nICH, nIC, kEAGAN & G!

Happy 4th of July!

2011-07-04T21:45:00.000-07:00

Kenny Parcell Easter Egg Hunt

2011-04-16T10:17:00.001-07:00

Every year my brother in law does a Easter egg hunt...they kids love it! they fill the eggs with lots of candy and prizes.

ready to start hunting

gracyn was excited

keags is such a good big brother he helped fill his sisters basket with eggs.

look at all my candy
gracyn loved playing with the egg shell

Happy Easter!

a day at the track

2011-04-16T09:36:00.000-07:00

The sun was out and its about time we got the bikes out for a ride at West Mountain

keags was so excited to put his helmet on!

bridger & keags love motorcycles

melissa took out the 100 for the first time(she wants one of her very own now!)

gracyn's ready for a bike...does Honda make a pink bike?!

brad and nich raced the 50's

they are like two high school kids! they make me laugh!

Gracyn's 6 months old!

2011-03-29T11:47:00.000-07:00

Our sweet baby girl

2010-09-14T21:33:00.000-07:00

heading to the hospital LABOR day morning( how ironic to go into labor on Labor day)

epidurals are magical...I was feeling good!

waiting for baby G to arrive

here she is...9/6/2010 8# 7oz 20.5 inches long

big brother

keags was happy to see her and hold her

lots of loves for his baby sister

daddy's little girl

she's got him wrapped around his finger already

family of four now...

keags is such a big help...he wanted to help buckle her in the carseat

ready to go baby

summer 2010

2010-09-13T19:10:00.000-07:00

June

helping Daddy mow...yes it was cold!

learning how to go potty on a BIG BOY potty

Happy Father's Day...Nichy!

Keags 2nd birthday and Stephenson family Reunion

July

pool time...

Happy 4th of July...Keags first sparkler

visit to Washington

riding scooters with daddy and papa

playing with cousins

playing at the water park and playground

Ballard locks

"ship-boat"

playing disc golf

taking a break from golf to swing

Happy 31st Birthday Nich!

going potty...with mommy holding his magazine

roasting marshmallows up Payson Canyon

AUGUST

patiently waiting for Baby G

boating at Mona

nichy wakeboarding

I hate my blog right now...

2009-10-21T22:30:00.000-07:00

I just spent an hour and a half on a post...went to publish and somehow it erased the whole post(see post below)! I am so annoyed I could cry...it takes me forever to post...I can't figure out how to move my pictures in the order I want...I switch to HTML and cut and paste the picture then go back to compose and make sure it is in the right order....so my blogging friends aka: kera(cause she seems to be the only one that cares that I haven't posted in awhile) until I can figure out how to make my blogging life easier...I am on hiatus!!!

Priest Lake Idaho...August 2009

2009-10-14T20:03:00.000-07:00

I LOVE SUMMER

2009-07-28T13:54:00.001-07:00

30 Things we(keags and i) LOVE about nichy...

2009-07-16T07:18:00.000-07:00

1. he works hard for our family!

2.he makes funny noises when he reads me stories

3.he lets me take a bite of his bowl of ice cream

4.he is a perfect example for our son.

5.he gives keags and i kisses, first thing when he walks in from work.

6.he mows our lawn to perfection

7.he always knows how to make me laugh, when I'm sad.

8.he's not afraid of being silly.

9.he is always honest.

10.he kisses me in the kitchen

11.he works hard long hours, so i can be home with keags!

12.he encourages me!

13.he plays cars with me.

14.he holds me and kisses me when i'm sad.

15.he makes me want to be a better person.

16.he'll share his chair with me.

17.he plays ball with me.

18.he is incredibly smart.

19.he is my best friend.

20.he goes grocery shopping with me!

21.he gave me a beautiful son!

22.he loves me just the way i am!

23.he never gives up!

24.he looks hot in his uniform!

25.he's gonna teach me how to ride a motorcycle!

26.he smells like heaven!

27.he lets me pull his arm hair!

28.he is always willing to help others!

29.he protects us...we always feel safe with you!

30.he chose me to spend eternity with!! I love you!

Happy 30th Birthday Nich!!! We love you so much!

Happy Birthday Colie

2009-07-12T07:26:00.000-07:00

This is just a little post about my wife. We have been married for almost 4 years and it still seems yesterday. It is great to be married to your best friend. Maybe someday we will actually get to go on a honeymoon. Thanks for everything you do for me and for Keags, we are so lucky to have you.
I LOVE YOU COLIE.

kEAGS first birthday!

2009-07-11T21:22:00.002-07:00

Keags is ONE!!

He had an awesome birthday....

nAnA, pApA and aUNtie GraM came down to celebrate with him. It was so much fun having them here!

he was so excited about his birthday present from uncle jon and aunt jen...he wanted it open, RIGHT away!!

patiently waiting...while nana and auntie gram work so hard!

playing much past his bedtime...

having fun with nana...she is so silly!

birthday breakfast...strawberry banana waffles and chocolate milk! YUM!

look at those tired eyes!!
yummy mom!

then we opened lots of fun presents(this kid is spoiled! must mean he is loved lots!)

yahoo...a big boy seat!

June Update

2009-07-11T21:22:00.001-07:00

keags has found a new love...WATERMELON!

a delightful summer treat!

keags is into everything...gone are the days when I could leave him on the floor and not worry about what he can get into!

melissa and her boys, keags and I spent the afternoon with my grandma...it was so much fun to spend the day with her!

my mom was down close to us for a conference...so we headed up to her hotel and went swimming and ate pizza...it was a blast. Keags loves to swim!

the day after keags came down with a high fever and was miserable...we took him in to see Dr Peterson(best ever) he said it was a virus and to keep him on ibuprofen and Tylenol to keep his fever down and to wait it out(easier said than done) during his office visit, while Dr P was listening to him he heard that keags had an irregular heart rhythm(PVC's)...and sent us to the hospital to get an EKG. Poor little guy had a fever for 5 days, then got a double ear infection!

a couple of days later after primary children's read keags EKG they suggested that he wear a holter monitor for 24hrs.

keags did so well with the monitor...I thought he would be pulling at the wires all night(that was the whole point of the roll of gauze...to keep them in place and disguise them!)

We have an appointment with Pediatric Cardiology on Aug 6th for them to listen to keags heart! hopefully everything will go well!

nich had good Father's day...he got a new street bike!

keags and I are so lucky to have and awesome daddy and husband...we love him lots!

he's not the only one that got a new bike...I got a new bike for my birthday too...a 1969 trail 90! I might be able to keep up with nich(as long as he doesn't go faster than 40...he he!) I'm so excited to get it up and running and also get my motorcycle license...call me crazy but

I LOVE my new yellow bike!!

