I am offering a reward....

...to anyone that can tell me how to make these boys stop growing up! Today they are 7 months old. Ryan had to roll his eyes at me once or twice yesterday when I got sad about it. As I told him, it makes me sad to think one day Kegan won't love to be tickled and just laugh and laugh at my funny faces like I am a standup comedian. And that one day Braden won't love to be cuddled as I sing him primary songs all while thinking his mom must be a big time recording artist. And that one day they won't smile when I go and get them after they wake up or when I simply say their names. And that one day their whole world won't revolve around me. I realize that just because they turned 7 months that day isn't tomorrow or any day this week for that matter, but I still hate thinking about it. I must have some left over pregnancy hormones or something! Anyway, here are the little boys that have completely captured their mom's heart:

There is nothing better than my two boys playing by the Christmas tree at night with Michael Buble's Christmas CD playing in the background. Perfection!

I didn't pose this at all! I was just lucky enough to catch them with their arms around each other telling secrets behind my back.

So Much To Be Thankful For

This Thanksgiving was different in many ways. The first way was not too wonderful. On the 22nd my grandpa Dahl passed away. This is my first grandparent to pass away, and it was hard. I am so grateful I was able to see him one last time on the 19th. He was very alert and was able to talk to us. One thing he told us was to not worry about him. My grandpa had such a strong testimony and didn't question one bit what would happen to him. I have tried to take comfort in the fact that he is now out of pain. A couple months ago he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and has had a bumpy road ever since. It was hard to see him suffer.

The day after was my birthday. We went up to Idaho and spent the day with family. Ryan watched the boys and let me sleep in, made me a wonderful stuffed french toast breakfast, and I got to sneak away and see Breaking Dawn with my mom and sister-in-law. So overall, it was a wonderful day!

This Thanksgiving Day is the first time we have ever spent it in Idaho. Growing up we have always been in Utah with family, and since we have been married I have always had to work either on Thanksgiving or the day after so we have stayed in Utah. My mom made a delicious meal and it was nice to relax with family. We didn't relax for long because Ryan and I went to Walmart at 10 for Black Friday. It was wild!

We had planned on having a Thanksgiving meal with Ryan's family on Saturday, but they were kind enough to move it to Friday morning because of the funeral. We had a nice meal with them, then we headed back to Utah.

We had a viewing on Friday night then the actual funeral was on Saturday. The service was wonderful. My grandpa was an amazing man. I could go on and on about him, but I'll just leave it at that!
Moral of the story-I have so much to be thankful for! I have the knowledge of a Heavenly Father that loves us so much he created the Plan of Happiness that allows us to be together forever. I have a wonderful family that I want to be with forever! We have everything we need and more.

Blair P. Dahl
March 21, 1930- November 22, 2011


Blair P. Dahl, 81, passed away Tuesday, November 22, 2011 due to pancreatic cancer.
He was born March 21, 1930 in West Point Utah to John Walter Dahl and Etta May Paice. He married Susan Ilene Moore on June 22, 1950 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple and enjoyed 61 years of marriage.
Blair was a faithful and dependable member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in various leadership and teaching positions. He was a supporter of youth groups, civic events, and was known throughout the community for his generosity. A future park on part of his farm in West Point will be named in his honor.
Blair was born on the family farm where he lived and worked his entire life. He raised a variety of crops, using horses as a young man to do the farm work. He often commented that his greatest crop was his children. He believed in hard work and taught his children this principle. He drove a school bus for 25 years. He served as President of the Davis County and Utah State Young Farmers, as President of the Davis County Farm Bureau and was in the leadership of the Ogden Area Beef Feeders Association. He sold cattle to thousands of people. He was known for honesty and integrity in his business. He was a real cowboy, who never wore cowboy boots.
Blair loved music and shared his deep bass voice in solos and in groups all of his life. He sang with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir for nine years, enjoying giving his time and resources to share the gospel of Jesus Christ through music. He and Ilene enjoyed touring the world with the choir. He was a 21 year member of the Men of Song.
One of Blair’s favorite activities was visiting with family and friends. He could strike up a conversation with anyone and become their friend. For years, people in the area knew they could pull into Blair’s barnyard and have a good friend to talk to. His children and grandchildren enjoyed visiting as Blair was always positive and made them feel confident that they could accomplish great things in life. He left a legacy of faith, music and love to his posterity.
He is survived by his wife Ilene and children: Susan (Boyd) Kelley, West Point; Sharon (Kelly) Roe, West Point; Shirley (Steve) Guy, South Ogden; David (Anette) Dahl, Roy; Don (Susan) Dahl, Idaho Falls; and Jolene Dahl, West Point; 20 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings; Elmer Dahl, Fern Oliver, and Stanley Dahl.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 26th at 11 a.m. at the West Point 16th Ward Chapel, 4383 West 300 North, West Point, with Bishop Brian Kelley, a grandson, officiating.
The family will meet with friends on Friday, November 25th from 6-8 p.m. at Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary, 1867 North Fairfield Road, and Saturday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the church.
Interment, West Point Cemetery.

