"Uncle Brad"

Some things never change - and I am so glad! Growing up Kyle had a best friend named Brad. They spent tons of time together (behaving like idiots) and it was my pleasure getting to know and love Brad as I got to know and love Kyle (different kinds of love for sure). As long as I have known Kyle, I have known Brad but sadly life has taken us on different roads and for the past 9 years we have seen him only a handful of times. The good news though is that when you have a dear friend it doesn't matter how much time or distance is between you - you are always like family and always loved and enjoyed hugely when the chance to reconnect appears!


Brad was married recently and Kyle and I so enjoyed seeing him but were bummed to not be able to get to know his beautiful bride - considering a wedding is not the best place to really get to know someone (especially the bride). But we were lucky enough that she too wished she could have had some more time with us and planned a trip out here in early June so we could catch up on a long life of not knowing eachother. We had a blast. Kyle and Brad didn't understand how Lindsey and I had so much to talk about while they could barely hold a serious conversation. Lindsey, you are welcome back anytime... even though your non dairy, non cayanne ways are so difficult to deal with!

Oh and the kids have always called him Uncle Brad even though only Adia had ever really met him. But when she was little and he was around more that is what Kyle referred to him as and somehow after all this time it stuck. The kids were so excited to meet the goofy uncle they had heard so much about and from the moment he walked in our door they wouldn't leave him alone. In fact we had to apologize on several occasions because one kid got her name wrong and one kid said "thank you God that Uncle Brad is here and ummm, whats her name mom, Oh yeah, Lindsey" during prayer. Good thing she is a sweetie and has a great sense of humor.


Okay enough babbling... here are some pictures...

here the kids are crowding them asking "what do you want to see next"

Volleyball is a must...

Uncle Brad doing a talent show...

Kenyon's performance for the show

Before our quick trip down the river...

Adia practicing being a guide.

teaching us to skip a rock

And here are a few from the old days...

Brad's amazing toast/speech he gave at our wedding.

Kyle and Brad doing tricky dance moves at our reception

Here is how he showed up to our rehersal

And thats it... THANK YOU SO MUCH Brad and Lindsey for such a fun weekend. We really enjoyed our time together and hope it isn't too long before we can all be together again. Although it would be good if you had a kid in tow too so we weren't the only ones slowing everything down!

Kristen Really Moved Here!!!!

Kristen is one of my best friends ever and has been since high school graduation. We have known eachother our whole lives but our friendship didn't get really strong until our senior year. She is such a great friend and I love that she totally gets me. It's always fun to have a friend who knows your entire story and still loves you the same! Here we are on my wedding day.


Well, when Kyle and I moved out here is when Kristen and her hubby Mike (also part of our graduating class) started telling us they might like to live here someday too. Kyle and I tried not to get our hopes up year after year that we would discuss it. But now the day has finally come and I am so excited to have such a great friend so close by. I'm sure we will have so many good times with our families!!! I feel like a sister lives by me now. :)


Here is a picture of her beautiful new home that has provided lots of fun for Kyle and I as we help her get settled. This is not a great picture because I was taking this for the purpose of showing my dad something.

And here is one of our fun projects we get to do together. She is letting Adia bring up her 2 horses to keep at her house and we are all very excited! Kristen actually loves horses (one of the few things we do NOT have in common) and is going to help Adia train them. Adia's horse Sierra is only 2 and the other one Nevada (names Adia choose not knowing about the beer Sierra Nevada). My dad is bring them June 11th so we are going to start painting and cleaning out this cute tack room thing this weekend. I will show the before and afters later!

Kristen is about a week and a half away from having her 2nd baby. Her daugther Taylor is only 16 months so she is in for a treat. Maybe Cindi or Leah should send her some tips on what that is like! Well, her in-laws threw her a little shower last weekend and I got to bring some decor, cupcakes, favors and games. It turned out great and it was fun meeting all Mike's family. I would have pictures of her with her hubby but he is actually still down South trying to finish up work quickly before the baby pops out (as in she is due on the 30th).

Can you tell she is 38 weeks pregnant?

Here are a few pictures of the fun stuff I got to make!

THANK YOU to my good friend Glory, who is amazing, for teaching me how to make such beautiful cookies.

Anyway, I am just so excited to have Kristen here and wanted to share a bit of the fun we have been having so far. And just for kicks I added this picture of us from our Senior year. This was at JSB (Junior Senior Banquet). And don't tell anyone but Adia was actually in my tummy in this picture. Kristen is on the top right and I'm on the bottom far right.

Miracles Really Happen!

This past weekend Kyle and I got away (yet again) to go to our good friend Brad Barttels (Kyle's best man at our wedding) wedding. Somehow he met this beautiful girl named Lindsey got her to fall in love and even marry him - it's truly a miracle. Here are a lot of pictures from our trip... we know there are a few of you that would loved to have been there. So now you can experience the whole weekend with us - kind of.

Kyle met up with all the guys on Thursday night for the bachelor party - pizza and root beer at Brad's house. Oh these boys are wild! Then together we met up at TK Burgers for lunch on Friday. I can not tell you how good it was to see them again. So many good memories!

Dave, Brad, Kyle and Andrew!
Here we are following Brad, Andrew and Beth to Brads house to hang out until the rehearsal dinner.

They had an awesome dinner with family and close friends the night before the wedding.

The Bride and Groom to be!
Here is Brad and his mom cutting the cake!Brad's brothers Trevor, Chad, Tyler and Tyler's girlfriend. They got old huh?

Here is Linda wearing the teeth Brad sported at my wedding.

Kyle and I ready for another night out!

Brad and Kyle... so cute!

Brad's parents with the beautiful couple!

Pretty Carrot Cake.

Go Lindsey!

They seriously looked so in love and SO HAPPY together.

We are THRILLED for them!

And of course Andrew pulled out the video camera and got some great film.

And I can't mention my weekend and not add that I got to stay with one of my bestest friends - Kristen and her beautiful baby Taylor (oh and Mike too). Thank you so much Kristen and Mike for letting us crash at your pad... we had so much fun with you.

Are her eyes for real???

She sure loved my camera!