Parks Family

2011-02-03T19:40:00.000-08:00

Here is Our little Tyler man

Hes about 4 3/4 months

Ash ready to Brave the weather

We got so much snow, Brian shoveled for 3 1/2 hours

Handsome!!

Our Little Gymnast

Our Big Gymnast

2010-09-26T20:09:00.000-07:00

Finally posting some pics of the beautiful new baby.

Tyler Grant Parks

Time: 5:07pm

Weight: 7lb 12oz

Length: 19 3/4in

As good as Graduated!

2010-04-26T09:54:00.001-07:00

Well last Wednesday Brian officially completed his last rotation as a medical student!!!

We are so proud of him for working so hard these last 4 years and making it through. He continues to work very hard writing research papers, studying and getting as much time in at different Dermatology offices all over.

We found out in February that we will be staying here for Internship year, we are very excited about that. Genesys is a very good hospital and I am especially grateful that we don't have to move. We will find out this December if we match to a Dermatology program and may be moving summer 2011 depending where he gets accepted.

We are half way through this adventure, there have been ups and downs all along the way but we have always kept moving forward and made it through. We had such a great experience in Kirksville and met so many great people. We enjoyed being in the Nauvoo stake and getting to visit Nauvoo often. We made it through some serious tornado warnings and survived Missouri's oversized bugs! We experienced ice storms and survived with no mall within 100 miles. Here is Grand Blanc has been a new adventure renting our first house and having our first garden. Surviving Michigan's cold long winters and exploring the Orchards all over. Most of all meeting lots of new people and making friends, it has been a wonderful 4 years I wouldn't change a thing.

Pregnancy

2010-04-26T09:31:00.000-07:00

There are some real perks to being pregnant and feeling the baby move is one of the best. I have been able to feel him move since about 15 weeks and I am now 18 weeks along. Last week Brian was able to feel him move for the 1st time.

On another note I feel like I am getting bigger and its not totally noticeable that I am expecting so I feel fat when I am surrounded by people who dont know.

I tried to put on a pair of shorts last week and came to the sad realization that they didnt fit!! Looks like I will be wearing sun dresses all summer long.

Its A BOY!!!

2010-04-26T08:39:00.001-07:00

I went in for an Ultrasound April 15th (Ashleys B-day) ( I was 15 weeks along) and we found out we are having a BOY!! We are so excited, Braden will have a brother to play with and Ashley will be surrounded by boys. The nurse asked if we wanted to know what we were having so I said; "yes of course!" It didnt take more than 2 seconds and she said; Its a BOY!!" Braden was the exact same way, he wanted us to know he was all boy. Ashley on the other hand kept us guessing until she was born.

People keep asking if we have a name but going off our record we will be lucky if we have a name by the time he is born. We will see!

Family Pictures April 2009

2010-04-26T08:38:00.004-07:00

My friend Toby took us to a little town near by and took these awesome pictures of our family. She did such a great job. Usually pictures take forever and the kids are acting up but this was so nice to have someone be able to just worry about us and get it over and done with. The entire session lasted about 20 min max and we got so many cute pics. Thanks Toby!!!!

Fun Little Birthday Party

2010-04-26T08:38:00.003-07:00

We invited a few kids from the neighborhood over for Braden and Ashleys birthday party. The kids had a great time playing pin the tail on the donkey, making pizza, hitting the pinata and having cup cakes. I was so exhausted by the end of the party, this "Birthday week" is going to be lots of work!!

The Big Announcement

2010-04-26T08:35:00.001-07:00

Well we have some Big news, baby #3 is on its way!!

We found out January 25th and are so excited. We were not expecting it to happen so soon but ready or not here baby comes!! Shortly after finding out I started getting the nasty taste in my mouth, if you have never experienced it be very grateful for that. It is awful and makes it even harder to find something you can eat. Worst of all it doesn't go away until the baby is born.

Brian left for out rotations the entire month of February, shortly after he was gone I started getting sick. It was the most sick I have been and trying to take care of 2 kids and not having a Husband was very hard. I spent most my days laying on the couch and watching the Olympics. The kids were troopers and the morning/all day sickness lasted about 6 weeks and I was back to my normal self.

Brian and I are pretty secretive when it comes to that kind of stuff so we were able to keep it a secret for quite a while. I had my 1st doc app at 13 weeks and we got to hear the heart beat and that was exciting so we started telling people then. I took pictures of Braden and Ashley wearing shirts that said; "Big Sister", and "Im going to be a Big brother," and we sent them off to family members. We are so excited for baby #3 to come to our house this September.

Bath Time

2010-04-25T18:35:00.000-07:00

Cute Kiddos!

What more can I say this little girl is so so cute!! She is so Happy and full of life. We are so happy she is in our family.

Its been a long time!!

2010-04-25T18:05:00.000-07:00

Oh why, oh why have I neglected my blog for so long? My sis just updated hers and we just got family pics done so I am feeling a little inspired. We have been up to so much these last 6 months. Lets see if I can feel ya in!

These are just a few fun pics from last summer.

Spicers

2009-10-12T12:57:00.000-07:00

I took the kids to Spicers Orchard about once a week this summer. It is one of my most favorite things to do. We picked strawberries, raspberries, blue berries and cherries. The kids love it and get to eat fresh good food. We always go and play at the playground after and eat cider and donuts......ahhh I just love it and cannot wait to go back!!

4th of July

2009-10-12T12:20:00.000-07:00

Its kinda hard to be away from family on holidays like the 4th f July. I know that I am missing a big family reunion at home and its sad for me. I miss my family and brothers and sisters, and wish I could hang out with them more often. Its sad Braden and Ashley don't know there cousins better, but it wont be like for that forever.

Now a take on the brighter side of things. Our good friends invited us over to celebrate the 4th. We grilled and did fireworks and enjoyed the all American holiday!!

I made this cake and it not only looked beautiful it was d'lish!!

Happy 4th of July

2009-10-12T12:10:00.000-07:00

I went with some friends to a parade in the am, Brian was working and didn't get to come.

