Bradshaw Adventures

Jurassic Park or Hogle Zoo?!

2011-05-31T10:17:00.000-07:00

For Memorial Day this year we decided we would meet my parents and friends at Hogle Zoo rain or shine...we had no idea that on May 30 we would wake up to SNOW!!

So we layered up with clothing, winter coats, blankets, ponchos and umbrellas and headed for the zoo. They are featuring super cool dinosaurs throughout the park for a limited time and we didn't want to miss it. Once there it rained, it poured, it hailed...and then the sun came out:-)

Can't imagine a world with six Janie's and six Gracey's but it makes a fun picture.

Kids being Monkeys (as usual)

The super cool, super scary T-REX. These dinosaurs are throughout the park and they move, spray water and roar! They are worth the trip to go and see!

Gabe had a love/hate relationship when it came to T-Rex

Gabe refused to look at the camera.

Cyndi and kids...most of them

Our little photographer in training

William's Preschool Graduation

2011-05-23T10:58:00.000-07:00

William graduated preschool this past week. They did a 20 minute program at the park where they sang songs and handed out certificates to each kid. He has loved school. Every day he would ask "Mom, do I have school today" If the answer was "no" he would be so disappointed and ask when he gets to go again. Of course when asked what he learned at the end of each day he would say "Nothing, we just played" so I could see why he loved it! We had one parent/teacher meeting during the year were I was told that my child was brilliant (of course) and was completely ready for kindergarten and that he would probably be bored next year because he "knows his stuff" We are hoping for a teacher that will continually challenge him because he loves to learn.

We love you William and love your energy and excitement about life and learning!

Speaking of Graduating...

The twins graduated from cribs to toddler beds!

They were super excited! Too excited, it took them an hour and a half to go to sleep because they kept running from one bed to the next. Once asleep Gabe fell out 3 times! We are hoping they get used to them soon and that the excitement wears off just a little...

We found Chevette cuddled up to Gabe. She is almost 10 years old and can't jump onto our bed on her own anymore. I think she was thrilled with the low toddler beds just as much as the twins were.

Celebrating Grandma LaRae

2011-05-17T12:39:00.000-07:00

ROBERTSON, LaRae Collett March 6, 1928 - May 12, 2011 LaRae Collett Robertson, passed away peacefully at her home in Boise, Idaho, on Thursday, May 12, 2011. She was born in Salt Lake City, Utah to Karl and Leah Collett. LaRae married Dil (Clarence Lee) Robertson in 1951. Her greatest work was in her home as a loving wife and mother. Dil and LaRae have five children; Rondalee Loosle (Barry), Frank Robertson (deceased), Paul Robertson (Lynn), Karl Robertson (Jeanna), Fred Robertson (Sue), seventeen grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren. LaRae graduated from Brigham Young University with a BA degree in Speech and Drama. She worked as a radio announcer and writer for CFAC radio station, in Calgary, Alberta. She hosted her own radio talk show, Collett Calling. LaRae worked as an accountant, owned Columbia School of Broadcasting, training radio announcer, and owned Boardwalk Designs. A devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, LaRae was an early morning seminary teacher, Stake Young Women's President and served a Church Education Mission in Las Vegas, Nevada with Dil. LaRae was a beloved teacher, lecturer, and author, including teaching with BYU Education Week. The Funeral Service will be held on Monday, May 16, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at the LDS Chapel on 5555 N. Locust Grove, Meridian, Idaho. A viewing before the Service will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. at the church. The Interment will be on Wednesday, May 18, 2011, at 3:30 p.m. at Mountain View Memorial Gardens, 1515 - 100 Street S.E. in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Please join the family at PIERSONS FUNERAL HOME, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., 4121 - 17 Avenue S.E., following the Interment.

On Thursday morning my Dad called to tell me that his mother had passed away peacefully in her sleep by her husband side. Heartbreaking. She was an absolutely amazing woman, wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

They have been living in Boise Idaho for the past several years at my Dad's brothers house. So I spent the next three days on the phone changing schedules and running last minute errands to get everyone ready for our little road trip. Thank you to all those who helped, picking up work shifts, taking the dog and lending much needed items for our trip. We left Sunday morning for Boise had the Funderal Monday and traveled home Monday night. The kids were amazing! They were so good in the car for the 9 1/2 hours of traveling in just two days. My mom travelled with us and helped keep the calm...along with a good DVD or two;-)

Family drove or flew in from Utah, Texas, Arizona, California and Alberta Canada. So wonderful to see everyone...so sorry for the occasion.

The Funeral was perfect. It was wonderful to hear all the LaRae stories. She truly was incredible. Joshua was sad and touched by the music and stories told. William wasn't sure what to think and was quiet and still. Gracey kept telling everyone to "Be quiet, sssshhhhhh. Grandma is sleeping" and Gabe....just wanted to know where the food was...

All of the granddaughters sang together one of Grandma's favorite Hymns "Be Still, My Soul"

My Dad with his father and siblings

Ronda, Dil, Paul, Fred and Karl

Jared entertaining the twins...by spinning them like tops

Most of the Robertson Gang

We brought Gabriel for the free entertainment

Brother Dillon with Uncle Barry

Cousins Delaney, Collet and Laurel with 3 week old baby Jack

Aubry and Grandpa Dil

I don't think we were there for 3 min before Gabe found something that resembled a sword for him

Grandma has had a harder and harder time traveling any distance during the last few years and I panicked for a minute trying to remember if she had ever seen the twins in person. I was relieved to find this picture and remembered that they came to visit right before our most recent trip to Alaska. The twins were about 8 months.

My thoughts are with my Grandfather Dil who has been at LaRae's side for 60 years this September and has taken care of her every need as her health continued to become worse of the years. He misses her so much.

I am so grateful for a gospel that teaches us that we are together forever. The Plan of Salvation is real and there is comfort in knowing His plan. I look forward to the day that we will all be reunited again.

First day of school??

2011-05-13T10:01:00.000-07:00

No, of course not, we have a few years before that happens, but they look the part! I got these on a great sale for the twins with the intent of saving them for their Birthdays. That idea lasted two days...Gabe wanted one of Gracey's purses and she wouldn't share so I busted out these adorable preschool backpacks. They were thrilled and ran to their room and filled them with toys and headed for the door "A school Mom, Bye!"

Then of course of few shots of Gracey being fabulous!

Twins bedtime conversation last night

2011-05-10T13:02:00.000-07:00

I could dedicate an entire blog just to the twins interactions with each other. It is such a treat watching them together. I think I have a few advantages of having boy/girl twins instead of boy/boy or girl/girl. Gabe couldn't be more boy and Gracey couldn't be more girl. So they both have different interest and toys so there is not a whole lot of fighting between the two. If fact, it's just the opposite, they get along so well and look out for each other. As they talk more and more I get a kick out of there conversations. Last night, I put them to bed at 8:30 and at 9:30 they were still chatting back and forth to each other from across the room. I sat outside and listened them for a good 20 minutes

"Bart (Fart) Gabe, Bart"
Gabe then makes a "raspberry" noise with his mouth and they would laugh and laugh
"Bart, GeeGee, Bart"
Then Gracey "GeeGee" would make a raspberry with her mouth and they would laugh and laugh and it went back and forth about a dozen times til...

Gracey: "Knock, Knock Gabe"
Gabe: "Who dere?"
Gracey: "Nana"
Gabe: "Nana, do?"
Gracey: "Gabe turn!!"
Gabe: "Knock, knock"
Gracey: "Who dere?"
Gabe: "Nana"
Gracey: "Nana, do?"
Gabe "GeeGee turn"

Then they laugh hysterically and then repeat and this seriously went back and forth til they finally fell asleep at 10! Adorable. I need to somehow get it on video, but not sure how...But I do know that I have some of their evening wrestling matches on video that I will try to figure out how to upload just cause it is so darn cute!

Just in case you haven't had enough yet....

2011-05-09T11:16:00.000-07:00

My Little Chef!!

Gracey is on a cooking kick. I can't do anything in the kitchen without her wanting to help. She is always saying "Cook Mom COOK!!!" So we have been doing way too much baking around here and it's totally Gracey's fault;-) The other week we make mini chocolate bunt cakes. Between batches I went to check find Gabe (to see what he was destroying) when I came back Gracey was closing the hot oven with her oven mits on...

While I was out of the room she smeared some batter onto the bottom of a pan and put it carefully in the oven. Everyday I have some crazy reminder that I can't take my eyes off the twins for a moment!!

The other morning she helped herself to a cube of soft butter then dumped all my expensive spices in. Yes, the entire container of whole cloves, ginger, cream of tarter and cinnamon.

Oh and marshmallows!

"Yummy mommy, this is LISOUS!!"

Have I mentioned she is potty trained?!!!! I can't tell you how amazingly wonderful it is to just have one child in diapers!! She just decided one day that she was done with diapers and that was it!! Gabe has no desire and is just ticked off that he doesn't get any gum when Gracey does. Although he tries to trick me. He will sit down and "pretend" to pee and stand up and quickly close the lid so that I can't see that there is no pee in the potty. Or he will flip the switch off and then on again on our little musical potty so that it will play the potty music.... "Mommy a pee, a gum" "No, Gabe. No pee, no gum" is a daily conversation of ours.

One of his many fat lips after running into the wall..or couch...or door...

This is what a room typically looks like after Gabe has been in there.

