Smith Family

last 6 months at a glance...

2010-12-31T15:21:00.000-08:00

Where does time go???

Well, Here's my attempt to catch up on the last 6 months or so...

Chad- School...Last semester was BY FAR the hardest yet. We saw him for a few hours only a few days a week. Hard! But...we LOVED when there were breaks and he was home!

Me- Just when I think I've got a handle on having two kids...Bo starts climbing on everything! I'm still doing Ties, it's going well and we're so thankful for that! I can't wait til I can just be a mom though.

Bridger- Is in preschool and LOVES it! Still obsessed with Thomas the Train, and is an Awesome big brother!

Bowen-So squishy and climby and drooly...we LOVE him!

Bo is crawling and climbing everywhere!

Bridger found some stickers and had a good ole time! ...He wanted them on all day, it wasn't so fun when I had to peel them all off though.

Halloween
Bridger was Thomas (again), I tried to talk him into a differnt costume, but he didn't budge. It's ok though...I was Dorthy from the wizard of Oz for 3 years in a row...loved those sparkly shoes!

We had a lot of furry and feathery friends in our backyard this fall...here are a few!

Bridger said he wanted a BIG snowman...so Chad helped him build this one...it was at least 9 feet tall!!!

First day of school and 3rd Birthday!

2010-09-04T20:30:00.000-07:00

Back to school...back to school...to show my dad I ain't no fool......

Chad and Bridger had their 1st day of school together. Bridger's first day of preschool and Chad's first day of 18th grade! Don't they look so cute and ready to learn?

This is bridger's post-party set-up...New thomas underwear and toys!
All he wanted to do for three days after his party was play trains.

Had to be brave at his party and Jump off the diving board...with aunt Hannah's help of course!

Chad gives thumbs up to Bridger turning three!

and the cake...wouldn't be a "thomas party" (like bridger requested) without a thomas cake!

Riding with Grandpa Smith and New Toys!

2010-08-26T14:49:00.000-07:00

Summertime and the livin's easy

2010-08-14T14:20:00.001-07:00

This is my attempt to catch up on what we've been up to this summer...

Work... chad's been helping on the farm, and this is the kind of laundry I am privileged to clean when he's done :)

Play...

bridger uses his trains to associate colors. For example, if it's a blue cup... it's the "Thomas"cup (Thomas the train is blue...as if you didn't know). If he wants a red otter pop, he asks for a "James"one (James is red), And does the same with every train and color. Anyhow...The other day he was playing in his room and I came in and this is what he had set up... Trains matched to Lincoln logs in the same color.

We're working on the proper color names...but I'm not rushing it, It's cute at 2!

Potty training....

I swore i'd never put things like this on my blog...but it was just too funny to pass up!

Chad caught this in the works and hollered at me to grab my camera.

What's he reading?...that would be the battery instructions to a thomas toy he got a few months back. He'll study it forever!

Potty training is complete!....oh happy day

Bowen...

Just as squishy and cute as ever!

Swimming...

Grilling...

Grilled pizza is my favorite thing to cook these days...so delish!

"Vacation all I ever wanted....vacation ready to get away!"

2010-07-13T22:05:00.000-07:00

Bear Lake is currently my favorite place in Utah! Crystal blue water, gorgeous mountains, and fresh raspberry shakes...who could ask for more!

Tether ball...I almost forgot it existed. Remember the rush of adrenaline you'd get when
that ball wrapped around the pole? Chad, my Bro Tim, and Bro-in-law Bodi had a tether ball tournament...It got very intense...I laughed my head off.

Bridger and Sophie (my niece)

Sweet baby Bo

"El Bandito"....if you haven't been to the Pickelville Playhouse. I HIGHLY recommend it!

Just happy to be at the lake

Bridger and Laynie (my niece) played in this puddle for an hour!

Yeehaw! Bear Lake Rocks!

Thanks Mom & Rich for the fun week!

2010-06-28T14:48:00.000-07:00

Bridger has been my little garden helper this summer. He loves to get his boots and help me water...maybe he'll have a career in landscaping??

He also started doing dishes recently. I'll be feeding bo in another room and hear the bench slide across the floor. I'll say "whacha doing buddy?" and he calls out "i'm just helpin you mom".

oh, and NO...he's not potty trained yet and Yes...I let him run around in his diaper all the time

Blessing Day

2010-06-28T14:24:00.000-07:00

Bowen's Blessing Day

I am so thankful for this sweet baby. He is so easy to love! We had almost all of our family here for his blessing and it was such a nice day. This is actually Chad's baby blessing outfit... shoes and all. His mom gave it to me and we blessed both our boys in it.

Happy Birthday To Me!

2010-05-21T14:23:00.000-07:00

Chad is so good to me. I've been wanting to do a little garden in our yard for a while and so when I told him this is what I wanted to do for my birthday he went along with it all the way! Little did he know how rocky our yard was! We were out there for hours then he was out there for hours more tilling and digging out boulders and tilling some more. Finally we have two lovely garden boxes filled with seeds! ...Now I just hope they grow! Nothing is better than grilled zucchini and squash at a summer BBQ right?

Diary of a Wimpy Kid

2010-05-21T14:07:00.000-07:00

this is not a smile...it's a nervous reaction

Dear Diary,

Bouncy surfaces make me nervous. Mom took me to a super cool trampoline gym with my Aunt Amanda and cousins, and all I could do was cling to their legs while they jumped. The other kids had a blast bouncing all over...being free and wild, but not me...no sir! I don't enjoy things of this sort. I prefer land...solid footings... and steady foundations. That's the way I like it and nobody is going to change my mind.

- Bridger

Newborn Photos and Life with Two

2010-05-12T16:50:00.000-07:00

My sweet sister arranged to have newborn photos taken of Bowen as a gift to us...What an AWESOME gift huh? Her friend Abby with AKstudio (link under "blogs I like") came up to our house when he was just about a week old, I'm so glad I have these! His wrinkles are already filling in and I know he'll get big so fast. Thanks Amanda!!!!

Life with two has thrown me for a loop, but I think I'm over being overwhelmed. I still haven't attempted taking them both to walmart...but other than that, things are getting more normal at our house. Bowen is such a sweet baby! He's a great eater and sleeper....so that makes me a happy mom!

Bo got to meet his Great Grandparents on Sunday!

I love how fuzzy his hair gets after a bath

Bedtime! Always a great time of day!

Meet Baby Bowen!

2010-04-28T14:47:00.000-07:00

Bowen Roosevelt Smith

6.9lbs 19.5 inches

He's here!

We went in on Thursday morning to be induced. The Docs wanted him out sooner than later because his little abdomen was measuring small...which just meant he was getting hungry. Being induced was a different experience than I thought it would be like. My water broke with Bridger so it was all fast. It wasn't bad being induced, and even though it did...it didn't feel like it took forever. Chad and I just hung out...Chad ran some ties to the post office for me, rented a Red Box, He got some studying in, I read and bought some fabric online...it was a nice and relaxing day in the hospital just waiting for action.

Then at 12:15 am the action came and he was born!

He was wide eyed, alert, quite, and so precious!

My Mom(i mean Angel-in-disguise) had Bridger the whole time we were in the hospital. She brought him over on Friday and he wasn't so interested in me or the baby, but he's warmed up to him since. He always asks were he is and what he's doing. He's adjusting to the big change like I imagined he would...being naughty and emotional. Poor guy, he's so use to being the top dog around here. Hopefully he'll snap out of it soon.

So far, Bowen has been a very good baby. I love having a newborn in the house, it's such a peaceful and good feeling!

Thanks to everyone for your help with Bridger, meals, gifts, and prayers! We're so happy he's here!

Only Child...not for long

2010-04-18T20:44:00.000-07:00

I love this picture!

This past few months have flown by and in just a few days our threesome will become the Fab Four! We've been trying to prepare Bridger for the big change, but I know he'll just have to deal with it when it comes.

Chad has been busy as usual with school and I have been in major nesting mode! Yesterday I detailed my car, scrubbed and shampooed the floor mats, made some freezer meals, and cleaned the pantry and fridge, and made a bumper for the Baby's crib...then I proceeded to make a "to do" list for every day leading up to the 22nd (when I'm being induced). I LOVE this phase of pregnancy, I feel so darn productive!

I've been such a slacker with my updates, so I thought I'd just post a photo schmorgasborg of everything we've been up to lately....

Grandma Smith gave Bridger a Buzz and Woody Kite for Easter and we finally took it out yesterday...he loves it!

Our Friends Barb and John came to town over Easter! Ty and Bridger had a good ole time, and of course Barb and I made time for Cold Stone ice cream...more than my fat cells needed but oh so necesary! It was so fun to get to spend time with them and we wish they lived closer!!!!!

Easter weekend was Fridged!!! But we bundled up the kids anyway for a neighborhood egg hunt.

Bridger at our family egg hunt a few weeks back with my Mom, Sister, and all the kids

Playing with the train sets at the Children's Museum in Ogden

Super Bridger and Basketball Tourney

2010-03-14T16:55:00.000-07:00

Super Bridger!

I made this little mask for him a few months ago and he never really cared about it until about a week ago. He found it and wore it EVERYWHERE! All around the house, Walmart, the post office, Chad's basketball games, and even to bed. We got some funny looks at Walmart...I think some people thought he had a burn under it or something. He'd bring it to me and say he wanted to be Super Bridger.

And just for proof that he has a mega fascination with his nose...

This was the pose he'd pull while wearing the "Super Bridger" mask... so tough huh!

Super Bridger at Chad's Basketball Game

Lehi Alumni Tournament
Last week Chad played in the Lehi Alumni bball tournament. It was fun to see old friends that we graduated with. They came from miles around to represent 2001! I felt old for the first time watching them play the 2010 team...sad.

