Updates...

So I know it has been forever but we have had so much going on. First our computer broke a few months ago and I am blogging right now from Aaron's phone. Oak had her third birthday in october. I can't believe my baby is 3. I feel old. Maisy is super fat and very mobile. Aaron received a job transfer to salt lake so we should be moving there hopefully before christmas. We are so excited to go home and be close to family again finally. So there is all of our news. Better post to come after the move.

ATTN: BRADY FAMILY BOOK

Dear Brady Family,

Just a quick reminder: The deadline for the Brady Family Book submissions are 2 weeks away. September 11. So again I would like the story of how the two of you met, sweet memories of your own family that you would like included, a few important pictures, and most importantly as many memories that you can jot down of grandma and grandpa. I have received one submission so far from Jessica and I hope she doesn't mind but I want to use her submission as an example. She did a fantastic job.

My husband is Tom Proctor and we were married 04/07/2007 in the Las Vegas temple. We live in Henderson, NV and had our first child on 03/25/2011 our baby boy is Donovan T. Proctor- born at 10.9 lbs and 22in long. Tom served his mission in Guatemala and graduated from BYU Idaho. He is a graphic designer and works in the corporate headquarters for world renowned photographer Peter Lik. I am a licensed Aesthetician and Laser Technician and have worked at the Bellagio Spa and Arizona Desert Dermatology. I currently am just doing Laser procedures part time and enjoying being a stay at home mom.

I don't know if you want more specifics from us or just most from the immediate children. Let me know if you need any more info!

Grandpa and Grandma Brady are two of the most amazing people I have ever met. They are the only grandparents I have known and fill the role perfectly. I have sooo many fun and distinct memories of them and their home. From the cold room to the creepy basement and crawl space. Grandpa always looks so serene and happy, in his cute jean overalls getting laughs trying to grab and tickle the grand kids. He'd let you wander though his metal shop to pick any treasure you'd like. Grandma is beautiful and kind, so loving and generous. Her selfless motto of what's mine is yours is offered to the fullest extent. She would also sit with the grand kids and school us in the game of Mexican train!

My family moved to Las Vegas, NV when I was just four years old. It was hard to grow up so far away from our extended family but I still felt so close to the Bradys. I remember staying at Grandpa & Grandma Brady's home in the summers when I was out of school. Grandma always made sure I had a good time and that I was able to make the rounds at my cousin's homes for playdates and sleepovers- I love you girls! Then there was Willow Creek of course, the best trip any kid could ask for with the best company along with it. I appreciate all that Grandpa and Grandma have put into the nurturing of the family relationships we still have today. Thanksgiving/Christmas dinners at the church are the best!

I have a funny and embarrassing memory of me with Grandma. My big sis Krystal was at EFY for a week and I went up to stay the week at grandma's house. Through the week Grandma kept asking me how I was doing and if I have had a bowel movement yet...lovely... In my young mind I wasn't sure what that meant and decided without asking that it meant to throw up. (bowels are churning for that- I just got the end wrong!) I didn't understand why she would be asking if I had thrown up yet that week and continued to say "no grandma, I'm OK". So through the whole week every meal had a huge helping of prunes on the side. I didn't like them and would eat as few as I could get away with. When Krystal had finished her week at EFY we were sitting at breakfast- one laced with some more prunes! I looked at Krystal and said, "She has been doing this to me all week. Ever since she asked me if I have had a bowel movement. That means thrown up right?" Krystal thought that was hysterical and in her mature wisdom said, "That's not what bowel movement means! She wants to make you poop!" Grandma cares on so many levels.

Jessica also included pictures of herself with her husband and baby. Please get back to me if you need any help or have any questions. And if you could please ask your children to participate. Thank you so much!!!

Love, Rachel Brady

4356308544 ronnienrach@gmail.com 846 North 200 East Price UT 84501

ATTENTION Brady Cousins:

Dear Brady Cousins:

First, Kristen thank you so much for your comments!!! I have been stalking you a lot longer than you have been stalking me. hehe I just wanted you all to know that this Brady Family Book is for any and all Arch and Norma descendants that want to participant. I think that the word of the project is having a difficult time getting around to everyone so if you read this PLEASE PASS THE WORD ON!!! Kristen again thank you!!!

