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.