The Drakes...

Mehico! (aka Mexico)

2011-06-29T19:41:00.004-06:00

MEXICO!

We went to Cancun with some friends...and friends of friends...whoever wanted to invite someone they could we were up for anyone! Of course our best friends the Galbraith's had to come with us, a trip with out them isn't the same! We had the time of our lives, it was a blast and everyone got along perfect! Everyone was so laid back, if some people wanted to do one thing and some others something else..nobody cared, it was the most relaxed group of people. We also went to the island Isla Mujeres for a day which was so pretty and small..you can drive golf carts around the whole island in a short amount of time. We went in the beginning of February and we already are thinking about and planning a trip back this fall..or just anywhere with a nice beach ill take! We loved it!

PART 1

PART 2

I miss you MeHico!

Sami's 1st Birthday!

2011-06-29T17:58:00.001-06:00

Happy 1st Birthday to Sami!

Sami turned one January 28th..we did a combined birthday party with her cousin Koby cause of date complications and we all live almost 2 hours away so we didn't want to do two different parties the same weekend all 2 hours away. ANYWAY, where do I start with Sami...She is perfect in our family, Nate is a total Daddy's girl and I am so in love with her! She is a cuddle bug (shocking at this age cause Kaiden was not!) and we just love her to pieces. For such a little thing she is a BIG eater...she will pig out all day long! We call her our little dog cause she will just sit at your feet begging for food or leftover even after she eats! We love her and I am so thankful to have one of each and I enjoy both equally! We are so thankful for you Sami and you make us happy everyday! We love you always and forever!

Here is Sami's one year pic...the rest are birthday pictures!

The Birthday girl! Happy as ever!

Love this face...

...don't forget this face! I had to post it :)

A favorite picture of mine of the two of them..that's a happy birthday girl!

The two birthday kiddos..Sami and her cousin Kobe, this is the best picture I got.

The first few tastes!

She was in HEAVEN, and don't you worry she totally ate the whole thing but for the last bit I had to stop her cause I was worried she was going to get sick!

We love you Bubbles!

Always catching up! Here is Kaidens 3rd Birthday Party! (from Aug)

2011-05-09T19:19:00.000-06:00

Kaidens 3rd Birthday!

Yes I know this was forever ago (or maybe you dont know) but Im doing this for my blog book so I am just going to pretend that this just happened :) This is from last August..but here it is ten years later but lets all pretend it just happened ;)

Oh boy where do I start...Kaiden is the light in my life (SO cheesy I know, but its true!). He is the best thing that ever happened to me and I am so thankful for him. I can't believe I have a 3 year old! Sometimes I forget he is three because he talks like he is older and he has a maturity to him. I remember one day I was having one of those 'girl moments' and I was crying for who knows what none important reason, just needed one of those let everything out days and cry haha. He came into the room and said "It's going to be ok, its going to be ok mama.. dont cry..I will make you happy.." and then sat in my lap and wiped my tears away for me. Oh man, it was the cutest..sweetest thing and such a little grown up he was acting like! He made me smile, then laugh and it made my day! He is the BEST! He is such a sweet boy, with a sweet heart and I just love him to pieces! On a not so cheesy note..I will say that the day he turned three a switch flipped and he started having his throwing a fit moments and all that lovely stuff a lot more often..the 2's were never like that..It's something about those 3's that change them haha. But even with the fits..he is mainly such a sweet heart! We love you Kaiden, you are the best surprise we could of had!

The birthday boy and me
(Dont mind my ugly transitioning hair color)

He wanted a TOY STORY birthday so thats what we gave him, we had it at our house and it turned out to be a perfect night! He loved every min!

The party favors I made with the kids initials on them..they were heavier than I expected when filled so they would not all face forward..I tried forever but I finally gave up and let them be.

Dean (best friend), Kaiden, Tyler (cousin), and Maddison

Some of the family who came... In this picture it is all Nateys cousins and their girlfriends and his uncles. They all spoiled him, I couldn't believe everything he got from everyone!

Daddy and Kaiden
Love my boys! Nate just had came home from work :)

Nate's brother Austin and his cousin Scotty all practically share the same birthday with Kaiden so we added their names to the cake!

He got SO many presents from everyone I couldn't believe it, he was spoiled this year from all Nate's family and our friends! He loved all of his presents..mostly Buzz, Woody, Iron man themed gifts..he was in Heaven!

We love you Kaiden! You are growing up too quick!

Heres to a New Year! A recap of 2010 :)

2011-01-07T14:09:00.001-07:00

First off this is a post for me so I can put this little journal/photo keeper into my blog book to be printed so don't be annoyed it's so long :) Just don't read it or don't look at the million pictures if you don't want to We have had a LOT of first to say the least this year but we have grown from all of them and enjoyed a lot of them. We had the best gift we could ask for at the beginning of this year, little miss Sami joined us January 28, 2010! We have loved every min of her, she is the best baby and such a true joy in our lives (cheesy I know, but it's true). We had our first experience of our child having to stay in the hospital. Sami gave us a little scare and she spent 5 days in the hospital at the beginning of March till she got well enough to go home. She was a blessing to watch in the hospital, you could truly see her fighting the virus everyday and she never cried even though the whole time she was feeling the pain or couldn't get enough oxygen. She is such a STRONG little girl and we knew from that first day we held her. We made the HUGE decision to make the move to Upstate NY this year and moved at the end of March. It was a life changing decision and we knew it, it was a hard hard decision with lots of discussions and thinking it out but we made the choice for our family. I truly feel I made the choice with my little ones in mind and for our family as a whole. And honestly I do like NY and if my family and friends lived here I would be the luckiest girl alive but I knew.. and my family and friends know that it isn't possible since we'll be staying in NY so I guess we will have to go with the second choice and love each other from a far :) I enjoy many things about NY and really have appreciated the things here that are different than Utah. I also appreciate the things in Utah that many of us take for granted. I miss the food more than I thought haha I could use some Cafe Rio right about now! On a serious note. I will always miss my friends and family but this was a decision we made as a family and I know that this is where we are supposed to be. I have been lucky enough to be in a GREAT ward with a good size group of young families with young kids which was one of my biggest worries. Not Utah young, but young enough to have little ones and young enough to want to be my friend :) I have already made friends and learned so much from them already. The ladies in my ward have made me feel more welcome than I could of imagined, always willing to tend, always calling me about playgroup, asking me out side of playgroup to do something. I truly am grateful for them. They have watched my kids more than any of my friends in both states. You learn to rely on others whether you like it or not, especially when you can't drive 2 hours for family to babysit just for an hour or two when you need...that would be insane. We are lucky enough to have some family close, even if they are an hour 1/2- 2 hours away.. I would have that any day than have no family near by at all. This year we have learned a new meaning to our little family. We have met some great new people. And had great memories through the ups and downs of normal life!

We celebrated Kaidens 3rd birthday and also Kaiden started Preschool for the first time this year. I love his teacher and we are lucky to have such a great place close by to take him. Kaiden became a big brother. Kaiden started to wear under wear for the first time and was potty trained by July (Yahoo!). Sami had her first everything this year, including first smile, first laugh, first crawl (not first steps yet), first time staying in a hospital, first 2 teeth including a 3rd that popped through before the end of the year, first word: Mama, The word she says all the time now: Dada...why did I teach her Dada, now she can't say Mama anymore she can only say Nana for my name haha. She points and Nate and gets excited saying Dada louder and louder every time she says it, so cute! This year was a big one and I'm ready for 2011, I hope there aren't so many big decisions to make :) I'm ready for a relaxing fun year! I think going to Mexico this month with friends is the right way to start this year!

First Born, Sami Paige Drake

First time meeting his new baby sister, and Sami meeting her big brother!

First time they held hands, wasn't planned..it was on the ride home from the hospital..he already loved her SO much!

First time meeting her Great Grandpa on his birthday!

Kaidens best buddies in Utah, his cousins!

First time to the ER, poor baby.. we were worried!

First time having to stay at the hospital, she was there for 5 nights and 6 days. She was the toughest little girl, we are so thankful for her!

First time moving across the country, goodbye Farmington..good bye Utah!

Sami's blessing day in NY

I just threw this in cause I love this picture, this was her first Easter..in the morning!

First Easter for Sami and Kaidens 3rd Easter..love our kiddos!

First time at the park in NY

First time Kaiden and Sami went to Niagara Falls!

Bought our first actual House (not town home).

First time in a swim suit (thanks lightbox for the suit!).

First offical hair cut, I always TRY to cut it for him until this day.

First camping trip for both Kaiden and Sami.

First time to Darien Lake (Ny's Lagoon)

First 4th of July for Sami!

First trip back to Utah, hanging out with old friends at the Kangaroo Zoo jump house.

First time meeting Jett when we came back to Utah, this is Jetts blessing day!

Good by Utah friends, I always miss you guys!

First day of Preschool

First Best Friend in NY, they are best buds!

First Fall in NY and sadly his first time jumping in a pile of leaves!

First Halloween

Can't figure out how to flip the picture, it uploaded wrong. First Halloween costume, and for me it was a first making my kids Halloween costumes!

First Thanksgiving, this was Thanksgiving day.

First time Sami has an actual bed now! She has been in a pack in play since she was born cause we have been in 3 homes, I had this bedding since right after I found out what I was having..I finally got to use it!

First Christmas living in NY, everyone got footy pajamas from me for Christmas (including Nate)!

Sami's first Christmas, thanks Bri for her present!

Onto a new year! We hope you all have a fabulous 2011!

This post was mainly for me, so I can print this out in my blog book! It's my own personal family journal and picture keeper!

Happy Holidays, and Merry Christmas Everyone!

2010-12-20T11:24:00.002-07:00

Merry Christmas Everyone!

This month has been so busy and every year I always think I will get my Christmas cards out early but never do, so I apologize but for all my family and friends here is your card! Via email, blog and facebook...we love you all and hope you have a safe and HAPPY HOLIDAYS! We are excited to spend the holidays in our new house and do Christmas dinner here. And as for next year we will be in Utah :)

Card made by Mindy Young Photography

A couple holiday pictures, a little recap of our Ugly sweater party this weekend at Austin and Crystals. Those were quite the shorts Natey, we all had some good laughs!

Nate's cousin Jimmy won the ugly sweater party, he had cut two different sweaters apart and sewed them down the middle together with red yarn and the bottom was about 2 inches off from the other sweater. A little funny and creepy at the same time ;) He won a flip video camera! Me and Nate came up tied for second place.

Me, Crystal, Mary, Coco, and cousin Rachael
Us ladies had some good laughs and enjoyed the party to the fullest! Thanks Crystal and Austin!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Family Pictures Oct. 2010

2010-11-19T13:52:00.002-07:00

Our Family Pictures!

Picture overload I know! But These were the ones my friend Lorna posted on her "Sneak Peek" and I cannot eliminate pictures for the life of me so I am sorry I didn't pic 5 pictures only but oh well! We will be sending out a Christmas card with our favorite picture(s) of this shoot so you'll see it in the mail hopefully sooner than later!

I am in love with this one...

..and this one

I still like this one even though Kaidens tongue is sticking out :)

Me and my good lookin husband!

This was not staged, Kaiden always picks flowers and gives them to me and loves seeing me get so excited! This was when he wanted them back though haha..

Poor Sami was freezing!

Yeah Sami was happy for a picture!

One of my favorites with the whole family

Daddy trying to keep Sami warm with the blanket I made her.

I'm in love with this one, definitely going in Kaidens room!

My hair looks orange in the sun.

He must be 3!

Sami and her red nose from it being so cold outside, I felt bad for her..

Kaidens face is too cute in this last one, who doesn't love a happy laughing boy!

Thanks to my friend Lorna for taking these! Sorry we picked a very overcast and cold day!

Lorna Bingham Photography..

