Finally and update!

Sorry it has been a while since I blogged considering the events that have recently occurred! Michael Ryan Huntsman, was born on December 26Th at 11:42 pm. Weighing in at 9 lbs 1 0z, and 21 inches long. He has very dark eyes, so dark you can not even see the pupil and dark peach fuzz for hair. HE is a good baby so far, I guess I am just lucky, or I may have just jinxed myself. We are all home and healthy! Braxton still seems unaffected by the little intruder, and occasionally will point or make some sort of noise towards Michael and want to touch his face. Chad has been really great at making sure Braxton is not feeling neglected so i think the transitions is going to be pretty good. Because of the problem mentioned with computer issues I have no pictures to share, but my dad put some up on his blog so you can all look there.

We love you all and hope to see you soon. Chad's family is here for now and I think we can expect a visit from his grandmother before to long...;) But any one who wants to come visit is welcome, with enough notice we can have a spare room ready. We hope to make it up north sometime in the near future but we will see. KATY

An update!

Well, I went into the OB on Saturday with what I thought were some NASTY contractions! We found out after blood test, and a catheter, gross, that I have an infection of some sort in my uterus? It is not causing the baby any harm, but me...pain! They gave me some pain killers and some pills to help me sleep, after two days with nothing, or little to nothing. The doctor said if I cannot handle the pain to go back in and they would start me right then, however; I really do not want to have a Christmas Eve, or Christmas day baby, and I REALLY do not want to be in the hospital on Christmas. I have been keeping Braxton away from present for two weeks now and I would hate to miss him finally digging in! So we are still on for Wednesday, and I bet with the progression I have been having it will go quickly. Or at least we hope so, with our past experience being what it was.

The other news is our laptop went to the crapper. Last night I was trying to find a stroller, car seat set that I want for the baby and Braxton. I could not remember the name so I just stared guessing... not the greatest idea. There is so much crap on the Internet I thought I had found what I wanted and the site told me to download to view, well it went to a Porn site that would not stop... we finally just shut the computer down and went to bed. This morning Chad opened the computer and found three "spy ware" programs loaded on our desk top. He tried to delete them and things slowly went down hill. Well now we can not even open our windows. If we can not get into the windows we have lost our Quicken (which for me is my entire financial life) all my pictures and videos. We have a desk top that my parents gave me for college, and it is so great! LOL No but really I am glad I still have access to my family, and my online banking. I will not be back to work till February 20Th, so I don't have the same access to my stuff, but I will learn to do what normal people who don't work at their banks.

That is life for us, Chad has been my single dad with me working, 40 hours this week and now being drugged to make it through the next three days.

PS I need name suggestions!!!! Really we do not have any that we love so...ideas?

BABY!!!!

Still contracting! Still "in labor" 50% effaced, and dilated to a 1 and 1/2, but the doctor says if the little boy does not come by the 26th, then the will take him!!!!!! THere is an end in sight! Things are good, and I love that we are going to be able to claim him on this years taxes!! Selfish I know, but that is a good chunk of change!!!
(sorry attack of the exclamations)

Now reality has set in that I am going to have two babies! TWO! I need to do a lot, and today I have been trying to get things ready! All is well and I know we will be great! The baby is coming before the school starts and I will not have to go back to work after Christmas! Love you all, just wanted to keep you informed.

KATY

Contractions???!!!

So we have been contracting since Saturday night! I honestly thought I was having really bad indigestion, and went in with that pain, but no they were contractions. They monitored for an hour, they were/are five to seven minutes apart but never got any worse so...I am sitting at a 1 and 40% effaced. This is really exciting for me because the last baby chilled at 0 all the way across the board until 4 hours before he was born, so ANY progression is great! I am still contracting which just makes things uncomfortable but with no progression?... My boss and others kept asking what I was doing at work, but the reality is I can be uncomfortable and yucky at home and not get paid, or i can be the same at work and be paid!!!??? kind of a no brainier!

I have an apt tomorrow with the doctor so hopefully I can hear great news about progression, or a way to stop the uncomfortable contractions! We are 36 weeks and 5 days along so if he decided to come now it would really be ok with me! Plus we could claim him on this years taxes. Any way love you all and hope you are all great!
KATY

No Make up but new hair

I got my hair dyed today! I like it! It is a bit darker than I am use to, but at least it is all the same color.

Chad is done with finals!!!!!!!!!! He said he felt as though he did well, so we are looking forward to seeing his grades. We also found out that the loan I mentioned in the blog before is perfect. We will continue to try to do school with out the loans, but we found out that the Loan (the Perkins Loan) is made specifically for teachers and or nurses, and if you sign to teach in Utah for five years after you graduate they give you 100 % loan forgiveness, to make matters even better...because Chad is going to teach a science (biology) as long as he teaches at one of the hundreds of thousands of schools that accepts it, he will get 100 % loan forgiveness no mater the state!!! We were very excited when we heard that news.

Braxton is still the most amazing little thing. He never seems to stop learning! I love to watch him when he sees something new, or learns something new. he LOVES to read books, he will bring you a book and have you read it 13 times, then just go get you another. I hope his love for reading continues on in the future but we will wait and see what the future holds. He still only has four teeth, two top, two bottom, but with the amount of drool...I think we might be cutting molars?!?

We love you all and miss you! Hope everyone is doing ok!

KATY

Final Push

We are in the final push! Chad has this week of classes and then finals next week. He is doing well but RUSHING to finish last minute project. I think he will do well this semester. He is ready for next semester, he is taking 16 credit hours, and two courses on line, so I have no doubt he will be a busy guy. We found out that there is a student loan program that he can take advantage of here in Utah that gives 100% loan forgiveness if he teaches in Utah for 5 years after he graduates! I think this is great, but we are not sure we want to stay in Utah so...? We were still excited to hear about the offer. We are still looking at May of 2009 for graduation, and that is coming up faster than we ever thought!

Change of subject... If one more person asks me if I am having twins...SO HELP ME!!! OK I got pregnant faster than expected with this second, but we are still really happy, however, I did not lose much (if any) of the weight from Braxton, so I have twice the fat on top of my already big belly. I look like I should be delivering with in days, so when I tell people I have a month left... I personally don't worry to much about it because I got big fast with Braxton, i think Trish may have even asked if I was having twins, but this time it is worse! But we are down to the final push for me too. The last month always seems to just crawl by, but I am working hard on keeping myself entertained.

