Cousins who read together...

One day while watching my adorable nieces, it got quiet all of a sudden. When three preschoolers suddenly get quiet it causes concern. So, as I snuck a peek in Marshall's room to see what was going on, I saw this.....

Three cousins who share a love of reading! L to R: Marshall, Laine, Eve

Marshall Started Preschool

My little boy is off to preschool already! Twice a week he goes to the Child & Family Development Center lab school at the University of Utah. He is fine separating from me when I drop him off but every morning as we head out he gets a little apprehensive. I stay and watch him through the observation booths, unseen, and he looks like he's enjoying himself. I love this preschool, although I am a little biased since it is where I did my practicum last fall. The teachers are great and I love the philosophy of a child-centered, NAEYC accredited program, that allows children to be creative and focus on the process, not a product. I can't wait to see him start little friendships and go to playdates. My sis-in-law just gave me the cutest Mommy business cards for that very purpose! For now I can be a "Pre-school Mom!" (Soccer-mom is coming soon.)

A Fun Day

My sister-in-law Mel was in town from NY and her son Sam is a little older than Marshall. Since they haven't seen each other for a year, we thought it would be fun for some cousin bonding time so we took them to Jungle Jim's Playland.

Marshall, ever the observer, didn't quite know what to make of this crazy place until the end. Nevertheless, we all had a good time and the boys got to know each other, if only a little better. I can't wait for this relationship to form (as you know from previous entries how I feel about cousins)!

A Big Boy Bed

With IKEA here and only half a foot of space left in his crib, we decided it was time to move Marshall to a twin size bed. Here are some shots of it and his first night in it. I just love the bedding, it matches the existing wall color, saving my dad from painting again.

A Marshall Family Tradition

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The Fourth of July is my favorite holiday. The reason? It is my family's one and only celebrated holiday. I love it when my family gets together-it is always a raucous good time! All of our years at Aspen Grove have forever bonded the cousins and time spent at Island Park gave everyone a chance to spend time together. Plus, it is the only time of year I get to see some of them. What's not to love?

The Oakley Rodeo is something I look forward to every year and now I love sharing it with Marshall. He really got into it this year, watching the bull riding and cow roping. We taught him how to say yeehaw but it comes out "HE HAW!"

As I looked forward to this time together something struck me- it's not just because "Marshall" is my maiden name and it's been a part of me my whole life that I named our son that. I named him Marshall after the sheer bliss I feel when I spend time with that side of my family, the bonds that have been created, the time shared laughing, teasing, showering (ha ha-in the stalls at AG), boating, rodeo waving, it's just us-the Marshalls! I love you guys, thanks for being such an important part of my life! HE HAW!

Marshall's "On Holiday"

Lately Marshall has overheard us explaining to people where we live, on Holladay Blvd. so when he heard this song for the first time with John, the words resonated with him and he caught on to the lyrics quickly. I found it online to see what John saw and this is what I got. I apologize for the poor recording skills, you still get the effect if you listen but not watch. Actually the dancing shouldn't be missed. So funny!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

It's Raining, It's Pouring!!!

It's been raining since early this morning, so Marshall got his rain gear on to take John to work this morning. Later he accompanied me to the dentist and then to the hospital to have lunch with my mom. He got so many compliments on his yellow boots and jacket.

A Day Out With Thomas!!!

While John was off backpacking with my dad and Brandon, my mom and I took Marshall to Heber Valley Railroad to see Thomas the Train. He absolutely loved it. The 25 minute train ride was just the right amount of time, too.





After the train ride, Marshall got to meet Sir Topham Hat. He was fine shaking his hand, but turning his back to him for a picture was a little scary! Next, Marshall got a Thomas tattoo on his arm, he was a little confused as to what was going on, but after he saw Thomas on his arm, he was okay and kept looking at it.





It was such a fun day, even the conductor was friendly, you could tell he had done this a lot, and was probably a grandpa himself. I can't wait to put these pictures into Marshall's album. It won't be a day he'll soon forget.

Mother's Day

Today was such a special day! Marshall was able to say "Happy Mother's Day!" and kept repeating it all day long. We took these pictures with my mom after dinner. It was hard to get Marshall to hold still for long, but we got some good ones. The boys (John and Marshall) got me a pair of Keen Newport Sandals and took me out to breakfast at my favorite place- OTC, after letting me sleep in for awhile, of course. Then we went to Paul's homecoming (he was in the NY NY South mission). We spent the evening at my mom's house, where we had dinner and took pictures. I hope you all had such a great mother's day!

Graduation Day

Well, I did it! Commencement was Friday, May 4th! I am finishing up my last two classes this summer and will be done in early August. It felt surreal to go to commencement in a cap and gown. It will be weird in August to not have to study or go to class. It was a nice day, President Monson spoke at commencement and the Bradleys took me and John out to dinner with James (who also graduated) and Kirsten.

I will still be up at the U two days a week, though, because Marshall is attending the lab school's toddler preschool that I did my practicum in last fall. He got to visit his classroom on graduation day, and actually attend a trial class the week after! He loved it and I know it will be great for him, I am so excited.

Thanks to all those who made my graduation day special and memorable!

Easter

I am finally getting around to posting another picture, yay! Marshall had so much fun hunting for eggs at my mom's house. He stopped at each one, picked it up, put his basket down, opened the egg, dumping the candy into his basket before finding the next egg. Needless to say, it took him a while to gather all the eggs, but what fun he had!

02/11/2007

Hello Family and Friends!

We've entered the blogging world so you can keep up with our lives and watch our little one grow up! Hope you enjoy. Leave a post to let us know you've visited.

Love,

The Bradley Family