Dresser Makeover

2010-03-03T21:24:00.001-08:00

Bridger's old furniture has been officially donated to the new baby's room. He was kicked out of his crib last week (I know..a little old to still have been in a crib, but he liked it) and the rocking chair and the bookshelf that I use to use to hold his clothes in baskets were moved out too. He was in desperate need of his own things and I was desperate to find a purpose for the old dresser and night stand sitting in my garage.

So, I found this lovely site through a friends blog and it inspired me to paint the furniture Yellow!

Here's the end result...the Before photos are below

I didn't want to use this furniture in Bridger's room because I think the curves make it look feminine, but in the end my thriftiness won... "Make it do, or Do without"...right?...So here we have it, a yellow dresser and night stand. I have plans to make it work with the room decor someday!

Here is the Before photo...This was actually my Dad's old dresser when he was younger, then My sister and I used it in high school, so I'm happy that it has a purpose again!

Night out at Cabella's

2010-02-26T12:11:00.000-08:00

Last weekend, while searching for a fun and cheap family-friendly-activity, our friends told us about the shooting game at Cabella's. We gave it a shot...(literally) and it was indeed a fun & FREE family activity! Bridger loved the shooting game and all the fish!

Tip- If you decide to try it out...ask the front desk for some tokens...they'll give you ooddles and then you wont have to buy any from the token machine!

Snow Train

2010-02-16T18:17:00.000-08:00

Most kids call this winter sport "Sledding", but at our house...it is known as "Snow Train" (thanks to bridger)

Near our house there is a park with PERFECT hills for the snow train, so we took advantage of it while Chad was home over his winter break last month. Here are a few of the highlights....

One of my personal favorites...Chad trying to hit this jump over and over...I couldn't get a good shot of him flying through the air, so this one will have to do.

This is how we got Bridger up the hill

Bridger giving Dad a "Snow Train" ride!

Spring Tie Sale...choose any 2 for 25

2010-02-10T07:29:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to get the word out that I am having a TIE SALE on my etsy site!

If you would like to get ties, but do not have an etsy account...Just let me know and I can arrange to get them to you!

The sale is 2 for $25...you choose any two prints and/or sizes

Order in time for Easter!

we ARE still alive...just in case you were wondering

2010-01-28T20:53:00.000-08:00

Update...
(i hate a picture less post, but I can't find my camera cord...they will come...patience my friends)

-Our house is finished (we got to move in on Christmas eve...best Christmas gift ever!) and it is starting to feel like a home!
-We FOUND our missing winter box...just in the nick of time, I was about to go loony...it was hiding in the very back bottom corner of our storage unit, what a perfect place for us to have put it when we moved here in august with the impending doom of winter approaching!
-Chad started school again...busy busy busy
-Bridger is a chatter box...is obsessed with trains still but has a new fondness for American Flags.
-I am gaining weight at a very rapid pace...I need to slow my roll with eating Cinnamon rolls and cookie dough!

MISSING

2009-11-19T20:48:00.000-08:00

Missing Winter Box

Box thought to have been in an easily accessible place of the storage unit has gone missing!

Contents of box- all warm clothing including coats, gloves, scarfs, sweaters, and thermals belonging to the Smith family.

Box is cardboard and large. May have the words "Winter (Poop) Stuff" written on the outside in black marker. (could it be that some winter loving activist group found out that I hate winter and viewed the act of calling winter "poop" a winter hate crime and took my box as punishment?)

The Smith Family is desperate to locate this box, any information leading to the finding of this box will be greatly appreciated.

Reward- general public will not have to see us wearing large and smelly farm work coats any longer than we have to!

Fall Fun and a Hair Cut

2009-11-10T19:18:00.000-08:00

We've been playing in the leaves a ton this past few weeks so I thought I better take some photos. Plus...I needed some proof that Bridger REALLY needed a hair cut!

I had been stewing over (yes stewing... also known as mulling or debating over) whether or not to cut his hair for a while now and then one day I couldn't handle the mop his mop head any longer. I've always cut his hair, but I let it get too out of control so I needed to turn him over to the experts.

This picture says it all about what he thought about the experience, but overall it wasn't so bad. I didn't have to hold him down and there were no tears.

Here he is checking himself out in the mirror. He looks so much older now, but oh it is nice to not have to dry it after a bath!

Halloween

2009-11-06T19:57:00.001-08:00

(Bridger as Thomas the Train, Nieces Laynie & Sophie as BYU cheerleaders, and my lil sister Hannah as a clown)

This Halloween we went to my Mom's neighborhood where they pass out king size candy bars...score! As much as I tried to avoid it...I couldn't deny Bridger the privilege of being his favorite thing in the world right now...Thomas!

The House

2009-10-16T19:31:00.001-07:00

We are so excited to be building our first house!...Thanks to a very generous builder-brother-in-law who is giving us a great deal, and very low interest rates...it is happening. Here is a photo I took a few weeks ago. It now has a roof, plumbing, electricity, and a driveway!!! Our favorite part is the view and the quiet neighborhood with lots of kids...is that possible?...quiet road, maybe not quiet kids. Anywho...it's coming along nicely and we should be in by December!

Lost Passy

2009-10-10T08:01:00.000-07:00

Maybe it was divine intervention, but we lost the last passy last night. After looking for it for a while, we decided Bridger's passy days were over. It was time. We told him that his passy went "Bye Bye" and he seemed to understand. He slept just fine! ...except he woke up a little earlier than normal- asking for it. I told him it was gone and he's been pretty good about it so far this morning. I think we might have a rough nap time today and maybe a little bit of a rough night time, but I feel so relieved that we are doing this now...no more passy!!! ...no more passy when he's loud in sacrament meeting, or when he's grumpy in the car, or EVER! ...am I ready for this? I have to be!

Bridger Turned Two...two months ago

2009-10-08T13:08:00.001-07:00

Today I had a minute to go back and look at some old photos...everyone says it, but WOW- Time flies! I can't believe my baby is already two! I feel like I just brought him home from the hospital last week. I have to say that Bridger has been a joy to raise and have in our family from the start! He's got such a fun personality and I love getting to see the person he is becoming!

Since his Birthday was on a Sunday, we had some family over for some dessert...I opted out on the cake and made a strawberry chocolate cream puff dessert instead. Bridger didn't seem to mind!

Then to celebrate later we went to the Zoo with family and friends.... It was way hot and a lot of the animals were hiding out, but it was still a good time!

my brother Tim and B checking out the lions

Bridger Loved the zoo, but he really just wanted to tear open all the toys he raked in! It's a good thing we had a wagon to haul them around in!

Earl, Bridger, Easton, and Chad seeing how they measure up to the gorillas.

Grandma Smith pushing b around on his birthday throne.

Thanks to everyone who helped make Bridger's day special! Our goals for the year are to...Lose the passy, Lose the diapers, and learn a ton of new things.

Love you Bridger!

The Move

2009-10-05T12:23:00.000-07:00

This post is intended to update me to the present and attempt to fill in some things I've yet to post about since our move to northern Utah. So I am calling this ...

The Move- the good, the bad, and the ugly

The Good- I have to say that this is the biggest category thankfully!

being close to family! I was WAY under-rating that one.
getting back to our country roots...the Farm, bridger gets to explore nature, room to roam, the cows & horses, ect. (see photos)
Our HOUSE!!!! is coming along nicely. We should be in by Dec 1st at the latest so get ready to come visit! I'll soon be posting pictures of the framed wood which will be our home.
Being able to let Bridger play outside at noon without overheating!
Trendy Tikes- is going so well! My neckties are being sold in a boutique in Pleasant Grove called "Bliss Boutique" and were featured on the show "Good Things Utah" last Tuesday. It was pretty cool seeing my stuff on TV and getting to watch the live taping!
Chad is loving school and is doing really well! He's over a big research project for weight loss in the city of Magna, is training the Swim Team for Judge Memorial High, and recently taught a class on American football to about 45 Japanese students...all the while keeping up with his ph.d classes, and finishing his master's thesis...whew!
and the best news...I'm Pregnant! due in April, I'm about 11 weeks!

The Bad-

I'm sick...barfing, nauseous, depressed because I'm always barfing...you know...
Chad is so busy with school, we don't get to see him much(as was expected)
We are not social anymore...I stay close to the barf bowl, Chad stays close to his books, and so we don't get out much
we miss all our southern Utah friends
WINTER IS COMING!

The Ugly-

me...white, chubby, always in sweats
Chad's work farm work pants...see photo below
WINTER IS COMING!

Good Things Utah! The cast, me, and the two models wearing my ties!

The Ugly- Check out those work pants!! "Floods a comin!"

Bridger and his friend the caterpillar...who was almost squashed to death so we had to let him go.

Spin Class Victory!

2009-08-28T07:00:00.000-07:00

When it comes to the kitchen, laundry, grocery shopping, or any other domestic talent... It's safe to say that I know more than Chad, but when it comes to the Gym or exercising- it is his domain and he is the expert. I admitted it... Chad knows WAY more than I do on the entire subject, always has and I suspect always will (or at least he always should because he is getting his PHD in it at the moment)

Well today I convinced Chad to attend his very first spin class after a few years of nagging. He's always rolling his eyes at my "classes", but after hearing me say what a butt kicker spin is, and after I told him that other guys go to it, he caved in a gave it a whirl. On our way there early this morning I mentioned to him that I'd help him get his bike set up correctly before we started class so he'd have a more comfortable ride. He looked at me with an annoyed expression and said..."I know how to fit myself to a bike"...har har har...

So we got to the class and we set up our bikes, I watched Chad fidget with his bike (knowing that it wasn't set up right) and then get on. Our instructor, Mike, asked if anyone was new to spin, Chad reluctantly raised his hand and I could tell he was just cringing as he came and had him dis-mount his bike so he could fit it properly. It was such a great "I Told You So" moment for me and the only "trust me...I know what I'm doing" moment that I've ever had at the Gym and probably ever will have!

