Quilt Giveaway

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End of Summer

The last month or so of summer consisted of hiking, running, and riding bikes of course. We are proud to announce Camden became Fully potty-trained this summer!! Hip Hip Hooray! Way to go little Man!
Brady and the boys competed in some fun run races the month of August at a park downtown . Tayson took 4th place two out of three weeks for his age group. I ran with Camden, and Brady ran alongside Tayson, hense we have no pictures of them actually racing. Brady then ran the bigger race later on in the evening each day. The boys had a blast cheering him on.

Hiking again at some beautiful Falls. Seriously one of the most beautiful places to live by.

Tayson riding his bike. Every day he is coming up with new tricks to impress us. Riding with one hand, going off curbs and now he is trying to pop a wheely as he goes off the curbs. So far...no injuries.

Camden found an old snow beenie of his a couple weeks ago and became attached to it and wore it everywhere, no matter the temperature. So of course he still had to wear it with his helmet while riding his bike. This summer he has really figured out how to ride by himself, without needing to be pushed or get stuck. He loves riding now, and it is so fun to watch the progress he has made.

Checking the mail- a daily ritual

They say they get so tired riding their bikes so they will stop for a periodic nap on the sidewalk at times, sometimes every 20 feet.

Tayson bought a flower plant at farmers market this summer that he is SOOO proud of. He didn't want anything that produced fruit or vegetables, he just wanted flowers. On occasion he will pick one and give it to mommy. He is such a Sweetheart!

Camden being silly walking around with his t-shirt over his knees.

Camden LOVES to run, if you click the picture I think it might enlarge and you can see the pure joy on this kid's face.

Tayson loves to take pictures with his camera, especially if dad is taking pictures too. Wants to be just like dad.

Camden posing for one of Tayson's pictures.

Tayson pretending to be a pirate.

Tayson and his funny faces. He keeps us laughing!

Tayson is also playing soccer right now, though it is more of a soccer practice type thing. He doesn't play a game, he just gets to learn skills with dad by his side. Not sure just how much they expect these little kids to learn. Tayson keeps talking about how he wants to play an actual soccer game, but he has to be in kindergarten to do that. Hopefully next year.

Other updates: Brady still LOVES his job and is learning a ton, which we are very grateful for. The boys and I go to the park at least twice a week while the weather is still WONDERFUL! It hasn't rained much at all, so I'm sure I'm in for a rude awakening when winter really hits. Hopefully we'll adjust, but for now we'll enjoy the great weather. Tayson also starts preschool Oct. 14th with he is SOOO excited about it. He tells Camden all the time that he is going to learn all kinds of things, the most random things. He will even at times tell Camden he has to practice some sort of trick at home in preparation for school. I'm just hoping he isn't disappointed when he doesn't get to learn some of the things he wants to learn. He has the mindset that he will be learning everything there is to know about everything when he goes to preschool. He is SOOO ready to go, and I'm excited for him. Well, that's all for now.

Trip to Seattle last weekend

Pike's Fish Market in Seattle, also ended up being the biggest BYU tourist location on Friday afternoon. We saw SOOOO many BYU fans. Maybe it had something to do with the weekend?
Boys checking out the lobster tails, yum!
Space Needle
A fountain near the space needle that Tayson had a ball running through. Everyone was just hanging out around the fountain watching it, and then suddenly there was a four year old running through it over and over again. He even convinced daddy to run through it too, and got Camden to near the end. He had a blast, but needless to say he was SOAKED!!! Fortunately the weather was Beautiful in Seattle while we were there, so the water felt good.
We were fortunate that Brady's cousin, Sally, and her family invited us to stay with them and we had a blast. They were so generous and kind. Thank you again guys!

They have a little girl, Aubrey, who is Camden's age, and a boy Jared, who is 6. The boys needless to say had a blast and made new best friends to say the least. We've never seen Camden play SOOO well with another kid. They went into our bedroom near bedtime and told me they wanted to shut the door while they played. I went in to check on them later and found them hanging out and playing, and pretending to go to sleep in the playpen.

Tayson and Jared
And here is the main reason we chose to go the weekend that we did...... None other than
BYU vs Washington Huskies football game. Brady was ECSTATIC knowing they were coming to Seattle so he bought tickets as soon as he could. Fortunately they WON, so the trip was definitely a success! Its not as enjoyable if they lose cause then I deal with a grumpy husband the rest of the day.

Tayson and Daddy hanging out at the game.

Our family at the game. They weather was hot and sunny, not usual for Seattle of course, so we hadn't brought sunscreen and left with lovely sunburns, but it was worth it, and we had great seats.

The boys picked blackberries just outside the stadium after the game. A funny story....a couple months after we moved to Oregon, we went to a farmer's market and Brady wanted to get some berries for smoothies. Blackberries were the cheapest, so we bought some. Little did we know, blackberries grow like weeds in the Northwest. They are EVERYWHERE, why would you ever want to pay money for them, when they line the streets, parks, stadiums, etc? We even have a few across the road from our apartment. We've learned our lesson.

Tayson and Jared playing after the game in the parking lot while we waited for traffic to diminish (though it never did).

One exhausted little boy by the time we headed back to the house after the game.

Camping in Astoria

So I realize it is about time I update. Now that it has been a while, we have sooo many pictures I want to add, that it will take a while to catch everyone up. These are pics from our camping trip to Astoria the end of July/beginning of Aug. The above pic was taken in Astoria, the northwest tip of Oregon. It is gorgeous to say the least. The following pics are not in particular order.

