oven bread, or french bread, but I only eat those a few times a month, sooooooo that's just the way life will be. Plus, for some reason I am eating a lot more vegetables than I used to so that has to balance out something in my life, so there ya go.

Our plans at this point are to stay here until after the triathlon, Sept. 12th; Ben will continue his research, transcribing, analyzing notes ect. We'll probably leave the following Monday the 14th, be off to New Bedford MA, Ben will continue his research interviewing and Archie and I will meet everyone that he has become friends with out there. We'll be there for 1 to 3 weeks,.... I don't know how long is what I am trying to say. Then we will be off to visit family and friends on our long journey back to Provo. It will be great to see some of the East Coasters that we never get to see and some from my family that Ben has never met! And Archie will get to meet his cousins from NC!

So much to look forward to, and doing it together, that is the wonderful-est.

We Miss you Papa

2009-08-18T06:16:00.000-07:00

So, we had a huge garage sale this past weekend, and between trying to set everything out and helping people and watching Archie, he was left to his own curiosity some moments. He didn't want to be in his pac-n-play, at all, so I took him out and put him on the grass. He was off, he just wanted to crawl all over the driveway, on his hands and feet, hence the socks. He crawled so much that he got a little blood blister on his big toe, but he didn't seem to mind.

Archie looking up at Aunt Chirsty.

Just happy.

Archie saying "hi" to his dad- love you and miss you.

Figuring out these strange cupboards...

The bees knees

2009-08-13T12:48:00.000-07:00

Archie is hangin' out in Uncle Bernie's fedora. Uncle Alex got a great picture of it.

A slow deliberate crawl to the East

2009-08-08T16:54:00.000-07:00

Ellery. What a beautiful little thing.

It is really only fun to ride a rocking horse with your tongue sticking out.

A visit with Archie's buddy Ryder, and his sister, above!

A sailboat coming in from Lake Michigan.

A family picture, with a semi-grumpus, (probably because his diaper is bulging out of his shorts and he wasn't too keen on that).

Takin' a moment together.

Archie and Uncle Ben; it was green day, no body really knew it until we were walking around in public. Needless to say, it wasn't planned.

Laura, Bernie, Kate, Archie, Ben. We were waiting for the bridge to go up and for the sailboat to go by.

Allie Banana and Archie ( my cousin), it was so much fun to see her and Uncle Hak.

Kate and Allie ( I am pretty sure that used to be some type of sit-com)

Archie and Olivia, we'll see you in October!

We really loved driving out to Michigan, and stopping to visit friends and family on the way. In Denver we stayed at Ben and Laura's condo, and found an old friend from High School, I wish I got a picture! It was so much fun to see Kristin, we talked for about three hours, as Archie tried to sleep in the background-- it was really great. Then we moved on to Kansas where we stayed two nights with the Craig's. An absolutely adorable family and so welcoming. Jessica and Brett have the cutest 2 year old girl, Olivia, she and Archie enjoyed each other. We stayed with my Grandma in Crawfordsville, IN, then when we got to Michigan we saw the Jones family and the Morin family ( minus MR. DR. Burke), and we took a trip up North to Charlevoix, for some relaxation and fun. Oh, and we went to a Whitecaps baseball game, for Ben's birthday, but I forgot the camera. It was really fun, he shared a 5000 calorie burger with just about everyone that went with us, it was huge, it had chips and salsa as a condiment- that is how big this thing is.

So, Ben forged on without us farther east. I am sure we'll hear of his adventures soon.

Goodbye, again...

2009-08-08T16:21:00.000-07:00

So this past week I had flashbacks to the summer that Ben and I were engaged. The difference this time being, well, that we are married, have a child and he is preparing to leave for two months, and it isn't a we situation (although, last time this happened he left for India and I left for Ghana, we didn't actually travel together--- uh wrong again, that was the first time, what I am reminiscing about now; if you want to get technical, the last time we did this, we actually did travel to India together...) anyway, the point is, that when he was leaving for India the first time I carefully counted down the days, planned time together, things to do, last minute items to buy. And then the horribly sad news came that they had to abruptly leave early- my plans had been dashed and my calculated get-used-to-the-idea-that-he-was-leaving meter was utterly confused and now broken. Ugh.

So that is the similar-ness and the emotional flashbacks that I am referring to here today. Ben and I realized far too late in our journey that he does actually need his passport on this trip as well- he needed to drive through Canada. It would have saved him about 2 hours from Michigan to Boston, not a whole lot of time, but because of this minor snafu, he had to leave semi-abruptly, a day earlier than expected. A 12 to 14 hour drive in one day is perhaps do-able, but a 15 to 17 hour drive in one day isn't really a good idea. So bye bye Ben. We miss you, we love you, and it is nice to know on this go around that I have absolutely the best person to share my woes and worries with, Arch-face.

Hello, Goodbye

2009-07-24T07:16:00.000-07:00

Well, I am pretty sure this is our last post from Utah for a while. We are saying 'hello' to Colorado, Kansas, Indiana, Michigan and Massachusetts for a few months, and Goodbye family and friends in Provo. So a few little stories and pictures from our lives as we go...

I don't know if you can see, but Archie has splashed out several inches of his water onto the counter, the floor and into his parent's clothes. He appears to be having a good time with it too. Of course Ben was standing there egging him on, I think we're going to have a wet house, perpetually.
So this is Archie getting older. He is usually standing up when he is ready to get out of bed, unless his diaper is so heavy he can't pull himself up-- this kid seems to pee gallons during the night, where does it all come from?!
Grandma helping Archie be happy on the morning of our camping trip. He didn't relly sleep very well, but we all survived.
Getting ready for bed, our first night in the tent-- and probably our last for a while...
So this is a sad little picture. This was a couple of weeks ago; I decided to give Arch some cottage cheese for lunch, his first tasting. He seemed to like it, he even fed himself, it was great. So we went to the store did some shopping and I bought some more cottage cheese. He also had some squash that day for lunch.

Well, on the way back from the store about two hours after eating, the squash started to come back up, and for the next 2 and 1/2 hours the poor little guy threw up everything in his stomach, little cottage cheese bits appeared once again. It was horrible, I had to lay the towel down on the floor so he could throw up on it, I took off all his clothes, and worst of all, all he wanted to do was sleep, it was right during nap time! So he would vomit, and put his face right in it and fall sleep for few minutes and do it all again. Eventually it subsided, and he was fine, sleepy, but fine. So, we are almost positive that he has an allergy to dairy, this wasn't the first incident. At least we know now!

Kara and Kate Kickin' Kabooses

2009-07-24T06:56:00.000-07:00

Kara and I ran 3.1 miles -- no walking. We did it! It was July 11th, a while ago; it was a fun morning, our husbands got up with us, and drove south to Mona. We ran through the Lavender fields, bright, vibrant purple in the midst of browns, yellows and tans of the hay fields. It was fun. Unfortunately, Kara found that she doesn't really enjoy the smell of lavender... but we still had a good time.