PaPa's visit

2009-07-11T14:24:00.000-07:00

PaPa(nich's dad) came to visit us, and keags had so much fun playing with him!

Cute face keags

out for the night after a long day of playing!

swinging at the park

keags loves to slide...

cute pair... don't you think!

Thanks Papa for coming to visit, we had lots of fun!!

Easter 2009

2009-05-06T12:52:00.000-07:00

ohhh...a ball!

can I color this one mom...

Keags did not like the egg yolk!

he cried for about 2 minutes after eating the yolk and then started playing with it

wow...update of the last two months

2009-04-16T10:59:00.000-07:00

Keags and I bummed a ride to AZ with my parents and Katelyn to celebrate Amanda's birthday it was a quick trip but lots of fun...
We went to dinner at Pappaduex...Amanda's pick, it was super yummy!

The next day

we walked around a desert botanical garden....it was a perfect sunny day(and yes katelyn did enjoy herself...even though it doesn't look like it)!

keags went for a dip in the pool...brrrrr it was cold!

we even got a fun game of tennis in before the night was over

thanks mom and dad it was a fun trip!!

sledding at Petetneet with our cousins and friends

i was going so fast...it was a little scary

Happy Valentines Day

Keags got some books that he loves!!

Keagan and his BFF Cooper

Keagan was driving home from my parents and hit a deer...

he wont be getting his license til he is 21!

BathTime

Keags loves his baths....

Baby Bridger finally came...

Gen was here for the delivery

we had to put a sticker on the back of keags...in case someone thought we were stealing him! I know he small, but...come on!

Keagan tried yogurt for the first time....he loves it!!

Cross your fingers that it doesn't have the same effect on him as it does on his daddy!! well that is pretty much what the Friedrichsen family has been doing for the past two months...I will try to be better about blogging!! Hope you enjoy!

FRUIT PUFFS

2009-02-04T13:23:00.000-08:00

yummy!

1/2 a year...

2009-02-04T13:09:00.001-08:00

wow! keagan is growing up so fast...he is eating solid foods now...some of his favorites are, well anything and everything you give him...he loves his rice cereal and oatmeal with bananas, sweet potatoes, green beans, pears, peaches.

keags has learned he has a voice and knows how to use it to his benefit! he squeals a lot and sometimes i can't tell if its a happy or sad squeal!

he has learned how to sit up on his own...and loves to sit and play on the floor!

Keagan you are such a sweet boy...we love you so much!

we went in for keagan's 6 mo chk up here are his stats:

wt: 15# 9oz - 12th percentile(what a big boy)

ht: 26.5 in - 45th percentile

hc: 17in - 28 percentile

Hardware Ranch

2009-02-04T12:52:00.000-08:00

When we were in Cache Valley some of us went up Blacksmith Fork Canyon to Hardware Ranch to see the Elk. It was so amazing to be so close to such big beautiful animals!!

it was a perfect sunny day

nich kept making shotgun noises...

poor keags, he was freezing!!

Christmas 2008

2009-01-11T13:28:00.000-08:00

we spent Christmas in Cache Valley this year. All of the Meppen clan was there...it was a full house...and lots of fun!

the festivities began with...
pheasant hunting for the brave, nich, brad and my dad

skiing/snowboarding at Beaver Mtn...

and the rest of us stayed home and slaved over a hot stove to make meatballs and sauce(nich's family recipe)
I know lovely apron...its probably what my grandma wore in the kitchen!

every year on Christmas Eve we pick a country and eat what they would eat on Christmas and do any traditions they would do. this year my mom chose Denmark(where our ancestors are from) we had chicken and dumpling soup and homemade rolls...it was delicious!
in Denmark the tradition for Christmas is to pull out the Christmas tree and dance around it, instead we... played Rudoloh with chimes

then opened our Christmas eve pj's(my favorite part of Christmas...I love getting new jammies!)

keags got frog and monkey pj's

nich got some beautifully hemmed pj's(almost done by himself)he hates to sleep in long pj's cause he gets stuck in the sheets!
then it was off to bed to wait for Santa to come
keags of course was spoiled!!
He loved all his wonderful gifts!
I think he loved eating the wrapping paper more than the toys inside!

keags loved his ladybug book from Santa
gen helping keags open(or eat) his present

i was super excited for my forerunner Santa brought...Thank you Santa!! :)

TOU 1/2 marathon 9/09!!

oh and i loved my mink coat from nich!

i made nich a scrapbook
and a book about keagan
trying out his new kicks

all tuckered out...
keagan had a wonderful first Christmas and we hope you all did as well!

GOING PRIVATE...

2008-12-17T15:26:00.000-08:00

If you enjoy looking at our blog and still want to... please leave me your email address in the comments or send an email to... nickaswim@yahoo.com and I will send you an invitation!

Pictures with Santa

2008-12-11T09:18:00.003-08:00

Keagan liked sitting with Santa...he asked Santa for his two front teeth!

keags really liked Santa's beard and nose

"Santa I promise I will be good...well, I'll try at least!"

Lights of Christmas

2008-12-11T09:18:00.001-08:00

Sunday night when we were in Seattle, we drove to Warm Beach Christian Camps & Conference Center, in Stanwood WA to see the Lights of Christmas.

The lights were beautiful and there were lots to see!

off to see the beautiful lights

keags was snuggled up with daddy and stayed nice and toasty warm!

I must say...that cutest gingerbread man I've seen!

keagan had his face painted this guy was amazing he worked so fast and had so much detail...nich asked him if he could do santa going down the chimney with his feet sticking out...he just started painting away, then we asked him if he had any weird request...he said ya...someone wanted a badger with a bloody chainsaw! that's the holiday spirit!i love it...he looks so cute!

picture perfect

we were almost done with the lights...I looked over at keags and he was done! he had seen enough!

keagan's first trip to seattle

2008-12-11T09:17:00.000-08:00

SLC airport, getting ready for our flight!

keagan did so good on the flight. he was tired and hungry waiting to board the plane(delta airlines doesn't pre-board anymore...lame huh!) everyone kept looking at us and smiling(i knew what they were thinking..."great screaming baby the whole flight!") but keags ate then fell asleep and sleep almost the whole way, he woke up just as we were landing!

nana and papa were so excited to see little keags

auntie gram and great gram were excited too

his cousins couldn't get enough of him...

except iAN, he didn't like him at first but then warmed up to him

aVERY kept telling me she was going to be a "babysitter" when she was older and she would babysit keags for me! I think she is going to make a fabulous babysitter!

OFF TO THE MARKET

I so miss pike's market, the smell of fresh fish, the chaos, the random people and their music, like this guy...