We had lots of fun, poor Ash got sunscreen in her eye and was miserable for a while, poor kid!

The kids looked so so cute in their red and white, I love it!

Oh and Vg's grocery carts, that was funny! Go Vg's!

Ashley Playing the WII

2009-10-12T12:00:00.000-07:00

Ashley is so darn funny!

Seriously i could video tape her at any given time and she could entertain crowds.

Brian got us a WII for my birthday and the kids think its pretty cool.

Ashley just wants to fit in and play like everyone else but has no clue what's really going on.

For some reason I can relate!!

Butterflies

2009-10-12T11:35:00.000-07:00

I was at this really neat store her in town and I saw these butterfly kits and decided to try one out. We got the it and ordered some caterpillars on line, they came within a couple of days and our journey began. There were 5 caterpillars in a plastic container with food already in it (we didn't have to do anything just watch) It was so fun to see them getting bigger and fatter daily, it was literally amazing! The first stage lasts about 2 weeks then one by one the caterpillars crawl to the top of the jar and spin into chrysalis. Its fun to watch them because they are very still but they are moving inside,very cool, this stage also lasts about 2 weeks. Then you have to pin the chrysalis to the side of this net cage so when they hatch they can fly around. We never really got to see them come out of their chrysalis which was a bummer every time it happened it was during the night, so we would wake up and have butterflies. The kids loved it and Brian and I were just as excited as the kids.

We took them outside and released them after having them for about a week in their cage, it was so much fun! I am excited to do it again next year.

I would highly recomend this activity!

Brians Birthday

2009-10-12T11:26:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday "B", We Love You!!

I made this Lovely Banana Split Ice cream cake, it didnt turn out quite like I planned. I froze ice cream in a spring pan, but I forgot to put the ice cream sandwiches in the outside of the pan before freezing it, so I had to cut it out the next morning and improvise. I put the ice cream sandwiches on the wrong way, I laid them flat instead of having them stick out (if you know what I mean) It didnt end up looking too pretty but it was D'lish!!!

Havin' fun playin' in the sun!

2009-10-12T11:03:00.000-07:00

We have enjoyed this summer so much, there is so much to do here in this beautiful state of Michigan. It is so green and beautiful I just love it. We have enjoyed going to the beaches down in Fenton and Lindon, the kids love it.

Our New Place

2009-10-12T10:53:00.000-07:00

Towards the end of June we moved to a new house. It is the first real house our little family has ever lived in. It is so great here!! We love having our own place, both kiddos have their own rooms and we have our beautiful master bathroom, not to mention our own sinks!!! Its AWESOME!!!

We LOVE the neighborhood we live in, we are surrounded by such great people. The kids have so much fun and get to play all the time with kids because they are Everywhere and I LOVE IT!!

I love being near friends and meeting so many new people, parents and kids are out all day and its so nice to be here!!

So excited to be 3!!

2009-04-23T18:23:00.000-07:00

Braden LOVES birthdays!! He talks about birthdays ALL the time. He keeps asking when the kids are going to come over again for his party. Since he turned 3 when someone asks what his name is he holds up 3 fingers, or when he sees other kids he holds up 3 fingers. It has been fun to watch, it must be a 3 year old thing because the other kids are doing it too. I guess its just there way of communication.
On another note Braden has told me he "hates" me twice in the last few days. I was completely shocked and stunned because I don't say that. I was telling his doctor about it and he says it is a common thing for kids his age. He said that parents give such a big reaction and the kids remember it and keep saying it. He assured me that Braden doesn't know what those words mean and is probably associating it with something like "I hate broccoli" or some other phrase he has heard. I handled the situation completely wrong, I made a big deal. I guess I will be better prepared "If" it happens again.

Making Fire

2009-04-18T21:07:00.000-07:00

Just a quick post.

We went to the lake a few days ago with some friends. There were 2 HUGE piles of sand the kids were playing in and having so much fun. I walked over to see how things were going and this is what happened.

Me: What are you guys doing?

Braden: We are making fire for Kira...... We are having a sacrifice.

What is the world!!! It was hilarious!

I never know what's going to come out of that little boys mouth.

One more

I lookout and Braden is right at the water taking off his jacket, I keep watching next he takes off his shirt, then he starts attempting to take off his belt. I decided to walk out to see what was going on.

Me: Braden what are you doing?

Braden: Im trying to take off my pants, Im going swimming.

I love this kid!

Happy Birthday!!

2009-04-17T20:44:00.000-07:00

Braden got to celebrate his Birthday twice in one week, what a lucky kid! He was actually sick on his birthday but we still had a little cake and presents. I had to bake a quick simple cake for his real birthday because I had been working on a Volcano cake and I wanted to save that for his party. We had lots of fun baking lots and lots of cake! Ever since we went to Utah he has been obsessed with Volcanoes and Dinosaurs so we had a dinosaur party for him. We actually celebrated both Braden and Ashley's birthdays on the same day, it was really nice. I made Ashley a Sheep cake and it turned out so cute! We had a few of Bradens friends over and we played Lava, popped some balloons with prizes in them then had cake and ice cream. The final addition to Bradens cake was some whipping cream for smoke, it made all the difference and it was lots of fun. Ashley had a great time picking off the marshmallows and chocolate chips from her cake. I really cannot believe how fast time flys, I say it all the time...I cannot believe I have 2 kids and that they are growing up so quickly. I still feel like I am a teenager, its really crazy.

I love these two little munchkins and there daddy so so much.

Braden got a remote controlled car and Ashley got a baby doll set with the stroller and car seat and all that fun stuff. It is really amazing to watch Ashley, she is so girly. She loves to carry around dolls and animals, she also loves to carry around blankets and she is so loving. It is amazing how different kids are.

Happy Easter

2009-04-17T20:22:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter!!

