Layla's version of the Kate Gosselin Hair Do

Hogle Zoo

While in Utah we went to the zoo on Judy's grandma pass.


Layla was actually into it. The baby elephant was my favorite. So dang cute.

She wasn't into riding in the stroller. She just wants to push it. We run into the same problem at the grocery store.

Cousins, cousins everywhere!

Mildred Bradley's Obituary

Mildred Harris Bradley
1921 – 2009

Mildred Harris Bradley unexpectedly passed away Thursday, November 5, 2009, after a long, full, and wonderful life.

She was born March 8, 1921, in Logan, Utah, to Franklin Stewart Harris and Frankie Estelle Spilsbury Harris. The family moved to Provo, Utah, when her father became President of BYU. Raised in the President’s home on the BYU campus, Mildred enjoyed the academic environment and graduated from BYU with a degree in Clothing and Textiles. She met her sweetheart, Ralph O. Bradley, at BYU. They married in the Salt Lake Temple and raised a happy family of 14 children. They now have 86 grandchildren and 144 great-grandchildren. Fifty-four of the grandchildren have served missions for the LDS Church to date.

Mildred loved her activity in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served in many positions in the Relief Society and Young Women’s organizations. She also served as a hostess at the Beehive House and at the Church Office Building. She loved her church service as an ordinance worker in the Salt Lake Temple and as the Temple Matron for the Washington D.C. Temple, while Ralph served as the Temple President. She also loved serving with her husband while he was Mission President of the Temple Square Mission and the North Carolina, Charlotte Mission.

Mildred was a great example to her family and friends, and she was loved and well-respected by all. Mom was a woman of integrity who successfully raised 14 children in a loving and well organized home. The laundry was always done, and there was always a nutritious hot meal on the table. Mom even made most of her children’s clothing.

She is survived by her husband of 68 years and thirteen of her children: S. Robert (Lonnie) Bradley, Susan (Leslie) Dorrough, Judy (Rick) Parry, Craig S. (Kathy) Bradley, Betsy (Dalton) Cannon, Richard H. Bradley, James R. (Shauna) Bradley, Maryjane (Brad) Melis, Peggy Waltman, John S. (Ann) Bradley, David H. (Cathy) Bradley, Barbara (Mike) Creer, and Lisa (Ned) Stephenson, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Kathleen Bradley Offret, her daughter-in-law, Marcia Bradley, her parents, and her five older siblings, Arlene Harris Grover, Franklin Stewart Harris, Jr., Chauncy Dennison Harris, Helen Harris Jenson, and Leah Harris Jensen.

"Life's Little Surprises"

Two weeks ago I took a break from unpacking, yes this whole process appears to be never ending, to blog a bit.

I felt a little disappointed in myself for all the back blogging that needed to be done. Then I overheard John on the phone talking to his cousin, and the news about Grandma Bradley passing away earlier that morning had reached Lake Tahoe.

He called his Mom to find out more details and to see how she was doing. By this time I had abandoned the computer and was sitting close enough to John to hear Judy say, "Sometimes life just gives you surprises" on the other end in reference to her mother's passing.

Yes, Judy is that optimistic and pleasant- all. the. time.

That was Thursday afternoon around three-thirty. We had a Hawaii flight booked for Sunday morning, but since funeral was not until Monday afternoon, we had to switch it.

By 6:30 the car was packed and we were on the road headed to Utah.

We could have waited for morning, but with Layla we felt that the more sleep time was better for everyone. She watched two movies then fell asleep. About 20 minutes away from John's parents house she woke up. We arrived at three A.M. but Layla continued to party 'till four. At least we think it was four, we had already fallen asleep and at some point I woke up to her jumping on my head. I decided it was a good time to put her in the pack n ' play so we could get a solid four hours of sleep.

John drove the whole way, but I stayed awake for moral support (and someone had to hand him his Mountain Dew) so it gave me some good pondering time.

I thought about the blessings that come from funerals, because at the time it is sometimes hard to see the upside, but I took a page from the book of Judy.

Funerals are good because...
1. They allow for some spontaneity. I had casually said that Pioneer Woman was in SLC signing cookbooks and we should drive there and get one earlier that same day. Of course that was silly. But later that night packing up and driving to Utah on a moment's notice is not only kosher but encouraged.
2. The family all comes out. Funerals can feel a little like a family reunion, especially when you have lived a long full life like Grandma Bradley. Except I'm sure this event was even more well attended than legit reunions in that past. All fourteen kids and spouses were there. Then out of the 86 grandchildren I bet all but 10 came from all over to attend. The family section took up the whole chapel.

