too much to blog!

*a small disclaimer* I don't know how this has happened- for all the good friends I have seen and spent time with since i have been home... i somehow haven't taken pictures of it! So i promise I love you all and don't mean to leave you off the blog and will be better with the camera.

Troy- this one is for you to see because Braden is so proud of the train he has put together and pulls all around the house. Thanks so much to brooka for loaning us the leggos- they have been a huge hit.



A very sad goodbye. The time finally came when Millie just wasn't doing so well. She had quit eating so it was time to say goodbye. She will be missed.... although in her old age I don't think my parents will miss her being blind, deaf, and peeing on the carpet when she felt like it :) I know many of my friends will miss the little rat dog that she was :)



nana and papa's hot tub has been a huge hit. We are in it everyday. I love these pics with the steam coming off. I am sure the neighbors think we are nuts but Braden would live in the "hot swimming pool" if I let him.




Although a little chilly out, we decided to brave the cold and headed to the zoo. this is such a great zoo in utah. A lot of the animals were away for the winter, but we still were able to see plenty and both kids had so much fun. Braden was a little obsessed with the elephants and our first time around they weren't out. Thank goodness they came out before we headed home. I think we would have heard about it for the next week if we hadn't seen them.









Troy came in for a quick weekend trip. It was so great to see him!! The kids had a blast with him here (well maybe sledding wasn't so much Camirons thing). We had a great time catching up and the weekend went way to fast. Now we have to be patient until we see him again at the end of march. Try telling a 2 year old to be patient! Especially Braden who does not have a patient bone in his hyper body!








There has not been a lack of snow since we have been here. If it wasn't so cold... it would almost be fun. At home Braden loves to shovel rocks- in Utah he doesn't seem to let the cold get in his way and is out shoveling snow any chance he gets. I will claim my work on the snow cave though. after a huge snow he had me out there with him at 8 am- ugh!








the kids- hanging with the grandparents. I just love those captured moments!





We visited Clay and Sharon and had a great time with their baby lambs and tractors. Braden was in heaven. He was so excited to go to the "petting zoo" as he called it. Thanks Clay and Sharon!

Happy Birthday Camiron

Camiron you have become such a beautiful little girl! you are at such a fun stage and just loved the attention for your birthday. We had a little birthday celebration at Grandma Pam's house with the cousins. you loved the cake...
On your birthday we had another celebration at nana and papas house. You dad sent a big bouquet of balloons for you since he can't be here. They have been a huge hit!
Here are a few things that I love about you- and that you can do by one.
* You were walking by 10 months... so you are busy busy busy.
*Even when Braden pushes you down, you still follow him around looking for fun.
* you love food. You sift through my diaper bag until you find a bag of snacks and bring it to me and scream until I open it and give you some!
*You follow around Grandma Pams 5 huge dogs like you own them and think they are your personal toys.
*You have such a dainty clap- and are happy to give a clap and smile for any attention.
* you love books, anytime you find one you bring it to me and if i won't sit and read it, you just keep handing it to me over and over until i will read with you.
there is so much more... but we just want you to know we love you and happy first birthday!

bring on the cousins... snow... snot... Utah here we are!

We made it to Utah in one piece! I can't believe we are here. I have never been so cold in my life! since we aren't quite used to the cold... we have all gotten a little sick. But sick or not- bring on the fun! Cousins are the best! We have had a great time with all the koch cousins. Grandmas house is so much more fun than home. Braden has played hard with all the cousins, and Camiron has just played hard. So I don't bore you with all the pics- look fast. I will be posting a lot since Troy won't get to see the kids for 2 months and this is the best way to keep him up to date. So if you aren't Troy- sorry if you are bored. If you are troy- we love you! :)