Super Fun Weekend

So, before Christmas and after Tia's birthday our Aunt Kitt came for the weekend. WAHOO!! We had such great plans it was going to be so awesome. Well it was so awesome and we did do great things, they just didn't happen how we thought they would.

Kitt arrived on Friday and shortly after she got here we took care of the one item of real business for the weekend--finding her a bed. The girls had great fun trying out all of the mattresses with Aunt Kitt. Kylee loved snuggling up close, and Tia found that a lot of beds have remotes and she loved finding them and pressing the buttons. Kitt found a bed that she liked at the first store, but we went to another one, just to double check our options. Kitt found one that had similar specks, but honestly was quite uncomfortable compared to the other one. She got them to cut the price of the bed by 50 dollars. Then she asked for a quote and then we went back to the other place. They price matched it for us and threw in free delivery. So, Kitt is getting a wonderful new bed. I told her if her future husband doesn't want it to let us know, we might. It was a really comfy bed.

Mattress shopping took a couple of hours and really the kids were so done, so we took them home and had lunch. Then we sent them off for naps. During naptime we chatted and I am sure we did something else I just can't remember what. Then when the girls woke up we played with them for awhile and then started dinner. We had sweet-n-sour chicken. After dinner the fun really began because we had another birthday party for Tia. We opened presents. Tia got her own piggy bank, which she knew exactly what do with, so Gaupo took her upstairs to get some coinage for said bank. She also got a new trampoline, a cell phone (from Kylee), and a couple Frozen things from Kitt. Tia loved all the attention and Kylee loved all the new toys.

Frozen Door hanger. It had bells and she loved making them jingle.

Hugging her piggy bank.

Kylee on the tramp. Her favorite thing to do is bum bounce.

Tia jumping on the tramp.

This is blurry, but I love that it shows motion.

After presents we had brownies and ice cream. Kitt was/is trying glutten-free so we made some black bean brownies and they were super rich and very good.

Waiting for the brownies.

This is where the girls really wanted to be--not with cake.

Kylee blowing out the candles because Tia refused to.

After all that sugar and jumping it was time for bed. Once the girls were are tucked in their beds we watched a Christmas movie. I love Hallmark Christmas movies, they just kind of make you feel good inside.

Saturday started with the girls sleeping in. I think it helped to have Kitt in their room. I think they slept longer and stayed quiet longer because they thought Kitt was still sleeping. I also got a great present on not having to rush though the morning. I slept a little, read my scriptures, and got a ready without any interruptions. Thanks Kitt. Gaupo made us some glutten free muffins which were actually really good too. After breakfast we headed over to the Merrill's to say good-bye. They were kind of in the middle of everything, but they weren't sure if they could take an armoure that they had. I said I would take it and they gave it to us. So, Bro. Jones hauled it over in his truck. They had to make two trips. While they were loading the second trip, Kitt and I unhooked all the stuff on the current entertainment center and had everything moved and cleaned up the two side pieces. So, we were ready when they got here. Gaupo ended up going back to help some more, so Kitt and I cleaned up the center piece and arranged it so it was in the center and such. It looks really good, the only thing I have a problem with is I had to move my loveseat and its kind of off to the side, so when people come they seem kind of far away. It doesn't lend as well to conversation. However, I love the shelves, and cupboards. It makes my home look cleaner and more homey. Anyway, getting this entertainment center was not on the plans, but ended up taking up most the morning which is when we were going to go to a family fun center. Oh well.

During naptime, Kitt and I went Christmas shopping. It was fun to help search for gifts and shop with my sister and no kids. We went to Bed Bath and Beyond and it was nice to not have to worry about kids pulling off and touching everything. When we got home the girls were up and ready to go, so we headed to Dizzy. (the family fun center) We had a blast climbing, jumping, sliding, bending, playing arcade games, and doing the lazer maze. Lazer maze was fun because we played the beam buster so we all went in and ran around busting all the green beams. It was great fun.

Kylee with Santa. He was at Dizzy when we got there. 

Me helping Tia off the jumbo slide.

Kylee in the ball pit.

Me and Tia climbing up.

