Two things...

1.I updated my photography blog. It's my "test run" photoshoot! Check it out!

2. Chayse has done a complete 180 from yesterday and almost all the marks on his body are gone and the swelling is pretty much gone. Hopefully since it wasn't a severe case, that he can be rid of it for good and not ever have to deal with it again! We wil see what the doc says on Mon or Tues! Thanks for all your prayers and well wishes!

Little Chayser Man

Yesterday Chayse's knees were hurting and swollen and he couldn't kneel down on them. He was being brave and said he was fine to play soccer (though I am pretty sure its because he didnt want to go to the doctor.) They ended up getting worse at soccer and he was in a lot of pain afterwards. We also noticed some red spots on his belly and they were appearing slowly. We first thought, CHICKEN POX...but then it just didn't really look like chicken pox. They started to spread out of the circle shape and welt up. It was really weird. So this morning I checked him out and the swelling in his knees had gone down but started in his ankles, which were now swollen and red. His wrists had marks on it and were a little swollen as well. We took him into the doctor and they started throwing around jeuvenile rheumatoid arthritis and lupus and I started freaking out. They ran a urine test to rule out any infection with the kidney and that came back clear, so thank heavens for that. Chayse's doc was out of town, so we went and saw Dr. Bell who has been there a few months, but is a pretty new doctor, so he went and got a second opinion from a more experienced doctor there. He came in and checked Chayse out and said he needed to go get bloodwork done at the lab at the hospital. His thinking is that its HSP , Henoch-Schonlein Purpura. The doctors are thinking it should go away on its own after it runs its course. Chayse does have arthritis right now as a symptom of HSP but it should go away along with the HSP. He said the HSP may come and go, but hopefully he can just be rid of it! He still wanted us to get the bloodwork done to make rule out Lupus, and to verify his diagnosis. We should get those results back Monday or Tuesday. He was such a brave boy when he had to get his blood taken. He definitely cried, but calmed down pretty quickly and said, " I can't want to do that again for some time!"

Please keep Chayse in your prayers. Please pray that its nothing more serious and that the arthritis pain will go away quickly, and that the HSP doesn't effect his kidneys in any way. Chayse has been such a trooper today with getting poked and prodded and taken out of his comfort zone. Im getting tears in my eyes as I type this..because he had such a hard morning and yet the only thing he has done since we got home is ask me if I am ok, tell me he loves me, thank me repeatedly for taking him to get better and constantly looking at me and smiling at me and blowing kisses. He is such a strong little boy and has handled the pain really well. Heavenly Father really blessed me with an amazing little boy. Anyway, I will keep you posted as to what the results are at the beginning of next week. For now we just keep him on Ibuprofen for the swelling and try and have a fabulous weekend! Hope you all do too!

Almost here..

I feel like a kid at Christmas!

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I checked the tracking, and my precious (imagine the voice of that one guy on that one movie..Lord of the Rings is it? I can never keep them all straight!) will be here tomorrow!!!

Good thing, because my patience is running thin....

Yahoo!!!

It's time to start doing some shoots!

Wish me luck!

Chayse's 1st Soccer Game

Chayse had his first soccer game last night. It's an indoor rec league and they just play in the gym at the rec center. I went without any high hopes or expectations because Chayse has been very clingy lately and wants Brandon to hold him constantly! So I was okay even if he just wanted to sit and watch the whole time, in order to get comfy with everything.

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At first he didnt want to do the drills..but when Brandon or I stood by him, he would do it. When the game started, he went in there..though with Brandon at his side. He would aimlessly run around the "field" and then everytime everyone started running towards my direction..he would look at me..start walking towards us with his shoulders slumped and a sad look on his face and he kept saying, "Im not a teammate..Im not!" (We had told him to go out and be with his teammates.) Brandon and I would bribe him each time with an big ice cream cone when he got done..and then head out with him. Brandon, Gary and I all took turns on the sidelines with him while he was playing. A few times he got near the ball but quickly shyed away from it. Finally towards the end, he stayed out there and was running with the team. Most of the time he was running forward, while looking sideways..smiling at us and waving..asking us to start clapping for him. All in all it was pretty entertaining and he did way better than I expected for his first time playing a team sport. He is excited for his next game on Thursday and can't wait for Daddy to get home tonight so they can go practice! :) Here is a video of him "playing" soccer! :)

Here are a few pictures. My camera is acting weird and is taking not so great pictures! (Can't wait for my new one to get here tomorrow!) So I apologize for the poor quality!

Weekend In B-town!

Brandon, myself and the kiddos headed to Boise for the weekend on Friday morning! We were so excited to see family and friends! Friday night we hung out with Tegan, Joel and Peyton. We went to eat at Primos (quick, easy and great place for two crazy kids!). Then we went back to their house and hung out, chatted and ate yummy homemade ice cream!

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The next day, I met up with some of my best girlfriends for lunch at Red Robin! It was my birthday on the 12th and it was Mandi's the next day and so we did a little birthday lunch! Tegan and Jodie put it together and I am so glad we all got a chance to hang out! I haven't seen Mandi for so long and it was great to catch up with her! She just recently got engaged, and I couldn't be more happy for her!
We just hung out the rest of the day with my grandparents. They are such awesome people and have so much wisdom and knowledge to share and to put it bluntly..my kids freakin love them!