Christmas sawngs by Sawnta!! ha ha...nich loved him :)

keags eyeballing all the pasta in the Italian store

nich teaching keags the importance of a good bottle of olive oil! man look at that kids cheeks!

cute sleeping baby

all tuckered out from his big party on Saturday, he met lots and lots of people...Thanks nana and papa for the party it was really nice to see everyone!

keagan is 4 months old!!

2008-11-11T11:39:00.000-08:00

WoW...our baby is growing up so fast!! Keagan is such a good baby, he is starting to laugh and talk lots more. He is so much fun! We went in for is four month check up, the doctor said he looks great! He only had to get two shots this time(thank heavens for Pentacel) Dr P and his nurse each did one shot at the same time...poor keags was laying on the table happy as can be until, he got both shots...his arms slammed down on the table and he started screaming...poor little guy!! But he's tough and recovered fast!

Growth Chart:

Weight: 13# 11oz - 15%

Length: 25 in - 49%

Head Circumference: 16 1/4 in - 22%

what a handsome little boy!

keagan's first halloween

2008-11-02T19:33:00.000-08:00

trick or treat...i got something good to eat!

2008-11-02T16:58:00.000-08:00

hAPPY hALLOWEEN

2008-11-02T15:09:00.000-08:00

we hope you all had a wonderful halloween. nich went to work, and keags and i made sugar cookies and answered the door...until i ran out of candy!! then we went to melissa's house and decorated cookies.

growing up my mom always made us halloween dinner...so melissa and i have carried on the tradition the tuesday before halloween we went over an had dinner and carved pumpkins.

on the menu:toads and eyeballs salad
hairball salad with saliva dressing
bloody monster eyeballsand witches fingers
and to wash all that down... bloody bug juice. delicious!!

then we carved pumpkins
max was so excited to carve his pumpkin, his was the first one done

brad took care of the little ones...keags is reading the paper!

nich carving keagan's pumpkin

melissa...be careful with that tiny knife!

grandma stephenson

2008-10-26T20:27:00.000-07:00

keags and I went to visit my grandma! she was so excited to see us and play with keagan!

We love you grandma!

keags and his grandma great

big boy is on the move...

2008-10-25T20:51:00.000-07:00

keagan rolled over today! i put him down for some much loved tummy time...and to my surprise he was actually enjoying it so i ran to get the camera, when i returned he was on his back!! i tried to get him to do it again and of course he was done with tummy time and throwing a fit. so later when nich woke up we tried again. the first time he did it we were cheering and clapping and keags looked at us like we were nuts! but we were super excited!!

ready

i did it!!

look what i found...

2008-10-23T22:08:00.000-07:00

the cutest pumpkin in the pumpkin patch!

gardens at thanksgiving point

2008-10-18T21:34:00.000-07:00

My sister genni was here from AZ, she wanted to walk through the gardens at thanksgiving point! It was freezing...it looked like it might rain that day, so we brought big coats and bundled up the little ones. When we got to the gardens it started raining...then it started to hail!! genni was still up for it...melissa and I were ready to go to Cabela's with nich and my mom just wanted to please everyone! But the rain cloud went away and the sun came out...it wasn't raining any more but dang it was cold!

The gardens were beautiful and we had fun together...totally worth it!

genni stayed warm in her borrowed(no one in AZ needs a coat that big!) marshmallow coat!

no fish in the pond! I didn't know that fish bury themselves in the mud to stay warm for the winter until my genius mother told me! pretty nifty huh!

door to the secret garden...i love it!

the secret garden was so warm, quiet and peaceful

carousel topiary

largest man made waterfall in the US

tate and tiny baby

2008-10-09T15:52:00.001-07:00

tATE loves tiny baby! He always wants to "hold'em tiny baby!"

Keagan is lucky to have cousins that love him so much!

I HATE TUMMY TIME...

2008-10-09T15:36:00.000-07:00

this way is much better!

what do you do with a sink full of nectarines...

2008-09-26T22:01:00.000-07:00

make yummy nectarine jam!

we have a nectarine tree and this year we had a lot more nectarines than last year...there was so much fruit we decided to make jam!

nich did the hard part...peeling and cutting!!

nich watched me make a batch...and as I was pouring in the sugar he was shocked how much sugar goes in jam...3 cups of fruit and 4 1/2 cups of sugar! No wonder it's so good!!

Most male praying mantis are destined to be the female’s meal.

2008-09-26T21:35:00.000-07:00

We had a friend on our front door for a long time...a lovely green pray mantis! She was always on the front door frame or somewhere on the front porch! She was our little bug guardian! Every time I walked out the front door I would look for her and say hi! Well one day I was watering my plants on the front porch and noticed another pray mantis...a little smaller and not as green. So I told nich "hey we have two pray mantis' now" which I got in response "cool maybe they will mate and we can see her eat him"

Well the next day keags and I were going for a walk...as we walked out the front door this is what we were so lucky to see!! (I got some pictures so nich wouldn't miss out on the fun)

she no longer needed him...so she eat him up...yum!!

it was really cool to see such an amazing part of nature...a little crazy but pretty cool!

tiny fingers and tiny toes

2008-09-26T21:21:00.000-07:00

disc golf

2008-09-26T12:28:00.000-07:00

nich and i love playing disc golf...and we have found that our friends love it too!

we had so much fun playing together!

perfect form

playing got a little tricky with keags

little owl baby....he's so cute!

keagans two months old

2008-08-31T21:17:00.001-07:00

"yeah I'm 2 months old"

weighing in at 9# 10oz, 6%tile for weight

22 inches long, 15%tile for height

I have given lots of babies shots and it dosent bother me...but when it was my little boy I almost started crying!! it was a sad day...keags got 5 shots!

Happy Anniversary

2008-08-31T21:16:00.000-07:00

nich and I celebrated three years of bliss on August 27, 2008!

Wow...how time flies when you are having fun!!

we celebrated by going out to dinner at PF changs...it was so yummy!

keagan really enjoyed the food!

"hey that's my name!!"

Thank you nich for being a wonderful husband and an awesome daD!!

I love you!!

kEAGAN's baby blessing

2008-08-31T20:20:00.000-07:00

Keagan was blessed on August 10, 2008

It was a very special day and there were a lot of people that came to celebrate with him.

I looked around for a baby blessing outfit for keags and couldn't find one that I liked, so my mom made him his outfit...it was perfect I love it!! my mom is amaxing she can make anything! Thanks Mom!

Keagan also wore the outfit that Nich was baptized in...it was so adorable on him.

Nich blessed Keagan with Bishop Rowley, Uncle Brad and Grandpa.

great grandma meppen and stephenson came

uncle nate even wore a tie...a rarity!!

my family is so big...we were still missing 3 people! we missed you amanda, genni and dan!

keagan and his cousins, tate bj and max...super cute boys!

hello nana & papa...it's nice to meet you!!