We love you all and hope everything is going great for everyone!

KATY

Fun

fi yuo cna raed tihs, yuo hvae a sgtrane mnid too
Cna yuo raed tihs? Olny 55 plepoe out of 100 can.
i cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it dseno't mtaetr in waht oerdr the ltteres in a wrod are, the olny iproamtnt tihng is taht the frsit and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it whotuit a pboerlm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Azanmig huh? yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt!

Stolen!

We are all good, and this survey looked fun!

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? I HATE egg nog!!!!!! I love hot chocolate with mint ice cream to col it down!!! MMMMMMM

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? Wrapped. Even though I know what they all are I love unwrapping gift!

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? Classic white. But I am really OCD about my lights and I do not like them unless they are done well?

4. Do you hang mistletoe? NO, but some guy tried to sell me some at work?

5. When do you put up your decorations? Chad made me wait...till after Thanksgiving dinner!

6. What is your favorite holiday dish? I love the honey ham for Christmas

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child: It's not really holiday but one year it snowed so much dad and art built a HUGE fort in the back yard. It was so big dad could stand up in it, and it had a tunnel to a smaller igloo. I think they even broke mom's cooler.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? ? I am the baby of four, I bet a sibling told me.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Yes, PJ’s, and a Christmas ornament from grandma, or at least we use to.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree? It has white lights with gold and maroon ornaments, with matching ribbon wrapped around. We are working on teaching Braxton that the ornaments on the tree are not balls for Braxton to play with.

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? LOVE IT!!!!! And I say really bluntly that if you do not like it MOVE OUT OF UTAH!!!! I need the snow though because with out it, it is just cold and I really dont like that, the snow justifies the cold!

12. Can you ice skate? I hate Ice skates, and to quote Monica Bing "The man who made these thinks feet should die!" If i could "Ice Skate" with out the ice skates then ya ok I'll go.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? I really love our camera we got from mom and dad last Christmas.

14. What’s the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Being with family and friends

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? I really just like all candy!!!

6. What is your favorite holiday tradition? I love gingerbread house, but we live to far away and have yet to do it ourselves.

17. What tops your tree? A golden star

18. Which do you prefer giving or receiving? Giving!

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? Silent Night

20. Candy Canes? Yes

21. Do you feel Christmas is too commercialized? Ya, and I am kind of bothered that there are things out at Walmart and things before Halloween is even over?!

The video sucks!!! I cant get it to copy and it would not play so... sorry

Ode to Guitar Hero!!

I got Chad a really great Christmas present with my work bonus!!! I could not keep it a secret or just stick it under a tree we both really wanted to play right away. Most have heard of a game called Guitar Hero, it was originally made for PS3, but it recently came out on the Wii and we jumped on the game. It is so fun! Chad is getting very good at the game, he can actually play some songs on the Difficult setting and succeed, I still struggle sometimes with the easy setting! It has some songs that I know well like "My name is Jonas" by Weezer , that song always reminds me of Art for some reason, and then some songs I really have no clue, I believe I don't know the songs because I have never been a real hard rock listener but...

My favorite part about the guitar hero is my little boy dancing. He has always bopped to music and wiggled around when a song comes on, but he really gets going with these.

I AM the exception!

(This is Chad by the way)

I am the exception for SUU rules. I am currently registering for the upcoming semester and I don't want to take classes that I don't need to. (i.e. Math 1010) To do that I need to have an ACT score of 23 or more. I finally took the ACT test for the first time in my life at the end of October. I found out today that I got a score better than 23 in math so I went to the registration office to get my scores into the system. The registrar started to enter my scores and he noticed something not quite right with my admissions. He took a look at this and asked if I had ever re-admitted to the school in '07?

"No. I have been going to school since spring of '06"

"Hmmm... It says here on the computer that you re-admitted in Spring of '07. You shouldn't be able to register for classes because you haven't paid the fee.."

Long story short, they tried to figure out why I was able to register for classes now, while I haven't paid for a re-admission fee. Why would I want to re-admit when I am currently enrolled?

While they were figuring that out and eventually erased it from my transcript they wanted to know who was asking for my ACT scores?

"Ummm.... You? The school needs them so I can register for certain classes"

"Okay, is your counselor asking for them?"

"No, this is the first time I have ever taken the test."

"We don't accept anyone into school without ACT scores. So how did you get accepted?"

"?"

I apparently beat the system somehow and am able to register for classes without paying fees!

Spaghetti Dinner

We had spaghetti tonight for dinner and Braxton really enjoyed his dinner!!!

MR. DESTRUCTO

Everyone who has kids knows that they can make a mess. Braxton has made today his day to destroy my house! I work in the morning from eight thirty to one, and Chad is home with my little monster, Chad is a clean guy, he just does not see the same things I do so most of the house is OK. Braxton pulled down the curtains in his room, pulled out the FOLDED laundry out of the basket, emptied the tupperware cupboard, and the pot and pan cupboard, pulled all the toys out of their baskets and threw his lunch all over the floor. Not all at the same time, and Chad got a lot of it all cleaned up before I got home. I am not a dirty person, and you can tell from the last blog I enjoy cleaning but... this is ridiculous. Any way I love my boy more than I hate the mess, so you all still have a grandson, nephew, cousin, etc.

CLEAN

Clean house! I love it! i try to clean my house every Tuesday. My goal is to do laundry and general straighten everything, and lately I have been picking one thing to DEEP clean! Today i did our master bathroom, it rocks I love it, i got down on my hands and keens and scrubbed the base boards! I cleaned out under the sink, cleaned out the closet, so on and so forth. I even took the shower curtain down and washed it!!! I was able to get the laundry done and the rest of my list done. Side note- I love lists, they rock, it is so fulfilling to cross something off of a list, I will even write something down on the list that i have already finished just so I can cross it off. I know that is weird but...

Life is good, Chad is doing well in school and Braxton is continuing to be the cutest baby boy ever, of cores I am biased he is mine! LOVE YOU ALL KATY

Nicola

This post is for Nicola. We don't use my e-mail for our blog. So I can not accept your invite? Could you send another to huntsmanhotties@hotmail.com? That would be great thanks!

