Trent and I decided that going to Vegas for Halloween would be alot of fun for us and the kids. I left early so I could spend more time with my family and Trent stayed to work and met up with us on Friday. Last year we barely made it in time for Trick or Treating and everything was so rushed, but this year was much nicer with more time to spend with the fam and enjoy more things together. Dad continued the 2 year tradition now of making Baked Sandwiches on Halloween night right before heading out the door to Trick or Treat. Again they were very tasty this year. It's ok that I've made them a few times now but Trent said that when he goes to Vegas, he never quite eats as well :)
Dad cooked for maybe 150 people again this weekend...seems like that happens every time I go down to Vegas. This time it was for a family friend. We also got to be at a baby blessing for another family friend/Steph's inlaws. So, this Halloween weekend turned out to be a really great time to see alot of family and old friends.
I had told Mom and Dad that I was coming on Wed, but surprised them by showing up on Tues. Unfortunately when we arrived and made our first stop at Dad's office to surprise him, he was in Mount Charleston at a Conference. So we sat Brenden in his office chair and sent him a picture message to let him know where we were :)
Next stop was home. We sure surprised Mom and Maddy! Nice for us, Mom had just pulled out some homemade rolls from the oven she was making for the ward party. Hot rolls, home and alot of family around. Wow.
Uncle Scotty happens to be excellent with little kids and his little niece is no exception. It is a most heartwarming thing to see Uncle Scotty so tender and careful with his 'breakable' niece. He will hold her for the longest time...much after I expect to have him come to me and give her back so he can move onto the next activity, he holds and rocks her still.
I think Kyleigh felt quite comfortable in his very able arms.
So much so that she soon fell asleep. Scott wasn't sure if he could put her down in her crib without waking her up, but I told him I thought he was gentle enough that he could do it just as well as I could...
And he was very soft with her. Laid her down so carefully. He bent down so slowly and cradled her extremely well till she touched the soft blankets and he unwrapped his arms from her body, again with slow, careful movements. For such a tough guy, this was pretty sweet to watch.
Nice work, Bud. You did it.
Since Kyleigh now takes the playpen for her sleeping quarters, Brenden was moved to the top bunk of the bed. It has railing and we set it up with lots of pillows to prevent any accidental falls. This way, Trent and I didn't have to climb to the top bunk, with me climbing down a couple times during the middle of the night to feed Kyleigh; and Brenden is somewhat trapped and not allowed to escape whenever he wanted.
The pillow fortress. Is there a kid in there?
This bed probably feels enormous to Brenden now with so much space and pillows all around. It will most likely not seem so big to him when he grows into it. But by then, he'll be kicked out into the playroom with his other cousins for a huge sleepover...or sent to Uncle Scotty's house or Uncle Jared and Aunty Courty. He likes Oatmeal (Cream of Wheat happens to be his favorite) with a good dose of brown sugar for breakfast :)
There IS a child in the sea of pillows and blankets!
When he wakes up, he heads straight to Gma and Pop Pop's room. When I was driving down to Vegas, Brenden took a nap (thank goodness! 6 full hours with a toddler and infant is much more pleasant when they get adequate rest). I looked back when I heard him move. He had his hands behind his head as he usually does when napping. His eyes were barely visible in his sleepyness and 'waking-up' state, and said, not quite awake yet, "Pop Pop?" I didn't know if he remembered where we were or what's going on, but obviously his mind was alert and mindful still of where we were headed. To Pop Pops!!
Since the temperature in Grandpa's room is several degrees colder than the rest of the house, Gma wrapped him tight and snug with a warm blanket to finish his milk and watch Mickey Mouse. And in Pop Pop's chair! What treatment!
Not quite awake yet.
B very much enjoys his morning milk.
Grandma took Maddy, B, K and I to the pumpkin patch to grab our pumpkins to carve. They had cotton candy, icees, other junk/carnival food, some blowup slides, petting zoo, trampoline with harness to jump extra high....and some pumpkins.
Aunt Squid and B checking out the sturdiness of the merchandise.
B sneaking through the pumpkins to get to the trampoline. He almost got through before Maddy caught him. Hope he learns to pay for things before he grows much older. Guess that's my job.
I wonder if he thought he had a chance with no one supposedly around....
Security did get to him quickly though and pointed him in the right direction.
Gma telling B to go find his own pumpkin.
"How 'bout this one, Gma?"
Ahh, little Brenden-size pumpkins. Great selection.