Doing his infamous "Whoo Hoo!!"

Just hangin out

2011-05-09T08:49:00.000-07:00

It's been a long long winter. First snow in October and last snow in May! Kids have been sick often. Just last week the twins took turns having fevers and wanting to be held. Jared and I fought over who got to hold them once they got so miserable and cuddly. Jared had won this round. With her 103.6 fever all she wanted was to be held and have her face tickled by her daddy and he was happy to do it...for hours:-)

This is my first three watching a movie together

...and this is what my fourth child was up to at that very same moment!

2010 was ridiculous!

2011-05-06T10:26:00.000-07:00

Here is my quick little recap, there was many reasons for not having a moment to blog.

February...

Twins stayed three days in the hospital with RSV

March...

I turned 30!

And...Jared had to have emergency appendix removal in the middle of the night after coming home from work and finding him green with pain and taking him straight to the ER!

April...

Josh scared us to death by going into anaphylactic shock! Read details of that nightmare here

We went to an allergy specialist that did numerous tests, but nothing showed a severe reaction that could cause anaphylaxis. He said that this had to be a "fluke" kind of a thing and should never happen again.

Joshua was so brave threw all the skin tests. He is such a good sport!

May...

William woke up in the morning screaming in pain. His face was swollen and he had lumps below his ears the size of golf balls! Took him to the ER (it was a weekend of course) and it took 6 nurses to pin him down to get an IV in him to do a CAT scan. Found a horrible infection and treated him with antibiotics and was back to him self in about four days.

June...

I was saying goodbye to Josh has he headed off for school, when I came back into the house Gracey was screaming. I went into my room where the twins were watching morning cartoons and Gracey was standing next to the chest in front of my bed with her fore arm obviously "bowed" dangling at her side. I had a freak out moment and raced her to the ER (again) The bone was bent and they had to sedate her and bend it back into place and then cast it for 6 weeks.

While in the ER my neighbor, who was watching Gabe for me called in and said that Gabe had fallen into a coffee table and may need stitches, but she couldn't quite tell because of all the bleeding....WHAT??!! My sister in-law went and checked on him and said there were no stitches needed (not that it mattered, I already had the room)

Horrible, horrible day...but it made for some adorable pictures over the next few weeks;-)

Gracey trying to drink the milk our of her cereal bowl

Bath time

July...huh...it's kind of a blurrr....

August...

Josh turned 8 and was baptized by his dad as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It was a beautiful wonderful day. We are so proud of him.

The twins turned 2!!!

Gabe kept blowing out his fingers instead of the candles because the candles were too hot he said;-)

September...

Josh went into anaphylactic shock AGAIN!!! This time I was not taking it was just a "fluke" as an answer!

Three allergy specialists, 2 skin scratch tests, one blood draw and 48 small pokes later... we have learned nothing! Nothing conclusive anyways. He is negative to all food allergies and off the chart to hay fever allergies (grass, mold, weeds, trees, animals etc) They don't think any one particular thing is causing his severe reaction, but a combination of...everything. We are giving him weekly shots to help build hopefully an immunity with daily allergy medication and we never go anywhere without an Epi pen for emergencies.

October...

William turned 5!

Halloween

November....

William woke up with the same exact infection and swelling! Went to a ENT specialist and did ANOTHER CAT scan and an x-ray. We learned that his tonsils seemed fine but his adenoids were huge (which would explain the insane snoring) Gave him antibiotics to treat the infection and scheduled surgery to have them removed.

December....

William had his tonsils and adenoids removed and it was so so miserable for him! He was in so much pain for about two weeks I did nothing but cater to him. It was a miserable long process for all of us! It was worth it though-no more infections, snoring or sleep apnea!

Needless to say 2010 did a number to my nerves and all the trips to the ER has done a number to our bank account. It was so hard to have so many things out of my control and to see all my kids suffer in one unexpected way after another. The out pouring of love and help for others was overwhelming and I will forever be grateful for family and friends that were willing to help in every way that they could at a moments notice.

Happy Easter!

2011-05-05T13:47:00.000-07:00

I have so many great pictures and moments that I really do need to be writing down and I can't print up facebook posts so I need to be a much better blogger! It would be impossible to catch up over the last year so I'll just share some of the last month or so and some favorite pictures to get me started.

Danielle and Jeff joined us for Easter Dinner...I will forever put them in charge of dessert!

The Easter Bunny got a job at Gymboree;-)

We spent a day out in Wyoming with cousins..and second cousins...and cousins twice removed (something like that) The men installed Blanche's over due sprinkler system while the rest of us did an Easter Egg hunt with the kids.

I'd like to say it was a quiet calm Easter weekend, but that doesn't exsist in our little world. After spending Saturday in Wyoming Jared got really sick and wasn't able to move for a good 24 hours. This made Sunday a little stressful for the Easter Bunny;-) Did the baskets and egg hunt with the kids and then fed them a breakfast of chocolate eggs, Peeps then everyone showered and of church by myself. I had to sing twice in Church which was a treat, I enjoy singing on Easter Sunday, but this made it so there was no skipping because Jared was down and out and really too miserable to leave the twins with him. I had plenty of extra hands at church willing to help out so it all worked out in the end. We then had good friends Danielle and Jeff over for Turkey dinner and then my parents drove out in the evening to spoil the kids even more.

It seems like there has been one holiday after another lately....

Valentine's Day

Gabe was trying to figure out how to get both of the suckers

Sugar Cookies

Make your own heart shaped pizza's

St. Patrick's Day

Green French Toast with Green Milk

Green Pesto Pasta, Green Jello and Green Milk and Garlic Bread

(The poor kids pooped green for a week)

And of course, Christmas!

Caught Santa in the act! Kids were thrilled!

We thought this would entertain Josh for weeks...it put it all together in a day.

He is thrilled, I promise. Just not much of a morning person no matter what morning it is;-)

"Whoo Hoo!!"

Our little Diva...

...with the coolest tricycle ever!

I'm Holidayed out!

Little Miracles

2010-04-13T12:41:00.000-07:00

Last Thursday I experienced one of the scariest moments of my life when my sweet 7 year old, Joshua, unexpectedly went into anaphylactic shock (a severe allergic reaction) and was transported by ambulance to the nearest hospital for immediate treatment.

It all happened so fast. I was on my way to help my friend Cyndi because she had just arrived home from vacation to find her home completely flooded with water. As I pulled into her driveway, Joshua started complaining about his stomach hurting. I told him to go stand outside by the grass just in case he throw up and that I would be there in a minute cause I needed to unload the twins. In a just a few short minutes he was crying saying that his stomach hurt and that he was itchy. He had small hives around is underwear lines, stomach and thighs. I took him inside to give him some cream to help the itching. We walked into the house and he threw up several times on the kitchen floor then ran to the bathroom with diarrhea. I left him alone for a few minutes while cleaning up the kitchen floor and getting the babies out of the pools of water throughout the house. We I got to the bathroom he was crying and desperately scratching everywhere. I had him lean forward so that I could rub some antihistamine cream on his backside that was now completely covered in small hives. When he sat back up his eyes started to roll into the back of his head. Panic set in as I called for Cyndi and helped him off the toilet. He took two steps out of the bathroom and collapsed to the floor. Cyndi called 911 as I rocked him in my arms and told him over and over to keep his eyes open and stay awake. I felt so helpless. He was able to open his eyes every time I told him to, but it was so hard for him. By know his skin was a pale green and his lips were blue. All that I just described to you happened in about 10-15 minutes. The ambulance got stopped at a rail road crossing and it seems liked forever for them to arrive. I ran Josh out to the ambulance in my arms and handed him to the paramedics. They wasted no time in getting him hooked up to IV's, oxygen and to whatever that machine is called that shocks their heart if necessary. Jared pulled up behind them.

In the ambulance Josh still struggled to stay wake, but was able to answer all the doctors questions, which we were all encouraged by. His blood pressure had bottomed out and they could barely get a ready. He then went from a pale green to beat red from head to toe and was very puffy and swollen looking, but was more alert.

At the ER they gave him several allergy meds through is IV and the redness started to fade. My parents (who I had called from the ambulance) arrived and Jared and my Dad gave him a blessing and by the time they admitted him to his own room for 24 observation he almost seemed back to himself.

We still don't know what caused the reaction or what he is allergic to. In the car on the way to Cyndi's he had eaten a gummy Easter candy that would have had GELATIN in it. He also got hives last November after receive the H1N1 vaccine, which also has GELATIN in it. So until we can see an allergy specialist (in about two weeks) we are staying away from anything that may have GELATIN in it. I have an Epi pen that I take everywhere and have put the school on high alert.

I am emotional writing about the experience. There is nothing more horrifying then seeing your child in such a desperate situation and feeling so helpless to save him. I believe I was surrounded by little miracles that day.

If this had happened at my house I would have been by myself with four kids (none of my neighbors were home and Jared was still 45 minutes away)

My phone was dead or dying and it would not have lasted a call with 911(I was going to charge it in the car on the way to Cyndi's house)

My parents were home and able to come right away.

Cyndi's neighbors came running when the saw the ambulance and fire trucks at her home. They all stayed and helped clear out her flooded basement and their young women came over to help watch my kids.

Josh is alive.

In the last 8 weeks we have had 4 of us in the hospital for overnight stays. I am so grateful for our friends and family who drop everything they are doing to come and help and support us. Today I feel extremely fortunate and blessed. Thank you for you prayers in our behalf as well.

