The baby goose story

When I was a child, my parents got a goose egg for us to hatch. My little brother David was probably only about 18 months old at the time and communicated mainly through screaming. He was always screaming to be held up so he could see the egg, which sat in a box on the counter right next to where his high chair was. When the goose finally hatched, it responded to his screams the way a baby chick might to it's mothers call. Since it had grown so familiar with his screaming while in the egg, it was only natural for it to follow David around the house while he screamed for attention, etc.

I can only imagine that this same sort of thing is going to happen when our new baby arrives. She will have spent the entire 9 months of her developing life, listening to Alex scream and cry. Other than the vacuum, this is probably the only noise loud enough to breach her little chamber of solitude. While she will not be able to chase Alex around like a trained goose, hopefully they will be able to bond over this, a source of constant frustration for the rest of us.

December Adventures

I can hardly believe that Christmas is nearly here! Life has been so busy, and Tyler has been gone all the time ( 6 of the last 8 days), so we have been spending a lot of time at the Brady's! Tyler's older Brother Sam, and his family arrived in town for a month of fun and so it seems like there is always something going on, or someone to play with!

Archie got a sweet box for Christmas from his Grandpa(there was a rocking horse inside), and both the kids had a hay day crawling in and out and all over the box!


Alex discovered a new best friend in her oldest cousin Nicholas. He is so sweet with her, always asking her to play with him, sharing his toys and food and even reading her stories. Alex is just in awe of this big kid and loves to follow him around and do whatever Nicholas and Christian are doing.

And this is my beautiful quilt!!!!! Last March for my birthday, I asked Tyler to have this quilt made for me. I saw the fabric online and HAD to have something made of it, but I couldn't choose which one, so I decided a fun quilt with ALL of them would be best. There were some skeptics who weren't sure about the craziness of the pattern and all the fabrics, but I LOVE IT!!!!
It was 9 long months in the making and when it finally got finished 2 days before Christmas, Tyler couldn't wait to give it to me (since it is technically my Birthday gift from last year)! So many people put in so many hours to make this possible, and it is the most wonderful, perfect thing ever. The best birthday gift i can remember ever getting. I love that, even though it's not a "practical" quilt, Tyler still had it made just how I wanted it, even though he was a bit skeptical about how "noisey" it is. So thanks to everyone who made this possible, I adore it. It is my happy place and when ever i lay down on it, i can't help but smile and think wonderful thoughts!

Where's waldo. Alex is a fan of the awesomeness.

The little soccer player in my belly is a..............

GIRL!!!
Although Tyler was really hoping for a little boy, we are so excited to announce that we are having a little girl! With 3 brothers and no sisters I figured that I was destined to raise a family of boys. Looks like the lord wants me to learn how to do things differently. Tyler is the perfect father for a family of little girls, I think he is just a bit sore because we made a deal that if it was a boy he could name it, and if it is a girl, I get to name it. So yay, I win.

pictures

It's whenever Alex looks cute, with her hair all done up and everything, that she refuses to pose for pictures.


Brady family chocolate dipping. Here Alex is snitching a pretzle.



After the annual chocolate dipping fest we had pans of chocolate EVERYWHERE. It was fun, and Alex was in awe of all the delicious brown stuff.

Alex and Archie atop a donkey at the Lehi live christmas nativity.

Tyler, Alex, Ben, Archie and Kate out on a freezing night.

Kate and I made the tomato bruchetta from "Julie and Julia" It was wonderful and we've made it 3 times since, with plans to have it again tomorrow. This is amaizing coming from tomato haters like us. It is wonderful.

Alex posing by the Brady's chrismas tree in her sweet cowboy boots.

Catch up and pictures

So our computer decided to die at just about the worst time ever. I never realized how often I use it and for all the random things it comes in handy. Hence, I have not been able to keep up on blogging like I would have liked. I have many pictures to post and just no time with the Internet to do it. Also, our vacuum decided to die today, I tried to fix the problem and discovered a thousand pine needles stuck in it. apparently it does not like the Christmas tree.


In happy news, although Kate was sick, I took our stuff to the Boutique on Saturday and we were able to make $10 even though it was a wet snowy, raining mess outside and it seemed not many people came. It was thrilling to have someone buy something that we made with our own hands, and our small sales inspired us to keep going. Hopefully I can post some stuff on Etsy today and show off our products. We are very excited.


I feel like so much has been happening and I've been running around with my head cut off. But now that I try to recap the last few weeks, I'm coming up with a big blank as to what in the world I've done besides shovel the driveway 30 times! Like the computer and vacuum, I'm realizing how much I miss having Tyler around now that his schedule is no longer 8-5. It's only been a day and a half, but I miss him like crazy.


a close up of the headbands, hot pads and apron

Kate's sweet bird mobiles

Our bread and chocolates for sale

What was left of the flower clips

Our table.