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The next day we headed to church, then hung out afterwards with my dad and brother and relaxed. Then we headed over to my Grandma Helen's house and was able to spend the evening chatting, eating pizza, and celebrating my grandma's bday with everyone. I haven't seen my mom in a long time, and had never met her husband. He is really cool and laid back. My mom came bearing gifts and it was like Christmas! The kids were stocked up with toys and clothes and coloring things! Thanks Mom & Vince! It was great to see everyone again! We had a blast.

On Monday, my mom and grandma took us on a shopping spree at the mall. It was a blast! They spoiled us rotten and we appreciate all that they did, so so so much! My mom wanted to go to Build-A-Bear with the kids..and the kids loved it. Well Alexa slept, but she loved the bunny she ended up getting! :) After having the guys meet us for lunch, we said our goodbyes and headed back to Logan. It was a really fun weekend, but its never long enough. I always leave feeling sad because I didn't get to see everyone one I wanted. I was looking forward to seeing Amber's new little beauty, but didn't get a chance too! Next time Amber! :)

Happy Anniversary!

I just wanted to wish a Happy Anniversary to my in-laws, Gary & LaDonna! I hope they had a great day! We love you and are thankful for all you do!

Chayse's 3rd Birthday Party

I totally forgot I didn't blog about Chayse's 3rd bday party yet! It was a blast! Thanks to everyone that came, especially those who traveled! Chayse was really tired and cranky..but he showed his bright smile a few times throughout the party! Haha! Poor little guy was still tuckered out from being sick. Anyway, we had yummy pizza, salad and breadsticks and topped it off with cake and ice cream. My dad was so cute playing with all the kids and making them laugh. He is so great with little ones. My kids are lucky to have him! Here are some pics from the party! Enjoy!

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

A new venture in life...

So I have decided to turn my love for taking pictures into more than just a hobby! I am starting my own photography business and I couldn't be more excited! I am starting out with a few free sessions of friends and family to get some practice with my new camera and all the equipment and then hope to go full force by Christmas time! Wish me luck!

(There is a link to the right of my page, for my photography blog. Check back in a couple weeks and I will have my first shoot up on there!)

My 25th Birthday!

I had a fabulous day on Friday for my birthday! I woke up to my sweet little boy bringing me a rose in bed! His sweet little voice saying, "Happy Birthday Mommy!", just made my day! Then when I went downstairs, Brandon had put signs all over saying wishing me a Happy Birthday and saying how much they loved me and all that mushy stuff! Its the little things that can make a birthday so special! Brandon only went in for a couple hours, then came back and we had to take Chayse to the doctor for his 3 yr check up. ( Iwill blog about that later!) Then we went and had lunch at my inlaws house and then did some birthday shopping. I got an ice cream maker and a new Columbia jacket! Love them both! Then we went home and hung out til Brandon and I headed out for my birthday dinner at Iron Gate Grill. I love that place and Brandon does not..(only because they added in gratuity on a check once when the two of us went out..cuz I guess thats what the coupon said in fine print..and it was clearly more than she deserved..and he said he didnt LOVE the food...) so anyway..he was kind enough to take me there and he said that maybe Iron Gate gained some points back! :) Then we went to dessert at my favorite ice cream parlor, named Caspers.

Oh I cant forget to mention that Brandon set up an appt with a professional makeup artist to get my make up done last Wednesday as part of my birthday. I loved it because I was able to learn lots of fun tips about colors, contouring, the dos and donts, and all that fun stuff. It was thoughtful of him to have remembered I said I wanted to do that!

It was a great birthday and I was definitely spoiled!

A not so "Happy" Birthday...but turned out good in the end!

About 10 min after I got done with the last post, Chayse told me his tummy hurt and he was tired. He crashed on the floor within a matter of seconds....

(Don't mind Alexa...she is just trying to bulldoze her way through to China)

Then about an hour and a half later, Chayse wakes up crying and pulling his legs to his chest saying he hurts. I picked him up trying to figure out what was wrong and my answer started 2 seconds later. Me, my counter, my sink, my floor and Chayse were covered in throw up. The poor kid all the sudden had a stomach bug. So we both changed clothes and got everything cleaned up. He asked me to lay by him and he fell asleep again for awhile on the rug again.

He woke up a little while later and said he was feeling better. So we made cookies and had a photo shoot...

Chayse wanted to do silly faces!

Chayse took this picture all by himself! Good job buddy!

That pretty much wore him out and made him have another bout of "technicolor yawns" (as my dad calls them! :) ) I felt so sorry for him having to deal with this on his birthday. Brandon came home from work early and we just hung out with Chayse while he slept and tried to feel better. Brandon put together his soccer thing and Chayse felt well enough to go out and kick the soccer ball. By the time we were ready for dinner, Chayse seemed to be his old self (minus the bottomless pit his stomach seems to be). He ate a tiny bit of dinner and kept it down and seems to feel much better. So I am glad it ended on a good note. Right now he is watching Mickey Mouse and having a blast. I don't have the heart to tell him its time for bed...but Im tired! Good night all!