Love, Rachel

Brady Family Book Project

My Dearest Brady Family,

This is Rachel again. I was just writing you all to let you know that the deadline for your family submissions for the Brady Family Book is a month away, Sept.11. I received mail from aunt Leann this morning with a list of family names, births, deaths, marriages, and divorces and I wanted to share with all of you that after Tracy's sweet baby is born this year, we have 134 family members that all stem from Archie and Norma Brady. As I looked over our family names I felt as though my heart was going to swell out of my chest. I am so proud to belong to such a legacy. I have recently taken up indexing for the church as a hobby. For those of you who don't know what indexing is it involves looking over historical documents and trying to decipher what is written on them. It is difficult but I get so giddy thinking about the names, dates, and places that this work supplies the church with and the temple work that can be done for all of these precious people. Family History work has lit a fire with in me and some nights I can't even sleep because names, faces, and this duty to get this work done weigh so heavy on my heart. Please help me make this a success. Please help me to leave something behind for our progeny so that they may know where they truly come from. So again I would like the story of how the two of you met, sweet memories of your own family that you would like included, a few important pictures, and most importantly as many memories that you can jot down of grandma and grandpa. Please include your children in this so that they may have the opportunity to share their personal stories with all of us and with grandma and grandpa. Something else that just occurred to me that might be really neat to include are blessing and baptism dates. If you would like to include this with your work that would be fantastic too. I kind of think that those dates can stand as a testament of what we believe. I love you all so much and I am so grateful to call you mine for eternity.Let me know if there is anything you need, I am here 24,7. Thank you again!!!

Love, Rachel Brady

Family History Project

Dear Fabulous Brady Clan,

This is Rachel, Aaron's wife, and I wanted to get all of your help with something that I feel is so important. Let me first just say that marrying into this incredible family has been the greatest blessing I have ever known. The love that I have for you all goes beyond words and I feel privileged to carry the last name Brady with me through the eternities. Family History has always been something that I have loved and been truly fascinated with. I love learning about where I come from and I hope that all I have learned thus far in my life I can pass to my children so that they can have the same appreciation for their roots that I do. So I have decided to put together a Brady Family book and with your help I can accomplish this. I would love for each of you to put together a history of your little family and send it to me to type up and ultimately put together for a book. This book will be available to each of you upon completion which I would like to have completed before the Brady Family Thanksgiving. It will be nothing professional, just typed and bound paper, but the legacy that we could pass on through this simple task would be nothing short of extraordinary. I would like the story of how the two couples met, a family chart of all births and marriages with dates, sweet memories of your own special family that you would like included, a few important pictures, and most importantly, as many memories that you could jot down of Grandma and Grandpa Brady. It would be great too if you could include your kids in this project and have them submit their personal memories of Grandma and Grandpa. If you could send all of this to me via USPS or email by September 11 of this year I will type everything and put it all together to form a book that can be ready to give to Grandma and Grandpa and be available to all of you as well by the Thanksgiving party in November. This would be a great Christmas present for anyone. I will keep cost low and I will turn this into my full time job to make sure that it gets accomplished, polished, and passed out. Please help me to pass on our beautiful family legacy and memories of the special Archie and Norma Brady. Thank you all again. My email is ronnienrach@gmail.com.

Love,Rachel Brady

Dear Grandma...

