A Picture is worth 1000 words

Pictures from our Trip to Montana in August to help with the fair.

Some Waterfall in Yellowstone National Park that Tyler would not keep away from the edge of.


Tyler made friends with a chipmunk at the top of the Beartooth Pass on the Montana Wyoming border. We played with this little guy for about 10 minutes.


One of Tyler's proudest moments: He finally caught the Rooster on the Asay farm. Unfortunatly we didnt get a picture of the baby chick he caught after stalking it for about 20 minutes.


Tyler taught the largest sheep (the one with budding horns) to head butt. We have video of it, but I cant figure out how to post it.


Here we are at the Continental Divide in Yellowstone. The water from Isa lake drains to both the atlantic and pacific oceans. Hence, the 'divide'.
Thanks to my great photoshop skills, we dont have to worry about finding people to take our pictures on vacation. Tyler took one of me and I took one of him and then sewed them together!


On our way to Montucky there was a few forest fires, here is the sunset in the smoke. It was a lot reder and cooler in person.


Tyler in Isa lake.


Tyler in the Yellowstone River


Kristen on Sheepeater cliffs in Yellowstone.

Living life on the edge

The last couple of weeks the little short street by our house, 200 E I believe, has been closed for construction. The city finally decided to widen it so that a turn lane would be implemented and hopefully better direct traffic. Since moving to the cave we have discovered that everyone likes to use our street as a short cut. They all speed way over the 25 mph limit and so there are always tons of cops patrolling. None the less, EVERYONE still speeds.
It has almost been nice to hear the sounds of concrete being ripped up and poured instead of screeching tires and horns blaring. This happens because the people turning on to our street from 200 E assume that the cars they are trying to cut off, are going the speed limit. As I am sure everyone knows it is a much different experience to pull out in front of a car going 25 mph, and a car going 35 mph. This leads to angry horn honking drivers who have to slow down to the real speed limit, as not to rear-end the people pulling out in front of them.
Today was the first day that our road was reopened after construction. I left for school and all was right with the world. I come home from school, and in the few short hours I was gone, someone drove their car through our upstairs neighbors mailboxes and yard. This is no simple task I assure you. You see, our mailboxes are crap, and so they are reinforced a few times with metal beams in the ground. To destroy the corner of the fence and take out two mailboxes and stands like that, is just impressive, especially at that odd angle.
I figure what happened (judging by the skid marks, and how traffic works on our street) is that a silly car decided to pull onto our street in front of a speeding vehicle. Seeing at the last second that they were going to be hit by the speeding vehicle, they tried to bail across all lanes into the neighbors big dirt driveway, not quite making it.

The avocado has a gender!

Today Tyler and I finally cashed in on my Uncle Mark's continuous offers of an ultrasound. He is an radiologist (guy who reads x-rays) and works at a few different clinics with ultrasound machines. So this morning on our way to the doctors office we ran to macey's and bought a video tape because apparently you can record with these things!
Because we were the mooching college students waiting for their free medical visit from the uncle, we had to wait around for about an hour, but it was so worth it! My uncle is a pretty funny guy and everyone he worked with was real nice. The video it's self was so cool! We got to see the little kid squirming all over the place and grabbing at it's toes! It made everything so exciting all over again! Now I know that the avocado sized thing in my belly is a cute little human being! We saw the heart beat and the brain and the face and arms and feet and everything!
I don't think either of us really cared what it was (male or female), I was just glad to find out it was not twins. We are having a baby girl though! The first granddaughter on either side of the family, and the first grandchild on my side. Tyler is very excited and so am I! I think my class at school will be sad that we will not be naming it Thomas Jefferson Brady (the name they picked out for it).