Our day was filled with lots of treats especially CHOCOLATE!! Braden had so much fun finding eggs and his basket. Each egg he picked up he had to open, at first he was eating the candy inside too, we had to convince him to stop eating it and to keep finding more. Braden also got a kite, Brian took him out to fly it and he LOVED IT!! Ashley got her basket and immediately found the sucker inside, she loved it! As for Brian he was spoiled, treats and a bonus in the oven........ a remote controlled car. The boys had lots of fun driving it all around! Poor Brian was on call the night before thank goodness this is his last call this rotation, oh by the way he is on his surgery rotation. We were in utah for the first 2 weeks and thank goodness for that! It was a hard month but Brian LOVED surgery. Hes not going to go into it but he said it was the most fun medicine he has done.

UTAH

2009-04-17T19:35:00.000-07:00

Ok so all the pictures I posted and backwards from my commentary, you will have to figure it out. I am just so bad at posting I am just trying to get an update!
We had such a great time in Utah. It was so nice to see my new Nephew Gage, he was about 3 weeks old by the time we got there and so darn cute!

We played LOTs of Wii, that was one thing that I wanted to do. My parents got the Wii fit while we were there and it is so so much fun and such a great work out!

Braden and Ashley had such a great time playing with there cousins. Braden is is heaven playing for hours on end.

It was so much fun to hang out with my sisters, that is one of the hardest things about being away.

We went to the Aquarium and the Childrens museum, we had such a great time.

We cooked lots of fun meals and just hung out!

I was excited to see my older sister Emalee, she is over 20 weeks along and while we were there she found out she is having a boy, we are so excited for her!!

Poor Hope had Mono the entire time we were there, she was pretty miserable. It was sad because she is usually such a good helper, and lots of fun.

For Conference weekend we went up to my Grandparents in Richmond, it was so nice to go up there. It has been a few years since I have been able to do that. I just love it, we do the same thing every Conference, Watch Conference, have a potato bar while the guys are out, do a little shopping, make a quick ice cream run. Oh and of course the Pepperidge Farm outlet store. Mostly it is just so nice to visit and have a break. There is just something magical about my Grandparents house.

It was also my birthday while I was there and we had a big bbq, all my family came and some good friends. It was so nice to see everyone!

The Square Dancin' Parks

2009-03-01T16:27:00.001-08:00

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Easy Crock Pot Fajitas

2009-02-23T08:40:00.000-08:00

3-4 - Chicken Breasts (frozen or thawed)
1 - Packet Fajita Seasoning
4 - Different Colored Bell Pappers
1 - Onion
1/2c - Water

Put the Chicken in the Crock pot, mix 1/2 cup water with the fajita seasonings packet, pour over chicken and cook on low for 3-4 hours. After chicken is cooked (3-4 Hours later) Cut all peppers and onion (I cut peppers in strips then I cut the strips in half. I dice the onion) and put in with the chicken for another 1 to 1.5 hours. ( check peppers and vary time depending on how soft you like your veggies, We like them softer)

Sometimes we just serve this with cheese on tortillias and it is super delish!!
Other times we serve with Black beans, Cheese, Salsa, Sour Cream, Rice. What ever you like it always turns out so good and is so easy!

Ashley Mae 9-10 months

2009-02-07T12:21:00.000-08:00

Pretty darn cute, I would Say!! Ashley is full of life, she loves her brother so much. She is so smiley and just a good baby, we are so glad she is ours.

Braden at 10 months

2009-02-07T11:36:00.000-08:00

So I am obviously not a professional blogger but I really wish I was. I wanted to post a few pictures of Braden when he was 9-10 months. That is how old Ashley is now, you can compare them and see what you think. Do they look like brothers and sisters or what!!

Winter is here to stay!

2009-01-19T12:03:00.001-08:00

Oh where has my Beautiful Green Michigan gone?
When we arrived here a few months ago I couldn't believe how pretty it was. There are ponds and lakes everywhere. It is Green and Beautiful and there is so much to do outside. We were able to go to the lake and play in the water and sand. Go to the park, on walks, and so many other things. But winter is here and the snow has completely taken over. We have been stuck inside the house trying to find projects to do and games to play. The snow keeps coming and the old stuff isn't melting so it just keeps piling higher and higher. All through out our neighborhood there are mounds of snow in everyones front yard. I am going out today to get some pics so you can see what I mean. Its crazy!! In Utah we got lots of snow but it would melt, not here! We just keep getting more and more. And the temperature keeps dropping. I was watching the news the other night and it was -2o with the wind chill. They even had to cancel school because it was so cold. Something just isn't right about these temperatures. Oh how I wish we could go out and play and go on walks and go to the park.... Michigan winters are pretty brutal but we are now half way through January and we are making it a day at a time.

Birthday Board

2009-01-11T17:15:00.000-08:00

For Christmas my sisters and I made these Birthday boards for our families. They turned out so so good!! I had to post and show the results. The one I have pictures is my moms, we also made them in green and blue and they turned out so so cute!! The stars hanging down have the names of each person who was born in that month and the day of their birthday, they are hanging from ribon and attached with velcro which makes it super easy to add on when there is an addition to the family.

Carmel Apples Anyone?

2008-10-31T20:04:00.000-07:00

So this has got to be the last post of the night. I have been trying to get caught up on October and I mostly am but I will have to save Trick or treating for another night.

I was looking on a friends blog and saw some delish, lookin' carmel apples and I have never made them and have always wanted to so I did.

I made 5 HUGE carmel apples, I told Brian we cannot have all these at our house. I dipped them in carmel then white chocolate, milk chocolate, m&m's then butterfinger and "Wa-la!" A delicious healthy, non fatning, low carb treat.................!

This star one is my fav, I think it turned out the best!!

I also made Chili, this was not the traditional beef Chili, this was a recipe I once again got off a friends website. It is Cheesy White Chicken Chili, it was so so easy to make and absolutely d-lish!! I am excited to eat it again tomorrow for lunch. I will have to post the recipe tomorrow, you have got to try it!

Ashley

2008-10-31T19:48:00.000-07:00

Everyday Ashley has a blow out and its making me CRAZY! I know there is nothing I can do about this problem unless I put duck tape all around her waste and legs and even then Im sure it would find some way of getting out and all over her out fit. So this morning after her morning blow out I was collecting all the goods and she rolled over and was trying to crawl. Even though she causes me to spend lots of time at the washing machine scrubbing her clothes with Tide and a tooth brush I love this little girl. So here she is bearing all.

