Up to Speed...

I need to do a better job updating our blog! Jeez! Well we had a busy and fun weekend (last weekend that is). On Saturday I got up super early to run my 14 miler and to do Farrells class afterwards. Then later that day we headed out to Jen's parents' place for Jackson and Joel's 1st Birthday party. I can't believe they are 1 already!!! The party was great, with wonderful food, party games, and catching up with friends. We had to leave the party a little early as we were meeting Kris and Steve in Boone as they were taking Brady for the night. Andy and I had a special date night planned as that day was the 5th year anniversary of our first date. We decided it would be fun to somewhat re-live our 1st date. So we headed to dinner at Nick's and on our actual 1st date we went and walked around Gray's Lake but we decided to catch a movie instead. We went to see 'The Ugly Truth'...it was a good movie! We both really enjoyed it. After the movie we hit up TCBY (I so wish we had one in Ankeny!). Then on Sunday we got to somewhat sleep in and then we did some things around the house. Later that afternoon we picked Brady up in Ames. I think he was a good boy for the most part for Nana and Papa.
This has been another busy week for us! I had Dragon Boat Races practice on Wednesday night...we have a team from Wells Fargo of about 23 of us and you are in a very large canoe type boat and you row as fast as you can as a team to beat the other teams, etc. It's going to be sooo much fun and that takes place tomorrow at Gray's Lake. I hope to get some pics to post! This was also my last week of Farrells 10-week body shaping program. I did my final testing and was very happy with my results! We have a party tomorrow night to celebrate making in the 10 weeks...I'll post more on that later as well! Here are some random pics from the last few days:

Brady can sit up like a big boy now and play with his toys

Or eat his toys I guess...

This is usually what he looks like after he eats...food stuck to him and his hair is all crazy from having his face washed off...his hair is getting LONG!

Side profile...Brady, I think it helps if you turn the cup the other way!

Jackson and Joel with their 1st Birthday cakes!

Picture Game!

My friend Jen tagged me in a Picture Game! They're fun to do so I thought I would see what picture I ended up with. The Rules:
1. Go to your 4th Picture Folder
2. Upload the 4th picture in that folder
3. Explain the picture on your blog
4. Encourage others to do so on their blog!


This is one of my favorites! It was in my folder titled 'Brady' and it has most of our first pics of him. He is only a little over a month old here. Oh how much he's changed!!!
Thanks for tagging me Jen! :-)

What we've been up to...

The past week was great weather and we tried to take full advantage. We went for many walks, etc. Brady loves to be in his stroller and looking around at everything! This weekend we didn't really have much going on, which was a nice change since we've had plans most weekends this summer so far. I've been able to have some great training runs since the weather has been mild and cool--amen! Today we got up and went to church and Brady did sooo good! After his nap we headed to Jester Park and had a picnic and Brady got to 'play' on some of the playground equipment there. Basically it was us holding him and he tried to touch everything! :-) After our picnic we drove around a little to look at some possible lots for our next home (we would like to find a lot to buy now and build later) we checked out some plots by Granger and Jester Park...the lots were great with lots of future potential. It's just hard finding something in a smaller school district yet close to the metro for our jobs, etc. But we know we'll find something that we love!

Getting ready for church...Brady can sit up all by himself now!

"Ah mom, no more pictures!"

I LOVE to swing!!!

Higher Daddy!!!

Extreme close up!

"Um, mom...I need a haircut!!!"

Family Time

Last Sunday we headed back to Kimballton for our niece Cadence's baptism. Unfortunately the weather didn't cooperate very well and we were all stuck inside for most of the day. Oh well! We headed back to Ankeny fairly early in the afternoon so we could get all ready for the week...it was hard going back to work after a week off! Yuk!

Cadence and Brady being held by Regan

The kiddos playing---in a few months they'll be a little more interested in each other I think!

Summer Fest!

I have been a little behind on blogging lately...so to finish up our weekend last weekend we went to Ankeney's Summer Fest! We took Brady to the parade...Bryce, Meggie and Luke also went and we all sat together. The parade was really good--way different than the small town parades we're used to---I think there were only 2 tractors in the whole parade! :-) After the parade, we had some lunch and Brady took a nap. Here are some pics from the parade...

Getting ready for the parade to start

Not quite sure what this was---it was basically a tent on wheels!

Andy's favorite---Karl Chevrolet

7 Months Old!

Our baby is 7 months old!!! Time has gone SO fast...we can't believe he is already 7 months. He is amazing us every day. He is doing new things all the time and it's just a matter of time before he is crawling! He is making funny faces, using a sippy cup (not all that well but he's trying!!), and it won't be too much longer before he gets moved up to a bigger car seat. He has been an absolute joy in our lives and we couldn't imagine our lives without him. We love you Brady boy!

Here's my favorite face these days

I'm a big boy!

Last picture mom!

Week off!

Andy and I had this whole past week off work! It was wonderful! We didn't do too much which was the whole idea! On Monday we went to the pool--we did take Brady to day care. On Wednesday Brady and I headed back to my parents for the day/night and Andy did some golfing with Bryce. He was also able to get some sleep since we were gone for the night! I also got a facial--which was wonderful. It was my Mother's Day gift and I'm pretty sure I'm hooked! We had a nice and relaxing week off work and neither one of us is looking forward to Monday...boo!

There's that face Brady likes to make....ha ha ha!

Sippy Cup!

Brady has done such a great job learning to use his Sippy Cup. He has figured out how to get his water out of it but for now he really likes to just chew on it...could be because he's working on a couple more teeth...I think we'll have some rough days/nights ahead!

'Look, I'm a big boy'

Happy 4th of July!

We hope everyone had a great 4th of July! On Friday Andy had the day off but I had to work. He and Brady headed up to Gowrie that afternoon so they could start the 4th festivities early. I had to hang back in Ankeny until Saturday morning so I could go to my Farrells class. Andy had fun seeing old friends on Friday night. Unfortunately due to the weather there was no band playing but I think they made the best of it. The rain continued pretty much all day on Saturday. When it was time for the parade it was still misting (a 'Seattle' mist Andy would say) and Brady was really due for a nap so we hung back home during the parade. We were finally able to make it uptown later in the afternoon. We came back to Ankeny on Sunday morning and ran some errands, etc. Luckily Andy and I have all week off work!!! Yay! We plan to get some things done around the house and also do some relaxing!

Jaxson and Brady in their 4th gear

Daddy and Brady...this is the new face Brady likes to make...too funny!

Mommy and Brady

Brady wearing Papa's hat

Fun with Friends

On Thursday Meredith and Jon came over for a mid-week barbecue. Since we're both so busy this summer, we had to make it a week night. It was great catching up with them and I know that Brady loved having them over! We just have to make sure we don't wait so long in between visits next time!!!