Little Miracles

2010-04-13T12:36:00.000-07:00

Last Thursday I experienced on the the scariest moments of my life when my sweet 7 year old Joshua went into an

Could they really be 19 months?!

2010-03-26T08:15:00.000-07:00

Best Friends

Day is not complete without Gracey taking Gabe down

Playing the Wii with William

One year is definitely the magic number for twins. This is such a fun age! Still a ton of work obviously, but I absolutely adore them right now. They are so completely different and truly are best friends. They usually follow each other around the house. If one gets up and leaves the room the other one follows.

At about 13 months old Jared and I were upstairs and could hear them laughing downstairs. That was the first time we heard them laughing uncontrollably without us entertaining them so we had to investigate. Gabe and Gracey were chasing each other in circles around the couch and then taking turns tackling one to the ground and they would just laugh and laugh. This has continued and is the cutest thing and I have yet to get it on video.

They love to wrestle. Gracey gets ruthless as she grabs him by the collar of the shirt and pulls Gabe to the floor, then will jump on top of him and just lay there and laugh. Gabe goes easy on Grace, until he has had enough, then there are usually battle wounds.

Gracey is all girl. She loves to get her hair done with pretty bows. She loves shoes and dresses, hates a poopy diaper and she wants everything her way. She has a lot of attitude with me, but then sweet as cream the second her dad walks in the door and of course she has daddy wrapped around her finger. She says mom, dad (or yells it I should say) JAA (Josh) GAAA! (Gabe) and we are working on Will, but that is a had one. Both babies sign for the little things they want like more, milk, please, and eat (Gabe is always signing "eat")

Gabe is happy and easy going...until he is hungry or tired (just like his mom) He puts with Grace being the boss and is tougher then nails. He is solid from head to toe. His hands are like giant mits, but when it comes to his sister he is usually soft and gentle (I can't imagine that lasting forever the way that she eggs him on) He gives the best hugs and will snuggle into you when he is tired. He is all boy. Wants to wrestle, run and play with any ball. He also just says a few words. His newest thing is to find the moon for you.

My favorite story this week was how cute Gabe was the other day. Gracey was crying and throwing a fit and Gabe walked up to her, took the binkie out of his own mouth and put it in hers to shut her up. Too freakin cute!! Lovin my babies!

Yes I have four kids and I have more pics of them that I will post later this week

Catching up...finally!

2010-03-25T10:00:00.000-07:00

Happy New Year Everyone!! We got a night kid free with family and friends and it was fabulous!

Dad, me and Jared hitting the slopes!

This picture is a big deal! My family has lots of pictures of them on the mountain, but none with me in them! This was my first day back on the slopes since pregnant with the twins and my amazing family took it easy and skied with me the whole day. Love it!

This is another day we were able to go skiing and Josh came too!

First and only picture of Jessica and I skiing together-priceless!

Gracey in her adorable mask at the hospital. She was too tired to fight wearing it.

They would get stir crazy in there little hospital room so we would frequently take them out for a walk

Gabe taking his turn to pull Gracey in the wagon

Hooked up to monitors, IV's and oxygen. It was so heartbreaking.

Cyndi came to be another set of much needed hands to help love on the babies after their very traumatic day of blood draws, urine samples, x-rays, and breathing treatments.

This is the babies trying to escape. They headed to the elevators every time we let them out of their rooms. (I don't blame them a bit)

They were so super cute in there little hospital gowns

Grandpa Garth with sick miserable Gabe

Grandma Rhonda and Grandpa Garth with all the grand kids all together for the first time.

This is Jared's sister Halee with her beautiful children. They live in Alaska too-wish we could see them more!

Us attempting a family photo with restless, tired, cranky kids...didn't work out so well.

I am determined to keep up my blog! Facebook has made me lazy cause it seems faster to upload pictures, but my friend just printed her blog and had it made into a book. How amazing! The Internet has really made it possible to be journaling and keeping up our own personal records and pictures that much easier-I have no excuse to not take advantage of it all. Plus for the first time my parents have the Internet in their home (no they still do not have tv) and really want them and everyone else to see us daily cause things seem to change so much between visits in person.

I also need to make a point of more journaling and not just new pictures. I always think that I will never forget the funny little things that the kids do and say day to day and then before long...I have forgot! So I need to be writing more of it down.

I will try NOT to make this the longest post ever, but I feel like I have so much catching up to do.

January was great. Nothing too event full (which is a good thing) I was able to go skiing with Jared, Josh, my dad and all my siblings! It was such a treat! I am definitely a little rusty, but really enjoyed being out there seeing everyone else in my family and their mad skiing skills! Josh is getting real comfortable on the mountain. Goes all the way to the top and tries to hit any jump he can.

February started as a bit of a nightmare. On February 11th both babies were admitted to the hospital. Gracey was just two days into a cold when it went straight to her chest and she became really lethargic and had very labored breathing. The morning I was going to take her to the doctor Gabe woke up with a fever of over 103, would not stop trembling and also was very lethargic so I rushed them both in. I arrived at 9 am. The babies were then tested for everything. Then endured suctioning their nose and chests, breathing treatments, x-rays, blood draws and urine samples before finally being admitted at 3pm. Gracey couldn't keep her oxygen levels above 90% and they really didn't know what was going on with Gabe and wanted to monitor them both.

It was beyond over whelming for me. I would go from one baby to the next trying to comfort them and meet their needs as best I could. Again friends and family came to the rescue and I couldn't be more grateful. Gabe was there for two days and Gracey was released after 3 days. The hospital was full of sick babies so while there the babies both picked up a nasty bug that had them throwing up and filling there diapers every hour for 4 days and of course it didn't stop there. We all got that bug and it was miserable! Once that one was out of the house Gabe got sick again with the labored breathing and coughing throughout the night. It was so never ending!

Feb 17th Jared's family arrived from Alaska for Jared's grandmothers 90th Birthday. For the first time we were all together since our wedding! We spent the weekend in Wyoming with everyone. The babies were still recovering and Gabe was still quite miserable so yes they had their pacifiers the entire time and no, I could not remove them for any pictures...we totally tried! It was wonderful to spend the time with his family and was over too quickly!

So then just when I think that we are finally all getting healthy and going to get a full nights rest Jared comes home from work looking green and in severe pain. Enough pain that I raced him to the ER and he had to have him appendix removed at midnight that night!!! I couldn't believe I was back in the dang hospital again. My family was amazing and showed up that night to stay with the kids so I could be with Jared. Surgery went well and he has fully recovered and of course would not let me take any pictures to post.

Whew...that is a little recap of our main events. I will definitely post more often so that it doesn't have to be such a novel!!!

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-23T10:06:00.000-08:00

Another year without sending out a Christmas Card so this will have to do.

It it truly amazing to think about all the life altering changes that we have encountered this year. Currently we are in a really good place. We love our home in South Weber, Jared's job as an estimator for an excavation company is going really well as they quickly learn how talented, hard working and valuable he his as an employee and are continually giving him more and more responsibilities.

Joshua is loving his school and doing extremely well. He reads at levels twice at what they are suppose to be. Joshua is very kind and helpful and I love watching him with the babies. He is an amazing big brother.

William and I are learning to get a long. He is really sweet and loving. Always telling be how much he loves me. Will is very creative and loves to sing and dance in front of an audience, I can't imagine where he gets it.

The babies are running around everywhere and it is so fun to watch them! They are finally really interacting with each other. The chase each other around the house laughing as they fall and bump into one another. They play and share and fight. This is a magical age with twins and I am loving every minute.

Me, well I am happy and staying busy, very busy. I think I am getting better at the mom of 4 thing and learning to take big breathes before any "freaking out". I also have worked hard this year in loosing almost 50 pounds and it feels really really good.

Honestly when I think about how we survived this past year I realize we would not have if it were not for so many loving family and friends. This time last year Jared was working on the oil rigs out in Wyoming and gone a week at time as I learned to try to cope without him with two very demanding little babies. His sweet grandmother Blanche came and spent several of those weeks with me to give me a much needed extra set of hands and company. Thank you Blanche, we love you so much!

My dad made that possible by driving to Wyoming from Heber (2 hours) to pick up Blanche in the snow, then bring her to my house (2 hours) and then turn around and drive home (1 hour). I was so grateful. Thank you dad.

My mom has taken the boys for several nights and weekends to give me a break (Pretty sure it is the only reason William survived the year) Their days with Grandma are filled with homemade play dough, trips to the park, feeding ducks and even swimming at the pool-they love their time with Grandma and it is hard to talk them into coming home. Thank you mom.

Friends have randomly come by to take the boys for a little distraction and they love their visits from their auntie Jessica who comes to visit whenever she has a day off. Thank you all so much.

My brother Eli and his beautiful wife Gwen have a special place in my heart this year and I miss them living in the neighborhood. They have been very kind and generous throughout the year. Eli calls all the time just to check in and make sure I am okay and the first one to offer any kind of assistance and I am forever grateful. Thank you so much!

Both Eli's wife and Jessica are expecting babies in the summer and I am so excited for them and can't wait to start returning favors although I am pretty sure I will always been in their debt!

I get emotional every time I think about our summer in Alaska with Jared's family. It came at a much needed time in our lives and again we are so grateful for the love, support we felt and for so many amazing adventures in just one summer. We miss you all and love you so so much.

I feel so blessed to have so many amazing people in my life. Thank you all so much!