Oh yeah look at me, I can get up on my knees,

Ha, I am so big!

Few, that was some hard work!

Bath Time

2008-10-31T19:44:00.000-07:00

Ashley has been making the funniest faces today. The kids were in the tub and they were both laughing so hard. See if you can catch the face I am talking about.

Ashley Spitting

2008-10-31T19:36:00.000-07:00

Ashley loves baby food, lately while I am feeding her she has started spitting it out. It is so funny when she does this and we have been laughing at her so now she thinks its a game. I tell her, "no, no Ashley" and she will look at me with her innocent little smile and "ppppppppppp" there goes sweet potatoes. There have been so many times I have laughed my guts out about something these kids do that they shouldn't.

Good Lookin' Kids

2008-10-31T18:49:00.000-07:00

This was taken Sunday afternoon. Braden would not go down for a nap and I was taking care of Ashley so Braden and Bri were hanging out and bam, Braden is out!! Too bad Brian isn't home during the day to work his magic.

This is the outfit Ashley wore to church on Sunday, I think she looks so so cute, I had to post it. She can sit up all by herself now and is trying so hard to crawl.

I bribed Braden at the grocery store with this Kid Cuisine and once again I was bribing him so he would sit with Ashley for a second while I took a pic.

The little monster himself, he is so darn handsome.

Gymnastics Day

2008-10-31T09:09:00.000-07:00

I have been waiting for this day for weeks!! The gym Braden goes to was doing a 2 hour play class, it was on a sat so Brian finally got to come see Braden in action. I was glad he was able to see what I have been ranting and raving about for the past 2 months. Although Braden is only 2 he is pretty coordinated and really strong. Its fun to watch him climb and jump and play and tumble. His teachers are always so impressed with him and what he can do. He tumbles all over the house, his bed, the bathroom, Ashley and any place he can. I showed him how I can do a head stand (yes thats right I can still do them, but they are much more painful now) and he has been attempting ever since.

This is a video clip of him on the rope swing. They had never opened this during his class before but he looked like a pro! He just loved swinging into the foam pit, it was fun watching him try to crawl out of the foam pit. I am just so glad we found this place for him, it has really been good for both of us. I have been meeting some wonderful people and Braden fits right in!

Here is the little screamer, he is just so excited he cannot help himself. This place is so much fun and the instructors are so creative. Its amazing the little activities and exercises they have the kids do, I would have never thought of these myself. Most are so simple but they teach the kids how to use their bodies and their muscles. I wish I could have my own little session, really I do but I already asked and they can only teach up until age 18. What a rip off!!

The Train Ride

2008-10-31T08:57:00.000-07:00

We decided to go back to Huckelberry Farm and take Braden on the Train ride. Last weekend the weather was beautiful but of course tonight wasnt looking too pretty, it was raining like crazy. Braden saw the smoke and heard the horn from the train while we were getting tickets and he was so excited! We got on the train (luccily it is inclosed) and we went on our Haunted Train Ride! They had put up hundreds of decorations all along the path and Braden LOVED it!! I was so happy he finally got to ride the train.

Brian

2008-10-28T10:56:00.000-07:00

So I don't know how all these amazing women have the time or energy to make such amazing blogs. When I look at others amazing sites I am so jealous. I think I will try to include Brian and I in our blog more. It seems like when the kids come the parents are forgotten, but we are still here and have lots of life left. We have lots of interesting stories to tell so Braden and Ashley get to share the spotlight!!
Brian has just completed his second rotation here in GB. His first was family practice which he loved. He worked in a clinic in Flint and it was a really good intro into rotations. His second one was OB/GYN, he absolutely loved it!! He doesn't want that to be his profession or anything but he had a really good time. He saw lots of "neat" stuff, worked with wonderful docs who let him help out lots and learned a ton. He was on call 6 times during the 4 weeks he was on this rotation which was hard on us. Everyday he was up by 5 and to the hospital by 6. When he was on call he would go in at the same time and not get home until the following morning around 9 or 10. It was hard to sleep in bed alone and it was hard on the kids not being able to see their dad. But each time Brian would come home he had all sorts of exciting stories of what happened that night. For the first two weeks of the rotation he did OB, there he was able to assist in many deliveries, and a couple c-sections. Then he was able to take care of pregnant and laboring women. The second half he still got to assist on deliveries and c-sections but he saw lots of surgeries on all the woman parts. (sounds weird but I didn't know how to word it and you know what I mean) He saw ectopic pregnancies, tubal ligation, (tubes tied) cancer removed, and all sorts of other stuff. He really enjoyed it and learned so much.
This next 4 weeks he is back on Family Practice but with a new doc. The doc he is with is amazing seeing about 60 patients+ per day. He is a work-aholic but still a very good doc. Brian has only been doing this for 2 days but he is loving it and working hard.
I don't know how Brian does it, he is up bright and early every morning and out the door before we are up and before the sun is even shining. He is a great man and excited to help people.

As for me I am so busy being a mom. I never had a clue how much work this would be. I love it but its not easy. I try to be creative in my free time, I love to be working on projects. I am so lucky here we have the space for a craft room, it is also the computer room but I love it.

Happy Kids

2008-10-28T09:56:00.000-07:00

Here is Braden with a "Real Smile." For some reason he has a hard time smiling when I am taking pictures and say, "Smile!" I really dont know what it is, I think he must have got that one from Brian. He is such a good kid, he makes me crazy at times but most of the time he is so sweet. He has always been so smart, he still amazes me with the things he says. His reply to anything I say is; "Oh Yeah!" He is so excited about life and a breath of fresh air.

Here is miss Ashley sporting her 2 new teeth. Yes I said TEETH!! I say this a lot but I cannot believe how time flys, I cannot believe she is 6 1/2 months old. I love having both these kids in my life, they make me happy. Ashley is so gabby, she always has a story to tell to anyone who will listen. Braden is always watching out for his sister, he loves her so much.

