I swore I'd never marry a Mountain Climber. Unfortunately, it seems I may have given birth to one.

Heidi is a climber.

Alex was chasing sheep through the field by the time she was Heidi's age.

Heidi is quite a bit taller than her sister was, and I suppose it's because her center of gravity is much higher, that she hasn't quite mastered it yet.

Yesterday Heidi learned how to climb Alex's new rocking chair. I caught her standing proud atop the wobbly seat twice before the rocking chair got hidden.

This was after I caught her perched atop Alex's play oven. She figured out how to climb on Alex's bed, then somehow crawl/climb from the bed, across a foot wide gap, onto the higher oven platform. She did this while Tyler thought she was quietly playing in the bedroom. The thought of how she got up there without falling amazes/horrifies me.

I walked into the bedroom to find her oh so happily sitting, smiling, 3 feet above ground. So proud of herself. It would have been a kodak moment if I had not dashed to rescue her after the initial shock wore off. I've previously been used to looking under things when I've misplaced my Heidi. The look she gave me was so... "Mom, I've been up here for 5 minutes, if I was going to fall, it would have happened by now. Please put me back, I'm off to conquer the Eiger."

I appreciate that sometimes she lets me think that she needs me. There are the days when she won't let me put her down and if I do, she sits on the ground hitting her head on the floor, over and over and over until someone rescues her from herself.

Then there are the times like today. While preparing dinner in the kitchen I casually looked over to see Heidi walking. She pulled up to a chair, turned around and casually took 3 steps into the abyss, towards nothing!!! I screamed and clapped and called for Tyler to come watch what was already finished. She just smiled knowingly, and I had the feeling this wasn't the first time.

Whenever I try and get her to walk, she smiles her goofy smile, sits down and crawls away. I flatter myself by thinking she is trying to perfect the act on her own, so as to pull it out as a party trick one day, surprise her Mom and WOW us all.

I thought I had this parenting thing all figured out. At least for the years 0-3. Now I'm seeing Heidi inherited a whole different set of trouble making genes. It was 3 years before Alex took her first trip to the Emergency Room. I have a sneaking feeling that Heidi may not make it that long.

Kristen's 26th Birthday

Friday March 18th, 2011, was Kristen's 26th Birthday.

The day was great. Tyler woke up early and prepared the BEST French Toast I have ever had in my life.

Homemade syrup, strawberry puree, and gobs of whipped cream. It was so good he made it for breakfast the next 3 days after that too. And I still crave it.

After Breakfast we went and bought a few chickens from a neighbor for Tyler's birthday (in 2 weeks), and then spent the morning playing on the swing set while Tyler revamped the chicken coup a bit.

It was the perfect way to spend the day.

That night the Brady's got together to celebrate my birthday, I was pretty excited because things had been kept pretty hush hush and I love surprises.

After that party there was no doubt in my mind that I had married into the right family. It was the best birthday party I've had in 15 years.

I don't think I could choose a "favorite" part, so I'll just tell you about the whole thing! I was told that they tried to put all my favorite things together into one party, pictures, good food, ice cream, and games. The night started with PICTURES!!!

Kara, Devin and Kate had gathered all sorts of silly props and we all dressed up and snapped pictures in a homemade photobooth! It was amazing!

Susan, Pat, Ben and Tyler along with the girls helped cook the most delicious meal ever. A crispy chicken salad with roasted potatoes, complete with raspberry lemonade. I think I could eat that meal every night. I stuffed myself.

After dinner there were more pictures!

And then came the game!

Kate had organized an elaborate family version of "The Amazing Race" where all the questions centered around ME!

Team T double K was fierce competition. Mostly because I knew all the answers.

Team DKB had the better uniforms though.

My favorite picture of the night.

We raced all over the neighborhood, completing all sorts of fun challenges and answering questions. I laughed the entire time, I felt like a kid. It was great.

The night ended with delicious handmade shakes thanks to Devin, Kara and Ben. Then on Sunday I was presented with a scrapbook full of the fun pictures and wonderful notes from everyone. It's my new prized possession, It makes me feel like a million bucks, looking through the hilarious pictures and reading all the nice things everyone wrote about me.

I think I'd like a repeat of the night every week from now until forever.

Alex's 3rd Birthday

Thursday, March 17th, 2011, Alex celebrated her 3rd birthday. Even though EVERYONE was sick and/or infirm, and none my wonderfully laid plans turned out, It was a fun day.

We woke up late and the first thing Alex wanted to do was open her gifts. The first was a rocking chair from Grandma Asay and the second a backpack filled with crayons and the most coveted item of all, scissors!

Compared to gifts and decorations, breakfast wasn't too important to anyone but Heidi.

She seemed a bit perturbed to be forced to celebrate anything before her tummy was full.

I had decided on butterflies for a theme this year. Cute and girly, yet still innocent.

A friend had brought over some princess figurines and cupcakes when Alex's little friends party was canceled due to illness and a 2 am E.R. visit. As excited as she was to go to Joy School, she just wanted to make the princesses dance all morning.

My favorite tradition on Alex's birthday is getting her a new St. Patrick's Day t-shirt from Old Navy every year. She loved putting the backpack on by herself and walking around. When I asked her to smile, this was her response. Apparently one of the boys and Joy School taught her this little stunt, and she was thrilled by it.