6 Months

The boys are half a year old! I know everyone says how fast it goes, but it really does! Braden and Kegan are getting so big. I can't believe how much they learn in such a short amount of time. They are smart little boys and will usually figure out a way to get what they want. Having twins is such a fun experience. It is challenging, but I love it! The boys are alike in many ways, but they are also very different.

Braden is my little snuggle buddy. He loves to be held and would do so all day if Kegan didn't demand a turn every once in a while. He is really good at sitting up on his own, but still doesn't like being on his stomach. He can roll over, but would much rather just sit and play with toys. He is a good eater! He loves his bottle and most vegetables we've tried. Braden smiles all the time. There is nothing better than that big toothless grin! He is starting to be a little wary of strangers, but usually will warm up pretty fast. Braden takes naps so well. As long as I hand him his little teddy bear, he will fall right asleep! He is quite a talker. He will just blabble loudly to anyone that looks his way. He really believes he is carrying on a conversation with us. It is sure cute (except during a serious relief society lesson). Braden is still 1 1/2 lbs bigger than Kegan. His hair has stayed a blonde-red color. I love it! He also still has bright blue eyes which I really hope he keeps.

 Kegan is such a curious little boy. He is constantly on the move. He hates just sitting. He would much rather be on his back or stomach so he can roll around. He can really get places and has just started to try and pull himself up on things. I am going to have trouble keeping him contained! He loves my phone, especially when I put his uncle John on speaker phone. Kegan still isn't a big eater. He will eat a few ounces then decide he is done and throw the bottle and try to roll away. I then have to sit him back down and make him finish so I don't have to feed him every hour. He is so ticklish! Ryan can get him to laugh and laugh. Kegan has the biggest eyes. It is funny to watch him open them wide when he hears a loud sound or is startled. They are darker in color than Braden and are starting to look a little green/brown. His hair is dark and so fluffy. It is just the right length for Braden to pull.

Both of the boys are holding their own bottles and are getting better at sippy cups. I can't tell you how much easier life is now that they can do that! They are best buds already. They love to get each other, but we are still working on the sharing thing. I have a feeling we will be working on this for many years! My favorite thing is when they laugh at each other. It is priceless! I love these two little boys and the stage they are at. It is so fun and rewarding!

Halloween

Halloween is ten times more fun when you have two cute little boys to dress up! We went to Idaho the weekend before Halloween and had some fun family parties. We were dressed up as Toy Story characters.  Braden was Buzz Lightyear, Kegan was Woody, and Ryan and I were Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head. It was fun! On Halloween day Ryan had a work party and we went trick or treating to my cousin's house. People kept telling us to take the boys trick or treating, but I felt too silly. It was obvious who would be eating the candy! So my cousin's two oldest girls went to a few houses with us and held the boys' buckets. Then I didn't feel quite as obvious and still got to reap the benefits of trick or treating! It was a fun, and I'm sure next year will be even better!

Pumpkin Carving

One night before baths we decided to let the boys "help" us carve pumpkins. They were so interested in the pumpkins, but just couldn't figure out how to get them in their mouths. It was a fun night!

Are they twins?

I can not even count how many times I get asked this question. I mean I know they really don't look alike, but come on! It kills me when people ask how close in age they are (a whole 2 minutes), or how old my baby (single) is. Just yesterday at the doctors office the secretary asked me how old my little one was. I'm guessing she was referring to Kegan. I told her THEY were 5 months old. She was in total shock that they were twins. They were both dressed the same and were right next to each other. Braden is a 1 1/2 lbs bigger, but I really don't think he looks 9+ months older! When we were in line at the airport a little boy in front of us told his mom that he thought one was 3 months old and one was 4 months old. She told him she didn't think so, but he insisted and wanted her to ask me. He questioned how she knew they weren't a month apart in age, but she just said because I just know. Ryan and I have decided that the next time someone asks us, we will say they are a month apart and leave it at that.