Kylee and Tia coming down.

Kylee bouncing  and Tia trying to escape the bounce house.

After playing hard, we came home and made cauliflower pizza and regular pizza. The cauliflower pizza was actually really good. It didn't have the normal pizza texture but the flavor was good. After dinner, we had baths, sent the girls to bed and then watch another Christmas movie. We were kind of pooped from moving furniture, shopping, cleaning, cooking, and playing with kids. However, we weren't tuckered out enough to stop with one movie, so we watched another an ended up going to bed around 11:30.

Sunday we had to say good-bye to Kitt when we left for church. At church, Kylee got to go to primary where she and her friend Sebastian got the chance to play Mary and Joseph. Everyone said they did a great job.

See she is holding her baby.

Well as always, the weekend went way to fast, but at least Kitt left some insurance that she would come visit again.

Thanks Aunt Kitt for the dress-up shoes, 'carseats, and all other kinds of fun. 

We Wont Celebrate On Her Actual Birthday

This is what I told everyone. I said it so many times, but guess what? I got to excited and well we partied. Miss Tia turned two today. She has seemed like she has been two for along time, but today she is officially two. I took her into for her two year check and she is in the 90% for height which is amazing because I don't have a 90% anything close usually. She measured 2 ft.  11.75 inches. with a weight of 26.2 lbs which is 50%. Anyway, I apparently have a tall lean kid. Honestly she didn't seem that tall to me but I guess she is. Tia was a champ at her appointment. She cooperated perfectly with the doctor even going so far as to try and make it easier for him to see in her ears and nose. It was so cute to watch. Tia's development was great for gross motor skills and problem solving, but a little delay in fine motor and communication. None, of which are a real surprise. I really think she has the talent to do the fine motor things, she just moves so quick and doesn't really stick to something for very long that really she doesn't give herself the opportunity to try.

Tia is a wonderful, happy, sweet little girl. She goes and goes and goes. I honestly wonder sometimes how she keeps moving, because sometimes she is so sleep deprived I am sure that she will get whinny and cranky, but really she just goes and goes unless you tell her she can't do something--then watch out. (melt down) Anyway, the not sleeping thing is a little more recent. Hopefully it is just a stage and will soon pass. Tia loves to run, jump, laugh, climb, get into everything that is not hers. She loves to dress-up, play with Kylee, go outside, and make a mess. She loves dumping. She is not the biggest fan of cleaning up, but she LOVES dumping and is pretty good at cleaning up although she takes her sweet time. That is one thing about Tia she is really good at "not hearing" things when she doesn't want to do them. Tia is getting more and more interested in books. She can usually sit through a Fancy Nancy now, but she much prefers books about construction, trains, or animals. Tia loves undressing and putting something new on. Most days after nap time her hair is all taken out and her clothes are on different or are different altogether. She is almost always not in her pj's in the morning although if she is that is usually not good because it means there is a mess somewhere else. Usually in the bathroom--unrolled toilet paper. Tia has so many skills she can get almost anything she wants if I will let her. She is learning to color. She loves, loves her big sister, and has such a zeal for life. She is a real blessing in our lives.

Tia's speech is going well. She can now say: go, wa wa (water), ba  bye (sometimes), up, snow, book, duck, milk, off, on, Mama, Dad, moc (meaning moca the dog next door), out, cook (cookie), fish, nack (snack), more, and maybe a few more but that is mainly it. She can also now do the following sounds ruff, moo, neigh, vroom, mmm (meow), and baa. Her favorite songs are Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes; and Book of Mormon Stories. She know quite a few action songs and loves to dance to music.

So, that is the super short run down of Tia. I know it seems long, but trust me this girl is amazing and I could go on and on, but we need to get onto how we didn't celebrate her birthday (wink wink).

Last night I made Tia birthday sign, and blew up four balloons. I left the balloons on the couch with Grandpa-Great's birthday card. I also left a little bag in her room with a new shirt she could wear. She was half dazed when I saw her first this morning, but she had the bag. I held her and showed her what was in it. She seemed pretty out of it, but when I tried to put the shirt away she didn't want it in the bag. I helped her but it on. Then she still seemed kind of tired, so I cuddled her and then took her to my room and let her lay in my bed, while I read my scriptures. I love it when this girl cuddles. It is so awesome.