Halloween Pics

These are just pictures for all to enjoy, nothing much more than that. First is of Braxton and Maleah in their costumes and then Yoda him (her) self. :)

Braxton of course is super cute with whiskers and Cat in The Hat costume. He didn't seem to be too much into the candy until he found that all of the kids coming to our house were asking for it.

One of the only pictures that we got of braxton with a his hat on. We were suprised that he kept his hood on for so long!

I hope you all enjoyed these pictures. Katy really wants family to be closer for these type of events, but we will survive. I know that it will be hard for her in the upcoming holidays.

Love you all,

Helpfull family!

Thank you for the suggestions! I was wondering though if I have the night light and we put him in his big boy bed wont he pull it out of the socket? suggestions? Maybe we need to wait for the bog boy bed?

Afraid of the dark, and Thriller! Bunko

Sorry the title is backwards, I am going to talk about Thriller first!

So for those of you who do not know, Thriller is a show put on at Tuachan here in St George. It was originally produce at Kingsberry Hall, but they have brought it as a touring show to St George for a couple of years. Well Chad had never seen it, and I love it, so we splurged and bought tickets! It was great! We went with some friends that drove up from Arizona and had a real blast. Any time I see shows like that it makes me miss dance, and makes me miss my dancers body, but I will be smaller I think I have a good excuse at the moment?

We think Braxton might be afraid of the dark? I don't know if some one so small can be afraid of the dark yet, but for the last three of four nights we will put him to bed and he just screams? Braxton is a really happy baby and usually goes right to sleep, but he will seriously scream for hours. So we tried to just crack his door tonight and leave the hall light on...well it worked. No crying and he went to sleep? The only problem we will run into now is the big boy bed we are trying to get him to sleep in will have to be put on hold for a little while. If we put him in the big boy bed with the door open we would have a little boy wanting to play with in seconds of "going to bed" so we will see how things go.

I use to have a Bunko group I played with every month in high school, I have a group I play with as a filler right now. If they have some one bail I go play to keep the numbers. Well i want to set up a group in my ward. I love it and I can think of a few girls that would really have a blast once a month just socializing with the girls!!!! That is a goal by next may to have it all set up, I will keep you informed!

Love you all and miss you all! KATY

Microwaves, the flu, referendum 1, family!

OK so our microwave just stopped! I was defrosting chicken for dinner and it just turned off? It is kind of old, i guess, it is a hand me down from Chad's mom, but really it's only like three years max? Any way we now get to buy a new one! I am really excited because I get to buy what I want. We also need a new toaster, only half of ours works, so maybe we will do a twofer deal!

I think Chad has the flu that braxton fought! Chad does not get sick very often, but when he does he is usually out for the count. We are hoping it pases quickly because Chad does not do vomit AT ALL! Braxton is pretty much over his sickness, we get an occasional spike in temp, but we take a colder bath and it goes right back down! Me I am healthy, I swear prenatal vitamins rock!

Chad is in school right now to become a teacher, we still have two to three years left, but this referendum 1 thing has got us both questioning! It will ultimately affect him if we stay in Utah when he is done. But we can not find any non biased literature on it. I know that those of you who read this blog and have kids in school don't even live in Utah, and those who live in Utah don't have kids old enough to really care yet, but it is really bothering me that I can not find ANY non biased, fact based, writings!

I miss family! Sunday was really boring for us! We all just sat around! Way to cold to go out side, and we have no one to go see. I really do wish that we lived closer to family! It stinks because we don't live far enough away for people to plan vacations to come see us and even if they did come to see us there is not really a whole lot to do here, they would just be chilling with me and my boys! I think that rocks. And we live to far away for it to be just an afternoon trip! Sorry I'll stop complaining, just miss my siblings! LOVE YOU ALL

KATY

Scary ending!!

We all went to Disney Land this last weekend, and had SOOOOO much fun!!! A few highlights and then I will explain the title!
-Nemo! Braxton's first "roller coaster" he loved it and kept saying "What'that" at every new fish.
-Trick or treating, we all dressed up. Braxton loved the atmosphere and would point in the direction he wanted to go!
-ART and STEPH got us into The Blue Bayou. It is a restaurant inside the park, Pirates actually goes threw the restaurant. We did not think we were going to make it in, but ART and STEPH rock!!!! It is kind of a Maxwell tradition, mint juleps and the completely edible ships. MMMMMM
-Braxton fell asleep on pirates? yes out cold!

OK now that we have the good stuff now comes the one part of this vaca I will NEVER forget...

Braxton started to throw up on Saturday night, he threw up all of lunch and anything else we could have possibly given him. Sunday morning he continued to throw up the little bit of liquids we gave to him in the morning! So we decided to limit food to nothing...at least for a while. We gave him a little bit of coke, grandmas all said it would help, and you know in the twelve hours or so that he had been throwing up...it was the only thing to stay down?!?

We went shopping on our last day, make sure we got all the things we wanted to remember Disney by. Mom, Dad, Griffee's, Grandma Gordan, and Grandma Leanna, and of course us all went to lunch at this really over priced pizza place. Side note, I mean it when I say it was over priced, an "Family size" pizza came with eight pieces and was $47 dollars??????? Ok back to the story.

Braxton was throwing a fit, not doubt he was hungry and we know he was not feeling good, well he went to take a big breath in and scream, you know the silent intake before the explosion!!! Well he was taking his breath in and I picked him up...well the breath never came out! I first noticed his lips turn blue and then his eyes rolled back, and then the edges around his eyes turned blue....Chad grabbed him, and thats when his body went completely limp.... He started to seize and Chad screamed to have some one call 911!!!

Two RN's were in the restaurant and rushed over, laying him on the ground they immediately started taking care of him. He woke up probably no longer than thirty second later, but my gosh that was the longest thirty seconds of my life. We took him in the ambulance to the ER were they told us it was a femoral seizure. Not really that uncommon in little babies and nothing that causes permanent damage. It happens when the temperature in their tiny little bodies goes up to fast!