Also this funeral was good because it really felt like a celebration. They way people were reminiscing about the good times and how organized and selfless this woman was made for a really neat to experience. Especially for me who has only been around the fam for a few years. I learned a lot about Grandma Bradley. I was thinking about the last funeral I went to, the one for my friend Nikki, and that one was just tears, tears, tears. Not to say this was a tear-free event. It was sad and weird when we were over at their house and Grandma wasn't in the kitchen trying to offer me food. It was just the kind of event where there were so many good things to focus on about her life and how eventful it was, we were able to keep a better eternal perspective and remember we will see her again.


The viewing and funeral were really great and we were glad we were able to go.

We got back in the car after the main service on Monday and drove to Sacramento. Layla did good on the drive, thanks to the DVD player. We arrived at my parents house around ten that night, got Layla all settled in, and left her at my parents house while we got on a plane Tuesday morning and flew to Kauai.

John's work gave him five bereavement days, we just like to think everyone grieves in their own way.

Good Stuff

Just made this hot chocolate recipie. I was so excited that someone recognized the Cocomotion for the gem it is and gave it its own recipe. I mean sure you could make it on the stove top, by why would you? And sweetened condensed milk with no actual milk? I was surprised.

Then I made these yesterday for a cookie exchange. Now there was no technical winner, but if there was, it would have been me. I'm not bragging, it's just a good recipie. (In fact I undercooked them too much and added chocolate chips which I am going to leave out next time) But when you are dealing with pumpkin and cream cheese frosting, you know you are going to find a winner.

I have a boatload of back blogging to do... and I don't really want to.

It is a Wonder

I was wondering why recently Layla's diapers have been extra soggy. Most mornings start with me picking her up, then yelling "oh nasty" with a quick wardrobe change on the spot.


What could it possibly be?



I have no idea.


I would like to thank the "Keep Tahoe Blue" council for making this big drink possible.

Halloweens in 2009

I know, everyone already posted their Halloween festivities. But I just wanted to let the newness die down, then hit you with the cutest little lion you ever did see.

BAM!

Phase one of Halloween was at our ward's trunk or treat. We had driven back from SacTown this day. Started cleaning the old house, unpacked some of the new house. It was a long day (thanks for your help Chels) but we were still able to load up the fam and and have a good time.

John misplaced his good attitude this year and when I asked him to dress up like a cowboy with me. He put on his boots and called it good. Too bad you can't see his 'costume' in this picture.
Layla's lion costume was formerly my little brother Taylor's. I think he wore it when he was two or something. But we girl-ed it up with the red bow. By the end of the night she learned two new things.

#1. The arm movements and sound that a lion makes.
and
#2. How to trick or treat. I didn't know if she would care or be too shy, but not my little lion. She took off going from car to car to get the candy. Then wanted to open and eat it instantly. She's a quick one.

Phase II of the Halloween Paloza was at the house of someone in my MOM's group. I don't know if it is nice or publicly acceptable to call someone loaded, but she is. And it turns out you can throw one heck of a party if you have lots of money. Layla actually told me that it was "off the chain", her words not mine.

We decided to add whiskers today. They lasted twenty minutes before they smeared.
I love her.



The party had an indoor bounce house, creepy clown, crafty section, stacked food buffet, face painting and a professional photographer. I thought I was cool because we had the same camera. But as it turns out she actually knows how to use hers. Her slide show here. My yellow pictures here, on my blog.
Someone show me how to use this thing.



Here's where I feel like we really lost the whiskers.

On our way out I snapped some shots of her cool decorations. So cool.


The third and final Phase of Halloween, was the actual day. And the least eventful by far.

Earlier that morning we had finished cleaning up and returning the keys of our old place. It felt good to be done with that. I don't know if I have mentioned this before, but I hate moving. I hope to die in the renal we are currently in.

We took a break to the unpacking of the new place o trick or treat with Layla.

And decided to switch things up and be a pirate. This is another vintage fabulous costume from the Pope house. My mom made this for Chelsea when she was about the same age as Layla.

She would run up to the door, then stop and stare at all the other kids and forget to get the candy. So the whole concept may take another year to fully materialize.


But she did not want to wait to start eating. Here is my scary Halloween face. Which is really just me without makeup. ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
Layla took it upon herself to bling out her own costume.



Halloween takes on a whole new fun factor with a kid. Now I just need to step up and find cooler costumes for myself. Layla is putting me to shame!

Sky Mall Highlights

On my flight back from DC I got stuck on a plane with no seat back TV's. I am familiar with that "Everything Amazing, Nobody is happy" clip I posted a little while ago but I am still going to complain.

Mainly because when I flew out there on Frontier I was able to watch Dish on my own little TV. It was awesome. The flight went by like that. (snap) Like that. (snap)

So it left me a lot of time to read my book
(which was a great recommendation Megan) but I can't just read straight for six hours. Well maybe I could if I were by a pool or the ocean. And someone kept topping off my pina colada.

So I took a break from my reading with a peruse of the Sky Mall magazine.