When she finally got to go downstairs she was so excited about the balloons. I wish I could show you the picture, but she isn't properly clad. We were still waiting for the steroid cream and lotion to dry a little getting her dressed. Anyway, her and Kylee played with those while Gaupo went out and shoveled the driveway (we got like 8inches of snow last night). When he got back in it was time to go to the doctor. So Gaupo took us there and we were hoping to get done in time for swim lessons, but we ended up not making it. Kylee was so sad. Anyway, we came home and a quick b-day breakfast of cheese eggs, toast, and hot chocolate. Then Tia opened her card from Grandpa-Great. She sure didn't want to let that 2 dollar bill out of her sight.

Here she is opening the envelope.

Then she opened her present from Gaupo and I of a basketball hoop and ball. (I actually found the hoop on the side of the road. I cleaned it up and it looks great. We do have another present for her because I didn't know we would have this one, but we haven't picked it up yet so she didn't get it today.) Anyway, the girls played with the ball and hoop for a bit and then played some more downstairs.

Opening her ball.

Slam dunk!

Playing with the hoop.

Then it was time to send Gaupo to work, so we had scriptures and prayers and let Tia open her gift from Oma. Tia loves her baby. It is so cute to watch her play with it. She will hold it, kiss it, love it, poke it eyes and nose, and the cutest thing is when she tickles it. Anyway, after she opened that Gaupo left for work and the girls played for a bit and then we had lunch and naps.

Opening it up. She is actually very good at getting that wrapping paper off.

It is a baby. It has dark hair, eyes, and skin just like Tia.

Pushing baby in the stroller.

Then when sister took over her stroller, she pushed the lawn mower.

Kylee rocking her baby. Tia getting all her presents was a little hard for Kylee, but she really did good.

During nap time I figured that we had started celebrating we might as well do it right. So I made brownies, so I could make a snowman. Well as I started a fiasco began. I got a phone call wondering what we should do about our activity. After about a bazillion phones calls we had everything worked out to keep it going and I get another call saying we might cancel it because the bishop thinks the roads are unsafe. So, after all that work it ended up being cancelled, so I had to undo a lot of the work, but it probably was for the best and I got to have a great night with my kids and write this post. So, it took me forever to make this "cake" because I had so many interruptions, but I got it done. Luckily Tia's birthday dinner was pancakes, so it was easy to whip that up in time for Gaupo to join us. I wasn't quite ready when Gaupo got home and the girls needed a distraction, so we had Tia open her present from Grandma and Grandpa. That was just long enough to have the pancakes finish and then eat dinner and do cake.

Opening Grandma and Granpa's present--a game.

Blowing out the candles.

I was a little worried with this closeness, but she did great.

She got one candle out and tired a couple of times with this one, but then refused to do it anymore.. So, everyone else did it instead.

 Sadly, Gaupo had to rush back to work and the house was a mess, but I decided there was a more important matter to attend to. That was to not let the perfectly good snow that the girls had been wanting to play in all day go to waste. So, I bundled those girls up in there new to them snow clothes and we headed out to the sledding hill. It took Tia some time to warm up to it, but she found she could just roll over when she felt unsafe and then she was more than happy to take her turn on the disc. However, after awhile I guess she got bored because she decided to take of her gloves and play with her hands in the snow. This of course got very cold and ended up hurting her hands really bad. Needless to say we had to go home and quick, but Kylee did get to make one snow angel before she went in. They did get to sled quite a few times, and it was really fun. (sorry no pics of the snow fun. With only me it is too hard to take pics and sled with two kids at night.)

Then I had to clean up the mess of the house. So, the girls watch some Thomas. This is one of the few shows Tia will watch for like 5 minutes. They watched that and then helped clean up their toys and stuff. When everything was put away we decided to play the game we got from Grandma and Grandpa. It was a pretty fun game. Then we went upstairs to finish the laundry, do baths, and go to bed. Boy it has been a day, but a great day. I can't believe all the celebrating we did on a day I didn't think would be good for a birthday celebration and truly we aren't done yet, we will do more this weekend when our Aunt Kitt is here.However, it has been so fun. Tia is such a fun girl and just played and did so well on her Birthday. She never ceases to amaze me. So, glad we have her and that we could celebrate being two.