I will never forget those images of my little man lifeless body in his daddy's arms, and I his dad will never forget either. We are now a little gun shy, and anytime he throws a fit, our hearts race a little more than usual. The doctors also said he had an inner ear infection, and most likely the flu...no really, him throwing up, was my first guess! lol!

We were released with not major issues, and we are now home, safe and sound. Although chad and I will look at sickness very different from now on

Smart little boy!!!!!

Braxton is an easy baby!!!! Any one who has watched him, or known him from birth would tell you we really are so lucky. He entertains himself so well, and is always a happy guy.

Well maybe him being so self entertaining is not such a great thing...

Chad and i were doing the dishes when Chad went to check on boy. About three seconds later Chad brings boy to me and says "I need you to watch him for a minute..." I fallowed him back into our bed room were I saw what my lovely little nerd of a son had done. Chad said he caught him getting ready to go for the next key. As you can tell, because I am using the computer to write to you all, Chad was able to just pop the letters back into place. Lucky for my boy! Well other than that we are great, getting ready for Disney and really getting excited to see family!

I have to add something (this is Chad). The picture that you see is after putting back half of the letters that were already decapitated. He started with the shift key, and I guess that there was something enjoyable about doing that.

We love you all KATY

Happy Birthday!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY HUBBY!!!!

Just a public happy birthday to my wonderful hubby. I love him so much and I am so great full for him and the love he shows me! He is now 25 and laughs at being a quarter of a century old!

LOVE YOU BABY!!!!

Talking boy!

So Braxton makes sounds, and talks gibberish to himself, but lately there has been some actual words...OK maybe not actual words but I know what he means. "Ba" is bath or ball, you can tel by were he is standing, "whasit" is what's that, and "theris" is there it is. He is giving kisses, but only to mom and dad, and he loves to growl at you...he still wont wave, but what can you do.

He had his one year doctor visit and is a very healthy tall boy. He is in the 90th percentile for height and only the 25th for weight, but I swear the kid must have hallow legs with how much we feed him. He has discovered he is a boy, and anytime we change his bum we have to avert his hands, I think this is normal. He has also discovered his belly button, it is so funny to watch him look for it, the more he bends to touch it, the more his stomach roles over it.

Baby in the tummy is great, we have some issues, but really it is nothing serious just normal stuff so no need to elaborate. Chad is still doing great in school and so far has not complained at all, and if you can believe it we are already at mid-terms, gosh time really does fly. Thats us for now. Love you all KATY

Am I crazy?

Gosh today has been nuts! I feel like I am really losing it!

I have been with Wells now for two years, and I am in a position where things really don't change to drastically over time, well today i could not remember anything. I seriously forgot how to run half of the transactions I know how to do, and I put my name on some questionable checks that I had to find and correct later. I said good morning at the end of transactions and goodbye and the beginning?! oh my!! I was crazy with Braxton, and lets be honest, i was crazy before pregnancy, but this is ridiculous.

When Chad came to get me from work and we had to go take him to school (oh the joy's of one car, thank goodness for our little town) I know he goes to school till five today, but for some reason i forgot and then got upset because the things I had planned for the day involved him...washing the car, mowing the back, and other things. poor guy was so patient with my rantings, kissed my good bye and went to class. I really hope this craziness goes away soon.

Katy

Birthday, madness, and boo boo's

Braxton's birthday was such a blast! We love seeing family and it was really nice not to have to drive to six different houses to see every one! Braxton made out like a bandit, which is not shocking, and he really loved playing with his cousins. We got lots of good stuff, but his favorite gift as of now is the book and stuffy that the Bragg girls got him. It is a book with a bunch of Dr. Sues books in it. He loves to sit and "read" it. Mom reads and he laughs, I'm sure it is because mom is really animated while I read and i am trying to figure out the words but...

The madness is just getting back into the swing of things once we get home. I am really a perfectionist when it comes to my clean house, so it drives me nuts to have every thing a mess. I love my house and I know my son and Chad can really tell when I am at my own house and with my own things.


Boo boo's involve the massive sore Braxton gave himself on his ear. I was going through his clothes, we got more form Steph (thanks), so I had his drawers from his dresser on my bedroom floor. Braxton lost his footing and fell on to the side of a drawer so perfectly that he gave himself a nasty bruise. I am sure it looks worse because the ear really does not have a lot of room for injury, but he is babying it a little more, and he wont really let us touch it. I tried to take some pictures but we will see if you can tell.

Any way love you all, Huntsmans

You want 'em you got 'em

here are some pictures for you guys to enjoy. you can tell which are which, but he is eating his cake, swinging on the swings for the first time, and showing his bum to the world as he is going to pick up some toys at a friends birthday party. I don' think these are the best photos of him, but we are saving those for this weekend. :)

ENJOY!

Another Blog?

What is the world coming too? The Huntsman's having 2 blogs in ONE day?!? wow.

The main reason why I am blogging right now at eleven, is that we keep getting text messages or phone calls or comments on other blogs, that we don't blog enough. so I will be trying to even the score. ;)

As for news from us, there is not much to tell (like Katy already mentioned). I am staying pretty busy with all of my school work and my jobs. Yes, jobs; not too much, but still enough to keep me busy. Katy has already mentioned something about losing work keys, which is true. I work for the University cleaning the technology building after hours. Therefore I have a master key to the Technology building. losing the key isn't a huge deal because its only to the rooms in the techno building, its doesn't even unlock the doors from the outside in. anyway, I work for the school only about 13 hours a week or 1-2 hours every weekday evening. Not too stressful.

As for my other job. It's awesome. I am actually kinda lucky to get it. I officiate volleyball on Monday nights for the city. I think its great because my ultimate goal is to coach volleyball for a high school. It only pays about 50 bucks a week, but its still something that I love and will only help me in my endeavors.

I am doing just fine in school, mostly becuase my classes aren't that hard. they are still relatively low level classes. starting next semester I should be taking some of the "upper" levels, meaning that they are more directional in their course toward my major instead of just pre-reqs or generals. I am however taking a spanish class, (it's only 1010) which is kinda fun. it's not so much a required course for me yet, but its a direction I could go. I have to take either 16 credits of foreign language, or around 16 credits of science and math.. having my major in Biology, sometimes I feel like I am already going to have enough science.. so that's my reasoning in taking the spanish class.

