How Does Our Garden Grow? Well, Let's Check It Out!

 I started all but the tomato plants from seeds and about a month ago we transplanted.  I couldn't have done it without Hyrum and Brigham.  Hyrum rotatilled it all, scooped and hauled the free manure from our ward member, hauled in all the dirt I'd gotten, and was the garden tip guru :)

  Brigham tested the quality of the water and mud.  It passed the test I think!

 It took me a LONG time to have the motivation to clean off his clothes and shoes...but I'm happy to report that they WERE mud free this morning...but the boots had to test out the mud again this morning so they're back on my to-do list :)

 Here's how our garden is doing now.  We've already eaten one squash and we're anxiously waiting for our tomatoes to ripen.

 

Here's my red-neck part of the garden.  I really wanted to test out container gardening...and so far, so good!

 

Brigham says the word "Ba! Ba!" for "Ball! Ball!" He came up to me while I was watering this week saying "Ba! Ba!"...This led me to be suspicious right away...where did he find a ball?  He proudly showed me the green tomato in his hand saying "Ba! Ba!"  Ha!  Ha! 

Mr. Independent

Brigham understands SO MUCH now!  He still doesn't say anything yet but he knows exactly what he wants and a LOT of what we're staying...I have to spell things sometimes now just to keep his expert ears from hearing words.

  Last night at dinner Daddy put a little salt on Brigham's tomato...but that just won't do!  Brigham has to do it himself!  It's so fun to watch him learn and try new things...and a bit messy, but that's what being a kid is all about!

That tomato was a goner by the time Brigham was through with it!  He set the shakers down to clap for himself in between shakes.  This morning he pointed to the shakers at breakfast, wanting another chance at them...I decided we'll save that adventure for another meal. 

We love watermelon!

Especially squishing it!

Catch Up

So...lots to blog about!  First off, SURPRISE!  Guess what this means? 

A little girl is coming our way October 16th! 

Here's a picture show of what we've been up to recently...

Mother's Day=Breakfast in bed, YUM!

 Hyrum finished teaching seminary at Mapleton and started a new job at Qualtrics this week.

 During Hyrum's vacation time before he started a new job we went camping with our neighbors and Hannah and Nephi's family. 

  

The boys played Capture the Flag with airsoft guns...yes, that's Hyrum in the middle, not GI Joe!

Brigham almost blends in with the dirt.

 

"Mommy, playing in the dirt was fun but where's the bathtub?"

We bought year passes to an awesome waterpark.  Brigham wasn't too sure what he thought about the waterpark but he liked sitting in the shallow end and splashing.  We're excited to go back!

We have been binky free for almost a month now, but we're not bottle free yet...it's lunchtime, he can't just eat and let all that water go to waste!

Lunchtime again.  Shoes...I don't like to wear them so I haven't made Brigham wear them either...but...after realizing that being able to walk in shoes was a life skill he'd eventually have to learn, I figured that sooner was better than later. The shoes totally crippled him and he was mad all morning, wouldn't move much at all...not even crawl!  

 

Then these lovely ladies (his twin friends) came over and it was like magic!  He could walk in shoes!  He HAD to show his friends around our house and show them how all of his cool toys worked (PS-this picture was taken on a different day at the twins' house...I realize he's not wearing shoes in this picture). 

Brigham likes to do horsey rides with Daddy when he comes home from work now. 

Brigham LOVES to go outside and he knows what that word means.  I was at a Relief Society committee meeting and Brigham was tired, ready to go home, and fussing all through the closing prayer.  I whispered to him "Do you want to go outside?" (trying to let him know that we were almost done and we would be going home soon) and then through the rest of the prayer he says "Ya, ya, ya" getting louder and louder and more insistent as the prayer continued to go on.  

Here are two of Brigham's new tricks, washing his face and folding his arms...sadly, he's quit doing cheeseball.

Happy Birthday Brigham!!!

Brigham had a fun birthday!  By the end of the day he was almost too tired for his party!

Daddy let Brigham drive his moped...he IS one-year-old now you know.

 We went to the grocery store while Daddy had his final interview with Qualtrics...since he can already drive a moped we decided to let Brigham test-drive some cars while we waited for Daddy to pick us up.

We dressed Brigham in traditional Korean clothes for his party.  Before medical knowledge became what it is today, many babies in Korea did not live to their one-year birthday.  When a child turned one in those days it was a time to be celebrated with prayer and festivities. 

 

 

The main part of the Korean celebration is called Toljabee.  Items are set on a mat and the baby is supposed to crawl/walk to them.  The item the baby chooses first represents a character trait he or she has or will develop.

Bow and arrow=strong/warrior

Thread=long life

Pencil, Book, or Paintbrush=scholar

Rice or Money=rich

Knife=good chef

Then it was time for cupcakes and ice-cream! 

 

He didn't want to dig in to the cold stuff with his hands so we gave him a spoon, but he decided that this way was faster.  

 

 Brigham got a fire truck from Grandma and Grandpa Cluff and here's his new trick...it scares Mommy to pieces but he loves it!  He can do it all by himself!  Guess Mom doesn't have to worry too much since he IS supposed to be blessed with long life and all you know.

Here's his birthday gift from Mommy & Daddy.  We're already teaching him how to Jimmer.

Here are a few snapshots of Brigham's first year of life :)

 

  

 

Graduation

It's official!!!  Hyrum earned his bachelor's degree in Business Management with an emphasis in Entrepreneurship from Brigham Young University on April 20, 2012.

The graduation speaker (Alison Davis-Black) counseled all of the graduates to do the following things as they look for the life they were born to live...

-Look in: that they might have joy

-Look out: that they might have a positive impact on those around them

-Look up: that they may have peace

That's what we're striving to do right now as we figure out our next step in life.

 

This is a video of Hyrum getting his diploma and here's a picture of the graduate himself!!!

Thanks to all the family who came to support us in this exciting accomplishment!

 Brigham says "Hi!" :)

Brigham & Josie are having a staring contest!