Festivities

2009-07-08T20:34:00.000-07:00

We've been taking pictures, I just haven't been keeping up with the blog. Oh, oops, I also keep putting the pictures in reverse order... oh well.

Just Arch.

This is us with our mathcing outfits... awww..... okay, it was cute for a little bit, and I know I won't be able to do this for long. This was the very beginning of the 4th of July parade when the fire trucks go by and sound their horns and make all the little babies cry... sad!

OUTFITS! I love my boots.

On the 2nd of July we got up early and went to the balloon festival. It was pretty fun.

Archie and Mom totally ready to go. Comfy-Cozy.

Archie and I decided it was time to get into a pool. So I emptied a tub from the garage that had camping supplies and filled it with cold water ( Archie didn't seem to mind) and he splashed for about 15 minutes straight. I think he would have kept on splashing, but I was getting hot just sitting in the sun!

Father's Day- Grandpa and Dad teaching Arch the gee-tar.

My two boys.

The cinnamon rolls I made for Ben for Father's Day. I love him and he loves cinnamon rolls.

Cutie little boy with and envelope on his head and a smirk on his face.

The quality isn't great, but this was Archie's attempt to be mobile before he really got the hang of it, that is, before he realized it was much easier on the tummy than on the back. Enjoy!

Growing Up

2009-07-08T20:11:00.000-07:00

Big Archie, 8 months ish....

little Archie, 8 days-ish...

It seems like in these past few weeks our little baby has turned into a baby-boy. He seemed to go from struggling to roll over to crawling EVERYWHERE in a matter of weeks. For the longest time I just figured he wouldn't roll over, and would skip that step, then one day, he was on his back, and I turned around and he was on his stomach, then he was up on his knees! Sitting and moving, inching towards toys, and as Ben called it pirouetting across the floor. From his little bum to his knees with a twist back to his bum until he reached his destination. For a while he would just scootch on his back head first, of course with no way to see where he was going. He is an adventurous little guy. Then, on Monday I was vacuuming and everywhere I went, a slow little crawler followed. Each day since then he has gotten more coordinated and faster! The days of setting him on the floor to play while I did laundry or went to the bathroom are gone! But it is so much fun to watch him learning, to see the process working. He is growing up so fast, I know he is only 8 months old, but life has changed so much for him in that little time.

COLORADO! Rafting, hiking, food, wedding, family

2009-06-17T16:18:00.000-07:00

We just had a really amazing weekend in Colorado with the Manker fam and the Hinkson fam and many friends. Archie did really well on both car rides- he is a born traveler, in fact he has already been to Michigan, California, Montana, and Colorado oh and Illinois, we can't forget Chicago and the Morins!

The wedding was beautiful, Laura was beautiful and Ben was handsome, it was a great day. And the rain stopped just in time for the outdoor wedding! I love you all, we had such a fun time talking and getting to see everyone again, especially Zach and Courtney-

Here are some pictures. Enjoy!

The beautiful bouquet of flowers in my new REI bottle- both compliments of Laura, thanks!

Archie ready to go hiking at 7:30 am- he has socks on his hands and feet because we didn't have mittens. He made it as far as we did, he probably could've gone farther, but his parents wussed out.

The ascent. This is a back shot of mom and Zach. Yeah for hikes! (yes that big mountain is the one we are about to climb).

Kate, Dad, Zach, Ben and Archie- taking a rest, a drink and a picture. As we hiked up we all started to shed layers of clothing, then as we continued, we all put them back on- it was chilly up there.

This is the point where Ben and I thought "hey we can make it a little bit farther... (as we are huffing and puffing, the hike started at 12,000 ft and went up to 14,000). And we did, we made it about 100 more yards then turned around!

Both boys later on; playing with their toys on their backs. Archie has his new favorite toy from Grammy Manker, Tommy Tolo.

Rehearsal dinner! Aunt Laura with a distracted little Arch face.

Ben, Arch, Courtney and Zach. Go Family.

Alex and Christy!

Aunt Christy and Archie, once again distracted. (The trick, we learned while taking wedding photos is to have people behind the camera clap, he loves clapping).

Tori, my cousin, and Archie. Beautiful.

There really were wolves. This was at the site where Ben and Laura were married. During the rehearsal the wolves began to howl-

He stared at us. It was scary.

During the rehearsal we all stopped to join a picture. Bride right in the middle. Nick, green shirt, one of Ben's best friends was the officiant for the wedding, he married Ben and Laura, that was really cool. Jessica, blue shirt, was one of Ben's beautiful groomsmen, she did walk with the men, but she got to hold a bouquet too! There is also, Zach, Grandma Manker, Kate, and on the other side, Ben and Archie. It was a fun morning.

Christy pulling weeds before the wedding, right on!

So, Ben wasn't originally in the wedding, not walking any how, but the pianist who was a groomsmen had to play the piano of course, so Ben was the stand in, and I got to walk down the aisle with him. It was sweet.

Grooms cake- made by one of Ben and Laura's students- how cool.

The cake and cupcakes, fun to look at more fun to eat.

Okay, so if you look close you will see on Alex's face a line down his cheek where he apparently stopped applying his sunscreen. He was a little burnt from our hike on Saturday, and I had to capture it, pretty funny.

Ready for a wedding!

Courtney was so great, she watched Archie during the wedding because most everyone else in the family had a role. Thanks Courtney!

I had a picture like this on my wedding day- my three brothers lifted me up and held me sideways... we tried it with Ben; crazy.

Siblings, spouses, and nephew. (oh and it was cold, that is why we look like we are cold)

For mom.

The bride walking the the brides cottage to finish getting ready!

I think it must be some sort of unspoken rule that you need help getting your shoes on after you've put your wedding dress on. I know I could've done it myself if I had to, but it was easier to let someone help me. Erin helping Laura put on her shoes.

Archie and Uncle Alex. Archie loves his ladybug brush.

Grandpa and Archie, still going to town on the brush.

Pre-wedding picture. So sweet.

Ben Occhipinti, Stephanie Clark, Courtney and Zach.

Manker family! This is everyone, so far.

Groom and groomsmen.

Bride and Groom and bridesmaids.

Aunt Sally, Mom and Aunt Sulane. Cheers!

At our very nice reception, Archie's mother spilled water all over Archie's leg. Oops. He didn't seem to mind, he just wanted to eat!

Ben and Laura right in the middle of the room at their own private table.

My cousin Cory and his daugter Alex, she was walking all over, it was adorable.

Tori and Taylor! It was so fun to see you both!

The back of Laura's dress, she looked so gorgeous. I should've taken a picture with her train out, but this was really simple and beautiful too.

This kid was sooo tired. The music was blasting, people were talking and having fun, and he just slept in the back corner.