I guess it is a good thing that I didn't try to get this all out on a postcard this year. Thank you all we love you all so much. Merry Christmas!

November and December Adventures

2009-12-15T13:05:00.000-08:00

My "North Pole" tree this year

Jared and I got a night out (finally) My amazing friend Cyndi watch all the kids so that we could go to his work Christmas party

Every year Jared's parents parents send new Nativity sets for the kids. We make sure to spend an evening reading from Luke as we open and show them their new Nativities. This is something we look forward to every year. Thank you Grandma and Grandpa

We spend an evening making Gingerbread houses

...and another evening making sugar cookies with friends

Every year, since Joshua was born, my dad is a "reader" a couple of times a season on the "Polar Express". So every year we have gone on rehersal, but this was the first year that we actually got to be on the same train the same night as my dad which made this year's train ride extra special!

So I realize that I have been way behind in my blogging and for family who keeps checking, I am so sorry. These pics are posted most recent first. It was over a month ago that we took these pictures at temple square, but still wanted to share them

Overview of October (finally!)

2009-11-24T08:08:00.000-08:00

We found this amazing place last year where you take a hayride out to pick your own pumpkins I think we will do it this way every year!

Cyndi and her kids came out with us

Grandma Lynn came too!

Joshua drove the tractor home (on the guys lap of course)

Then it was carving time!

Gabe will eat anything!

William with his spider

Mike (our friend) baby eating pumpkin

Jared's...creation

Shoot...I guess you can't really see Josh's. His was half happy and half sad.

Gracey (our angel) taking a few steps at the ward Christmas party

Harry Potter and....Fire guy I guess

The happiest little devil ever!!

Who is always up to no good!

Trick-or-treating with Mike

The twins helped hand out the candy

Sorry the writing is so brief and not too many detail, but i wanted to get the pictures posted so that our Alaska family could enjoy and see what we have been up to!

HAPPY 4TH BIRTHDAY WILLIAM!!!

2009-11-09T21:06:00.000-08:00

Our not so little man, was born October 29, 2005
He was born two weeks early weighing 9 lb 2 oz!!

After the first 24 hours he became harder and harder to wake up. The admitted him to the NICU for some testing and learned he had an infection of some kind and started a treatment of antibiotics and IV's.

Will was also quite Jaundice so they placed him under the lights while he was there

After 3 days in the NICU he was able to come home, but for 3 weeks he remained on the lights at home. Everyday for three weeks we had to drive him to the hospital to have his blood drawn til the jaundice finally went down

Joshua was so thrilled to be a new big brother!

This is Will at 3 weeks!

And this is our precious boy today at 4 years old!

For his Birthday we envited friends and family to come celebrate!

Will specifically wanted cupcakes with sprinkles!

We served fresh Alaska Halibut chowder and Chili made with Jared's moose he caught!

William is an amazing little boy. Full of creativity and love of life. There is never a dull moment with Will! He loves to dance and sing "original" songs, but still wants to kick your butt at a came of swords!

We love you so much and can't imagine a life without you!

Happy Birthday!!!

Have you met my In-Laws?

2009-10-26T10:37:00.000-07:00

Rhonda and Garth

Clamming

Watching Grandma make Fireweed Jelly

The babies loved playing on the piano with Grandpa

Gabe had a soft spot for Auntie Jane

Walking the harbor with daddy and Grandpa

Taking a bath is Grandma's HUGE bathtub

Gabe hanging with Grandma

Garth with the 2nd love of his life!

These were taken when Rhonda came for 2 weeks after the babies were born

Okay this is way over due and I have been kicking myself everyday that I have not posted about my amazing in-laws since we returned from Alaska. As many of you know, we had to go to Alaska for the summer for work, but did you know that Jared's parents, Rhonda and Garth, opened up their beautiful home to us and allowed all 6 six of us to move in! I can't tell you how grateful we were to have a place to stay and to feel so welcome.

Not many people can say that they LOVE their spouse's parents, but I absolutely do! Garth and Rhonda are so wonderful and I have always admired them both. This summer I felt they were an answer to prayers and I learned so much from them.

I will be the first to admit that I have so much to learn when it comes to being a mother and a wife. I am not very organized, I want to be, but I am not. I struggle managing my time, getting into a proper routine, which gets me so frazzled because I feel like I am working all day long and at the end of the day I have nothing to show for it. I don't handle stress very...productively and I end up yelling-a lot!

My in-laws, completely opposite. Garth is calm, quiet, soft spoken and thinks before he speaks.
Rhonda is clean and organized. She can tell you where anything that you are looking for is in the house. You could ask "Where is the bug spray" and she will be able to tell you "upstairs right bathroom, under the sink, second clear tote down, labeled bug spray". I would tell you "not sure...where were we when we used it last?!" Rhonda can work circles around anyone, I've never seen anything like it. I will just be getting up and get babies changed and dressed for the day and come upstairs and she will have already been up for 2 hours beds made, laundry done, the entire main floor scrubbed by hand, home made bread in the oven, breakfast out on the counter and is outside mowing the lawn (again) about to go on her 3 mile daily walk.

I watched Rhonda in awe all summer and tried to keep up, but quickly learned it was not possible.

Rhonda helped me get the babies on a sleeping schedule right away, which was instantly life changing! Helped me learn to manage my extremely difficult three year old a little better. She was quick to let me know when I needed to calm down, breathe, turn around and walk away.

I really loved watching Rhonda as a wife and mother. She was always showered and looking her best when her husband came home, always had his lunch made before he left in the morning, dinner ready when he walked in the door and his socks picked up off the floor at the end of the evening. Between all the working, organizing, cooking and cleaning she would spend time on the phone with all of her distant children and then fulfill many of her duties as Young Woman's President.

You inspire me Rhonda to be a better wife and a much better mother. Thank you for a your patience, kind words, great company and babysitting hours! I want to be a Rhonda when I grow up!

Garth thank you also for your example of patience and for your help with the babies and for all the Muddox rides. The moose hunt was a dream for Jared, not just for the thrill of the kill, but for the time he spent with you. Thank you thank you thank you!

Jane (Jared's younger sister) thank you for putting up with us being there-I know we are large and loud and the boys got into your things so thank you for sharing your space with us.

Halee, Jose, Cayden, Naeveh and sweet little Mya, it was so fun to spend the time with all of you and watching the cousins become best friends...most of the time! Thank you for sharing "grandma" for the summer.

We love you all so much. This was a summer non of us will forget because of the time spent with you when we couldn't have needed it more and all the adventures in between.

Thanks again

Britny, Jared, Joshua, William, Gabriel, Gracey and Blue

Look what Gracey found!!

2009-09-07T17:18:00.000-07:00

e

Holy Cow-everything needs lock on it!!! Gracey learned that there are all kinds of treasures in the garbage can!!! (it's Cool Whip by the way)

Moose Hunt Day 1

2009-09-01T09:34:00.000-07:00

So yesterday Jared had his last day of fishing and today left for moose hunting (it is a rough life!) There may only be a day 1 of the moose hunt on the blog because Jared gets so wrapped up in the moment that he usually forgets to take any pictures. Jared, Garth (dad) and friend Dave Mastolier left today for their 2 week long dream moose hunt. Loaded with their Muddox and Argos, guns, ammo, tents, coolers, giant outhouse (that they built here, took apart and will rebuild there) and maybe a few changes of clothes they set off this morning for their 12 hour drive to...I guess I don't know...somewhere still in Alaska where Garth and Dave own 40 acres each with a small cabin for them to use for their (not Jared's) annual moose hunt.
I won't talk to them till they return so I pray that they are safe and that Jared is having the time of his life...cause he is going to owe me HUGE!!!!!

And of course I had to throw in a couple of baby pictures! The babies were being particularly quiet and when I went to go and see what they were up to...this is what I found!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GABRIEL AND GRACEY!

2009-08-23T13:57:00.000-07:00

Our little babies turned 1 today! They are happy, healthy very different babies, with their own little individual personalities!

Gabriel is so pleasant and smiles a huge grin at everyone who looks at him! He has an endless appetite (as you can see)

Gracey has a lot more attitude and has to get to know you before there will be any smiling! She has an obvious soft spot for her daddy and lights up at the sound of his voice!

Both babies are crawling everywhere, pulling themselves up on the furniture, emptying every cupboard they can reach and digging in my diaper bag for cheerios when I am not looking. They can both clap their hands, wave bye bye and sign for "more".

It funny, they don't really interact with each other unless they are fighting over a toy. Only once have I seen them laughing at each other, but they follow each other everywhere. They are always side by side. If one crawls up on a stool so will they other. They are amazing to watch and I look forward to them actually interacting more and more with each other!

They love watching Josh and Will and giggle and laugh over everything they do! Oh and I can't forget that they give the BEST kisses!

The world of twins has been the hardest thing I have ever done. Each day is exhaughsting and full of new adventures and disasters! I can't tell you enough I grateful I am for everyone's love, support, prayers and hands on help I know that I couldn't not have done this without all of you!

I look forward to the next year or two of adventures, many laughs and many many tears (two 3 year olds, not really looking forward to, but we will cross that bridge when we get there)

We love you Gabriel and Gracey and couldn't imagine our lives without you

HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY!

By the way we have flights home September 19 and plan on celebrating their 1st Birthday with all of you so plan on partying with the Bradshaw then!