I think he grabbed the biggest one there was. Attaboy!
But B taking a quick check to make sure it really was the most grande
Yep, it passed. Loading up the wagon.
"Going somewhere, B?"
Little guy trying to be the man of the group and push our wagon.
...still trying....
"Hmmm, maybe if I just take this one out...."
You know the old saying, "If you can't beat 'em, Join 'em!"
Ash met up with us later on with Salym, who graciously took the patch crew's photo. B was enjoying his red snow cone a little too well.
Cotton candy, Snow cone, Brenden, Kyleigh and I. We missed you, Trent!! You'll have to go with us next time to the carnival, .... I mean, pumpkin patch.
A few pumpkin carving people. John has his printout pattern for his pumpkin on the floor next to him. Nice choice. Maddy, Ash and Salym all chose one out of a book full of patterns.
What a dirty, slimy mess. Looks like fun...
Me, I got my inspiration elsewhere...
The cannibal pumpkin in process. Guess the other girls wanted in on the workmanship
I'd like to thank Brenden for letting me borrow/use his pumpkin for a prop in ours :)
After our Baked Sandwiches, it was off to the houses. Last year Brenden only made it to about 5 houses. This year he really understood the whole idea of door-to-door trick or treating. Once he understood that you simply show up, smile at the nice lady or scary gentleman, and they give you lots of candy, this kid RAN from house to house. Grandpa was wise and took B's bucket to help him run faster and not so lopsided. Brenden had quite the entourage as Scotty, Ash, Trent, Kyleigh, Grandpa and I were all following this little rapid-fire-legs toddler as he tried to collect as much pirate's loot as possible. This year we went all the way around our block and he was still running as we got back to our house. My camera died after this first house, so I'll have to get some of the funny houses and action shots from Dad's camera later.
Aunty Steph with Kyleigh the little Lamb.
Scallywag B. Watch out. Armed and very dangerous.
Baby K did accompany us on our trick or treating adventure, although she won't remember it except by this photo. You were trick or treating at 3 months babe! Probably wouldn't have been able to make it a family trick or treating affair if we were in Utah weather.
Thanks Pop Pop and Gma for letting us come crash the big party. We had a great time and enjoyed ourselves immensely....like always.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Halloween
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Baby K
One of the many daily naps. She sleeps well in her boppy chair...and with multiple blankets. :) The girl likes to be warm...like her mom and Gma.
Her first official outing to Church. This was exciting to bring my own little girl to Church. Yes, it felt a little like playing dress-up cause she was so tiny and I'm so new at this. She was only a week old, so I arrived late to sacrament and left early so that no one would come see her. Just don't think a week old baby needs to be introduced to the ward just yet. The next week we went to all 3 meetings, but with the blanket covering her carseat almost the whole time and her strapped in so that she wouldn't get passed around. Now shes doing great...but did get a little of her brother's runny nose. Sure tried to avoid this, but it was probably inevitable. Guess we'll just have to hold her a little more to keep her upright and prevent the stuff from draining into her ears. Such a difficult job. Someone has to do it.
Monday, October 26, 2009
First Family Outing as Four
Kyleigh came and I had to take a little break from the hustle around the house...but not for long. A couple weeks after her 'birth'-day, we took baby K and little B to Thanksgiving Point Discovery Gardens. They have the 'Adult' gardens where it's all pretty and decorated nicely to look at. Then they have a different section of gardens that caters to kids where they can play, touch and run around. Brenden couldn't even spend adequate time at each activity area cause we had to rush home for dinner.
Sometimes they leave the gate open that connects the 'Big Kid' gardens to the 'Little kid' Discovery Gardens. This is the nice Amphitheatre where they have concerts and other big outdoor events. So many people out today. At the bottom of the hill, they have 3 large waterfalls that are quite impressive.
Alright, so maybe 4 waterfalls. And Brenden isn't really trying to push his Daddy into the water, he's just giving him a big hug...from behind.
We allowed this girl into our musical play because she was wearing the correct T-shirt.
Some wood building blocks. 1 out of 3 looking at the camera is about right for this age group right? (And this was the best one out of 5 different tries).
Brenden made it safely through...
But wait, did that kid in the red shirt make it through alright?? .....
Who knows, Brenden's Daddy just had to go through too. Something about making sure Brenden didn't get stuck and made it out alright.
Our jogging stroller for one converts into a jogging stroller for 2 very easily...and Brenden really likes it cause he's not strapped down, so he is free to get off and jet somewhere whenever he wants while having the option of being towed if he gets tired.