Projects

2008-10-28T09:18:00.000-07:00

Braden loves to paint! Lately he has seen me painting a few things I have been working on and always wants to help. This time he was the one with the paint brush!! I think this year painting will be enough, I don't think we will be carving any pumpkins. Any ways this is Bradens masterpiece and he was so excited to show his daddy when he got home.

We met up with some friends to decorate some sugar cookies, it was so much fun for the kids and all us girlies got to sit and chat about life, kids and how much debt we are racking up with school loans. It was a good time and as usual scared the crap out of me. This is one of Bradens creations, if you could see the cookie from the side you would see the mountain of sprinkles, yummo!!

Here are some projects I finally finished. I was so excited about this witch one, It turned out pretty good I think. I topped it off with sparkles and I love it!!

For Project night with the ladies we made these cute fall signs and these Butternut Squash ghosts. I have really enjoyed meeting some wonderful women since I have been here. In Kirksville Brian was so so busy and studied at the school so I could hardly ever go to the play groups. Since arriving here in Grand Blanc Brians schedule has allowed him to be home at a decent time most nights which has been absolutely wonderful. Also allowing me to be involved a bit more, I am really enjoying it here.

Huckelberry Railroad

2008-10-20T18:47:00.000-07:00

We visited a little historic village in Flint this weekend. It is such a fun nice little place. They have a train that you can ride on and a ferry that takes you out onto the lake and cute little houses that have been all restored. There is even an opera house with shows you can go see. They have decorated all the houses for Halloween and you walk around and trick or treat. We got treats, and apples and cider and donuts, it was really fun.

It seems like everywhere we go there is a carousel. I asked Braden which horse he wanted to ride and he wanted to ride the "little horse." Its not the greatest pictures but you can see how small the horses are. It was fun, and the fastest carousel I have ever been on, I was glad when it was over. I guess im getting old.

They had all sorts of old rides, it was fun.

Braden LOVES Clifford, its been just this last week that he saw the show and so it was funny that this was here. When Braden saw this big Clifford he was so excited. He wanted Brian to go with him to touch him. Its so fun to watch kids, they believe everything, those were the days. Life is so much more fun when you are a kid. It was so nice to dress Braden up and go out, it seems like they only ever wear their Halloween costumes once and only for a few hours.

We didnt get to ride on the train, all the tickets were sold out for the night which was really sad because that was why we went in the first place. Braden loves trains so much and we told him we were going on a train ride. He was so excited!! Then we found out that we werent going and we tried to cover it up by having him go on the little kid train and that didnt work, it was so sad. When we were leaving the train was just getting all loaded up with people and the man let him stand on it and look inside, he liked that but I really wish we could have gone on the ride. Oh well, there is always next time.

Halloween Party Time

2008-10-19T19:12:00.000-07:00

Our ward had their annual Halloween party (Brian was on call again) I really wanted to dress up but I didnt think I had anything to wear. I told Brian that I really wanted to dress up and I was so sad because I didn't think I had anything to wear. But I started going through some boxes and remembered I had some Hawaii stuff, I was so excited!! I was Hula girl, coconut shells and all and Ashley was a grape bunch and Braden a Lion. I think we ended up lookin' pretty good! I was so sad Brian couldn't be there, they really picked some bad days for him to be on call this month.

I was going to make the usual sugar cookies and decorate them, then I saw these Rice Krispy Frankenstein treats in a magazine. (I will post a pic tomorrow my camera just died) I spent the afternoon making them and they were a hit at the party! Luccily I was able to snatch the last one on the tray.

There was a chili cook off and Bingo and they had people decorated rooms and the kids trick or treated from room to room. It was lots of fun, so many great people here. I cannot believe it is almost Halloween. That means that my little brother Tanner will have been out on his mission for 1 year, Braden is 2 1/2 Ashley is a half of a year old, I am now half a year older, Brian almost graduates in 1 1/2 years (1 month away) Crazy, Time fly's!!

Fall Time Fun

2008-10-19T14:22:00.000-07:00

This last weekend I took the kids to Three Cedars Farm with some friends. It was about 1 hour from our place and we met up with some friends from Detroit and other parts of Michigan, it was soo good to see them!
There was so much fun stuff for the kids, toy tractors, a chicken coop, a whole play house with slides it was all so nice and a great way to spend a beautiful fall afternoon.
This is Braden getting ready to go on the hay ride with Sarah and Adeline, he loves these girls.

The hay ride took us to a pumpkin patch where you could pick out a pumpkin, the kids loved exploring all the pumpkins in the field. It was really fun to watch them follow one another and discover.

Isnt this one of the most beautiful babies you have ever seen. We sure think so! Ashley is so pretty, she is so girly, I love it!! She is so happy and smily.

Last weekend Brian was on call but it was a beautiful saturday afternoon so I took the kids to a pumpkin festival. We all started the day out bundled up but after a while it started getting so so hot. I had Braden and I wearing 2 layers of clothes so we took off one and I stripped Ashley down to her diaper, it was that hot. It was like a summer afternoon but in October, it was so nice. It almost hit 80, crazy!
Braden loves animals, there was a little petting zoo and we spent most of our time there. They had pigs, and goats and sheep and turkeys and bunnies but the pigs were his favorite!

So I had just laid Ashley in bed and she started screaming her head off so I went in to check on her and she somehow managed to get all twisted up in her pj's. It was so bad (I dont know if you can tell) that her left leg was in the right leg of her pj's and her right leg was in the left leg of her pj's. I thought it was so funny that I called Brian up to see it. He thinks I put her pj's on wrong, but NO WAY, she got into this mess all by herself. The cute little girl that she is!!
There is a nature trail behind the library here and I know that our nice fall days will soon disappear into the cold snow, so we decided to take the kids out on a walk to see the leaves changing colors and get some fresh air. This is Ashley all ready to go!!

We decided to collect some leaves so Braden can make some pictures. Braden loved it, he would pick up every leaf that he could and crumble it into the bag. He was so funny!! It is so beautiful here! I love how we are in the country but close to everything. We live in a nice little quiet neighborhood and it has been really nice.

I havent seen too many kids around us, so thats been the only down side but hopefully we will find some to play with.