2008-08-16T12:43:00.000-07:00

Yeah...nana & papa came to visit and meet kEAgan!!

waiting for them to arrive...both boys are sleeping!

nana & papa were so excited to meet Keagan!

"hey nana!"

they worked hard in the yard....THANK YOU so much our yard looks SO much better! I love it!

ate good food

nana was looking forward to some scrumptious chicken wings!!

and snuggled lots with keagan!!

Thanks nana and papa for an awesome week...we love you and miss you so much!!

keagan's 1 month

2008-08-01T11:01:00.000-07:00

it's rough being 1 month old!!

weighing in at eight pounds even!! Yahoo... your so big Keags!!

the many faces of love!!!

2008-07-29T20:42:00.000-07:00

I was looking through old pictures...and found a bunch of pictures of nICh and I! It brought back lots of fun memories...I can't believe that in less than a month we will be married for 3 years...time flies when your having fun!

I love you nICH!

this picture was taken seconds after nich proposed...explains the watery eyes!

bright sun?

kuddos to nICHY!!!

2008-07-14T16:30:00.000-07:00

So before little kEAGs was born...nICH always said that he could never change a poopy diaper. Even though he can talk about poop...he couldn't imagine actually changing a poopy diaper!! People would always say "Oh, when it's your own child it's different!"

Well it must be true....

nICH changing kEAGAN's diaper...half asleep, I woke him up to change it(he he...I'm so nice)!

nICH still has a mask and gloves...just waiting for the right diaper!!

splish, splash I was taking a bath...

2008-07-14T15:58:00.000-07:00

kEAGAN's first bath at the hospital

his poor sore little head...sorry keags!!

First bath at home

a little kiss from daddy to ease the pain

happy clean baby

kEAGAN loves his baths now

hey...look at that cute little bum!

kEAGAN'S journey

2008-07-08T11:34:00.000-07:00

our Internet hasn't been working so I haven't been able to blog(I was going crazy) so here are some updates from the last couple of week

I had nICH take a belly pic, not knowing that the next day I would be in the hospital waiting for baby to arrive!

37 weeks

before

after

I went to the hospital at 9:30 Wednesday morning for a non-stress test. During the test I had a couple of high blood pressures, since I was on bed rest for PIH for three weeks the nurse called my Doctor to see what he wanted. At about 11:00 the Doc said "let's have her stay for observation". So here I am thinking that I was just coming in for a simple test that would take an hour or so and then I would be on my way...I was wrong!!

I got to my labor room and the nurse came in, she told me she didn't think Dr. Nance would keep me for very long so I didn't have to change into the hospital gown...then 20 minutes later she came back in and said just kidding go ahead and change into that lovely hospital gown...my doctor was next door in a delivery and he was coming in after to decide what we were going to do! At this point I am getting a little anxious! I called nICH at work and told him to get ready to come to the hospital! So there I sat waiting...the TV on (with no sound), no book to read or magazine. I just sat in the hospital bed and tried not to break down and cry!D.r Nance came in around 12:00 and said you have two options we can do a c-section or induce. He really wanted to do a c-section since I wasn't dilated at all, but I wanted to try to be induced just to see what would happen. He said ok...but warned me I might be in labor for two days (yikes!) I called nICH at work and said "hurry up and get here"! At 12:50 they started to induce with Cytotec, and I was going to get three doses before they started Pitocin. At 4:00pm the nurse checked me and I was dilated to 1cm!! Yahoo!! We were in for a long night! A little after 6:00pm the nurse came in and started the Pitocin...and I started feeling the contractions! Then at 9:30pm my doctor came in to check out my progress...I was dilated to a 1+(at this moment I thought I was in for two days of labor) he broke my water to get things moving along...told me I was doing great and he would be back in the morning! I was so ready for the epidural by now...I asked the nurse if I had to wait till I was dilated to 2cm before I could get it...she said "no way" and went to get the doctor! Thank goodness!! My sisters and mom came to the hospital around 11:00 and hung out for awhile with me...it was fun having them there to entertain me! They stayed until 12:30 or so and then left to go get some rest...I was told to send them text msg with updates throughout the night and they would be back in the morning. The nurse came in at 1:15 to check me again...yeah 4cm!! After she checked me she said "ya know I have a feeling you are going to go fast!" She started getting things ready in the room! 18 minutes later she checked me again...8cm...WOW!I started getting a little nervous, my little guy was on his way!! 5 minutes later I was complete...and the nurse was out the door to call Dr. Nance. He walked in my room a little after 2:00am...14 hours of labor, and 4 pushes later...Keagan was here!!

He was born at 2:25am on June 26, 2008

Weighed: 6# 9oz

Length: 19in.

Hi bABY lOVE!!

proud dADDY and his bABY bOY!

And his name is......

2008-06-29T11:53:00.000-07:00

Well we couldn't keep up with the name of Leonidas for much longer. It has been a lot of fun seeing the different expressions on peoples faces when you tell that his name is Leonidas. I still think we will have to keep it for a nickname.

Keags and Colie

Keags and Nich

Our son Keagan Padrick.

Good thing it is so short! (at least he will still have to spell it out for everyone still)

bABY Leo's room!

2008-06-24T15:21:00.000-07:00

nICH did an awesome job painting Leo's room!!

nICH's Aunt and cousins gave us this super cute bedding...we love it!!

freshly painted changing table!

bABY Leo...your crib is ready, daddy went to get a changing pad for the changing table, your pack is packed ready to go...we're just waiting for you kid!!

sTEPHENSON family Reunion '08

2008-06-20T15:41:00.000-07:00

We had our annual sTEPHENSON family reunion on June 14th. It was a lot of fun seeing cousins I haven't seen in a while and getting to know them better. We have a huge family there are 194 decedents of my gRANDPARENTS...they always wanted to say they had 200 decedents from their family! Well they are close...baby Leo makes 195!

our family is so big we almost fill the cultural hall

my beautiful twin

tATE and "grandma" or grandpa,...depends on who you ask!!

we missed you nATE!!

bOATING oN mONA

2008-06-20T14:48:00.000-07:00

We love summer time...especially the boating!!

nICH went first to make sure the water wasn't too cold!!

it was a good run...nICH's pooped!!but don't worry he will go again before the night is over!

mELISSA's turn
IT'S COLD!!

woo...where'd she go!!

attempting a 360 on the knee board...so close!!

bRAD's turn

nICH decided to try out the knee board

going for the 360...

almost...

almost there...

dang it!!

Baby Shower!!

2008-06-12T10:14:00.000-07:00

Lots of food...

Lots of presents...

and Lots of fun games

Game #1...guess how big nICOLE's belly is

mELISSA measured...

I think she might have added a couple of inches..he he!

Game #2: baby word unscramble

mELISSA won!!