Kaidens First Day of Preschool! (began in Sept)

2010-11-09T09:08:00.000-07:00

Kaidens First Day of Preschool!

It started in September but I am playing catch up.. how could skip posting this special day, I couldn't so here it is! He is going to school in Geneseo and we LOVE his preschool! The teachers to such a great job with the kids, I couldn't ask for a better place for him. He LOVES school and I think it is great for him to get out of the house and get to be with kids his age and do fun things. He gets bored sometimes at home since he doesn't have a sibling old enough to play with. We are so glad he loves preschool and I can't believe I have a kid old enough to go to school..time FLIES!

Mr. Big Kid Kaiden ready for his first day, a little tired but ready!

Heading out, I love our front yard still :)

Random photo of Kaiden and Sami since all of this post is about Kaiden, I had to throw this in..

This was the first time to two best buddies saw each other since we left for Utah, they were so cute when they saw each other..it was just like a movie! Dean yelled Kaidens name and they ran to each other and embraced with a hug haha.

Kaiden other friend Prophet, they were looking at shapes in the clouds :)

Kaidens Special Day!
They have a special day for the kids birthdays, he had lots of fun getting special privileges.. and mommy got to be in the class for the day with him! (Kaiden birthday was in August but they celebrate the kids birthdays that happened in the summer time once school starts.)

Apple tasting with Harry, they had to pick which color of apple taste the best to them (letter A day).

Well I had a few more to add but my computer is acting up so this is it for now!

Kaiden we love you so much and are so proud of you! You are such a sweet boy with such a great heart and are so considerate of other already! You make me laugh everyday, you crack me up and are my best buddy to hang out with everyday! We love you with all our hearts and are so thankful you surprised us coming to be with us on this earth! I can't believe how big you are getting and so old...I just hope you always love us even when your a teenager cause I will always love you more than you'll ever know! WE LOVE YOU!!!

My Utah Visit (in Sept.)

2010-11-02T11:08:00.001-06:00

Sorry I have been the worst at updating my blog! Life has been busy and I was trying to use the new version on blogspot and couldn't figure it out so I gave up trying to use it to do a post. So here are pictures from our Utah visit in September, if your wondering why there are no pictures of my family or of my husband...well I took a million on my moms camera since I didn't have my on our trip but she lots her attachment for uploading her pictures onto her laptop so I don't have any of those pictures yet, she is coming out on the 10th this month and I can put her memory card into my computer and get them next week! ANYWAY these are pictures I stole off my friends facebook that they took while I was there and Nate wasn't with me on my girl time trips. We had SO much fun, it was busy busy trying to meet up with everyone I wanted to try and see plus spending enough time with family! We also hung out with the Jones but didn't get a pic with them. We love our family and friends and appreciate any time we get to spend with them! It was definitely an over due visit! Well here are pictures of some things I did with my girl friends :)

We had to see baby Jett the day we got there! My best friend Keri had her little boy when we were out in NY so I had been dieing to see him! This is a picture on Jett's baby blessing day! Sami.. Kaiden.. Jett

Silly picture of Sami and baby Jett, he is catching up to her quick!

Haha my son is very loving lets just say :)

Goofing around picture with Keri, so glad to get to see the Galbraiths!

This picture cracks me up cause they are all zoned out looking in the same area.. who know. We met up with my friends Brooke, Ashlee, and Amanda and took the kids to Kangaroo Zoo :)

L-R: Mitch, Kennedy, Kaiden, Emersyn, and Sami (My kids are cheesin it!)

You'd think we dressed them to match, so we had to get a pic..I think they look like they could be sisters here..

I had such a great day with these ladies! They are like family..
L-R: Emersyn, Brooke, Ashlee, Amanda and me

Went to the Park with my friends from HS Megan and Carly, Here is a pic of Sami :)

Too cute, Kaiden with Lucy!

L-R: Carly, Me and Megan! My two prego friends, I can't wait till they have their babies!
It's so fun to have kids close together with a friend, I'm so happy for them!

We did dinner one night, the kids were crazy though!
L-R: Kaiden, me, Lucy, Carly, Megan and Sami..plus the two buns in the oven!
I love you girls!!!

Went to lunch with my old co workers! Oh how I miss my old job! I think that is one of the things I miss the most with moving to NY, I loved teaching tumbling and cheer and I loved my co workers so much. I think I taught at Lightbox for 6 years..

Photo shoot by Mindy Young Photography! My friend Brooke makes these cute head bands so she put together these outfits and head bands for a photo shoot to add these pictures to her blog/website. Dont jugde Im wearing that shirt for her pictures :)

Group shot for Brooke's head band line, we had a fun girls night doing these pictures! Thanks Brooke and Mindy!

I loved being back home in Utah, it was so great to see my family and friends..I miss them and my mountains! I will be back sooner than later, until then I love you all!

Happy Anniversary Babe!

2010-08-12T13:40:00.000-06:00

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY NATEY!!!

We celebrated our 4 year anniversary on Tuesday the 10th. We had a relaxing night while the kids were at my mother in laws for the night. We stayed at a hotel in Rochester and enjoyed a dinner with no crying kids, live music at dinner, a relaxing night with my favorite (chocolate covered strawberries), we slept in and then went and had a yummy breakfast together. It was simple but also a perfect night together alone! Things aren't always perfect in life, there are hard times and there are amazing times but when we stick together and get through things together we will always be happy! We have years and years of experiences to come and I can't wait to share them all with you (and our kids)!

I can't believe that me and Nate have been together for 5 years and married for 4 and now we have 2 beautiful children. My kids are my world and I am so thankful we have such amazing kids! Honestly we love them to pieces and are very grateful! Happy Anniversary babe, I love you so much and am so glad to spend a perfect little over nighter together 'just the two of us'.

Love You!

Happy 4th of July

2010-07-09T06:35:00.010-06:00

Happy 4th of July! We were Nate's parents home (the lake house) for the 4th. There were lots of friends and family who all came down and more food than any of us could eat! I love the 4th of July, it is one of my favorite holidays.. especially when Im back home in Utah, theres nothing like good ol' traditions you love that you grew up with. We had a blast on the lake and we were all tired at the end of the night, we put the kids to bed and enjoyed sitting down at the lake at night by the fire.

The imfamous 4th of July family picture.

Aunt Kiki with Kaiden and Rileigh

My patriotic little girl.

Kaiden is ready for swimming, he LOVES the water to say the least.

Thanks to Kenz for this cute outfit! Sami is ready for her nap.

Kaiden with Mickey and his glow sticks after a log day at the lake.

The kids ready for some tubing!

This was the day after the 4th but I thought I would throw it in, notice her tongue twisted side ways... she always is twisting around that tongue of hers in her mouth :) I just love this little girl!

Hope you all had a fabulous 4th with friends, family, food and lots of fun! (the 4 F's on the 4th of July are a must!)

My kids update and baby Jett!

2010-06-15T07:28:00.006-06:00

Updates on my kids!

This is mostly for me and my blog book so I remember some of the stages my kids are going through. I honestly can say with all sincerity that I am so happy and blessed with my two kids. I thought two kids would be so much harder then what it really is. I don't feel like it is hard especially now that I'm not waking up every 2-3 hours with a newborn. I think getting up all the time in the middle of the night is the hardest part for me personally when I have a newborn. It is such a short time though, and I miss my little newborn.. Sami is getting too big too fast :( Don't get me wrong having two kids has its challenges but it really isn't too much different I personally feel. I have lots to write so don't mind this long post!

SAMI (Bubbles): Where do I start with her, she is such a joy and I just love her to pieces. She is similar to her brother in the sense that she wants to always eat. When she's tired she wants to eat to comfort her, when she's bored she wants to eat.. she could eat all day just like her brother was. She also could care less for her binky like Kaiden, I think it would be so much easier if they liked their binkys cause that could be their comfort instead of eating. She rolled over for the first time last night. She still blows bubbles and always is blowing on her tongue.. she started it at church a couple weeks ago and now that's all she does, she even does it when she is mad and crying. She giggles but it is hard to get her to really laugh out loud a lot unless your Kaiden. She loves watching him dance and act silly in front of her and she just cracks up and laughs out loud! We bought the black eyed peas CD cause Kaiden loves all their songs and he started dancing and she could not stop laughing at him. She is SO smiley, if you talk to her or give her attention she will smile at you every time. She loves talking and sucking on her right fist and fingers, she is starting to lift her legs straight up to try and grab her toes. It looks like she is doing a toe touch haha. She is a very happy baby but of course she has her moments. She has a temper for sure. She gets worked up so fast, sometimes we just have to let her cry and calm herself down cause nothing will help besides eating. She is so much fun, we are enjoying every moment of her but it is already going by too fast!

KAIDEN (Booboo): First off, my son is potty trained! Finally the day has come, I just hope that he won't revert back like some kids. He has gone a full week with no diapers.. he is potty trained just in time for preschool this fall, I was worried my money for preschool would of gone to waste cause he would still be in diapers and not be able to go haha. He is getting a mind of his own for sure, he is getting more and more opinionated and he definitely test his boundaries more than ever! He test me a lot which sometimes gets frustrating but he still is a good boy and a sweet boy. He loves riding on his bike, and LOVES puzzles right now. He just does his puzzles over and over again. He says the funniest things, he cracks me up all the time. He talks like he is 20 sometimes. The other day when his puzzle pieces moved and broke apart in a spot I heard him say "Are you kiddin me?!" all mad. haha He is a good helper with Sami, he even has tried to change her diaper when I was out of the room which was a little bit of a disaster. He always is grabbing wipes or diapers for me or her blanket.. he is a big help and a great big brother. When she is crying and I'm trying to finish doing the dishes or something I ask him to go talk to Sami and he always goes over to her and talks to her or shakes her rattle so she'll stop crying. I am loving them every step of the way even through all the small challenges of having kids.. they make me happy everyday!

The kids in Rochester heading to eat at Dinosaur BBQ, it is SO good!

Baby news! Our best friends Keri and Jared Galbraith had their little boy Jett on Sunday in the early morning. He was 7 lbs 4 ounces and with lots of cute dark hair, he's adorable! I just hope he will stay that small till August when we come out but I'm thinking it won't happen :) The poor guy was having a hard time breathing since he was born early so he got transferred to a different hospital than Keri which would be hard cause she has to stay in the hospital cause she had C section. We hope he has a great recovery and gets to go home soon! *Next baby news is my brother Seth and his wife Emily are having a BOY! I am so excited for another nephew, I can't wait! Also my friend Heather is pregnant! Another great friend starting to have kids, Im so excited! Love babies, I love the whole process of giving birth and being with your little one in the hospital..I could have a million kids if I like the whole 9 months of being big and then if I lost the baby weight easy but it is so hard, I'm still struggling getting all this baby weight off! It is not fun, it's the worst part about the whole process but it's part of the job. :) Well I love all my family and friends and miss my Mountains but we are doing great out here!

Our cute town home is for sale!

2010-05-18T11:31:00.014-06:00

SPACIOUS TOWN HOME FOR SALE!

If you or someone you know is the buying market, take a look at our town home! We have loved every minute of our town home, I miss it so much. It is the perfect home for newly weds, a small family, retired couple or anyone looking for a great deal! It is a spacious 3 bedroom, 3 bath home with lots of upgrades. Best selling model, best location..kiddy corner to the club house, gym and pool! It is a corner unit which means extra windows!

We dropped the price for a fast sell!

For more info it is listed on the mls and ksl, click below for more info!

CLICK... HERE

Main floor

Upgraded crown molding, knotty wood beautiful cabinets, with staggered height and upgraded tile floor.
Master

Master 2

1/2 bath

Spread the word :)

Our soon to be new home...

2010-05-04T16:17:00.008-06:00

We are moving again... ten min away to...

