Bradley's third Birthday

Bradley wanted a Thomas the Train party this year! He really wanted a train set for his birthday, so he figured it could be a big train party!

As I was getting everything ready the night before, Jared was trying to help out and he went ahead and took over the cake decorating. He did a great job!

Our little engineer and his big sister all ready for his party!

Bradley Station: This is where you got on track #3

Getting ready to blow out candles

Posing with all his presents

Bradley wanted grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup for his birthday dinner

We made a railroad track all around the house complete with mountains and tunnels. The kids loved it. Bradley ran around it over and over again being Thomas the Train. Jacob even walked around saying a cute little "choo choo" the whole time.

I thought I'd try making a pinata like April always does. Bradley requested a duck pinata. I would like to retire from the pinata making business but Mackayla is already planning what kind she wants me to make for her birthday. So, I'm not out of the business quite yet.

Trying to "quack" the pinata open

Jacob took a swing at the pinata but had actually become quite fond of the little duck over the last few days and cried when everyone was hitting it.

Enjoying Bradley's new blanket

He loves his new shield and is now better able to fight dragons.

On the morning of his birthday we were able to start the day off with a quick Happy Birthday song before Dad left for work.

Playing with his new train set the next morning

Practicing with his new bat

Bradley is so proud to be a three year old! Although he still loves playing with Mackayla, he is a total boy at heart. He loves to run, jump, tackle and climb. He loves trucks, trains, cars, construction, swords and of course his beloved light saber. We sure love him!

Pumpkins and more

It was a beautiful day today so we decided to drive the Alpine loop and enjoy the fall colors. We spent some time walking around SunDance on the way home.

The kids were enjoying sitting by the water. The funny thing is that a minute after this picture was taken, Mackayla slipped and fell in. The water was only a couple inches deep and she only got her pants and shoes wet but Jared and I couldn't help but laugh. She was a pretty good sport about it overall but did inform us that it was NOT FUNNY!!!!

Mackayla was standing on this tree stump "being a statue."


And of course, a Bradley statue too.

We headed down to provo last weekend for the BYU homecoming parade. We got to see it all, Cosmo, the marching band...

Standing in front of the "Y" on the mountain

For our trip to a pumpkin patch this year, we didn't have to go any farther than our own garden. We ended up with three pumpkins so each of the kids got their own.

Who knew folding Jared's socks could end up being so much fun?!

Family pictures

We had Ashley take some family pictures for us a couple weeks ago. Right as it was time to take the pictures a HUGE storm blew in. I thought we'd have to cancel the pictures but we gave it a try and they turned out great, despite the weather.

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

September

September has been a very busy month. Jared has been extremely busy at work, so we've been trying to keep busy ourselves to pass time. We've had appointments almost every day and have been going on lots of fun adventures. Now that we've taken care of all our appointments (and hopefully in a week or so things will slow down for Jared - keep your fingers crossed that that is true) we're looking forward to a quieter month of October.

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I was trying to clean my closet out the other day, so I opened up my box of dress up clothes to keep the kids occupied. Once they showed me their outfits I had to take a picture. By the time I got back with the camera Bradley had taken off his boa, hat and Jared's shoes, but they still looked very cute!

Jacob helping me with the laundry

Jared's Grandpa and Grandma Richins were in town and we were delighted to get to see them.
They came over for dinner along with the Nelson's and Jared's cousin Rustin. We love family gatherings!

A story from their great-grandmother

We had Family home evening with everyone that night and Mackayla had been planning for days to accompany us on the opening song. She doesn't know how to play the piano at all, but had "practiced" so she felt very confident about it. I'll probably add a video of the great job she did at the end of the post.

Then, of course, Bradley and Sophie wanted a turn too, so we had three opening songs. :)

We had our primary program on Sunday. Bradley and Mackayla both knew her part perfectly.

Reading the adds together Sunday morning

Jacob was eating some graham crackers one night when we noticed he was using his bottle to pour milk onto a piece of the cracker and then eating it. He figured out how to have graham crackers and milk like the other kids do.

I showed Jared my golfing skills the other night...
and he decided he would be the one to teach the kids to swing a golf club.

Finally!! The chairs are finished! Jared finished reupholstering the second chair last week and they look wonderful! Now on to a new chapter in his life.

The boys love to shave with Jared!

It's officially fall now, but we are still waiting for the fall weather to show up. It's still feeling like summer every day.

After having a few behavior problems, we made a chart for the kids. It's worked great so far. They get to put stickers on their own chart for good behavior and they both just earned enough stickers to choose one of the rewards. Mackayla picked a trip to Toys R Us. We spent almost two hours yesterday walking around the store and she loved every minute of it. Bradley chose an ice cream cone from McDonalds. He was SO excited about it!!


Since it was Bradley's reward, the other two kids got to tag along but had to share a cone.

At the ward Luau

Bradley didn't want to be in the group shot, but wanted one by himself

The ballerina walking with her dad