Game #3: Guess that poop!!

mELISSA microwaved candy bars into diapers, and then you had to guess which candy bar wast in the diaper!!

probably the only diaper kRISTI has had that close to her face!!

cATHY made a cute diaper cake and my mOM made a bouquet of roses out of baby socks!

Super cute!!

mOM, mELISSA and cATHY...Thank you so much for throwing me such a wonderful Baby shower it was a fun day! Baby Leo says thanks for all the gifts everyone brought...he is a spoiled little boy already!! I love you all!!

GRADUATION !!

2008-05-25T18:52:00.001-07:00

Friday nICH graduated from the training academy! It was a perfect day, my Mom came down and watched graduation with me and then took nICH and I out for lunch to celebrate...we got excellent service at lunch!! It must have been nICH's sharp looking uniform or the gun strapped to his hip...either one the Waiter was extra nice to our table!

Deputy Nicholas L. Friedrichsen

(sorry about the blurry video!)

nICH's fellow officers

pOWELL, sCHAFFER, fRIEDRICHSEN, mOORE, cHRISTENSEN

Utah County boys!

proud mAMA of her Deputy dADDY!

painting leo's room!!

2008-05-25T18:40:00.000-07:00

IT'S A

BOY

goodbye ugly lavender purple with lime green sponge painting!!

the door, the door jam and the floorboards used to be lime green as well..but my lovely in laws painted them white! Thank you!

Thanks nICHY for painting leo's ...it's perfect!(I will post pictures of the room when it's all put together!)

THoSE ARE NoT MY FEET!

2008-05-18T21:13:00.000-07:00

I think I may have a bad case of elephantitis!!

Happy Mother "to be" Day!!

2008-05-18T20:47:00.000-07:00

I know...Mother's Day was a week ago...but I wanted to tell you how sweet nICH is!!

After working all night he made me breakfast in bed.

French toast and extra crispy bacon...just the way I like it! nICH got me the bag of M&M's and Leonidas got me animal crackers!! It was a perfect Mother "to be" day!!

I hope you all had a wonderful Mother's Day!!

tWENTY nINE wEEKS

2008-04-29T20:49:00.001-07:00

Today I had another Doctors appointment... things are great, they got the blood work back from my wonderful glucose test...let me tell what a experience that was...I go into the lab at the hospital...hungry because I haven't eaten for three hours (I usually eat every half hour it seems)and they give me some glucose 50 orange soda to drink, the nice lab lady says "now drink this slowly...pour some in the cup...sip it and repeat over about 5 minutes...and don't wonder to far...some people tend to faint or get nauseous" so if the stuff tastes nasty I have to endure the misery for 5 MINUTES and possibly throw up or faint...well I drank the nasty orange soda that tastes like it has 5 alkazelters in it and waited for them to call be back to draw my blood! As I was waiting...I thought I was going to explode from the worst gas I have ever had!! TMI...I know...but it was horrible and I thought you should know!! But my blood work came back normal...so thank heavens I don't have to go through the 3 hr test!!

My belly has grown 4in and I have gained 5 pounds (as you can see in the picture below) since my last appointment. Dr. Nance said that little Leonidas is about 3 lbs now and by the end of May he will be close to 4 lbs...WOW! It never seizes to amaze me that there is a 3 lb growing baby inside my belly....how cool and weird is that! I feel him moving all the time...its incredible...I love being pregnant I have been blessed with such an easy pregnancy so far (I hope I didn't just jinx myself...hurry someone knock on wood!)

I promise I didn't put a basketball in my shirt...and yes I am selling tickets, $30 a piece for the ski slope off my backside!!!

10 more weeks to go!!!! Can't wait to see you little Leo!!

we'll take three please...

2008-04-29T20:08:00.000-07:00

nICH needed some sheets of plywood to build a floor for the shed...well we didn't know exactly how we were going to get them home(our brother -in law did offer nICH his truck...but we always feel like we are using his truck..Thanks for the offer though, Brad!!) So my husband came up with this ingenious plan...

We loaded three sheets of plywood and three chair rail boards for Leonidas' room to the top of the Jeep...well I didn't... nICH and the poor Home Depot guys that helped him did...when nICH asked them for his help he said "sorry guys this is going to be a little squirrely ..I need you to help put these boards on the top of my Jeep!" one of the guys said "not a problem...the other day we had a guy strap a water heater to the top of his Honda Civic!"

I guess it could be worse!!

The finished project

nICH put the shed together in one day

and filled it in one day!

dEPUTY fRIEDRICHSEN's first day...

2008-04-27T13:40:00.000-07:00

Thursday was nICH's first full day at the jail...he loves his new job...and I love that I am married to a big tough guy! Don't mess with my honey...he'll take you to jail!

He was in the middle of an inmate fight translating in Spanish to one inmate that it is not okay to call his neighbor an A#$%&@E and that he should act like an adult or some friends and I could take him to his own little cell so he could carry on with his tantrum...I'm sure there will lots of good stories to come!

awesome bag he got to carry all his gear...radio, flashlight(that is heavy enough it could be used as a weapon), pepper spray, and cuffs!

CONGATULATIONS nICH...I AM SO PROUD OF YOU!!!

I Love you Deputy!!

baby oh baby...look at that belly!

2008-04-16T15:35:00.001-07:00

I know, I know....I have been really bad about blogging, so here is a much needed update and some belly pictures!!

I went to my Doctor appointment last week and he said that baby Leonidas (his name for the time being, even though nICH's mom absolutely hates it...but if we don't pick a new name before he is born...Leonidas might be it!!) was about 1 1/2 pounds and I looked at my belly and thought no way that is incredible that a baby of that size(and will get even bigger) could be in there! The Doc also said that by my next appointment he will be around 3 pounds...WOW!

I can feel the baby more a lot more now! nICH finally felt him kick the other night(I actually started crying a little) every time I would yell at nICH to come feel him kicking, he would run over, put his hands on my belly and the little stinker would stop kicking. So nICH as thought that I have just been teasing him this whole time...but he finally felt him!

drip, drip, drip little April....snowflakes???

2008-04-07T09:14:00.000-07:00

The weather has been so crazy the past few weeks, Saturday and Sunday were sunny warm days, then Monday afternoon it started snowing!! Then it snowed again today!! Will Spring ever come...!!

Yup it says 35 degrees!!

HALF WAY THERE...!!!

2008-02-28T13:13:00.000-08:00

Yeah!! We are half way there!!

nICH & I went to my 20 week ultrasound a couple weeks ago.

It was so amazing...there really is a baby in there!! Lately every time I tell someone that I'm pregnant I get this response "your pregnant...you don't even look pregnant!" Also patients that come to the office and see me every time they come in...keep giving me the questionable look "is she pregnant or is she just putting on weight?...I don't dare ask her!" I could tell them but it's more fun to see their faces...hopefully it will be obvious in a few months.

