Happenings...

When Mandy and Ivan came to stay with us last month Daylen LOVED riding Ivan's little 2-wheeler bike. So a couple of weeks ago Brad found this bike at a yard sale for $2! The training wheels cost more the bike itself. Daylen calls it his "cool bike" and the neighbor kids have all picked it up from him and call it "Daylen's cool bike" as well. Now he can keep up a little better with the other kids and ride these hills a little easier.

(This picture is supposed to be with the barbaque below.)

Just a fun picture.

What's Memorial Day without a barbaque? We of course had to enjoy the beautiful weather we are finally having and invited Tyler, Rachel, and Austin over to enjoy some home barbaqued hamburgers, yum! We also made use of our deck finally and ate outside, I think it's about time for some deck furnature...

Kate and Daylen blew bubbles for us, Kate needs to work on her blowing technique as you can see, but this picture cracks me up, the crazy hair really adds to the effect.

Austin enjoyed being outside and entertained us with his contagious huge smile!

Kate mothering Brooks which she does as much as possible. Anytime she hears him start crying she comes running to help. "Oh no cry Brooks" or "no cry baby" are common phrases heard from her lips.

Miss Helpful Kate

Kate loves to help her little brother out, put his binky in his mouth, make sure his blanket is covering him. We took a little video of her tonight holding Brooks and "helping" him suck on his binky in her oh so helpful way. The video is mostly for grandparents to enjoy since they haven't met their newest grandson yet, but you're welcome to watch it as well.

Take Me Out To The Ball Game!

We took Brooks on his first family outing to the BYU Baseball game on Saturday. I think he enjoyed it...he didn't even realize he had left the house, he slept the whole time. He was all snug in his sling, no point in opening his eyes. We met Rachel, Tyler, and Austin there and enjoyed an exciting game, BYU coming back from behind to beat San Diego State, Go Cougars! Daylen especially enjoyed the popcorn...after the game we decided to make a night of it and go eat dinner at the Olive Garden, yum! We don't ever take our kids out to eat unless we are out of town, they did great!

Brooks Casey Gasaway

Brooks Casey Gasaway

Born May 8, 2010

6 lbs 13 oz

19 in

We are so happy to announce the birth of our little guy, I am especially relieved he finally decided to show us his sweet face and that his daddy was here to witness it. I was very worried that he may decide to come while Brad was in China, but luckily he made it back in time. Although absolutely nothing about his labor and delivery went as I had planned, we are glad he is here and well. Had things gone as I planned them, my water would have broken, (as it did with the first 2) we would have gone to the hospital, and Brooks would have shown up about 2 hours later. Sounds like a good plan huh? I was convinced after my first 2 experiences that this is exactly how it would go. What really happened was I went to the hospital not even being in labor, but to check out bleeding that had just begun. After being monintored for a few hours, going back and forth as to whether or not they would send us home, I started contracting more, dialating a bit more, so Brad and I walked the hospital "track" for an hour to get more contractions coming. It worked, just not as quickly as I would have liked. My doctor ended up breaking my water to get the process going faster. After a painful hour and half or so I got the epidural (I debated whether or not to go natural this time, but now I'm glad I didn't). Once I was dialated to an 8 baby's heart rate started dropping with each contraction and soon it wasn't coming back up at all. The nurse checked me again, thinking it would be time to push, but no I was still at an 8. Another nurse came in, they called my doctor up, gave me oxygen, I tried switching sides to see if baby would like that, it didn't help. My doctor came in and "helped" me get to a 10 so I could push (thankful I had my epidural at that point). My doctor told me the baby needed to come out now, so I needed to push him out fast, or he would have to do a C-Section. Boy was I motivated to push! As soon as I started pushing, baby's heart rate went up thankfully. Unlike most babies, he liked the pushing, so I was able to push him out pretty fast to find there was a knot in his cord that must have been tightening with each contraction. He was finally here and healthy and I was so glad to have that part behind me! He has been such a sweet baby so far, we love him so much and are so thankful to have him with us now!

So tiny! Coming home from the hospital!

Rachel came and stayed with me for a few days since my mom wasn't able to come at all. It was so nice having someone else there to help out with the kids and dishes and cleaning, and just to have some companionship. Her little Austin doesn't look so little anymore compared to Brooks.

I still think it's a little crazy to see my 3 kids together!

Fun Times

I am being so spoiled right now by my sis-in-law, Mandy. I know she doesn't think she is spoiling me, but really she is. She and Ivan are staying with us while Brad is in China to keep us company and to help me out so I can rest as much as possible so this baby doesn't come until his daddy gets home. So far it's working, lets just hope we can last until Tuesday. I'm almost afraid that my resting will cause this baby to come late and I don't think I will be able to handle that. Daylen and Kate have loved being able to play with their cousin every day and I'm afraid I'm getting a little too used to not having to clean up after every meal.