Happy 3rd Birthday Chaysers!

Today my baby boy turns 3! Yes I realize he is not a baby anymore, and yes I realize I have a little baby that should suffice my sadness of Chayse not being a baby anymore..but he is my baby boy still and I couldn't love him more! We talked this morning about him being a tiny baby and how big he has grown and how far he has come. It seems like yesterday that I was at my baby shower and started having contractions and had to drive back from Layton in a hurry. (Later realizing there was no need to rush because he didnt come for 23 hrs..but ya know...I had to make sure I didn't miss out on that epidural (that didnt work) haha!)

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Here are a few things Chayse has experienced in his 3 short years!

1. 9 day stay in the NICU when he was born.
2. Came home on oxygen, but only had to stay on for a week!
3. Moved to Boise when he was 2 months old.
4. Moved back to Logan when he was 9 months old.
5. Found freedom through mobility in crawling and walking from 10-12 months.
6. Had a great first birthday with all his family who loves him!
7. Many trips to Boise to see family and loves to play with Grandma Fahnestock especially.
8. Had a nasty bout with croup off and on for 4 months!
9. Helped me nanny a cute little boy named Dylan for a few months.
10. Welcomed his new baby sister in Feb.
11. Learned to love the water (which is a huge step from last summer)
12. Made some great new little friends!
13. Speaks really well, is very very polite and has a very sweet demeanor about him.
14. Is the best son and brother our family could ask for!

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Here are some pics from the past birthdays!

Well today, on Chayse's 3rd birthday..he woke up bright and early at 5:45 am! I tried to not be upset, because its his birthday and he can do whatever he wants. (Though I was silenty hoping for a tad more shut eye!) Oh well! He was up and ready to party! We gave him a couple presents this morning, but are saving his big one for his birthday party! Chayse wanted to go to McDonalds for breakfast, so after Brandon went to work, we headed there. Chayse had a blast! Then we rent The Bee Movie and now we are hanging out at home until Brandon gets off!

Here are a few pics of his bday so far...

Tomorrow is my birthday and then Saturday is Chayse's party...so lots more pics to come! Check back!

Enya..sing me to sleep..

Thank you Enya..you put my son to sleep.

I often forget about this little tool to get Chayse asleep. I used to play this a lot, but haven't played it much the last year.

Tonight, I was ready for him to go to bed. He was tired, but didnt think he needed to go to sleep. I put this on and he was out within 30 seconds. No joke!

Now I am ready for bed...

(but not til I watch One Tree Hill that I recorded on my handy dandy DVR)

(Enya is my favorite for relaxation. Check out her song "Caribbean Blue". Chayse seems to respond to that one best and its one of my favorites!)

Brandon's Birthday Part 2

Last night we had cake and ice cream for Brandon's birthday! I made him German Chocolate cake and we had rainbow sherbet! (Weird combo, but he loves both of them!) The Rupps came by to wish Brandon a Happy Birthday and joined us for cake and ice cream! It was great having them! Brandon got spoiled..but hey its what I love to do! :) His big present was a Zune and I am so happy he loves it! At least now he wont be stealing mine and sporting the totally rad hot pink Zune! Haha!

Here are a few pics from the little shin dig!

Dave said I better not put his face on my blog, and he may have been joking. Just in case, I have solved the problem..and put him in disguise. Can you find Dave? Haha!

We had a fun time! Thanks for having a birthday Brandon! :)

Happy 29th Birthday Honey!

HAPPY 29TH BIRTHDAY BRANDON!
Brandon is such a great guy and I am so thankful to be married to him! Since I have met him I have seen him change into a husband, a father, a hard working man (not that he wasn't before) and an successful student. Our kids love and adore him! Chayse gets so excited when he hears the car beep when Brandon locks it as he is getting home from work. I just feel so lucky to have a man who loves being a father and loves his kids ten times more!

I hope you have a great day babe! You deserve it! I look forward to another great year with you! No matter what ups and downs may come, we have eachother to get through them! Love you!

Here are a few of my favorite pics over the time Brandon and I have been together!

Bear Lake

We went to Bear Lake on Saturday and it couldn't have been better weather. It was warm enough to go in the water..but not so hot that you needed shade when out of the water. I am so glad we decided to go last minute, because our kids had a blast and I had so much fun taking pictures of them. Clearly I took too many, but I just couldn't get enough of their cute faces! Chayse was loving the water and jumped right in. Alexa did nothing but smile while she was in the water and enjoyed every minute of being in it. She did great the whole time, and didnt get fussy til the end. I was getting a little fussy too..it was a great day..but time to go home! :)

Here are some of my favorite pics! Enjoy!

Unfortunately it was really rainy and dreary here in Logan for a good part of Labor Day, so I am so glad we got out and did something fun on Saturday! If you haven't ever been to Bear Lake..go! It's a lot of fun and such a beautiful lake!