I think thats about all from me. I might just try to blog again within the week. It's nice to hear from all of you. Hope to see you this weekend.

Ciao

To blog or not to blog!

So I am blogging...but I really have nothing good to say...so to blog today would be depressing...and I promised that the next blog would be a happy one...so...to blog or not to blog...that is the question...?

The Huntsman house hold is a happy one, stressed, but happy. I am fighting a head cold, and losing at the moment, and a job that I am REALLY struggling with but feel that my options are limited!?!

Chad is kicking trash in school, has not missed one class or any assignments! I am so proud of him! He has however misplaced his work keys...which is an issue because they are master keys to the university... uh we are not sure what to do about that.

Braxton is my favorite! Makes getting up in the morning OK, and he makes leaving for a job I hate right now any way, harder. We had a friend party for him on Saturday, he had a blast playing with all the kids. He is like his parents, very social.

OK I blogged and it was better than I thought. Love you all KATY

The first pic is of Braxton in a rain storm..he wanted to play and not come in so...

The next are of his birthday it was fun with all the firends!

Memory lane!

Chad and I don't have cable we use good old fashion bunny ears, and we pick up all the stations we really could need. One of those stations happens to be the BYU stations, occasionally on this station they will show a number or two of the BYU ballroom dance shows. Now most of you know, because it was such a HUGE part of my life, that I danced for many years on the BYU youth team. I had to stop when I dislocated my knee my sophomore year in high school.

Now I have no doubt that ballroom was not the path I needed to take, and that had I not blown my knee I would be dancing today on BYU's team. I am so grateful for the track the Lord put me on, and I know that I am better prepared for his plan now, but...I can not watch my old friends. Nearly half of the BYU team now were my team mates, as youth, I competed against most, and even beat some of them. It is hard to grasp the thought that I will never be able to compete at their level again, that I will most likely never go to Nationals again, and that I will NEVER have that body again. I don't know if this is hard for me to handle because it was all taken away so abruptly? But I really do struggle with theses thoughts, more than I should.

I know this blog is really depressing...but I have such a passion for that part of my life, and I feel like the book was closed and put away permanently right before we read the last chapter? Sorry...I love you all, the next blog will be a happier one!

Blogging!

I guess I do not blog enough!?! Sorry Bobbie. But I will blog now!

First we have come the conclusion that we are going to be the Cat in the Hat, and thing 1 and 2 for our Disney trip. Braxton will be our cat and chad and I are the things! Simple and comfy considering I will be 6+ months prego!

Second I hate life altering decisions! they seem to come at the most inopportune time and they really throw me, the decision is not bad one, it is one of those that will work out great either way, but it still is a difficult one. Sorry so vague just venting shortly!

Third, I hate candles! If you read bobbies comment on our last blog I tried to burn our house down! The candle was done, and instead of it just blowing out, it heated the glass and cracked it into millions of little fire balls, the base then continued to burn a hole into our counter. Of course the burn has to be right in the middle of two seams, so we have to replace both pieces. We have renters insurance that will cover most, but it all depends on if the people we rent from will let us do it our selves and not go through them. Gotta love government housing. I guess the saying "like mother, like daughter" applies.

Fourth being the only son-in-law of the Maxwell's still in school, chad is kicking trash. His goal is always a 4.0 but this semester he can actually do it. If he can pull a 3.5 or better this semester and next we will qualify for scholarships! Cool huh. Chad is really doing great and I love how dedicated he seems this semester. He cleans for the school every night from 5-9 and he has class every day from 12-5, so i kiss him goodbye in the morning and then he usually wakes me up when he gets home. Life is good and we swung into the school schedule with absolutely no casualties!

Five, Braxton is doing great. Growing and learning by the second. Hope to see most of you at his birthday party, PS Mickey I could not get a hold of you to send an invite, but you are invited.

Love you all. Katy

Cliche'

I know this is going to sound cliche' but I can not believe that Braxton is already one years old. Or close to it... it really feels like it went by to fast!

any way we are having a party for him at mom's house on the 22ND of Sept, but I need addresses for every one so I can send invites? If you could just leave it in the comment area or e-mail it to me at katymaxwell007@hotmail.com that would be great.
Thanks
PS I know that there is a BYU game that day. For the half of the family that supports this, we have scheduled around it. Love you all!

Stolen

I took this from my sister. I don’t have much to say today (same old same old) so enjoy!

SENIOR YEAR QUESTIONS…

1. Who was your best friend?
Stephanie Marie Stansfield!

2. What sports did you play?
No I always say that God made me a dancer for a reason.

3. What kind of car did you drive?
Mostly my dad's Tacoma, truck, but sometimes the Minivan.

4. On a Friday night what where you doing?
Anything. My friends were happy anywhere. My house, Wendy's, in the car, we were happy doing anything really.

5. Were you a party animal?
I would say yes but not in the drinking or drug way.

6. Were you considered a flirt?
Yes

7. Were you in band, orchestra, or choir?
Yes to choir that was a blast.

8. Were you a nerd?
I have always thought I was a nerd. But in the since they are meaning, i don't ink so.

9. Did you get suspended/expelled?
Nope

10. Can you still sing the fight song?
Nope it faded by the time I was in high school?

11. Who was your favorite teacher?
I really loved my AP Government and English teacher, Mrs. Accord.

12. Where did you sit during lunch?
Usually Wendy's, we went so often my friends now call it "Katy's" I always said I would be thin and rich if not for that place.

13. Name the school full name?
Pleasant Grove High School

14. School mascot?
Mighty Viking

15. School Colors?
Blue & White

16. Rival high school?
LONE PEAK!!!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH i am STILL bitter that they beat us for the basketball title! it was to close and the only time I have ever wanted to fight the opposing crowd!

17. Did you go to Prom?
Yep, My Jr was with a very interesting young man, who got really friendly afterwards! Thank goodness for good friends! The Sr was with my "Crush" oh he was a dweeb. but I truly had fun at both!

18. If you could go back and do it again, would you?
Not if i had to give up what I have now! I love my hubby and boy(s) to much!

19. What do you remember most about graduation?
The senior class pres was a good friend, his speech was really great! Thanks McKay

20. Where did you go senior SLUFF day?
To a camp up the mountains with hiking and volleyball and tons of other stuff. It was a blast!