Halibut Fishing

2009-08-22T22:42:00.000-07:00

Thank you LaRae for letting us borrow Dil for a week that flew by too quickly! It was so wonderful to have the time with him and I am pretty sure he had a good time too!

Friday we all went Halibut fishing and pulled some crab pots!

Unforgettable moments with Grandpa Dil

William LOVED it!

Like father like son! Get him Josh!

Joshua's first Halibut

Pulling the crab pots

Amazing pictures of the bay once the fog settled in!

Gabe and Gracey would not stop eating the dirt and rocks!

Going fishing for Salmon in the Anchor River...well at least trying to!

Grandpa Dil Visits Alaska!

2009-08-22T00:54:00.000-07:00

Lunch break

I love this picture of the two of them just "hanging out"

Grandpa Dil and little Loo

I think that this might be what Heaven looks like!

We are so excited to be spending our week with Grandpa Dil (my dad's dad) Dil arrived Tuesday evening and we have been filling the days with as much "Alaska stuff" as possible! On Wednesday we took him to the Anchor river and tried for some Salmon, but the river got really busy really fast and the babies had eaten enough rocks and dirt so we decided to call it a day and try somewhere else. Jared then took Dil and the boys out to the Homer reservoir to try again, didn't catch anything, but you sure couldn't complain about the weather or the beautiful sights especially the fog that settled over the ocean, amazing!

Thursday Jared took Dil out on a Halibut charter with 14 other customers! After fishing Dil took Jared and I to eat and the Land End and had an amazing kids free dinner, which is so rare and sooo wonderful, thank you so much Grandpa!

Friday has been exhausting! We took everyone on the boat to catch Dil some more fish (He claimed he need to go home with 160 pounds of fish and we were not going to disappoint him) So Jared and I loaded the boys, the twins, their car seats, life jackets, coats for all climates, cooler, drinks, diaper bag and bottles all on the boat and went Halibut fishing! It was wonderful! The babies slept and hung out in their car seats the entire 6 hour adventure! Joshua fished his heart out, we all did-yes, including me!

We learned that Joshua and Gracey get sea sick. Gracey would just smile at you, throw up, and then smile again-too cute. Josh was awesome he would fish, get sick over the rail, by then Jared would have the fish reeled in and Josh would beat the fish with a bat then sit and rest for a minute til he was ready to fish again! He threw up over half a dozen times then kept on fishing!

William tried to fish, but it is so hard that he soon lost interest and just hung out. The fish he found to be a little intimidating, but they are the same size he is so I don't blame him a bit!

We also pulled some crab pots on the way home! So in the end we ended up with 14 halibut, 6 "keeper" crabs and 4 exhausted children! What a fun thing to be able to do together-thanks Jared for working so hard today (I think he reeled in 10 of the 14 fish!)

Okay more picture to come...tomorrow...it is taking way too long to upload them and I need to go to bed because it is clamming tomorrow!

Happy 7th Birthday Joshua!!!!

2009-08-12T14:29:00.000-07:00

Joshua at 7 months (look familiar?)

Desitin diaper cream (Jared was babysitting)

Josh at 7 years old!

Uncle Wayne made him this fabulous cake!

Bukugan!! (Don't ask - I have know idea what it is, but he wanted it!)

These are his dollars from TWO visits from the tooth fairy!

Happy Birthday to my favorite 7 year old!!! We all love you so much! You light up our world everyday. Thanks for being you!

2009-08-12T11:17:00.000-07:00

Halibut Cove

2009-08-08T12:00:00.001-07:00

The Saltry Restaurant

The Danny J

There food is AMAZING!

This is my salmon shark grilled on a scewer with pinapple. Served over a curry pasta...can you say FABULOUS!!!!

People kept asking if William belonged to Jessica because they looked so much a like. William loves his aunt Jessica at one point he asked her

W: Auntie Jessica, do you need a kid at your house?

J: Why do you want to come and live at my house?

W: Yes!

J: But I don't have a bed for you

W: That is OK I will sleep on the floor

Should I be upset by this?

Halibut Cove is a private little artist community across the bay that you can only enter on a private boat or pay to ride the Danny J. There they have a couple of art galleries and the most amazing little restaurant called "The Saltry" We went over for dinner with everyone Monday night and enjoyed a scenic feast outside with family-it was wonderful...especially once the babies were asleep!

Seldovia

2009-08-08T11:21:00.000-07:00

Babies fell right to sleep with the motion of the boat and the fresh air and humming of the motors

This area used to be a glacier

This is in Seldovia

The Firweed is growing everywhere right now and it is so beautful!

This was one of the many carvings from a "chainsaw carving contest" that were displayed all over the town

While Royce and Jessica were visiting we tried to fit as much of this area as possible in for them to see. While Royce was out fishing with Jared, Jessica and I took the kids on a small wild life cruise across the bay and into Seldodia. Seldovia is a small fishing community that you can access only by boat or plane. It is beautiful...good for a visit...not much to do there after that...

Pulling Crab Pots!

2009-08-07T10:33:00.000-07:00

Even mom got in on the action...kind of...

cleaning them

We spent a fabulous afternoon with friends, pulling crab pots for yummy tanner crabs! Just another summer day in Alaska!!

BIG FISH!!!

2009-07-21T10:29:00.000-07:00

William wasn't sure what to think of it all...Josh loved it!

Jared and his deckhand Casey

Joshua throwing rocks

Jared's boat the "Sea Witch"

All in a days work! Jared is kind of loving his job these days. He enjoys fishing, being on the water, working with the customers and he LOVES the thrill when someone gets a big halibut on the end of their line and it is a fight to get it in! Last week they had an amazing catch! 3 over 100lbs and the rest were 50-90 lbs, all of them!!! This is a big deal when the average Halibut caught in the harbor is 15-25 lbs. One man threw back a 60 pounder, but it paid off when he reeled in one weighing 114 lbs!

They normally fillet their fish out on the boat, but they felt that this catch was worth showing off. So they brought them to the harbor, loaded them into totes, carried them up the ramp, hung them for pictures, loaded them into a truck, drove to some fillet tables, fillet the fish, loaded guts back into the truck, hulled the guts back down the ramp to his boat, and drove the boat out into the bay to discard them. Jared got home at about 10pm! Long long day, but worth it once during the season!

Okay so I have to mention the "Big Bummer" about this perfect fishing day...my dad and grandpa, who mentioned possibly coming out for a visit that week, would have been on the boat that day getting the catch of a life time!

More June Adventures

2009-07-04T13:45:00.000-07:00

On July 2nd we celebrated Jared's 30th Birthday!
A huge HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you babe from all of us! We love you so much!

We have had a busy June. Working hard and playing even harder! Here are some pictures of just some of our latest adventures

We all went to a friends house and shot clay pigeons in the backyard.
Here is Jared showing everyone how it is done

I may look the part...but I can't hit a thing!

Grandma Rhonda knows what she is doing

Grandpa Garth

Josh is has a perfect shot almost every time

William's first time...

Jared: "William can you see the target?"

William: "Yup"

Baby Clams

This month the Babies have been...

Giving big wet kisses

Trying to figure out who is boss...I think it is Gracey

Playing Peek-a-Boo

Getting all bundled up for trips in the stroller

Hanging out at the beach

Looking pretty...in her Gymboree

Crawling and scooting all over the place

Spending time outside

Pulling themselves up on everything and giving lots of attitude...yes already!

Experiencing a big swing for the first time-and loving it!

Enjoying the amazing sunshine!

Life is good we have no complaints. The fishing has finally picked up and Jared is working hard. No definite plans for the fall yet there are still lots of big decisions to be made.

We love and miss our family and friends back home in Utah, but for now we are where we need to be and making the most of this experience.

Sorry about the big gaps in the pictures - no idea how to fix it...Mike?

Dear Daddy

2009-06-21T15:11:00.000-07:00

Dear Daddy

Thank you for being so much fun

Thank you for taking me on the wake skate

Thank you for teaching me how to safely kill squeekers

Thank you for teaching me not to be afraid of the water

Thank you for playing with me

Thank you for being my superhero

Thank you for the motorcycle rides

Thank you for the hundreds of trips to the parks

Thank you for being an example of hard work

Thank you for my first of many memories on the slopes

Thank you for being so cool

Thank you for teaching me how to fish

Thank you for always being a good sport

Thank you for letting me help you babysit William

I love you so much

Love Joshua

Dear Daddy,

Thank you for camping trips at the lake

Thank you for holding the icky fish for me

Thank you for your warmth

Thank you for your love and support

Thank you for taking me to church every Sunday

Thank you for allowing me to explore my "creative" side

Thank you for taking me skiing...I loved it!

Thank you for the four wheeling adventures

Thank you for working so hard and providing me with such a wonderful life

Thank you for teaching me some of your many fishing skills

I love you daddy

Love William

Dear Daddy

Thank you for your many prayers

Thank you for loving mommy even when we helped her look like this...

Thank you for quiet moments of undivided attention

Thank you for the all night ROCK BAND

Thank you for walks on the beach

Thank you for helping us in the bath

Thank you for taking us fishing

We love you so much!