Sweet victory!

Lake Powell Trip

2009-08-21T08:58:00.000-07:00

We went to Lake Powell with Chad's Brothers and Sisters for about a week in July and had a blast! The weather was great, the water was awesome, and most important...I got up on the wakeboard! It's pretty much my favorite place now.

Here's Chad trying to master surfing behind the boat

All the grandkids in Navajo canyon

Thomas the Train

2009-08-20T10:31:00.000-07:00

I'm not a big fan of "Character Clothes"...you know you aren't either. But when your kid is obsessed with something, you've got to give in and bite the tacky character clothes bullet. they are only kids once right?

Chad's Mom brought these home the other day and it was love at first sight for bridger!
He LOVES his new jamies...he won't take them off. After a huge fit I was able to peel them off his body...but he insisted that they remained attached to him somehow, so we resorted to tying the top around his shoulders like a sweater. Today I took him to the store like that, and I now have a new appreciation for my Mom. She had to deal with my My little Pony, Rainbow Bright, and Barbie phases. Thanks for letting me dress like a nerd Mom!

Shananagans

2009-07-21T12:03:00.000-07:00

Bridger has a best buddy named Kalen. I've never seen two kids their age play so well together.

Last week we had Kalen over to play and things got really quiet...always a bad sign. I went down the hall to Bridger's room and these were the Shananagans they were into...

They found the bottle of lotion...oh they were having a good ole time.

All I know is that they both had really soft and moisturized right cheeks after that!

Is there some sort of obsesssive toy car disorder I should be aware of?

2009-07-11T13:02:00.000-07:00

We went north to visit my family last weekend and while we were there my little brother Tim was so kind to pass down a load of matchbox cars to Bridger.

I had no idea he'd love them this much...I'm talking hours of entertainment. He wants to sleep with them and they are the first thing he asks for in the morning.

He loves to line them up in perfect rows and he gets all stressed out if one rolls forward out of ranks.

I even have a hard time getting him to eat. He can't stop playing long enough! The other day I gave in and let him eat his lunch at the coffee table with his cars, I loaded the dishwasher, and when I came to check on him..he had rolled his cars through his yogurt. So...we gave all the cars a bath on the porch.

Florida Trip

2009-07-07T11:09:00.000-07:00

We had been wanting to get out to Florida to see our friends Barb & John for a while and we finally made it! We hopped on a plane along with our friends Kayla and Jeff and their three babies and flew to Florida for a week in May. Between the three couples we have 6 children under the age of 3 so when we weren't breaking up fights, changing diapers, or feeding kids...We were having a great time!

We got to go to the Miami Zoo!

Bridger loved the snakes and lizards

Chad in aww of the fish!

feeding Giraffes

The Gang- we looked like a stroller parade walking around the zoo!

Swimming at Barbs

Cru, Bridger, Ty

Building a sand castle at the Beach

The Highlights of the trip were...Getting to spend time with my best friends, seeing our boys play, going out with Chad on my Birthday, the Beach, the Zoo, and Barbs cooking!

The Lowlights of the trip were...Barb getting sick on her birthday, everyone but me getting sick, the rainstorms keeping us from going to the beach more, and traveling home just to un-pack!

Brian Regan At Tuachan

2009-07-07T10:46:00.001-07:00

Bridger LOVED picking up Family from the Airport!

Chad's brother Jason is a pilot so he and his family flew in from California for the show!

Chad really wanted in this photo.

Out to eat with cousins at 25 Main...Yum

(Chad's family minus the sister in Kentucky)

Whenever we get together with Chad's Family we pop in a Brian Regan DVD and laugh our heads off. I've never been into comedy but this guy is hilarious, so when we found out he was coming to Tuachan this spring, we sent word out and everyone wanted to come. We had a great weekend!

I never knew I could laugh that hard...it was a workout! My face hurt from laughing so long. I think my jaw muscle is nice and toned now.

Moving North

2009-05-29T11:08:00.000-07:00

I Like Blizzards that look like this

Not the ones that look like this!

I Think most people know, but nothing is official until you blog about it right?... We're moving away from our lovely, warm, sunny, and recreational St George. Chad is finishing his Master's Thesis this summer and was accepted into the Exercise Science PHD program at the U this Fall.

He was also offered a teaching assistantship position in the program which is a HUGE bonus! He'll be teaching beginning level college courses and assisting the professors in the ES department. It is rare for them to offer things like this to first year students, so we're really excited about the opportunity.

I guess I've always known that living here was a temporary thing for us, it just stinks now that moving is a reality. (I've been dragging my feet and protesting for years and I've always gotten my way, but not this time) The up sides to the Move are...We get to live closer to Family and Friends up north and Chad gets to get started in this Program and eventually be done with school....Which are both SUCH great things. It will be so nice to be closer to Family. Bridger will get to grow up around his cousins, I can finally learn how to make my mother-in law's raspberry jam, learn how to sew from my Mom, and get to go see my little Sister's dance recitals and such.

I'm just not so good with change and you all know how I feel about cold weather! To be honest, I get a sick feeling in my gut just thinking about winter, and scrapping snow off my car, and not being able to go outside until May! How can i run outside if it's cold?? I'll just get fat and wear sweats everyday like I did at Snow College! Spring in St George starts in Feb! We've made such great Friends here and we'll be sad to leave.

Anyways, I need some good ole encouragement! How can I learn to enjoy the cold?? I'm really nervous about it.

We'll probably be moving mid July, So don't write us off of your friends list quite yet southerners!

Travels South

2009-04-14T19:26:00.000-07:00

We headed South for the weekend. We stayed with Chads Brother Rhett and his Family in Prescott, then we met up with some Friends to hike the Grand Canyon for a day, then we went back to Prescott for Easter. We had a great trip! Here's some of the highlights...

Easter Morning

The Easter Bunny left B's Basket on the weight bench right outside our room...it's a good thing too...He found it right away!

B & Cousin Abby on the way home from church

Easter Morning

Playing with cousins Abby and Dylan

Bridger looking spiffy in his Easter get-up

GRAND CANYON

On Friday, Rhett and Jen watched Bridger and we went to hike the Grand Canyon. It was Amazing! I can't believe I've lived close to it for so long and hadn't hiked it before. We met up with our my best friend since birth, Mandy, and her husband Matt. We hiked down the Kiabab trail and out the Bright Angel trail. That's 17 miles!!! Straight down ...across 5 miles...then straight up.

Our friends from Tempe AZ, Mandy & Matt.

Us being nerds at the bridge over the Colorado River.

Our Lizard friend

Me & Mandy Westover

Finish!!

I still can't believe that we did that!!! The next two days I could barely walk, my calf's were so sore! I looked pretty funny on Easter Sunday trying to wear high heels to my Bro & Sis in laws ward...it's painful just thinking about it!

I Highly recommend hiking the Grand Canyon though...just be sure to train a little if you decide to hike down and out in the same day. Thanks Mandy and Matt for bringing us along..It was so great to see you guys!

Travels North

2009-04-14T19:06:00.000-07:00

We headed North over Conference weekend and had a good Pre-Easter Celebration with my sister Amanda and her kiddos.

There's no better way to warm up for the big hunt besides having a little hunt!

Bridger, Sophie, and Laynie dying Easter eggs.

Well...Sophie dyed eggs and while Laynie watched and Bridger tried to destroy all things.

B with my Sadie girl!
This is the dog Chad and I raised and loved for two years. She was my running partner and best buddie...But then we moved to a NO DOG community and I was devastated...only dog lovers will understand. I tried everything to keep Her when we moved into where we're living now. I even tried to get her certified as a seeing eye dog so she could stay with us, but it wasn't in the cards...She had to find a new home. Amanda and Bodi have been so good to her!

B & Sophie chillin on the tramp

Friends

2009-03-25T21:25:00.000-07:00

( Me Barb & Kayla)

It was so fun to have Barb and John in town last week! We had lots of catching up to do and of course we made sure to fit in time for plenty of ice cream and sun! I was having major camera battery issues until the last day we were all together so I didn't get a picture of new baby Preston, but oh was he squishy and scrumptious!!!

(Cru, Ty, Bridger)
Nothing gets crazier than combining these three ingredients!

Wrestling match...Bridger was the cause of most of the trouble, but what else do little boys do besides wrestle??? It was pretty funny.

Cheese!

This month's visiting teaching message

2009-03-09T12:38:00.000-07:00

Hmmm, who does he get it from??

2009-03-09T11:58:00.000-07:00

I think the olive thing comes from me,

but I'm 100 % certain the rest of the weirdness comes from Chad!

Bridger Spent an entire evening running around the house with his shirt over his head like this, and every time it fell down, he'd come to us tapping the top of his head until we put it back.

Yep...he totally gets the weirdness from his dad.

Food Storage Class

2009-02-23T16:18:00.000-08:00

Wed. March 4th, 7pm Stoneridge Clubhouse

My friend Arlene will be here to teach a Food Storage Class.
She'll demo some recipes from her book '"The Ultimate Food Storage Cookbook" and answer all of our food storage questions! (I've got a lot)

It will cost $2.oo/person (to help cover the cost of the food we'll sample)

If you want to come, call me or let me know here. I have to cap the class at 35 people

Obsessed

2009-02-11T21:02:00.001-08:00

I'm a little obsessed with two things right now....sewing and food storage.

I'm not even going to get into the sewing thing, But I do want to talk about food storage....why? Why me and why now? I can think of a LOT of things I'd LOVE to spend our tax returns on, (Like going to Florida to see Barb & baby Preston) but I've got food storage on the brain. I feel like a sponge just soaking up all the information I can get my hands on. And I want to know it all right now! I have so many Questions...Like how to sprout wheat... cook beans from dry form and make them taste good...and what would I do with a big container of honey(like the ones they sell at costco) once I opened it, just spoon out what I needed??

