Katelyn Turned One

It has been way to long since I have blogged. My baby turned one on December 5th and I can't believe it. It seems like only yesterday I brought her home from the hospital. She has grown a lot over the past few months. Here are somethings she has done and things we love to do with her.

Things she can do

1. Climb up and down the stairs with no problem

2. Say done and down

3. try to repeat everything you say and if she can't say it then she just says dad (guess who is her favorite;)

4. Help her dad with Christmas Lights and work on the car

5. Fake cry (sadly)

6. Feed the Goats (well tries to)

7. Bring us her blanket and bottle when she is tired

Things we love to do with her

1. We love taking her for walks

2. Playing with her outside (if we bring her in she normally cries)

3. Tickle her (her feet is where she is the most sensitive and she has the best giggle)

4. Boston loves to take her for rides on her big blanket across our wood floors. She now brings her blanket to him and will lay down on it when she wants a ride.

5. Just love on her!

Katelyn is such a great part of our family and I thank the Lord everyday for letting me be her mom. She is full of surprises. We try to keep the bathroom doors closed and the one time we forget we found a towel in one toilet and then she tried to give her teddy bear a swirly in the other. She also has made all the drawers in the kitchen her toy box.

We had fun for her first birthday and had our families and a few friends over for Mexican Food and Cake and Icecream. It was great to see everyone and we are so blessed. Katelyn got SPOILED!

Katelyn's Birthday Cake I made

Make a Wish!

Slowly eating the cake

Oh yummy!

So beginning of November my parents took Katelyn for a few days and when we went up to Heber we took her up stairs and Boston climbed on the bed with her. I grabbed the camera knelt down in front of her and said "Katelyn you are gonna be a BIG SISTER" and took the picture this is the reaction!

Yabadabdoo!!!!

We had tons of fun dressing up this year. Boston had a Fred Flinstone costume from a few years ago when his friends at work dressed up as the Flinstone's and the Rubble's. So we decided since we have a little girl and he has a costume we will be the flinstones. I know we are both lacking the red hair for the girls, but I waited to long to make my costume so I didn't have time to die hair and since Kate doesn't have enought hair for a pony we improvised:) Enjoy our photos!

Fall Craft

So my house seems to skip Halloween and Thanksgiving since my husband is one of those crazy Christmas light fanatics and starts putting them up normally end of September. Well today I was at Michaels and saw some pretty leaves for 99 cents so I bought a few bunches thinking I could do something nice in my house with them. Then i went to Joannes and saw a wreath for 3 dollars plus a 40% off coupon and I put them together to create this! Not really anything amazing but I am happy to have something fall hanging on my door, before the Christmas lights take over!

Walking....

So Katelyn finally decided to take off walking the other day. She would walk from person to person, but I guess she over did it cause now she only crawls. Well last night she was entertaining us. She has decided that she is big enough to push her stroller. So she put her toy in the seat of the stroller and off she went. When Boston shows me how to upload the video I will post that one and the one of her walking. She would push the stroller in circles then when it would run into things she would pull it away from what she was hitting and try to get around it. She also learned that if you step on the box in Grandma Bryce's sewing room you can reach all her cool M&M toys that have candy in them and if no one is watching and you can get it to the floor and figure out how the candy comes out. You can have all the M&M's you want until mom and dad figure out why you are being so good. I am so grateful for this little girl. She keeps me busy and always makes me laugh. All day yesterday she was making this ugly face to EVERYONE. A lady came up to me in the store and said your daughter is so cute and what does she do... her ugly face and I thought the lady was going to die laughing.

Katelyn Pushing the stroller

3 years to the day....

I must say normally this day comes and will almost be over before I remember what took place on this day. I can't beleive it has been three years since her death. At times I feel like it has been forever since I have been able to love on her, but lately it seems like she was just here. So much has happened since Azure has died. I got married and had a baby and it is hard to think she has not been here for any of it. Then I think of Eric and how she is missing out on so much. I understand that she is watching, but is it wrong for me to feel jealous that she is not here. That she is missing. That I can't call her when i just want to talk or joke around with her. it is ok for me to be angry that she left? That she is not coming back in this life. There are times I just want to scream and ask why. Does that feeling ever go away? I normally don't let these feelings surface. My poor husband will come in and I will be all emotional and just say I miss her. He doesn't understand he never knew her. He never had the chance to meet her. Sometimes I just wish the hurt and empitness will just go away. I just want her back and her to be here now. I don't want to have to wait to see her again.