Oh yeah, this. Well for the wedding dinner Ben and Laura wanted to roast a pig, and so that is what they ordered. After the wedding there was so much of it left that they took it home and bar-b-qued the rest, it was delicious, but I can't help thinking of the Lord of the Flies every time I see this picture. This happened to be sitting right in front of Ben and Laura's condo, when Guapa, their dog, saw it she got scared. Who wouldn't?

We had a great time with lots of great adventures. It made me ever more thankful for my family, for great relationships, for love and friendships- I have said this before, but I think it is one of the greatest blessings in the world to really love your family and to feel like you are dear friends as well. I miss you all already- but I am sure we'll all have more adventures to come!

We did it!

2009-06-06T19:13:00.000-07:00

Well, the 5k was a success and this picture shows how hard little Archie worked; he fell asleep about 5 minutes into the 30 minute run. It's tough when the race is right in the middle of nap time. We didn't actually participate in the community 5k, as it turned out it wasn't free, so we decided to just do our own, me and the sleepy Arch bear- but even with the slow time, we did it and we feel great about it!

Pre-run, I don't think Archie is totally convinced this is a good idea... yet.

Happy boy, just playing ( I liked this picture becasue he looks like he is going to fly)

Fun with Uncle Devin

Out for a picnic with Aunt Kristen, mom, Grandma Brady, Alex and Grandma Asay

Riding his fire truck, taking in the view.

The lambs that we chased to find and unscramble the letters for one of our events in The Brady/Asay Amazing Race. Lambs don't like to be chased.

Alex kindly helping Archie get his pacifier back in his mouth.

Fun in the tree house.

5K runners

2009-06-04T09:22:00.001-07:00

Archie and I have been training for a 5K. We've decided that it is high time that we get back in shape. So, we go out almost everyday, it is great bonding time for the little guy and the mama. Our first real test is this Saturday, a free community 5k is being held, and we are going to attempt to run the whole thing.... Arch is my motivation, I know if he could he would be cheering us on!
I will post some pictures eventually, I have to get a memory card from Susan's camera. But we have been having tons of fun visiting family up in Montana, playing games, chasing sheep, roasting mallows to make gooey s'mores, delicious.
So today I am just going to list a few things that I really love and as a bonus am really grateful for:
Dancing in the living room!
Shade sin mosquitoes
warm bread
a good napping baby
a husband who is a hardworker and loves to have water fights
grandma's and grandpa's (mine and Archie's)
being able to be friends with my family- it's the best
sewing projects
good books that you can lose time in
playing soccer for fun and not caring about the score
Archie's giggles- he thinks life is pretty funny
prayer
free cafe rio desserts!
kind people, kind strangers
pupusa's at the Salvadorian place on Center street- go get one!
weddings! yeah for Ben and Laura! See you soon!

God is Good

2009-05-10T11:54:00.000-07:00

Ready for a swim.

Life has certainly changed since Archie was born; I am in love with him and in love more and more with my husband for being Archie's papa, for sleeping with him in the rocking chair when Archie is sick, for making him laugh, and for cultivating even more love and joy in our little family. It isn't easy, it isn't boring, and it isn't always fun (but most of it is), but we never lack in laughs and when something happens that we don't know how to handle, I think "at least I know how to love him and I know how to feed him..."

We just got back from a fun trip to California. My first time!! I should have booked tickets to the Ellen show, I forgot. The best part of the vacation was just being together with no other worries or obligations, papers, assignments, or must see tv shows to watch! Here are a few pictures.

Archie's first swim--- he loved it, splashing and all.

Trip to the beach, we saw dolphins jumping in and out of the water; in the harbor we saw and heard sea lions!

Morning news....

A visit to the Newport Temple, it was right across the street from church, so we toured!

Santa Monica Pier-- that was a fun trip, we first drove to Hollywood, then to the LA temple, it was under construction, then west to Santa Monica--- it was a long, fun day.

Yeah for the beach!

Family picture

So excited to be on vacation in his choo choo train outfit

Salem and Ryder's visit... I found the picture and miss my friends, love you.

We are looking forward to a couple more visits this summer with family and friends. It is probably our favorite thing to do, get together with people we love and have fun, and really great food! I don't know how to describe this feeling that I have, but I am so grateful to be able to go on vactations, see friends and family, but I am equally grateful to love being home, to feel safe and content at home with our little family. God has blessed us, and the blessings become more abundant and clear the more I look for them, and recognize the blessings of the everyday. Happy Mother's Day to all the women who nurture, uplift, teach, love and care for any other person- you are acting as a mother and so you are.

Happy Happenings and visitors

2009-04-14T18:39:00.001-07:00

Lately we've had some really great weeks. We are happy, healthy and really enjoying the outdoors, laughing, playing, and of course new episodes of LOST, that is mostly just me. Last weekend was really great because it was General Conference, plus Salem and Ryder came and visited! I would post the picture we had taken, but it was taken with my camera and I don't know where it is. But they were so much fun to see! Ryder played with Ben while Salem and I talked- it was wonderful, I wish we could do that everyday. So this week Kristen, Tyler and Alex are in town for a Brady Fam wedding! So it has been non stop slumber party over here, and it is fantastic.
They arrived the day before Easter, so of course we started the festivities right away with painting eggs:) Enjoy the pictures, most of them are of Archie....

Wearing his cousins shoes....Sitting on the table wearing his cousins shoes and his aunt's headband....

Yeah for festivities!!!!

Our beautiful eggs!

More fun

Chub face--- his little-red-riding-hood makes his face look cute and fat

First bath in the BIG bath tub!!

Something is funny!

PS- foodies

2009-04-14T18:38:00.000-07:00

The grilled bananas were AMAZING! I am a banana liker, not a lover, but these were so sweet after they had been grilled, and you can sprinkle a little cinnamon and sweet and condensed milk over them to make them even better!

Thursday night dinner, last week

2009-04-14T18:23:00.000-07:00

So I am a little late in posting this wonderful meal, but it was so good that it needed to be seen! We made shish kabobs, with grilled pineapple, grilled bananas, a mandarin orange salad- it was amazing. Kara, Devin, Ben, Kate, Archie and Pat and Susan all partook- we all helped make and we all ate, perfect meal.

Double batch of dutch oven bread- it looks like a cupcake without the frosting...
The meal! I love the colors.

Grillin'

Salad: manderin oranges, candied pecans, swiss cheese and a few other delicious things

Chicken with green and yellow peppers.... sooo good

Shrimp and grilled bananas, not to be eaten in the same bite

This is just a previous meal that we had, but Ben took a picture so I thought I would post it, becuase this too was delicious.

I am not sure what we have going on for this Thursday, but if anyone has any food ideas they want to share please do! I love new recipes!

Food, Glorious FOOD!

