Super Scouts

Tate and Bradan both earned some important awards at this month's pack meeting. Bradan received his Bobcat. He is so excited to finally be in Scouts! He absolutely loves it! He was captured by this experienced bobcat hunter, our cubmaster Bro. Heath, and branded with a bobcat paw while Jon held him upside down. Tate earned his Webelo and gospel knot. He has also earned his arrow of light, which he will get next month at a special ceremony. That is the highest award you can receive in Cub Scouts. We have been so blessed with the best scout leaders, the Carpenters. They have worked so hard with Nathan and Tate. I could never thank them enough! Nathan has also earned his Webelo, gospel knot, and arrow of light, and will be getting his awards next month.
We are proud of you guys! Keep up the hard work!

The Birthday Bash

My baby is 1!


"It's my party and I'll cry if I want to..." I accidentally popped Jace in the face with his party hat rubber band thingy. Opps!


Party animals! Addison was the most excited about Jace's birthday party. She could not wait to tear into the cupcakes, and even helped Jace out with his.

Jace was actually very neat with his cupcake. He ate it all, but wasn't covered from head to toe in icing.

Happy Birthday Jace!!

I can't even believe it has been a year! We love you bubba! Happy Birthday!

Jordan and and his girlfriend, Danni, came down for a visit this last weekend. We were so excited they made the long trip so we could see Jordan before he leaves for the MTC in a couple of weeks. We went to the little water park by our house on Friday afternoon and then came home, ate, and played RockBand-that they brought with them. I totally rocked Bon Jovi's-Dead or Alive. I should have been a rockstar. The boys loved it! The babies were around, but they were too terrified of Jordan to get close enough to be in a picture. On Saturday Jordan and Danni took the big boys to Big Surf. How awesome is that! The boys worship Jordan and show it by relentlessly harassing him. I am so thankful Jordan is such a good example to them and takes time out of his life to spend time with them. I know these are memories that they will remember forever. We enjoyed getting to know Danni. She is sweet and quiet. I am sure we scared her to death. We can be a little much to take in, but we appreciate her putting up with us. We will miss you Jordan! You will do great!

Thanks a bunch!

Thanks Grandma, Grandpa, and Aunt Jenifer for the cute clothes! I really needed them. I miss you a lot! I hope you are having a fun trip!

Love, Jace

Jace is Walking

This video is kind of dark, but it gets the point across. Our little bubba is officially on the move. Although he won't be passing any sobriety tests in the near future. What a big boy!

Happy Birthday Landon!!

Lovable

Absolutely the cutest kid

Nephew

Doesn't ever meet a stranger-very friendly to everyone

Outstanding

Never a dull moment when he is around

Landon was just a baby when we moved to AZ. He has grown up so much. He started kindergarten this year. He is such a sweet kid and we wish we could see him more often. We love you buddy!

Happy Birthday Amy!!

(I stole this picture from her blog)

Fun Facts about my sister-in-law, Amy-

• She introduced me to cute boys in a neighboring stake, and drove me and other friends to their church dances.
• Let me borrow her clothes, that most of the time she never got back-SORRY!!
• She always had cool ideas for things to do.
• Had fun sleepovers
• Decorated my room with cute quotes and stories, just so I would know I was loved.
• Was my escort the first time I went through the temple.
• Lived about 4 doors down from me and would come over almost every night and hang out-I miss that
• Married my brother
• Has always been a great friend to me.

We hope you have a fabulous day!!