I love you so much Azure and miss you more than words can express. I guess I will just have to learn some more patients and let this time past so I can be with you again.

Where has the time gone

I want to apologize in advance this will be a long post. There has been so much that has taken place here in the Bryce home. My job with Bank of America only lasted two months then they said they didn't need me anymore (it was a temp job) I was quite bummed, but know the Lord has a plan in all that happens. I must say I am glad I don't have to work nights currently. I missed Boston terrible and I really missed tucking Katelyn in at night. Now Jessica and I are starting a business (www.kuteandkrafty.com) and I love it. I love creating new things. It is something that makes me truly happy. I have found I LOVE to sew and have started making dresses and things for Katelyn. I am not very good at it, but would love to be as good as my mother someday. I actually got to go this week and spend three amazing days sewing with her. I can't wait to do it again. While we were there we helped get wood, well mostly Boston and Dad went we women sewed all but one day.
Katelyn also is now 10 months old and getting way too big. She LOVES baby dolls. When you hand it to her she gets a big smile then grabs it and starts talking to it. She also loves stairs. I was watching her start up them and I would say Katelyn and she would turn around giggle then go up another step. How can you get mad at that? She has such a fun personality and has already taken her first step. Now we are waiting for her to just take off running. She can stand on her own firmly, but will not walk around. She has walked a few steps from one shelf in our pantry to another, but now she will take a step look at us then get on her knees and crawl around. She likes our goats and will just sit and watch them outside the window. She also likes to be daddy's little helper. If he goes outside she is right behind him. She will crawl around the garage while Boston works. Boston says she is his broom and helps him sweep up the garage.
So besides starting a business, Katelyn growing up, and Boston FINALLY getting his goats we have all been doing great and trying to enjoy each other.

Our goats Bella is the black and brown one and Sugar cookie is the blond one (she is pregnant and due 12-29)

Katelyn staring at Sugar cookie

Katelyn in the cute tutu that Jessica made for her and matching bow! (she was watching dad using the leaf blower). I see this picture and imagine her thinking dad gets to have all the fun while mom has me stuck in this stupid tutu. She HATES me putting these things on her as you can tell by the next picture...

This is like torture to her.....

Katelyn and her sea horse that sings

Katelyn and her new baby from Grandma Bigler (It is a tickle baby and laughs when you tickle her sides and feet.) The best part is Katelyn will giggle too when you are tickling the baby!

Motherhood

So the past few days we have been having a hard time with Katelyn. She has been crying ALOT and sleeping very little. I was researching some things for my calling and ran across this video on LDS.org and I LOVE IT. So I thought I would share.

Motherhood:-An-Eternal-Partnership

Family Reunions

So I kind of slacked on posting about the fun we have had over the last two months and all the family we were able to see. So her we go!

July 4th weekend we had the Ernest and Clovis Bowers Reunion. We had a great flag raising in the morning with a wonderful breakfast. We then went back to my parents house and spent time relaxing and hanging out before we went to Uncle Mel's Home for a wonderful Mexican Dinner with all the Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins. We had a pretty good turn out and amazing food. THANK YOU AUNT TONI for all the hard work you and your family invested in this years reunions. Below are a few pictures of the flag raising, dinner, and fireworks. Katelyn did great during the fireworks and actually got bored with the whole thing she would watch for a few seconds then go back to playing. She could hardly sit still.