2009-04-08T08:51:00.000-07:00

Lately we have been having some really delicious meals; I have to write about them, I love food, and I love new ideas on how to cook- so if you have any tips or tricks, share them!
A couple weeks ago we tried sweet potato fries, very delicious- I have heard of two ways to prepare them, one by frying in oil, and one by baking. We haven't tried baking them yet, but we will soon. We also got a tip from a friend that you can bake asparagus- just put it on a pan, salt and pepper, and bake!
Thursday nights have, in the past, been a family dinner night, extended family, where we might experiment a little on what we eat. So we have been trying to carry on on this tradition, I think I will take pictures of our Thursday night meals and share. Last week we tried fried plantains and burritos, the burritos were great, the fried plantains on the other hand were edible. Devin and I tried to make them delicious, they just kept falling apart, I don't think I boiled them long enough. We added water, oil, finally flour kept the batter together long enough to fry, and they had a hint of that plantain flavor, the rest was 'fried' flavor! Oh well, not a complete success or failure, so we'll try again someday.
This week we are doing shish kabobs, grilled pineapple, grilled banana, mandarin/pecan salad and Brazilian lemonade (a la our wonderful sister up in Montana). It is fun to try new things with a bunch of people because when they don't work out it's okay because you have a whole kitchen of people to think of back ups! And when they do work out, you just think of how much fun you had cooking with a whole kitchen of people, talking, laughing, playing with babies- those are my favorite meals. I love family and friends, I love food, I love experimenting!

Spring

2009-04-01T09:05:00.000-07:00

Chewing on his fingers after dinner....

Fun with Dad

More fun with dad..

Cuddles with Mom

I just liked his outfit, so of course I took about 20 pictures of him, he would smile, then be mesmerized by the flash and his smile would disappear--- he is a really smiley boy usually.

Today it is snowing... but last week was a beautiful spring week, and I know there is only more beautiful to come, so even if it snows today, deep in my heart I know it is spring time, and it can't possibly snow all the way through August, so I am being patient. So I have been trying to do some projects inside that will keep my busy and engaged- I have been reading a lot, and writing some, thanks to reading and writing clubs- I love it. I took the birds that Kristen made for me and turned them into a mobile- it was fun, I strung them through thin ribbon, added some bells and there ya go. Originally I was going to let Archie play with it, but it is a little too fragile, so it will just hang and look pretty in his room.

We are having more and more fun together; I love watching Archie grow up, but especially the interactions between Archie and his papa. He is becoming so much more aware of things going on around him, he twists and turns and doesn't want to miss a thing- he is already about 18 pounds and for as much as he moves around in my arms when I am holding him, I don't know how much longer I will be able to do it!

He is attempting to sit and follow Aunt Kara's fun toy- it is harder than it looks!

Happy moment---

2009-03-23T10:10:00.001-07:00

If ANYONE needs a good, genuine, feel great smile please go to this blog http://tylerandkristen.blogspot.com/

and watch the video's of our little neice. She just turned one, and she is bright, and happy and hopefully she'll make you feel good.

2009-03-22T20:42:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago Ben, Archie and I went to the Draper Temple open house with my dad. We got to walk through the temple, go through all of the rooms, read a little bit about what each room is for and finally we sat in a sealing room, where couples are married, and families are sealed for time and all eternity, and two volunteers talked about eternal families. Getting married in the temple, for me, was never a hard choice to make, but it was a difficult step to take, knowing that I wouldn't be able to have my family with me. I am really glad that I was able to go through a temple with my dad, to show him the rooms that Ben and I were in when we were married, and to share with him the special moments that I had getting ready, putting my dress on, walking down the hall to meet Ben before the ceremony started. Even if my dad had been in the temple with us that day, I don't know that I would have been able to express some of those specific moments to him the way I did as we walked through the Draper temple.
I love the temple. Each temple is a little different in design and size, but they are all equal purpose and significance. They all do the same things around the world, no temple is better or worse than another, and all temples perform the same covenant making ceremonies, so whether you are in New York or Hong Kong, going to the temple will be a familiar experience, except of course for the language! I am writing this because I want to share as much as I can with anyone that is curious about what I believe, what our little family believes. I just want to convey a message of clarity, not secrecy about the LDS church, but most of all I want to express with a deep conviction that we believe in Jesus Christ, we believe that he is the Messiah, the Savior, and that there is only one Christ and that he lives.
In the link that goes to mormon.org there are several tabs on the bottom of the page, the first one is simply, Jesus Christ. If you click on that, then click on the video of Jeffery R. Holland, he articulates much better than I, what mormons believe about Jesus Christ. If you want to check it out; I felt like it was important for me to share a little more about what I believe. I love God, I love Jesus Christ, I love my husband and I love my son, I love my family. These are the most important people to me. Boohya. (Which is another way of shouting out an 'amen'...I picked it up from my Brothers:)

in love with hand-me-downs

2009-03-12T13:15:00.001-07:00

We just got four boxes full of boys clothes from a neighbor- Archie's wardrobe is loaded. He is sporting Osh Kosh B'gosh striped overalls, a horizontal blue, yellow and red striped shortsleeve shirt over a long sleeved white onsie and running socks. I am thankful for kind people, and their generosity- and that some of the outfits that he got are semi-vintage, I mean from the early 90's, it wasn't really that long ago, but in baby clothes time, it is. He even now has a Cabbage Patch outfit, I love it!

Happy Birthday Natalie!

2009-03-12T13:08:00.000-07:00

(This picture has an "N" on the cake, but we decided you couldn't see it very well, so we put chocolate chips over it, my pictures are out of order...)

We hope you love chocolate cake becuase we had a whole lot of it in your honor. Happy belated birthday from the Brady's in Utah! We love you!

books

2009-03-11T09:28:00.000-07:00

So I think I read Brown Bear, Brown Bear every other day- oh and The Hungry Caterpillar, they are terrific books, I just need some variety. And at night we read My Bazoople Friends and The Going To Bed Book, just the same, very good books. I think I am craving time to read more grown up books- it took me a month to finish The Five People You Meet in Heaven, I would read it for five or ten minutes at a time. I could read longer, at night when Archie goes to sleep I have some time, but then I am so sleepy that I can't keep my eyes open- and during his naps I feel like I have to do other things... but at least I find the five or ten minutes, I am happy for that.
I also started reading 'A Tree Grows in Brooklyn', I love it so far. It is a story about a little girl growing up in Brooklyn in 1905 or so, she comes from a poor family- and it is about their life, about the complexities of her family and the everyday struggles and simplicities about growing up- about being a family, having jobs, going to school.
I love reading about what people do, how they do it, why they do it, and the lessons they learn or refuse to learn. It is about people, the relationships they cultivate with others, with ideas or with places, there is so much significance in knowing how someone relates to the piano they have in their home, or the river that flows by their grandma's barn, what are the stories behind these lives? I think that is part of the reason why I like reading my friend's and family's blogs so much, it isn't just to catch up on what is going on for you all in your lives, although I love that, but I like to know what you think about, what is important to you, how you relate to your everyday, it fascinates me. When Ben (Manker) wrote about the proper way to make a bed, I loved it, I could just imagine the demonstration that happened that day and the conversation, and the impatience that Ben felt at every fold of another blanket, wondering "why can't the pillows go on yet?"
So I guess this is a glimpse into my relationship with reading- I love the feeling of not being able to wait another second to open a book, find my place, read a few sentences back and be engulfed in someone elses ideas, thoughts, dreams, stories, tales, history, everything.
Arch is waking up, so it is time to go- we are going to buy some salt water taffy today, I can't wait!

