Some Trips with The Normans!

I never posted about our Lake Powell trip which is so silly. I was excited to go since I have never been, and I have always wanted to take the trailer to the beach. We never actually want to drive that big thing all the way to California when it comes right down to it, so I was pleasantly surprised when we were able to park right next to the water and I could hear waves lapping on the shore in the morning. The sand was so soft, and the kids had a blast on the boat playing on the tubes and jumping off of the big rocks. I have to say, it was way way so awesone (in the words of Juju) and we all loved it! By the way, we went during Fall break in October! I think I never did this post because I was going to get some pics from Peni that were really cute, but who can worry about that now! Also, I just noticed that some of the pics. are pretty random...




Our most recent adventure with the Normans was to Moab. I decided it was high time for our kids to hike Delicate Arch. For as many times as we have been there, we have never taken the opportunity. We always wimp out and go for Sand dune Arch, which is very fun or some other easier things. We also did a cool hike to a waterfall not far from the condo. We heard about it from Melody and Bree, and also one of Peni's friends. After taking the wrong fork in the river for a mile or so, a local lady got us back on track and we found the falls and played and jumped in the freezing water. Jordan and Todd were troopers to carry Brady on the hikes in Melody's stylin backpack, and Ally only complained all the way back from Delicate-we may have worn her out since she kept falling asleep all around the condo! Jillian and Pine climbed on any huge rocks available, the teenagers were actually a pleasure to have around, of course we all loved the pool, the boys golfed, and we enjoyed the awesome warm weather. Brady especially enjoyed a bud light that some guys left for him at the pool. I was taking pictures and looked over toward the gate to find my baby holding a beer. Mother of the year! Some may ask why I didn't get a picture--well I was completely freaked out and didn't want him to take another swig! Besides a drunk baby, we had the best time! Thanks Grandma and Blake! Also, I left in all the shots of Brady on Todd's shoulders at the arch because he wasn't smiling for the camera, he just thought it was so funny to pull Daddy's hair!

It's Easters time again!

Here is a slideshow of the haps. We had a lovely dinner and egg hunt on Sunday. Drew, Jonny, Jake, Jordan and Katy were in charge of the hiding this year! You will notice Brady is sporting another pair of plaid shorts! I do have other clothes for the little man, but who doesn't enjoy a few pairs of the plaid? We went with the shades of coral for our matchy girls clothes theme this year in honor of Todd loving that color! I hope all had a lovely day!

This one is for you

This blog is dedicated to Lili and Emily who have been wondering what their nephew looks like since they haven't seen him in 6 months! As you all well know, we have had some interesting times in the recent months, and I haven't been in the mood or had the computer set up for blogging. I am slowly coming back to the world and getting my act together. When things go awry, it really makes you get back to the basics and realize what is important to you. Even moving a mile put us into a tailspin, but our little family has banded together and the kids are trying so hard to be grateful and loving to us. I also feel like Brady came into our family at the perfect time. Heavenly Father knew we would need someone to help us through this hard time. He brings complete happiness to each person in our family at a time when we are all dealing with our own particular troubles. He makes us laugh, is our snuggle buddy, and you can't help but smile and play with him when he's around. Anyway, here are a few recent pics. The one of Jordan is terrible because he will not show out his braces on purpose. You just have to see them naturally...And, Ally finally lost her first tooth--the other one was practically grown in already behind it. I have to say, I'm so so sad. I love her tiny pearls and I hate to see them go. She has already lost another one...I should blog so many other things, but I wanted to get out some recent pictures for the sisters, so here you go girlies!

Here are some of Brady's tricks. He loves to dance to any music. I have to say he is actually on the beat-the boys got rhythm! I found him one day in the girls room. Of course he knows how to turn on the cd's and he was dancing away. He really gets his arm and his hips goin! He also LOVES the digital piano and knows all the buttons, unfortunately he even figured out the volume...Brady loves peek a boo and getting all the plastic bowls etc. out of the cupboard.

Sometimes baby boy is so cute we just don't want to put him to bed. I looked over to see him laying down playing with his toys and decided it was just mean to keep him up anymore!

