Lemonade and girls night

So this was going to be a "woe is me" post about how Tyler's boss decided they were going to stay in Oregon for another 20 days, and how we wouldn't have seen him for 34 in a row. But he just called and said some big wig in Idaho denied their crew's request and they are coming back on WEDNESDAY!!!!!!
In other good news, I finally came up with the PERFECT lemonade recipe. Most of you know that i have been experimenting for about 4 months trying to come up with the best lemonade. Finally I cheated and checked out a bottle of Winder Farms lemonade and did the math, converting grams of sugar per oz, and percentage of juice per bottle, into usable information. IT WORKED!!!! I am debating wether to share it or not, it was so much work to find...... Oh ALL RIGHT.
For a regular sized 2 quart pitcher you will need a tiny bit less than 1 cup of sugar, and 1 1/3 (i think) cups of fresh squeezed lemon juice. Boil the water and sugar, then let cool. add the lemon juice and some ice, and there you have it.

Friday and Saturday the Brady's had a girls night while the men had a camping trip. I think all the girls would have joined the boys, but Kate is 8 months pregnant, I've got a 6 month old, and there was only room in the car fo 6, not 8.
Sounds like the guys had a great time, saw some pictographs and hiked a dozen miles. The girls on the other hand had a super great time. We rented some movies, painted our toes and did scrubs and soaks and stuff (very girly).



We had a yummy dinner and then Kara did our hair. She spent 2 hours putting my hair into pincurls, but boy was it worth it!!!!!





Saturday we had a wonderful brekfast. We made waffles out of brownie batter and put icecream, fresh peaches and strawberries on top.



Then we drove to a craft fair and had plans to drive up the canyon and take pictures and have a picnic, but it rained and we were exhaused.

More pictures for the grandparents.

I got a bit of skepticism when I made the tutu for Alex. I understand it's not a very 'functional' piece of clothing, but cute none the less. I have found though that it serves an additional perpose to being cute. Whenever I want her to sit in one spot and not move an inch or make a sound, I put her tutu on her. For some reason she will just sit there, won't even move her arms. Pretty funny.











bad lighting, but cute picture




one of like 10 giant pumpkins at Grandma Jakes. picture doesn't do it justice



Alex with her Great Grandma Jake



Caught in the act. Alex won't take a pacifier, but she LOVES sucking on her rubber ducky.



Goofy kid on the rocking chair

Saturday Alex and I drove up the canyon to help Shuttle Michael, Danielle and Stephen back to their car after a canoe and fishing trip down the Provo river. We met up at Vivian park and Michael made pancakes over a little camping stove for us all. IT was a pretty good time. There is nothing quite like the Asay humor, especially when it's just Asay's (i'm still one at heart).



A photo of the group in the park



I have been going through box's of Alex's clothes trying to make sure she doesn't grow out of things before she gets the chance to wear them, and also looking for some warmer options. I have found that most of the clothes I set aside as "ugly" or "dorky" are actually some of the cutest things and most hilarious. For example....



This is Alex's signature face. Whenever she isnt squeeking or smiling this is what she looks like.

european bread and tutu's

Kate and I decided to try a recipe for dutch oven bread. Our hope was that it would turn out all "European" hard on the outside and soft on the inside, the kind you just can't seem to find in good ol' USA. We succeeded. The easiest bread recipe in the world also happens to be the most delicious. Here is a picture of our big round loaf






I've hit a creative streak (for about 3 months now) and started a bunch of projects. The latest, and most recently completed project was this tutu. You can find them at craft fairs for 20-30 bucks. I made mine for $5 and have fabric to spare. I'll post a picture of it on properly later.

Imagine

Monday we went to "Imgaine" a beetles cover band, at the scera shell. It was a lot of fun. Alex enjoyed dancing and hanging out with Grandpa, and the weather was great. My favorite part of the entire thing though, would be the dark haired little girl pictured above. Her name is Sume and she is the daughter of Kenny, one of Ben and Kates friends. She was hilarious the entire time! Running around, eating other peoples food, walking around like a ghost with a blanket over her. She is a little doll.



I just thought Alex looked funny in this picture


Monday

Here is Alex at the concert.

If I'd had my flux capacitor I would have "back to the futured" myself out of that ticket.

So I was in Montana. I drove up with my mom, long 10 hour trip in a jam packed car. The whole week I was there it rained and rained and rained. It was FREEZING, Alexandria actually wore clothes. None the less, it was fun. I got to see my grandmother and we took a 4 generation picture. I played some "heroscape" with David, apparently the next big thing in kids toys. I had some great conversations with my Mom and overall had a wonderful time.
Unfortunately Tyler arrived home right after I left, with no prospect of leaving for any fires soon. So we talked and after a LOT of thought and prayer, I decided that I needed to be with MY family. I felt terrible separating Tyler from Alex and having him miss out on so much of her life. It was a very hard decision because I really wanted to be with Mom and David, but I decided Tyler was worth it. So we took a gamble. Tyler was on call, and could have been sent out on a fire any minute, but Alex and I packed up the car, jumped in and drove 10 hours back to Provo, 5 days after arriving in Billings, to surprise Tyler.
He would have been surprised too! If I hadn't spoiled it by calling him in the moments after getting a speeding ticket in Idaho. If any one had ever deserved a speeding ticket, it was me, on that trip. I don't think I went anywhere near the speed limit that entire trip, I was so afraid Tyler would be called out before I got there. so right before Idaho Falls, the nicest police officer in the world pulled me over, going 88 mph in a 75 zone. My very first speeding ticket.
Interesting though, how 14 over is speeding in Idaho, and in Utah it's ' going with the flow of traffic'.
We got to see Tyler for 2.4 days before he left for California again. Worth the hassle, YES!!! For those of you who are having marital problems, and dwelling on all the little petty things. One of you needs to go fight wildfires for a season. Not only will this make you worry daily about the welfare of your spouse, it will...

1. help you realise all the million things you love about the other person
2. help you realise that the little things really don't matter AT ALL
3. help you realise what does matter
4. make the few days you do see that other person, super fantastic, even if all you do is sit around and stare at the baby.

Berry Pickin

Kate, Susan, and Alex helped me fulfill yet another dream by going blackberry picking with me before I left Utah. It was a blast! Alex even got a few.