I'M BACK BABYDOLLS!!!

Ok. Lets start from the beginning. I haven't posted in almost 2 years. I'll go over the highlights :)

Chloe turned 4. We had a little party and she got lots of fun presents!

 My kids loved playing together outside, inside, wherever -- just being goofy!

 We went to Logandale for the Clark County Fair, like always. Stayed at my mom's house. My kids love visiting Grandma and Grandpa :)

 My dad is, and always will be a cowboy at heart.

 Chloe rode the rides - Adam was still too small.

 I ventured out and took the kids to the zoo. They love the giraffes.

 We went to Grey's River in Wyoming for the annual Peavler/Ashby camping trip. We went on Ranger rides with Shane's brother and his family. Those are always fun :) My kids love camping and playing in the trailer.

 We hiked and the boys fished.

 Before that, my Grandpa Bradford was the Grand Marshal of the Mapleton Pioneer Day Parade. He was the cutest old man. His posterity was asked to walk behind him in the parade. There are over 200 in the Bradford clan - just from Henry Wells and his wife/children. We are proud to be his descendants.

 My mom, sister Joan, and me.

 That fall, we did what we always do and drove up in the mountains to take pics and look at the leaves. We took a tripod and faked our own family pics :)

 My kids like to be goofy...

 For Halloween, I went as myself :) Just kidding - I was a Britney Spears SUPERFAN!!! My kitchen was covered in glitter for days after creating this poster.

 We went up to the This is the Place Monument in SLC and the kids sat on Father Christmas's lap.

 In January, 2013, my Grandpa Bradford's health started to rapidly decline. After a few short days with hospice care, he passed away. At 95, we all thought he would be around forever - just as he always had been. I have never really experienced death of a family member or even anyone close to me. It was a tough time for me. It was just a sad thought to know that there would be no more sweet hugs from Grandpa Tiny, no more "oinks" when the kids touched the birthmark on his cheek. His funeral services were beautiful. My dad spoke - and as always, it was a great talk. I was asked to play my violin in accompaniment for some of the grandkids singing. I have not played in public in... at least 8 years. Luckily, my mom played piano and my cousins sang beautifully. Hopefully it covered my mistakes well :) We all gathered for the graveside services. Our Bradford family always has such a good time when we get together. I did not know them that well in my growing up years so I am very grateful that I have had the chance to spend more time with them and get to know them in my adult years.

 The pictures got out of order here... but again, we went to the Fair. My mom helped my kids to puzzles.

 My niece, Haley, got married to Bryan Lott just before G'pa B died. It was a lovely wedding :)

 I got knocked up ;)

 Adam got potty trained.

 Shane shot a turkey on the limited entry hunt --- he missed the fair to go on this hunt.....punk.

 Adam got to ride the rides this year!

 One Sunday morning, he tripped over a book and smacked his beautiful little cheek on Chloe's bed. He had to get 3 stitches. This was after he got the stitches. All they did was put a numbing gel on his cheek. He was so brave and kept trying to turn his head to see what the dr was doing to him.

 This was before the stitches - on the way to Urgent Care. His cheeks are so fat that the hole was hanging open more because of it.

 Shane took Chloe to a Real Salt Lake (soccer) game. She loved it.

 Adam discovered his true identity.

 I had a baby :)

 Eric Grey Peavler was born on August 5. He weighed 8 lbs and was 19.5 inches. I FINALLY got to hold a baby immediately after delivery. I went to the hospital at 7 AM and he was born in the 4 o'clock hour... I had an epidural so obviously it was a simple delivery. I watched Hunger Games while I was in labor. Shane slept on the couch. I was induced so it was all a breeze. I pushed one time and there he was :) A little TMI - but as I was pushing, one of the nurses said something to the effect of, "He's got dark hair!" I stopped - mid push - and said, "What?!" Chloe and Adam were bald and blond. I was shocked. Oh well... He had lots of dark hair, but it was beautiful!!

We didn't name him beforehand, because that's just not what we do. I have liked the name "Eric" since Adam came along. That was not Adam's name though, so I kept it in the back of my head. Shane said he was going to name this baby, but still could not come up with anything. I suggested that we use "Grey" as his middle name for Grey's River. That is one of Shane's favorite places and it sounds like a manly name :) His dad jokingly suggested that we name him "Grey's River" so I kept Grey in the back of my mind. Shane wasn't too keen on "Eric" because he associates it with Eric Cartman - from South Park... Whatever. I think of Prince Eric from the Little Mermaid; only the best prince.

 My mom came to help with Chloe and Adam while I adjusted. They made "parfaits" like Fancy Nancy.

 Eric is such a beautiful baby :)

 He loves to snuggle.

 My cat decided that she wanted to have her portraits taken too.

 Even when he's screaming, he's adorable.

 Chloe started Kindergarten and Westside Elementary. Her teacher's name is Mrs. Carpenter. As I knew she would, she loves school.

 Adam is still as weird as ever. He is becoming more and more of a typical boy every day. .....yay.....

One of my life-long dreams came true as well :) My friend, Jeni, bought us tickets to see HANSON in concert!! They played at the Depot in SLC. It was a small venue and it was so surreal. It was my first real concert and Hanson was my first boy-band love :) It was so amazing.

 And then, the most amazing thing happened. I actually SPOKE to Zac Hanson. *swoon* It was great. I will never forget that night. However, Eric was only about 7 weeks old and I am nursing soooo... even though I brought my pump (to do in the car), my chest was exploding. So aside from that extreme uncomfort, it was an amazing night. I know I sound dramatic about it, but whatever. It literally was a dream come true.

 Eric got to meet some Great Aunts and his Grandpa and Uncle Bobby.
Here is his with Aunt Elaine.

Uncle Bobby

 Aunt Janice

 Grandpa Bradford :) He smiled as soon as he looked in my dad's eyes. It was precious.

Adam turned 3! 

 My kids played hard at Grandma Peavler's one day.

 Chloe rode the bus to school.

 We went to the Payson Temple site. It is such a pretty building.

 My breakfasts are super healthy these days ;)

 Chloe (and Adam) loves her baby brother.

Other things of note, Shane quit, and then started back at US Synthetic - working graveyard shifts again. He works so hard for us. I really appreciate the work he does. He is still installing carpet during the day as well. I was able to quit my job shortly after returning from Maternity Leave. We weren't able to find a long-term baby sitter that we could afford, so, we decided that I needed to leave. I have started watching 4 additional kids at my house. It is DEFINITELY a lot of work, but it is worth it to be the one raising my kids.

Oh - and last April (2012) I started trying to actually lose weight. And I lost just over 30 lbs in 6 months. I HATE before and afters, but this actually shows that I did it. Please don't throw up when you look at the before. Sadly though, I have gained again --- thanks a lot, Eric ;) But I will do it! I will lose the weight again!! (hopefully)

My kids are growing up and I need to learn to slow things down. I seriously constantly feel like I am on some sort of clock - counting down to something. But I need to get rid of that mentality and just enjoy everything. Every day, every small little thing that happens. I am hoping to have more time to post things on here. I am horrible at journaling -- in that, I do not do it. My mom always tells me that I need to. And I do. I remember everything great right now, but I know that will not be the case in 30 years. 

And there you have it. The last 18 months in a nutshell :D