One of my favorite shots of the day. Dad holding his baby girl. He is quite enamored with her.
Would have been nice to get our first family shot of 4, but I had some Murphy's law luck and my camera battery died right after getting this shot. 
Sure helps when you walk into moments like this....which seems to almost be an everyday occurance. The monkey needs more jumping room, I guess.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Good Company
I was very pleasantly surprised when my cousins Emily and Walker called and said they wanted to stop by and see baby K. I should have posted a picture of the gift Em got Kyleigh. One of the greatest and most thoughtful. Her first ASU outfit! (And even though it's not Brenden's birthday or Christmas yet, Emily also got Brenden an ASU shirt!!) I have the best cousins!!
Em and Walker. Brenden really enjoyed rough-housing with Walker. Walker would lift B up high and then toss him into the love sac. From the look on B's face, he found another fun play-toy. (Oh, you can kinda see the cool ASU cheerleader outfit for baby Kyleigh on the ottoman).
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Dance Revolution
Sunday, August 30, 2009
A Beautiful Thing
Child so lovely but his
Mother was glad to see him asleep.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
I had thought motherhood would be great. I didn't think it was going to be easy, but I was counting on it being 'worth the effort'. B and K sure have made it a great little journey so far.
The last 4 days B has suddenly been deathly afraid to take a nap. The first day he woke up crying, which he never does. The next day he never went to sleep and started crying at the end. By the 3rd day, the minute he knew he was headed towards his crib, he started a scared cry. It was almost like he woke up with a bad nightmare the first day and since then, he has been scared to go to sleep in fear that whatever it was, was going to come back and scare him. He started to do the same cry routine at night, but Trent took the Build-a-Bear that my mom had made for him and told B that this bear would stay with him all night and protect him. It was a good bear and would be with him in his sleep so he didn't have to worry. Trent squeezed the bears hands which made it say, "Grandma loves you". Immediately, B stopped crying and laid down and promptly fell asleep. I had to take this photo as proof and to remember this stage in little B's growing up years.
First night with his teddy bear.
Second night with good ol' 'protecting' bear.
A sweet little Princess girl.
I love this stage where they can fall asleep anywhere.
K asleep after Church today.
As close as he can get to sleeping next to/with his little "Sissy".
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Tooth Dance, Hike to Cecret Lake
B actually likes brushing his teeth. He sometimes does a little dance as I tried to capture with a camera. Nothing like the real thing though. If only all our kids would get this giddy when it comes to their hygiene.
Trent starts B's bath water and leaves to do something else...I think it was helping with the dishes or something. All of a sudden, Trent takes off from the kitchen in a full sprint down the hallway. I follow to see what's going on and find this...a bath tub within an inch of overflowing.
Don't even want to think about what would have happened if he had remembered even 30 seconds later...
This is one of those times where you probably just had to be here to fully appreciate the comedy of the situation. B was quiet while we were all in the kitchen and was gently pushing his old car seat through the kitchen and into the laundry room. It's out because Kyleigh is now using it. Someone looks over to him and he is quietly rocking himself in his old car seat. We all had a good laugh at B enjoying his old ride one more time.
Awhile ago, we escaped the intense 86 degree heat to go into the canyon and enjoy a little cool weather and some good ol rock skipping in the stream.
Every kid ought to be barefoot in a freezing cold stream while throwing rocks...but that doesn't mean Mom has to join.
B trying to encourage me to join the feet in cold water/rock throwing club. No thanks B, I like my feet dry and warm.
Later on, we couldn't resist trying one hike this summer even though I've been in my 3rd trimester of pregnancy. We went up Little Cottonwood Canyon to Cecret Lake (that's not a typo, it's how they spell the lake). I was one day away from my original due date when we took this hike. It was worth it. Beautiful.
Small town of Alta. Nice people. So crowded that day that we had to wait at the bottom and take a shuttle up to the trailhead cause there was no more parking.
B and I made it.
Last time it would be just the 3 of us. Next year we'll be able to take more hikes and use our cool baby carrier again...hope Kyleigh enjoys being carted up and down mountains like B did. Our pace will probably be significantly slower since B will be walking so hopefully K won't get too bored.
Little legs need a little help
Everything was in full bloom.
B would not share the rest of the camelback with us once he got a sip.
That doesn't look too pleasant. Pobrecito Trent.
But B is enjoying himself.