Goodbye little teeth...

The only hideous picture I have of the braces. Twins, you better not use this in the calendar-he will kill you!
Last is a slideshow of Brady loving the nice weather we had on Conference Saturday. It really felt like California or something. It was so nice that we got out a new summer outfit, and then we had to take some pics. It was a little breezy so his eyes are only half open. Also, he was finally getting over the sicky eye junk so he looks a little swollen, but nevertheless a cute little easter egg boy! Also note his hairs blowing a bit...

A Blog of Firsts!

The first day of school.....Katy is especially alarming looking all teenagery and going to Jr. High. Of course Jordan is not shown here because he had football at 6:00 am even on the first day of school. Also, he is pretty much done with first day of school pics. Picture or no, he did start his first day of High School, Allyson is in 1st grade and Jillian is in 4th. Where has the time gone? I'm like an acutal mom of big people now--the reality is really starting to set in!

Another "first" as of late is that Brady is sporting his first little teethies! You can also take notice in these photos that his eyelashes finally grew in (he missed out on some crucial hair growing days in the womb), and he is wearing his first big boy Beatles shirt that his Nana gave him! He also is showing off his first bonk on his forehead. If happened of course while I was trying to take pictures of his new teeth...


The last "first" for today is the first snow of the year! It was so wierd to see several inches of snow on the branches outside my window this morning. I guess the good times of scraping the car off in the morning are upon us. (the pesky gym is taking up my garage...) Allyson came bounding out in this getup this morning ready to take on the snow. I guess she didn't get the memo that it would be all melted by the time school was over. Anyway, she looked so cute in all her accessories that I had to do a quick pototshoot in the 1 minute we had left before we rushed to school. Funny how the spur of the moment pictures sometimes turn out to be my favs!

Last Day at the Pool...

I think this trip ended up being the last one to the Lehi Pool for the summer. Melody already posted some of the funny pics of Gaby, but this slideshow will have some more of the cute cousinly pictures. Usually Brady gets in his swimmy clothes just for the pics because he doesn't love the coldishy water, but this time Katy got him in at the end and he actually liked it--just in time for summer pool days to be over. He did however sit in the pool chair for about an hour playing with his toy which gave Cami and I ample time to get some cute shots at many different angles. I love those immobile baby days that are just about to end...I tried to just post my favs, but he has so many wiredo faces that I chouldn't choose!

So when I put the blog together, it wasn't arranged like this, but I'm not doing it over because it took me forever. Anyway here is a slideshow of the rest of the pool pics. Somehow, Jillian isn't in any of them. I wonder if she was on the diving boards or the slide or something. Who can know!

Funny Boy!

I guess Brady was still a little apprehensive about the big boy tub...I'm happy to report that since these pictures, he has decided it is ok to let go of the sides and splash around!

Also, Jordan got out his baby sports gear from back in the day when the Chicago Bulls and the 49ers were awesome, so here he is getting dressed up like a Build a Bear! Seeing Brady in Jordan's clothes makes me miss my little "Jordan pants." Luckily he is fun and funny (name that movie...) and not too hideous of a teenager yet, so I am certainly enjoying his current age and I will try not to cry for the past...

Photography Group

As many of you readers may know, I have been working on my photographing skills in a group with Cami every other week during the summer. Most all my readers are actually in the group and thus will have already seen this collage, but for the 2 of you who haven't, here is Brady showing his awesome sitting up skills, chewing skills and playing skills. The object of this class (if I can remember since I am backtracking and it has been a while...) was to take pictures of the same thing from many different angles and then make a collage. Photoshop is not really my friend yet, so the pictures probably could have been edited and such and I just made the collage with Picasa. Anyway, the class has been so fun and Cami is a very knowledgeable, patient, and gracious teacher. We took a little break to get back to school, but I am excited to resume. Our assignment for next time is to take a picture of every color of the rainbow. I think Cami has a blog that has all of our assignments to date in case you are interested. It has really helped to work on one specific thing at a time and have a fun purpose too!