I know a lady, her name is Arlene. She was a seamstress at the Bridal Shop I work for. A few years ago she gave me a "food storage cook book" that she had written and sold through deseret book, and I took it and put it with my other cook books and never looked at it until I started thinking about food storage about 6 months ago. Well, I just read it and realized that Arlene is a mega food storage guru and I could ask her all my questions...so I called her and I've been using her for her talent ever since!

But I was thinking it would be cool to have her come to the clubhouse where we live and have a food storage Q & A night with anyone who was interested. We're all on different "food storage IQ levels" so we could ask her what we wanted to learn more about. I called her and she said she'd love to do it. She said she could demo some recipes. I want to learn different ways to cook wheat...the gluten stuff? I could pick her brain for weeks, she really knows her stuff.

If you are interested in setting something like this up, let me know and I'll schedule the clubhouse!

Suz told me about this website and I really like it. It's a "not so overwhelming" approach to food storage and it's got some recipes that i'd actually make!

http://myfoodstoragedeals.blogspot.com/

Dutch Oven Dinner

2009-02-08T21:35:00.000-08:00

This is our attempt at a decent family snap shot...Chad couldn't stop stuffing his face long enough to smile without a mouthful(to his credit-the food was really good), and Bridger was throwing a fit because I wouldn't let him in the Fire!

Katie and the boys

We found the perfect "time out" chair

Bridger & Kalen

The weather in St George last week was BEAUTIFUL, So we got with our friends the Kelly's to do a last minute dutch oven shmorgasborge!

I am so thankful to live where it's warm...Even the thought of spring & summer makes me so happy!!!

Sick House

2009-01-30T22:36:00.000-08:00

Something is going around and all I know is that it stinks having a sick kid just as bad as being sick yourself. Earlier this week Bridger had his first public barf incident(there's just no pretty way to say it...although I dis-like all words pertaining to vomit...especially the word itself) We were at an indoor jumping play house gym called Jumpin Jacks and the little guys just lost it. Chad and I (obviously inexperienced parents when it comes to throw-up)..thought that maybe he was just bouncing too much and therefore lost his dinner...so after the mess was cleaned up and all was sanitary, we decided to stick around and chat with friends. What were we thinking??? 5 min. later...he lost it again...all over Chad. Poor buddy, I was so mad at myself for not just taking my sick child home right away.

It was ugly, but luckily they employee on shift during the said incident(s) had a great sense of humor!

So we've had the sickies all week. Not horrible...just a lingering yuckiness. It makes me SO thankful for my family's overall good health!

I only got a few pics while we were there...this is my friends little boy Cru, trying to fit into the stuffed animal arcade game!

2009-01-28T12:27:00.000-08:00

It was warm the other day so B & I ate our spaghetti lunch outside. Combine Spaghetti with a runny nose and a half hour playing in the back yard and this is what wants to come inside!

Last weekend while we were up visiting family, I got to go to and Aquarium with my sisters Amanda & Hannah, Nieces, Aunt Jan, Cousin Emily & all the kiddos! This is Bridger and Jett, Em's Baby, checking out the sea creatures. It was the perfect thing to do since it's too cold up north to do anything outdoors

What was up with my curly locks?? The only curling iron I could find at my in laws had the circumference of my pinkie, So i gave it a whirl (what else do you do with day-old hair huh?)...I thought they were way cuter than that before I saw this picture..yikes!

Hannah with Laynie, and Sophie trying to keep Bridger in the picture.

Ode to 2009

2009-01-14T20:35:00.000-08:00

Well it's a little late to declare my new years resolutions, I've had them all jumbled(yes jumbled, I believe i made up the word just now but it seems to fit perfectly so I'm leaving it there) in my brain since the 1st and I never did get around to writing them down. So I figure now is better than never.

2009 to do list...
Paint
Send thank you cards
Keep a Journal
Read a few good history books
Go to Florida before Bridger turns 2
Remember Friends and Family's birthdays...send cards (I'm the worst at birthdays, Once I forgot my mom's and finally realized it 4 months later...sorry again mom...Love you!)
Run another 10k...try to like it this time
Triathlon
Learn to cook with food storage
Teach Chad how to cook
Teach Bridger how to swim
Go to the zoo
Express gratitude

Yep, I think that about does it.

Our Holidays

2009-01-08T16:18:00.000-08:00

Wow, It's been a while since I've posted! We took a long break/vacation up north and I didn't bring the good ole' camera cord...Since I hate backtracking too much with posts, I'll just sum up our holidays with this- It was great to be with Family and Friends, Bridger LOVED all of the attention, I was really cold, and now we're back home where it's nice and warm!!!

Here are a few of my favorite photos from our wanderings-

My Mom's dog taking bridger on a ride!... Not really

Grandpa Smith's Horse taking bridger on a Ride

Grandpopi Rich taking Bridger on a ride!

Ugly Sweaters and a Bean Sprout

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

Story of a bean sprout

Bridger loves to eat Black Beans. He eats them a few times a week in a quesadilla with cheese for lunch or dinner. About a month ago after one such black bean meal...I found a shriveled black bean on my carpet next to my potted plant while I was straightening my family room. I figured that it must have stuck to B's shirt while he was eating and dis-lodged itself from the shirt while he was wandering near my plant some time later. I picked it up and tossed it into the soil of the plant and went on to pick up other toys in the room. (why walk it all the way to the trash can when I could just toss it into the soil where it blended in so nicely anyway right?)

Well...as you can see in the photo, We now have a bean sprout that is about a foot long now! When I first saw it a few days ago, I tried to figure out what it could be and then saw the shriveled back bean casing clinging to one of the little leaves! I guess I do have a green thumb after all!

Warning...these next pictures are a little creepy!

Chad and friends in our ward at the Chamber's "Ugliest sweater party"

Ricki and Tony

(this is probably the best photo chad and I have ever taken together!)
The Chambers threw an awesome "Ugliest Sweater" Christmas Party last week!
We Found these lovely sweaters at the local DI if any of you would like to copy our style! I LOVE that chad is so willing to go all out with me. We didn't just do the ugly sweater...I tried my hardest to get my hair like Kelly's and chad was successful at getting his to look like Zach Morris's from Save by the Bell!
It was a radical party! Great food, great friends, and some really ugly sweaters!!!

Thanks Ricky

Best Christmas Toy EVER!!

2008-12-08T11:04:00.001-08:00

Last year my Dad and his wife Susan gave Bridger this Little Tike's Nativity set for Christmas! I pulled it out last week while were were decorating for the holidays and it has been B's favorite toy ever since. Every day he goes into his room, shuts his door, and just plays with it!

I Highly recommend this toy! I can pull it out every Christmas season and then put it back away the rest of the year so he doesn't get sick of it!

Gobble Gobble

2008-12-01T19:46:00.000-08:00

Let the workouts begin!!! I amaze myself with how much food I can put down and Thanksgiving is certainly no exception! This year we ventured up North to be with Family. We Were lucky enough to get to spend time with all sides. It was so great to get to see Cousins, Family, and Friends that we don't get to see very often!

Sophie (my niece) and B taking Aunt Jan's dogs for a walk around the house

My Brother Tim teaching B how to fold his arms

Chillin, chillin, mindin my business......

After the feast, while I was in a Triptophanic Coma (sleeping on the floor), my Mom set Bridger and and Sophie loose on their own pudding pies!!! No wonder they love her so much!

He's getting so good at folding his arms for prayers...My baby is growing up way too fast!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

2008-11-26T12:01:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to give a quick shout out to all my Peeps....Happy Thanksgiving!!!

I have so much to be grateful for. It's great to focus on whats most important...the things I usually take for granted on a daily basis. To have a Husband who is so good to me, a healthy baby who brightens every second of every day, incredible family members and the BEST friends in the world, a Testimony of Jesus Christ and the opportunity to get to know about the restored truths of His Gospel...I have all I could ever need and more! I hope you all have a wonderful Holiday and may we all take time to reflect on all we have to be thankful for.

Picture Tag

2008-11-23T20:11:00.000-08:00

I'm Horrible at actually doing tags, but this one was easy and quick so I thought I'd give it a whirl. Barb tagged me...you take the 6th photo from the 6th photo file in your computer, post it and write about it.

This is a picture of my little buddies Danny & Israel. Chad and I went back to Guatemala in May of 2006 for a few weeks to visit all of the people I grew to love while I taught English there in College(2003). We tried to make it a sort of humanitarian trip and our Ward & Friends were kind enough to help us round up old missionary suits , shoes, and church clothing for kids and young men. (Many of the young men there go on missions without suit cases, suits, or decent shoes) We had three large suit cases filled! When we got there we found my old Guatemalan Bishop and asked him which young men were preparing for missions that year and they all came over and we fit them in the suits...Then we dispersed the other church clothing to those who needed it most in the ward I use to live in. IT WAS SO AWESOME!!! They were incredibly Grateful....I could go on FOREVER about the experience in detail.

Danny(on the left) was only 2 or 3 when I lived there and he use to pretend to be a little Mono (Monkey) to make me laugh, (He'd scratch under his arms and go "ooo eee aaa aaaa" like a monkey) so when I went back to visit, I brought him the toy monkey that is hanging around his neck. He wore it and protected it from the other kids the whole time we were there. Israel (in the blue) and Danny are Brothers. When we lived there, Some of the other Volunteers and I each invited a kid from our little Village (Patzicia) and took them to Guate City to a Movie and Pizza. Israel was one of those kids that came along with us and none of them had ever been to a movie or out to eat or to the city....You can imagine how funny it was to see there faces when they saw the escalator at the big shopping mall where the theater was, and to see their faces light up at the movie screen! I felt like Daddy Warbucks taking Annie out to the movies. Anywho...(like I said, I could go on forever) ...Living there and getting to know and Love those people is probably one of the best things I have ever done and I cherish all my memories. If it was safe or reasonable to do so...I'd move my family there for 5 years and build an Orphanage or something.