Dear Grandma,

I feel tired. Yes, still from what we talked about a few days ago. Will it ever settle? I sure hope so, but to bring me back to earth I wanted to share just a few of my most favorite days of my life that I have been lucky enough to catch on camera. My sweet Maisy Jane coming into this world is one of my favorite days. Having her gave me confidence to continue building our family and also reassured me that I do not need to be institutionalized after a child birth. This day was a day that I had been praying for since Oak was born. The Lord heard me and answered. Another favorite day of mine was mine and Aaron's first date. It was October of 2005 at a Single's Ward Halloween Party. He showed up as metero-sexual(a guy who is straight but dresses like a homosexual) uhhh whatever. He is a dork and I still don't get it. I was a clown. He had me smitten that first night by asking me while looking at a very curious individual standing in the haunted house line "Is that a man or a woman?". I knew we would fit together like pees and carrots. My life with him has been perfect ever since. Another special day was when the family came up to Salt Lake in 2008 for Thanksgiving. We went and walked Temple Square with Teri and her husband and she snapped this picture of Oak and I at the Tabernacle. The family was happy, times were simple, and how precious of a picture is that. I feel so blessed to have something that beautiful look at me everyday. One more favorite day was the day we traveled to Arizona and introduced baby Oaklee to Great-Great Grandma Leavitt. This was a living testimony to me. Watching grandma's aged hands delicately touch Oee's new soft fingers is something that is forever ingrained in my soul. Five living generations and I got to witness this precious women with her "little rugrat". This was a good day. Okay now that I have vented and focused on the positive I feel better. I can't wait to see you tomorrow. I love you!!!

Love, your granddaughter, Rotten Rach

I LOVE AARON BRADY, BEAUTIFUL OEE DAWN, AND MY SWEET MAISY JANE!

Dear Grandma...

Dear Grandma,

Aaron just put Oee to bed but before she went she had to come in and pray by me. FYI, I would put her to bed but when I do I have a bad habit of either staying in her bed with her or begging Aaron to let her sleep with us. I know, I know. 2 years old is to old to sleep in the same bed as us but I just can't get enough of her and her sweet little voice. So anyways, she prayed and I am telling you it is the sweetest most precious thing I have ever heard. Her light voice sounds like heavenly chimes to my ears and when she prays it makes her beautiful voice that much better. And then when she screams at me it's the total opposite. ha ha I feel so lucky to have the best of both worlds. Maisy is a perfect chunk of rolls and and soft skin. She has started cooing and laughing. She does this open mouth fake cough thing when she does laugh and it cracks me up. She looks a lot more like a Brady than Oak does. Oak looks just like a miniature Courtney. But everyone says Courtney is a miniature me, so yeah Oak is just like her mommy. ha ha I still don't know what I did to deserve such gorgeous children and such an incredible husband. Aaron came up to me in the hallway last night right after I had put Oak to bed and finished getting ready for bed myself and just held me. He then pulled away, lightly kissed me, and smiled his perfect smile while looking into my eyes. He then said to me "We are so blessed". He explained to me that as he was laying on our bed with a smiling Maisy just staring at him, he was listening to me get out of the shower and shout to Oak to go back to bed after she would shout that she needed another toy to add to her pile of toys that she already sleeps with. She says whatever she can to try and get out of going to bed. I would say that that moment is one of the most precious moments of my life. The one that I am madly in love with telling me how blessed he thinks we are. Grandma, I nailed it by marrying him. He is the greatest thing ever to happen to me. I have been getting so close with Jenna lately too. She has grown up so much over this last month and half and she is my idol for giving up her life in Vegas to go to an unknown Idaho and start new. New place, job, people, experiences. The courage and faith that that takes to thrust yourself into the unknown is incredible to me. She is amazing and I ache to see her again. I feel so lucky to be able to call my mother and sisters my best friends, I love them so much and I am so proud of the blood line that I come from. The reunion is two weekends from and I can't wait to see you again. I love you grandma. I hope grump is feeling well. Kiss his forehead for me and tell him to kiss your cheek for me as well. Good night and Good Weekend!

Love, your granddaughter, Rotten Rach

Sunshine, Butterflies, & Chalk...

We have been loving this gorgeous weather lately! The sunshine is addicting and we would be silly not to take advantage of it. Oak and I decided to make these cute food dye, and paper towel butterflies that I found on makeit-loveit.com. She was so cute as she dipped the same piece of towel into every cup of dye and wondered why it was not spreading to the untouched parts of the towel. I helped her figure it out and soon enough she made some beautiful towels. She picked the color of the body for these butterflies and we hung them in her room above her bed. She loves it. And of course what sunny day wouldn't be complete without sidewalk chalk. It was a fun morning with my sidekick!