It was nice to see that there really is a baby inside my belly and it's not just getting fat for no reason...and our baby is growing and is healthy!

We also found out we are having a boy!! We are so excited...nICH was happy either way, girl or boy. But deep down I really wanted a boy...and I think nICH is super excited to have a boy to ride motorcycles with!

We can't wait for our little munchkin to get here!

I've been tagged...again!!

2008-02-27T04:02:00.000-08:00

So my sister tagged me again and I'm supposed to write 6 interesting things about me and one is supposed to be a lie...well I decided to put a little twist on it...

6 interesting things about me being pregnant....but there is no lie, because there is nothing untrue about being pregnant!!

1. Unstoppable crying- I just woke up from a dead sleep CRYING because nICH did something mean in my dream(poor nICH he always gets the blame!) Did I wake up and think "why am I crying it was a stupid dream, stop crying! Oh no, no, no...the crying continued for about ten minutes, I couldn't stop...unstoppable

2. Insomnia- I love to sleep...I really do, but lately I am up around 1:00 or 2:00 until about 3:00 or so....the other night I almost bought a airbrush make-up machine...because it would make you as flawless as a movie star in your very own home, it sounded great! Who wouldn't want to look flawless!!

3. Going from training bra to....Victoria Secret model!!!

4. Incredible Moodiness- I have been really moody lately and I feel really bad for those I work with, they usually get the brute of all my wrath. My sister told me she was going to make be a button that says "Sorry I'm ornery...I'm PREGNANT!" Thanks Melissa!

5. Anxiety- The worry of whether the baby is growing, that it's healthy and I'm doing everything I can right, the worry if I will be a good parent or not...whether I'll know what I am doing! This is one of life's biggest purchases that has NO return policy!!

and my favorite...that nICH says I shouldn't admit to anyone...that I am now going to admit to the whole world!!

6. The little tingle of pee I get every time I sneeze or cough or laugh really hard or stand up to fast or run to fast or pretty much doing anything!!

Well I hope I haven't embarrassed myself...or you to much and you have enjoyed reading

6 interesting things about me being pregnant!!

Hello Officer

2008-02-26T20:17:00.000-08:00

Well nICH is starting a new career path...He got hired on with the Sheriff's office working at the county jail!! He is so excited about his new job...I on the other hand am a little nervous!!

He will be in training for 11 weeks...which is hard work...up early every morning, commuting 50 miles from home, sitting through hours of classes, working out and learning defense tactics(that he likes to practice on his loving wife...lucky me!!) then home...it makes for a long day, by the time he gets home he is ready for bedtime...after graduation in May he will start working at the jail!!

CONGRATULATIONS nICHY...I am so proud of you!!

Love you lots! :)

Sledding at West Mountain

2008-02-05T13:46:00.000-08:00

It was a perfect sunny day Saturday...so of course we had to take the three wheelers out. We went to West Mountain to sled with bRAD & mELISSA the boys and bRADs brothers family. We had loads of fun.

bRETT pulling bJ and mASON up the hill

bJ flying down the hill

at first tATE was being grumpy

but then joined in the fun...

nICH's new toys....

2008-02-05T12:49:00.000-08:00

I had just got home from work, shut the garage door and walked in the house, I took my shoes off and headed into the kitchen and heard the garage door open..."hmm nICH's" home I thought....but then I heard a strange noise...the noise of a motorcyle(or so I thought!!), I thought "good crap...did he ride his dirt bike home, its like 25 degrees outside" So I walked out to the garage and found nICH with a huge smile from ear to ear on his face!

I walked outside and saw these...

yup..two Honda three wheelers

nICH is in Heaven

and I must admit...so am I, they are pretty fun to ride!!

tellin the parents...

2008-01-27T19:42:00.000-08:00

I have been a real slacker on blogging! I know this was a month ago, but I wanted to post the pictures of us telling our parents we were expecting!

We told nICH's parents when we were there for Christmas! nICH made a really cool magnet board, that says grandkids across the bottom we put a picture of eLLIE, aVERY & iAN, and a card that said Baby Nichy July '08. At first they didn't realize what was on the board or the purpose of our early Christmas present...but it was lots of fun when they realized, we got screams, big hugs and some tears!

opening an early Christmas present!!!

um....

delighted nANA & pAPA

We got together with my family after Christmas to open presents we got for each other. My sister helped me make a card for my parents, it looked like a Christmas card on the outside but on the inside all it said was...Baby Nichy July 12, 2008! We all sat around and opened presents and after the last present was opened nICH handed my parents the card. My mom said she was scared to open it because we all had our cameras out. They opened the card and of course my dad started to cry (he tears up a lot) and then I looked at my mom and she was crying too...that doesn't happen often!! So needless to say they are super excited as well!

yup...both crying!!

I have a feeling this kid is going to be pretty spoiled with love!!

nICH's scavenger hunt!!

2007-12-30T19:25:00.000-08:00

Well...one evening when nICH got home from work he found a note on the garage door...and this is what it said:

Welcome Home Love!
I have made a scavenger hunt for you!! If you get each clue it will lead you to a much awaited surprise!!
There are 6 clues for you to find, each clue will hopefully lead you to the next clue. You can ask for help on one clue (if you should so need)!!
Good Luck, I Love You very much and most of all have fun!!

Here are all the clues..let's see if you can figure out the much awaited surprise!!

Clue #1: Don’t be a “bink” you can find them all!

Clue #2: I always have it that’s no doubt, when I’m curled up on the couch it is "this", I’m not without!

Clue#3: "Boudreaux’s" really knows his stuff, when I have an itch he creams it with a snitch.

Clue#4: It "smells" so sweet, it "smells" so nice. You like to use it, no matter what the price.

Clue#5: I sleep so soundly, I sleep so well, just because you’re my “Daddy” now!!

Clue #6: I may be a small, I may be short, but I "package" a big punch of course!!

In case you have no CLUE what the surprise is....we are having a baby!! I am due on July 12, 2008! We couldn't be happier!!

Christmas Morning

2007-12-30T19:01:00.000-08:00

mERRY cHRISTMAS!!

Everyone was up early to open presents...gRAM couldn't wait! I don't know what time gRAM got up, but before she went to bed Christmas Eve she said she was waking up at 4:00, I told her she was crazy and there was no way I was getting up that early! I think I finally made it downstairs around 7:30!

nICH and lOREN handed everyone their gifts...then we all went to town opening them!

gRAM patiently waiting to open her present

um...what's in here...

my lOREN...that looks like a big present

I think cATHY was the first one done opening presents...she LOVES Christmas!

Thanks nICH, you have such good taste! (wink, wink)

the baby even got presents this year...spoiled with love already!!