I case you haven't had the pleasure of flipping through one of this recently, allow me to point out some highlights.
Here we have the Zombie of Montclaire Moors. How cool is this. I haven't fully decided the direction I want to take my Halloween decor, you know cutesy or scary-weird. But this is just creepy and awesome.



I don't understand why a magazine on an airplane targets a very strange, small population of people who have gobs of money to spend on useless gadgets, but they do. And this Solafeet Foot Tanner definitely DOES NOT fit into that category. Everyone could benefit from this 230 dollar gem.

I have been pinning over this one for a long time. We have traditional live tree with Hawaiian ornaments. And I think a good way to involve some irony in my Holiday decor would be to have a Hawaiian tree with traditional ornaments. Like popcorn strung and red balls. Good idea, huh? Someday....


I originally started off this post to 'make fun' of silly things. But am turning out to actually want most of them. That includes this Marauders Map. My dinning room wall would be perfect for this.

A nod to my alter ego.

Now here is something for the person who has everything. I don't know how many times I have complained that my bootie wasn't big enough. Problem solved.

I laughed at this little pillow when first flipping through. Then about 30 minutes later I would have paid in the upper twenty dollar range if I could have gotten one instantly. I am one of those people who find it hard to sleep on planes because my neck gets kinked from leading forward or to the side. But this would take that woe from my life. Now just where to store it when I am sipping my complimentary soda...

This one I want to buy just out of curiosity. I mean, an obstacle course that you do with your mind... trippy. And lazy. Right up my ally.

So there you have it, no need to fly anywhere. I covered all the good stuff.

Feel free to add any of these items to your Christmas list.

Washington DC

Scott and Robyn invited us to go along with them to DC to see the Redskins/ Eagles game plus some American monuments.

(side note: John's cousin plays for the Eagles but the day AFTER the tickets were purchased we found out he had hurt his knee and was out for the season. Money was already spent so we decided to go and have fun in spite of no family member being out on the field)

When we went to write in on the calendar we noticed it was the same weekend as my reunion. I was really looking forward to it AND I felt like if I didn't go I would always wonder what it would have been like, so John flew off Friday morning and warmed up the city for me.

He said he just sat in the hotel room twiddling his thumbs missing me so bad, but these pictures tell a different story.

Me: Hon, do you want to come and add some commentary to these photos you took?

John: No, I trust you.

Alrighty...

First he went and saw Elvis's old house. But Priscilla lives there now. She has some serious rent-a-cops.
And this is the backyard where Elvis would do free concerts for bums and hand out peanut butter sandwiches. Such a nice guy he was.

I know Scott and Robyn invited us, but Ken and Jevin find it hard to pass up on a good time. (this is them above. I hope since you are reading my blog you have familiarized yourself with both of our family trees. Remember, 10 kids in John's family. There will be a test at the end)
And it turns out when these two don't have four kids hanging off their every limb they appear to actually like each other. I even saw them hold hands on many occasions. True story.

U.S.A! U.S.A! U.S.A!

These folks must have some steep city taxes because look at the community pool. There are 247 shower stalls that building. Always rinse before entering the pool. It is flu season.

Now here's a guy who needs no introduction. But he wants to do one anyway.

"So just let me introduce myself
My name is Humpty, pronounced with a Umpty.."

And here is that thing that they made for that guy. That was awesome.

And here is the whole gang fighting through their sadness of missing me and attempting to have fun touring the city on bikes.
Which leads to a great story about John trying to take a picture of something for his photo-a-day blog with his phone, while riding his bicycle. This event came to a complete halt (pun intended) when he slammed on his front brake propelling him over his handle bars and onto the soft concrete.

Like I said I wasn't there yet, but if I were, there would be a picture to prove it. (Don't you know it Megan) I don't know how Jen missed the Kodak moment. Oh, she may have been worried about his safety.

Mark was there as well. Now I am guessing he is allowing his picture to be taken here because he is standing next to a military flag. He likes what he likes. If I put one tenth the effort and obsession into anything the way Mark does with his interests, there is no telling what I could have accomplished by this point in my life. Maybe living next door to Priscilla in that shoe box house of hers.


OK, this is where things get exciting, because I finally arrived.

Here is us on the steps of the Library of Congress which is adjacent to the Capital and Parthenon.

See this smile on John's face. That would shorty be wiped off his face by the tedious 90 minute tour we went on inside the Library.

It has been a while since I have been to a museum. And as it turns out I have the same maturity in museums as I did when I was seven. Bored out of my mind. Yes, I would love to see Thomas Jefferson's real live book collection, but I like to just walk by it, as a rather quick pace so I have a free moment to rest my legs and eye lids on that wooden bench in the corner. (I'm pretty sure I hit my third REM cycle)

So did Wyatt. But since he is 9, it is supposed to be cuter. One of the many unfair double standards in our society.
But the delicious cheeseburger I had afterward made up for the long morning. The joint was called "Good Stuff" and they lived up to their name. Especially with the fries and the plethora of mayo dipping sauces.