HERE

They excepted our offer and we are supposed to close at the end of this month! I hope everything goes well! we found this house last week and made an offer the same week. It was a steal of a deal and a once in a life time chance we couldn't believe it, so we had to act fast!Nate wanted me to add this picture, he has this as our back ground on our computer.

This will soon be our front yard, it is my dream front yard.

Kaiden kept telling me to take a picture of him and not of the house, and literally I have about ten pictures with this same face pulled in everyone. He is quite the poser..

Bubbles on Sunday after going through the house again.

She loves her tongue out, maybe it's to big for her mouth cause it never is in!

We are excited we found a new house we love, and it's still in our ward boundaries so we are excited to stay in this ward that we love. Plus we are now closer to all the young families in the ward, they all live around this area that we are moving to. Another plus is there is a great Mexican restaurant in the town we are moving to and if you live in upstate NY it is hard to find some good Mexican food. It is all Pizza and Wing places..I am already sick of pizza. We will be right next to Letchworth State Park which is known as the "Grand Canyon" of the East Coast. I Love and miss my close friends and family! Now we have lots of room for company to come visit!

Sami's blessing day..

2010-04-23T10:58:00.015-06:00

Sami's Blessing Day!

We blessed Sami March 28th in NY. It was a special day for her and us. I felt bad for her though cause she started to get sick again and just was feeling better the night before the blessing day. So we didn't really get many good pictures of her, cause you could tell she wasn't looking and feeling back to herself yet. She wore my baby blessing dress, she looked beautiful in it even though it was big on her. I love my blessing dress, the hand work is delicate and so pretty on it. I think it is very special that both Kaiden and Sami got to wear their parents blessing outfits, luckily our parents had classic taste so we wanted to use them! She did great through the blessing and so did Nate. It was different having such a small close circle of family surrounding her during the blessing cause when we blessed Kaiden in Utah there were so many people that you almost can't have everyone that is close to us and our kids in it. It turned out to be a beautiful day and it was a beautiful blessing with lots of great food thanks to everyone who prepared stuff. The only thing that I really wished could of happened was to have my Grandpa there in the circle, mainly because he wont be around forever and to have him be here still for my kids and his great grand kids is such a blessing. I just don't ever want to not take advantage of him being here with us so I wished he could of been there since he is still here with us. He is such an amazing man and I am so lucky and proud to have him as my grandpa. I think they are SO lucky to have met their great grandfather. I am so very grateful for what wonderful family we have on both sides, everyone is so supportive and always there for us. We missed my family being there but we are blessed and Sami is blessed to have so many people that care about her!

The blessing girl, poor Sami just didn't feel up to par. She always has her tongue out :)

Our attempt at a family photo..

Sami in my blessing dress, it was big on her but she looked so sweet in it.

I could flip this picture on my computer but it wouldn't stay right side up when I uploaded for some reason.

Kaiden loves his Grammy

My mom and us, Sami wasn't too happy here :)

Natey and his dad

My baby girl!

...another attempt at a family photo

Her blessing day shoes, they were big on her but they still worked and looked so cute on her!
I really wished I had my nice Camera this day but nope it was stolen.

*Sami we love you so much, everyday me and your dad look at you and say out loud how beautiful and special you are to us. I truly am SO thankful for you in my life, you are such a great baby and bring so much life to me and our family. I loved you with all my heart the second I saw you, you are perfect in every way. You are a blessing in our life, I couldn't ask for a more perfect baby! Kaiden just lights up when he sees you. He loves you so much and is always wanting to hug you and kiss you. He wants to wake you up when your sleeping cause he loves when you look at him and gets excited when you smile at him. He always comes running up to me yelling "Sami's awake mom! Yeah!", most the time he woke you up haha and is so excited to play with you. We couldn't love you more Sami!*

We are alive! And in NY

2010-04-21T08:57:00.023-06:00

Sorry I have been such a slacker. Between having a baby, trying to sell our house, being in the hospital with her for 5 days with RSV, trying to sell anything we didn't want to haul across country, packing and boxing up our house, trying to see everyone before I left...it all was a busy time and I didn't have time to blog! Nate and his brother Austin each drove one of our cars across country with our stuff, me and my mom flew out 4 days later on a red eye March 22 with two sick kids and not to mention me and my mom were sick too. It was a crazy month. We are here safe and well though and settled in for the most part. I love the house we are in, it was scary for me to have NO neighbors in site compared to living next to a million people. But now I am not so scared all the time. I have a Walmart and target less than fifteen min away so I can live anywhere if I have those close by! We love our ward so far, everyone was SO welcoming. We already have been to our ward mommy group, gone over for dinner at a large ward members home, played softball with the bishops family and last night I went and played volleyball at the ward with the girl missionaries and some others and Nate has already taught priesthood. I have been doing anything we have been invited to cause this is my only chance to get to know people and be involved since I have no immediate family or friends. Our closest family here is an 1 1/2 away. Every mom here grows their own food, drive mini vans, cans all food, sews.. and more.. they probably built their own house for all I know! ;) I definitely need to start doing one of those things haha I'm not up to par with these ladies at all. One day I will be the all american mom and wife! That's a stretch but maybe in my dreams I will be :) I don't think ill ever get over not having our friends and my family here..but I am adjusting well for the most part. Oh AND I got my brand new Canon Rebel XSI stolen out of my luggage! Worst thing ever, I still get mad/sad about it!

Here are some things that we have done the past two months!

Said goodbye to many friends and family!

quite the kiss..

Cute Keni!

Kaiden misses his fun silly friends!

Amanda was my life saver the night I was packing, I was feeling very overwhelmed especially thinking about packing my kitchen with all the glass and very breakable things..it stresses me out just thinking about it! Amanda came over and helped me pack all night and she packed my WHOLE kitchen up for me and did it perfectly and to the 'T'...I still owe here for doing it! I am so grateful to have such great friends! We had help from some great people, thanks everyone who helped!

WENT TO NIAGARA

We took my mom to Niagara Falls while she was here, it is only 2 hours away or less from us. It was a very pretty day we had a blast!

Natey.. and me

My favorite little boy, Sami was stuck in the car seat in the stroller for these pics (sorry).

Kaiden loves his pouty face...

HAD EASTER

Yes Kaiden fell asleep in his clothes on the way home late from Niagara and Easter was the next day. This picture was taken after he took everything out of his basket so I threw it back in un professionally, it looked cuter when it was set up all perfect.

Sami nakey on Easter morning, happy girl! Poor Sami, no basket for her.

Oh man I love him! We went up to Nate's brother Austins house for Easter lunch with lots of family there.

Sami on Easter at Austin and Crystals (thanks Kristin for these pics)

Love my little girl!

Me, Sami and Crystal

My little kiddos!

WENT TO SOME PARKS, ENJOYED THE OUTDOORS

Kaiden has gotten really good at the big boy swing.

My little girl in her 'grease' shirt and leg warmers. She is a very smiley girl and will stare at you as long as you want to talk to her. She loves when people give her attention and talk to her. She has been a great sleeper. On sunday I was wiped out from being a little sick and alergies from the big dogs at the home we ate at, so I went to bed at ten (first time in my life I think..), Sami went to sleep at ten too and she woke up for a min at 6:30 but fell back asleep till 8:30! It was our record still till this day but that was the best night ever! She is getting to big too fast! I hate it :(

*I also hate being away from all our friends and family but hopefully you will come visit!!!

Sami is now 5 weeks old!

2010-03-03T20:11:00.003-07:00

Tomorrow Sami is 5 weeks old, geez time has really flown by! I can't believe she is already over a month old. She is such a great baby. When she came out and really let the nurses know she was not happy what they were doing..the nurses were laughing cause she had the loudest cry and she let them know how she felt. I thought..oh great I'm in for it, she is going to be crying all the time with that loud cry. Kaiden had such a soft quiet cry and never cried even when we put those cold little wipes on his bum. But she proved me wrong, even with that loud cry it rarely comes out. She has been a great baby, nights and days are still mixed up but she is still such a great baby! She is so much more alert now, always looking around and following your face when you move your head. She is a tough cookie too, she practically holds her head up on her own already! She is one strong girl already. She is the best! We are so in love with her, she makes me so happy! Nate is a total sucker for her, he always just kisses and stares at her telling her how pretty she is. She has him wrapped around his finger whether he knows it or not! I can't believe how much you can love this little person so much after knowing them even that first day they arrive. She means the world to me as does Kaiden. He love her like crazy too, he couldn't be a more proud big brother! I am so thankful for my beautiful happy kids! I truly am blessed and am so thankful! We are excited to watch little Sami even though I am so sad everyday that she is a day older. You truly don't understand the saying "they grow too fast" till you have one of your own! It makes me sad how fast they grow but also excited for the future!

We love you Sami! Happy 5 weeks!

Happy Valentines Day!

2010-02-14T16:51:00.008-07:00

Happy Valentines!!!

I have three Valentines this year..I am one lucky woman!

I hope you got lots of hugs and kisses from your Valentine!
(her little arm flew up so their faces aren't in focus)

Love, Us Drakes!

Sami's New Born Pictures (Preview)!

2010-02-05T16:30:00.007-07:00

For those of you who want to take a sneak peek at Sami's newborn pictures we got done this week click HERE to go to her blog and see Sami. Mindy Young (Photography) did the pictures for us, and I couldn't be more happy with them! She seriously did an amazing job, I love her work and she was so good with Sami even when Sami wasn't being the best! Thank you SO much Mindy for capturing our sweet little girl in this newborn stage that doesn't last long enough! They are the perfect memories we will always have now :)

I hope you enjoy them!

Sami Paige Drake is here!

2010-02-01T17:40:00.003-07:00

Sami Paige Drake

Born: January 28th at 3:38pm

7 lbs 5 ounces

18 inches

She graced us with her presence after 3 big pushes, she was ready to see us and I was ready to get her in our arms!
We are so in love with her!

Sleep Please!

2010-01-24T00:51:00.003-07:00

THIS crazy kid...

...SHOULD be doing...

...THIS!!!

My little stinker keeps pretending to sleep...I don't hear a peep for a half hour...sure enough after awhile I hear him get out of bed, I hear the light flip on and I hear him getting his toys out and playing in his bedroom! I keep putting him back in bed..and the process repeats!

PLEASE GO TO SLEEP MY CRAZY LITTLE MAN!

Christmas 09'...

2010-01-23T17:43:00.040-07:00

CHRISTMAS!

This is all our pics from this Christmas and this Christmas season get togethers! I figured even though I'm late, I better post it now or never..I wont be going back and putting up Christmas pictures after I have this baby so I am hurrying and doing it tonight quick! We had a great Christmas, my mom did a Christmas Party a week before Christmas which was fun..I have pics below of it but for our white elephant gift we gave a rat and a chocolate fountain! It was hilarious when my mom got our (rat in a box) and opened..got it on video and everything! We usually do Christmas Eve at my Grandpa's but I he is getting a little too old and tired to host it so it was at my moms this year! We had a great Christmas, the gist of Nate's presents included all the tools he could ask for and a nice new tool box along with a sweet Yankee's coat/jacket! Kaiden loved everything he got, it was SO much fun this Christmas to watch him open his presents and stocking..I think the Tomas the Train umbrella was the biggest hit! haha We are so grateful we got to spend Christmas with family that we love and enjoyed this holiday season full of games, lots of food and great company!

Christmas Eve at Grammy's

Kaiden wore that sweater on Thanksgiving and Nate said "I wish I had a nice sweater like that to wear today"..so I spotted this sweater and it reminded my of Kaidens and what Nate said so I bought it for his Christmas but gave it to him on Christmas Eve so he could wear it and be cute matching nerds together with Kaiden!

Ready to play some games..

Going around saying our favorite Christmas memory and what we are grateful for about Christmas time!

Emry and Kaiden Dancing away...

Too cute..

Christmas Eve night at our house after my moms!
They put on their Christmas Pj's, Nate got the sweatshirt for his pj's.