We then had the Laureld and Vera Bigler Reunion on July 31st. We got to visit and see the Bigler side and it was tons of fun visiting with everyone and the food was delicious. Great job Aunt Marvel's and Aunt Else's Families you guys did a great job and I can't wait until next years to see you all again! Katelyn here tried her first shredded beef and enjoyed crawling around collecting all the balls that were getting thrown around. (Sorry no pictures at this one)

After the Bigler Reunion we headed up north for the Heap Reunion (actually is more the Overson Reunion since everyone there comes from Grandma and Grandpa Overson, but it was started by the Heaps originally). We stayed in Heber Saturday, because it was late and raining at Greens Peak where we would be camping for the Heap Reunion. So Sunday afternoon we arrived at Camp. Katelyn was not very fond of all the traveling she had to do. We love the Heap Reunion. Greens Peak is absolutely AMAZING it is green and cool and quite. It is great to just relax and enjoy one of Gods great creations. When we arrived Boston's Mom, Brooks and his family, and Cindy and Eric had already set up there tents and main camp. So we pitched our tents. Monday we went out shooting and it started to Rain. Well we had pitched our tents in a slit hill so Boston and I got drenched digging trenches around our tent. Brooks came and helped us put another tarp up to keep water from splashing into Katelyn's play tent. For the rest of the week Boston and Brooks were always doing something. They built horseshoe pits and actually cemented the posts in and brought sand from Show Low to fill in the pits. They also built some nice benches around the camp fire. Boston had tons of fun doing things with his Brother. Katelyn did really well until the last two nights. She woke up at 3 am each morning and was a turd. We ended up leaving Saturday afternoon, because she was having a hard time. She does not like to be held unless you are walking around and doing something she is entertained by and she got held alot that week. She also was not very fond of the ground, but LOVED playing in the pile of sand that was going to be used for the horseshoe pits. Over all it was a great time and we enjoyed being with our family that week.

We are so lucky for our families and the reunions that we get to enjoy! We can hardly wait until next year!

All Pictures from the reuions are here:

More Diaper Cakes

So I had to share my final products. I made these for some baby showers I am going to. They were so fun!

Diaper Cake

I just wanted to post a cute diaper cake I finished today. I am so proud how it turned out I had to share. Also I have another website http://kuteandkraftygifts.blogspot.com/ where I am selling diaper cakes, but as soon as I get time I hope to sale homemade burp clothes, and also hair bows. They are so fun to day. Here is the cake I finished. I am in the process of finishing a bicycle.



The Flowers are clips for the baby.

Here is the answer to your question.

Hey Karleen,

I am not on your blog but if you want to add me kati.bryce@cox.net. I will answer your question. I got it from Fry's for like 10 dollars here in phoenix. I have seen some similar at Wal*Mart that you can order online. As far as Katelyn being mobile she has not been able to sit still since she was born. I see all these people with babies that sleep alot and just relax and let you hold them. Not her she has always wanted to look and see what is going on. She is in to everything and we just bought her one of those little walker things and she took 12 steps holding on to it today and she figured out how to climb the stairs. Time to baby proof my house!

Love ya,
Kati

where did she go!

Yesterday I was getting ready for church and since Katelyn kept trying to dive off the bed I put her on the floor to play. She was having a grand old time and I kinda zoned off for a minute and realized I no longer heard her. I looked around the bed, behind the hamper, into the pantry and down the hall. I finally walked into the kitchen and sure enough no Katelyn and Boston didn't have her. So my heart started pounding. I went back into the pantry and Katelyn had crawled to the far side of our pantry on to a box. I am not sure I am ready for this mobile child. I have a feeling she is gonna be walking in the next month. She has already tried to stand up by herself and I am not liking that. I have found since I started working she has been a little more clingy and it is only part time and at night?! Not sure what she will do when I go to classes two times a week. She is growing so fast and I am so glad I have such a fun little girl.

This is just a picture of another time she was in the pantry. This is her favorite thing to do when she is in there.

Happy Birthday Boston!

Boston,

Just wanted to wish you a Happy Birthday! I hope that it is all you hoped for and that you enjoy every minute of it. I am so grateful to have such an amazing man in my life. Katelyn is lucky to have such a great dad who lets her mow the lawn, help with study, and takes her swimming. You do so much for our family and we love you tons!

Love,
Kati and Katelyn!

To My Daddy!