WHO DOES THAT?! & the dead bolt

After a wonderful weekend away I come home to an empty flower pot by my front door. Apparently while I was away someone thought that they would help themselves to my not yet planted Marigolds and sweet little white flowers that resemble baby's breathe and leave the pot that was supposed to be the described flower's new home by my front door. Okay, so first of all, Who does that? And second of all, Who does that?!?! I was floored. So if the flower thief would please come forward and reveal their stinky identity or return my beautiful flowers, it would be greatly appreciated and last of all, WHO DOES THAT!!!? Oh yeah and Oak locked me out of the house for ten minutes. She was able to unlock the bottom lock after much patience and coaxing but that damn dead bolt was just too damn stuck!!! Well, as I am typing this you can very well tell that I got back inside the house with the help of a kind neighbors words to the mentioned two year old who is to smart for her own good.

Dear Grandma...

Dear Grandma,

This past weekend spent with people I love was absolutely wonderful and completely reviving. I feel as though I am carrying enough love with me to get me through the next month until I see you all again. The happiness that my mother has found is something I have waited my whole life to see. She is one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen; surrounded with a glowing aura that I can only imagine surrounds angels. My father walks tall and strong with a confidence that I have never seen him have before. He is finding himself again through the activities and hobbies he loves most. It amazes me how this time last year I thought that the rest of my life would forever be broken but spring has sprung from such hard cold ground and I know now that no matter how bleak a situation seems the sun can always shine and give life to new memories and experiences. My loved ones are happy and if the Lord saw fit to take me today, I would be fine with that because here on earth I know that all is well. All weekend as Aaron and I celebrated our 5 year anniversary, I kept thinking about our journey together. My life did not start until he came into it. I adore him in every way, shape, and form. He is the greatest thing about me. He is my world. My beautiful Oaklee has always reminded of a little ladybug. The way she just flits about her activities so carefree reminds me of watching a ladybug dance in the wind, getting carried away by a current and then gently finding itself to rest on the arm of the person watching it. So gently, so lightly just marching to the beat of its' own drum. That is my O-ee to a T. And also my sweet Maisy Jane. She is the sunshine during a time I thought was going to be so cloudy. Her smile lightens all moments and warms my soul inside out. She is the sweetest warmth ever to find me. So my world, my ladybug, and my ray of sunshine. Can you think of any three more precious things than that? I can't. Grandpa was so beautiful to me. His white hair and matching brows made him look to me the way people describe manifesting heavenly beings look like. I have always loved his stories and the comedic wisdom he shares. You looked fantastic. Your necklace matched your outfit so perfect and your hair was done so pretty. I have always loved loosing myself in your soft hugs and the knowledge that I really am your favorite Rachel. I love you both so much. It was wonderful to see you guys after so long. Well I better go make sure that Oaklee isn't trashing her bedroom to bad. I love you!!!

Love, your granddaughter, Rotten Rach

Maisy's Twin...

My sister sent me an email of who she thought Maisy looked like. I opened the email and cracked up. I always thought the baby Grinch was adorable but now I have my very own. haha Thanks Ash, I love it!!!

Dear Grandma...

Dear Grandma,

This morning has been relaxing. We are finishing up laundry and packing for our trip to come see you. Looking down as I type, I just noticed my baby belly that I doubt will ever go away. While standing my tummy is pretty much gone but I hate sitting down just for the plain reason that this part of my body will never be what it was when I was young and un-scarred from child birth and surgery. But looking at pictures of this bright eyed celestial piece of perfection I cannot deny that the unflattering thing I call my stomach was worth the sacrifice; so much so that I plan on 3 more pieces of perfection to join our clan before my family is complete. Aaron swears that he sees no imperfections when he looks at me. Grandma, my husband is the greatest person I have ever known in my life. Thank heavens I can call him mine for eternity. Mentally I am great. I knew the Lord would not make this second time around as difficult as the first. This experience has been so beautiful and precious that I ache thinking about how in debt I am to my Heavenly Father for blessing me so much. How will I ever repay him? Until I figure that out though, I will just enjoy more tummy time with my second sweet baby. Isn't she amazing? She looks like her daddy and I just can't get enough of the yummy cheeks and shoulders. Can't wait to see you and Grump!!! I love you!