A not so flattering picture of me looking round but Kaiden looks too cute so I had to put it up! I love him SO much! Christmas is so much better with kids :)

Tradition...

Reading in Luke, telling the nativity story and using the pieces to re-create that special night.

I had Kaiden open this one gift so he could sleep in it on Christmas eve night, can you tell he loves his Cars sleeping bag?!

Everything wrapped and I'm off to bed!

***

CHRISTMAS MORNING!

Stocking time..

His Tomas the Train umbrella was a hit, he loves it!

This was what I got from my mom and Nate for Christmas, it's all I wanted!

Christmas brunch and present time at my moms!

Aunt Carol, Bro Luke, Bro in law Jared, Brookie and Nate

He loves his cousins SO much, she was trying to dance again haha

Opening gifts from his grammy and papa!

CHRISTMAS NIGHT!

(Bri, Jake and Brooke's little boy Ryker!)

We have now gone up to my sister Bri's house the past two years on Christmas night, we love playing games and playing Sardines in their big house it's perfect for hiding.

Jared and my cousin Pierce cuddling up.

Kaiden kept trying to take a picture of himself and Emry's new camera.

This is who my cousin and sister Brooke drove past on the way to my house! haha The grinch on a motorized lazy boy cruisin down the road! Hilarious!!!

Sunday dinner with my aunts and uncles at my moms.

My crazy and cute Aunt Diane and Uncle Tom, it's always a party when they are around! She cracks me up!

Bri had me come over and look at these two snuggled up on the couch, Kaiden all boy having his arm around Emry haha I even saw him kiss her head as they were sitting there! :)

Kaiden and his cousins LOVE riding these bikes in my moms house, he is quite good at it now!

I love my grandpa SO much! He is the best...here he is with my mom (left) and my Aunt Carol who came into town for Christmas from Arizona.

My cousin Kelly from Arizona was in town for Christmas, I love getting to see her!
***
CHRISTMAS PARTY AT MY PARENTS!

WHITE ELEPHANT GIFTS!

This was our Rat we bought and wrapped up for someone to open!

Our other white elephant gift..who wouldn't want a chocolate fountain..?

My mom opened our gift (the rat) we got it on video it was hilarious! Taya LOVED the rat, she stayed by him the whole night..don't worry my mom ended up keeping him for the grand kids, he was a hit with them. He has a cage now and I call him "squeakers", it fits perfect. We had a duck named "quackers" so it goes with the family names I think!

Taya reading to Kaiden, she is so good with him!

My cute boys!

Dad, Jared, sis Elysia, Aunt Nancy in their Christmas sweaters!

Elysia and Jareds sweaters were a hit!

My sister bri and her adorable family, with Liya here for her first Christmas!

Last but not least...Our family!

We hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas spent with the ones you love!

37 weeks and counting...

2010-01-15T13:17:00.006-07:00

Here it is...the infamous belly picture! I am 37 weeks, and am waiting for this little one to come! It's funny how different she is than Kaiden who was up in my ribs and so high, she is SO low and has been almost the whole time. We are very excited to see our little girl, it never quite feels 100% real that we are going to be holding our sweet little girl in our arms till it happens. Pregnancy and birth is amazing, I'm excited for when I go into labor as weird as that might sound! We can't wait, but until then I am enjoying my sleeping through the night and sleeping in, like every mother to be should :)

Excuse my sweats that are huge and hiked up high!

Kaiden 2nd Birthday Party!

2010-01-11T11:49:00.021-07:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KAIDEN!

Ten years down the road I am posting his birthday pictures from August. Better late then never!!! I need this posted sometime on here for my book i'm making! Kaiden turned two on August 26th, we did a little get together with my family and close friends. Earlier that day we went to the Zoo with Bri and her kids and that night we did Pizza and Ice Cream Cake at our place! Kaiden had a lot of fun, and we loved seeing him so happy! We love you SO much Kaiden, you are growing up too quick! I don't think anyone fully understands that saying until you have a kid of your own. It makes me sad but excited for the future..we can't wait to celebrate many more birthdays for you booboo!

Kaiden got a Schwinn Bike for his birthday!

Im not a big buy lots of toys person, they collect too fast and there's too many! So with every Birthday and Christmas I try and get one bigger nicer toy for him instead of a million toys that eventually make their way into the toy basket and are forgot about.

A toilet seat! YAHOO! I give some really exciting gifts..the needed ones :)

His cute walking dragon from Grammy...

A book bag full of Pj's and some extra surprises...

Keri got him a cute doodle board that he still loves!

Some of our guest!

Keri, Jake, sis Bri, Jared, Nate and the top of Nicoles head haha.

My dad and brother Luke.

Sis Elysia and Emry Bean.

The party was a HUGE hit as you can tell from Scott! :)

I put his ice cream cake on a slight angle in the freezer and the lettering drooped down haha Sorry Kaiden!

My Birthday Boy!

Tried the spoon first..

Then decided to draw on his body with it..

Me and my little man, I love you so much!

Being funny with Grammy...

Such a fun night!

Happy Birthday Bud!

Disneyland 09'

2010-01-08T12:22:00.028-07:00

As promised here is our trip to Disneyland! And as always there are a million pictures, I cant pick a few as usual. We wanted to take Kaiden to Disneyland before we moved..he is at such a fun stage and loves all the Disney movies and characters right now! He was in Heaven, when we first got there he just ran and ran whatever direction we told him..he had a blast! My cute mom came with us for our little road trip to Cali! SO glad we went!

We have arrived!

Nate and my mom ready to get our tickets!

A bugs life was not a hit! He was so scared haha I think he was the happiest when the show was over and the lights turned on..he yelled "yeah!"

The tree house

Disney Adventure ride..he loves the rides!

Checking out his new "tattoo" as he calls it..I always wanted my face painted when I was little so of course I had my son get his haha.

Nate and his turkey leg, classic!

Nate bought Kaiden some pirate Mickey ears, he loves Mickey!

He met MICKEY :)

Found a girlfriend while waiting to meet Mini Mouse..

When he walked up to Mini, he gave her a hug and just hugged her for a full min with out letting go..I was dying it was too funny! I think he has a crush on her or something..he didnt want to leave her.

Toon Town

In all the times I have been to Disneyland and Disney World I have never been on the tea cups so this time it was a must.

He was wiped out by the time the parade and fireworks were about to start..

He woke up in time to freak out when he saw Mickey and Mini Mouse stuffed animals! I got it on video, it was hilarious...he hugged Mickey and just kept saying "I love Mickey" twisting back and forth hugging him! We of course bought one of them for him since he was so in love!

We went to LA and did a bus tour of all the houses famous people's houses and what not. While we were waiting we walked past a group of people hanging out outside and it was a bunch of the people from So You Think You Can Dance! There were having practice and they were on break, it was too funny! I wish I was daring enough to go up and ask to get pictures with them but I don't want to be that weirdo fan person..Nate went and snuck up in the building later and was peeking in the windows watching them practice haha.

I was stoked to see him!

On our Hollywood Tour

Me and my cute mom!

It was SO much fun, the little road trip was a blast and I'm so glad we squeezed it into the busy holiday season! California will be a lot farther away soon so we had to make one last trip!

Merry Christmas!!!

2009-12-21T13:03:00.009-07:00

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!

For now this is all im putting up, but I wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas! Soon I will post the rest of the pictures from our road trip and Disneyland! Let's just say Kaiden had the time of his life!

Gotta love Nate's turkey leg in the picture..! I have about 5 weeks left of this pregnancy, we are very excited to meet our little girl! Somedays it does not feel real that we will be having a little girl in our arms soon...

Have a safe happy Holiday!

My kid and kid to be update!

2009-11-29T17:45:00.005-07:00

Kaiden update and baby update!

Let's start off with our little girl! I know some of you have been asking for pictures but I have not had a working camera this whole pregnancy so there are no pictures to be witnessed! I promised this pregnancy I would take a picture of my belly at every week but obviously that didn't happen. I am now 30 weeks along, sometimes it seems so close till she'll be here and sometimes it seems forever away. I don't get sick I just feel big right now, I'm not one of those stick skinny pregnant girls although that would be nice! Nate says I only go out two ways...straight out it front (belly) and straight out in back (butt), sorry if you didn't want to know!!! I hope you all don't think Sami is and ugly name since 74% of you voted Camryn..but Sami has been the name we have been pretty sure we will name her but who knows maybe ill still do Camryn last second! I'm just going to wait till she comes to give the final say. Now for middle names..if we were to do Camryn it would be Camryn Jean (after my grandma). As for Sami, Nate said he likes my name best with Sami for her middle name. Sami Paige he thinks fits the best and I agree it flows the best but I'm not keen on using my own name for some reason. We will be having her at the end of January and my grandpa's birthday is Jan. 27th, he past away from cancer before I ever got to meet him. The only other option we had, was to name her Sami Lu...after my grandfathers name. My aunt was named after him.. Linda Lu. I like that the middle name has great meaning to it which means more to me than absolutely loving it. So it takes away the super girly frilly side since it has meaning to it. Nate likes it but also thinks it sounds like Doctor Suess...so that is the update for the names! We like have always said she'll be Camryn Jean or Sami Paige but my dad mentioned my grandpa's birthday and said Lu would be nice to use too and so that got us thinking a little..I don't know if I could get myself to do Lu..I love the meaning to it though!

KAIDEN update! Kaiden is so fun, seriously I just want him to stay this age forever because he is always cracking me up saying the funniest things! He has the cutest personality and I just love my little guy so much I can't stand it! ..most the time :) Of course 2 year olds have their sassy side but he is such a love bug. The other night he has been sick and kept waking up and crying so we brought him into our bed. In the middle of the night our little wiggle worm rolled over to me and put his arm around my neck and half asleep he whispered "love you" and fell asleep with his arm around my neck! Seriously it melted my heart...moments like those make me so grateful for such an amazing lovable little boy! Warning..This blog is kinda for me to remember what our family does together and memories we have had, so I'm going to type a couple stories or things that Kaiden does right now for a little journal time to remember. He loves his trains right now, and watching cartoons..his favorite right now are Ni Hao Kai Lan (haha every time he says it, he cracks me up!), Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, and Dora..he also like Handy Manny and Wow Wow Wubbzy. He loves saying "Oh toodles!" from Mickey Mouse and he loved singing the "hot dog, hot diggity dog" song from it also. Mickey Mouse sounds like "P Mouse" when he says it. On Dora he sings along at the end and instead of singing "We did it, Horray!" he always says "I did it, Horray!" haha. One day I told him to say "we did it" and he said to me "No, I DID IT!". To be honest he loves Nitro Circus, we had it on one sunday and he leaned against the ottoman watching it for the whole time and never moved a muscle! He likes So You Think You Can Dance too..he was watching a dance this week and saw the boy do a kick and then I see Kaiden trying to kick like the guy did, I laughed when I saw him try to kick right after he saw it on the show!Ok so it sounds like all my kid does is watch TV but it's not. Those are just some things I want to remember.

He loves to help clean up, especially if you sing the clean up song..he puts all his toys back in his basket like a good helper! He calls Nate "Honey" whenever Nate is playing with him making him laugh or tickling him, he will me laughing his head off and keeps saying "honey!" as he is laughing. He always is asking to play with "Ta, and Emmy" his cousins Taya and Emry...he seriously asks to go to "Bi's house" everyday. Then he will name off everyone in their family after he asks to go there. He loves babies, he is very gentle with them and always wants to hold them and give them hugs and kiss them. He knows Liya and Nixsens name and talks about them when we talk about babies. I tell him about our little girl, he calls her "Fawmi"... that's how he pronounces it. I never told him or taught him to kiss my belly. During the day when I'm cleaning he will come up to me and try to lift up my shirt and then he goes and his tippy toes and kisses my belly then hugs it..he is very sweet and cute! Nate the other day was laying his head on my stomach and rubbing my belly and Kaiden got jealous and kept trying to push Nate's hand off and kept saying "My baby Sami!" he would not stop pushing and pulling Nates hand off, once Nate would move and sit up Kaiden would lay his head down and hug my stomach repeating "My baby Sami (Fawmi)". He honestly makes me smile and laugh everyday, he makes my day!Anyway that is enough stories for tonight, I never type a million long paragraphs but I just might have to start so I can remember the things I want to remember about Kaiden and the pregnancy. Bare with me, or don't read it since it will probably bore you :) There will be more to come though!