I almost forgot...

2009-03-07T16:08:00.000-08:00

Not that this needed to be posted, but I just wanted to celebrate. Archie successfully ate his first helping of rice cereal this morning. I can't believe he is four months old! Time has done this weird fast/slow simultaneous warp-- we are here four months later and I think "holy cow he is getting so big and life has just flown by", then I think of all the nights we've been up and the dazed-going-through-the-motions afternoons I've had and think "shouldn't he be at least four years old by now?" Either way, no complaints here, at least not on the blog! I love Arch-face and I love Ben, and being a mom is one of the hardest and best things I have ever done.

Archie-Oso-Bear

2009-03-07T15:54:00.000-08:00

So Arch has this little bear snow suit, and he is getting heavier by the hour, so I have started to attache 'bear' to the end of every little cutey name I call him. Like my little sleeping bear, my squirmy bear, fussy bear, just everything. He is a bear.
Well we went to the doctor yesterday and the bear bear weighs 17 pounds, he is 24 and 1/2 inches long and his head is 41 cm-- we didn't ask and they didn't offer what percentile this makes him, but that is okay we just know he is a growing, healthy boy.
We got a little excited taking video of him today, I won't post them all, but here is another one.

He loves to play, and is starting to sleep pretty well. We had two nights in a row where he slept for more than 8 hours straight! It is a glimpse of wonderfully sleep filled nights to come, hopefully. As we were putting on Archie's Omani shirt this morning we realized how much we missed Uncle Zach, and all of Archie's Aunts and Uncles and cousins- we wish we could see your faces everyday. I hope everyone is well, and that everyone is happy! We love you all and you are in our prayers. Happy Saturday.

Dear Uncle Zach,

2009-03-07T15:25:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to say hello and thank you very much for my red t-shirt from Oman. I miss you. Love,

Archie

Mister visited us!

2009-03-07T15:10:00.000-08:00

So we joke with my Dad that we are going to get his grandkids to call him 'Mister' instead of Grandpa--- I don't think Archie gets it....

It was so wonderful to have my dad here for a couple of days. We talked and played games, went out to Cafe Rio AND La Carreta, both supremely delicious, we went on a couple of walks, and went to the Draper Temple open house, oh and we watched the Bachelor final episode while eating ice cream, what is better than that? (by the way I couldn't believe that Jason chose Melissa, but he thought about it and changed his mind, choosing our girl Molly from Grand Rapids- now they are living happily ever after, isn't that how it works?). It felt rejuvinating to have him here, thanks dad so much for coming. Archie loved it too, they had a lot of fun together. I think I also impressed my dad, which was what I was going for, with the dutch oven bread that I made- I will send you the recipe, or just post it.

Chubby Buddies (even though Alex isn't really chubby)

2009-02-28T14:46:00.000-08:00

What a cute picture! I took this from Kristen's blog.

Visitors!

2009-02-23T10:47:00.001-08:00

So this past week Kristen, Tyler and Alex came to visit! Really they had an appointment for Alex's hips and the fun visit was just a bonus. By the way, Alex's hips are looking good and they just need to return about every six months for a check up, what a blessing! So Kristen and I reunited and it was so much fun! We played, made up games for the family to play, (family Jeopardy, way fun, we had a category for each family member, even Archie and Alex, plus Sam, Natalie, Nicholas and Christian. Kristen and I just made up questions; some obscure some that were general knowledge)- we also made truffles, cupcakes, shopped, planned our futures, talked and talked, just like old times, we miss the Montana Brady's already.

Alex and Archie played together and we tried to get some pictures of them, Archie would smile then the camera's would take so long to snap the shot his smile would disappear, but we still have some good shots.

Alex is getting so big, and even cuter!

I think I am getting a little spoiled; this past week was so much fun with Montana visitors and next week my Dad is coming to visit and I can't wait! More visitors! I don't know what I am going to do after my dad leaves and we have a visitor hiatus for a while. I think Archie and I will have to start visiting other people for a change.

Laughing is our favorite Activity

2009-02-20T08:34:00.000-08:00

Archie and I have started to laugh together a lot- it is what we do with our days. Then Ben gets home in the evening and they laugh together- this is one happy boy. ( I don't know how to rotate the video- if you do let me know!) Enjoy!

KristEn!

2009-02-11T18:52:00.001-08:00

Dear Kristen,
I am sorry I spelled your name wrong on the post below...

Pay it Forward

2009-02-10T15:50:00.000-08:00

Kristin introduced me to this and it sounded like a fun way to get crafty wiyh a purpose!

SO--Here's how it works-the first 3 people to leave a comment on this post will receive, at some point during the year, a handmade gift from me. What it will be and when it will arrive is a total surprise! The catch is that you must participate as well. Before you leave your comment here, write up a pay it forward post on your blog to keep the fun going. Then come back, let me know you're going to play, and sit back and anticipate the arrival of your gift! Remember that only the first 3 comments will receive a gift from me, so be quick!

I just liked these-

2009-02-07T09:46:00.000-08:00

So I wanted to post them and share.

Hair cut..

2009-02-07T09:36:00.000-08:00

I recently learned how to give a good hair cut, from a professional at a relief society enrichment. I sat and listened, carefully paying attention to details so I could remember the techniques. I knew Ben was wanting a hair cut so I thought it would be a perfect opportunity to practice. So, this morning when Ben did ask for a hair cut I was up for the task. But....

he decided he just wanted it to be all one length. One of his greatest complaints about life, is that sometimes things just take too long, especially lines- and he is right, sometimes they do. So he wanted a 2 minute hair cut, and that is what he got, (well it really took about 10). So I now know that I can cut his hair; lucky I got a husband who loves to save money, as I do, doesn't mind a slightly-too-short-hair-cut, and tells me that even if it wasn't exactly what he expected he loves me so he loves the hair cut.

Serious.

2009-02-07T09:24:00.000-08:00

Ben and I (and Archie I suppose) have started to get more serious about toning up and losing some weight. So I thought I would document the commencement of the 'serious-ness' of our goal.
Really though, we want to be healthier and more fit to take hikes this summer with Arch, and to go swimming, and maybe even do a biathalon- some day a triathalon. So Archie works out with Dad on the bike then he works out with me in the stroller- he is getting pretty buff.

Books!