21. Favorite memory?
Anytime my senior year! I really figured a lot of myself out, I loved it!

22. Were you in any clubs?
Esteem team, Debate, and choir.

23. Where did you go most often for lunch?
Wendy's, my or a friends house!

24. Have you gained some weight since then?
HA HA HA HA yes but I blame it on my babies!

26. Are you planning on going to your 10-year reunion?
i will go to my 5 year first! Sorry I'm young

27. Who was your home room teacher?
I don't think we had a home room.

28. Who will re post this after you?
I have no idea.

29. Who was your high school sweetheart?
I never dated anyone seriously in high school just dated around.

30. Do you still talk to people from high school?
Ya my close girls friends!

31. Did you win prom queen or king?
no

32. Where did you work at in high school ?
Hawaiian style shaved ice, four summers running

"Cooler on Ice?"

OK we have all been there, we are singing a song and we are not 100% on the words but we sing what we think it is. My great story is the Bare Naked Ladies song One Week I thought the words in the chorus were "Wipe off my number sleeve", the words are actually "Wear my mind on my sleeve", for two years I sang the song that way until a friend of mine laughed and corrected me.

Well tonight my husband and I were driving and the song Cooler online it is a new country song that really makes me laugh. The chorus sings "I'm so much cooler online" but my sweet husband was singing the words, "I'm so much cooler on ice" OK I love it! Sorry I know that was short but we have all had these experiences.

St George weekend

So the usual author of these blogs has passed the reigns to me; so this might be a little shorter or have a different feel to them than usual, that is why.

We decided a while ago that we needed to have at least a weekend and take a trip to the temple, so we made a weekend out of it! It was fun. We convinced our usual baby sitter to watch braxton while we were gone, and we had a weekend with just the 2 of us.

We went down Friday afternoon got a hotel for the night and then hit the town. we went shopping for some clothes for braxton's birthday coming up, we got a few outfits for Katy since she is getting big with the pregnancy again, and we got me some clothes because I start school again on Monday. after we had a fill of shopping we went to Olive Garden (we chose there because there are none in Cedar City). Once we decided that the day was done we went back to the hotel.

Katy wanted to sleep in til check out time, but my body told me otherwise and so I was up as usual at 7 am... she didn't like me too much for that, so I let her sleep while I tried to catch up to her in the Twilight series.. once she decided that she was done sleeping we got dress up and went to the temple. it was great there. a lot cooler inside than it was outside. (it's still 100+ in St. George). We finished the session, went to lunch and decided that we had finished what we came for in the first place and headed home. That is where we are now (obviously).

we hope you are all doing well, and just remember to step back and "blax"(relax for those of you who may be confused)

Ciao

HUBBY

My husband is coming home! Not today like he was supposed to but tomorrow afternoon. I am very excited to see him.

I have decided that the politics of corporate America are to much for me. LONG story short, my job is causing me more headaches than usual because of silly bosses! I know everything will work out and i really should take it as a compliment because they both "like" and "trust" me so much but...I'm done being the favorite in this situation!

Sorry I don't know if that made since but I needed to say it. Love you all

Stolen

It's all about me.
5 Things I Was Doing 10 Years Ago

1. Starting ballroom
2. Dancing a lot!
3. Discovering boy
4. Hanging out with Mom and Dad!
5. Admiring my siblings

5 Things on my to-do list today

1. Dishes, the never ending battle.
2. Work
3. Play with my boy
4. Spray the weeds in my back yard.
5. Miss my husband

5 Snacks I Enjoy

1. Always Ice cream...but I am very picky about it.
2. String Cheese
3. Popsicles
4. Any fruit
5. Bobbie's cookies...mmmmm! wow I second the motion! She is the best with the chocolate chips!

5 Songs I Know the Lyrics to

1. You know how I feel...Michael Bubble'
2. Breathe...Faith Hill
3. Hope...Dixie Chicks
4. Out tonight...from Rent
5. Big Butts...Sir Mix-a-lot

5 Things I would do if I were a millionaire

1. Invest
2. Live off of said investment
3. Travel
4. Give to my family
5. Get Chad's parents out of debt


5 Bad Habits

1. Biting my nails
2. I will clean the entire bathroom, but the tub...I hate the tub!
3. Spending to much money
4. Gossiping. I know it's bad, but at least I'm being honest here! I think this is a family fault
5. Lazy, i would rather be home with my hubby in bed!!!!


5 Things I'd never wear again

1. the leotards that snap under the crotch
2. Ballroom Makeup!
3. Cheer leading uniform
4. Scrunchies
5. Biker shorts!

5 Favorite toys

1. Trucks!
2. Chad & Braxton
3. Boats
4. Music
5. Money

Now for Tagging:

1. Steph
2. Bobbie
3. Kristen
4. Holly
5. Mickie

I don't really blog with any one else so, the same!

Lacking

I've been lacking a husband, i have been since the 1st of august! But he is coming home on Friday! Braxton and I have been having fun, and loving the weather. Braxton really loves the pool and the water, we bought a little kiddie pool and today he learned to climb in and out of it! He just giggled and he climbed in and out the entire time! Braxton is getting a tooth on the top and he is grumpy with this one. He is such a happy guy all the time, it's weird.

Chad is officially ready for school. He had a few things that he needed to sort out before it started but he was gone, so... he school counselor, financial aid counselor and his school time boss, know me pretty well. School is one thing I just let Chad handle. When we were first married I tried to be involved but we think so differently that is just caused anger! He is a big guy and he does well. It looks like he will be done may of 2009, that is if nothing comes up, or Chad does not decide to double major which is real possibility. It would only add one maybe two semesters so...

I'm good just working and loving my boys!!

Greatful!

So a warning before this blog! I am using this a journal, as most of you are, so this post is going to be gushy!

I have to write and just say how grateful I am. I stress so often about money and our "debt". To often I freak out at the wrong thing (Chad) instead of attacking the problem. But if I were to just stand back and look at what we have...We really are fine. To bad this thought never last to the next pay check?

