Bear Lake Ranch Rodeo Champs! 2012

Summer 2012 part 1.

This is going to be a LONG post filled with some darling photos. It is so fun to look back! They might be scattered around & i'm not quite sure the timeline on a few so here we go!!!

These are a few favs from the 4th of July!!! Loving my man with me... Brayker & Tagg enjoying the parade! And of course, DON PEDROS! How could we not?! :D

 

Jackson Hole 2012!!! Seriously... THOSE BOYS THOUGH!!! I can't even stand it! <3 p="">

Raspberry Days! Brayker got a new frog! Yes, we bought a frog. If memories serve me right, he only lasted a few weeks & I turned it loose outside.

Grandma Reta bought a lakehouse... It doesn't look like much now but here in '16 it is newly remodeled & AWESOME!

This is a treasured memory! Grandma's 90th Birthday! We went to Salt Lake & stayed at the new Gateway! I miss Gran so much & think of her everyday... We went to eat at the Cheesecake Factory & the waiters & us sang Happy Birthday... Grandma started crying & so did most of the rest of us and after we got done singing Laurie looked around at all of us and asked why everyone was crying?! We have all grandma's gene's... See someone crying, we cry. Laurie is a wonderful addition to the family & we are glad Dean found her!!

Fair & Fish Pond! The kids LOVED it!!

ZOO Day!!!

Throwback Thursday: Engagement Post

I'm starting the long process of finding blog-worthy moments & ran across our engagement day... I don't remember if I have touched on that on the past or not, but it is worth the memories that flood my mind of that day! It was the Testicle Festival in Woodruff, June 2007. Jade had to rope in the Slack in Evanston earlier in the afternoon & after he got done I was freaking starving. I wanted to go get something to eat, & Jade was really wanting to go back to Woodruff... So after pouting for a minute I agreed. ;) We got there a few minutes before the auction was set to start so we visited a little & then during the auction... Geo Peart asked me to come carry a gun around for everyone to check out, and while I was walking it around I heard Jade take the mic.... I had NO IDEA!! My knees went weak & I remember Craig Hoffman taking the gun from me & I walked up by Jade. Seriously, me ears were ringing & I couldn't focus on one thing he was saying... So when he stopped talking, I didn't hear if he'd asked me or not so I said, "What should I say?", he smiled and said whatever you want so then I said YES! Best decision of my whole life! I love him more than anything & he still makes the happiest girl in the world. Love you Jader. Forver & ever.

Alright... shame doesn't even begin to describe the feeling I have when I checked out my blog for the first time in FOUR YEARS!!! What????? Needless to say, we have missed lots & lotzzzzzzz of milestones. It is my goal to start keeping up on the "going ons" of our life, but I will try to touch on some of the BIG things we missed. I hope I do them justice. Just a rough draft on a few big things.
-I have now lost all of my beloved grandparents. :( I miss them dearly & can't wait to see them again.
-Laney May, my little dolly was born on August 2nd, 2013.
-The Bear Lake Rodeo was born in the Summer of 2014
-The Bear Lake Rodeo died after the Summer of 2015.
-Jade won 4th at the big ropin' in Oklahoma City. $25,000!
-The XX Trucking company began in 2015.
-My sweet little Brayker graduated Kindergarten & 1st grade. No way I have a 2nd grader. I refuse to believe it....
-Jade & I are working on going to the temple once a month in 2016 & so far we have succeeded!!

Like I say, rough draft. Many FUN & wonderful memories in between.... I'm so grateful for this life & the chance I have to be a wife & mother. It is trying and crazy at times, but I would not change one darn thing.
I love my husband now more than ever. I find something new that I love about him everyday and I swear I couldn't be happier. Our love life is amazing and September will be our 9 year anniversary! Can't wait for the big 1-0. We are supposedly going somewhere amazing. ;)

Well, that is it for now. I will try to gather some photos & thoughts together & get started on this fun project!!!
                                                                                        xoxo

Merry Christmas 2011! :) We spent Christmas Eve/Morn in Lindon and came home on Christmas! We had sooo much fun and got super duper spoiled! I swear everywhere you looked there were toys for Brayker... Jade bought me a beautiful blue topaz ring with chocolate diamonds! I love it.. and he also got me a dyson handheld vac! I use it everyday!! Poor mom was sick on Christmas, and couldn't even move her arm... turned out that she had bursitis! She got feeling better as soon as they pumped the antibiotics in her!