Thanks for baring with me, or skipping this post if it bores you! I'm trying to catch up on the small things I have wanted to remember!

Toys to give away!

2009-11-19T18:32:00.006-07:00

I NEED HELP!

Does anyone know a charity or place to give away gently used toys?! I was wondering if there is something out there to where I can give away my toys that have been gently used to be given to families and kids that need them! If you do happen to know of any where I can give away my toys that look and that are practically new toys please let me know!!! I hate buying toys and some how I still have a million it feels like. I want to get rid of half of them so I don't have to store and then haul them across country! If I can't find anything to where they will be given to people in need then ill just give them to DI. Thanks for your help!!!

3 RANDOM PICTURES FOR FUN...

We took Kaiden to a movie the other afternoon, he did OK but wasn't the best at the beginning but once he fell asleep he did awesome of course! He was so cute and cuddly we LOVED it, I had to take a pic of him of and Nate..they looked too cute!

Kaiden was a HIPPIE for Halloween this year, we were a little hippie family! This is my only picture I have, I need to get Halloween pictures from Bri that I made her take of us since I have no working camera :)

We found this sweet cow costume for $4.00, it seriously was an amazing quality costume so I had to buy it for our Halloween box even though Kaiden already had his Hippie outfit! Gotta love DI.

Davis...

2009-11-17T10:08:00.007-07:00

Davis Playoffs

We have been going to almost all the Davis football games this year. It is my old school but we love going and watching Nate's cousin Gavin who is the QB for Davis. We went to the semi's last friday at the U and had a great time watching them kill Hunter and hang out with fun friends and family. This friday is the final game at the U to see who wins state, they are playing against Bingham. We will be there and hope to see some of you dart fans there too :)

Me, Erin, Amanda, Ashlee and Brooke

Love these girls, it's always fun when we all get together again..it doesn't happen enough :)

Vaughn, Ryan, Blake and Nate (missing Tyson)

Top row: Cousin Landon and Courtnie poking in

In the cold cold weather it was still fun!

Name Poll and extra..

2009-11-09T11:06:00.011-07:00

BABY NAME POLL!

We kinda already know what we are naming our little girl but I wanted to get your vote and see what you all think! Since 7th grade I always said I would name my first little girl my real name that I never went by, which is Camryn. But our other girl name that we love is Sami. I dont know if im so used to Camryn that it doesn't sound new and exciting or something, but now we aren't for sure using Camryn and might be using our other girl name Sami. Anyway I thought I would take a poll on the side of my blog and see what you all think!

Here are 4 random pictures from the night Nate left me to go back to NY when we carved pumpkins at the Jones Home... And then the other two are from the Miss Utah Pageant I went to, while Nate was out of town. I went to support Teale.

My two boring pictures from our carving night at Nicole and Scotts!

You can kinda see my belly here for all of you who ask. I dont have a working camera so I can't take pictures of my stomache.

Cute Teale and Josh after the pageant. Teale got was in the top 5.

Kenz, Teale, me and Keri
It was a fun night and gave me a night away with something to do while Nate left me for SIX days.

We're Moving...

2009-11-03T11:24:00.005-07:00

We are moving to the Rochester, New York area in March.

Yep you heard right, we are moving...Nate's dad has a commercial tree business and he is expanding his business to the Rochester area, he wants Nate to come home and run the new Rochester area. So we are moving back there for the job opportunity in March. It has been a huge decision and it is going to be a hard move with a newborn and all. It's hard to know what to say on here because I know all of Nate's family in NY that will be a couple hours or less away is very excited but at the same time it is a sad thing also... to leave where I grew up, where my family and friends live and where I have always pictured my kids growing up at and know I will never live here again. Let's just say I have prayed a lot to say the least! I know that our little family can be happy anywhere we live. I am not one to not give something new a chance and be miserable. I'm excited for Nate to run the Rochester area, he does amazing at anything he does and I know he is looking forward to working there. I hope that all of you who won't live close by anymore will keep in touch, I'm the worst and calling so I hope some of you will help me out! I am so grateful for all the amazing family, friends and neighbors that we have. We have been so blessed here and have had amazing support from so many of you through out the years. We love our ward and neighbors and friends we have met here. If I didn't have such great friends and family members that I love so much it would be much easier to pack up and leave with out a care! So I'm grateful for that :) We will miss you all! But until March I hope to see a lot more of everyone!

The city of Rochester.

Yeah for me!!!

2009-10-24T11:23:00.002-06:00

I am so proud of myself! My first time attempting to use my scanner, not having a clue what I'm doing and I actually did it the first try! It worked for me! I tried to make my first copy, it didn't work for me..I guess I won't be sending my "BOO" out to any neighbors since I can't get it to copy. I bought this scanner/printer/fax for Nate last Christmas and this is the first time any of us have used it..pathetic I know!

ANYWAY... Here are my latest ultra sound pictures of our little girl! I was a little worried that she might pop out looking all boy like Kaiden. Kaidens features are ALL boy including his strong straight nose, so I was hoping she would get my dad and I's nose with the little ball on the end and she has it and she definitely looks like a girl! I am so excited for her to come, she is so much lower than Kaiden and always putting all weight and kicking really low. But somehow as low as she is she still hurts my ribs...she's pretty talented and most likely a gymnast with all the moves she has :)

Here's our little girl!
Proof that she is a girl. This is her legs and bottom..

Catching up again!

2009-10-19T21:32:00.012-06:00

I'm catching up on a couple things from the past. Kaiden's 2nd birthday was at the end of August and on his birthday during the day I took him to the Zoo with my sister Bri and her girls. Here are the pictures from the day! He loved the animals which is nothing out of the blue, it was a fun beautiful day!

Seriously I love this boy SO much, I honestly love every minute of him it's ridiculous!

Except for when he gets out of bed 12 times maybe :)

Taya and Emry like to grab his chin for pictures haha I don't know where they got it from :) He seriously loves these two, not a day goes by where he doesn't ask to go to Brianne's (Beeanne house) house and "play with Ta and Emmy".

They had a blast! Thanks (10 years later) for the fun day!

Big John! Jared saw Big John (Brett Michaels' body guard) and went up and started to talk to him so we got pictures with him, too bad Keri and Jared's picture didn't save of them :(

We went to the Def Leppard and Poison concert with Keri and Jared, we had a good time listening to some good music and watching the crazy dressed people!

Natey and me

We met up with our cute friend Brooke and her hubby.

I miss my High School friends and love when I get a chance to see them, me and Kaiden went to lunch with my really close friends Heather and Megan from High School!

Love these girls!!

Just because these are SO cute! Here is Liya and her cute princess and the pea picture, she is adorable and these pictures turned out so darling these is just a peek!

Taya, Liya, and Emry... I love my nieces!

Shreck...

2009-10-06T11:53:00.003-06:00

This is what I found as the back ground on our computer today!

I laughed out loud when I saw it! I asked Nate about it and he said it's us, our little family! haha Kaiden LOVES Shreck and always wants me to pull up pictures or video clips of Shreck on the Internet :) I'm sure that's why Nate was looking at Shreck pictures and got the idea.

Who knew something small could make me laugh and make my day that much better!

(No lie, I can hear Kaidens feet dancing to a song on Shreck at this very moment!!! Bahaha)

The Family Fair night...

2009-10-01T21:45:00.011-06:00

We went to the State Fair, the three of us one Friday night and it was quite fun I must say! I can never go to the fair with out getting the Navaho (Navajo) Tacos! Can I just saw they are DELICIOUS! Plus we got to enjoy listening to the Boys II Men concert right next to us while we ate, you can't beat that! There are tons of single pictures of Kaiden so just beware before you look, he deserves them all though since I haven't done a post about him in forever...and I can't single out 3 pictures to put up. Nate had a sweet (kinda ghetto) hat made at the spray paint booth, he loves it and so I love it. We had a lot of fun I recommend the State Fair for everyone! See you next year...

My favorite

Don't mind Kaiden singing parts from Shreck "Hallelujah!" and the high pitched Fiona part with his arms slowly raising above his head as he sings it!

CHEESE

They switched faces in the two pictures..

Trying to kiss the sheep.

Loving the animals, look at that face..

Petting the baby cow..

and then sitting on Big Red!

He loved getting down and petting the goats himself.

Riding on the Pony, he did so well and loved his first time on a pony!

The camera died before we went and did the rides :( But he had a blast on them like usual, we did the BIG yellow slide together as a family..I'm not gonna lie it looked a little scary even to me which is weird!

Liya Nicole Kilgore is here!!!

2009-09-21T10:57:00.002-06:00

Liya Nicole Kilgore!

I had my 4th niece arrive August 31, 2009!

She is so adorable and such a good baby, I can't believe my sister Bri really has 3 girls now. We love her to pieces already!

It's a little late since once again I don't have a working camera so I had to wait till I got these pictures from Bri :)

We love you guys!!!

Bring On The Pink!

2009-09-04T10:53:00.013-06:00

*Kaiden will be a big brother to a little sister!

*Kaiden was right...and we can't wait! *

2009-08-26T10:13:00.002-06:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KAIDEN!!!

I can't believe you are TWO already! You are the best surprise that ever happened to us! We love you SO much, I honestly can say you make our day everyday the best because your with us! You are one smart, hilarious, goofy, crazy, polite little monkey climber..and we love every part about you!

WE LOVE YOU!

Catching Up Galore...

2009-08-22T14:55:00.017-06:00

I'm catching up on things that I would of blogged about in the past if I had the pictures at the time! It's a lot so look at your own risk!

We had a very small bachelorette night for Kenzie who is now MARRIED!

Just dinner at Gateway, shopping, missed our movie and to Keri's to watch a show instead!

The Casteels!
These two love birds got married in Hawaii!

These are pictures from the wedding shower we threw for Kyle and Kenzie, Kenzie and us girls who threw the shower.

Nicole and me at the shower :)

We went to the Dinosaur Park, Kaiden loved it!

We celebrated Nate's birthday camping and swimming at Lava..Nate diving head first off the top plat form!

My birthday boy :)

My besty and me camping..

We enjoyed our new tent I got Nate for his birthday after a day of swimming!

Our time share is officially SOLD! We weren't planning on selling it since we bought it a couple months ago and I was sad we were selling it..but we are making a good chunk of change off it so Nate decided to sell it. Bitter sweet I guess...

We went to a concert at Usana!

My cute mom watched Kaiden while we went to Vegas for Nate's dodge ball tournament! They ended up getting 3rd..woot woot!

Me, Kaiden, (sis) Brooke and (cous) Nicole

My cousin Nicole and my Aunt Carol came into town to visit, we always love when they come! We stayed at our time share in Park City and the next day went to Heber to go the crater to swim in it! The water felt SO good!

My Aunt Carol and my mom..

I love my aunt Carol, she's the best!

THAT'S THE END of my catching up!

Happy Anniversary!

2009-08-10T14:20:00.006-06:00

Happy Anniversary Babe!!!

Today is mine and Nate's 3 year anniversary! We've been together 4 years this month as well. I can honestly say I am still in love with Nate just as much as when we were dating and more! We spend more time together then most couples since his work is flexible, I never get sick of him or the time we have together. We are always on the go and planning trips, activities, and relaxing movie nights too. We love to be active and that's how we always want it to be. You are always pushing me to be better and do better, I love that about you (most the time ;) ). I love you so much and am so excited to bring another baby into our lives! Thanks for the amazing years together Natey, I can't wait to have a ninety more! In good times and in bad times we are always there for each other. (Sorry for the mushy stuff, close your eyes..?)