These two kids are near and dear to my heart so finding this picture of them in their new church clothes made my day!

I know this picture will make Kayla & Korbi & Micah Smile

Turkey Trot

2008-11-19T19:48:00.001-08:00

I managed to talk Chad into doing the Turkey Trot with me this year (swaying him from his usual sat. morning flag football game is no easy task)...and he even pushed Bridger the whole way! It's a fun 5k run that the city puts on every year before Thanksgiving. It was a beautiful, warm morning and a great way to support the local food bank and win a turkey too!

Savoring the Season

2008-11-11T20:25:00.000-08:00

I have a Love-Hate relationship with Fall. I love the smells and the soups I get to cook and the colors of Fall, but I cringe at the thought of what comes after it...WINTER! I hate winter so much that I take it out on Fall! I know, I know...If there were no winter then I wouldn't be able to appreciate the summer...no joy without sorrow...yada yada..I get it, I just think some people are built for different climates, and there is definitely a reason I live in a sunny and warm place!

That being said...I DID get to work on my relationship with Fall earlier this week when some friends invited me to go up to Springdale (right outside Zions) with all of our kids. And I have to say that it was very nice to be able to build positive memories. Thank you ricki and Gals!

You might think that taking all these kids to play in the leaves for a few hours would be a nightmare...(Maybe for the Mom's that had more than one kid to chase around it was)...but I thought it was a GREAT way to spend an afternoon!

(plus, I was desperate to get out of the house that day...We're doing the ONE car thing until we get the one that's broken fixed)

Bridger was a little bumbed that he couldn't ruin the big kid's pile of leaves...at least while they were looking that is.

Going Private

2008-11-08T19:41:00.000-08:00

I decided to make my blog private by Dec 1st, but this doesn't mean that I want to boot anyone out from being able to check in...so leave your e-mail address on this post so I can add you.

Muchos Gracias!

Butch Cassidy 10k Run

2008-11-01T20:53:00.000-07:00

( mandy, me, ricki, ricki's mom)
Today I ran the 10k race in Springdale (right outside Zions National Park). I'd never ran a 10k before this. I'd never even ran over 5 miles before today. All I have to say about it is...that it was fun, hard, I'm annoyed that I didn't push myself harder, I had GREAT running company, and I'm slow. How did I do?...slow, that's how i did. I ran it in 54 min (8.4 min/mile=Slow)

As I ran past the 5 mile marker all I could think was "Why on earth am I doing this???I don't even like running. I could have totally bought a cute new shirt, or gotten a pedicure...But no, I Paid to do THIS?" But then as soon as I crossed the finish line, I was thinking about how I can train to run it faster next time.

It's an unexplainable addiction.

2008-11-01T20:28:00.000-07:00

We had a GROOVY Halloween!

I got to meet Mrs America at our Trunk-or-Treat! (Ricki really fits the part)

Us and our Friends Casey & Meridee

I don't know why I Like Halloween so much. I think it's because that no matter how old I get...I can still dress up. With other Holiday's, once you get old, you have to move on and let the kids enjoy the festivities. But not Halloween, it's awesome! I love seeing everyone's costumes, I get such a kick out of the whole thing.

Sad Pumpkin

2008-11-01T20:21:00.000-07:00

This is what our pumpkin looked like after just a few days in this heat...I mean FABULOUS weather! I think it looks like an old man's mouth without his dentures

Pumpkin Carving

2008-10-27T21:32:00.000-07:00

I've always liked carving pumpkins...my favorite part is scrapping out the insides and roasting the seeds...Yum. (rinse then off then toss them with some olive oil, seasoning salt and chili powder, bake them at 350 for 15 minor so and waala...roasted pumpkin seeds)This year it was fun to have the little Monster get down and dirty in the pumpkin guts with me!

Visitors

2008-10-21T22:04:00.000-07:00

As you can tell...Bridger was very happy to meet his new cousin and to have family come to visit last weekend! ...And I can't say that I wasn't excited too. We've been planning this birthday-bash girls-trip for my mother-in-law's 60th birthday for months! Finally...her big day rolled around and everyone made it into town. This is little Lily (Iliana), She is Jason and Clarissa's new baby.
Bridger with Aunt Shantell

All the sister's and sister-in-laws in the family came into town! Shantell flew in from Kentucky on Wed and her and Terra "kidnapped" Mom and drove her down South. Jen drove up from AZ and Clarissa drove in from Ca.(ok, so it wasn't a "no-boys-allowed" girls trip...Jason came too...Chad needed a buddy). We all surprised her at a restaurant, She had no idea that everyone was here and seeing her so happy and surprised was well worth the wait.

We went to Tuachan to see Les Mis...LOVED it (again).

Then on Friday we went hiking in Zions. (we let the boys come along) The weather was great!

me, Shantell, Terra, and Jen (I think Clarissa was feeding her baby)

Mom & Daughters

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM SMITH!!!

I know I'm really lucky to have such a great mother-in-law. Kathy is such a wonderful Grandma and Bridger just loves her so much....actually I think he's a little obsessed with her.

We had a great weekend and can't wait til we can all get together again...even if husbands have to come.

Family Portrait

2008-10-14T10:58:00.000-07:00

Last year my sister gave me a family portrait session for Christmas, Awesome gift?....I thought so too! We finally used it last month and here are a few of my favorites. Abby, the photographer did a great job! Her Site is under "sites i like" on the right, it's called AKstudiosdesign. Her pricing is totally reasonable and she gives you a CD with everything which is rare. Thanks Amanda for the gift and Thanks Abby for the photos!

Trip to Arizona

2008-10-12T20:26:00.000-07:00

This trip was LONG overdue. I grew up in Tempe Arizona and so we have lot of family and friends there. We hadn't been down since before Birdger was born, so last weekend...we decided to go! We packed as much fun into one weekend as humanly possible. Here's some pics of out trip...

We were cramping B's style by keeping him strapped in his seat for so long, so we stopped at the Hoover Dam. Then we stopped in Prescott to visit Chad's Bro. and his Family for the evening.

We were able to see our good friends the Carusos. Chad and Justin were Mission companions in Mass. They are like Brothers when they get together and it was great to see them!

We stayed with Mandy and Matt Westover and their cute girls Kali(3) and Tadum. Mandy has been my Best Friend since Preschool. We were pretty much joined at the hip all growing up. Her family has always treated me like one of their own and were such great examples to me! When my parents decided to move to Utah after my Freshman year of High school...I was devastated because i was terrified to be without her. We have tried to get together at least once a year since i moved. Even though it was easier before we got married and had kids, we've somehow been able to pull it off!
We left Bridger and Tadum alone for a few minutes and these are the shanangans they got into... bag of marshmallows dumped all over the couch!
It was so fun to see our kids play together! Before we came down, Mandy warned me that Tadum was going through a "rough phase" right now and she was worried she'd try to wrestle Bridger. But little did she know that wrestle is bridger's middle name. They played great together!

All the kiddos on the train....All Aboard?
Sara (Mandy's Sister) and her little girl Ella on the train ride

We took Bridger on the Ferris wheel at the October-fest...I don't think he loved it...
But he did love dancing to the music!
Us and the Westovers at the October-fest in down town Tempe! Great food, music, and beer...no beer for us of course, but i think October-fest is just another name for beer-fest. Don't worry, We got there early and left before the drunkards started yodeling.
"This awesome cake is for me??" Kali had a rockin 3rd birthday carnival! Complete with cotton candy, face painting, and even a blow-up jumping castle. Mandy really knows how to throw a party!
Matt and Chad hard at work on the cotton candy

We took the kids to a new outdoor shopping mall that had fountains and splash pads all over, and I couldn't keep Bridger out of them. He had a blast!

Me and Mandy
Thanks mandy and matt! (and mom & dad painter and the rest of the family) We had a great time! Miss you already Mandy!

Do you think the property manager will approve if I put this in my yard?

2008-10-10T14:01:00.000-07:00

I couldn't resist...Happy Fall!

This made me laugh...I don't really know why, but it did

2008-10-08T20:34:00.000-07:00

Whats in a name?
1.YOUR ROCK STAR NAME (first pet, current car): skittles pilot
2. YOUR GANGSTA STAR NAME (favorite ice cream flavor, favorite type of shoe):
mint sandal
3. YOUR NATIVE AMERICAN NAME (favorite color, favorite animal): teal elephant
4. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME (middle name, city where you were born): Anne Orem
5. YOUR STAR WARS NAME (first three letters of your last name, first two letters of your first name): smi ra
6. SUPERHERO NAME (2nd favorite color, favorite drink): purple water
7. NASCAR NAME (the names of your grandfathers): bill james
8. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME (your 5th grade teacher's last name, a major city that starts with the same letter): Fredricks Fremont
9. SPY NAME (your favorite season/holiday, favorite flower): Summer Lily
10. CARTOON NAME (favorite fruit, article of clothing you are wearing right now): blueberry sweatpants
11. HIPPIE NAME (what you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree): Smoothie Maple

copy and paste it. Everyone needs a laugh once an a while.

Learning to SHARE...

2008-10-08T11:07:00.000-07:00

The picture says it all.

Chop Stix Baby

2008-09-29T09:51:00.000-07:00

I've been a little obsessed with my new rice cooker...How I ever made rice without it?...I don't know. Anyway... We had a teriyaki meal the other night and Bridger wasn't satisfied eating with his hands. He tried to figure the chop sticks out, but I quickly realized the potential Poke-an-eye-out threat that they posed and reverted back to the eating with hands method.

...and they call the thing a Rodeo

2008-09-27T08:52:00.000-07:00

Last weekend we went to the St. George Rodeo with our Friends the Haynes.

since we missed the Lehi round-up Rodeo this summer(A Smith family Tradition) we knew the year just wouldn't be complete without our fill of wranglers, bad hair dye jobs, belt buckles, and rhinestones. I actually get totally into it...I think that I was supposed to have been born a cowgirl!