Thanksgiving 2015

It is already the 8th of December and I am barely blogging about Thanksgiving. Part of it is because when we got back there were things to do, but also a big part is that it is really easy to procrastinate things if they are outside of my 'normal' routine. So, here is goes.

This year Guapo caved and let me attend the last Allen Brady Thanksgiving. We left Wednesday morning for Utah. We left around 7 and got to Mapleton around 2:30 or 3. Anyway, we made great time. We only stopped twice. Which is kind of amazing considering Kylee isn't in a diaper. We didn't really only plan to stop twice, but they were always asleep when it would be convenient to stop, so we just didn't. The kids did great in the car. I read them a couple of stories and we sang a few songs, but other than that they entertained themselves, which was AWESOME!! Because we got there so early we got lots of time to chat and just kind of easy into everything. It was great. That night kind of late Klaire, Spencer, Lisa, Josh, Kitt, and I played Partini. It was fun to play. It has kind of been awhile since I have had time to play games at night with my Brady cousins. Usually I am with them at reunion, so we are sleeping in a cabin and my kids get way scared if I am not with them.So, it was fun to relax, chat, and play.

Thursday dawned bright and early. I hate sharing a room with my kids. Man, they are so noisy when they wake up and Tia was up at like 6:00. Which true, I am normally up at that time, but I went to bed late and usually when I am up that early I am alone, its my quiet time. But no, not this trip. Man she found a block that had balls in it and so it was like a rattle. She was just shaking that, and touching my stuff. Kylee was up too and she was talking, wanting her clothes, and being silly with Tia. It was so loud. Oh well. Anyway, our day got started nice and early. We got up and got ready. I don't really in what order things happened, but most of the morning was spent watching kids play, helping prep thanksgiving dinner. Gaupo and I made super good gravy. I also got to help with the potatoes and get some crispy turkey skin. I loved the fact that my kids would play with other kids, so I didn't have to entertain them, I just had to check on them. For the feast we went over to the clubhouse in my cousin Brady's neighborhood. It was the perfect size for 52-ish people to sit and have a meal and play together. We had a marvelous feast, talked, went to the park, watched football, heard a mission report from my cousin Spencer, visited, ate again, and then cleaned up. It was a little crazy, but so very fun to see everyone. That night was kind of a late night too, but really not too bad.

All of us gathered together.

Jack, Mom, Me, and Lindsay cutting the pies.

The football game. That will be one sad part about not getting this large group together...the football games will be far smaller. My dad is in the red jacket.

Grandpa-Great, Kitt, Lindsay, Klaire, Mom, Aunt Karen, Lisa, Matthew and I think Erica watching the football game.

Friday after Thanksgiving is one of my favorite days, because the family is still all together, but you don't have to worry about making a huge meal. You can just be together. This year the Friday after was not quite as laid back because we got to witness and Gaupo got to participate in the blessing of Baby Ross. It was so fun to be a part of that wonderful event. I loved witnessing it. True I marveled at the difference between Ross's blessing and Dereks, but also felt the same spirit at both. It is always so marvelous to see a worthy Father take his son and give him a name and a blessing. I am so glad we got to go. After the blessing we had cookies and milk. Then we went back to my Aunt Gaylynn's and had lunch and just kind of hung around if I remember right. We got the kids down for naps, and played scattergories. I played a little longer than I should have, so my Guapo was left tending the kids which was not his preference of activities because he wanted to be where the game was happening. I tend to forget that, so I am hoping by writing it down next time that situation arises I can be more aware. That night we went downstairs and had about an hour of just Bryce time. The cousins exchange dollar presents and we had a story and a little activity. Then we went back upstairs and put our kids to bed. Then talked and visited with the Jensen's again. That night was a late one, because Spencer, Klaire, Kitt, and I stayed up talking till Midnight. It was a great visit, but man it was a rough morning.