Walking in as husband and wife at our sit down dinner and dance reception! Seriously I could go for another big dinner and dance party one anniversary, not one single person was sitting down when the music turned on :)

Up at Snow Basin where we celebrated our

wedding day with close friends and family!

LOVE YOU!

24th Fireworks, and Some More...

2009-07-31T10:30:00.014-06:00

The 24th fireworks up at Weber State, you can count on us there every year! Here are some pictures from this year. As for the past two years we always sit with the Galbraiths at the beginning to hang out and pig out and then we head over to sit with my family for the fireworks and the second half. These pics are from Keri's camera since both mine are out of service for the past months so I have no pictures with my family :(

Our little family soon to be a little bigger :)

Cute Nixsen and Nicole up to enjoy their first experience at the Weber Fireworks..it did get cut a little short. Next year Jones!

Teale, Keri, Nixsen and Nicole

Rachelle, Jared, Me and Natey
******

FIREWORKS AT THE GALBRAITHS NEW HOME...

Keri, Kenz and me..Nicole was feeding Nixsen

Jared had illegal ones, and we had some regular ones for Kaiden to enjoy...

Kaiden loves the fireworks

Us Drakes...

(for some reason in this picture Kaiden and my hair looks greasy, lighting?)

The Jones

The soon to be Casteels

(On this coming Tuesday)

The Galbraiths

Last but not least Kaiden and Keri doing sparklers...cute cute.

I love JULY...

2009-07-19T12:40:00.005-06:00

July is my favorite month, it is always filled with good things! Today we are getting ready to go to the Weber State fireworks which is tradition. I am making a couple easy things to take up, deli sandwiches, I cut all the veggies for a little veggie tray and dip, I am in the process of making taco dip, and since Nate doesn't love sweets and I don't want to gain a million pounds I am just doing some graham crackers and cream cheese icing! Some soda's, vitamin water and starburst to top it all off! If you see this before tonight and don't have plans to go up, head on up to the Weber state fireworks!!!

Weber State fireworks last year 2008'

LAKE HOUSE

We got back last week from our trip to see Nate's family in NY, they moved into their lake house last year and we LOVE going to see family and be lake bums. Who wouldn't love a lake as their back yard?! We had a blast...pictures from this year are on their way (Crystal haha). We miss everyone!!!

Nate's parents lake home...
Lake house trip last year 2008'
Kaiden looks so much younger!

Palmyra Temple 2008'
This year we went to Palmyra and were able to see the Hill Kamora (Sp?) Pageant! Seriously I loved it, it was so neat and a great experience. An update of all the big moments we learn in church, they had real rain and everything...it was top notch. Kaiden loved it the most, it was a big hit we are definitely going again!

Good Ol' Lagoon..

2009-07-02T11:51:00.004-06:00

LAGOON!

This picture is a classic in the Drake family album, wouldn't you agree?

Help me!

(Notice the kid behind Kaiden looking like he is going to throw down an elbow punch...)

This was before the line got nasty ;)

You have to love being a Farmington Resident, free Lagoon walking passes..that means Kaiden is under two and gets to ride the rides for free and we pay nothing!! We went with my sister Bri and her cute family a couple weeks ago and Kaiden had a lot of fun...Taya wanted to ride every ride with Kaiden and cried cause she wanted to ride the car ride with Kaiden. It's by far his favorite ride (just like his mom) so we did it twice, once with Emry bean and the next with Taya!

Kaiden is definitely not having the time of his life if you can't tell...riding with cute Emry!

Kaiden loves his cousins so much! Too bad I couldn't get him to look..

Cha cha cha chillin on the boat with Taya..

Happy little boy (these are off of Nate's phone so the pictures aren't the greatest!)

(Kaiden planted his bottom right in the middle of all the water coming down and sat there laughing forever)

Don't you worry, leave it to Nate to let Kaiden do whatever he wants..he spoils him :) At the end of the night when we were heading out and walking past the fountains, Nate let Kaiden run in the fountains! Kaiden LOVES any time of water activity so he was having the time of his life! Of course Taya and Emry had to join in once Kaiden got to go in the fountains..they were so cute playing together!

Such a fun night, thanks Bri and Jake!

We are Expecting....!

2009-06-30T10:16:00.003-06:00

We're Expecting!

It's official we are pregnant with baby number two and we can't wait! This time it was planned and all :) I am 8 weeks and 5 days today. My due date is February 4th but we will for sure be having a January baby since my doctor will induce me a week early if the baby doesn't come earlier. We are so excited and can't wait for baby number 2! Kaiden LOVES babies and all kids, he is more than ready to be a big brother...he is going to love it! We are heading off to NY so I'm excited to go to H&M and buy their maternity clothes..they have the cutest stuff. Anyway we are very excited and are happy with another boy or a girl!

Happy Birthday Natey (late), my Dad and extra...

2009-06-25T10:14:00.012-06:00

So to start off with some not so good news. My dad just found out he has cancer but it is in the earlier stage you can catch it so we are very very hopeful. He is probably going to do surgery in September to get rid of it. We hope everything goes well, I always have thought my dad would live to 100 cause he bikes miles and miles everyday and is in awesome shape mind and body...we want him around forever! My dad is in the middle obviously with Kaiden on top, on Thanksgiving!

On a lighter note!!! Look at this sexy little number I bought the other day, don't be jealous! You can get this lovely pajama shirt at Target if you love it as much as I do. I'm not tall like this girl so it goes to right above my knees covering everything that needs to be covered. I thought Nate would think I was a dork when he got home and saw me in it but he loved it! He thought it was sweet, so I think I might have to buy more... it is SO comfy!

My neice Taya did so great this year dancing at Lightbox and next year (right now) Emry will be joining her! Here is my family at Taya's competition and also I'm here for my cheerleaders competition too...they both got first!

These are old pictures from earlier this year but they are cute and I forgot to post them! Here is Kaiden and Kennedy holding hands at the home show Nate had a booth at. They were cute together!

Here's the prince and princess eating their suckers at the home show...

Here they are holding hands walking down the aisles again!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NATEY!!!! (May 27th..late)

I have been waiting for my friends pictures from our Harley day and also from camping to do a post about his birthday but I never got them so here is my late post!! For Nate's birthday I rented a Harley for him for the day! Our friends the Nutt's helped me plan it and rented one too and did a day trip with us! We went up to Park City first, had breakfast and looked in a shop then we went the back way through the canyon and ended up in Ogden to eat lunch..it was a way fun day besides mine and Laura Ann's rear ends were KILLING! That weekend I had planned a surprise trip up to Lava Hot Springs to go camping since I bought Nate a tent for his birthday. Actually it wasn't a surprise, since he looked online at our bank account and saw I had paid to reserve camp sites up in Lava. We had a blast up their with friends and want to go again soon!

Here's a not so good picture of us, me with my bug glasses on to keep the wind out of my eyes..worked like a charm!

Here is Laura Ann and Jeremy!

Here we are getting pelted with hail for about five min and then the rest of the day was sunny and hot! Nate was laughing saying "OW" as he was driving.

Random catching up!

2009-06-16T12:21:00.011-06:00

Kaiden is getting so big, I swear he is taller this week than he was last. I LOVE this stage right now but am sad he is getting so old! He is hilarious and always cracking us up, honestly he is the cutest thing in the whole world! I'm his mom and of course think he is the best but really he has the sweetest personality, he is so loving and loves making people laugh. I love him so much and am SO thankful for him everyday, me and Nate can't imagine our little man not here with us. We are so glad that heavenly unexpectedly sent him to us, many things happen for a reason and I know he was meant to be with us at this time! I love him so much and can't get enough of him...I need another one of him :) Sorry so mushy!

I never posted pictures of Kaiden on Easter, after church we went to Grammy's house for an Easter egg hunt.

Kaiden loves games! He joined in on this game where someone throws the ball high into the air and you lay with your arms and legs out hoping not to get hit...Kaiden is brave.

Kaiden loves dancing! I went in to get him in the morning and he turned over and started doing the "booty pop" for me, I laughed my head off he is so cute.

Kaiden loves kisses! This is Kaidens "kiss" face, this is how he gives kisses, with his bottom lip puckered out.

Kaiden loves climbing! Nate made this card board box house for Kaiden and this is how I found him when I looked around the corner.

If you can't tell Kaiden LOVES food! I was bringing Pizza to Nate's dodge ball game for people and I looked in my rear view mirror to find him like this! Biting into two different slices he some how managed to pull up to himself.

Kaiden loves animals! Every animal is a dog :)

This was him when we left the horses and got in the car. He was hysterical!

Kaiden loves Five Guys and Fries! He is in love with cheese burgers and hot dogs, and dipping everything.

Kaiden loves his friends! Here he is opened eyed kissing cute Ava at dinner haha.

Kaiden loves dogs! And especially Max (Keri's dog), Kaiden just saw this picture on the computer right now he keeps saying "ah Max, Max." :( Poor Max passed away the other week. Kaiden misses his friend that he could pick up and hold, and we miss our cute friend too!

His vocabulary is growing everyday and I'm surprised how much he remembers, he'll say words I didn't even teach him. It's so fun to see him grow and learn, it's amazing. We love you Kaiden!

Lightbox...

2009-05-28T10:15:00.002-06:00

LIGHTBOX

Another year is up at Lightbox! Summer classes start up next week, I can't believe another year has already gone by. I think this was my 5Th year working there? I teach tumbling and cheer at Lightbox and absolutely LOVE IT! I told Nate that I never want to quit teaching there unless they fire me! :) Even though I don't teach a lot of hours since I had Kaiden it is so nice to get out of the house for a bit and feel like adult and not just a mom. Everyone on our staff is awesome and I can honestly say I love everyone of them! I have the best boss, she does an amazing job with the dance teams. She is great at what she does, and is so great to her staff! We got spoiled this year going to our private dinner party at the Grand American and not to mention the great gifts. I am so proud to be a part of Lightbox every time I see them do their amazing routines! The dance company we have at Lightbox is such a great opportunity for the girls..they do such a good job and teaching all the technique you need (that you get from ballet) for dancing but also work so hard at the other dance styles that will make you the best dancer you can be. I'll have to post one of their dance routines, I get chills watching the dances! We have our dress rehearsal tonight and tomorrow night is the big review! Our cheerleaders have really improved this year and did so well at their competitions. I am so excited for this fall to get started with our new squad! I am so proud of my cheerleaders and tumblers, they are doing so well and improving a lot! I'm also exciting for our new building they are adding on, it is going to be AMAZING! It will be about 4 times the square footage it is now, I saw the plans this week and I can't wait!

Thanks Tiffany for letting me be a part of something that I love!
(I love you all!)

Happy Birthday girls!!

2009-05-21T01:12:00.005-06:00

Today Miss Taya turned 5 years old! She left me the cutest voicemail on my phone today saying she's five now so excited! I haven't done a post for all my nieces and nephews birthdays so no one be offended (Emry loves Kaiden just as much too). I have nothing to post about but this! Rileigh had her birthday too recently, Crystal always gets her the cutest cakes. Taya and Rileigh are the oldest of the cousins on both sides and you can tell for sure. Whenever around Kaiden they both just love him and act like their his older sister. They are SO cute with him. Taya is around Kaiden all the time since they live so close, everyday they are together when Bri and I go on our 5 mile walks. She honestly loves him with all her heart and tells me and Bri that she wishes she could just have Kaiden and her brother and keep him haha. She is my little baby sitter when we are together and she watches out for him in everything that he does. I am so thankful for such wonderful nieces that love Kaiden in their own special way. It means the world to me and I hope that they can always be close to him growing up!