Living one day at a time

Tyler and I are both a month into school and the exhaustion is showing. Poor Tyler had to quit his job at the ER because with that, the shop, and school he never had time for homework or rest, let alone fun. He is really sad because he really loved that job.
I sincerly hope our child gets the good half of both of our brains. Not to say that Tyler is bad at history and art, but I barely passed college biology 101 with a C, and I dont think I understood a word of it. Tyler just got a 98% on his first Test, he only missed one question.
I am starting to get a handle on the kids in my class, I think. It is so hard to be the happy cheerful patient teacher, but I am trying sooooooo hard. While I no longer feel "sick" at school, I am now experiencing a new wonder of my changing body. My tail bone has hurt for two days straight and I feel like an old woman when I try to stand up and sit down. Apparently this is common, even at 14 weeks, but I thought I'd have another 4 months or so before the back pain would start. This only feeds Tyler and his father's theory that I'm having twins. At 14 weeks apparently our child is the size of a lemon, but I feel like i've got a whole bushel of them sitting on my tail bone.
We bought a new couch! Actually two corner pieces of a lazyboy that we pushed together to make a half circle. It is sooooo compfortable, but huge and dorky looking. We also traded in the old dryer that left brown streaks on all our clothes and got a new one. YaY!
I'm having a hard time feeling young and I think Tyler feels the same. I'm always exhausted and lucky if I can stay awake past 9pm. With work and school Tyler never has time for adventures, and we have sadly sort of drifted away from friends our own age. I think we are both living for the spring, while trying to enjoy each day. Tyler will get his Associates degree, I'll get the lemon out of my stomach, and hopefully we can feel human agin.

The Bradys: school, round one.

Today at school I had 4 different kids cry on 4 different occasions, and one child stab another in the hand with a pencil. Interestingly enough, today was better than average all things considered. I am no longer afraid of having children of my own. I figure as long as I dont get 18 at once, I can handle it.

As far as the pregnancy, I am starting to show, or at least people are starting to ask. Today a fellow teacher said "Wow you are only 3 months and already showing, I cant figure out if it is because the rest of you is so skinny or what?" I informed her that the only way I keep from throwing up is by constantly eating, I'm probably taking on a few thousand more calories more each day than every before in my life. So while 'something' is showing, I do not think it is necessarily the baby, yet.

Tyler is keeping busy with school, homework, work and work. Busy would be an understatement here. He has a full time classload of school plus all the homework and then after school he heads straight to work and stays until late. Then on the weekends he goes to the ER and puts in a few shifts. Somehow inbetween all of this he still has time to paper his poor sick wife and do the dishes. While some of you might have known, I am just learning that I did in fact, marry Superman.

Overall things are going well and we are surviving life, although the phrase that keeps getting passed on back and forth is "life is hard".

Everything at once

So much has happened in the last month, exactly a month that Tyler and I havent had a moment to breath it seems. Thanks to all of you for your warm wishes and thoughts, they have ment more than you will ever know. I am pretty sure I can count everyone who might read this blog on one hand, but just in case there is someone who doesnt know, this is our story......