Really pretty scenery and not too strenuous. I only hurt somewhat the next day...probably should've done some exercising throughout pregnancy so the body doesn't go into shock when I actually do.
The boys loved it and it really was nice to 'get away from it all' for just awhile.
More Catchup
Was busy getting all things together for newborn baby girl Kyleigh that I neglected to post the photos from the months previous to her birth. There are several events I still want to remember, so I am posting them retrospectively.
My brother Scotty had bought this all orange suit (complete with the top hat, ruffly shirt, cane and shiny orange shoes) and after one failed attempt at wearing the suit (he tried to wear it to church), he found just the right place for an all orange guy...Steph's green, orange and blue wedding. He was right...there were just about as many photos being taken of him as there were of the bride and groom.
First thing in the morning while in Vegas....go search for Pop Pop. Doesn't matter if Grandpa is busy...he'll wait for Pop Pop. From the grin on this kid's face, there's no question who brightens his day....or maybe he was waiting for his favorite game........
....Grandpa's tickle game!
The pretty little onlookers.
Chill mode
Seeing to our culinary needs. 2 well qualified men for the job.
Don't get to see these people as much as I'd like. In the words of Scotty, "They're good people". Deatons and a Waldie.
Uncle Jared playing games with B. He is one fun "Aunty" ;)
Again finding some play time with Pop Pop
One of B's signature dance moves being demonstrated by my cousin Drake. Nice.
Pop Pop got this car for little B one morning and here's B directing the 'muscle' power behind the car. What a lucky little kid to have such a fun Pop Pop. There is no doubt in this little guy's mind that he has alot of family who loves him, and as my mom and I were discussing one night, the more people a kid feels who loves him, the more confident and secure the kid grows up to be. He won't look for acceptance and love in other places for he will know he already has it and will hopefully want to do good things to please those who love him and not feel as though it doesn't matter what good or bad he does since no one cares. I do believe it's important to surround a kid with as much love as possible. So Grandpa is just seeing to B's healthy mental state here. Or were they just trying to have a little fun?
Trent took Brenden for a Father/Son overnighter at some campground the Church owns. He had to go through a bad rain storm to get there and got most of their stuff soaking wet and then brought home muddied tent and sleeping gear. But they had a good time and Trent was so genuinely excited to take his son on his first Father/Son outing. They brought their own dinners to the campsite and then the Stake provided the breakfast...which Trent said was more than he could handle there was so much food.
Outside, rocks, water ... these are a few of his favorite things
I think this was near Park City and Heber City
When Maddy came to help me out before Kyleigh arrived, we took a little trip up to Temple Square. The purpose of this outing was for me to walk around for an hour with my 40 week pregnant belly. You can still do that sort of thing here in Utah at 4pm in the middle of summer.
A little hide and go seek play? Where's Brenden?
OOoh!
Here I am!
Just by coincidence, both B and T were wearing their BYU colors/tshirts. B's shirt has a little Cosmo the Cougar wearing a very large BYU Football jersey and it says "Hold on Cougars! I'm coming!" Speaking of such a fine football institution, here is an excellent commercial that celebrates the football greats of old as well as the current ones:
http://www.byucougars.com/videos.jsp?S=ALL
(this one has the past greats..scroll down and click on 2009 BYU Football tv Commercial)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJq-kJZ4ePo
(this one is cut down from 54 sec to 30 sec so it doesn't have the highlights of past great BYU games and the players as they are now)
A pretty fun group of playful people.
One thing I can give to my kids...an absolute assurance that God is very mindful of them and loves them more than they know.
Just about the last time we would go out with just one kid. Are we ready for this? When I think about how different 2 kids will be...I am reminded that by the time my mom was my age she was carting 4 or 5 kids around. So glad B came first to our home, so far he has been a most excellent older brother.
Monday, August 24, 2009
4th of July
4th of July was awhile ago, but this blog is going into a book, so we want to include these photos in said book.
Right before going to Star S Ranch, we went to Soda Springs for their 4th of July festivities. Cave spelunking, parades, candy collecting, great fireworks, and next year Trent and I will enter into the Volleyball tournament.
Trina, her 2 girls and my 2 boys on our way to the caves.
Laura out-running the storm. Hurry!
Driving through town, we came across Mater! Someone had converted their old tow truck into Mater and of course we had to go meet him up close and personal.
Right outside the old Hotel/Museum is the man made geyser. Not quite as big as old Faithful but impressive the same. Does your city have its own geyser?? ;)
B likes the swings, but only if with someone else. "Hey Mom! Check me out!"