Love Gabriel and Gracey

Dear Jared,

Thank you for all the moments you have shared with my family

Thank you for doing all the "messy stuff" for me

Thank you for being a worthy priesthood holder and for such beautiful blessings for all of our children

Thank you for working so hard and providing for our beautiful little family

Thank you for an eternal commitment

Thank you for all your kisses and "I love yous"

Thank you for having a sense of humor

Thank you for loving me unconditionally

I love you so much you mean everything to me!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

Love Britny

Dear Dad

2009-06-21T14:20:00.000-07:00

Dear Daddy

Thanks for being a good sport

(Joe and Blue from "Blues Clues")

Thanks for teaching me how to fish

Thank you for being there to catch me when I fall

Thanks for building train track with me over and over again

Thank you for showing me how to safely shoot a squeeker

Thank you for teaching me how to ski

Thank you for teaching me not to be afraid of the water

Daddy I love you

Dear Dad

More Cuteness!

2009-06-13T15:23:00.000-07:00

Just some more cute kid pics! I can't help myself it seems like the babies change every single day!

Dentist

2009-06-13T15:07:00.000-07:00

Josh and Will had a couple of cavities to be filled they were both super good for the dentist! Josh says he likes having is mouth numb and can't wait to do it again. My favorite moment was Josh putting his hand on Will's ankle and repeating "it is okay Will I am right here-you are doing a good job" which is what I was doing to Josh to comfort him before Will's turn-it was pretty cute!

Alaska Adventures in June

2009-06-07T13:42:00.000-07:00

Yes this is a real bear, no Josh did not shoot it! This picture was taken on our front lawn!
This morning at about 7am Blue (our german shorthair) would not stop barking. I was still in bed trying to keep the babies from waking up because of the barking when all the sudden there was a huge BANG! I ran down stairs thinking that someone had shot our dog and there was a dead bear in the middle of the lawn. My father-in-law shot it. It was going throught the dumpster and eating the dog food. It had to be shot-once they find food they will come back again and again!

Cousins Joshua and Kaleb

My Niece Nevaeh

Gull Island

We loaded up the kids on Jared's boat and went fishing on Jared's day off

Babies loved the movement of the boat

We caught cod just outside of the harbor. As soon as they let the hook down they would get a bit! The boys loved it!

Gull Island or Poop rock-thousands and thousands of birds!

Our King Crab Feast! Don't forget the prawns, shrimp and scallops too!

I just have to say that my boys are having so many amazing experiences while here in Alaska! How many 3 an 6 year olds get to say that they dug for clams, fished on a giant halibut charter, saw Puffins and sea otters, eat fresh seafood right off the boat and touched a real bear! I hope to catch every minute and record so they have some proof that they did all these things before they forget!

Digging for Razor Clams

2009-05-26T11:45:00.000-07:00

Itty Bitty Crab

Little steamer clam

Me and Gracey

Josh was such a trooper...Will wasn't sure what to make of it

Josh with his "Blood" Starfish

I love this picture with William. This place is so amazingly beautiful!

Serious Business!

Jared trying to dig for a clam with Gabe on his back. Gabe was bouncing around nearly head butting Jared over and over again.

Josh tried, but it is really hard to do

Found a hole

This is what you are looking for

Jared's back is a little sore today

So GROSS!

That is the Razor's Neck!!

For Memorial Day we headed for beach in search if the Razor Clam! It was a perfectly low tide which is perfect for clamming! I couldn't believe how many people were there, the beach was lined with people as far as you could see. So I thought that it would be an icky and miserable expierence, but it was just the opposite! We had so much fun! Rhonda (Jared's mother) and I packed babies and looked for their holes, Jared and Garth dug them out (which is not easy and they are super fast) and William and Josh collected them and put them in the buckets. We not only saw razor clam, but we also found lots of hermit crabs, baby crabs, steamer clams and even a blood starfish!!!

Rub a Dub Dub a couple of CUTIES in the Tub!!!

2009-05-17T13:47:00.000-07:00

Gabe at 3 weeks

Gracey

How on earth did we get from that....

...to this!!!!

Gracey is already giving her dad "the look"

She doesn't care that she already has one-she wants his!!! A sign of what is to come! Gabe just lets her have it then takes the other one

Jared just walked in and Gracey automatically lights up!! She LOVES her DADDY!!

She loves it I swear!

The babies are both sitting on their own which has made bathtime so much fun. Gracey was sitting on her own first so we started putting her in front of the water as it filled the tub and she loved it! Once Gabe was also sitting we put them in together. They are so fun to watch as the get older and interact with on another more and more. In the bath the fight over the washclothes and cups. I am so used to doing baths kind of like an assembly line that it has been fun to just let them play together. Although since we started bathing them like this, about a week now, each time I go to get them out of the water I realize we lost track of time and the water is cold! The babies don't notice a bit!!!

2009-05-04T15:01:00.000-07:00

Showing off his dance moves!

William is challenging at times and then a complete dream other times. He is very stubborn and is currently trying to see if throwing a total screaming tantrum will get him what he wants hopefully he learns real soon that the whole screaming, crying, kicking doesn't get him anything but trouble! On the other hand he is very creative and loves to dance and sing. He makes up his own songs and sings to the babies. I now need to point out that he loves to wrestle with his big brother, fight like power rangers and is like a fish in the water. We do love you Will, but can't wait til you are 4yrs (3 is too difficult)

The Twins at 8 months

2009-05-02T21:05:00.001-07:00

Not quite crawling, but close!

They love going for walks in the jogging stroller, but Gabe always has to be touching Gracey and it usually really ticks her off!

Sitting up on their own. Gabe still needs a little support but Gracey is doing real well

The babies are 8 months old (it has been a long 8 months) They are good babies it is just super duper hard because there are two of them!! It has been nice to feel a little settled somewhere and to start getting them both on a schedule. They are now really good at taking their 2 hour naps at 10am and at 2pm then they are down for the night at 8:30pm and up at 7am-ish. They still get up a couple times during the night, but usually just need their pacifier then they go back to sleep. I only nurse them in the mornings the rest of the time the take a bottle and I make their baby food which they have 2-3 times a day. It is nice to have Jared's mom around for the extra set of hands during the day. When the babies want something the will let you know! They can get sooo mad and one crying encourages the other one. They will be perfectly content until they here my voice or see me walk by without giving them any attention and the will scream!!! They take a lot of engery and time and I am not going to lie they are so draining and it is difficult to keep up and they are only 2 of my 4 children! I do love them dearly and my heart melts when they snuggle into my arms so I guess we will keep them!

Gabriel 8 months old!

2009-05-02T20:45:00.001-07:00

He is constantly in a puddle of drool or chopping on something while he cuts 4 teeth!

Gabe has all these little black heads on his cheeck and so we decided to try the pond strip thingys...it didn't work, but he was a good sport about it.

Gabe is a treat! You just have to talk and smile at him and he is all grins. He is still a little asthmatic so he is always wheezing. Right know he has a cough and sounds like Darth Vader! He is sitting up a little better, but tend to dive for his toes and falls over. He is content scooting and rolling around on the hardwood floors so doesn't try to crawl yet. He had a week of being so mean and cranky and I knew his bottom teeth were coming, but when I checked he had his top and bottom coming at the the same time! Poor kid was pretty miserable!

Gracey 8 months old!!

2009-05-02T20:26:00.000-07:00

Gracey is just adorable! She sits up really well on her own now and wants so badly to crawl. She can get up on her hands and knees and rocks til she face plants, which makes her mad. So she gets around by scooting on the hardwood and rolls like a pro. She has her two bottom teeth and by her mood lately I think her top teeth are getting close. She not to friendly to people she doesn't know. You always know when her dad walks in the room because she lights up and gets so excited and of course, dad has a soft spot for her too!

The Pink Bike

2009-05-02T20:01:00.000-07:00

Last week we took the kids to the local Safety Fair. We arrived close to the end so quickly added the kids names to the ongoing drawings that they were doing. They were giving away books and t-shirts and gift cards at at they end they were giving away a couple of bikes. They announced that they were drawing for the "girls" bike and they called "Joshua Bradshaw"! I was thrilled just the day before this Josh was saying how sad he was that he had to leave his bike in Utah. Josh wasn't paying attention and didn't here his name, I leaned over and said "Josh, you just won a bike, it is a girls bike, but don't worry we can exchange it for a boy one later" I don't think he heard a word I said. He walked up on stage and saw the bike (sitting right next to the "boy" one) and with a look of horror he crossed his arms, stepped away from the bike and said "I don't want a girls bike!!!!" I don't blame the 6 year old for not wanting a pink bike, I tried to not make a scene and calmly explained to him that a pink bike is better then no bike! The man doing the drawing kept asking (into the microphone) if he was going to take it or should they give it to someone else. I said of course we will take it and he will get over it! Did I mention that this whole time William was off stage crying because he didn't win the pink bike!!

We told Josh to give it to Will and we would get another one. We took them to the church parking lot to see if Will could ride it. It was way to big, but as soon as Josh saw that it rides just as well as a boy bike he wanted and was thrilled to have it! As for William,he was thrilled to have the pink backpack from it so in the end it worked out!

Trying to get to Alaska!!!

2009-04-17T17:02:00.000-07:00

This is me re-packing for the fourth time. I had to re-arrange

everything just in case we drove.

These two picture are from the first time that we tried

to get on an airplane and you can only see half of our stuff

This was the fourth time and the day the we actually got on a flight!

Finally arriving in Anchorage Alaska at 2:00am Utah time

The boys were just a little tired!

All the STUFF that you have to pack for a family of six!