Brayker tuned a big 3 years old this January! It was kind of a quiet day so Brayker, Knox and I had a teensy birthday party for him! I love you so much Braykman and you have made me so happy. I'm so thankful for you and for your spirit and the joy you bring to your dad and I! Happy Birthday!

Jade's birthday was kind of dragged out a few weeks (lucky guy)...

*I took him to Brian Regan and it was soooo much fun!
*I had my bro-in-law Brian make saddle stands for our front room! They turned out great!! LOVE them!!

*I also bought Jade a new truck for his birthday... I know, I'm the greatest! :)

Jade, I love you so much! Happy Birthday. I don't know how I ever got lucky enough to be with you, but truly, I am the luckiest girl in the world. You make me feel so loved everyday and I am so happy that you chose me. You are the most amazing husband/father and I'm so happy that our boys have you to learn from. Thank you for everything! I love you more than anything and so excited to spend eternity with you..

Mom, Renee, Cally and I took a girls day shopping in Ogden! It was a blast and so fun to visit... Jade took Brayker to the ropin where he cheered for everyone and eventually fell asleep on the horse. :) He was a trooper for sure! Jade dropped him off with me at Target where he fell asleep again! Sweet little guy.

Feb 2: We took a trip to Washington to visit with the fam! Had a blast and loved seeing everyone. Knox was teething so they didn't get to see his normal little self.

Feb 6: Jade and Laura's Happy Birthday! Knox's tooth came through. Went to Palouse Falls, WA. Drove to Kellogg, ID.

Feb 7: Bought our new truck! Stayed the night in Butte, MT.

We finally made it home on the 8th... it was a fun trip and many fun memories made!

Happy Birthday Mom, thanks for everything! You have taught me so much and I hope to be just like you one day... you are an example to everyone and I'm so thankful that my kids have a wonderful grandma like you! (Dinner at Bear Town in Evanston).

Brayker on the left, Knox on the right (Jade's shirt)

In Lindon a few weeks ago, I miraculously got both boys asleep at the same time... :) I had to take some pics! Knox started grabbing his feet while he was asleep and it was the cutest thing ever.

*He now has 2 teeth!

more random pics....

date night.

Jade surprised me with a date night... SOOO MUCH FUN! He took me to "Color Me Mine". We both picked out cups to paint.  I love them and it was soo fun!

vegas 2011

In December we headed to St George for a week... lots of roping, shopping, swimming & playing. It was so much fun... Bob & Laura came and stayed the weekend at our condo, and then they took Brayker back to Lindon with them.

We were able to go to the rodeo on opening night. Knox was such a good boy, he sat in his carseat most of the time... the loud noises didn't seem to bother him and he didn't cry once while we were there. Brayker ended up falling asleep. :)

 Everyday in Vegas was spent either at the ropin, or at the Cowboy Christmas trade-shows... Knox was the best boy... Jade & I stayed at the Silverton and were able to see Santa swimming in the tank! It was so fun!



First family outing...

We took our first "Family of Four" outing to the Hogle Zoo and had such a fun time! Brayker loved it and couldn't believe all of the animals... Soo fun!

Grams' 95th birthday! It was fun getting together and showing Grams & Gramps the kiddos.

Randomness: *A week after Knox was born, Presley came! 9-11.  She is a doll and i'm excited our kids are so close. *Spent a few days in Washington catching up. *Had a fun girls weekend in Lindon... made sugar cookies; Jade sent me flowers; bought our Halloween costume (Buzz).

October 27: Had a girls getaway in Logan, did lots of shopping and stayed the night. It was a blast and hope we can do it again soon! 

Halloween came... Brayker and Tagg switched costumes and were quite happy! We got to go trick-or treating and got lots and lots of goodies. :) 

November 6, 2011: Presley & Knox Blessing day! I am truly ashamed and will never forgive myself.  I didn't get any pics of my little angle in his blessing outfit.

Jade did a wonderful job and Knox had an amazing blessing. After Sacrament we met in the cultural hall and had lunch. It was such a fun day and everybody was so great to come & help. 

My birthday week... we did lots of fun stuff! Made fondant for our Christmas candy.. Stephie gave me a babycakes CakePop maker! I love it! We went to Lindon for the weekend and had a yummy oreo ice-cream cake! We aslo ate at Tucano's.. YUM.. and Nana bought Brayker a Buzz Lightyear! Spoiled kid...  

Lots of projects and not as many as I would like to do.. :)

Summer 2011...

We had a wonderful summer... it was a hot one, but we did so many fun things!

Top: Whitney Udy's wedding reception.