Aunt Mandy has lots of fun crafts and games for the kids to do.

And who knows where and what these kiddos find to play.

Mandy made Kate the cutest little tutu. I think her older brother's superman pjs really add to the outfit.

Family Fun and Easter

Sorry Rach, I really didn't mean to leave Austin out. Here are a couple of pictures of my cute new nephew!

My family came to visit the week before Easter since it was their Spring break, unfortunately there wasn't much of "Spring" in the forecast. Jamie hopped in the suburban with her kids as they were driving through Cauldwell to join in on the fun. We had a fun filled week, Daylen and Kate loved playing with their cousins, Daylen and Nathen I think especially had fun despite the 2 1/2 year age difference. We all got worn out as you can see from grandpa and Kate.

Wednesday we went to Temple Square while my mom went to a training meeting with the General Relief Society Presidency. While she was in her meeting the rest of us took a tour of Temple Square, in the freezing cold and snow. After mom's meeting we all took a tour of the Conference Center. Fun day, but we all came down with colds after that, not so fun.

The kids had fun coloring easter eggs.

Since it looked like this outside, we had out easter egg hunt inside.

Luckily the kids didn't care where the hunt was held, they just had fun looking for eggs.

Can you tell no none really got ready this day?

Jamie and I had to take a pregnant picture together seeing as we are due a day apart. Our belly shapes are VERY different as you can see. We are 34 1/2 weeks in this picture.

The kids having fun with balloons.

Daylen and Kate had double fun as their cousin, Ivan, came to visit as well. Mandy and Tyrel stopped by for a short visit on their way back to Rexburg after living in Arizona while Tyrel did his student teaching. The snow was a rude awakening from their nice, warm weather! We, of course, had to have another easter egg hunt with Ivan.

Playing Kate's favorite game, "Ashes" as she calls it.

Thanks for the fun week, we love our family!

Trip to Moab

We took a quick trip to Moab last weekend and spent some time with Brad's brother, Rhett, and his family. Rhett was running the 1/2 marathon and wanted Brad to join him. He was planning on it, but due to lack of training, as in none, he decided to run the 5 mile race instead. Good choice. It still amazes me that he can just go run 5 miles after not having run for 9 months. It took me a couple of months to work up to that much and I was still dying! Anyways, we got to stay in a really nice condo Rhett and Kristen had rented, share some fun times with them, something we don't get to do very often. Daylen and Kate had a blast playing with their cousins.

Brad after his race. He ran it in 38 minutes. Unfortunately, we missed seeing him cross the finish line. :(

The gang waiting for Rhett to finish.

The younger kids watching their "cool" older cousins, Ellie and Savanna, play hand games.

Savanna, Ellie, and Daylen,

Rhett finishing strong in 1 hour 38 minutes.

Bittersweet

It has been bittersweet for me since Saturday night.

I had to say goodbye to my most favoritist car I have ever owned.

As hard as I tried to fit 3 carseats in the back of this beauty,

it just wouldn't work.

So I've been trying to get used to the idea that I

would eventually have to let it go. But I really wasn't

prepared when the time finally came.

I cried.

Later that night after we got home I told Brad

it felt like we lost a member of the family.

This car has been so fun to drive, so smooth, so reliable.

I LOVE THIS CAR!!

We have a new member of the family now.

I hope I can learn to love this MINIVAN, yes minivan,

as much as I loved my Honda Accord.

It's a Toyota Sienna, it's nice, but

I'm afraid I hold some psychological resentment

against it because I had to get rid of my Honda for it.

Not that it's the van's fault, but it's still true.

I love the charcoal gray color,

there, something positive to end on.

Happy Birthday to Brad!

TODAY is Brad's BIRTHDAY!

We feel so lucky to have him, he is the best husband and father

a family could ask for!

Getting a little help from Daylen and Kate opening his present...which he already knew what it was thanks to Daylen. We went to eat lunch with Brad at work yesterday after shopping for his present. The first words out of Daylen's mouth were, "Dad! We bought you a baseball glove!" Thanks Daylen.
He was happy about it anyways.


We hope your day is special.
It was 10 years ago today that I toilet papered your room to ask you to my Sadie Hawkins dance. I barely even knew you, I think we had met once before. Friends and your siblings can be very persuasive. I'm glad I was bold and listened. I know you were tired from your track meet and just wanted to stay home, but I'm glad you listened to your dad and let Mandy take you away so I could come leave a surprise. I'm glad you said, "yes." I had fun that night, I think you did as well, despite your super tight cowboy jeans! That night started a long friendship that led to eventually dating after your mission and so far almost 6 years of happiness in marriage, 2 kids with 1 on the way, and many adventures! I love you Happy Birthday!