After I sucked some nutrients from my lunch, we hit the street.

The capital building, for another tour. This one was less painful a.k.a. shorter.

Then Jen asked what we should do next. I suggested a little nappy 'back at the hotel'. But apparently flying across the country to be there 48 hours doesn't really qualify you for any down time ... too many things to see.

So we rode the metro and walked some more to get to the Jefferson Memorial.


Tired of taking the boring pictures.
How cool is DC in the fall? The colors are awesome.

See how tired I was? Jen is quite the slave driver.
After this we made our way back to the hotel to get our layers and sit for a minute before the football game. I actually walked in the room and passed out for 30 minutes. It was a great energy booster. Then we headed to the outskirts of town to the FedEx Field for some football.

We were there early enough to see all the pregame fun. I liked it. And it helped that our seats were AMAZING. Even though we were in Redskin territory there were plenty of Eagles fans to keep us safe.

Like these Bozos.
Those 55 jerseys were quite the hit around town. We got all kinds of vocal support.

So much fun sitting with these guys. Jen would look for Steve Young through the binoculars. Kevin would look at the cheerleaders through the binoculars. And as a former cheerleader I use that word very, very loosely. I don't consider myself a prude, but the dance they did in the outfit they were wearing, let's just say we know where they are working the other nights of the week... (ps. Kevin- John didn't even know there were cheerleaders at the game)

Go Eagles!

Here is Mark sharing the love with all the teams that played. (Eagles jersey, Redskins hat)
This was my first NFL football game and it was way fun. I found it difficult to ignore what was going on down on the field. Which is weird because when John has it on the TV I am perfectly capable of ignoring it. But I did notice that emotions run way higher at footballs games. Through the game and on the walk to the metro we saw four different fights going on. Alcohol may have something to do with it as well.

The next day it was raining. We had a few hours before we headed to the airport so we were able to see some more monuments, just how I like it. Fast, snap a shot, then move on.

The white house with a big 'ole pink ribbon.
The President of the United States lives there.

Obama's backyard.


We also stopped by the Washington monument and rode to the top. Another quick, cool look at the city.

DC was a cool city. I like the old buildings and small streets. And all the trees. I even enjoyed the American sites... just in small doses.

The leaving Layla situation: This was a first. I'm not going to lie, as my plane took off in the air a few tears were shed. I was thinkin' "What am I doing? Leaving my baby?!" But on the flight I just tried not to think about her. It seemed to work. I called and checked in when I arrived. She was fine, though I knew she would be. It's just that we are kinda attached to each other, Layla and I. And I love it, most of the time. It just makes situations like this hard for me. And situations like nursery, hard for her. But we kept busy in DC, so that helped.

I surprisingly appreciated being alone with John. Enjoying a whole meal at a restaurant. Following what we wanted to doing instead of Miss Bossy Boots Layla schedule was also nice.

But I was so excited to see my baby when we got home. I feel accomlished that I did it. But am still nervous for next week, where I will be leaving her again- for 8 days! If I weren't going to paradise I wouldn't do it.

10 Years

Can I tell you something?

I am old.

Yes, very much.

I had my 10-year high school reunion a couple weekends ago.

I really can't believe it has been that long. Feels like only yesterday...

Thank you Facebook for connecting me to lots of people from Del Oro. It made it so I knew where most people were, what they looked like, or how their ankle was feeling that day.

But there were two people I hadn't connected with that I wanted to see. Bummer alert, they weren't there. One being my friend Kristin Takemoto, I have no idea where that girl is. The other being Mike Cox who was very, very, very, good looking ten years ago, so that one is mainly about curiosity. Also John wasn't with me so I could have gotten another sweet photo of us together but this time without Amy having to create a diversion so Mark Bates wouldn't get mad.

ps. Though Amy did give it her all, he did see, and yes, he wasn't happy.

But it's not that bad because Mike wrote down his number in my senior yearbook and I think after sitting on it for ten years I may have the confidence to give him a call. We'll see...

I actually spent a lot of the night talking to Amy and Brooke. And I talk to Brooke on the computer a lot, and see her when I am in Utah. Then Amy and I talk to multiple times in a week, so... maybe I should have spent my time a little more wisely.

But the food was good. The venue was perfect (you don't get more Loomis than the fruit shed) and I was able to talk to lots of people I haven't in ten years, if only for a few minutes. (I mean it was great, but after you cover location, marriage, job, and kids, I was at a loss)

And once that bar got rolling things got real interesting. Beer on the dance floor. Throw up from bad tequila over there. Crazy Pat over here.

Good times.

Amy and I on our way out

Rachel's picture of the Cheer girls.

Let's hope I don't get any older, this is getting ridiculous.