2009-01-26T13:23:00.000-08:00

I love to read, and lately I have been having a little more time to do it, either while Arch is asleep in my lap, or on his own. I also love to write, but that will come later, I might be brave enough to post a short story or two, but for now I just want to write about the books I read!

Marley and Me
Has anyone else read this book? I loved it. It was so simple and loving; the way the author writes about his life and his family made me feel like I could relate and therefore I wanted to be more invested in their life. I cried and actually laughed out loud, I love it when something you read makes you laugh out loud- it is as if the words are enhanced by the laughter, connecting something private in your brain to something other people around you can hear, then they wonder what was so funny, why did she laugh? That is a great quality in a book.
I have always wanted to get a dog, and of course reading this book made me want one even more, but the book wasn't just about a dog, it was about a family, about children, and jobs, coping with loss and the blessings of true joy. It was wonderful. I highly recommend it, and it is a pretty fast read, so check it out!

Sunday fun

2009-01-26T13:12:00.000-08:00

Awkward family photo, but at least all three of us are in it...

I weighed him today-- a tiny bit over 16 lbs.....

I am an owner!

2009-01-26T12:56:00.000-08:00

So here is an attempt at a family photo, I was showing off my boots, and Archie was showing off his muscles, but at the last second Ben lost his hold on the child hence the surprised/scared look on his face.

Happy early birthday to me. Ben and I, along with Archie, went for a long shopping extravaganza on Saturday. We thought it was time to get out of the house, all three of us. We made quite a few stops, even played soccer for a while with our friend Brandon, oh and the wii fitness, super fun. But our last stop of the day, when we were all tuckered out was R.E.I. land of all things outdoors; it was glorious. I have been in need and want of some new snow boots- so that was our goal, but our main reason for shopping there was to get a membership, which we did and now we are part owners of the REI co-op! The guy that signed us up explained the whole thing, how they are not a corporation, but a co-op and so we basically bought into the company and we can get discounts at garage sales, and pay less for rentals and return items no questions asked (sometimes), and it was AWESOME.

Anyhoo, I bought some boots, on clearance, and the next purchase will be snowshoes, our ultimate goal! Oh, and tying this back into my first sentence, this was my birthday present. I wore my boots yesterday for the first time in the snow, loved it. I walked to church in them, it was slushy and snowy, what better time could there be for new boots? I am pretty exctied about them...

Family Fun Fotos

2009-01-20T14:47:00.000-08:00

I can't help it, I love alliteration, so I had to misspell one word....
Here is what we have been up to lately, lots of the same, but captured in fotos:)

Takin' a break after a bubbly bath.

Not so happy about his picture...

Nap time. Sunday Snuggle Snooze.

Ben and Archie got up before I did, and ate breakfast before I did, hence the pancake on the head.

Archie loves to laugh at his Dad.

His new dino hat.

The men working hard; Archie learned to read early so he could help his dad with his homework.

President Obama

2009-01-20T14:30:00.000-08:00

Well today really was an historic day; Barack Obama is our President and I think there really is a sense of hope and new vitality in our country. I pray that great changes are made for the better. Ben didn't have classes today so we watched the inauguration this morning, Archie was napping, otherwise he would have loved it too. I took some pictures of us to document the occasion, they aren't great pictures, but I figured we needed to have some type of commemorative proof of our patriotism especially on this day.
I know this picture of us makes it seem like we weren't watching the t.v., we were, it just so happens that I am making sure that Ben isn't pulling any faces while I am taking the picture, so I am looking at him at the last second, and of course he was pulling a face, and the camera took the shot and we weren't ready... this is the best we could do.
Well, I think no matter who is the President of our country things are bound to change, good and bad, but I don't want that opinion to take away from the good things that President Obama can do while in office. Our world is changing, it is ever evolving, and we have to allow that change to embrace and and to accept it in order to grow. It seems like the times are calling all of us to check and double check our values, who we are, who we want to be; because sitting on the fence with a mild conviction isn't going to get us anywhere, it isn't going to help us stand up for what we believe in with confidence, it will only give us second thoughts, shrink in the face of a challenge and inspire doubt instead of faith. I hope we all can stand for what we believe in with strength and passion.

Just a Happy day

2009-01-14T14:22:00.001-08:00

Post bath contentment. I wish you could smell that clean, fresh baby-ness.

Well, despite having a cold Archie is loving life. Ben is sick and has been for a while, Archie got his cold, so far I have been able to fight it off. So little Arch hasn't been in the best mood, but we still did our tummy time today, and I decided as a little treat I would take off all of his clothes ( he really likes to be naked, I didn't risk taking the diaper off!). He lasted quite a bit longer than he usually does on his tummy, and I had to take some pictures becuase he is lifting his head, turning it all around and growing up so fast!

This is his new favorite thing to do, which I love because he can occupy himself for a few minutes at least while he sucks on his hands!

Hello and Thank you

2009-01-11T16:56:00.001-08:00

Kate is great with the pictures, which is not to say I am consequently great with words, only that I have only words to offer.

This is my 'Hello' to everyone who stays in touch with Kate. This, obviously, is mostly her blog, her voice, her music and her life she is sharing with all you folks. Since she has been home, taking care of Archie, blogging has become a bigger part of her life if not a bigger part of her sanity. For this, I wanted to thank you all for your blogs, your emails and your comments. If Kate hasn't said so herself, I know that you and what you share mean a lot to her. They come to mean as much to me as well, particulalry as it is I who gets up and leaves Kate at home every morning as I am off to work and school. I am not shy to say I look forward to when Arch will be a bit bigger and Kate can be out of the house more often.

Happy New Years again. I hope that this year is great for us all. Any by great, I don't mean without incident, only that like my smart, four year old nephew Nicholas has taught me, when we do get pine needles in underpants, we need only to reach in, pull them out and keep living. It may be less helpful to sit around wondering how in the world pine needles arrived in our underwear anyway!

Best,

Benjamin

Baby Archie and Ryder

2009-01-08T10:40:00.000-08:00

Family

2009-01-08T10:17:00.000-08:00

So, I am realizing that our blog makes it seem sometimes that Archie is all consuming and he is our every moment of every day. Although, that does seem accurate... Ben and I are still kicking around leading pretty great lives too, so the three of us all together are lovin' life. Ben returned to school on Tuesday, yes classes started on Monday but in order to save some money we booked our flight from Michigan to Salt Lake on a Monday, so Ben sacrificed the first day of his classes, what a trooper. We spent about 10 days in Michigan and it was so great to see our family. Zach was able to be there, home from Oman for a few days, Alex and Christy were there and Ben and Laura, and of course Mom and Dad. We also spent some time with our good friends the Jones', where Salem, Burke and Ryder spent Christmas. It was so much fun to see them and see how much Ryder has grown! He was so cute with Archie, he calls him 'baby Archie', and he loved to hold him and tickle him and play. On the way back to SLC Ben and I stayed with the Morins, and the first thing Ryder asked when we arrived was if he could hold baby Archie. I thought 'oh how cute, he wants to hold him!', so we sat down on the couch, I put baby Archie in Ryders lap, and it was pure preciousness for about 5 seconds, then Ryder got distracted and wanted to do something else, and just started to get up and push Archie off of his lap! I lauged as I watched little Arch slowly roll off of Ryder's lap (of course I was holding him too, but secretly so as to give Ryder the illusion that he was doing it by himself, so there was no danger). But it made me ponder on the joy that children bring and the joy they feel around other children. It was great, thanks so much Burke, Salem and Ryder for letting us stay with you!