Dear Daddy,

There are so many things I love about you and I am so greatful for you in my life. I am sorry my gift will not be there in time for Father's Day, but I love you. Here are ten reasons why I love you!

1. You have always honored your Priesthood. Making me know that is what I wanted for in my own husband.

2. You taught me how to throw and hit a softball.

3. You give me a zerbert every time I see you.

4. You tell the best stories.

5. You always set a great example for me.

6. You have a tender heart.

7. You gave me your initials!!!

8. You love to have fun.

9. You make the most comfortable heater for my Daughter.

10. I LOOK LIKE YOU!!!!

I love you dad Happy Father's Day!

Love,

Your Mini Me:)

Back To Work

So after many discussions and many prayers Boston and I decided I would try to get a Part Time Job at night. Maybe a week after we decided I would really start looking. My sister-in-law told me of a friend that was working at Wells Fargo from 8-12 at night. So I went and applied to work there. A few days later one of my good friends told me Bank of America was hiring for a PT position from 5-10 at night. Both jobs were Mon-Fri. So I sent my resume with my friend and last Monday was called in for an interview. I was nervous, but felt the interview went well. The next day I recieved a call and Bank of America wanted me to work for them. I did all the paperwork and received a call this past Tuesday asking me to come to work that night. So I got ready and left to work for the first time in over 6 months. It was hard knowing I couldn't come back and see Katelyn when I wanted and I shed a few tears that night because I was not able to do her bedtime ritual with her. However I am so blessed to be home with her through the day. Boston gets home around 3 each day so we do not have to put Katelyn in daycare. We get to be with her. I am so blessed to have gotten this job and so far really enjoy it. My manager seems to be a great person and the team I work with seem like nice people. I must say I am so blessed for I know so many people are looking for jobs and unable to find them. I am glad that I can help provide for my family. So back to work we go and then in the fall it is back to school. UGH!

To the best two years....

I can't believe two years ago I knelt across from you and said yes. Two years ago I married the most amazing guy I had ever met. Two years ago I married my best friend. Boston you are my friend, my love, my companion, my shoulder to cry on, my confidant, my husband, and the most amazing dad ever. I love the way you can make me smile when I really would like to punch you. I love that I can always have fun with you. I love the way you make everything all right when I feel like everything is falling apart. The way you will hug on Katelyn and play with her until one of you can't take it anymore. I love how you will jump in and help anyone no matter what is going on. The way you honor your priesthood and the example you are to everyone around you. I love how you are like a sponge when it comes to the gospel. You are such a great example to Katelyn and I. Here is to the best two years and many more to come. I love you with all my heart and always will.

Love,

Your E.C.

Happy Birthday Azure

My Dear Sister,

It seems like only yesterday I was telling you you had a ski slop as a nose and you would say "At least mine doesn't take up my whole face." Or when Brian called and you had me pretend to be you. We would have gotten away with it if he hadn't said I love you and I started to laugh. You always saved me when I was getting picked on and you were always there when I needed a shoulder to cry on. I miss your laugh and the dorky things you did, because we all know if you put floaties on your feet you will be able to walk on water or maybe it will just make you flip under and you will almost drown. There are so many good times we had. Like on the weekends when you moved back home and we would lie in your bed and just talk about everything. The times Karlee and I would come to dinner at the Rim and see you before a big Volleyball game. I miss singing with you. I would have never started singing in Church if you wouldn't have made me sing with you. I wouldn't have started drinking an ICEE after a hard day of two-a-days if you wouldn't have taken us there each day my Freshman year. You were always such a great example and we all know you could be a terd at times. However I miss you my dear sister. I wish you could be here to see your little man grow up and be able to play with your new neices and nephews. Today is your day and will always be to me. Thank you for all you did for me and one day we WILL BE TOGETHER AGAIN. Until that day you are always in my heart. I love you so much!

Love,

Tee

6 months!

Can you believe it? I know I can't! Katelyn is now 6 months old. We had her check up today and the nurse looked at her and said she is such a big girl for 6 months. She is 28 inches long putting her above the 95% for her height. 19lbs. 12oz. putting her in the 95% for her weight and her head is 17 in. putting her in the 75% for her head. The Dr. said she looks great. She is proportionate and a happy baby.