Come to the Christmas Boutique

This Saturday December 12th. from noon until 2 pm. Kate and I have the opportunity of participating in a Christmas Boutique at a home not far from where we live. We are very excited and have been crafting like crazy to get ready. You should all come if you are in the area!!!! The address is.... 114 North 2560 West. There will be jewelry, aprons, baby gear, custom cut vinyl, chore boards, mary kay and much more!!!!
Kate and I are submitting these great flower clips, headbands, chocolates and cinnimon swirl bread!!!! We would love to see you there!

Also, in very exciting news, Kate and I have launched our very own ETSY shop!!! It might be a couple days before we post much. Check us out at.... kandyapplekrafts at..............

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

Thanksgiving and the Holiday's

Thanksgiving was wonderful, especially since we did not have to travel AND got to see my family! We spent the holiday at my brother's house in Highland, and had a great time of food, games and just being together. Friday we decided to get a real Christmas tree (I was very excited) and so we drove to Price for a permit and then halfway back for a tree. My uncle and cousin came along, as well as my Mom, 2 brothers, husband, baby and dog. The drive was nice and tree hunting was fun (although very much different than tree hunting in Montana). We came home with a beautiful tree picked out by Tyler (the only one of us 3 able to climb the mountain high enough to get to the evergreen trees), and even got to help decorate Michael's tree (also found very high on the mountain). Now our house smells wonderful and I have lovely twinkling lights to look at.

Last week was Tyler's last day of Paramedic school classes!!! He has done extremely well in class and on his tests, I am so proud to say that he is the top of the class having had the highest grades! My awesome husband is brilliant, and I always knew that, but for him to be number 1 in a class the instructors have said is one of the best and most competitive ever, makes me quite, quite, quite proud. It has been quite the semester, and I would like to think it is going to be downhill from here, but I am being led to believe that clinicals are going to be 10 times as bad. Tyler will get a couple weeks off of school and then be thrust into 4 months of shifts in the ER, Ambulance and Fire department. Unfortunately for Alex and I, these places don't really work on a 8-5 schedule. BUT, luckily for us, we have lots of family really close that are already WAY to generous with the dinner invites, babysitting, and just letting us hang out with them.

Tyler is so excited about clinicals. His first week involves a 48 hour shift at the fire department followed by another 48 hour shift at another fire department and then I think a 12 hour shift at some hospitals labor and delivery. I am secretly happy that Tyler is getting training in the delivery of babies, just in case.

In other news, Kate and I have discovered a few FANTASTIC recipe's and I plan on posting the pictures and recipes soon for all to enjoy.

Happy Anniversary

This week/weekend Tyler and I celebrated our 3rd anniversary. I was having the hardest time trying to find something memorable to do, but ended up deciding that what we really needed was a relaxing weekend away from Alex and responsibility. Luckily we had some great babysitters who watched Alex for us (thanks so much Susan, Kate, Ben, Pat and Archie!) and she had so much fun that she didn't even care, or want to come with us, when we came home.


Wednesday was our actual anniversary and so I made Tyler a nice dinner and had Kate help me drown the house in streamers. We exchanged gifts, Tyler got a nice set of scriptures, a book about yellow fever, and Ticket to ride, and I got a food processor which I love dearly, and 2 of the most fantastic pillows ever. I am sure I will write more about them later. This may sound like a lot, but for us, our Anniversary is a bigger gift exchanging deal than Christmas.



Friday we dropped Alex off at her Grandparent's house and then drove to Midway to stay at the Zermatt. It was a beautiful place and we had a great time, but I don't know if I would recommend it unless you get a really really good deal. It was so nice to just be together and do what we wanted without having to think or worry about the baby every 2 minutes. By the time we returned on Saturday I think we were rejuvenated in a way we haven't been in 2 years. It was so nice to feel young and free again. (we love Alex.)



After coming back, Tyler generously said he would take care of Alex, while Kate and I went to "Julie and Julia" at the dollar theatre. I loved it and suddenly have the desire to master the art of french cooking. That night I got to sleep on my wonderful pillows, next to my wonderful husband, and everything was wonderful.



It was a great anniversary thanks to my great husband. I am so lucky to have snagged such a catch as him, and that he was willing to let me tame him a bit, to be our family man. I love him for a million reasons that I couldn't ever explain, but mostly because he really is my best friend and by far the better half. I can't imagine living a day without him, and don't want to think about what my life might be if I hadn't said yes 3 years ago. What a catch, what a dream. I love you Tyler.





I forgot to get a picture before we dug into the pastries

Sparkling cider delivered to our room

Our room upon entering.






Alex took over Tyler's side of the bed one disrupting night.

We raked the leaves a few weeks ago and Alex had a blast burying herslef in them!!

It was a HUGE pile, I was so proud of myself, and very sore the next day.

Alex helping me out.

Tyler made a fort for Halloween and Alex LOVED it.

A new beginning

While I still plan on making the blog private, I know there are people who only get the chance to check it every few weeks, so I'm going to wait a bit until changing over as to give everyone a chance to message me.

It's been a hard and crazy last few months, but I've decided that this the second week of November is to mark a new beginning. The morning sickness is officially over (knock on wood), Tyler is finally getting over his weird cough and stomach aches, the bathroom smell is gone, and as a family I think we are all (hopefully) done with stomach aches, runny noses, coughs and vomit for awhile at least. While I'm still exhausted all the time, Tyler is finding a balance between school, homework, and family, and so thankfully I'm not 100% in charge of Alex 24/7 anymore. I don't know how single mothers do it, that is a super human feat if you ask me.