Gymnastics

2008-09-30T19:34:00.000-07:00

We out Braden into Gymnastics because he is always hanging all over the place. We found a great place here in town and it has been so great! Braden is loving it, class is once a week but we have considered having him go twice a week because it is so much fun. At first Braden wasn't so sure about things and he wouldn't go near the teacher but by the end of the first day he was walking around with the teacher holding her hand. The teacher warms them up then shows them all the stuff they can play on and practice on the equipment and then she says go play and the moms and the kids go and play. They have all the real stuff, they adjust it to fit little kids it is amazing. There is so much to play on a long trampoline, and regular (gymnastic) trampolines all over, a bouncy floor, balance beams, bars of all kinds, obstacle course objects and everything you could dream of. Braden just goes town, he is completely fearless, he will do and try anything. The class lasts 45 min and by the end he is soaking with sweat. It has been so good for both of us to get out into the community and meet moms and kids and go play. I look forward to it all week. I really hope one of these days Brian will be able to come watch, he would love it.

Braden on the balance beam all by himself, I have to remind him to watch where he is going, his mind is always going 100 mph.
I love it that they can just climb all over everything and not get in trouble. It has been so good for him and made him have to work hard, he will attempt things that are much bigger than him and things that others are scared to do, that's our boy! Oh I was actually surprised that there were 2 other boys in the class, I was so happy about that.
I over heard the teacher talking to another mom saying how much organized activities like this help kids out in so many ways. She said that they have done studies and kids in gymnastics, etc, perform better in school. I thought that was pretty neat. It is much more than just going and playing they learn how to use their body and learn coordination.

The kids tend to hang out at the trampolines, Braden can get some serious air for a little guy.

Ta Da!!

Bath Time!

2008-09-30T19:28:00.000-07:00

These two cute kids love bath time. Ashley is constantly trying to drink the water and Braden is splashing all over the place. Braden is immitating Ashley in this picture because she is constantly sucking on her hands, feet anything she can get in her mouth.
I am so glad she sucks her hands and takes a bink, it is so much easier!

Spicers Apple Orchard

2008-09-30T19:00:00.000-07:00

Michigan is so much fun in the fall. There are Apple Orchards all over and you can go and pick all sorts of Apples, Raspberries, Pumpkins, Corn and all sorts of fall foods. We went to Spicers and went on a hay ride out to the apple fields, Brian and Braden had so much fun picking apples. Brian would lift Braden up to get the highest apples and Braden Loved it! When we are done there is a store there and we bought some fresh donuts and Hot apple cider. It was all amazing and all fresh as can be, Yummo!! They had all sorts of fun stuff set up for kids and farm animals to feed it was a great way to spend a Saturday with the family.
Our little man, we have been telling Braden that we were going to pick apples for a few days. He was so excited to go. He would pick the apple and take a bite he loved it.

Beautiful colors.
Here is little miss Ashley, she is so beautiful. She amazes me every day, she is so much fun to have around. She rolls all over the place now and is starting to scoot forward and backwards a bit. I cannot believe how fast time has flown, she is over 5 months now. She is so happy and gabby. It is so fun to watch Braden get her to laugh, Before long they are both laughing their heads off, I love it! We are so lucky to have these two little angel in our family.

Clear to the top Dad!! This was some serious apple picking.

Our Van

2008-09-30T18:24:00.000-07:00

We have been talking for a long time about buying a van, some people don't really like them but they have never seen or driven our wan. It is a Honda Odyssey and it totally rocks, I love it!!! We have had it for about 2 months now and I am so happy we got it. Braden loves it and just wants to hang out inside of it all the time. It is so nice to travel in, we keep the back seat folded down all of the time, (it folds right into the floor) and the kids just ride in the front 2 bucket seats. It is all leather with heated seats, it is my dream car. ( and I really mean that)

Our New Place

2008-09-29T12:33:00.000-07:00

This is our new home in Grand Blanc,

It is actually a condo, but it feels like a home. It is very roomy and it has a 2 car garage, I love it!! Because it is a condo all of our lawn care is provided and also snow removal. (which if you know anything about Grand Blanc we get lots of snow) We have a porch in back and a big finished basement.

I will take pics of the inside in a bit but for now its a work in progress.

Away for a while

2008-09-29T11:12:00.000-07:00

Wow its been forever since I have posted. So much has happened these last few months. In January of this year as many of you know Brian injured his back, he re-herniated L5-S1. It happened right after Christmas break and it was an absolute nightmare. He was in un-controllable pain in his back and all down his leg and foot and it was really bad. I was 6 months pregnant with an almost 2 year old and things were so bad and hard. I didn't know If I could make it through.

Thank goodness time passes quickly, here we are now in almost October and life is so great!! Since Brian's injury he has had multiple injections to try and get the pain under control. (and remember we were in the middle of his second year of Medical School) Thank heavens for so many wonderful doctors who helped us along the way and took such great care of us. Brian was able to finish out his second year with flying colors!! I don't know how he did it, sometimes he would be up all night in pain and it was really hard to listen to him practically moaning, not to mention he could barely walk, and he was never pain free. I think this was the hardest thing I have ever had to go through. Thanks to the many prayers in our behalf and a loving and caring Heavenly Father we made It through.

Ashley Mae was born April 16th 2008 at a whopping 9lb 8oz, yes she almost killed me. Before Ashley it always drove me crazy when people would complain about being pregnant and how uncomfortable they were and how they wanted to go early. Well Braden was a breeze but Ashley made me realize what so many women were talking about. I was so uncomfortable I could barely do anything. And if I would over do it at all (which wasn't hard to do) I would start having contractions. Once she came out My body was in such relief it was a miracle. No more pain, no more uncomfortableness (at least being pregnant) it was amazing!! And thanks to Dr. Solovieva and all the doc's and nurses in Kirksville who helped me all along it was wonderful!!

My family came out to help and see the baby and it was so nice to see them, and so nice to have so much help. Also to my neighbors and friends they helped out with Braden and meals. I have never really considered myself a needy person but these last few months I was, and I needed help to get through.