Saturday morning we were suppose to leave and it was snowing. This worried everyone a little bit, and we chickened out and didn't go home. It turns out I-80 was perfectly fine, but honestly the webcams weren't showing it being clear, and it was snowing on either side, so how was I suppose to know. Anyway, we stayed and had a good time. It was my cousin's son's birthday party, so everyone went to the Provo Rec Center to go swimming. Luckily my cousin had extra swimsuits for the girls, and my aunt had an extra for me. Gaupo doesn't like swimming, so he just tagged along. (he promised me he was fine with this) The Provo Rec Center is so cool. it has a fast lazy river, a rock climbing wall over a pool, a pretty fun kid area, 2 big water slides, and a pool just to hang out it. It was so fun. My kids had a great time. My sisters were champs in helping me with my kids so I could try some of the cool stuff like rock climbing and then jumping off into the water and the water slides. It was really fun. My kids were exhausted after. So, we took them home and fed them real food and put them down for a nap. It was super fun. During that nap time we visited and I think we played catch phrase or something. It was really fun. Then we had dinner which was followed by more playing and visiting. I actually don't remember Saturday night too well, but I am sure we had a good time.

Kylee and Betty Jane. (I don't know if these were from Saturday, but they are from this trip)

These two love playing together and actually do very good at it.

Sunday we went to church. Then came home and the girls took naps and my siblings and I just hung around and talked. We also played Taboo and tried to come up with a dessert for dinner. Then we had dinner which a was fun and then we visited and chatted some more. Kylee took a really good nap that day so she was trying to fall asleep, but just really wasn't tired, so we let her get up and come play with Betty Jane and Allen some more before they left for the night. Sundays are so great because there is nothing really going on so the day can just happen. They really are a day of rest and such a great day of the week.

Betty, Allen, and Kylee playing late into the night.

Monday we finally came home. The roads and weather were good the whole way. The girls did really good again. We did stop for lunch this time, and we did make a couple extra potty stops, but hey it happens and really they were very good in the car. We got to bring Kitt home with us and that was great too. She helped us set up the Christmas tree and other stuff when we got home. She was a really sport to hang out with us ALL day. We loved it.

Stopped by the Ft. Collins Temple on the way home. So excited for this temple.

The whole family getting in on the action.

Kylee helping with lights.

Gaupo and Tia putting on the star.

So, that is the really quick run down of Thanksgiving. It was so good to be with so much family. I really loved being together. I loved being able to visit, play, cook, and relax. It was so nice to be at my Aunt Gaylynn's home. Her house is a very comfortable place for me where I always feel welcome. (and I don't get to visit very often so it was an extra special treat)

Getting back to life has been a little crazy. One because life is a little busy, but also because Tia has been a little crazier since. She is starting to wind down, but man it was a little crazy. It was like she could be good for a minute and then she would just go do something crazy and usually bad. However, I think we are starting to normalize which for her is still very busy, and crazy but it is different.

It is kind of weird going through the holidays and knowing that I am not pregnant and I would have been, and that when its all over there is no waiting for Derek to come. I remember thinking that the holidays seemed so far away and here I am. It is so crazy how time has literally FLOWN by. I am kind of amazed at how I am still affected by Derek's death. I honestly thought that it wouldn't change anything, but it has and always will. However, for the most part it has brought me more peace, joy, and contentment than I had before. Every time I see my girls I see them for the miracle and blessing they are. I am all the more grateful for my role as a mother. I am also grateful that I am part of a family both the HUGE ones and the itty-bitty one we have right here. I feel like I can see the blessings more clearly instead of just seeing all the problems that they cause, because lets be honest here...Motherhood is not easy and never will be. Some days you honestly want a good solid break from them. Also being part of a family isn't easy, but with all those hard things are some the richest blessings you can ever receive.

Yeah for Christmas. This wonderful time of year when we get to focus on the wonderful birth of Christ. The story of baby boy born, to save the world not only from sin, but from never ending heartache, and pain, so that instead we can be filled with peace, promises of eternity, and hope.