Why not Strawberry Days?

While our true loyalties lie with Spanish Fork's Fiesta Days, we always have a fun Labor Day celebrating Onion Days with Payson (although we wish our city celebration could be named Strawberry Days instead). We had a fun day going to the parade, eating at Brick Oven and taking Aidan to the carnival that night. Now that Labor Day is over, so is my vacation (if you could call it that). I have started teaching again, and although I was in a panic over it, the first week went very smoothly. Ethan only had 1 fussy day during lessons and Aidan loves going to his new babysitter. He wants to go back all the time- we are trying to teach him about the word "patience." While I wish that I didn't have to work at all and could just spend all day taking care of my boys, I am grateful that I can work my own schedule and be at home. My piano studio has truly been a blessing to us and I am so glad that I can work doing something I love.

Brett and Aidan on the carousel

Sandy, Aidan, and Brett

Aidan riding the "chowbikel" (his word for motorcycle)

Trying to find the space "adilyns" (aliens)- I have to admit this ride made me a little nervous, but he sure had a good time. :)

Ethan's blessing

We were able to bless Ethan this last Sunday, September 2nd, and we had such a great day! We were so glad to have so many of our family members and close friends there and we loved being able to eat lunch after and visit with everyone. We were worried about Uncle Danny (Pratt) not being there to put his finger in Ethan's mouth to calm him during the blessing, like he did during Aidan's blessing, but Ethan was wide awake and very happy the whole time. We missed Danny, Jordan and McKay being there, but were glad to have Brett's mom, Sandy, there for a visit. She came in Friday night and stayed until Wednesday. We were glad she could meet little Ethan and spend time with the boys and especially that she could share this special day with us. Thanks again to all of you who came- We love you!

Ethan sleeping in his blessing clothes

Brett & An'Jalee

Leslie and baby Tatem (who Aidan named his bath fish after)

More pictures...

For some reason, I couldn't get all these pictures to load under one post (I really don't have any idea what I'm doing) so here are some more pictures of the day...

Aidan before Halle, Braxton, and him played in the mud in the sandbox- in their church clothes, of course
Dad, Joseph, and Ethan

Becca's cousins and family sitting outside

Grandma and Papa

Grandma Sivits

My Show is Over!

I almost forgot to comment on my sadness- my favorite summer show, "So You Think You Can Dance" is over and now I have to wait another year for it to come on! It is so much fun to watch, especially when there is no other summer t.v. We record it on our DVR every week and the whole family loves to sit and watch while Aidan dances. He goes between some fine break dancing to very beautiful lyrical. It's a hoot to watch. The other day my mom had him at the mall and when they were in GAP some funky music came on and Aidan got down on the floor and started spinning. The sales rep got a kick out of it and when my mom said that Aidan watches this show, the sales rep said it was here favorite too. Ha. ha. It's so fun to see all the incredible work from such amazing choreographers and all the different styles. It really makes me want to join a class again but that would require me having some time, energy, and oh yea- the body I had in high school when I was dancing. :) I guess I'll just live vicariously through the show for now. My favorite dancer- Sabra- won so we were happy!

I finally got it done!

I am happy to say that after much picture taking and agonizing over which picture is the best I finally got the birth announcements ordered. I loved this picture of Ethan and although it didn't make the final cut, I thought it needed to be posted somewhere.












Occasionally we get a smile that we're pretty sure isn't from gas and it's so cute. He's getting chubby already and is such a sweet boy. He has the worst stomach pains but a woman Brett works with recommended some great stuff that you can buy at Good Earth. We've actually gone to bed before midnight the last couple nights because he isn't crying until 1 am. I'm starting to feel a very small amount of normalcy coming back this week. On top of the birth announcements, I actually got the bills paid and ordered his blessing outfit. Those 3 things took all week, but they are done, right? Life has changed so much with the addition of another child, but I feel so blessed to be the mother of these sweet boys.

To the Beach!!!

Well, crazy as we are we took off to the Oregon Coast for my family reunion, 2 weeks after Ethan was born. We were in the car for 4 days and at the beach for 1 1/2 days, which was obviously too much car time and not enough beach time. The boys traveled well on the way there but the way home was a nightmare with someone needing to eat, use the bathroom or whatever reason every 45 minutes. It took 12 hours to get back to Jordan's house, when it should have only taken 7. Brett turned to me the next morning and said that we will no longer be traveling when the babies are only 2 weeks old (we did it with Aidan too) and that I shouldn't even ask. I think I finally agree. Needless to say, we loved being in Oregon and on the coast. It was so fun to be with all of my family and Brett and I just love it so much up there. We are trying to arrange to go back to the same place next year, split a beach house with my family again, and stay a whole week. It seems like our "vacations" are always to see someone or because we have some event happening and they are always fast and not relaxing. We are vowing to start taking actual vacations next year and every year.

More Ethan...

We have had a good week at home- we are starting to feel settled and are getting into somewhat of a routine. I have been so grateful to have my mom and Jordan here with me everyday this week, helping me get around and not cry all day long. They have been such a big help with the boys- I don't know how I'll do this by myself. :) Ethan is such a sweet boy and sleeps all day long except from 11:00 p.m. to 2:00 or 3:00 in the morning. Last night we all got to bed by midnight and he gave us 3-4 hour blocks of time to sleep. We woke up feeling so great! Funny how having a baby changes what a good night sleep means. Aidan is adjusting well- he loves Ethan and is very sweet to sing him songs and read him books when he gets upset. We are in the terrible 3's for sure now (shouldn't that it least wait until he turns 3?) but he's settled down a lot since we 1st got home and we are happy with how he is doing. We are excited to be heading to the Oregon Coast for a family reunion on Thursday. We feel like we're pretty crazy because we'll be in the car most of the day on Thursday and Friday, be there till Sunday and drive home Sunday and Monday. More days of car time than vacation time, but we're still excited to go and are especially looking forward to Aidan having a good distraction. I physically feel so much better after having Ethan than I did with Aidan so I think if I can get a grip on my emotions/hormones, we should have a pretty good trip. :)