On Saturday the 21st of July, Tyler and I found out, after taking 3 home tests, that we were pregnant. This was quite unexpected and a bit of a shock so we decided to wait until Sunday to tell our parents. Sunday after church I called home and my Dad answered, we talked a bit about church and some other silly stuff I can not remember and then I told him to share the line with Mom because I had some news. Mom had just woken up from a nap so was out of sorts and while I didnt hear Dad's reaction, mom was more disoriented and confused I think than anything. Tyler's fully awake family took the news well and they were all very excited, Tyler and I were still scared and nervous.
Monday July 23rd Tyler left me to go Fire fighting for 2 weeks. This is a lot like the time he proposed and then left the next morning. I would later find out that this is the day he almost got knocked off a cliff by a rolling boulder, which instead hit and smashed the leg of the guy standing right next to him. Two near death experiences in two summer of wildland, you can see why I do not plan on letting Tyler out of my sight ever again.
Wednesday the 35th of July after some confusing phone calls wth my mom, my brother and Danielle showed up at my house and we all receive the phone call that my father had collapsed while on a YW Camp rafting trip and had died. This was by far the worst moment of my life. I had just found out I was pregnant, my husband was on a mountain somewhere out of contact, and my family was two states away all alone. My mom had tried to call the Brady's but couldnt get ahold of them, the details were unclear and all we knew was that Dad was dead and we had to get to Montana asap. I had no way to reach Tyler so i got on the internet, typed in 'Lone Peak Hot Shots' found a number and called a stranger who happened to be standing right next to Tyler. I let him know and he said he was on his way. Meanwhile the Brady's showed up while I was packing. Tyler got home, and we all crammed into the car and left at 10 pm that night for Montana. I've driven the Utah- Montana stretch more than I can count, but this was the only time it was ever done in silence, no radio, nothing but the sounds of sobbing.
We made it to the Ranch on Thursday just in time to meet at the funeral home to make arrangments and see dad. We found out that they think it was a heart attack, which seemed so unlikely at the time. Dad was in the stake presidency and we had the stake president there with us, as well as Grandpa Asay. Watching grandpa cry was the second hardest thing ever. We got to see Dad though, he looked so alive, so real. He had this grin on his face like he was about to tell a silly joke, or open his eyes at any minute. That was very hard for me.
Friday and Saturday were chaos. Flowers were comming all the time, everyone was always crying or laughing and we were frantically trying to plan a funeral and write an obituary. Tyler and I took the lead with the obituary and Michael and Danielle helped out a lot with the funeral program. David just lay around, that was hard for mom, to see him not crying or anything. Things still had to be done, and Tyler took care of the animals for us, and did a lot of chores.
Sunday all the relatives showed up and we sat around sharing all the funny stories about Dad. When he was about 30 he had written his own autobiography and it was amaizing to read. It had all the funny childhood stories, his friends names, his favorite spots, everything. What a treasure.
Monday was the funeral. There were over 1,100 people crammed into the stake center and police there to block off the traffic on the way to the cemetary. It was the best funeral I had ever been to. The spirit was so strong, the talks made your cry, made you laugh, and made you know that Dad was ok and we would see him again. It was fun to see all of Grandpa's brothers and Dad's old friends.
There were hundreds of people there who were not members and we found ourselves compforting them. We knew it was his time, we knew we will see him again, I can't imagine not having that hope.
Dad collapsed while climbing up to a cliff to jump off of into the stillwater river. There was an ER nurse and a cardiac nurse who were right behind him and started CPR within 30 seconds. He received a priesthood blessing within 2 minutes and he never regained conciousness. It was his time to go. A year ago Dad redid his life insurance, which has made it so Mom can have some peace of mind for a bit. This summer there was a family reunion where he got to see all his relatives one last time. A few weeks before he died, the whole family got together in Utah and we had the best 3 days ever, full of biking, and swimming, caves, and fun. Dad was worthy of his temple recommend, he was righteous and barely an hour before he died he had the chance to bear his testemony to the Young Women. I believe if Dad had been able to chose a way to leave, this would have been it to the tee.
While looking through his computer fils I found a list of life goals. He had completed everything he needed to do and all the rest was icing on the cake, things like become a millionare and get re-earn his pilots license. He had been able to see his two oldest children get married in the temple within a year, and found out he was going to be a grandpa.
Now, a month later, the tears still come, but it is hard to be truly sad when you think about Dad because you know he was suppose to go. The lord needed him, it was his time.
We left back for home on Thursday, Danielle had a test she had to take so we had to leave. Friday and Saturday Tyler and I bought a new car. Traded in the red truck for an x-terra and some debt. Sunday i started getting sick, morning sickness all the time. We were going to keep the pregnancy a secret, just in case it didnt carry through, but it sort of got announced at the funeral, so it's no longer classified information.
This saturday David sold his pig at the fair. EMBS (where Dad worked) said they would buy it, but a few other nice people had their hearts set on doing a favor for the Asay family as well. They all bid each other up until that 244 lbs pig, sold for 11 dollars a pound. thats about $2,600. The next highest pig was $6, and the average was $2.75.
Wednesday I started my job as a Second grade teacher, and I believe that I will enjoy it. I just have to train the little wildcats to be still first and then we can learn.