So for those of you who are unclear about where we are and why I will try and fill you in. With the construction world coming to a screeching halt we had come up with an alternate plan, quickly. Jared accepted a job in Homer Alaska running a halibut fishing charter again (people pay him to take them Halibut fishing) We rented out our house and went and stayed in Heber with my parents for about a month and a half. We then learned that Jared had to register his captains license in person before April 15 or his license would be void and we would not be able to have a job running the boat-which is bad. We made quick arrangements to fly March 26 to Homer in order in insure that he is registered in time. It was about that time the the Volcano, Redoubt started erupting which continually caused the airport to shut down. Our first 3 flights were cancelled we rescheduled one more time but new that if that one was cancelled that we would have no choice, but drive to Alaska in order to get Jared registered in time. Let me be clear about how scary the idea of driving is: It takes 75 HOURS of driving to get to Alaska. Yes, it is a beautiful drive (Jared and I did it the first year that we were married) but pretty sure that it would be impossible to enjoy the scenery with all the kids in the car for that long!!

The whole thing was really a nightmare things just seemed to get from bad to worse. Four times we packed the car with 8 suitcases, 6 carry-on bags, double jogging stroller, two car seats, pack and play for babies, two carriers for the babies and a big dog and her kennel. Every time we had to be ready just in case and every time the boys were completely devastated that we were not getting on an airplane and to make matters worse my hands (because of the ridiculous stress level) broke out in tiny blisters, about 500 of them on each hand. Apparently my body can only handle so much!

Fourth time is a charm in our case and I couldn't be more grateful for an uncomfortable long flight with for kids.

I do want to say a big thank you for all the phone calls and words on encouragement from so many friends and family members. Your kind words made my days so thank you for being so kind.

Anyways we made it here and it is a beautiful to place to spend a summer. There are no Cafe Rio's here and so I find it impossible to think about staying any longer then that, but the boys are in heaven. Now just pray that people come fishing!

Volcano Erupts Again

2009-04-17T16:43:00.000-07:00

Ash blankets the ground

static from the ash create this amazing lightening show

This is the Ash cloud that came to Homer-notice how it is light out? When is reach us it looked like it was in the middle of the night-it completely blocked the sun.

Redoubt Volcano

After the ash had settled. This is off our front porch

This was taken the day before the ash cloud

Two days after arriving in beautiful Homer Alaska the volcano, Redoubt erupted again. Up until now there is not a lot of evidence that a Volcano has been erupting 100 miles alway, but this was a big one. Homer had only seen about an eighth of an inch of ash only one time since the volcano started erupting weeks ago. This time it was so much more we were completely covered in ash.

Easter and Catching up

2009-04-13T11:27:00.000-07:00

Our Little Princess

Our Family

My handsome Boys

Here are our Easter Outfit Pictures. Everyone is getting so big! I spent the other day scrolling through through older posts and I can't believe how much they have changed. Updates:

Since arriving in Alaska Joshua started a new school for the third time during 1st grade. We gave him the choice whether to start another school or do some home school for the rest of the year and he wanted to go to school. He is so good at adjusting quickly to new situations and loves making new friends. He is a excellent reading and loves math. Is is always so kind to the babies and a big helper. William and Josh butt heads quite often but that is what brothers do.

William is one extreme or the other. He is either sweet, funny and imaginative or he is mean stubborn and impossible to deal with. It has been a hard adjustment for him to go from the youngest to having so much attention needing to be on the babies. I tell people that the twins have been hard, but the three year old has been the hardest. He will grow out of it that is what I have to keep telling myself. Will loves to make up songs and is always singing and dancing-Love you William!

Gabriel is HUGE last week he weighed in at 21.4lbs He is my cuddler he loves to snuggle into his mommy. When he is happy his whole face lights up and he laughs with his whole body. He rolls all over the place but not quite sitting on his own and his first tooth finally broke through yesterday. Gabe is so loud when he is happy or mad everyone knows it. He has his mother lungs.

Gracey is a delight we love having a little princess (other than William) she is always one step ahead of Gabe and is almost sitting up on her own. She has a soft spot for her parents and will let you hold her until she hears her mom or her dad. You have to work a lot harder to get her to smile, unless you are her father-all he has to do is look at her and she lights up. She loves to make raspberries throughout the day and has to have a soft blanket over her face to fall asleep.

Now that we are getting settled the babies are finally getting on a schedule the nap at 10 and at 2 and I am only nursing them in the middle of the night and early morning. The rest of the time they are eating formula and homemade baby food. They are so hard only because there are two of them, but we enjoy every minute.

2009-03-08T21:13:00.000-07:00

So I hate that I have been so bad a blogging lately!! We have rented out our house and are currently at my partents. We fly out on March 26 to Homer Alaska where Jared is working as a Captain on a Halibut Charter for the summer. I promise I will start blogging again once we get settled.

Britny living vicariously through William

2009-01-29T18:02:00.000-08:00

The Boys of Summer...err...Winter

2009-01-07T16:26:00.000-08:00

Jared spending some time with the boys...

Merry Christmas!!

2008-12-29T19:33:00.000-08:00

These were taken two days before Christmas and something

tells me that Santa is also ready for the holidays to be over with!

Building the Ginger Bread Train

Will.....

At some point during the day we all feel like this....

Mostly because of this!

Gracey is a little small for this, but she
absolutely loves it!

This is an older picture taken about a month and a half ago

This one is more recent-they change weekly!

Gabe smiling at Grandpa Paul

Gracey smiling for Grandma Blanche

My handsome big boy!

Beautiful in Red!!

Testing out the new Bumbo

Our "Alaska" Christmas Tree

We have had a crazy busy holiday!! I'm pretty sure that a slow relaxing holiday doesn't exsist, not in my world anyway! We spent Christmas this year in Heber at my parents. It was insain the amount of stuff we had to pack-you should have seen us! I offically need a bigger car!

William, Gabe and Gracey have all been quite sick. It seems like Will always sick all winter long the poor kid! Gabe and Gracey (who are now 4 months old!) have been quite sick for the last 2 weeks tested negative for RSV which was a relief. They are on antibiotics now so hopefully we start seeing some improvements soon! I thought Joshua had dodged the bullet until tonight when he started coughing. So I now offically have four sick kids and a husband who just left today for his week at work! Although were grateful to have him home for Christmas! Did I mention that today is our Anniversary? We have been married for eight wonderful years-I love you babe!

Sorry this is a brief update but I'm only typing with one hand on holding Gabe with the other! But i hope you enjoy the pics and so sorry that I didn't get out Christmas Cards this year...I'm sure you all understand! I hope everyone is enjoying the holidays and had a wonderful Christmas. Happy New Year!

Babies Blessing

2008-11-30T20:56:00.000-08:00

On November 2 we had the rare wonderful opportunity to bless both of our precious babies. It was beautiful. Gabe was blessed first then Gracey. We are grateful for everyone who was able to attend with us. We are so blessed to be surrounded by such an incredible support group!

Thank you to everyone for all of your love and support during the last few months. They have been challenging to say the least.

I don't know if you all new that shortly after the twins were born Jared learned that his partner had been stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from the company and had put about $200,000 in bad loans in Jared's name. We had to press charges for fraud and walk away from the company and find work immediately. Jared took a job out on the oil rigs in Wyoming to pay the bills. The job requires him to be gone for seven days at a time and then he is home for seven days. All of this at the same time as the arrival of our babies as been extremely challenging to say the least. I don't think I'm handling raising four children on my own half the time very well. the tasks is so overwhelming. Luckily most of the time I am not on my own. Heavenly Father has sent numerous Angels into my life during a time I could not need them more. I wanted to tell about some of them (in no particular order)

My incredible husband who works so hard to provide for our family and who loves me unconditional. I think you are amazing Jared and an amazing father to our FOUR children!

My parents, of course, have been so supportive. They have given up most of there weekends. On the weekends that Jared is gone my mom comes and picks of Joshua and William and takes them to her place where they are spoiled rotten! There days with there grandma and grandpa are filled with trips to the park or to the movie theatre or they are busy with puzzles and story books and playing with home made play dough! The boys loved their time with their grandparents and breaks up my week and gives me a huge break and some time with just the babies.

My father also has been driving out to Lyman Wyoming to pick up Jared's grandma so that she can come and spend the week helping me with the babies while Jared is gone and at the end of the week he comes and picks her up and takes her home. This process takes about four hours and I am so grateful for his willingness to do this for me. Which brings me to Blanche, Jared's grandmother who is such a huge help! She has spent lots of time with me helping me with the babies so that I can pick up my house every once and a while and spend some time with the Joshua and William. It is so wonderful to have an extra set of hands around the house when she is there.

Jared's mother Rhonda gave me a huge jump start by spending 2 weeks at the house after the babies were born. She helped with the babies, reorganized the kitchen, cooked meals that we were able to freeze and enjoy after she was gone and she cleaned and reorganized the entire garage!

Our neighbors and incredible friends Mike and Danielle have been amazing!! It is rare that they are not around in the evenings (with or without Jared home) and we wouldn't have it any other way. The are a huge help holding babies and helping put the boys to bed. Mike is always there to help me jump start my car in the mornings (the battery dies all the time) and he is responsible for all of my blogging getting me caught up lately!! Danielle and I try and do most meals together and without that we would probably be eating cereal every night. More than anything the are regular adult interaction when the kids are in bed and we look forward to all of time with them!