We had a wonderful Christmas this year, and hope you all did too!

Christmas Eve

2007-12-30T18:14:00.000-08:00

This year we spent Christmas in Seattle, it was so fun to see everyone and spend time with nICH's family! We had a big party Christmas Eve, cATHY went all out...as usual, the food was delicious, it was a perfect Christmas Eve!

Our Christmas tree

nANA's Christmas tree

The day before Christmas Eve we went down to visit with gRAM fRIEDRICHSEN, the home she is in put together a wonderful Christmas dinner!

We love you gRAM!!

the Christmas Eve feast

nice apron nICHY

helping aUNT jUDY make fried oysters

DIG IN....we had, clam chowder in bread bowls, cracked crab, fried oysters, and a bunch of other good food!!

kETA, pAT, jASON & kELSEY

nICHY and little iAN

National Lampoon's Christmas Vaction

2007-12-29T02:34:00.000-08:00

Our friends had a National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation party were you had to come dressed as your favorite character from the movie.

Nich, Melissa and I went to the DI the night before the party to get our splendid outfits, we so much fun at the DI looking for our costumes. Brad and Melissa went as the kids, Nich went has cousin Eddy and I was Clarke's mom.

we were all getting high off the spray paint from the silver suits!

Twin cousin Eddy's

my very festive Christmas Tree shoes

There was a prize for best costume, everyone voted for their favorite costume!

I think these might be the reason I won!!!!

eLK... It'S wHAT's fOR dINNER!!

2007-12-14T08:08:00.001-08:00

nICH, bRAD(brother in-law), bRETT(bRad's brother), pAUL(friend) & kENNY(the elk whisperer!) all went hunting for elk on Tuesday. They left Monday night from kENNY's house at around 9:00, they got to their carefully selected destination at around 12:15 AM, they were all tired and climbed in the steel enclosed trailer...with no heat and slept!!..brrr!

They next morning kENNY made them an awesome breakfast. Then it was off to hunt.
bRAD spotted some Elk about 420 yards away...and started screaming like a little girl...then started shooting! nICH had no bullets in his gun so he hurried and threw some in...bRAD shot 12 times and bRETT shot 8 times at their elk...nICH got in about 3! bRAD's elk has 6 bullet holes, bRETT's has 3 bullet holes and nICH's has 2!! Lucky shots nICH!!

Poor nICH...they got home earlier than expected and I was out shopping..he got dropped off at the house and was locked out with no key !

nICH, bRAD & bRETT

The meat packaging place they were taking the elk to, was full their were 400 animals in front of them (must be hunting season) and no hooks to store their elk. So...they got to go in the iVERSON's garage (mELISSA was super happy about that)!

bRAD was a little worried the garage was going to come crashing in!

Well they did hang 3 400 lb elk!!

bJ imitating what the elk looked like!

not bad!

the boys getting ready to skin'em and chop the legs off...that's when mELISSA and I said "we're going shopping..see ya later!"

THE FOLLOWING PICTURES ARE GRAPHIC.

PARENTAL DISCRETION IS ADVISED!!

look at all that meat!

next time we see this elk it will be individually wrapped in butcher paper!

YUM!!

I've been tagged!!

2007-12-02T19:16:00.000-08:00

So my sister Melissa tagged me and has been on my case to complete it! So here goes...

8 Things I am Passionate About:
1- nICH
2- family
3- gospel
4- friends
5- my job(even though I complain often)
6- chocolate milk (a new found love)
7- blogging
8- my new dirt bike (thanks nichy)

8 Things I want to do before I die:
1- Buy two Harley's-and ride from Spanish Fork, UT pit stop in Smithfield, UT then on to Everett WA!
2- Go on a Honeymoon (maybe for our 5th anniversary!)
3- Get my RN!! (I'm working on the 20 yr plan)
4- Lose 10 pounds
5- go to foreign country with nICH
6- Run a half marathon
7- make a difference in someones life
8- Serve a mission with nICH

8 Things I say Often
1- "hello..."
2- "shut up!"
3- "geschisa"
4- "Dude"
5- "I love you more"
6- "my stomach hurts... so bad"
7- "did you fart?"
8- "please tell me I am not this smart"(usually after I have done something really dumb!)

8 Things I have learned this year:
1-if you buy 40 pounds a chicken (not frozen) in a box and get home from the grocery store and you are to tired to separate the chicken into separate freezer bags and end up putting the 40 pound bag of chicken in the freezer...you will end up with 40 pounds of molded demented chicken! Then one night when you are trying to make dinner...that of course calls for two chicken breasts...you can't just go out to the freezer, open the door and take out two chicken breasts! No, no...you have to take the whole demented mass of chicken into the kitchen put it in the sink and chisel a chunk of chicken off...without chopping your finger off! (Next time I have the opportunity to do this again...I will be sure to get a picture so you can have a visual!!)
2- 40 pounds of chicken should be separated into individual freezer bags!
3- I can never be successful on the sugar-free diet (kudos to nICH)!!!
4- never say "who wants to go first" when giving little kids shots!
5- running at six AM is never easy!
6- how to ride a dirt bike...my Honda CR125
7- moving is not easy...but being close to my sister is the best thing ever!!
8- Being married to nICH is so much fun!!!

Dancing Lessons

2007-11-23T20:44:00.001-08:00

Star in Your Own JibJab! It's Free!nICH and I have been taking dance lessons...check it out!!

Happy Halloween!!

2007-11-11T17:22:00.001-08:00

Halloween was full of fun adventures this year! We went over to the Iverson's and had a yummy gruesome halloween dinner. A tradition started by my mom. For dinner we had: Worms with Bloody Eyeballs, Witch Fingers, and Monster Booger Eyeball Salad. Yummy Yum!!

After dinner we all carved pumpkins!! BJ wasn't so sure about pulling out the pumpkin guts...until his Dad told him "son, how are you going to gut a deer? Come on... get in there!" Then it was a whole new ball game!

carving pumpkins

don't worry...I'll get it all!!

nICH carving very meticulously

my pumpkin is a little devil!

nICH pumpkin turned out cool!

I dressed up for work...I think I might have scared a couple of patients!! I hope they don't have nightmares of a scary witch forever!

My co-workers dress up too...Kris Ann was Captain Hook and Katie was an ompa lumpa!!

Max and Tate come to visit...I thought Tate might be scared...but he justed laughed at me!

Later that night I called nICH on the way home from work and he answered whispering "shhh you are going to give me away...I'm hiding from the trick or treaters!" Silly nut nICH!! So when I got home we got out the candy bowl and started answering the door...about 30 min later we were out of candy!
Then the boys came by...we gave them the awesome boxes nICH's mom put together and then all the boys played the playstation.
Hope you all had a safe and Happy Halloween!!

making scary faces

gentle lion!!