D. Scott Asay
D. Scott Asay returned to his Savior, suddenly but peacefully, while enjoying an outdoor church activity on Wednesday, July 25, 2007.
Scott, a self-proclaimed mountain man, cowboy and trapper, was born Feb. 21, 1957, in Worland, Wyo. He was raised by a nurturing mother and delighted in the many adventures that came with having a veterinarian father. Scott, who was brought up in the Gospel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, earned his Eagle Scout rank and served an honorable two-year mission in Boston. He graduated Summa Cum Laude and received a Juris Doctorate and an MBA from Brigham Young University. While receiving his education, Scott found the love of his life, LeAnn Sanderson, married her in the Salt Lake Temple and began a family.
From his youth in Wyoming to his life in Montana, he sought constantly to better himself through education, service, work and recreation. Using his great skills and knowledge, Scott enjoyed a successful 19-year career with EBMS. Although he loved his work and interactions there, his heart was always at home on the ranch or in the mountains, where he taught his children the value of a hard days work. Scott was, by definition, a renaissance man who enjoyed the adventures of the outdoors just as much as reading the classics and writing his own.
He will be remembered always for his diligent service and leadership in his family, church and community. Scott's passing leaves a tremendous void in his home, family, work and church. His pleasant personality, quick wit and integrity will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Truly, his life has been a legacy of honesty, hard work, service and love.
He is survived by his eternal companion, LeAnn C. Asay; his parents, Dave and Char Asay; his brother, Mark (Kristin); his sisters, Cindy (Dave), Kathy (Ward) and Susan (Jim); and his children, Michael (Danielle), Kristen (Tyler), Stephen, David; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Pre- 4th Celebration

Tyler and I have been planning the ultimate road trip for months and months now. It started out as an all inclusive Western states, 2 week long, see all the attractions, extravaganza. As the summer started the plan started trimming down due to lack of vacation days, and lack of money. Well Tyler was able to get 7 days off in a row and we trying to decide between going to Montana or the Grand Canyon. Turns out we did neither. But don't worry, we still had a blast!!

The Saturday before 4th of July there was a big Asay reunion in SLC so Tyler and I went up to see everyone, including my family who had driven up for a few days. It was a whole lot of fun, although Tyler and I were the only "adults" who got soaked right along with the kids with the squirt guns and water balloon launchers. I've found over the last 7 months of marriage that it's no use fussing over getting wet at the dinner table, because all the Brady's have a sort of fetish with water and throwing it at their loved ones, (although Ben is by far the worst).

Sunday was spent at our house. My parents and two little brothers came over as well as my older brother Michael and his wife Danielle. We had dinner here and then spent roughly 4 hours quizzing each other on trivial pursuit questions. A pastime that like water fights to the Brady's, seems enjoyable only to Asay's.

Monday Mike and Danny had school and Mom was dying to go do genealogy in SLC, so Dad, Tyler, the boys and I went to Timp Caves. That hike was a LOT worse than i remember it being. Our tour guide used the words "general" and "specific" about 100 times and it soon became a hilarious joke, so much that we could not stop laughing at the end of the tour. It was 102 in Draper, so after stopping by to say a quick hi to Sam, Natalie, Nicholas, and Christian (Tyler's brother's family who before Monday i had never met or spoken with, and who are visiting Utah for a month), the four kids (Tyler, Kristen, Stephen and David) went to Seven Peaks Water Park for 4 hours of fun. It was a blast and felt great! We all met up for dinner at cracker barrel and more family fun.

Tuesday was our last day together so we decided to do something big. Everyone had brought their bikes so we drove up to Park City and bought mountain biking passes for Deer Valley Ski Resort. Riding the lifts up and biking down is Michael's favorite pastime and he was so excited. My dream on the other hand, for the last 4 years, was to ride the Alpine Slide, so while all the boys and Danielle rode up the lift to the top, Mom and I rode the lift to look at the scenery and then took David (after he had gotten a run in, and decided it wasn't his thing) and went to Park City Mountain Resort. Mom and I are scared of heights so we both made a pact to ride both the Alpine Slide and the Alpine Coaster. We did it, and it was sooooo fun.

After a weekend of ridiculous fun and adventure we were all sun burnt red and tired. It ended up being a great vacation right in our own backyard!