YEEE HAA!

The Haynes
Olivia and Macey

Just what I need to read...EVERY day

2008-09-18T07:58:00.001-07:00

"Author Anna Quindlen reminds us not to rush past the fleeting moments. She said: “The biggest mistake I made [as a parent] is the one that most of us make. . . . I did not live in the moment enough. This is particularly clear now that the moment is gone, captured only in photographs. There is one picture of [my three children] sitting in the grass on a quilt in the shadow of the swing set on a summer day, ages six, four, and one. And I wish I could remember what we ate, and what we talked about, and how they sounded, and how they looked when they slept that night. I wish I had not been in such a hurry to get on to the next thing: dinner, bath, book, bed. I wish I had treasured the doing a little more and the getting it done a little less”(Loud and Clear [2004], 10–11).

Last night Chad and I took B to the track at the local High school. We laughed at him as he started in a squatting position and then raised up to a stand, over and over. It's not yet a walk, he hasn't even attempted to take a step alone. He's just standing, and we think it's awesome!

Nothing special to anyone but us, but to us those moments were priceless.

I need to take time to enjoy every stage. To stop rushing to the future.

Why Do I Run?

2008-09-18T07:58:00.000-07:00

The other day I was out running and a little girl yelled out to me from the safety of her doorstep..."Hey Lady, Your running in circles!"
How am I supposed to take that? Why did it discourage me? Well, I guess technically she's right. Most of the time I do run in a big circle. The streets in our neighborhood all form a kind of circle that I will run around over and over. But usually if your just running in circles your getting no where right? So I've been thinking a lot about it...Why do I run?
These definitely aren't the reasons why...

I Don't LOVE to run. Some people get all euphoric and "in the zone" while they are running...rarely happens for me
I'm slow
I Hate the sound of my feet slapping on the pavement.

Maybe this is why I run...

Sometimes it's the only 30 minutes I spend outside my house. When I go with friends, Sometimes it's the only 30 minutes of socializing I get in...Who doesn't need that?
I LOVE a good sweat!
When I know I'm going running that evening, I have no problem indulging in a nice mid-day bowl of ice cream with chocolate syrup!

When I run, I'm a better Wife and Mom. I'm more patient and I have more energy.

So After weighing my options, I decided that I Like running. Still not a LOVE thing for me, But the benefits outweigh the bad stuff. So if all my neighbors think I'm literally and figuratively "Running in Circles"?...You can meet at my house at 9pm most nights and try it for yourself!

Giddy-up Cowboy!

2008-09-16T13:08:00.000-07:00

Last weekend we went up to Lehi for a few reasons...Chad met with a few professors at BYU to talk about graduate programs, the BYU vs UCLA game (of course...GOOOO Cougars!!), and because Chad's brother Rhett and his son Logan came into town from AZ. It was a fun filled weekend. We were able to get a lot of new insight on the never-ending dilemma of what to with our future and Chad's schooling, which is always a plus. For Chad, the highlight of the weekend was definitely watching BYU stomp on UCLA (59-0), The highlight for me was getting to see some friends from High school, and my friend Margret from work. Bridger's favorite was going on his first horse back ride!

Grandpa Smith and Bridger

Our cute nephew Logan

Bridger loves taking baths in the Sink at Grandma's house...but I think that will have to be over for him because he about flooded the whole bathroom with his splashing!

YIKES!

2008-09-10T18:35:00.000-07:00

So today Chad and I were driving and he said...
"Maybe i should be a college track coach and farm on the side, or maybe teach high school History, be the weight lifting coach for the football team, and farm on the side."
Those of you who know me well would think...oh no...I bet Rachel unleashed her fury on him. But NO! I've come to a place (not quite sure how long this peaceful feeling will last) where I don't really care what he wants to be...we've been through (hypothetically that is) Law, Professional Bobsledder, Teaching, Medicine, Dentist, Physical therapy,...you name it...he's thought about being it! So all I said was..."well, whatever you want to do babe"...ya I didn't think i had that kind of support in me! ...is there some kind of wife award for this? Maybe someday we'll be out of school and into a profession...someday...

Starting Young

2008-09-03T11:10:00.000-07:00

This is how our Dinner routine usually goes ...

When the food is ready and the table set, we put Bridger in his chair and quickly give him something to stuff into his mouth so we don't have to hear him yell for food. (he totally knows when it's time to eat and he's not very patient about it) We pray, Chad gets the things i forgot to put out like the ketchup or some other condiment he can't live without, and finally Chad and I start to eat. When we get to about our second bite, Bridger starts yelling and tries to coax us into giving him something off our plates. We give in and appease him. Third bite, He makes it known that he is not satisfied with whatever it was that we gave him and throws in on the ground. We scramble to give him something else so that we can enjoy OUR food. Mid fourth bite, he's still yelling and throwing so we decide to ignore him and try finish our dinner. I stuff as much food into my mouth as possible and then get Bridger out because his yelling drives me bonkers, and as I wash him up, Chad quickly wipes up the floor because as soon as Bridger is loose from his washing...he goes straight for all the food he had thrown on the floor earlier ("seconds"he was saving for later)

We've just accepted that we won't be able to savor our meals like we use to for a very long time!

Last night as Chad was wiping up the floor like usual, Bridger grabbed a hand towel and started helping out...he pushed the towel all around just like Chad. Then he turned around to strike this pose.

Yep, my little cleaner...Soon I'll have him dusting base boards and cleaning toilets!

Ode to the OLYMPIC Games

2008-08-24T20:04:00.000-07:00

Now that the 2008 summer games have come to a close, I thought it would be appropriate to announce the Olympic events that will have their official Olympic debut in London 2012......

Baby Lifting

Chad and Bridger have been training tirelessly for this one...so dedicated! And the next event...

Baby Speed Baths
The next Micheal Phelps

If you haven't started training your baby for these events yet...don't even try. These events take skill and precision that few can master. We can practically taste the gold now!

see ya in 2012...

Hey Bridger, It's your Birthday, we're gonna party like it's your birthday...

2008-08-24T14:51:00.000-07:00

We decided to use Bridger's birthday to have a last minute get-together with some friends at the Dixie College pool. Any excuse for a summer BBQ right? Besides me being tense that one of the kids would drown...it was a great time! We had some good food and enjoyed every ones company! All kids were safe thanks to the watchful eyes of all the moms...(cuz all the dads were busy playing water B-Ball and watching the Dixie Football scrimmage). Thanks for the fun night friends!

Mom...Look what I made! (My mom is the QUEEN of cake decorating...she can pretty much do anything) If Bridger was a girl-I would have made this a unicorn cake...Yes Unicorn...I had a major thing for them when I was little. Ever seen the movie "The Last Unicorn"?...I bet I have it memorized. I really thought they were real creatures...out there in the wild...Anyway, I found the recipe for the cake at-http://jas.familyfun.go.com/recipefinder/display?id=50134

Bridger got to eat the ear...He had no idea why everyone was looking at him

"Haven't you guys ever seen a baby eat cake before???"

Bridger and Chris being mischievous

Here are a few more of Bridger's little buddies that were able to come...

tan little Boston,

squishy Avery,

and the

always funny Drake!

Happy Birthday Bridger

2008-08-22T13:10:00.000-07:00

One year ago....

August 23rd 7:10 am
7.1lbs 20 inches long

Chad and I were talking last night about how this has been the fastest year of our lives. I can hardly believe Bridger is already a year old! He's been the greatest joy and blessing of my life and I have truely loved EVERY minute!

3 months
Halloween 2007
6 months
Now...the little monster!

Happy Birthday Baby

Almost 1!

2008-08-18T13:43:00.000-07:00

Chad's Boss's dog had a litter of Boxer puppies, so I thought it would be so cute to take Bridger over to take his picture with them. My friend Tereasa takes some great photos so she was kind enough to come to the photo shoot. The whole puppy idea wasn't so great- I thought the puppies would sit still on bridger's lap and he and the pups would smile sweetly into the camera...ha ha ha, it didn't quite work out like that. We were chasing puppies and trying to keep them from runnig away...it was pretty funny. Even though they didn't cooperate, she got some really cute pictures! Thank you T for doing this for me!

Busy (but fun) Summer

2008-08-17T21:40:00.000-07:00

This post is my attempt to try to catch up on what we've been up to the past few weeks...

*We tested our skills at the batting cages...My follow through was smooth as butter, I pretty much hit every ball out of the park. but chad really needs to work on his form if he expects to hit anything!

* We took a little trip to Northern Utah. We spent time with all of our family, took a quick trip to Logan UT to check out Utah State's history grad program, met my brother Mike's Girlfriend, Went to my step sister Sara's Wedding, and went to lagoon with my Mom and Family. Chad worked on the Farm a few days, we were able to meet up with some friends from High school, and we watched some Olympics. Whew...did I get everything??
My Little Bro Mike and his girlfriend Cheneese. She is from Malaysia and she's really sweet.

* A few weeks ago we went to Jumpin Jacks to celebrate the birthday for one of Bridger's little buddies. It was great! I think the adults had more fun than the kids. One look at my sweaty forehead in this picture gives that away. Check out the video of the boys dancing at the bottom of this post...it was pretty funny!

*Bridger wrestling with his uncle Tim (my brother) He was really getting into it...growling and all! Maybe i should teach him to give hugs and kisses instead??

Cousin Emily, Jaylee, Heidi, and Aunt Jan at the play

*My Mom, Sisters, Aunt, & Cousins came into town for a little girls trip. (well not only girls, my brother tim and Cousin Andy came too). It was my Mom's Birthday so we went to Tachaun(an awesome outdoor theater) to see Les Miserables on Thursday with just the adults, then on Friday we took the kids to see The Sound of Music. We had great seats and it was tons of fun. I LOVE Les Mis...I could see it every week and not get sick of it!