Time has flown since Ashley has arrived, Brian finished school, we have moved from Kirksville to Grand Blanc, Brian had back surgery and things are finally settling back down.

Brain's Back surgery went excellent, thanks to an incredible doctor (Dr. Huntsman) in Utah. He did Brian's previous surgery about 6 years ago and we have been very pleased with him.
He has been in physical therapy and is feeling much better.

We love our new home, it is so much bigger than anything we have ever lived in. We don't have enough furniture to fill it up but that's ok for now. We have a big playroom downstairs which is so nice. Braden can play all he wants and the toys stay downstairs. We have 3 bathrooms, wow I love it. We went from 1 to 3, ahhhhhh it is so nice. Oh yeah and we have a 2 car garage, it has been so nice and in the winter especially it will be so nice.

We love being in Grand Blanc, we miss family and friends from Utah and Kirksville but we really love it here. I miss so badly just walking outside and having a neighbor out to talk to and kids for Braden to play with but we are figuring things out here. I love being in an area that's not as isolated as Kirksville, I mean it was nice but its so nice to be able to drive 10 min to the mall, etc.

I find myself so excited to go to church and see people and make new friends, there are so many wonderful people in our ward. I am looking forward to meeting and making new friends.

I am so thankful to be at the end of September, I know that our challenges are not over but we have made it through some hard times this year.

Picture Day

2008-06-19T14:23:00.000-07:00

I am still trying to figure out this whole blogging thing. There is so much fun stuff out there and I love it!!! Here is our little family, what good looking kids...WOW!! I am so happy to have 2 beautiful and healthy kids! I love My wonderful husband with all of my heart, he is finnishing up his second year of Medical School and he will be finnished in 3 1/2 weeks, it is amazing how time flies. We will be moving to Michigan before we know it to start rotations. We are so excited to take the next step in this adventure, we are so so sad to be leaving Missouri but looking forward to the future.

Beautiful Baby Girl

2008-06-09T20:44:00.000-07:00

Beautiful Kids

2008-05-20T14:28:00.000-07:00

Kirksville Circus!!

2008-05-14T14:25:00.000-07:00

Believe it or not a circus came to town, yes to Kirksville and it was great! They had Lions and Tigers and my favorite Elephants. I have always wanted to ride an elephant and I finally got my chance!! This is a pic of Braden and I on an elephant ride. It was great!!!

If you ask Braden about the Circus he keeps talking about the "Lady Who Fell," there was a lady doing tricks on these long pieces of fabric hanging from the celling and she did all sorts of flips and tricks and Braden thought she fell, well she did... but on purpose. So yeah he is so funny.
It is finals week and Brian still took the time to come with us, I am so glad he did! It is so nice to spend time together as a family.
We were sitting on the floor and the elephants were just feet away, it was cool!

Bradens Second Birthday

2008-05-14T14:03:00.000-07:00

I decorated the house with balloons and streamers so when Braden came down in the morning he was so excited. All he wanted to do was pop the balloons which is what Braden and Brian did all afternoon.
Sarah Came over and brought Braden a birthday present......CHOCOLATE CHIPS his favorite!!! This kid is such a choc-aholic!! She also brought him a CHOCOLATE cupcake some CHOCOLATE sprinkles and some stickers. Whate cute kids!
Dancing with his bag of CHOCOLATE CHIPS.
These too love birds..... we will show this pic at there wedding!!
New rain boots.
Cool new Trike!! He is taking Sarah out for a ride.
This is the Baby Einstein Tiger Birthday cake I made for Braden. I really love to make fun Birthday cakes and braden loved it!!
Braden LOVED blowing out the candles, we would sing to him over and over and he would just keep blowing them out, it was so much fun!!
Braden and Sarah Eating cake and ice cream.

Our Little Ones

2008-04-25T14:37:00.001-07:00

It took a while for Braden to warm up to his new sister but he did and he loves her so much.

Emalee and Ashley, I was so glad that Emalee could come out with my mom to help. Braden had lots of fun with them. He learned new songs and they took him outside all the time. They took him to look at the tractors working in the field behind our house. they took him out to splash in puddles and ride his bike and to play, it was all so great and made it much easier on me.

Our Newest Addition

2008-04-20T13:05:00.000-07:00

This is me in all my glory, getting ready to have this baby. Little did I know that within the next few minutes I would be is lots and lots of pain with contractions. Im so glad that part is over and I can start healing and figuring out how to take care of 2 beautiful kids.

Our Little Ashley Mae Parks. This is one of the first shots of her and I. We are so excited that she is here. She was born Tuesday April 15th 2008 at 4:07pm and weighed 9lb 8oz and 23 3/4 inches long! Wow no wonder I have been hurting so bad these last few weeks.
Our Beautiful girl, We couldnt believe she had so much hair...and it was so dark. She is a little chubby, she has cute thighs and cute buns! When she was coming out her head and shoulders came out just fine but her bum got stuck! I had to push a few times to get her out, the doc and nurses said they have never had that happen before. It was pretty funny, she was the talk of the floor. She wont like to hear this when she is older.
She is absolutely perfect!! We are so glad that she is here and all is well.
Daddy and baby napping together.
Daddys little girl!
I had to post this pic so you can see how much hair she has.

Aunt Emalee holding Braden and Ashley
Grandma Coon holding Braden and Ashley

Here I am all dressed up and ready to go out!!

Grandma giving Ashley her first bath at home. It is still really hard for me to change her, or bathe her, I am just too nervous that she is too fragile. I will have to learn and adjust quick.

Braden was a little unsure about all of this at first. he walked into the hospital room we were in and wouldnt talk to me, look at me or anything. He warmed up to Brian than he would look at the baby a little, then about 1 hour later he would start talking to me again. It was hard because we are such good buddies. It has got to be so hard on him right now.

But he does love his little sister, he always wants to help out and he loves to hold her, it is so fun to watch.

Ashley even takes binkies, its been great!! She is such a good baby. We are so blessed.

Since Ashley has a binkie Braden needed a binkie. he never took one before but now they are pretty cool!