Girls Just Wanna Fun

2007-11-01T22:35:00.000-07:00

mELISSA and I drove up and meet my mOM and kATELYN at Gardner Village for lunch. It was so much fun!! We walked around and saw all the witches they had made out of pumpkins, ate a yummy lunch then headed off for more shopping!!

I wonder if all the blood has rushed to Hilda's brain yet!!

mELISSA and kATE playing hide and seek with the witches!

After our shopping extravaganza we went to mELISSA's and had dinner...then we played Truth or Dare!! Please check out the videos on mELISSA's blog http://bjmaxtate.blogspot.com/ for a good laugh!

cATHY tURNS "?????"

2007-10-27T10:01:00.000-07:00

HaPPy BiRTHdAY cATHY!!!!

nICH flew up to Seatlle and surprised his mom for her 60 birthday! He said he walked in the back door...his mom looked up and waved hi and went back to cleaning the counter...and realized who it was and looked up with tears in her eyes and gave him a big hug! Its a sweet memory for both of them!

Happy Birthday!

Nana needed help blowing out the candles...she is 60!

cATHY and her boys!

Nana, Papa & Ian

hOME sWEET hOME

2007-10-26T21:47:00.000-07:00

So here are a few pictures of our house. There have been some changes since we have taken these pictures, but you get the idea.

lOREN & cATHY visit to UTAH!!

2007-10-25T21:48:00.000-07:00

Cathy and Loren came to visit a couple of weeks ago! It was so much fun to have them here, we miss them tons! So since there really isn't much to do around town...(we really moved to the sticks!!) Cathy and Loren wokred so hard on little projects on our house! They did so much work, I can never Thank them enough. It was so good to have them here and we can't wait to see them again soon.

The first night they were here we went to eat at YUMMY Carabas! Lo-Lo couldn't finish, which is amazing because he never leaves food on his plate!! Way to go PaPa Lo-Lo!

Finding the perfect light bulb at Home Depot!

nICH and I sat in this tent (Ice Fishing shelter to be exact) at Cabela's. It was fun watching peoples faces when they realized there were two people sitting inside the tent!!

Before heading to the airport we walked through Temple Square, it was a perfect day. It was raining a little before we got there, but as soon as we pulled up to the Conference Center the rain stopped long enough for us to walk around! It was PERFECT! We toured the gardens on the top of the Conference Center, then walked thourgh Temple Square.

"0-10"

2007-10-25T20:36:00.000-07:00

This year nICH was on the "Kenny Parcell" softball team!

They played hard and had a fun time...most the time!

GOOD GAME TEAM!!

nice hit nICHy!

bRAD running to first base

tATER - tOT was an "All-Star" fan! He stayed up way past bedtime to cheer Daddy on!!

everybody searching for sCOTTs keys...he dropped them in the outfield.

luckily someone found them!!

bOYS and nEW tOYS

2007-10-22T13:05:00.000-07:00

sometimes in life a man just needs his toys. I guess this is one of those times. So here they are the CR250 - CR500 & the Z50.

The bikes seems to be a little tall for nICH"S little legs.

There we go this is more his size.

a dAY at tHE PaRk

2007-08-24T20:09:00.000-07:00

mELLISA, aMANDA, mE and the bOYS went to a fun park in Orem. We played in the water, had a picnic and then swung on this awesome swing. I felt like a little kid again!

tATE couldn't resist getting in the water...clothes and all!

he had lots of fun

bJ had fun chasing tATE in the water

mAX had a hard time keeping his pants up...nice superman undies!!

mELISSA made us some yummy sandwhiches

after lunch bOY nICH came to play with us

we swung so much I thought I was going to be sick

fiSHing aT sChoeField

2007-08-21T15:44:00.000-07:00

We went fishing at Schoefield, the lake was gorgeous, the fish weren't biting and the boys were well... extremely bored after 2o minutes!! But it was still lots of fun!

First...and last catch of the day!

mELISSA was bored until we gave her a fishing pole!

bJ caught two fish...but the line broke reeling them in

I know I have a sweatshirt on in the middle of July! I was cold!!

making sure their bate is on just perfect...

and it looks like it may have worked!

tATE got into the red vines...his favorite!

nICH got hungry and wanted a little treat too!

mAX wasn't so sure!!

the boys got bored so they jumped in for a nice swim!

it was a perfect day for fishing
I loved it!!

Happy Pioneer day!!

2007-07-30T20:55:00.004-07:00

The 24th of July is a big deal in Utah (a little bigger than the 4th) I remember when I was living in Arizona and getting excited for Pioneer day (the 24th of July) ...but funny thing is...they don't celebrate Pioneer day! I thought everybody celebrated I was ready for BBQ's parades and best of all some more fireworks. Needless to say I was super excited for the 24th this year! We went to the Spanish Fork parade (that nich was in) then had a BBQ with friends at the Iverson's

(aka: home)

Our adventures started with a balloon ride and breakfast courtesy of the Kenny Parcell team ReMax results.
the balloon just went up to 60 ft or so but that was far enough for me!

then we were off to the parade

only in UT do you get to see the Elders walking in the parade!
nich throwing frisbees for the "Kenny Parcell" team

he did A LOT of walking that day!

I want this guys bike...its a short fall to the ground!

BBQ time

we had Halibut fish and chips

Then the best part of the night

FIREWORKS!!

watching snake fireworks

nICH's Birthday

2007-07-30T20:55:00.003-07:00

Happy Birthday Nich!!

BJ made nich a paper airplane for his birthday and drew him some pictures!

it says I love you!

BJ drew this picture of nich

an IPOD shuffle!

Nich wanted this jello pretzel salad for his birthday cake...and since he is on the no sugar kick we made it with sugar free jello and sugar free whipcream. Surprisingly it was really good!

and of course we went boating for nich's birthday and I forgot to take our camera with us (i know not a true blogger) so just imagine us on the water (perfect glass) ski and wakeboarding to our hearts content!

HappY BirthDaY NICH!!

Fourth of July

2007-07-30T20:55:00.001-07:00

For the July 4th we went to Logan on the 3rd and watch the fireworks at USU. They always put on a great show...we go every year, get a pizza play card games eat junk food and listen to the band playing. Then the next morning we drove up to my Grandma Meppen's and watched the fireworks with her. She lives right by the freeway where they shoot off the fireworks so we get front row seats for free!! Its was a lot of fun to see family and spend time with them.

Ryan Shuppe and the Rubberband played

We were all excited to see what Taters would think of the fireworks!!
He loved 'em!! He was kicking and giggling the whole time!

Dad BBQ some yummy burgers and hot dogs!

grandma, melissa, uncle bruce and his friend and aunt carla
(sorry for the blurry picture)

katelyn's smiling face!!