Going home, my home to go.

Grandma Julie said she wasn't a true grandma if she didn't bake some cookies for her grandson. We took them with us to the airport. They were a LIFE SAVER! We were able to use them to calm Brady down in flight. They also came in handy when the pressure changed and he needed his ears to pop. Thanks Grandma Julie!

"So, Brady, what do you think about the cookies?"

Pose!
"We love eating cookies!"

"Um, yes, that is the answer."

"This cookie is definately good."

"What do YOU think Mommy?"

"I like them too, Brady!"
p.s. This is my skinny face.

Brady got to sit in the cock-pit with the pilot. Look at all the buttons to push and knobs to turn!!

We did have a good trip. Thanks to everyone for making time to see us. Thanks to those who fed us. We miss ya'll and hope to see you sometime in the next year. Oh and I forgot to thank the Quinneys in my last post for hosting a fun party.

Fun at Wheeler Farm

We went to Wheeler Farm on vacay. It was neat to see the animals. I wish there was more to actually do, but that's what you get when you just pop in with no cash on hand. On to the fun! Ashton was down for a nap (toddlers have their OWN schedual, you know) so Carl, K-Dub (that's what Brady calls Kaleb), and I went to see the animals.

I noticed this neat duck!

I like to call him Afro-Duck.

The boys saddled up for some pictures

Okay, my turn!



That's my hot cowboy!

I remember this tree house from when we visited in elementary. The hole to get into the upper room seemed A LOT smaller!!

Brady and Kaleb sitting in the wagon.

Cute Kaleb wanted a picture just by himself.

It was a fun trip to the farm. It brought back some memories for me. I hope it made some memories for our family and Kaleb.

Fun at the Valley Fair Mall Playground

We went with Grandpa Kehl to the mall. They had a pretty neat playground. It kept Brady entertained for quite a while!

I will get us there in two minutes!

The Brady's on the bus go...Peek-A-Boo!!

Let me help you out there, Daddy.

Weee! Look how fast we goin' !!

I know we've been home from vacation for a month now. We'll get caught up soon, I hope!

WARNING: Scrapbooking can be hazardous to your health

Mommy stayed up WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY too late scrapbooking. This is what happened the next day.

Rub my tummy jewel for good luck!!

Carl's Assignment

Being totally honest, my work may look very ordinary. But I can tell you it's full what I feel is important to me. In the last two years, my marriage with my wife, Stephanie, my religion, which is shown behind the wedding picture, and my son, Brady, have become the center of my world. I don't get out much because I like to spend every moment I can with them. But those who know me will tell you everything I do, whether it's my work, my schooling, the grocery shopping I do, the chores I perform at home, and the service I provide to our church, is all done for my family and the betterment to my life. It brings me so much satisfaction to know that my life is completely transparent with my families. Sure I like to enjoy my personal time, but not nearly as much as I used to. If I would have done this before he was born, there was much more to show you. But understanding the importance of my family has changed my life permanently.

The Hostes with the Mostes

The advantages of going on vacation to somewhere you know people is tha you'll rarely have to pay for a hotel. I think if we ever go to Santiago, Chile, for example, we've got a place to stay.

Brady and I shacked up with my parents for the first 10 or so days. I got kicked out of the room because Brady would wake up, see me in bed, and cry "mommy, mommy." We got very little sleep that first night. Mom & Dad had a playset Brady could swing and slide on. There was a piano in the living room that got used quite often. But Brady had to be quite and not play until sleepy Aunt Tiffany woke up. They also had duh, duh, duuuuuuuuuuh STAIRS!! He mastered the art of stair climbing and decending. Mom even dug out some toys and cleaned them up for Brady to play with. And he did. We had a good time at Mom and Dads.

For the second half of our vacation we stay with our friends, the Snells. With Carl coming we needed a bit more room. Brady LOVED playing with Ashton and Kaleb. The Snells house was probably a paradise for Brady. There were cars, trucks, motorcycles, helicopters and star wars ships galore! New toys to play with, besides the afore mentioned, and a piano! Brady and Ashton did some pretty good duet performances. They even assisted April, Ashton on the low keys and Brady up high. We accompanied the Snells garage saleing on Saturday morning. One of their finds was Rummikub. That's an awesome game! April and I manned nursery in her ward the first Sunday I was with them. I am so used to just stepping up and filling in that I think I may have overstepped my bounds by taking charge. Opps. Sorry April.

Carl and I really enjoyed our time with the Snells. It was a great relief to me to have a safe and entertaining place for Brady to play. So thanks for giving up your basement for a while so we could crash there. We'll gladly return the favor anytime you're out our way.

Rub-a-dub dub, Three Boys in a Tub. And who do you think they be?

The Kaleb, The Ashton, The Brady Alma. Turn them out, squirts all three.

Brady LOVED running on the trampoline!

The boys would run around in circles. That net was awesome. The boys would run into it and bounce right off.

This Video is funny, I think. Brady would fall down and then Ashton would "fall" right beside him. There were even a couple of head on colissions. They thought it was hilarious.

Oquirrh Mountain Temple Open House

We got to go to the open house of the newest LDS Temple: Oquirrh Mountain. It is a beautiful place, as all the temples are. While we were waiting for the video to start Brady was looking at the pamphlet that was handed out. Inside it has photos of inside the temple. One of the photos was of a waiting area and had a painting of Jesus on the wall. It was pretty small and hard to see. Brady pointed to the painting and said, "Jesus." I was so overwhelmed. My son had just recognized Christ. I don't know if he's seen that particular painting before either.

The spirit of the Holy Ghost touched me. I realized what I am teaching my son is right. It was confirmed to me the sacredness and holiness of the temples. They are a place where we leave the world behind. We enter and perform sacred ordinances for ourselves, and return to perform them for those who have passed on. Those spirits are free to choose to accept the work or not.

I was happy to be there with my mother and father. I was sad that my little sister didn't join us. It's a rare opportunity for the public to see the interior of a temple, even in Utah.

Brady was on my lap as I was writing my Visiting Teaching message for the sisters I visit. We were looking at some temples on the internet. He said to me, "I need temples." I think he does know how true that is. I pray that he will be able to enter into a House of God when the time comes. I am thankful that at this young age he has a love for temples already.

The bottom-center photo is of us in front of the corner stone of the temple. Notice it has no grout around it. It will be sealed in place at the dedication. I really love to see the temple.

Cucumbers a plenty

Why did we plant cucumbers???? The only way to eat them (that I know of) is raw, in a green salad or tomato salad. I've got WAY too many to use up in green salad and no good recipie for cucumber/tomato salad. At least with zuchinni you can put it in cakes and cookies and bread and stuff. Anyone got a suggestion on what to do with them?