Cyndi has been taking William on the Wednesdays that Jared is gone and then feeds us dinner that night! Cyndi randomly brought us dinner on several occasions after the babies were born and never takes no for an answer. She is also my daily venting outlet and I am so grateful for her friendship for the past 13 years!!

The ward has been incredible. It is rare that a day passes without a phone call from someone seeing if I need anything. Several woman come and get Will and Josh for play dates so thank you Cheri, Judith, Judy and Sarah. My visiting teachers and friends Annemarie and Chris are a treat to have around I look forward to my "adult time" with them.

My brothers and sister are incredible. Jessica comes on her time off and when her hubby is hunting and hangs out and plays with the boys and cleans my bathrooms randomly. Not a day goes by that my brother Eli and his adorable wife Gwen doesn't call and see if there is anything that I need at the store or just to see how I am doing.

And there is the constant support and love from friends and family that don't live so close I look forward to all of my phone calls and emails.

I am so blessed and cannot thank everyone enough for all that they have done for me.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!! I hope that one day I will be able to return the favors to you all-I have a lot of IOU's out there!

7 of 7...phew...I think I'm caught up...

2008-11-01T00:30:00.001-07:00

My awesome brother, Eli came by late one night (while we were out partying with Chucky Cheese) and did us such an awesome favor by shrink wrapping the boat for the winter. He does such a great job and has tons of people requesting his service...let me know if you are in need of winterizing your boats...Eli is a professional.

Sorry about the blurry pics...kinda hard to get good shots when the camera shutter is working on nighttime mode...

Man and fire...very primal.

Eli reprimanding Jared for not helping him with the boat. "You were at Chucky Cheese while I'm here working on YOUR boat?"

Eli continues his handy-work.

Eli decides that verbal reprimands won't work...so he torched Jared's hair...

Thank you Eli for your hard work. We truly appreciate it. You take payment in form of dinner right?

6 of 7...Park Fun and More Pumpkins?

2008-10-31T23:45:00.001-07:00

South Weber held a mini carnival and pumpkin hunt so we set out for more pumpkins (since the ones from a week or so ago are no longer with us...RIP).

Mike, Josh and Will- monkeys will be monkeys.

Can't be fall unless leaves are falling right?

Soon after this picture, I needed a new camera.

Danielle spots the perfect pumpkin!

It was nice to get out of the house and enjoy the beautiful weather. Plus, who can beat free pumpkins (even if they are pink-as per William's request)?

5 of 7...Where A Kid Can Be A Kid...

2008-10-31T22:09:00.000-07:00

For William's birthday, the family, along with our friends Mike and Dani went to Chucky Cheese for a little pizza, soda and FUN!

The only rat that I'll let the kids play with!

Chucky gave William a high five after learning who's birthday it was. The great thing was, thoughout the night, Chucky (in and out of costume) kept coming by and giving William more tickets and coins! What started off as a two hour outing...quickly turned into four hours! THANKS Chucky...really...thanks! :)

Hey...this is where a kid can be a kid right?

Joshua and William riding the virtual rollercoaster

Jared and Mike quickly found out the secret technique to winning lots of tickets... After watching another couple win hundreds upon hundreds of tickets...the boys went to town...

Jared showing off his high score...which just happened to be the new record for that day...After winning somewhere around 1500 tickets, Chucky was getting a little upset having to restock the tickets every 10 minutes.

We won a few tickets...

At first, the boys wanted to slowly spend 4000 tickets on little prizes...but luckily we were able to convince the boys in getting the pirate lego ship...which just happened to be on the highest shelf there... Winning a prize from the top shelf was a first as usually we are looking through the glass cabinet figuring out how to spend 100 tickets on candy and stickers.

Danielle was quite impressed with Jared and Mike's handy-work.

Giving my hero a kiss. I was so proud of my high scorer.

So wasn't William. :) (He dropped his ring somewhere).

4 of 7...Trick or Treat

2008-10-30T15:13:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures of the family enjoying a "pre" holiday Halloween event at our church.

Gabe must have gotten the trick and Gracey with the treat?

William showing off his prize while wearing his "Fantastic Four" costume.

Joshua wondering who took all his candy...

The expression on this kid's face as well as the saying on the carton of milk say it all. Those who know...nobody gets between Jared and his milk.

Me...dressed in my "Mother of Fantastic Four" costume...

3 of 7...Pumpkins and Halloween Fun

2008-10-30T14:36:00.000-07:00

A few blogs ago you may have read about our "Great Pumpkin" hunt...well on this night, we rolled up our sleeves (or in Joshua and William's case- shirts off) and carved us some jack-o-lanterns.

Here the boys are hard at work. Our neighbor, Mike joined in on the carving carnage.

William showing Dad how to connect the dots. Jared found the, "Advanced" carving design in which he found to be more than just a challenge. The next tree Jared decides to carve will be a real one using a chain saw... :)

William and his "pumpkin." It was actually very hard to carve seeing as how this guy was as solid as an Easter bunny chocolate.

Joshua did an awesome job carving his own pumpkin. It was quite a challenge for him as well, but as the pictures show below...his Alien and UFO design came out excellent.

The final products...from left to right...Jared's intricate tree design, Michael's 3d grumpy pumpking and Joshua's "Beam me up Scotty" design.

We all had a great time and the best present of all was watching the boys find their inner "hunter and gather'er" while carving and wielding knives (kinda scary if you really think about it).

2 of 7... A day at the Salt Lake City Zoo

2008-10-29T23:00:00.001-07:00

Here are my animals with the animals of the Salt Lake City Zoo.

We think William was more upset with the sign instead of hanging from the fence pole?

1 of 7...Babies!!!

2008-10-29T22:11:00.000-07:00

Hello family and friends...I have many updates to...well...update you all on. So these will be short, sweet and to the point.

The first update is brought to you by the letter "B," for Bradshaw Babies. As you can see, the twins are growing up fast and each day brings along something new. During one of the weeks Jared was gone and Joshua was at school, I got to enjoy three happy campers.

Seriously, the boys have been great help with the twins. They love to be involved and I'm always catching them kissing the twins on the head and saying "I love you."

On the other hand, if I could only get the twins to be so cooperative. Here is Gabe giving his sister Gracey a left jab.

Gracey didn't quite like the love tap from her brother, so she was waiting for round two...

Here are some extra pictures for your enjoyment.

The Great Pumpkin

2008-10-13T20:26:00.000-07:00

What a fantastic find today from my lovely friend Cyndi...while reasearching the internet for pumpkin patches, she came across this family owned farm that offers an outstanding deal. For 5 dollars a person, you can enjoy an awesome hayride along with picking a pumpkin of your choosing. Our neighbors, Mike and Dani came along for the ride, and for an easy 25 dollars, we all enjoyed a hay ride and picked out eight pumpkins. Yup...if you're counting at home...three adults and two children garnered EIGHT pumpkins... You may be asking yourself, how is this math possible? Well... one of the pumpkins was actually is a wanna-be watermelon and of course, that is the one William wanted. So...now we have seven pumkins for 5 people. Where did these extra two pumpkins come from? The great pumpkin (Peanuts...Charlie Brown...anyone?) said the twins had to carve their own pumpkins right? So there you have it...two pumpkins for the twins...two pumpkins for the boys plus a fake watermelon and one pumpkin for each adult. Better than paying $.29 per pound at Wal-Mart for almost 64 pounds of pumpkin right?

Happy pre-Halloween...look forward to our next blog of the kids in their costumes.

The Best Neighbors in the whole WOLRD

2008-10-08T22:51:00.001-07:00

So...I just wanted to let everyone know how wonderful our neighbors are...

I don't want to brag...but..I will..

Aren't they just good look'n people?

P.S. (Britny...this is Mike...I hacked your account...)

Love You...GOODBYE!

2008-10-03T23:32:00.000-07:00

Somehow in changing my template I managed to erase all my friends and family links so if you could please leave a comment with your blog or email me at britnyrae@email.com so I can follow your blogs again I'd be grateful!!!

1st portraits

2008-10-02T13:43:00.000-07:00

40 fingers and 40 toes!

2008-10-02T13:40:00.000-07:00

Us with a six year old, a three year old, two babies, two dogs and a partridge in a pear tree!!

2008-10-02T13:00:00.000-07:00

My precious Gracey

Our Family of six!!!!!

I think the babies are still a little small for this set up-I tried it once and won't try it again for a little while. Bathing one baby at a time is manageable - two is a little nerve racking. I'd be washing Gracey while Gabe would scoot lower and lower-there are no straps to these seats

Grandpa Dil

2008-10-01T13:59:00.000-07:00

I have been trying for a couple of weeks trying to post pictures, but my computer has been stubborn!

This is my grandpa Dil (my dad's dad) he came to visit and it was so wonderful to see him with the babies. His face just lit up so I couldn't help taking lots of pics. These are just a couple I had to share

2008-09-17T10:55:00.000-07:00

I'm sorry I am way behind in blogging-needless to say I have been very very busy. The babies are on a three hour schedule which is wonderful! They sleep together, stretch then poop together, then are changed together and then the task of nursing them together (yes-at the same time!) and then they sleep some more. I could not have survived the adjustment home if it weren't for my mother-in-law Rhonda. I am so grateful to her (who sadly left yesturday!) She cleaned, organized, cooked and got Josh off to school and of course helped with the babies. Rhonda, it was such a blessing to have you here. Thank you so much for everything!
Anyways we are all doing well and are excited about all the adventures that are to come with our family of six!!