Sweet Adelaide

 This is our beautiful daughter Adelaide.  She was born on November 19, 2012.  She was 9 lbs 3 oz, and 21 inches long.  Even though she was a whopper, newborns always seem small, don't they?  Through a series of uncommon, and very unfortunate circumstances, little Adelaide was born after being without oxygen for several minutes, and her perfect little body was unable to recover.  She passed away that same day.  We held a little service for her on the 21st, and buried her in the Rexburg Cemetery.  I think it's important to focus on her precious life and what we know about eternity.  Our family has been talking about the Plan of Salvation, including Heavenly Father's plan in which we come to earth to get bodies. 

 Adelaide got her body- which was perfect in every way.

 We were so grateful that my sisters were able to come be with us that day.

 See how she barely fit into this newborn onesie?  She was born with little rolls on her legs.

 Family photo

 We were also so grateful that Richard's parents were able to come along with Morgan and Bryan.

 My sister-in-law Shirell had already planned to make her blessing dress, and she hurried and made it so Adelaide could wear it.  The dress was perfect, and she looked absolutely beautiful.  It was such a sacred experience to be able to hold this precious girl, straight from Heavenly Father.  And then, after too short of a time, she went right back to be with Heavenly Father.  We are so grateful to have such a precious daughter, and we will miss her so much. 

After we named her Adelaide, our sister found that her name means "Exalted", and we have also found that it means "noble" and "kind"

On the Bright Side

After an incredible concert last night, Richard and I decided we better put together a list of the amazing opportunities we have had since being up here in Rexburg.  So, here it is, according to my memory:



The Drowsy Chaperone (a HILARIOUS musical)

The Mikado (also hilarious- just not all caps hilarious)

Bill Cosby live (awe. some.)
Alex Boye

The Piano Guys

Extravadance (a BYU-I thing, but amazing dances)

The Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square (last night- so great and inspiring)

Halloween Concerts each year (BYU-I Symphony does a themed concert every year for Halloween)

plus other great concerts

 

The thing is, although we are SO EXCITED to someday be done with school, some of the things we get to see here are opportunities we probably wouldn't have elsewhere, because as students we get to go for cheap.  The most expensive thing we have gone to was Bill Cosby, and that was only $15/ea.  It's amazing, and one of the things I am grateful for during our time here.  Up this semester: The Canadian Brass!  If you haven't heard of them, look them up.  They are pretty awesome, and world renowned.  I happen to have an amazing dad who raised us on music such as this, and yes, I called to brag a little first thing this morning.  The only issue is this- the concert is exactly 1 week after our little girl is due.  We'll buy tickets just in case...

 

We. Are. Blessed.

Birthday Tribute

Today is my wonderful husband's birthday.  To celebrate, we invited all the neighbors over for milk and doughnuts.  Don't worry about Richard- we had almond milk for him.  Even better!  I am so blessed to be married to such a hard working, selfless person.  I am constantly amazed at his not only willingness to serve, but also at the fact that he is always looking for ways to help someone.  He is a fantastic dad, and it is clear that he LOVES his kids.  These boys adore their dad, and it's obvious every time he walks into the door after work or school.  I'm so grateful to him for being willing to go to school, even though it is something he truly did not want to do, and still doesn't love it.  It'll pay off, honey!  Our family is so blessed to have him as our leader, and I am so thankful that we are together forever!  I love you, Richard!  Hope your day was fantastic!

Halloween practice

So, Richard decided he wants to be a zombie for Halloween this year.  All he needed to do to get this fabulous look was sweep out the coal room up on campus all day!  Actually, Richard doesn't really ever consider dressing up as anything for Halloween, but for some cheap costume make-up...

 Richard kept calling me into the bathroom while he was showering to see if he had gotten it all... yeah.  It took a while until he didn't look like he'd been crying his mascara off for hours.

Not to be left out, Brady wanted to stand and pose where Daddy did.  Never will I dress this one up as a zombie.  He's too cute and sweet.

Just some fun pics

 This boy is tricky- he refuses help with eating, and most of the time he won't eat anything that's not a treat.  We're working on it...

 Ehhh, what's up, Doc?

I kept meaning to take pictures of our garden, but I never did, and now we've already had a night where it froze, so it's black and ugly.  Fortunately, we had already harvested tons of yellow squash and zucchini, cucumbers, beans, and peas.  The pumpkins are still hanging in there, and we covered the tomatoes so hopefully they'll keep producing.  The carrots are flourishing, and this little one loves to just munch on them.  Fine with me!

 Awww...