Love, Your granddaughter, Rotten Rach

Camping, Dirty Faces, and Fake Bazookas...

We went to the cabin this past weekend with Aaron's family and had a blast. What a wonderful release the cool fresh air, beautiful mountains, and incredibly green trees can be. The cousins ran around, drank cool-aid, ate way to much sugar, and played war with Uncle Aaron and his bazooka guns. We soaked up family time and just enjoyed the kick back. Can't wait for the next trip.

My beautiful family...

These beautiful people are my family. Found these awesome pics that my cousin Teri took. This was her wedding luncheon and it was so neat to see family that I have not seen in months and years. We were able to get pictures of most of the Phillips great-grandchildren. Chatting and catching up was a ball. I am so grateful for camera's and for all of the modern technology that allows us to preserve such precious memories.

Oh my...

Found this on my sister-in-laws's blog. This is Oak at my niece's birthday party. It was minnie mouse theme and least bit said, the black frosting got the best of my sweetheart. ha ha Lovely huh!?

Dear Grandma...

Dear Grandma,

Per your request, here are some pictures of our everyday activities. Aaron took a vacation day so that I could take a vacation day and re-coop from a chaotic two weeks of on-going no sleep, mind rattling drama, messy house, never ending laundry, and did I mention on-going no sleep. Life for the Brady clan is busy but thank heavens because I would rather have days filled with scattered toys and insanely loud children than days filled with an empty house and silence although silence is nice sometimes. We woke this morning and cleaned the house, bathed the children, started a load of laundry and now we begin the cool down period; a movie, some lunch, and a nap. Oaklee has found a new fascination with slow dancing. I am guessing it is from her pri-say(princess) barbie movies that are full of love, adventure, and characters that sing, dance, and even dip while they dance. So Oak was slow dancing with daddy and having him dip her as well. ha ha Oh my is she a girl and our little princess. Sweet Maisy had shots yesterday so sleep as not come very easy to her. She was restless last night and has spent most of this morning caching up on her sleep. She is fat, fat, fat and the most precious thing I have ever seen. She has daddy's calm temperament and if she isn't eating, sleeping, or pooping, she is smiling her little wide mouth scrunch nose smile. My kids are so funny. Even with their giant Brady Blues they seem bound and determined to smile with grandpa's little squint eyes and my scrunch nose. Maisy is in the 75 percentile for height and weight. Can't say the same for Oak as she has got her mommy's tiny frame and her daddy's lanky limbs. So here ya go. Pictures accompanied with a personal letter for you. I think this will be a new weekly tradition. We love you and can't wait to see you in a week.

Love, your granddaughter, Rotten Rach

me...

Saw this on Whitney's blog and it looked fun...

i am:tired and dreading changing the explosion that is waiting for me in maisy's diaper

i know:how much my incredible husband loves me

i want:a fluffy bed and good night sleep

i have:way to many clothes

i hate:the sound of crackling ice

i miss:my mom

i smell:my yummy sensual amber body spray

i feel:worn out from drama

i hear:oaklee in the kitchen getting into something she isn't supposed to

i crave:a run in the rain

i search:for matching socks

i love:my sexy hubby and sweet babies

i care:about everything way to much

i always:kiss my sweethearts goodnight

i believe:in my Savior Jesus Christ

i sing:pop corn popping a million and two times a day

i write:love letters to my hubby and girls in their special notebooks

i lose:my senses when i walk into a fabric store

i win:"because i win" big daddy hehe

i never:put the milk back in the same place

i listen:to the loud neighbor upstairs, annoying!!!

i am scared: of those giant wind fans at the bottom of spanish fork canyon oh and spiders

i need:a neck rub

i am happy:about my life and the journey the Lord has taken me on

i tag:everyone who reads this also

Our Story...