But I do have to say that I am grateful for my great house, my amazing hubby and my beautiful boy. I have a good job that is not bad and pays me well with great benefits. Chad is doing well in school and works so hard in the summer. I miss my family, but i know we are living were we are suppose to be.

Because of Chad's job he does not make it home on Sundays a lot, so I find myself fighting to go to church alone! This last week Chad was able to go with me, it was great and the talk was on the pioneers and their struggles. It really puts your life into perspective. I know that we have struggles that they could not deal with, but I have a home that is stuctually sound and has central air!! Plus I don't have to walk thousands of miles pulling anything. Well that is my rant. Thanks for letting me vent and I hope that the feeling last to the next pay check!

KATY

It's a boy!

I am only 16 weeks along and you usually don't get to find out the sex of the baby before 20, but last night we went to the ER for other health issues and they did an ultrasound for precautions sake! I asked just out of curiosity if they could tell us the sex, the nurse chuckled and said there was no reason why we could not look.

This little guy is just like his brother! Spread eagle great shot right of the crotch! This is a really good thing because now we have everything we are going to need and don't have to worry about new purchases.

Life for us has been good just busy busy. We love you all and miss you all KATY

Disney Movie Club

I joined the Movie club to begin building our movie collection! We both grew up with a large movie selection and I wanted Braxton and my kids to have the same thing! So I joined and have begun, I was pleasing surprise to find that I got six movies for $25 dollars. It is such a great deal. i have to buy two more movies at regular price with in two years. But I will continue to receive different discounts, and specials.

We put on Mary Poppins and Braxton just sat and watched. He would not pay attention for a while but then a song would come on and he would drop and turn! The "I love to laugh" song came on and he giggled the entire time! It was so fun to watch him laughing at the song! Disney is so great. We got Cars, Emperors New to Groove, The Incredibles, Toy Story, Pirates, and Mary Poppins. I hope to just continue to build the collection. Love it!

Husband Home= Fun Day

I have had a hubby for the last two days and my gosh i missed him! It was getting to the point were even Braxton was noticing he was gone. We will have a fairly large pay check this next one, and I know the instant it hit my account I will be OK with him being gone but wow it is hard. I want to travel and see family and things through out the week, but I am still working so my day consists of working and then sitting at home with my boy. Steph I do not see how you do it. You are so strong.

We went on a date last night. We went to Harry Potter!! Now when it comes to the books I am a super freak, wait in line, get dresses up, all that jazz, but the movies are not as important to me. However this movie ROCKED!!!! it was so good, and so well done. If you have not seen it go, I do have to say though there were three or four times where I had to lean into Chad because i was scared, so if you have little guys just be prepared.

Before our date we went to the "July jamboree" It is a street fair they hold on main street. We are know as Festival City USA, and it is because of the Shakespearean festival and because at least once a month they shut down main for some sort of street fair. I love my little town. This one is my favorite festival, old car owners bring out their old fixed up cars and they line the streets, we have a contest on which one is the best on certain levels and the prizes are given. Now i don't know as much about car as say dad. But any one can appreciate a 69', sky blue, fully restored, Corvette. there are older cars and one bright red model T it rocks. then there are vendors between the cars, Navajo tacos, purse sells men, the Cedar city animal shelter, and others. It is fun and we took Braxton with us to see it all.

Over all it was a great weekend! Hope you all enjoyed yours!!

KATY

Milford flat fire, the weekend, Brittany's spouse, the story

Yes my husband is on that fire!!!! It is so big and will not stop spreading. I have not seen my hubby for more than three seconds within the last three days!!!! I am not to nervous because my hubby is very safe and the fire fighter theory is to bail out if it gets to bad. But it is still a really big fire and he is still fighting it so please pray for his safety!!!!

This weekend was so much fun just spending time with my girls friends! We watched friends and drank pina coladas on Friday night and then yesterday we went to St George and played there with Brittany and her new soon to be hubby. He is really cute and way sweet but you can tell he was trying to impress us. But we have all been friends for more years than you can count so i can see the intimidation factor. By the end of the night we (Stephanie and I) had decided that he was good enough and would treat her well! They are going to be sealed on the 8Th of September in the Timpanogas Temple! It is so great and we are very happy for her!

OK the story about the Beijing trip. The story will really take to long time to tell, so really i am just going to give you the important details, if it does not make since please let me know or just ask questions:

The contest started in April, that is when people first started to vote. In the beginning all the family was together, one, two, and three. They would all fluctuate but mostly stayed just right there. Then the one sister started to to pull ahead. Now in order for all of you to join in in my fury you must have some brief back ground.

Chad's mom is one of the oldest of 15 kids. Yes 15 no duplicates and no adoptions. They did not have a lot growing up and really helped each other get through things, this is all what Karen says. Now Chad's family did not have a whole lot growing up either, with weekly visits to the bishop store house, and government assistance in their every day living, even to this day. Quite a difference from my life, or at least the life I remember. Any way Karen's sister married well and they are not hurting. They have a lot more comparatively to Karen and her family.

Any way as we continued to vote the Bertolas, that is the one aunt that I struggle with, started to slowly pull away. Karen asked what was going on, and they mentioned that they did not want their extended family to go because she was afraid it would ruin their trip. Well we discovered that she was paying her kids friends to vote for a certain amount of time at their own homes, but only to vote for her family not her sister. Now that got me angry, because Karen just does not have the means to do that, but I was not as angry as I could have been, but that did not last long.

Karen had contacted other people in the contest that were right around her in the same amount of voting, and formed an alliance. "We will vote for you if you vote for us" Well Bertolas contacted the same people and purposely broke her sisters alliance to form her own and send us further down the list. When Karen confronted her about this she just claimed to really want her family to go and to do anything to win the "competition".

There were other things that made it hard for me but I just don't get how you could purposely screw your own family, and then I guess it's my pull for the under dog, but Amanda, Chad's little sister, will probably never have the money to go to Beijing a lone and she is in love with the culture, but like I said the Bertolas come form money!!!

OK that is my story and it is very long sorry. But what do you do?

Love you all and will write again another time.

Braxton, 4th of July, Stephanie, and family.

Braxton is getting really big! I know I keep saying that but he is a standing and walking man! He will stand by himself for hours but now he will take up to eight or nine steps before falling. I love his face when he is walking he looks so happy! He still does not talk a whole lot but he always has been a kinds of quiet kid. Shockingly knowing his mom and dad! Lol! An occasional mama or dad will come out but other than that its just gibberish!