Tayson hanging out on a rock at one of the beaches we stopped at between Astoria and home.

The boys and I at a beach in Seaside, OR

Tayson and Camden

Camden

Tayson hanging out by the campfire

Camden chillin' by the campfire while Tayson and Mommy were riding bikes around the campground.

Minigolf at the KOA.

The big "jumping pillow" at the KOA.

The boys LOVED IT!! KOA's seriously are the best!

Checking out a historic site at the Lewis and Clark Fort.

The boys at the Lewis and Clark fort.

Please Pray for Little Ellie

I know I have done this before for another friend, but I want to do it again, as I believe any and all prayers will help. My friend Brittani, some of you might know her or remember her as she and I worked together at Alpine Storage, gave birth to her third girl almost 2 months early. Little Ellie is doing very well compared to most preemies and is breathing on her own, which is SOOO awesome, but once again, she needs to be home with her Mommy and Daddy and sisters. I have never been through anything like what Brittani is going through or like my friend Kira has gone through, but it Breaks my heart to think of having to leave the hospital without your baby in your arms. We hope and pray Ellie can go home in her mommy's arms sooner rather than later. She is so beautiful and such an angel and Such a Fighter! She seems so strong, which is not a surprise knowing how strong her mommy is. Hang in there Ellie, Brittani and family. The Lord is watching over you guys. We love you!

Since being back

Well, a not so quick update since we got back: Brady and I had to speak on Sunday the 27th in our ward (the boys and I got back from Utah on Wednesday), so the rest of that week was needless to say, STRESSFUL! Glad to have it over with. Tayson even got up when Brady gave his talk and recited one of the articles of faith with Brady's help, as part of Brady's talk. He was so brave and did a great job and we are proud of him. We then went camping last weekend in Astoria, OR (very northwest corner of Oregon). It was Beautiful to say the least! It was fun to finally check out the coast, and yes, the Tillamook Cheese Factory on the way home. Now we are ready to stop traveling for a while.
Tayson continues to make us laugh with his random comments. He had the comment of the MONTH on Sunday. Here is what he said while sitting on the toilet:
"Dad, how about after I'm done here, we do something that is better than popsicles....We go outside and play?" Where did that come from? It was quite the random comment.
Camden has really kicked in the terrible twos lately. I'm not sure what is going on, but I'm going Nuts to say the least. He now screams, throws fits, etc too (he didn't do it much before, or at least not nearly as bad). He has always been our stubborn child, but boy is he letting it be known now! This is usually how just about every conversation goes now with him:
Camden: "Mommy?"
Me: "yes?"
Camden: " I want a cookie (or whatever it is he wants at the time) please"
Me: "Okay, but you can only have one (or if he's had a lot already, only one more okay?)"
Camden: "No two"
Me: "No just one"
Camden "okay" and eats it. after eating it "Mommy I want another cookie (or treat)."
Me: "No more sweetheart"
Camden: "Mommy?"
Me: "Yes?"
Camden: "I want another cookie"
Me: "Camden I know you want another one but you can't have another one"
Camden: "Ooohhhh" .... "Mommy?"
Me: "Yes?"
Camden: "I want another cookie."
And then at this point I generally have no more patience and I yell. Many times I try to be patient longer and the conversation just continues as above, it's never ending. Brady was laughing this weekend while we were camping at just how persistant this little dude is. What do I do? If I give in, then he will know he can get what he wants eventually, but if I don't, he still continues on and on and on. He is Great at testing the waters, and he's only 2. My mom cursed me as a teenager that I would have a girl just like me, but I think since I don't have a girl, I got a boy to give me a run for my money.
Also everything the past two weeks sets him off and he cries and whines about everything, and now throws fits in stores, etc. Not sure if he is lacking sleep or what, he acts like it, but still seems to be sleeping fine? I did notice last week though that he is getting his two year old molars, so I don't know if that has something to do with it. Hope so, only because it means, maybe things will improve sooner rather than later. I can hope right? I told Brady the other night, it is a good thing he is such a cute kid, especially when he is sleeping. I love to look at him sleeping in his bed before I go to bed to be reminded what a sweetheart he is or at least can be at times.

Couple other pics from Utah trip

Tayson and Ainsleigh riding with Papa on Nana and Papa's quadricycle. They love this thing. My parents actually bought this when I was in junior high I think. We went on a vacation to San Diego and they rode one of these at a resort there and when we got back they decided to get their own. To be honest, I was a VERY stubborn teenager and I thought this thing was so ugly and embarrasing to be seen on as a teenager, so I never rode it. I still don't think I have ever been on it. I know, I'm pathetic. My younger sisters both rode on it growing up with their friends and loved it. I just thought I was TOO COOL growing up I guess. Pathetic. The boys at least love it now though. I had the chance to catch up with a friend from high school days while we were in Utah, though we never went to high school together. Ryan and I actually met at EFY over 10 years ago and became good friends though we went to rival high schools. I hadn't seen him since their wedding reception four or five years ago. We got back in contact through blogging, and his wife, Meagan, and I became friends that way. It was nice to finally get to know her in person, other than just a congrats in the wedding line. She is SO awesome and sweet and they have the cutest little boy Jase who is SO smiley! They are now moving to Boston for dental school, so it was fun to see them before they take off for 4-6 more years. Maybe one day we'll have to make our way back out to Boston for another vacation since that is where I nannied way back when. Good luck with the big move you guys and thanks for taking time to stop by and for sending the pic.