Me and Taya long boarding down the hill on mothers day at my parents house...

This is her favorite, she rides on the front as I push and ride around the neighborhood...

Taya trying to get Kaiden to look at my phone for the picture, what a good helper haha...

Rileigh and Taya on my wedding day holding hands all the time..they were so little it makes me sad they are SO old and big now!

Rileigh turned four this year, this is on her birthday! Cute Jen (Crystals friend) brought Rileigh her own little cake, how thoughtful. I love thoughtful people!

Happy Birthday you two!! And Emry bean in February!

Funny Tag...Paige needs..

2009-05-12T12:48:00.003-06:00

Everyone will want to do this tag, it is a funny one! Ashley Phelps had it on hers, so thanks Ashley! You google the words "Paige needs," but with your own name and write the first 5 things that pop up!

PAIGE
1. Needs deep thoughts..
2. Needs to deal with the fact that she's from the future.. (haha hmm..)
3. Needs a vacation.. (how did the internet know?!)
4. Needs our prayers.. it goes on to say "I hope she doesn't mind me posting this but I just had a a call from her and she needs our thoughts and prayers right now. She is home alone until." (How did the internet know I was going to be home alone? haha I just had gastric bypass I guess it says. haha)
5. Needs a Cosleeper.. "Phil keeps asking me if Paige is going to spend the night in her crib, and I keep asking myself...is Paige ready for her crib?"

*These are hilarious to read! I tag everyone cause I know you all will google it!*

Mr. Tomas is off...

2009-05-09T13:47:00.004-06:00

Tomas is a good friend of ours, he has been best friends with Jared Galbraith since 5 grade or so and thats how we met him. He had just a few months to go before he was done with the army and he got called back to go for a year tour in Afganistan! He is going to a place called tomb stone..! He just left this week for his month of training and then off to Afganistan for a year away from his wife and 2 kids.

We are going to miss our good friend, Nate is going through with drawls already haha. They have some connection/bond that started right away...I think that Tomas reminds Nate a lot of his 3 best friends back in NY. Tomas is a combination of all three so I think thats why Nate and him get along so well and enjoy being around one another. I'm so thankful for people like Tomas that are wanting and willing to go off and fight this war. We will miss him and hope he stays safe!!!

How can you not love that face haha what a nerd!

My sweet boy...

2009-05-06T17:40:00.008-06:00

This is one of my favorite pictures of Kaiden!

Too bad it was taken on my phone so its so grainy. I love him so much!!!

Right after I took it, he fell asleep. Church makes him tired and its during his nap time.

Kaiden loves the outside, babies, dogs, his cousins, giving kisses, food, slides, walks, horses, balloons and more. He loves babies or younger kids, he always tried to hug them or give them kisses. Dont try and take baby Ryker away if he is holding him cause he might scream and cry like he did at the dance competition! haha He is a love bug.

Some of the words he says are...hi, hello, ugh-oh, Taya, dog, outside, Paigey, buffalo, chocolate milk, Mimi, cookie (Brookie), move, not it's not, thank you, mama, ba-bye, bottle, poop, daddy, gampa, whoot whoot, love you, Nate, nose (body parts), na-night, string cheese, or just cheese (for pictures)..and more. And also Bri reminded me he says agua (Taya tought that one) and Em (for Emry).

*He is so much fun to teach words to, he will copy and try to say whatever you say. His cousin Taya always is trying to teach him new words, she is like his big sister! This is probably one of my favorite stages, they are all so fun though!

Looking out the window...

2009-05-04T14:07:00.004-06:00

I caught Kaiden one day looking out the window with his arms rested up on top..I was calling his name but he only would keep looking out the window. Ever since that day I always see him looking out the window forever long. I'm not sure what he looks at but ever since then I always see him starring out the window. He love, love, LOVES the outside... so I think he day dreams about when he can go outside whenever he wants with out having his mom take him. He is too cute, and so much fun to play outside with. He loves our LONG walks everyday on the trail, he thinks the buffalo and horses are dogs..he thinks every animal is a dog and always says it a million times when he see's one! I love him SO much I cant stand it.

These are from my phone so they are very grainy!

I'm sad that he is getting so big so fast :(

Guess What....

2009-04-26T21:25:00.004-06:00

Guess what everyone.....I'm.....NOT pregnant!

I guess I announced at church to other ward members that I'm pregnant haha, well everyone I'm not and I didn't. Sorry to disappoint! Gotta love those fun phone calls asking about a random rumor. :)

Have a wonderful day, filled with no rumors hopefully!

6th Folder, 6th Picture...

2009-04-20T10:49:00.002-06:00

This was on my sisters a bit ago and so I decided to look up my 6th folder, 6th picture and post it too. This is a not so flattering picture of me pregnant and surfing behind our boat. Now all of you people who worry some people who are thinking "that is not a safe thing to do while pregnant!". I will have to tell you it was as safe as taking a walk. You only get pulled around 8 mph...I never fell down, I was used to surfing so when I got too far behind the wave I just slowly started to sink into the water everytime.

I sure do miss our boat! I am so happy that the weather is nice for now, I love summer! Who doesn't...

For kicks and giggles..my guilty pleasure

2009-04-04T14:21:00.007-06:00

Looking at old photos of Nate when he was younger is a guilty pleasure of mine! Nate's aunt in NY has a facebook and puts up the best old pictures up, I love going to her page to see if she has put up any new ones. This our a few I got off of her page, and I love them! I hardly ever see any old pictures of Nate since his mom has them all, so little I do see I LOVE!!! He is so handsome even as a kid, I hope all our kids get his jeans. ENJOY!!!

This is Nate and his Aunt at his HS Graduation party. You gotta love the puka shell necklace, SO HOT! This is how old Nate was the first time I ever met him..but not the first time we started dating!! I was in Junior High (we are 5 years apart) and his cousins and my cousins all went on a big cruise..my family got invited by my cousins and Nate and his parents went for his senior trip and his cousin's senior trip also. (Our cousins are next door neighbors) No wonder why I had a little girl crush on him..look at my sexy husband in high school! No one looked like that at my High School :) haha
Look how stinkin cute Nate looks! Kaiden is just like his daddy already! Hopefully some of you will get a good laugh from these! :)

This a picture of Nate (Top left), his sister rainy (bottom left) and their cousins.

I love Nate so much and am so thankful for him in my life!!! He works with me on things I can get better at. He is an amazingly hard worker, loving husband, amazing dad and great friend. He is forgiving, he is always helpful and so much fun to spend time with day in and day out.
I am so lucky to have met my New Yorker husband. (My ninja Nate)

I love you so much babe!

Computer Lovin..

2009-03-21T16:17:00.007-06:00

Kaiden loves climbing up and the computer chair.. and typing and clicking away! I found kind of a game for him to play on the computer, here is the link to the website with the games for Infants, Toddlers and Preschoolers. His games, is a screen with clouds and what not floating around and when he pushes any key and the key board a little animal pops out for behind and cloud and says "peek-a-boo" which Kaiden thinks is hilarious and he also says peek-a-boo. Here's some pics, who knew that I can't pick one or just two pictures of him playing on the computer...! I really have decision issues, I need to be better and not be so indecisive.

Caught climbing up on the chair.

Zombie mode...or just mesmerized.

Crazy cheesy smile..

SO excited!

His little smirky smile kills me in this picture! I just love this little guy so much, I can't get enough of him..especially lately!

The Ellen Degeneres Show...

2009-03-19T13:45:00.006-06:00

If you need a good laugh or want to smile a lot then watch THE ELLEN DEGENERES SHOW! Seriously I haven't watched it in forever and I watched it last week and laughed out loud and was always smiling away . I'm not one to laugh out loud too easily but I wish I was..her show cracks me up! Nate will come home when I'm watching it and say "your watching Ellen again?!" and then he will sit down and watch it with me and ill look over at him and he has a big grin on his face! Or ill hear him let a little laugh out haha. I tell him, don't act like you don't love this show cause you always smile when your watching it cause she is funny as crap (language?). I know he loves her show whether he says it or not! I told him everyone should watch a full episode and see what they think.... and watch her everyday just to smile and crack up! I don't care who you are, I promise you will smile! Laughter is good for the soul! P.S. These blind folds are awesome! How can you not love them, you can buy them on her website.

Long gone blonde...

2009-03-13T12:31:00.006-06:00

I am missing my Blonde hair right now...I know you all probably don't care but I'm still posting it! :) It seem so hard to go back to blonde, I am really scared for all the in between colors till it goes to the blonde color that I have always had. It will be a slow, long process so I'm not sure when I want to start to under go it haha. I might just be dark forever if I don't stop worrying about all the in between looks I will have to have. It's not a bad thing right now since I'm young with a kid and the dark hair makes me look older everyone says. That just means ill be blonde when I'm older for sure so I don't look older! What to do...what to do...
(September, when I was blonde)

Haha I just realized after I post this that Nate is wearing the same shirt in both pictures! Oops, oh well!

(August, Kaiden 1st Birthday pool party)

(February, in Vegas with the dark hair)

Have you cleaned..

2009-03-10T14:02:00.014-06:00

HAVE YOU CLEANED....

(these things in the past month or months)

If you have always been an amazing cleaner and always keep everything spectacular! This won't apply to you because I'm sure these things are already done and perfect :). But for the rest of you...here is a little encouraging to get ahead on your spring cleaning and some monthly things that should be done! I was cleaning two of my bathrooms yesterday and thought, I need to truly DEEP clean this stuff more often! Not do just the old wipe things down quick, vacuum here or there but not move the couches, quickly mop but not move all the chairs. Some of these I'm good at keeping up on, but some I'm not so good at doing super often. So here is your booster, that I got yesterday from deep cleaning! Nate has taught me my DEEP cleaning skills but I need improvement always :)

HAVE YOU CLEANED....

*Your Baseboards?

*Your Walls?

*Your Doors AND light switches?

*Your dusty window seals, dresser, TV stand, desk, side tables etc.?

~Good dusting is lifting everything up and dusting under all that's on your "dresser", not just wiping around the stuff and not using your dusting cleaning spray.
*Your carpets? (if you have carpet)

~Fork out the money if you have it and have someone really clean your carpets for you. It is the BEST when they are done. I know how it isn't the first thing you want to do with your extra money {unless your Nicole Jones :) who has the cleanest house ever} but it's worth it to spend the cash. This helps with your track spots or dark spots, the more you get them cleaned the easier those dark spots come out. Also it helps so much with the smell and Ora to your house (I think). My house always smells better, looks better and feels so much more clean after!

*Your TOILETS?

~Let me clarify, not just putting in some blue bleach and using a brush. Have you really cleaned your toilets? The top, the back and front of the lids, behind the lids, the rim, the base going to the floor, around the toilet, the back of the toilet. That is REALLY cleaning a toilet. None of that I scrubs the inside a brush stuff. *P.S. I HATE cleaning toilets, it is definitely going on my little boys chore list and not my little girls (future kids speaking of).

*Your dark corners that aren't looking so good? (if you have them)

*Your shower?

*Your couch? (UNDER NEATH)

This is my absolute favorite cleaning solution!!!

Everyone needs this in their cleaning closet if you don't have it! It is a multipurpose cleaner, you fill up whatever you want with water and then add some of this lemon zesty Mr. Clean and go at it in your house. Your floor mopping, your counters, your sinks, your toilets, your microwave, your walls, your baseboards, whatever you need it for it will get the job done right! It disinfects and ALSO what I love about it is it doesnt leave streaks! It cuts through the hairspray on your bathroom counters, the greese on your stove...it is the BEST! The best part is even if you clean something small with it, it will make your house smell so clean and your husband or whoever will love it!

Happy Cleaning!

Walking, walking and walking...