I am feeling like Archie is getting a little older and that I can spend more time away from him without feeling preoccupied that he needs me so much. So on Tuesday it snowed and snowed and snowed, so I went out with my father-in-law on Tuesday night and shoveled and shoveled and shoveled- it was wonderful. Not only was it great exercise, but it was fun to be outside doing something active, and to spend time with Pat which we otherwise might not get to spend time together.

It is great to be home, but I miss everyone that we visited with over the break. I love you all- can't wait for the summer!

Michigan and Archie's 2 month Check up

2009-01-08T09:39:00.000-08:00

This is what Mister Manker (Grandpa) taught us, a new way to hold Archie, and he loves it, the only problem is that he keeps getting heavier so I need to go work out my arms!

Great Grandma and Grandpa Manker with Archie in his fuzzy pants which he grew out of pretty much after this picture was taken. They visited us in Michigan and it was great to spend some time with them. My Grandma walked in the door when they arrived, saw me and saw that I was holding Arch, gave me a quick hug then took him out of my arms and cuddled with him!

Archie and Ben playing; he giggles when his head is tickled or scratched- actually they both giggle when Archie's head is tickled or scratched!

I just loved this face on Archie. He has a double chin, but it looks like he could have three or four.

Mr. Archie in his overalls and boots. He loved them, or I loved them for him!

Happy 2 months Arch! We went to the doctor yesterday and besides a handful of sick little babies nothing out of the ordinary really happened, it was just a pleasent check up. Archie is 13 lbs. and 7 oz., he is 24 inches long and both of those measurments put him in the 85th percentile for his age. His head is 39 cm which is about the 20th percentile. He learned so much over the break! He found his tongue and sucks on it quite a lot, he also found his hands and slobbers all over those just as much! He is more alert and loves to giggle and play. He especially loves it when he is a naked boy, nothing hindering his body and the air tickling his tummy. He grabs onto fingers and can hold his silver rattle (uncle Zach, he really does love it), he is just a growing boy.

Christmas times two... Utah and Michigan

2008-12-31T11:20:00.000-08:00

Archie was hanging out with Gram; they strolled around while Ben and I ice skated- here is Archie 'watching' us. He is a trooper.

My hat was my favorite part of my outfit.
Manker family photo! This is everyone so far... Ben, Kate, Archie, Zach is next to Ben, then Christy and Alex, and Ben (Manker) is next to Alex and Laura is in front of Ben, then Mom and Dad. Yeah Family!
Here is Arch with Uncle Alex, they bonded, it was nice.
Archie got some t-shirts and a new silver rattle from Oman from his Uncle Zach. He LOVES his rattle, he can hold on to it and shake it, although I am pretty sure he doesn't know he his doing it.

We had a really nice Christmas morning in Provo with Grandma and Grandpa Brady. Archie has a couple of pictures with his loot, his Christmas pajamas were his favorite:) He got a new hat, new mittens and new socks.

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-25T06:47:00.001-08:00

So the Neil Diamond ticket was my Christmas present and it was perfect. The concert was so much fun, and I had a lot of fun being there with Michelle, we danced and swayed and sang along with Neil- he told us too. The arena was almost full, we think some people opted not to go because of the weather... but it was fine driving back. He sang lots of his classics and a few new ones, and in between talked to the crowd, actually a funny guy. He sang to the people behind the stage, yes they sold seats behind the stage. Mr. Diamond ( as he was referred to over the intercom) felt bad that people actually bought seats behind him, so he sang them a couple of songs! There was a Santa Claus, lots of middle aged ladies, and us--- it was amazing. I haven't stopped listening to his music since we got home. He even showed pictures and video of himself growing up as a kid in Brooklyn. Best concert ever.
Merry Christmas to all! Ben and I are off to Michigan today, well be back in time for the semester to start. Love to all!

Neil Diamond is here!

2008-12-19T11:36:00.000-08:00

Okay so for Christmas Ben bought me a ticket to see Neil Diamond in Salt Lake City... I am so excited-- it is tonight! The weather is getting worse and there are supposed to be blizzards and lots of snow and all sorts of fun winter time happenings, but Neil is already here-- I just called the arena where he is performing, they said there is no way the concert will be cancelled because he is here! Sooo, off I go with two of my dear friends to see Neil. We are packing our blankets, granola bars and water just in case. Happy Friday to everyone!

Arch's hair recession pattern

2008-12-15T01:30:00.000-08:00

I have been joking with Kate that the tremendous rate at which little Archie is loosing his hair , he is becoming a regular Franciscan Monk. I have done my best to pluck and groom it along the way, but it seems that he lost most of it on the top and still kept enough tufts in the front and back that he may well end up spending his formative years explaining to his friends and family that he did not take a vow of monastic servitude. I'll let you all know if he looses the halo tuft and/or ever grows hair back in on top. For now, he only responds to Sir Franciscan Archi-'bald'

Hanging with mom... literally...

2008-12-14T09:54:00.001-08:00

Archie and mom; we caught half of his smile on camera!

The little helper...

2008-12-14T09:49:00.000-08:00

Archie helping Grandpa with the vacuuming!

Archie helping Daddy with his homework... he was a big help.

Dec. 7th

2008-12-08T09:09:00.001-08:00

It was yesterday, but there were so many significant events so it deserves a post. Fist, happy birthday to Uncle Sam, brother-in-law Sam, and if Ben were writing, big brother Sam. Second happy birthday to Archie, who is now one month old, way to go kid! Third it was my turn to go to church while Ben stayed home with Archie, it was fast and testimony meeting, I loved it. Fourth we had some good friends over for an Indian meal, it was delightful. What a good day.
Well, Archie has definitely changed in the month that he has been here with us. He has gained some weight, thank goodness, but he still has those long, skinny legs, and giant feet- which we love and thank his Dad for. He smiled at me yesterday, which for him might have been more of a grimace, but to me it was a smile. He has started to make noises at times other than when he is upset or in need of something. I wouldn't call it cooing yet, but he'll get there- he likes to lay on his back and watch his toys, and he likes the noises they make. He pumps his legs and his arms like he should be swimming- he gets a little crazy with his movements, so hopefully that means we'll have lots of fun playing in the pool someday:)
He is a growing boy, he eats well, sleeps pretty well and is a joy to be around. At night he hangs out with Ben, from about 8 pm to 1 am while I get a few hours of sleep, they play and frustrate each other, but I am sure they mostly have fun. Then from about 1 am on I am on Arch duty. It works out, we both get a block of sleep and Archie gets to have both parents all to himself, one at a time.
I can't believe he is growing up so fast, he is still so little, but I found myself missing the time when he was first born and just tiny! He is heavier now, but he is also holding his head a lot better, looking around more, making eye contact with both of us, letting us know his likes and his dislikes... I love my family.