I say she is too big for her age and needs to slow down. She is already in 9-12 month clothes and scooting around the floor after things. If she sees something she wants. She will climb out of your arms to get it. She eats around 4-5 jars of baby food a day and she has her first tooth!

Heber and Crafts

So I went to Heber for a few days and sorry to those I did not get to visit. Next time I come I will do better on getting around to see everyone. I just hate packing up Katelyn and carting her around everywhere. She HATES her carseat! Anyway I did get to go and see Grandma Bowers and oh how Katelyn loved her. Normally she will only let you hold her for a little while, but she loved playing with Grandma Bowers and sitting on her lap. She is getting so big and it was so great to spend time with her and Aunt Janet. I finally got my four generation photo and here are some pictures of our visit with Grandma.







I also made a couple diaper cakes when we came home wednesday and sent them home with my mom. She is sending them with Aunt Kathy for Dez and McKoy's silent auction.

Getting Big!

MY BABY



I just wanted to let everyone know what we have been up to. Katelyn has now been sitting up by herself for the last couple weeks and a week ago she started going up on her knees and rocks back and forth. She also has started holding on to things while she is standing up. She loves baby food and loves her dad. When he comes home her takes her out to the Garden to cut the vegetables. When he mows the lawn he takes her along with him. She loves being outside. She loves to play in the water and loves when people play with her. She definitely loves attention. She has started to recognize people and if people come over she doesn't know she will start crying. She definitely is getting too big and needs to slow down. I do love being a mom to such a sweet girl and she does make staying home worth every minute.

Also we finally sold our Fire Truck yesterday. He paid for it and is suppose to pick it up today. So exciting to have that thing gone, but it was nice when we had to trim our many trees. We are so blessed we finally sold it. We have been trying to sell it for almost 2 years now and finally found a buyer. Well besides that we are all good. I just got called as the Provident Living person in Relief Society and Boston is still Elders Quorum President. We do love our ward and are grateful for what we have.

FUN IN THE IRRIGATION











BYE BYE FIRETRUCK

To Mr. Frank Greer

Jessica beat me to this, but I also want to thank this great man for everything. I couldn't wait to get into High School and play for you. Although I never played directly for you. You still taught me to work hard, suck it up, and give it your all. You also taught me in 6th Grade and like my sister I too will always remember the difference between the Gum Chewing Girl and Cud Chewing Cow. I love coming home and seeing you at church. To get a hug and see how you are doing. My husband always remembers you cause you are his cousin in some way. You have made an impact on my life and I will always be grateful for the love you have shown me and my family. I pray you are well and that one day my daughter will have people like you to influence her for the better.

Love,

Kati

here comes summer

I see that Spring is going by so fast and the new growths are finishing up and our garden is starting to shed some yummy food. Since the summers are so dang hot here I am getting myself a little pep talk so I am not so miserable. Here is to 100+ degree weather and living in a place I refer to as the OVEN. Dips in the pool with family and friends. Trips to Heber to bask in the beautiful weather. Celebrating our Independance and the AMAZING 4th of July fireworks in Heber. Celebrating birthdays of some great men I know and anniversaries. Best of all there is CAMPING. I love enjoying the great out doors with the ones I love. Going on hikes and listening to the peace and sitting in amazement at the beautiful earth that God created. So even though I hate the heat here. I love the good times that summer brings and the great memories I get to make with amazing people. So here is to you summer!

Another fun baby shower gift.....

This is something I cooked up late last night when I was adding final touches to everything. I saw a picture of this floral arrangement and told Boston I can do that. So I did and it turned out amazing.





OK this consists of Onesies, Bibs, and Socks. I wish I would have had some colored Onesies and I would have used so many fake flowers, but I am pleased with how it turned out for my first go at it:)


As for this picture I added some daisies down at the bottom to spice it up a bit so wanted to show the final product:)



So I got a little carried away for my friends baby shower, but her face "PRICELESS" when she saw them.