Family Memories

Pictures went better than I was expecting, one out of the two kids did well! Not bad odds! We managed to get a few smiles out of Gavin, and called it quits! Here are the end results.

The Incredible's!!!

I've finally figured out who Noah resembles! A few weeks ago, I was cutting my sister-in-law's hair, and she said to me, "You have your own personal troll doll (referring to Noah)!" I tried not to take offense, and replied, "Troll dolls are so cute!" She agreed, and I just had to laugh. So when we were visiting in Milford this last time, my dad made a comment and said he looked like a cupie doll (apparently the old dolls with the little swirl of plastic hair on their heads)! So I agreed, and then the other day I had an epiphany......Jack Jack off The Incredible's!!! Noah looks just like him! I just had to laugh, so now that is what Noah is going to be for Halloween!!!

Double The Trouble!

I decided that the kids are finally old enough to bathe together! In our huge bathtub which seems more like a swimming pool, I have to get in with them! They had a great time splashing each other, but mostly me! Gavin's new thing is when I pull out the camera he will say, "CHEESE!" It's pretty darn cute!

Memories of Rick

I have only a few memories of my brother, and I think mostly to the fact that we were seven years apart, and by the time I was old enough to want to hang out with him, Rick was serving his mission, off to college, and then in the military. I have a couple of memories just going on drives, listening to Def Leppard, and he would always let me shift the gear shift, and I remember how important that made me feel. We also took a few trips into Price, so that Rick could "check stuff out" at the local sporting goods store! There were also the board games. Rick loved board games, and when he was in the military, occasionally got to come home, he would always purchase a new game! The funny part was, that he was such a rules nazi, that he spent the whole time figuring out rules then we did ever playing the game!! What great memories, though they may be few, I wanted to write them down so that they don't slip away. If you knew Rick, tell me your memories!

The Loss of a brother.

Rick Ashby Madsen died tragically on the night of September 2nd on his way home from SUU on his motorcycle. The family was alerted and he was life-lighted to Salt Lake, and all I could do to keep myself busy at 3 a.m. was to make muffins for everyone. I kept thinking to myself that lots of people survive motorcycle accidents, but this would not be the case. Nichole called me at 5:30 a.m. and told us that Rick was not going to make it. Mike and I gathered up the boys, and drove to the hospital. I walked into that hospital room, saw Rick, and I just couldn't believe my eyes. It was bad, and there was no other way to explain it. Two weeks before the accident, Rick was coming up to Provo to bring Claurys to see her friend and sister, and I was informed that they would stop by. That was the first time I got to see Rick.....and the last. Rick was so good when he got here, I was giving them a tour of our newly rented house, and was walking down the hall, when I felt the carpet was wet. I looked into the utility room and the water heater was leaking all over. The first thing Rick did was grab a broom and start pushing water into the drain. Claury's was so great to hang out with the kids as the plumber and water damage specialists came to start fixing the problem. Rick was my guardian angel that day, because Mike works nights and was not there for most of it. I would have been left alone to deal with all of it and my children. What a wonderful blessing and wonderful last memory I have of my brother. I am still in a state of denial, but knowing the plan's that Heavenly Father has in store makes me feel at ease. We can all now say that we have a "Rick size hole in our hearts" and that will never go away, but what we fill in that hole with is up to us. It can be something beautiful or something ugly. I will miss you Rick, but I know you are near.

Gavin the monkey!

Gavin's new thing is he has to climb in every piece of furniture or cupboard that he can fit in! Here he is lounging in Noah's bouncy seat, which Noah never gets to use....hence this picture! He is such a little monkey.....sure keeps me on my toes! I got a little smirk out of Noah that I thought was cute.....I can get him to smile until I pull out the camera of course!

Hogle Zoo

We ventured up to SLC to go to the famous Hogle Zoo. Gavin was really cute....everytime he saw an animal....he said, "doggy!" It was really cute! We had a good time, and it was the perfect day outside. Hopefully we can make it a lasting tradition and go next year too!