Welcome Cooper!

Cooper Allan Blad made his entrance to this world on June 23, 2011 at 2:10 p.m. He weighed 7lbs 12oz and was 21" long. Everyone keeps asking me who he looks like, and I really can't tell! I thought he looked like Alivia at first, but then I can see Parker and Zach in him too!

I had to be induced with Cooper because my blood pressure was too high. After they broke my water, I really started feeling contractions and got my epidural. Not 5 minutes later, I knew it was time to go! His heart rate dropped and I don't remember much after that. Things got a little scary. They threw oxygen on me and started telling me to push. He came down so fast and was turned the wrong way so the doctor had to use forceps. It happened all so fast and I don't remember much, but I am so grateful that I had a very attentive staff and a wonderful doctor! I'm grateful for Gus, and his willingness to be there by my side for everything. And I am very grateful to my Heavenly Father for sending us another beautiful baby boy and that he arrived here safely.

The kids got to see him before they left with Grandma and Grandpa to a reunion. Alivia said "Oh, he's so cute! Can we keep him?" Zach and Parker were fun to see with him.

We are so happy to finally have Cooper here. We decided to name him Cooper Allan after his grandpa, Merlin Allan. So far, everything looks good and he is a great little baby. Welcome to the world Cooper!!

Alivia is 3

Alivia had her 3rd birthday on June 6. It's hard to believe how fast time flies! She was 7lbs. 13oz. and 19 1/2 inches long. She was also 3 days late, which shows her little personality! She will do things when she's ready!

Again, we just had a quiet get together with friends and family. She loves the movie Tangled, so I attemped to make a tower cake with the characters from the movie on it. It was cute, even though it was leaning and falling apart!! She loved it.

We are so glad Alivia is part of our family. She loves playing with her brothers, but also is such a girl! Her favorite color is purple and her favorite food is Mac and Cheese. She loves to talk to people (I wonder where she gets that from!) and loves to sing. We love you Alivia!!

Happy 9th Zach!

It's really hard to believe that 9 years ago we brought home this little guy:I remember Zach was born with lots of hair. The nurses in the hospital combed it over and loved it. His red hair has been a favorite of a lot of people-especially old people. They love to touch it and remember their brother or uncle or dad with red hair. We love his red hair too! It fits his personality.

We kept his birthday pretty low key for this year. I didn't feel much like having a huge party while I'm 9 months pregnant! He had to go to school, but it was his last day so they got to go roller skating and watch movies. Gus took in ice cream sandwiches to his class and then took him out to lunch to Bamboo Gardens.

That night we had our friends over for cake and ice cream. He wanted a skateboard cake. After researching options this is what we came up with:
He got a new bike, shirts, Legos, a water gun, and a new hamster. We wrapped up the cage and put a fake hamster in it so he could go later and pick out his own. It was funny to see his face when he unwrapped it. He has been wanting a pet forever and we finally decided on a hamster. Partly because we got the cage and everything from Laura (thanks Laura!). We'll see how he takes care of it. Then we might move to something bigger!

Happy Birthday Zach! We love you and the spirit that you bring into our family. I'm so glad that you were born first to help take care of the rest of us!!

Preschool Graduate

It seems that we have had a lot of graduating going on this year! Parker finished preschool and we had his graduation last week. Here he is with some of his classmates.

Parker loves school and loves learning. His teachers called him the smart, quiet type. He identified all his letters, numbers, colors and shapes and can count past twenty (he gets mixed up after 40). His favorite thing about preschool this year was learning all about dinosaurs. We love you and are proud of you Parker!!

Graduation!!!

I am so proud of this man: (Don't mind the fat preggo lady)

Seriously, he is one hard worker. He knows what he wants and he goes after it and NEVER gives up. That is one thing that I absolutely love about him. After he graduated with his Bachelor's he knew that he wanted to go back to get his Master's. All I thought was "Crap! More school???" Two years ago he started back to become a Family Nurse Practitioner. School hasn't always been easy for him. He learns best by doing and not by reading. That's what makes him a great nurse. There were times that he struggles with the program, but he came out on top. I must admit that this last semester was HORRIBLE! He was gone all of the time either doing clinicals or working and it was hard to be a single parent! I am so proud of him and all that he has accomplished.

So what does this mean for our little family?

I don't quite know yet! Gus has to take his Boards before he can apply for any job-which will be within the next month or so. He has some options rolling around for a job. I'm just glad that he can diagnose and treat our kids when they get sick! We'll see what the future holds and I am just going to pray that he doesn't want to get a Doctorate now!!!

Wickedly fun!!

So for each anniversary we have, we like to get gifts or do something that goes with that year. The 10th anniversary is tin/aluminum. I thought it was a perfect fit that this was coming to Boise this year, and even on the week of our anniversary:

For those who don't know the story, it is about the witches of Oz before Dorothy came. So of coarse in it you will find:

The tin man!! It was so awesome! We went over to Boise and stayed the night. We were able to go to a session at the Boise temple. Then we ate at Tucano's. The next day we shopped a little and went to see Wicked. I'm lucky to have great in-law's who took our kids for the night and let us get away. All in all it was a great little jaunt over to Boise and I'm glad we went.

10 Years!!

10 years ago I married this handsome stud: I know! He looks so young, doesn't he?? I can't believe that it has been 10 years already. Since this is kinda like my journal (that everyone can read) I thought that each year I should start sharing some of my memories of our wedding day. Then when I get old and senile I can read all about them.

Here is a funny memory ( I apologize for the quality of theses pictures. Digital photography was not used back then!)

We are cutting our lovely cake. I warned him that he better not try anything funny with shoving the cake in my face. I trusted him and let him go first:Totally shoved it!

So I had to shove it back. He knew what was coming (notice the napkin).

Typical wedding cake eating scenario until....

If you really know Gus, you know that he has to have the last whatever...last word, last laugh, last anything, so he couldn't be outdone. He kisses me with a mouth full of cake and actually regurgitates it back into my mouth. If you notice, my look is of disgust in this picture. It was nasty!

Looking back on these last 10 years we have been through a lot. He has always been there for me no matter what. We have had some wonderful memories and also some very challenging ones, but I wouldn't trade them for anything. He has loved me no matter what. Through very trying pregnancies and a very emotional miscarriage. He has given me 3 beautiful children and another on the way. He has taught me patience and love and service. I can't imagine my life without him. He is my best friend and I didn't think it was possible, but I love him more now than I did on that day 10 years ago. When I don't think it's possible to love him anymore, I can't wait to see how I feel in 10 more years!! I love you Gus!! Happy Anniversary!!