Me, Mom, Sis Amanda, Sis Hannah, and Tim with the nun that sings "Climb every Mountain" in the play!

My little sis Hannah and Bridger at the splash park

i LOVE her freckles!

B and Sophie
It was so fun to have our family come visit us! Come visit again soon!!!

Xander and B jammin out at Jumpin Jacks

Grandma Smith cracking bridger up!

Happy Birthday Chaddy boy!

2008-07-29T10:52:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was Chad's birthday...the BIG 26! So thanks to my friend Teresa who watched Bridger for us, we went on a REAL DATE! We went to dinner at Texas Roadhouse, because they have Chad's favorite "fall-off-the-bone ribs", and then we went to see the new Batman Movie "Dark Knight". The Joker?...he was real scary, and those of you who know me know that I don't do scary movies. But it wasn't so bad for me. Kayla fore-warned me so i knew when to close my eyes. That helped a ton! Even though we missed the little guy, it was nice to be able to eat dinner together without having to apologize to the waiter for the food our kid threw on the floor and to get to see a movie...a whole movie...It was great!

The Nose Scrunch

2008-07-28T22:25:00.000-07:00

Bridger just started doing this really funny nose scrunch with his face. He'll do it when he's mad and when he smiles big. Sometimes he even adds a little snort which is always a plus!

Mamma Mia

2008-07-28T21:49:00.000-07:00

rabarla

Girls Trip!!! Barb was still on the west coast, so we thought we'd take advantage of her closeness and go down to Las Vegas for a few days...JUST GIRLS! No kids, No husbands,...we just laid by the pool, ate good food, and soaked in the time together. Next time we'll get to see each other, Barb will have a new baby boy (due in December) and Kayla will have a new baby boy too (adoption in the works, due in Oct). We went to the play "Mama Mia" and I LOVED it! It is such a perfect girlfriend, sister, mom/daughter play...and now I'm addicted to the music. It was the perfect little trip to polish off my month of travels! Thanks Friends...Chiquitita!

Work Weekend

2008-07-27T10:43:00.000-07:00

This month was just full of craziness. Right when I came home from San Fransisco, I was off to northern Utah for work. It was the annual Fashion team workshop. At Bridal Elegance we have a High school Fashion team, which is basically a group of girls(one from every major high school from Beaver through Las Vegas) who we select to represent our modest dresses in their school. Once they interview and make the team, they model for us in bridal fairs, fashion shows, women's expos, and help promote our store all year. Each summer we have a Fashion team workshop. We combine with the national Fashion team and the Northern Utah team. For three days we train the girls on walking, modeling, and fashion design. They help us pick our Prom Dress line for the following year, and we try to make it a really fun weekend for them.

I had to stay in the Hotel with the girls, so I left Bridger for the first time EVER!! Of course it was much more traumatic for me than for him. He had no idea i even left. My Mom helped , Chad's mom helped and of course Chad helped too, So he was in good hands.

Me and Heather Jensen (She'll be taking over everything I do when we move next year...Shes doing a great job!) All of the counselors at the Closing Banquet. My cousins Heidi and Teea came to be counselors this year!
One of our girls modeling a 2009 dress in the Fashion Show

So...I pretty much have the best job ever! I get to do fun girly stuff and get paid for it! It was a ton of work though and by the end of the weekend I was left wondering how i ever survived college and living on so little sleep...I was a zombie by Saturday night.

Vacation

2008-07-27T10:19:00.000-07:00

San Fransisco looks just like I thought it would...the Tanner's neighborhood in Full House. All the houses and buildings are connected and the streets are narrow and hilly.

We went to the Golden gate state park...it was awesome! We walked around the botanical gardens, saw some cool snails and giant flowers and other nifty plants!

The highlight of the trip for Bridger was getting to play with Tory and Pancho, Jason and Clarissa's dogs. After a few days, he was beginning to act just like them!

We had a great time and it was nice getting to spend time with Family!

San Fransisco

2008-07-27T09:01:00.000-07:00

Earlier this month we hopped on a plane to visit Chad's brother Jason and his wife Clarissa in San Fransisco!

This is Bridger flirting with the lady behind us on the plane.

We spent the first day touring around San Fran. We ate at a yummy seafood place near "fisherman's wharf". They had some great Sour dough Bread....oh ya!

After lunch we walked around the piers, saw some fat sea lions, and ate some yummy mini doughnuts (because we weren't already full enough from lunch!)

1st Date Anniversary

2008-07-08T14:14:00.000-07:00

Why I LOVE the 4th of July...
*BBQs (Ya, food is at the top of my list...so?)
*Sparklers
*Parades
*It's a day when I can more seriously ponder how blessed I am to live in a country where I have have so many freedoms and opportunites...something I usually take for granted
*The American Flag is out just about everywhere
* It's the essence of summer
*I get to think about my Grandpas and all the others who fought and still fight and sacrifice to protect our freedoms
* And because 9 years ago on July 4th, Chad and I went on our very FIRST DATE!

First Date Flashback...
I had just turned 16 that May (the summer before my Junior Year) and there I was...sitting in my room a few days before July 4th...still hadn't been on my first official date. Didn't anyone get the memo? Hello...I'm 16 now...Date-able! (actually, I was totally shy and nervous around guys so i really wasn't surprised) Then all the sudden the phone rings and my sister answers it (most of the calls were for her anyways) but, to my surprise, she hands the phone to me and says "it's a boy!" I got my composure calm and cool, then took the phone. It was CHAD SMITH, he was asking me out for the 4th of July!!! I said yes and when I put the phone down I jumped up and down and squeeled like any girl would do if a super cute guy asked her out on her first date! That night I figured out what I was going to wear. (I still remember...it was my favorite gap jeans and the new pink tanktop with little pink flowers on it that I had just bought)
He picked me up and we doubled with one of his friends who took out my friend Katrina. We went to dinner and then to watch the fireworks at Thanksgiving Point. I just remember that I was super awkward and nervous. I had no idea what to talk about and I think the whole night I was worried about what I was going to do at the doorstep when he took me home...do i give him a hug? a handshake?(I hadn't ever kissed a boy so ALL interaction was awkward)...I ended up giving him a HIGH FIVE!!! ha ha...good thing he gave me another chance and asked me out again that summer. He always gave me the butterflies and it didn't take long for me to know he was special!

Happy First Date anniversary to us!
(this picture is the ugliest kiss of the century but i had to put in on here because it makes me laugh! You can't tell unless you zoom in, but our noses are smashing and Chad is laughing!)

Our SUPER FUN week with friends

2008-07-07T16:29:00.000-07:00

This week one of my Best Friends and her family came to visit. They Live in Florida and we don't get to see them very often so of course we tried to cram every moment with fun! I think we succeded. Here are some pictures of our adventures

Ty, Cru, and Bridger Shooting Hoops

A little Girl time...Pedicures! No kids, No Husbands...Just Best Friends!

On Wed we went to Sand Hollow Resivoir. We put the kids on float toys and swam out to the rocks. We found a great little cove where we could just float around and catch some rays. Ahh summer time...We love it!

Climb...

Plunge...

Satisfaction!

On Tuesday went to see Les Miserables at Tuachan...It was incredible!! I highly reccommend seeing it, especially if you have a Dixie Direct card because you can get tickets at HALF OFF! I've had the songs in my head ever since. Thanks Nichole for watching the little squish while we went!

On Monday we had a Yummy Dinner with at our friends the Reimonds. All the best summer food complete with HOME MADE ICE CREAM!! yum

The Dads and Babies

Bridger polishing off Chad's BBQ Ribs at dinnner with our friends

yeah...He's NOT a vegetarian!
How many times did we eat ice cream while we were together this week? ...Not telling!

Family Campout

2008-07-07T15:48:00.000-07:00

Bridger driving to the campsite

Bridger chillin with my brother Tim

Giving Grandpa kisses

Last weekend we went to a family reunion with my Dad and step-mom, Susan in Enterprise Utah...a little town out in the middle of nowhere. We camped out, ate good food, played some basketball, and of course...played card games! It was tons of fun until Bridger woke up at about 1 am screaming. At first I thought some insect bite him or something...he was crying pretty hard. Of course it was pitch black and i just had a little flashlight, so I woke up my dad and Susan (not that they weren't already awake from the screaming along with everyone else who had just drifted off to sleep) and we checked Bridger all over. No insect bite, but still he cried...I think his tummy was hurting or something. After a Priesthood Blessing, Bridger stopped crying but we packed up all our stuff, took down the tent, and drove home anyway just in case he did it again. We got home at about 2:30am! So fun, I know! We never figured out what his deal was, but he was just fine after that. So even though we didn't quite make it the whole night, we still had a great time in the great outdoors.

Teething

2008-06-25T08:55:00.000-07:00

Bridger is no longer just a two toother! I had a feeling that he was getting sick of the other babies his age teasing him...mocking him with their 4,5,and6 tooth tales. I guess he had enough because after a few weeks of gnawing on EVERYTHING ...he is now officially bringing in some new chompers!

Weekend With Family

2008-06-24T09:13:00.001-07:00

This weekend we were able to go to Lehi to spend time with Chad's Family. A few of his siblings made it up too so it was a ton of fun getting to spend time with everyone. It stinks that everyone grows up and moves to different places. The weekend went by really quick. We wish we had more time to see other family and friends up there too, but work and school called us back to reality....don't you hate that!?

Here are some pictures from our trip...

Bridger Loves his Grandma Smith

Grandpa was trying to catch some shut eye until this little stink bug found him

Bridger trying to bum some food off his cousins Dylan and Logan

Chad's Parents on the hike to Stewart Falls in Sundance
Chad with his Brother Rhett and his Dad

Stewart Falls

Robert Redford at Sundance

Dylan just cracks me up...get it?