Messy Little Monsters

Lately I feel like I am fighting a losing battle when it comes to keeping my house clean. It feels like there is junk everywhere and all I do is move it around. The laundry remains my worst enemy, and is never done. I remember the days when I only had one kid and I mopped my floors everyday and I was always caught up on the laundry. I cling to those memories so I don't feel like a total loser when I can't remember the last time I actually cleaned my bathrooms. Addison and Jace do their best to try and keep things neat and tidy-thank goodness for that. Otherwise, we might have a real disaster on our hands. I put Addison down for a nap in the portacrib in Bradan's room the other day, because I did not want to risk her waking up Jace, who was sleeping in their room. She laid right down and I never heard a peep, but this is what I found when I went to get her up. Apparently she could reach the desk and a marker from her little baby cage, and decided to have some craft time before her nap. I love how she is trying to pretend she is upset about her artwork. She was not upset, but did let me know several times that she was "only supposed to draw on paper." She even drew on the bottoms of her feet, but not her clothes.

Then, about an hour later I was taking a poopy diaper to the outside garbage can when Jace decided he was hungry and pulled Addison's spaghetti Os off the table. I guess until I strike it rich and hire a maid, I just have to learn to embrace the fact that boring people have clean houses.

Week in Review...

Summer vacation is over, and "normal" life is back in full swing. I wish the heat left with my sanity and semi-clean house. These are some of the main happenings from our week...

• Tate and Bradan came home from KY on July 30. They started school on the 31st, and just finished up their first full week.



• Jace finally slept in his own bed in the room he shares with Addison. We are still adjusting to keeping them in the same room and asleep at the same time.



• Bradan had his first cub scout den meeting. He was super excited and will be earning his Bobcat at this month's pack meeting.



• Nathan and Tate went to the Phoenix Zoo with their scout den.



• Bradan went shopping with Grandma and Grandpa for his scriptures and CTR ring. Turning 8 has some serious bonuses.



• Grandma and Grandpa brought pizza over for dinner and spent some time visiting with us.



• Jon and I got to attend Ward Temple night together, for the first time in months.



• I got to go to the cannery and help can spaghetti sauce.

HALF-WAY!!!

Yesterday, Jon finished up his last final for his second block of the RN program. So that means he is HALF-WAY done! He has worked really hard and put in a lot of long hours studying. We appreciate the sacrafices he makes for our family and are very proud of him. 2 down 2 to go!

Bradan is 8!

I can't believe that Bradan is 8! It seems like yesterday that I was waddling my big, pregnant rear end around the block, praying that "tonight" would be the night. At about 34 weeks my dr. examined me and told me I was dilated to a 3. Holy cow! With Tate I hadn't dilated at all until the day he was born. This kid must be coming any day. I was in the YW presidency at the time and was scheduled to go to girl's camp, at the end of June. It wasn't far from home and I was tough so I decided to go ahead and go. Maybe it would put me into labor. No such luck! I made it the whole week-sleeping on a cot and using an outhouse. I came home and began my nightly walks hoping to encourage the process-with no luck. My due date was July 14th and no baby, July 16th was a full moon-that would be the night-still no baby. Finally on July 17th I went into labor about 11:30pm. We drove to the hospital and by the time we got there I could barely walk. I had not had an epidural with Tate and I had no intention of doing that again, but just my luck I was too close to delivering. No epidural-AGAIN! Needless to say, I was not happy. Bradan was born at 2:50am on Tuesday July 18, 2000. He weighed 8lbs. and 14oz. What a cow! He wanted me to know who was in control and that he would come when he was good and ready. He still likes to torture me on a regular basis, but I love him anyway.

8 GREAT things about Bradan

1. He is very artistic. He loves to draw and write stories he has made up.

2. He is pretty carefree, which I am so jealous of. He didn't inherit my anxiety. His main concern is when he is going to get to eat.

3. He LOVES lasagna! He always tells me that I am a good cook.

4. He does a great job with homework.(most of the time)

5. He loves to build things with Legos.

6. He loves his friends.

7. He is a big sports fan. (Most of the time rooting for the opposite team as Jon)

8. He is a super cool kid and we all love him very much!
My sweet little baby, just a few days old.


Always into some kind of trouble

Bradan decided he was a cowboy at the age of 2.

He loved horses and anything to do with the wild west.

He would watch the old black and white, John Wayne cowboy

movies. And knew all about the old west outlaws.