2008-12-07T14:45:00.000-08:00

Chub.

Tummy time

2008-12-04T10:37:00.000-08:00

So this is Arch enjoying his tummy time. I wonder about this kid sometimes, I mean I love him more than I could say, but he never seems to get upset (unless he is hungry) and I am afraid it is just building up.
He doesn't cry when he takes a bath, he doesn't cry when he is forced in to tummy time, and he doesn't mind having his diaper changed. What a good boy! That isn't to say that he doesn't get upset, he has his moments, don't we all...?

Arch-face

2008-12-04T10:33:00.000-08:00

These are pictures of Archie at his baby blessing. We did it at home last week when we had more of our family in town for Thanksgiving. It was precious. My favorite picture is Grandpa Archie holding baby Archie-- I love them both so much.

Christmas is here!

2008-12-04T09:53:00.000-08:00

We decorated our Christmas tree on Thanksgiving, I couldn't wait. I meant to take pictures of us doing it, but got too excited and just took picutres of the tree. It is small but it is lovely. It spins and glows in the dark! We listened to Christmas music and had a great time, someday when we live in our own place we will go and chop down a real tree, we can't miss out on that tradition.
The tree was in the closet behind many of Susan's Christmas decorations; my loving husband took on the boxes and the low ceiling of the coat closet to fetch the tree, so it was almost like chopping down our own.

Thanksgiving Day

2008-11-28T08:50:00.000-08:00

I have thought about it and it isn't really difficult to come up with things that I am thankful for. There are hundreds of things to say, everyday. I was in bed this morning, just after feeding Archie thinking of them all. I am thankful for family; in a general way but in a very specific way too. I am thankful for the relationships that I have with my family, the friendships that I share with them, I am thankful that we can be friends and are connected by being family. I am thankful that Archie is here with us, that he is a part of our family and will eternally be. I am thankful to know that there is a Father in Heaven who loves me, loves my life, and wants what is best for me. I am thankful to know that the gospel of Jesus Christ is on the earth and that we can learn about it and gain joy from it; the plan of happiness truly gives significant, deeply satisfying joy and happiness and I am so grateful to be here to learn about it. I am thankful to live in this country, to have rights and freedoms that weren't granted 200 years ago, and still today in other places. I am thankful that I can make choices and anticipate the consequences so I can make better choices and learn from my mistakes. I am thankful to have a bed to sleep in that is warm, with heat in our home and a refrigerator full of food. I am thankful for the Internet so my parents can see their grandson through skype, so I can keep in touch with family and friends, so we can share in each other's lives and feel a sense of connection. I am thankful for hot showers, for hot cider, for Christmas trees and decorating them with bright ornaments and lights. I am thankful to be able to recognize my blessings, and I pray that I will never forget them.

Days 3 and 2

2008-11-26T14:51:00.000-08:00

Yesterday we dipped the fondant candies in chocolate, and by 'we' I mean everyone else but me and Archie, we had other things to take care of... The chocolate is so delicious; it melts in your mouth, it is the perfect blend of sweet and smooth and savory, love love love it. Today I took a walk with Ben and Alex, Archie stayed home with his Aunt Kristen and Uncle Tyler. It was wonderful, not particularly sunshiney, but a good temperature for a short walk.
Walks clear my mind, they make me feel like I am re-energizing each part of my body, and they give me clarity, I don't always know how, but they are an important part of my day, I am thankful that there are so many people willing to go for walks with me, and to watch Archie while I take them.

Days 7,6,5 and 4

2008-11-24T11:10:00.000-08:00

I am a little behind in writing but hopefully not in gratitude. I feel like Friday was years ago, I just can't remember what has been happening the past few days. Okay, here we go, I remembered. We took Archie for his two week appointment on Friday, and the doctor told us that he was a healthy little boy! He was back up to his birth weight plus a pound, so he is about 8 lbs. and 1 oz. He is 21 inches long, from about 19 in the hospital. His cheeks are chubbier, and so is his tummy, but his legs and arms remain long and skinny, he is definitely my husbands son. So that was a good day for us. Unfortunately Ben and I got flu shots while we were there which isn't so unfortunate in itself, but the shot made me a little sick, and my wonderful husband took such good care of Archie while I was asleep ( longer than usual). I will continue to be so thankful for all of the service and love that we get from Ben, "we" as in me and Arch. Sunday Ben stayed home with the little boy so I could go to the first block of church, then I came home and he went to the third block. I know we didn't go together, but it felt like we did. Sharing the responsibilities of taking care of Archie and taking care of each other made me feel like we are still doing things together, even if we are not physically in the same spot. Today is Monday and Grandma and Grandpa (Archie, whom Archie is named after) Brady came by to visit! I am thankful for family, for feeling loved and giving love, it is one of the simplest and most complex feelings of all, and the most rewarding.
Being a mom is getting less confusing, although I can't say that it is getting easier. I am loving it more and more, and I am getting to know my son more and more which makes taking care of him better and more full of joy. He doesn't scare me as much! He is only about 2 and 1/2 weeks old and he seems to have changed so much, I wonder what he'll look like by Christmas.

Day 8: Simple Pleasures

2008-11-20T14:14:00.000-08:00

I was finally able to get my ring off yesterday, it had been on my finger without the possibility of coming off since about July. I love being married, and I love who I am married to, I just don't want to wear the ring for a few days. I do still have the dry red skin where the ring rested for these past 4 months, that will have to suffice as my symbol of marriage for now!
Well, with so many things to be thankful for, today I had a donut and a diet, caffeine free Dr. Pepper for breakfast...it was delicious. I also took a hot shower, took a nap while Mr. Archie was napping and read a few pages in The Story of Edgar Sawtelle, a really good book I intend to finish one of these days. Simple pleasures make the world go around some days:)

Day 9, Bigger feet...

2008-11-19T09:40:00.000-08:00

My body is de-swelling! I am oh-so-grateful, however I think my feet got wider. They are no longer full of fluid, but they seem to be bigger, I'll know for sure when I try on my heels and can't get them all the way in. I think ever since I had little Arch I have been wearing my yellow crocs, I don't have to bend down to put them on, they are the most comfortable and if my feet are swollen no one can tell. I can almost get my ring off my finger- I guess my hands have a little de-swelling yet to do. I love Archie and I love that he is here, being pregnant was a good experience... but I am glad to be getting my body back.