For Fun

2008-04-12T14:30:00.000-07:00

3-31-08 So we got out all the baby stuff and Braden is loving it!! He wasnt too interested the first time around but now he thinks its really cool!

3-31-08 Mom and Braden getting ready to cook!! Braden LOVES to cook, he loves to stir the ingredients and to crack the eggs and best of all he LOVES to taste the batter! Thats my boy!!
3-31-08 Braden the Chef!

4-1-08 My friend Shea and I took a trip to La Plata, there is a train station there and we were hoping our boys would be able to at least see a train go by.........but no, no train is sight. This was the closest we got.
4-1-08 The boys doing their best to fill this puddle with rocks. 4-3-08 This is Bradens friend Kaden, he moved here for a few months and they had lots of fun together. Their birthdays are only 8 days apart so it was really great for them because they were so close in age. This is Braden saying goodbye before he left. sad :(
4-4-08 Well some wonderful ladies threw me a Baby shower and I brought my camera to take pictures and I didn't get it out until almost everyone left. I was so so sad. But here are some who attended, some of the best ladies I have ever met!! Thanks for everything, the food was delish, and it was also beautiful!! I am so greatful to have friends like them!!
4-5-08 My cool little Braden at the park inbetween conferences on Sat. We went out to Thousand Hills Lake, it was great to get out and so beautiful.

4-5-08 Here is a picture of our Family at Thousand Hills State Park, I am so ready to have this baby it is killing me, literally I am so so uncomfortable, I never was like this with Braden. I cannot wait until she is here!4-6-08 Here I am on my 25th Birthday struting my stuff!! I will be having this baby any day now. I went to the doc and I am dialated to a 4 and could go any time so we will see how much longer I make it.

Nauvoo March 15, 2008

2008-04-11T21:13:00.000-07:00

Braden LOVES animals!! The entire drive to Nauvoo we kept telling him that we were going on a horse ride. Once we got there that was the first thing we did. Braden sat in the very front and loved every minute of it.
Here we are feeding the OX, I am about 35 weeks along. Braden really loves animals and then when he sees them in real life he gets really scared, we haave to keep remimding him not to be scared.
Brian and the OX.
We went to Nauvoo with our friends the Laters. We shared a nice big hotel room, it even had a kitchen. Braden and Sara loved spending the weekend together playing. Braden barely slept the whole trip because he couldnt wait to get up and play. He is so much fun!

Braden and Sara Jumpin' on the bed.
Brian and Braden swimming at the hotel, I decided to sit this one out.
This is where Joseph, Hyram and Emma Smith are buried.

Easter 2008

2008-03-23T17:54:00.000-07:00

Covered in Dye, this will take a long time to come out!!

Brian Creating his masterpiece
We had to talk Braden into picking up his eggs. Each one he picked up he opened it and ate what was inside.

We went to the community Easter Egg Hunt, it was so so cold! I think Brian loved it as much as Braden!! It was lots of fun.

This is the Easter Egg Hunt Brians school hosted. It was Bradens first Easter Egg Hunt, he loved it. Brian had to help him out it was lots of fun!!

2008-03-23T17:53:00.000-07:00

Pictures

2008-03-12T20:32:00.000-07:00

I have been wanting to start a blog for a long time but didnt know how. A friend of mine helped me start this one, I am no professional. I attempted to get a lot of pictures up so you can see our family and what we have been up to. Hopefully as time goes on I will get better. But I am warning you I am no professional!!

3-13-08 Braden and mom. I am 34 weeks along now, and getting more and more ready to have this baby. I cannot believe in a few weeks we will have a new baby girl, we are so excited!!!
3-13-08 We have been trying to spend as much time outside as possible, although today was much colder than yesterday.

2-12-08 Today we went fishing with the Later Family here at a local pond. Steve was teaching Brian how to fly fish while Kasey and I played with the kids. It was so great to get outside and it was such great weather. Maybe we are done with the freezing temperatures. What a Studd!!! Braden fishing in his new cowboy hat just like dad. Hat and boots
Eating pretzels and peanut butter, by the handful.........literally by the handful!!

Braden and his friend Sarah Fishing

Brian fly fishing for the first time

3-11-08 We took Braden to the True Value store here to see some baby chicks, he loves them! He will pick them up all by himself! Hopefully he didnt hurt any of them.

2-29-08 Braden has gone to the bathroom on the "big toilet" 3 times, we figured he needed his own. So we got him one and he hasnt gone since. But he loves to sit on his and fill it with toilet paper. When he is "done" he will say "flush" and he will go flush the big toilet. He is so great!

2-14-08 Braden sleeping with his gloves on.

2-8-08 Braden always wants the towel wrapped around his hair, Just like mom.

2-7-08 Brian will kill me for telling this but Braden loves playing with make-up and putting it on, Here he is getting ready for the day.

2-6-08 Braden favorite game to play with Brian is "Hide" he jumps in the bed and hides in the blankets. Then mom comes in and finds them, Braden can play this for hours especially at bedtime!

2-3-08 Braden freezing and eating the snow. He refused to go inside, we have a little snow suit for him but no boots. I know his feet were soaking wet and he was cold but he cried and cried when we took him in the house. He loves to be outside, I cannot wait until warmer weather is here.

The snowman our neighbors the Wilsons built.

2-1-08 Braden loves trains, he has been talking about them for the last month. We wanted to wait to get him one until his birthday, but I caved in. I would go get him out of bed in the morning and after naps and the first thing he would say was "Train" He loves it.

1-24-08 Brian and Braden

1-24-08 Braden Painting all over himself

1-21-08 Braden Loves spending time with his daddy!1-20-08 Braden got this baby for Christmas, he loves it!!

1-19-08 Braden asleep in his high chair. This is very rare, he always fights so hard to stay awake!

1-16-08 Brian was so happy to have us back home, He made signs and put them all over the house. Its great to be back!

11-28-07 I was making muffins and Braden LOVES to help me cook, I turned around and there he was mixing the batter with his hands.

This kid loves chocolate!

My First Post

2008-03-12T15:08:00.001-07:00