 Richard's grandparents (Grammy and Papa) met us at the IF Temple on their way home from Salmon.  It was so great to see them!

Our little cowboy- Brady disappeared for a few minutes at Walmart a couple of weeks ago, and came back with this hat.  Richard couldn't resist!

 Where's your belly?

We love these boys!

I'm realizing that we have hardly any pics of me- which is completely fine!  I'm usually the one behind the camera, but with my nearly 7 month prego belly, I'm not too into having my picture taken these days!  This little girl seems to be all knees and elbows, and she moves A LOT.  We are so excited to meet her!  A few of the names we have tossed around are:

Adelaide

Lucy

Emalee

Rebekah

 

 

We throw others into the mix occasionally, and no, I'm NOT asking for your vote. :)

Rexburg is where it's at!

 For such a small town, there are at least some great things to do here for kids.  Grandma Heywood sent Brady soem money for his birthday specifically to ride the carousel, so when Daddy could come with us, we finally went and both boys (all 3) got ride twice!  They had a blast!

After the carousel, we headed over to the splash park.  Brady actually convinced Richard to go down the slide with him!  Truthfully thought, it was the other way around.  Brady had told me before that he was NEVER going down that slide because there was too much water.  So, Richard used his powers of persuasion to change Brady's mind.  Next summer hopefully he'll be all over that slide!

August Camping

At the beginning of August, we met my brother Justin and his family for a couple nights of camping.  The boys LOVED it, of course.  They loved getting covered with dirt over and over, finding bugs, playing with cousins, playing in the water, throwing rocks in the water, etc, etc, etc...

 I just loved the way Benson sat there with his legs crossed, just content to watch the older kids play in the water.

 Zac, Justin, Eli, Caitlin, and Lydia in the freezing water.  We measured it to be somewhere around 52 degrees. Brrr!

 Brady was in heaven

 He has a hard time sleeping anywhere but at home, so after waking us up a million times, Richard asked him if he wanted to sleep in the car.  He did, so Richard put him in his carseat, and then Richard just reclined the passenger seat (bless his heart).  In the morning, this is what he saw- and he stayed like that for a long time- way past when he sleeps at home!

 We found this beautiful injured butterfly.

 Richard's brother Austin and his wife Sierra met us there as well, and they brought Coda.  Benson loves dogs!

 Playin' horseshoes

 Bocci ball

About 2 min after we got in the car to go home.

 

So fun!  We are excited to go again, and work out some of the bugs!

We Went Somewhere Cool

Last week we took a little trip up to Island Park so Richard could do a little pest control, and we decided to detour to Mesa Falls.  It was awesome, and the falls are amazing!

 We made several attempts at a group shot, and wouldn't you know the best one of the rest of us barely even includes Benson!

 Our cute boys

 Finally we found someone to take our picture at the lower falls.  Isn't this just gorgeous?  The falls are absolutely beautiful- I'm so glad we didn't turn around when it was taking much longer to get there than we thought!  The boys were very impressed!

(I just noticed it looks like Benson has had his leg amputated.  Not so, not so.)

Three Years Old!

I cannot believe that this boy is already 3!  It's crazy.  We just love him so much and are so grateful to have him in our family.  He is turning out to be a great big brother, and he is so excited to hold our new little baby when she comes.  Some favorites of Brady:

Color- Blue

Food- Macaroni and Cheese

Thing to do- go to the splash park

Brady loves being tickled, singing, dancing, and doing pretty much anything active.  He is a VERY active kid, and I'm grateful for his dad, who is always willing to help him work out some energy!

Birthday boy in the morning just before digging in to some presents.

Grandma Heywood found this amazing idea and sent it for Brady's birthday.  Once he pulled off an entire row of activities, it spelled his name, and then he got to choose a present from the box she sent.  We are down to one activity! He has LOVED this.  Thanks, Grandma!

 Brady got a bat and some balls- something he'd been asking for all summer.  (he likes watching The Sandlot)

 My attempt at a Mike Wozowski cake

 He'd also been asking for a pinata for months.  He'd never seen one in use, but he knew that it would get filled with candy.  When it came time to hit it, he wasn't sure.  He let his friends take their turns first, but eventually he got the idea.

 This was a HUGE pinata, and very tough to break.  After the kids all took several turns, Daddy stepped in and took care of it!

 Afterwards, we moved over to the Splash Park and played for an hour or so.  Brady LOVES this place, especially when there are friends to play with.  This is one of his best buddies, Jeremy.

 One of the presents from Grandma was packed in these fun packing peanuts.  Brady and Daddy had fun licking and sticking them.

Happy Birthday, Buddy! We love you!