I just feel incredibly inspired right now to tell you all our story. Do I know how long this post will be, uhh no, but I feel I need to do this for my sweetheart and also to bare testimony that the rose colored glasses I have viewed my life through since I was a little girl watching Cinderella are real and are possible for any who truly search for their own glasses in the right place.

I first met my sweetheart in October of 2005. I had just recently graduated that June and a year previous had ended a year and half relationship with a guy who was great but not great for me. Least bit said, my confidence took a beating, and for anyone who really knows me, confidence in who I am, where I came from, and where I am going had never been an issue until the breakup. I spent my senior year of high school trying to find myself again. Full confidence did not return until I started going to the singles ward after graduation. I had sworn that I would never go to the ward because it was full of people that I thought of at the time as weird. The first time I went, I knew I was home. My ego took a beating as I found that these people were actually my soul mates. Friends that I recognized from a previous life. I lost myself in missionary work, but found my spirit in it as well. Leaving my comfort zone to befriend an investigator became my new comfort zone. I have constantly been craving change and learning experiences ever since.

I saw that blue eyed Brady boy in the investigator class and the rest is history. My spiritual eyes were open and this man was my Best Friend in the previous life and would be my Best Friend for the rest of eternity. First Date-October 31. First second I knew I was going to marry him-1 hour into the first date. First Kiss-Three weeks later. First I Love You-month and 1/2 after the kiss. Proposal-March 13,2006. Eternity-June 17,2006.

Five years later, he is still the one I can hardly bare to be an hour without. The one who makes me pee my pants from laughter over the silliest, smallest things. The one I don't want to fall asleep next to because it postpones a 3 am conversation about nothing and everything but also the one I can't bare to fall asleep without because it means a restless sleep without my comfort blanket. The one who when he winks at me with his little side smile gives me butterflies and takes my breath away. The one and only person ever in existence that I don't want to be a second without. The one who has further enriched my life by blessing me with his precious children and given me treasures that because of covenants we have made to and with the Lord, I never have to live without.

I know that in the eternal perspective my life and my feelings are nothing except the blink of an eye and have the impact of a pin prick but I know that the love I feel for this man is the kind of love that will ripple through the lives of our progeny and they will believe in a pure and eternal love because of mine and my sweetheart's example of such.

So to the world, happiness is real, all deserve it, and all are worthy of it if you open your spiritual eyes, put on those rose colored glasses and recognize your part in the Lord's plan and follow the map He has laid out for you. Your love is infectious and it will echo the eternities if you but let it.

My sweet Brady, I love you. Happy early 5th Anniversary.

Sleep over...

This is what I found tonight when I went to check on Oak. Every night she has a little line of toys that are perfectly tucked under the bed spread while she is either shoved up against the wall or just about to roll off the bed. Sometimes we see this and two Barbies, one tucked under each arm, hugged to her chest. She is so dang cute and I can't wait to show her boyfriends all of these funny pictures we take of her.

Strength...

In this day there are demons, and horrors of all kind trying to rip apart the sacred institution of marriage and family. Trying to shred all happiness that may exist with in someones person. I am baring testimony and true witness that the only thing that gives me strength to endure these adversaries and these adversities is the knowledge that my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has en graven me and my sadness, frustration, sickness, doubt, pain, everything from my inner most being on his palms. He knows me. Because of this knowledge I am never alone. I am never single in anything. Because of His sacrifice I have the freedom to be happy, to love my family completely, to be whole spiritually, emotionally, physically. I have the freedom to let go. He is my strength.

A Brady Easter Story Part 2

After a spiritually fed soul and a food filled belly comes the games. An easter egg hunt. Oak made out like a bandit! 8 eggs all of which mommy and daddy enjoyed on the way home;) Thanks Oak. Bubbles and candy galore. We all enjoy some good bubble and trampoline fun with the cousins. Daddy even had fun with bubbles. Once the bubbles are gone and the kids are worn out, now comes the time for them to reap some of the rewards of the day. Thank you Oma and Ky and Cole for the yummy lunch, eggs, and fun-filled Easter weekend. P.S. Maisy slept throughout the festivities, sorry for the lack of her picture.