After Joy School Alex spent a good half hour sitting in the rocking chair and trying to make Heidi sit on her lap.

Try as I might, I completely failed to get a good picture of the two of them, together with their matching shirts showing.

Since our originally planned trip to the zoo was canceled, we went to the BYU paleontology museum instead.

Alex was moderately interested.

The biggest hit of the day was a visit to the cougar in front of Uncle LaVell's house (BYU Football Stadium).

I decided to get pictures of the kids, so in 20 years when they graduate from BYU, we can get a matching picture and it will be super cute. Tyler's response to this was, what if they don't go to BYU? My answer, Not and option. Because now I need my matching graduation picture.

This is how most of our family pictures go these days.

Alex couldn't have been more thrilled to just climb up and down those rocks all day long.

This is my attempt at a picture with Alex (notice the newest member of our family, The Boot). She said she would rather jump off a cliff, and then did so.

This was the closest thing we got to a picture together that day. Notice the exasperated expression as I give up.

Tyler was wonderful, catering to everyone's every whim all day long.

We ended the fun with a pizza party for family.

Another priceless response to "Hey Alex, can you smile for me?"

Heidi always loves the extra attention when family is around.

Alex LOVED opening gift after gift from her generous Aunts, Uncles and Grandparents.

She did a bit better at blowing out the candles this year on my first attempt at a strawberry cream cheese filled vanilla cake with WAY to much frosting and sprinkles.

The night ended with the boys watching the BYU basketball game on the computer, while the girls played with paper dolls and princesses. I'm not sure about Alex, but I had a great time.

Always walk on the bright side of life

This last week was a doozy. It would take forever to explain all the highs and lows, so here are the highlights.

2 am. E.R. visit

Double ear infection

Alex on narcotics= not so obedient

Urinary Tract Infection

5 Pharmacy visits

staying up late with sick kids

sleeping in until 9!

birthdays galore

BYU palentology meuseum

Tucanos

3 new chickens

revamped coop

backyard play day

pizza party

wonderful family and friends

Amazing race

Best birthday party ever

3 days ago I would have spent an hour complaining about all the woes that hit our family at once. By Wednesday it felt like our family was a lighting rod and we would never survive the week. After a few fun parties and a great, spiritual Sunday, we are all feeling a lot better (except poor Heidi). So now I can post about all the wonderful things, and I think that will probably take twice as long as sharing all the icky stuff would have!

The New Entertainment

Heidi's new favorite toy is my boot. I know this because it's once pristine, matte black exterior has now been lovingly smeared with graham cracker paste. She loves pulling at the velcro, she loves poking my toes and more than anything, she loves sitting on it like a chair.

Alex on the other hand spent the entire last week talking about and acting concerned over Mommy's Owie in her mouth, the reason why Daddy had become the primary caregiver of awesomeness. She has gotten over her sympathy now and has been giving me lectures about being very careful and not getting hurt again. I have also been told many times that I am "All better, so take it off". Friday while eating dinner I caught her blowing on my boot (like she was trying to warm my foot up), she then asked "Does that feel better?" When I told her that "Yes, it does feel a little better" she announced her findings to the room and proceeded to keep blowing on the boot, hoping I think, to do what she perceived the doctors could not, and actually fix the problem.

I anticipate this boot/circumstance to be worth it's weight in hilarity before the week is up. Not to mention the wonderful life lesson we keep repeating to the kids. "Mommy (Aunt Kristen) was playing on the stairs, and now she has a broken foot. Do NOT play on the stairs, or you might get broken too."

But don't you worry about me. I am already able to walk around the house without crutches and pick Heidi up without much difficulty. I'm pretty sure I will be running marathons by the end of the month.

Today Alex was trying to help Heidi learn to walk. This was one of the most hilarious moments of my life. At one point Heidi was playing limp noodle on the floor while Alex strained to pull her to a sitting position by her arm while declaring "I'm going to set Heidi up like a Tent." This is at the moment my favorite Alex quote of all time.

Since I've been terrible at blogging the last month. So family, here are some pictures to recap the fun.

Trip to the duck pond.

The duck neighbors collect 'animal bread' and bring it out to sharewhenever they see us with our meager supply.

Alex seemed a bit stunned at first.

But she soon got the hang of throwing entire slices into the pond.

Heidi just wanted to eat her pile.

A new friend taught Alex how to fish with a stick and invisible line.

Then the swan showed up.

I finally caught Heidi with the goofy grin on her face.

What a doll.

My pitiful best attempt at capturing proof of her first tooth her the baby book.

Alex didn't seem to understand why I was trying so hard to take pictures of Heidi's teeth, when she was more than willing to show me her monster teeth.

A visit to Grandma Jakes with the cutest 2 year old boy alive.

Alex and her trusty sidekick.

Heidi's enjoying her favorite pastime. Pulling her socks off and eating them.

The dry ice butterbeer at Danielle's birthday party.

I don't know if Alex liked the sugary drink most, or the fancy glass.

Yay for Birthday Month!!!

Danielle's reaction to candles that refused to be extinguished. And my first attempt at a fancy layered cake (It had been cut before we put the candles in, I assure you it was a bit prettier beforehand.)