B found some wheels! That wouldn't be yellow caution tape telling people to stay out. Trent said this contraption used to have springs below it and would bounce back when he was a kid.
Happiness is being behind a wheel.
I think it was a mining company that had a station set up in the park during the festivities with some gold coins for the kids to 'mine'. B was playing in the sand when the man threw the coins in and all the kids jumped into the sand. He's probably wondering why all these people encroached in his sand, digging like mad.
Fire engines starting the parade off. B is excited. All the trucks and wagons that come by throw candy out to the kids to collect. You can see them running out in the street to grab as much candy as possible.
As I said....for the kids to collect...
ALOT of people gather for this parade that spans quite a big chunk of the city.
Cousin Jack excited about the free sugar being thrown at him.
Cousins Laura, Sarah and Aspen. Also pretty giddy.
Grandpa, Grandma and Aunt Trina (who has future cousin Patricia in belly)
Mom, when's the next candy truck coming by?
Thinking these candy cars could come a little closer together...so much wait time.
Trent helping Brenden pick out the 'good' stuff....or Trent's favorites.
A mini bull and the kids who will try not to get bucked off...good luck.
See the bear in red uniform in the distance? B was staring this guy down till he got too close...
...and then B went hiding behind his Daddy. Just like Steph used to do whenever she saw something big and in uniform/costume.
A nice lady trying to help B get some good candy....little did she know that his Dad is already on top of that and needs no further assistance.
This nice lady from above picture knew someone from one of the cars in the parade. The girl in the parade tried to throw a frozen otterpop to the nice lady...but couldn't quite make it to the lady and it pegged Brenden right on the neck. For me as the mom, the whole thing went in slow motion and I saw the otterpop heading right towards B's poor, unsuspecting neck and yet I was too far to knock it away. B's first parade battle scar. It actually tore quite deep into his flesh (frozen sugar water in frozen plastic isn't very soft) and made the little guy cry for a bit. Should have seen the girls face when she realized that she nailed a little kid with her throw. She was very sorry.
A little sad to see the parade end. He had collected quite a sack full of candy...think he got much of it with Trent around? I had to hide the bag to ration the amount of sugar these 2 dudes were consuming so that it wasn't gone all in one day.
This type of candy collecting sure beats Halloween. In Halloween you have to do all the work-putting on a costume and going door to door; but here, there's no dressing up required and the candy comes flying to you...sometimes as a direct hit:)
Monday, August 17, 2009
B and K
It is a legitimate concern whether the older child will accept the new sibling or if he/she will become jealous and resentful towards the new center of attention in the home. B has been a bit more whinny, but when it comes to his little sister, he is a champ older brother. The other day when Kyleigh would fuss when hungry, B immediately sat down wherever he was standing, reached out both hands and cupped his hands to tell me to give Kyleigh to him in a gesture that said he knew what to do to take care of her and make her happy. It was sweet. I gave K to B and she would stop fussing for a bit, but realizing that her objective still was not being fulfilled, she would fuss again, at which point B looked up at me as if to say, I tried Mom, she didn't cooperate, she's all yours.
Today, I was changing Kyleigh's diaper before a feeding and she was getting real anxious for her dinner. B was concerned so I told him to get her binky and give it to Sissy. He grabbed it, stuck it in her mouth and instead of letting go for Sissy to start sucking away, he continued to hold the binky right in her mouth to make sure it would stay there and not be spit out...for the entire time I spent changing K's diaper. Sweet brother.
A few moments I caught with the camera that makes me happy as a Mommy.
B wiping at a little milk off Kyleigh's mouth (He did this of his own free will. I did not tell him to do that. Concerned for his Sissy's comfort and physical appearance I suppose).
He must have thought little Sissy wanted some vibration for further comfort.
A couple mornings ago, I had finished feeding Kyleigh, set her down in the love sac and when B saw her, he climbed up finish his morning milk snuggled next to Sissy.
Little Kyleigh with her eyes open...a fairly rare occurance
We are so proud...
B was sitting in his chair for awhile this morning, but when I left the room and came back, this is how I found him. Settled right next to baby Sissy inbetween the ottoman and love sac. To keep a better eye on her?
Maybe she wanted her space.
B has turned out to be quite confident in his comforting skills with little Sissy. It does work...for awhile at least.
He must have been planning on spending alot of time there. Brought his snacks and drink.
