Elder Hopkins and Brody

Brody really enjoyed living with the missionaries at Bapa's house. It was like having two playmates living in the basement. The missionaries have been really good to entertain him as well. Elder Hopkins has been transferred so I just wanted to share some of Brody's favorite moments with him.

You will be missed Elder Hopkins. Good luck in your new area!

Labor Day Weekend

We spent Labor Day weekend at an old family favorite spot with Aunt Mary, Uncle Gail and some of their kids and grandkids. We all had a blast.

Brody getting rested up for the parade.

Derek getting rested up for the parade.

Getting excited about what's to come.

Watching the wagons pass.

Waving goodbye.

Dancing to the music from the marching band.

Brody loved the bands!

Taking a Sunday nap with Bapa.

Brody roasting his first marshmallow.

Brody upset that his first marshmallow roasting experience was over.

Brody roasting his second marshmallow.

Brody and Dad keeping warm by the fire.

Brody loved running around outside all day.

Mama, Brody and Brayden by the fire.

Derek got to help make breakfast Monday morning before we packed up and left.

Look at that handsome man flip eggs!

Brody thought he should help clean up so he found a dirty fire pit that needed some attention.

Making a sandwich while waiting to dump.

Bapa's copilot

Brody is

2!

Yep, this cool dude just turned 2.

And he's just as shocked as we are too.

Posing with Pat for a picture.

Brody loved the card from his great grandma.

He kept turning the pages like a book.

Happy Birthday Brody!

Updates to come...

I realize it has been a long time since I've posted anything. August was very busy with visits from the in-laws, Lyric and Gregory, soccer starting for Derek, a concert, and a funeral. But now it is September and with Labor Day weekend over, Derek's first 3 days of school and first two soccer games done, and Brody's second birthday passed, I might be able to find time to post some pictures.

Things to look forward to:

• Brody and Gregory dancing
• Brody playing the guitar
• Camping over Labor Day Weekend
• Brody's Birthday

*Just a side note- Derek's soccer team won their first two games. He has officially gone down in the record books as the first coach to lead the Bears to a victory over their rivals in soccer. And rumors of the best soccer coaches being on the east side of town have dramatically changed since Wednesday's win. Way to go Derek! I am so proud of you. GO BEARS!

Basketball Jones

Brody loves basketball. I think it started with High School Musical (which he was obsessed with for a month or so). He plays for 30 minutes or so in the morning and the same each evening. He's getting pretty good. Above is the sweet faces he makes each time he makes a basket. You can tell he feels pretty proud of what he has accomplished.

Ah, the sweet taste of victory!

Since We Moved

Brody has been having a great time since we've moved. For his first week in Idaho he got to spend time with his cousin Gregory. They had lots of fun.

Then we went to the Oregon Coast for a family reunion. We all had so much fun.

Isn't Brody's dad handsome!!

Our last full day in Oregon we went to the aquarium.

The puffins put on a show for us. They were quite funny.

Brody insisted on holding grandma's hand as we wandered the park.

The shark tanks

No wonder he wanted to be with his grandma. She's so much fun. There were glass floors so you could watch the sharks swim under you. Brody wanted to get up close to get a better look.

Now that we are back Brody and Drage have been helping grandma in the garden.

And playing basketball. He's pretty good for a toddler.

Happy Birthday Becky!

I have known Becky for almost 10 years now. We started out as coworkers at Papa Kelsey's. Then she dated and married my brother. Because I knew her before I have always felt like we were already friends and not just because we were forced to be through marriage. However, I'm glad my brother picked such a creative, smart, fun girl to be my sister-in-law. I couldn't have picked someone better for him myself (though I do take some of the credit since he may never have asked Becky out if it weren't for me).

Here are a few of my favorite memories/inside jokes just for you Becky!

Blee Blah Bleeding

Mini salads

"Dark meat"

visiting you at Barnes and Noble with Justin

you made yummy hot cakes just like my grandma did when I stayed at your house once

our formation of a new political party

and my new favorite... getting to know you better this last weekend :)

I'm so glad you're part of the family and I look forward to sharing many more memories with you. Happy Birthday Becky!