BL: me with looong hair (clip in's), BR: Slack in Ogden spent at the playground.

TL: Jackson Hole Ropin. Everything else at home... look at my green grass. :( Can't wait for that again! 

Lots of time in the practice arena...(another reason I can't wait for it to warm up.:))

Shad swimming in our super big pool!! 

Sunbathing at Crow Creek... it is so beautiful up there... Jade and I camped out in the trailer, he hayed all day and I: watched movies, rode the 4wheeler as fast as my pregnant belly would let me go, played in the water, and just plum relaxed... thanks for watching Brayker mom & dad! 

Picnic at Bear Lake with Aunt Curly's crew... it was a fun day! Brayker slept good that night! :) 

Brayker & Tagg were little troopers at the Raspberry Days Craft Fair... We found a shady spot to eat lunch and the guys had to go potty... I just love these pics! :)

And Jade riding dad's motorcycle... Brayker is on there with him, but you have to look close.  

The County Fair: cutest cowboys EVER! Except for Jade, I didn't get a shot of him anywhere...

He was the rodeo chairman this year, oh boy... he was kept busy running back & forth from one end of the arena to the other.  Saturday night the power went out right before the barrel racing.. it was a little dramatic because some of the girls were a little angry and Grandpa Bob ended up getting punched by one of the barrell racers, so funny! The fair was so much fun though, except for the dance was canceled (due to the power outage) so maybe this year we can dance Jader! 

Nana bought Brayker Jessie and they were inseperable for a few days...



catch up... 4th of july

i have decided that as my 'leap year resolution', i am going to catch up on my blog! i would hate to look back and wonder why i missed a whole year. :) so i have scatterdly written down a list and hope to slowly update you on the 7 months. 
*4th of july: FUN sugar filled day (parade candy), 2 months exactly from knox being introduced to the world, first time the love of my life attended a 'rich county' parade. YAY!

wow do I feel guilty...

 Proud big brother!

We've had a few fun big changes in our family since I have last posted... Knox Lee Willis was born on September 4, 2011! It was such a wonderful day! And also my new niece Presley Kacey Stuart was born a week later, September 11.  Yay for babies! I love my family, my life and my amazing husband... He was a trooper through my pregnancy and I appreciate all he has done for me.  He is the cutest dad and I love to watch him with our boys. Thanks Jader!

Labor story:
*September 1st: I had a Dr. appt.  I was 50% thinned and dilated to a 5.
*September 2nd: (Friday) Jade, Brayker and I headed to Midway to stay at the family cabin.  Laura and Whitnie were there and we had a fun relaxing night...
*September 3rd: Jade roped in Heber and then took off for Wellsville to a rodeo. We relaxed all day and then decided to head to Park City.  Dropped Whit off at the Alpine Slide and Laura and I headed to the outlets. We only went in a few stores and I was startin to feel a little crampy and got a little nervous.  I called Stephie and asked her what to do. She told me a few suggestions but reminded me that it wouldn't be fun for anyone to have a baby in the car... So Laura drove me to Evanston (bless her heart).  We went to Steph's house... I was dilated to a 6 and she said if I checked in to the hospital then they probably wouldn't let me leave. I waited for Jade and when he got there we finally decided to wait it out overnight and see how I felt in the morning. Mom and dad took Brayker home with them and Jade went home to shower and get some clothes and my baby stuff. I stayed the night with Steph and we watched "Life As We Know It". Way cute show. :)
*September 4th: I slept in and took a bubble bath while Steph went for a walk. Jade showed up and took us to lunch... where they both tried to talk me into going to the hospital and getting things checked out (i'd been contracting all night and morning). I consented and we headed to the hospital. Barb was the sweet nurse working and she said I was dilated to a 7 and that I'm not going home. :) I got my epidural and they started the pit.  Epidurals for some reason kind of make me sick and I kept throwing up and feeling icky... so they gave me some meds to help with that... and they completely wiped me out. I was so tired and pretty much out of it. I don't remember alot of what was going on in between. Dr Evans was on call that weekend and she was amazing. She came in and broke my water. A little after 5pm Barb checked me... I was still very much out of it, and remember her saying "Ok... I'm gonna keep my hand here because babies head it ready to come out, so when you are done contracting, I'll move my hand." I was thinking "what? I can't keep my eyes open let alone have a baby". Dr Evans came in and Steph and Jade were standing by my head helping me along. They had me push once and then I pushed again and out came Mr Knox!! Yay, what a wonderful day!
He was 7 lb 4oz and 20.5". Born at 5:13pm.