2009-03-09T12:31:00.010-06:00

I'm SO sad it's snowing outside right now! I was so excited to go on a walk with Kaiden today since yesterday was so warm but I was still sick. SPRING please come!! Kaiden LOVES the outside, he honestly would freeze to death and not care as long as he got to be outside. haha He seriously loves anywhere outside as long as he gets to go where he wants. So the other I let him push around literally to where ever he wanted, he did stay within our neighborhood luckily! He had a blast and even after his cheeks were red and his nose was running he still was crying when I made him go inside after an hour of walking. If you all know me I cant pick a few pictures for my life so there is always so many on my blog!

He's one happy boy..

Walking...

More walking..

Dragging..

More speedy walking..

Lifting... (on random peoples door steps.)

Here he was trying to get around me and thought it was so funny when he would bump into me.

Love this little man.

Out in the front of our house.

Finally back home after and hour, after this picture he started to run away when he realized where he was! Not a happy camper when I took him inside for his nap.

One day we will be going on walks again!

Drake Systems...

2009-03-03T09:36:00.033-07:00

DRAKE SYSTEMS

My husband Nate is once again going to have his company at the Home & Garden Festival at the South Towne Expo Center. I'm sure most of you know about what it is... but it is where companies display their work OR product at their booth inside. It's great for anyone, a lot of fun to look at all the different companies to get ideas or business cards for the future...or just to look around and have something to do in the evening or afternoon. Ty Pennington is the spokesperson this year for the festival. The dates are March 5-8th, you can buy tickets online click HERE, also on the website you can look at the times it is open. We also have some free tickets for close friends and family so let me know if you want to come down!

Nate is such a hard worker and I love his dedication and time he puts into his business and work! He truly wants to do his best with every job and loves being outside and out of an office working. Nate is a much harder worker than me and I look up to him for that in so many ways! I'm not very excited though to have him leaving early and coming home in the late afternoon. I get spoiled in the winter cause work is slow since you cant do much with all the snow..so he is home most of the days and all of the nights with me and Kaiden!

HERE IS SOME OF HIS WORK AND WHAT HE DOES!

PEBBLE ROCK DECK

This is what my sister Bri had Nate do on her new deck but a different color of course and no boarder. This is my favorite for decks!
BEFORE

MIDDLE

AFTER

ACID STAIN

Acid stains can be done on any concrete!
It looks great on any outdoor concrete surface.
Also I LOVE in businesses, basements or any main area in a home.
Nate did a great looking basement acid stain for the Workman's speck home!

WATER PROOF MEMBRANE

There are SO many colors and choices for a water proof membrane deck.

EPOXY FLOOR COVERINGS
BEFORE

AFTER

STAMPED CONCRETE
Acid stain over the top, many color choices.

DECK

PATIO

EPOXY FLOOR COVERINGS (again)

BEFORE 1

AFTER 1

BEFORE 2

AFTER 2

BEFORE 3

MIDDLE 3

AFTER 3

DRAKE SYSTEMS

Contact Information:

Owner: Nate Drake

Number: (801)678-7101

Email: drakesystems@hotmail.com

*Licensed & Insured*

Ryker Browning McArthur...

2009-02-27T13:19:00.018-07:00

RYKER BROWNING McARTHUR IS HERE!!!

(not Ryker in picture below with my Grandpa Browning, its Kaiden)

We are so excited that my sister Brooke had her baby yesterday on the 26th to a beautiful baby boy, Ryker who was 6 Pounds 4 ounces. She had a hard delivery, she pushed for 2 hours and the baby didn't move an inch past the pelvic bone. If you know Brooke, if she couldn't push that baby out no body could! So they did an emergency C-Section, which went well. Kathy (the doctor who delivers all our babies) said the baby was face up and that he was wedged and never would have come out no matter how long she pushed. We were right there when they wheeled Brooke out and Jared came walking out with Ryker! Brooke was out of it from the drugs and was sleeping but we got to enjoy him and hold him while she slept! I am so excited to have two new nephews this much and cant wait to hold them and steal them away from their parents!!!

Ryker was born on my Grandpa Brownings birthday so that was a special day! The choice of Wallace or Browning was decided and they did Browning since Ryker was born on his birthday. I love my Grandpa so much and what better person to be named after. He is such an amazing person, we look up to him so much and thank our Heavenly Father that he was here with us another year to celebrate his 89th birthday!

My Grandpa Browning and Kaiden when he was a baby.

RYKER!
He reminds me of a little elf cause he has the tiniest facial features.

His sleeping mommy and him...

I caught Kaiden a couple times starring at his cousin...

Looking at his new baby cousin...

Kaiden and his cousin Emry pushing the doctor chair down the hall way haha.

Cute cousins...

Ryker and me

Ryker and his two grandma's

Papa (my dad) holding his new grandchild.

Kaiden, Me and baby Ryker

Oh poor baby...so sad!

Emry Bean, Bri and Ryker

His eyes were open so much I couldn't believe it!

My little elf nephew, SO cute!

I took a million pictures I know...
Wish I was there for Koby's birth to take a million of him!

Dad at 13?!

2009-02-25T13:25:00.008-07:00

A 13 year old Dad!

13 year old Alfie from the UK is now a dad, his 15 year old girlfriend gave birth this week to a baby girl..Maisie Roxanne. There is some crazy news out these days. Nate and I saw this on Nightline last night and couldn't believe it, can you?! They asked on camera what they will do financially and 13 year old Alfie said "what's financially?". He looks like he is 8 and now he is a father..CRAZY is all I have to say...

The 13 year old dad with his baby daughter...

To learn more about this news click HERE

Davis High Nationals...

2009-02-20T11:42:00.010-07:00

Davis High Nationals!

I have to put this on here because my sister is the coach for the Davis High School cheerleaders and is such a hard worker! It takes more than any parent or kid can understand to coach the cheer team till they see an actual family go through what they do to coach those girls and be there for them. Brooke is amazing and has done so well, as well as Ashley and Lisa!

They placed 12th out of 42 teams, granted they should of got higher but still a great accomplishment! Especially considering they had an injury and had to throw in a new flyer who had never done double downs or anything a month before they were going to be in Nationals! Their routine is amazing you have to watch it! TO WATCH THEIR ROUTINE click VARSITY, once you get there TYPE IN DAVIS HIGH in the search bar to the right of the website and their video will come up! Finals is the second video down of them. Congratulations!

I'm a youngin I know, so here are some pictures from my Davis High cheerleading days.

Us girls after we took our french braids out waiting to ride the tower of terror!

Our cheer banquet at the end of the year! (I'm in the middle row on the left)

Tower of Terror!
Carly, Megan and Me in the front row to the left. (Thanks meg for the pic)

Valentines Day Surprise...

2009-02-17T12:44:00.008-07:00

Valentines Day!

I love any day where you get to celebrate maybe get and give a gift and be together for the day! This year last second I thought of going up to Snowbasin for Valentines since that's where me and Nate had our wedding and I love it up there! But I called last second on Thursday but of course they were all booked up. So instead we got to spend time with Kaiden and each other all day! We went to Gateway during the day at ate Happy Sumo and stopped by to see my sister Bri and her cute family and my mom at Build A Bear where Taya and Emry were both making one cause Emry's birthday was the next day. Then hung out with friends later and Keri's cute dinner night! Nate and I didn't do anything for each last year for Valentines but this year he surprised me again..he brought me out a bag from some CD store cause I told him he could get me two Cd's I wanted for Valentines. Then behind that was a black jewelry bag, I get nervous opening jewelry bags! And it is was a beautiful diamond necklace with champagne diamonds in the center, it was SO pretty!! I kept starring at it in awe and was going to have him put it on me when he pulled from his pocket out another jewelry box!!! What the heck?!?! And in it was the ring below and trust me its not as big in the picture but it is a lot prettier in person! The champagne diamonds look so different in a better way by far in person, the picture doesn't do them justice! Now for the mushy part, great ready! Honestly I love Nate so much and was so grateful to spend such a wonderful day with him, that's what matters the most and makes my day! And the best thing is...is that he knows how much I love him and that presents dont matter to us but he still loves to be romantic (like his dad) and enjoys making me feel spoiled, extra special and loved all at the same time :) I couldn't have married a better person! I love you babe!!!

At Keri's for dessert...

My Love day gift! (don't have a picture of the matching necklace sorry!)

More of Koby..

2009-01-30T11:14:00.007-07:00

This is for Crystal, since she didn't like the last photo of her...I hated all mine from after I had Kaiden cause I looked terrible! Finally they posted some pictures for us, I seriously waited till last night to see pictures of him and it was way too long! :) He was 21 1/2 inches long. He is so adorable, I love his chubby cheeks. I want to be there with you guys, keep him small for me for when we get out there! We miss you guys so much but are happy for your new beautiful addition. Don't be shy with the pictures! We want to see more!

The family all together, I miss my buddies

This picture kills me its so cute!

Love his lips here, he is just too cute!

BABY KOBY IS HERE!!!

2009-01-29T21:17:00.006-07:00

Baby Koby is here, and we are so excited!! He is a chunky little monkey and so dang cute. He was born this tuesday, me and Crystal were both in the hospital that day, so we were checking up once I was out of surgery. He turned out to be 9 lbs 6 ounces! Crystal was sure a trooper having that big beautiful boy! We are so very excited for our new nephew, I only wish I was there to hold him :( He is SO adorable and beautiful like all her kids!

We love you all, congratulations!!!!

Dont you just love all his dark hair! I just want to mush on him!

The proud parents of their 3RD now!

We can't wait to hold you in our arms!

My Mom Favorites!

2009-01-23T14:21:00.018-07:00

My Mom Favorites!

(For all you mom's or mother's to be.)

1. HONEY: If you have a sick child with a cold/cough, little virus then give them honey! A lot of studies and reports say that kids under 4 years of age shouldn't take over the counter cold/cough medicine. My doctor who is my cousin that I love, he gave me a sample (cant remember the name) of a honey with Zinc remedy that you can buy in some grocery stores that works so well! Also give your kids Vitamin C too.

2. BOUDREAUX'S BUTT PASTE: This is the best stuff around personally, honestly it gets rid of any rash, redness or burning so quickly and is not messy to wipe away. It works wonders for Kaiden when his little bum is burning.

3. SMARTIES LOLLIES: These are the BEST suckers for kids. When someone would give Kaiden a dum dum or any other type of sucker like that I hated the clean up after! Their face, hands, shirts, pants would all be sticky...unless you have a miracle child who doesn't get it anywhere on themselves. I bought one for the first time at Ben Franklin's and was so excited to have a sucker that wasn't a sticky mess. Later doing some Christmas shopping at Smith & Edwards I saw this container of smarties suckers (below) and bought the huge thing for $9.99. It will last us a great amount of time and make Kaiden happy when I'm desperate!

4. HYLANDS TEETHING TABLETS: This is my personal favorite relief for teething kids. They dissolve in the mouth and are easy and clean! Every mom needs these in the house.

5. PUMA INFANT SHOES (Velcro baby): Now I know it seems too expensive or ridiculous to buy baby name brand stuff but there are always somethings you can splurge on. I bought Kaiden a pair of these Puma shoes for infants and Nordstrom Rack for $19.99 and I ABSOLUTELY loved them! They are SOOO easy to get on and off, having the large Velcro flap is the best thing ever. They have a soft sole which is a plus for younger kids, easy to clean material and once again so easy to put on and take off. They are worth the money for sure cause Kaiden wore his everyday till he grew out of them. I didn't even try to put on the difficult shoes to get on like the ones from Old Navy I had and the Jordan's someone gave him cause I would much rather not deal with the struggle and difficulty. If you get the white ones (w/blue or black) they go with everything! And the pink and white go with almost everything and are so adorable! They are so comfortable for the kids (Kaiden was under one when he had his). Most places like Dillard's they are $29.99. WORTH IT I PROMISE! I bought some for my sister and will for many other showers to come!

Those are a few of my favorite things...!