Father's Day Campout

2008-06-16T11:02:00.000-07:00

Bridger's First Campout!!!! He's speechless.
We got together with our friends the Halls and the Stubbs for a Father's day campout this year. It was a surprise to our Husbands, so we (sara, kayla, and I) planned and packed and got everything ready(holy cow...I had no idea how much STUFF you need to camp for 1 night), and Chad found out about it a few hours before we took off! Luckily we have a lot of great camping options really close to where we live. We camped out at Snow Canyon State Park (Bathrooms and Showers oh Yes). We got there, set up camp, grilled some good grub, and had a great time. The weather was PERFECT! After the sun went down over the mountain, we took the kids to the Sand Dunes there and Bridger had a blast. I thought he's get all whiny in the sand, but he was practically swimming in it! It was all in his nose and mouth...he didn't even care!

The Dads and their Babies

The Boys getting ready for the long/high jump Olympic team trials

The Moms.

The Campout was a success except ...Bridger woke up at 5:00 am (FOR GOOD)! So we let him roam around the tent sqwaking until the rest of us (and probably everyone else camping at Snow Canyon) decided it was time to get up, clean up camp, and head home!

Ode to Dads

2008-06-16T08:23:00.000-07:00

Chad likes a few things...he likes a bowl of cereal before bed, he likes to make up his own words to songs, and he really likes a good nap, but he LOVES being a daddy!

Here are just a few reasons why Chad is a GREAT dad...
*He is so cautious and careful with Bridger. Especially when he was tiny, it use to take Chad a LONG time to change a diaper or get him dressed...we was so careful. The first time he gave him a bath i thought he'd need a Gatorade to replenish his fluids because of how bad he was sweating! Even now he is usually the one with the motherly instincts.
*He Loves to play with Bridger, and Bridger Loves to play with him. When Chad gets home from work or school... Bridger just squeals and giggles and heads for the door to meet him. Not a day goes by where chad doesn't wrestle or play with Bridger.
*Chad loves to help with Bridger. Every night Chad is there helping with the bedtime routine of prayers and reading to Bridger before bed. He is always good to recognize when I need a break and he just takes over.
*Chad has a unique way of holding Bridger. People usually tease him about it because it looks so funny. Like he's holding a football or something. If you've seen it, you know what I'm talking about. If not...just watch next time you see him.

I am so thankful that Chad is the loving, and devoted Father that he is. Happy Father's Day babe!

Dutch Oven Cook Out

2008-06-11T15:21:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday We got together with our Friends the Kellys. Chris Kelly Is in the Master's Program that Chad is in at SUU and so we thought that after the past few crazy weeks of studying, it would be fun to cook out together. We headed to Red Cliffs for a Dutch Oven dinner!

This is Drake with Bridger. He's the cutest little boy on the block (and no, not because he's about the only little boy on the block...we are surrounded with little girls in our neighborhood) He's also in our Primary Class. When it's Chad's turn to teach, I spend the whole time watching Drake because he is just so funny and cute. Last week in our class we talked about treasures and how the Gospel was the best Treasure we could have...Well as part of the lesson we had all the kids go around and tell the class about a "Treasure" or prized possession that they had at home. Most of the answers were things like a favorite necklace, stuffed animal, or a golden coin...But Drake's "treasure" was his baseball bat and glove! Such a true boy! Happy as a lark with his bat and glove!

Our Yummy Dinner. I know it doesn't look very appitising, but oh...It was good!
Yeah, Bridger has his Daddy back!

Best Buddies

2008-06-05T21:50:00.000-07:00

What Cru is saying to Bridger...
"Ok baby, watch and learn!"
Cru goes up and in...

as Bridger watches in admiration from below.

I love seeing these two interact! They have no choice other than to be Best Friends. Their moms won't have it any other way. All they're missing is their cousin TY!

(No, Cru is not a binky baby...until he sees it in Bridger's mouth)

German Pankakes

2008-06-05T21:26:00.000-07:00

Ok, does anyone else do this?
I find something that i like to eat...and i go crazy with it...eat it all the time, everyday for a few weeks sometimes...then i get sick of it and don't make it again or eat it again for like a year!

Well about a year ago, I was on a HUGE German Pancake kick! I really made them just about every day. Then I went through the cycle of being sick of them and forgetting they even existed, and now I've come full circle and...I LOVE them again. I've heard of many "very bad for you" versions where the recipes call for butter or whipping cream, so i thought i'd share my "not SO bad for you" and SUPER easy and FAST recipe.

Preheat oven to 425

Blend in a blender...
6 eggs
1 cup milk
1 cup flour
1 tsp salt
optional- 1 tsp vanilla and dash of nutmeg (i like)

Spray muffin/cupcake pan(the ones that make 12 spots) with PAM
pour batter evenly into the 12 spot, put in oven and bake till they get puffy and golden brown on top. Usually about 25 min.
Eat them right away cuz they are best warm right from the oven. I put bananas and berries on mine with a little powdered sugar. Chad likes his with maple syrup and/or PJ& J (weird...i don't recommend it) But they are also good with fruit and yogurt, or just butter and powdered sugar. I know most German pancakes are made in a different pan, but i like mine this way because they are like small personal puffs of goodness...and If i don't eat them all right away, i can save them for later! They are great for breakfast, lunch, or dinner!
I hope they bring you as much joy and satisfaction as they have brought to me!

Blueberries for Bridger

2008-06-05T21:20:00.000-07:00

Bridger is an awesome eater! It is so much easier now that i can just feed him what we eat instead of always making sure I have baby food on hand. Right now he is really liking blueberries, so if you see the blue-ish/purple-ish tint that is now permanently on his face and hands...you'll know why!

Climb Every Mountain...

2008-06-04T20:38:00.001-07:00

I think Bridger is acting out because Chad hasn't been around to rough house with him. He has all this built up energy and he's just gotta climb! We both miss Chad!
He started his Master's Program at SUU in Sports Conditioning and Performance last week. The program starts with 10 solid days of classes and then goes to online classes the rest of the semester. He's been leaving the house at 7 am and gone till about 6pm...THEN he graces us with his presence for a quick bite to eat at dinner time, and it's back to work for him...Up studying till Late! He's pretty much a studying zombie. He's been working so hard and I know he can't wait for this week to be over so he can breath a little. Bridger and I can't wait to have him back too!

Temper Temper

2008-06-04T20:09:00.000-07:00

Bridger has begun to show his little temper when he doesn't get what he wants. Like in this video clip...He was upset because he was having a hard time climbing into the dryer by himself and I wouldn't help him.

Water Baby

2008-05-31T21:22:00.000-07:00

I took Bridger swimming for the first time this summer! I've attempted to take him a few time already this year but for some reason it just didn't happen...he got sick, the weather turned windy, yada yada. But Saturday was a perfect warm day and so i jumped at the opportunity when Kayla invited me over to her pool. He LOVES the water and I'm so glad because I don't know what I'd do if he didn't. My kid NOT love the water?...Impossible! I'll have him swimming laps by August.

I know the hat is a little dorkey but I am super serious about sun protection.
(thanks for the Pictures Kay!)

Here fishy fishy...

2008-05-30T13:46:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Chad's expert advise and our friend Adam's fishing pole, I caught my first fish!!! It's a good thing too because I was fixin to break out a net and scoop one up! We have a little fishing pond right by our house, and since I was bound and determined to catch a fish, we've been frequent visitors. It was quite a rush reeling him in. I think this is the start of a great relationship between me and all aquatic creatures.

Bridger likes fishing too!
This is him twirling a blade of grass in his mouth. Once he got it in, I couldn't get it out.

The Release...I hope he went and told all of his buddies to bite my bait next time. Maybe some of his friends are a lot bigger than he was.

Family Fun

2008-05-29T14:42:00.000-07:00

My Dad and my step-mom, Susan, stopped by on their way out of town this week! It is so fun to see our parents interact with Bridger and he loves the extra attention. It's weird to think that some day my kids will grow up and have kids and i'll get to interact with them and watch them grow! Parenthood is just a gift that keeps on giving I guess. It was nice to see them we wish we could see them all more often (all of our parents that is).

Just finished...

2008-05-25T22:03:00.000-07:00

The Twilight CRAZE!! If you haven't heard about this book, well...you must have been on Mars for a while. EVERYONE has been talking about it. I resisted reading it at first. I couldn't understand why everyone kept talking about this series...I mean, what can be so great about a book about Vampires? Wouldn't it be cheesy? Would it be scary? (I'm sort of a big wimp)

Well, Chad got it for me for my birthday and after four days of ignoring all of the responsibilities that I could (like dishes and laundry), I finished. I have to say that i really liked it. I'm not obsessed, but it was entertaining and kept me reading. I just wish Edward (the Vampire Hunk of the book) wasn't so pale. I know his pale description fit his character, but I just had a hard time believing he was as beautiful as he was supposed to be...If he was tan, I'd think he was a babe, but PALE???....Why

I need to get the next book (New Moon)but i think I'll wait a a week so Chad doesn't hate me...I'm not very social when my nose is stuck in a book.

Happy Birthday To ME!

2008-05-24T16:03:00.000-07:00

25, 1/4 century, Yeah!

One year older and wiser too...well, maybe not wiser

For my birthday last week, Chad took me FISHING! To his dismay, I've never caught a fish, though I've been fishing a lot. He packed a kayak, borrowed a fishing pole (Thanks Adam), got me a licence and some night crawlers, and we were off! It was kind of a challenge...fishing in a kayak with Bridger. It was a ton of fun though, I love just getting out and enjoying the great outdoors. Maybe the fish just don't like me, cuz I'm still Fishless! I was hoping one would just feel bad for me and bite the bait, but it didn't happen...Selfish fish!

jungle gym/dishwasher

2008-05-22T07:13:00.000-07:00

These pictures speak for themselves...
What do i do about this climbing kid?