The 4Th was fun, we tried to make it to the parade down here but it was way to hot for our little guy! He got grumpy about ten minutes in and we took off. Then we came back to the house and cleaned!! My girls friend from high school came to stay with us and although she really would not care what our house looked like, it was a good excuse to get it done! We also moved our furniture! Mom and Dad gave Chad and I their old entertainment center when they got the flat screen and I love it! It has the usual wear and tear, but mom has kept it really nice and it looks so awesome in our living room! Thanks mom and dad! Chad had to work from two till about midnight, so we did not do fire works but I think Braxton is still to little to care or notice!

I mentioned that my high school friend is here! Her name is Stephanie and she really is one of those people you just feel lucky to have! She and her hubby live in Havasu AZ, so we have not seen each other in a while! Chad is on a fire and her hubby is hunting, so she is here for the weekend. Last night we just laughed and cried! I loved high school while I was there and it is always fun to look back with friends. Steph is like part of my family so they will understand how great it is for her to visit. Oh for those of you who know her Brittany Edleffson is engage, and getting married September 8Th.

We are not going to Beijing. To make a very long ridiculous story short, Chad's Aunt who finished 2Nd side swiped us. The entire experience was shaddy and really hard for me to deal with. Our family may not always get along and really can be our own worst enemy, but we are also and more importantly our biggest cheering section! I guess Chad's family does not work the same way and it was really discouraging! If your interested in the story I can blog about it but it is long and really sad to me!

Well that's us for now we love you all and hope you all enjoyed the holiday!

KATY

Calling for help!

Do you have a dream to travel? Well, my little sister, Amanda, does. She has had the dream to go to China for over 7 years (thats Half her age!) and she now has the chance. However, there is a hiccup. She is in a contest to go to Beijing on the week of August 10th and competing with 50 different families around the world.

The contest is won merely by votes, you can vote for as many familes as you want at a time for every 1 min. so every minute you can vote. She is currently in 8th place and she needs to get into at least the top 5. The voting goes until the end of the month and the winners will be declared then. Here is the link:

http://family.beijing2008.cn/en/list_1.html

Just copy and paste if it doesn't work. make sure to click on the english version if its not already.

My family's SN (screen name) is Dream Beijing. Now you can vote as many times as you want. My family takes shifts and stays up to vote, but you don't have to do that. just vote when you can please. I would really like it if she could go. I will be a lot of work, but I figure if you could at least vote once it would help a TON!

Thanks in advance, and Good luck!


Chad Huntsman

"Hello! Where are the blogs? I need the blogs!"- Trish Griffee

I know it has been a long while since the Hunstmans have blogged! Live has been a little extra crazy for us! No excuse, i know we are all busy, but...

Chad is a working machine. He may not work during the school year but the 80+ hours he puts in during the summer make up for it! He has been on three fires and is gone A LOT! I really don't like it but this is year it is better because I have Braxton. He likes his job and is actually looking to advance next summer, he would like to teach fire school.

Braxton is huge!!!!!!!!! he is standing by himself and I believe with in the next month or so he will be walking around! He is DA DA DA DA DAing all day long and MA MA only comes out if he is sad? I really can not believe how much you can love something!!

I am good. Normal first trimester sick stuff but nothing that we cant handle!! I am 10 weeks today and we still have not told any of Chad's Fam? He does not want to yet! and I know the longer we wait the more trouble I am going to be in with his mom and Grandma. But I will humor him. I am still working even though with a week like last week isn't a wonder any body still works for my boss?? I almost walked out a couple of times? But I need the insurance.

We miss family so much...we have not been to visit Utah county in months and I am really getting anxious. But would you believe that gas is almost $.20 more down here? and lets face it my money tree ran out years ago.

Well that is the Huntsman's for now. I would like to say I will blog more ofter but who knows really! Love you all Katy

And so it begins!

So Chad isgone for the first time this summer! I will most defenetly will not be the last! Chad fights fires for the state during the summer and really enjoys it! We have no warning on when he will be called onto the fires and unfortunatly it usually happens when he already at work so i kiss him in the morning and he is gone for a couple days after that. The money is nice once we get to that point, but I am a whimp! I live far away from family and the few close friends I have have hubbies that are home, so...

I know I am complaining but like I say to any body who makes fun, or question Chad and my closeness. "I married my hudband to be with him not to be away?" I truly married my best friend and I love that.

Ok enough being all oozzing! I love it, talk to you all later!

Baby Einstein

Baby Einstein! Braxton loves it! OK I am one of those crazies who does not like my boy watching to much TV, but this one is priceless! I can put it on and walk away any were and I know that when I get back this is what I will find! A couple minutes of calm is really nice! He is getting so big and mobile. He is crawling every were and is getting very brave!?? I love how his little personality is so strong and developed. He is like his own little person. I know that sounds cheesy but I love it!
Oh and PS I am expecting our second due January 2nd?

Pretzels

I know I have already blogged once today, but I must share with you all the story of the pretzels.

Ok Braxton really likes to suck on the pretzels until all the salt is gone, then he comes to me to get another. He is getting really good at pouting and also at climbing onto things. Nothing is safe! Well I had the bag on our coffee table and I walked down the hall to change the laundry. I thought Braxton was preoccupied enough with Baby Einstein, he loves those DVDs. But I soon learned that he was not preoccupied, and had found the bag. He pulled the entire bag onto himself, and had fun playing with them. I took some pictures after I pushed things together but things were very messy.

PS
Some asked what the white area is on my back in the blog before. I had put on sunscreen myself on my shoulders and other things, and the white spot is were I put on sunscreen myself. I did not ask any one else to help, and now I am paying for it.

The Lake

On mothers day we went to Sand Hollow lake with some friends of ours! It was so much fun to be on a boat again, I have not gone since high school. Braxton loved it, I was worried. Chad, Braxton and I really loaded on the sunscreen, it was great I got just a little bit of sun but...I forgot my back??? It is fried and has been really uncomfortable. Well I am going to try to put a pic on.
Don't ask what these two are doing! It was funny at the time!