So my new attitude and outlook have arrived just in time to enjoy the holidays! Yesterday we celebrated Archie's 1st birthday!!! It was a great party with great food. I'm going to try to post the video of him eating his cake, while Alex stands next to him swiping fingerfulls of frosting. He got a couple of great toys that he loved, and unfortunately for him, Alex also loved. Kate made the coolest cake ever from a variety of M&M's, and we had waffles with icecream and strawberries for lunch! Afterwards, while the kids were napping, we played a game of Bags (a Kate Manker family game) and Devin and I pulled off a great victory, I was very proud. I can't believe Archie is already a year old! Alex adores her cousin (sometimes too much), and I am excited to see them grow up together. It will be fun to see the two of them interact with their slightly older cousins from North Carolina when then come to visit for Christmas!!! Can't wait to see you Sam and Natalie!!!

Kate's sweet cake.


I love this progression of photo's. First Alex sneaks a taste of frosting from off of Archie's messy hands.

Then she gets a bit braver and takes some from off the tray.

She just can't contain her excitement about the plentiful amount of frosting and cake being flung everywhere.

Alex sheepishly stealing Archie's new toy.

A Public Apology

I would like to make a public apology.
I started this blog as a means to keep in touch with family. Recently I decided (since I’m so bad at keeping a written journal) that this blog would also be my family journal, and I would someday print it off and have a more complete record of our early family life.
The last few months, with the stress of moving, pregnancy, and Tyler gone all the time at school, I have been writing posts that have mostly been complaining. I recently wrote some posts while frustrated and after re-reading, I found them to be a bit harsh. I said some things that may have been offensive to our landlords. When I wrote these things, I was only speaking in frustration about the house. I did not think far enough to realize that in so doing, those words might speak ill the owners of the house as well. Until 2 days ago, I had never officially met our landlords and had nothing bad to say about them.
So I would like to say that I am sorry. I now realize that phrases such as “…if we survive the killer mold” and “…we will have to burn down our house ...” would be frustrating and insulting to read if I
were the owner, especially if my friends might read it. My only intent when writing these posts was to blow off steam, and I am truly sorry for anyone that I may have offended in doing so. I have really learned a lesson about what I should and should not write down. The written word is unique in that it is not only more permanent than spoken words, but also that each reader’s personal perspectives bring a different meaning to the same words. Sometimes, unintended meanings can be seen in between the lines.
On a separate note I have decided to make this blog private. So if you would like to have access to our blog, please leave a comment with your name and email, or email me these things at……… abradyfamily@gmail.com , and I will be sure you are on the list!

Paradise in Halloween Town

Here are the lit pumpkins, minus Tyler's.

Here is Tyler's Award Winning Pumpkin.

The Brady's have a humidifier, and Alex LOVES it. So she will go turn it on, and put her face right in it so her hair blows up like a baby Marilyn Monroe.

Alex ends up wearing Archie's clothes about once a week. She is a real cute little tomboy.

We threw a Halloween party, although with kids it was a lot less extravagant than last year. Tyler wore his kilt, I wore my Highschool prom type dress, and Archie sat in for Alex in our family picture. It was a lot of fun.

Here are some of the pumpkin shaped cheese balls Kate and I made. I thought they were so cute.
We ended the night by watching "The land of Faraway", a movie from the 1980's with Christian Bale when he was like 9. You can't find this movie anywhere, but my grandma recorded it off the TV like 30 years ago and sent it to me. It was great, not as fantastic or scary as I remember, but a fun trip to the past. Ben won the doughnut eating contest. Team Kristen, Ben, Grandpa, Kara and Devin, won the relay race, and everyone won the bags contest! Yay for family games and excuses for parties.

October is the beginning of fun season

Last weekend was the ward Halloween party. Us Brady's decided to submit a chili to the chili cookoff, and we probably would have won, but our Chili somehow turned out EXCEPTIONALLY HOT. By far the hottest chili there. It was so hot that I could not finish more than 3 spoonfulls, it burned your throat. The flavor was great, but we did not win, although it was fun making it. Afterwards there was a trunk or treat which was so much fun.

Alex was dressed as Florence Nightingale, and Archie was a banana. Once she got a hang of it Alex loved running from car to car and holding her bucket out expectantly.

I think Kate should have won the costume contest, she was a fantastic scarecrow.

Little Florence with her injured bear.

Last Saturday was also the BYU Homecoming Parade, so Kate and I took the kids and although you can't tell from their faces, we all had a great time.

The annual Brady pumpkin carving contest also took place about a week ago. Tyler won (far right) followed by Devin (far left)

Devin (2nd place) , Ben (3rd place), Tyler (1st place)

Kate, Kara, Kristen

Alex also decided that pacifiers were cool. It only took 18 months. She played with it all day, and then was done.

Now for real Halloween, and then on to Thanksgiving!!!!!!