5 Months

It does not even seem possible that my boys could be 5 months old! I feel like they should still be newborns. Each stage has been fun though. They have developed their own distinct personalities and are already best buds. They have learned how to roll over now. This has already made life harder, so I can only imagine what it will be like when they are walking. They do not stay put, and are constantly rolling to get each other no matter how far apart they start out. They are both sleeping well at night and are such good babies I really can't complain! I am totally in love with my boys! There isn't a day that goes by that they don't have me and Ryan laughing!We recently started rice cereal and just moved on to peas. It is quite a messy ordeal to feed two babies at once, and it takes a lot of time and patience!

September

September was crazy busy for our family! We were pretty much out of town the whole month. But we had a blast. The madness started at the end of August when my brother married this beautiful girl in the Idaho Falls temple.Then we came back to Utah for a few days of work. Then we were off again. This time to Ohio. Whitley is from the Kirtland area and they had a reception there. I was a little nervous flying with two infants but they did so good! During the layovers it was a mad dash to change diapers, feed us, prepare bottles, and get on our next flight in time.Our time in Ohio went by so fast. There is so much we could have seen and done, but we just ran out of time. We did get to go to Palmyra, New York and visit the Sacred Grove and other neat church sites. We also got to visit the sites around Kirtland. It was such a neat trip! Ryan and I can't wait to take our kids back there when they will actually remember things.Then home again for a few days, then back to Idaho. Ryan had a medical appointment for his new job so they put us up in a hotel there. It was kind of funny to stay 5 minutes away from both of our parents in a hotel, but we enjoyed it!
Then back home for some more work and the boys 4 month shots. Yuck. They are troopers though and actually did very well!Then back to Idaho. We went to Ryan's cousin's "mission farewell" then hopped on another plane. This time we headed to Mesa, Arizona to visit Ryan's sister. Luckily this was a straight flight which made it a little easier. Again, the boys did great! Arizona was...hot! We spent a lot of time with our nieces and just relaxed! We really had a good time.

I Love My Boys!

Things like this just make my day (even if its blurry!)

Blessing Day

On the 17th Braden and Kegan were blessed. Ryan did an amazing job! I was so overwhelmed by how much love I felt for my 3 boys! The last 9-ish months have not been a stroll in the park, but I would do it again 50 times for the opportunity to be Braden and Kegan's mom. It it crazy to think about when it was just me and Ryan. We could do whatever we wanted! But now our lives revolve around these two little boys, and we wouldn't have it any other way. We are both so happy and blessed. I am so grateful the Lord trusted me with these two perfect boys!

Thanks to all our family that came down. I know it was a long day of traveling for everyone, but we really appreciate it!

I also have to give a shout out to my awesome husband. He has been so great these past few months (including pregnancy). I couldn't do it without him. He hasn't missed a night time feeding, and is more than willing to help out the second he gets home. He changes almost all the diapers in the evening to make up for all the ones I change during the day. What a guy! I am still head over heals for him!

These pictures have nothing to do with the blessing, but they are just so dang cute!

Smiles

I can't believe my boys are 2 months old already! It has gone by so fast, but at the same time it feels like forever ago that I was pregnant. They are getting more and more fun each day. They are definitely becoming more active and busy! But the one thing that can always make a long day easier is a smile. Kegan has been smiling for quite a while. He is just a super happy baby! These last few weeks Braden has begun to figure out that my ridiculous babbling is directed at him. He now smiles all the time! There is nothing better than two big toothless smiles directed right at me!

I also now realize how impossible it is to get a picture with two babies smiling!

4th of July

For the 4th we decided to finally venture out on our first "trip" with two little babies. I felt like I was packing our whole house, but it was worth it. It had been a while since we had been able to go to Idaho and we sure missed it!

All ready to go!

We started out by going to Logan for my cousins wedding. We got a hotel and decided to stay the night. It was fun!

Then on to Soda Springs for a 4 generation picture with Ryan's mom and grandma

Once we were in Idaho Falls the rest of the time was spent....

Playing video games with uncle John

Meeting cousins

BBQ at the Eastmans

Just being cute

Bridal shower for my soon to be sister-in-law

Fourth of July parade

Enjoying time outside

Just being cute again

Trying to eat this darn hat

Celebrating uncle Jeff's birthday

And, of course, enjoying the best fireworks show I've ever seen!

I absolutely love the 4th of July! And there is no better place to spend it than Idaho Falls. We had a ton of fun spending time with our families. But as usual, it went way too fast. We can't wait to get up there again!