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!

Austin Glen Hair is here!

My sister, Rachel, had her baby this week. We are excited to welcome little Austin into the family. He is super cute and a good little baby so far. He was 7lbs 1 oz and 20" long. My mom seems to have a knack and picking the best time to fly in before even knowing when her grandkids are coming. She missed the actual birth by about 20 minutes, bummer, but she got here in time to make the most out of her stay to help Rachel. Austin brings the number of grandkids up to 6 with 2 more on the way!

Crazy kiddos

Just a fun picture of our crazy kiddos before church last week.

Daylen and Kate had some fun running around and playing together tonight. This video is mostly for grandparents and familiy who don't get to see these monkeys as often as they'd like.

Our Little Musician

Kate loves to sing and I love to listen to her sing. What do think? Future American Idol...maybe?

Did I mention Kate likes to be helpful?

So I wrote in an earlier post how Kate likes to help out where she can. The other morning after she finished eating her breakfast she proceeded to then clean the table in front of her with her blanket. The table looked so nice and clean, such a good little girl.

Oh, but wait...

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If the table is nice and clean, what does that mean the floor looks like?

Thanks for being so helpful Kate!

celebrations!

We had a fabulous Christmas this year full of LOTS of family. The best way to go in my opinion. Our celebrations started about the middle of the month with Brad's family getting together for a wedding. The day after the last of Brad's family left my family showed up to spend Christmas with us (except Jamie and Bryson who were in Mesquite.)

If you live nearby and have never seen the floating Christmas trees on the Salem pond, I totally recommend it for next year. Pretty cool and it's free for your enjoyment.



Daylen and Kate sporting their new Christmas PJs. I know Daylen's don't look like Christmas, but he LOVES his new Superman pajamas, especially the cape.

Christmas morning was a hit. I love the look on Kate's face when she saw the phone that came as part of the kitchen set. This girl loves phones.

Daylen's favorite part was opening presents. He barely had one finished when he was asking for another present to open.

Another phone for Kate from Rachel and Tyler.

Daylen got a new sled from Rachel and Tyler so we decided to take the kids sledding and try it out. From the look on Kate's face you'd think she was saying, "I'm ready, bring it on!" Being my little dare devil I thought she would love sledding, while Daylen, the more cautious, I wasn't sure what he would think.

Kate's face here pretty much describes what she thought..."are you really making me do this?" She wasn't too thrilled with the whole sledding concept and ended up falling asleep in Brad's arms.

Daylen, on the other hand, LOVED it. He went down and up, over and over. Of course, he had it pretty easy when daddy would pull him back UP the hill cause he couldn't quite walk up by himself without falling over and getting stuck.

He even liked going on his back head first.

Jamie and Bryson came and spent a few days with us after Christmas on their way home so we had the whole family together. It was so fun to spend time with everyone here. Daylen and Nathan played so well despite the 2 1/2 year difference. Here are the grandkids with grandma and grandpa.

I think Kate forgot who her mom was with grandma here. She wouldn't have anything to do with me, she followed grandma around and only wanted grandma to hold her. Grandma put her down for naps, put her to bed at night, read her books, gave her treats...luckily she remembered who mom was after grandma left to go home. We had so much fun with all our family, it was a relaxing Christmas, and especially nice not to have to travel anywhere. Thanks family, we love you!

One Big Happy Family!

He did it! Brad's older brother, Randy, got married! After losing his wife over a year and a half ago in a car accident, leaving him with his 4 boys, he remarried this last month to a wonderful woman named Holly. Holly is also a widow with 4 kids! She is wonderful and we are so excited to have her and her kids join our family. They are now one big happy family, 6 boys and 2 girls! They were married in Logan so Brad's family all congregated in Utah for the big event. It was fun to get to spend time together.

We picked up Brad's parents from the airport the week before the wedding and headed to Rexburg to spend time with Mandy and Tyrel, then everyone came to our house just before and after the wedding. We had fun times playing games, playing the wii, and just hanging out.

Merry Christmas!

We are doing an electronic Christmas letter this year...enjoy!

Merry Christmas!
Jana and I have clung to a new favorite quote by Thomas S. Monson, “The future is as bright as your faith.”
This past year has been one of growth, laughter, challenge, and work … all good things, as long as our ambitions are anchored in the right place.
As expected, our children have occupied center stage in life. Daylen, our 3-year old son, has wowed us with his learning and curiosity and energy levels. He has fully embraced his role as a big brother, showing us many moments of brilliance and kindness towards our youngest, Kate. If only that was the case all the time … but so it goes.
Our 18-month-old, Kate, has completely captivated us with her growing personality. A typical day for her usually includes trailing Daylen, taking 1.5 naps, some random singing, making a mess, and then helping Jana clean it up.
Along with the busyness of raising children, Jana has taken great interest in building and utilizing our 1-year food supply. Also, as time permitted, she was able to enjoy several “must-read” books from an ever-growing list (one of her favorite pastimes).
I have felt more grateful than ever this year for good employment and for the challenge and opportunity to stay busy and stay involved.
In May, Jana and I took a more serious look at the down real estate market and put an offer on a home in Salem, UT (about 20 minutes from my work). After three months of weathering the bureaucracy of today’s lending, we moved into a home we love and will enjoy for years to come. One month later, we happily discovered that Jana is pregnant with our 3rd child, with a due date of May 11th, 2010.
It is humbling to ponder the blessings from our loving Heavenly Father, and especially to ponder His greatest gift, even Jesus Christ. We express our heartfelt love and best wishes to you and your families, and we hope this Christmas season graces you with an increased measure of peace and joy for the new year.
Sincerely,
Brad, Jana, Daylen and Kate Gasaway

Helpful Kate

This is just a cute picture of the kids hugging each other before we headed over to my aunt's house in Springville for a SUPER YUMMY Thanksgiving dinner! I love it when they give each other hugs or walk around the house holding hands.

Remember how in my last post I said how Kate loves to be helpful? Here is one way she helps out. Unloading the silverware from the dishwasher is Daylen's job. As soon I say "Daylen, it's time to do your job." Kate comes running to unload some silverware, Daylen on the other hand...

As you can see she can reach the drawer to throw them in, but she can't put them in the right spot.

All finished with a nicely disorganized silverware drawer. So I guess it would be more accurate to say Daylen's job is putting the silverware in the right spots after Kate has unloaded them from the dishwasher.

Random Acts...

I know it's been awhile...sorry mom. Here are some pictures of the kids. Not much has been happening lately so here are some random acts of life in our home.

Daylen and Kate were running around the living room wrapped in their blankets one night before bed.

Our little cookie monster...she has a sweet tooth like her daddy.

Kate loves to be helpful. Daylen asked me to button his jammies for him so Kate immediately took the task upon herself to help him out.

Daylen came to me one day with his blanket draped over his head like this and said, "Look mom, I'm Mary!"

The other morning Brad went in to get Kate out of bed and found a little ballerina instead. Notice the crazy hair, I finally got Kate some ponytails of her own, she still just has a little tiny one on the top of her head. Some day she'll have hair...**sigh**

Hope you enjoyed a gimpse in to the every day life of our family.