We Are Game People! Almost...

By golly, we are going to be "game" people, even it if kills our Daddy!!

We (the children and I in particular) love playing games and we have very few. We own even fewer that the kids can play.

Can you please tell me what your favorite family games are and for what ages they are appropriate??

Our big kid games of the moment are Feed the Kitty and Uno. You'll understand why I haven't played Candyland since January, right?

P.S. Before I get in trouble for casting aspersions on my true love, I need to clarify that Justin does very much like to play strategic, adult games in larger groups. And by "adult games", I mean Risk or Canasta. Jeesh, get your head out of the gutter.

Freakishly Good Soup

Tonight I attended a little Halloween Dinner Club. There were a great many very delicious recipes, but this healthy soup one was freakishly and surprisingly good. Heather, Courtney, make this immediately.

Roasted red pepper and sweet potato soup
Ingredients
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium onion
1 tsp olive oil
2 red bell peppers, roasted and peeled **, then coarsely chopped
2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
4-5 c. low sodium chicken broth
½ - 1 c. milk
salt
pepper
Tabasco sauce

Directions:
Soften garlic and onion in olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add bell peppers and sweet potatoes. Sauté for about 1 minute. Add chicken broth and let simmer for 15-20 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Puree soup in batches in the blender. Return to pot over low heat. Thin with milk. Season to taste with salt, pepper, and Tabasco.


** to roast and peel peppers: place peppers on a baking sheet under the broiler. Turn them frequently until they are blackened all over, but making sure you don’t char the flesh. Once black, put them in a paper bag. Close the bag and cover it with a kitchen towel for five minutes. Take out the peppers, rub off the blackened skin, then core, seed, and cut.

Our Weekend

For my birthday, Justin took me to Tucanos for dinner and then to a condo in Park City. With his new job, we get the great perk of being able to book the company condo for little getaways, both of the family and romantic variety. The Silverado Lodge is luxurious and roomy, and absolutely beautiful. We don't know how we're ever going to stay at the Comfort Inn again now that we've tasted the sweet life of luxury condo living!! It had two master bedrooms, three impressive bathrooms, a fully stocked kitchen and living area and even a washer and dryer right in the suite. I can't believe they even had a pizza cutter for our Papa Murphys. :) I tried PM Pizza for the first time this weekend. I'm hooked.

I digress...

Justin and I went up on Friday, hit the outlets, and left our babies with little brother and sister-in-law Matt and Kim for the night. (Thanks again, guys!) On Saturday we came home briefly and then took the kids back up to Park City for the night. Matt and Kim also came up, as did two of their friends. We played games until late into the night; I, for one, had a blast. Scott and Jacqueline left around midnight and the rest of us stayed through until morning.

This happened to also be the weekend that we planned to take the Young Women to Temple Square to see Music and the Spoken Word. So, we were up at the crack of dawn getting packed up and getting out the door so that we could make it to SLC in time. If you live in Utan and you haven't yet had the chance to see Music and the Spoken Word, I highly recommend it. I have heard MoTab on CD, I have heard them perform in the Conference Center, and I have seen them, of course, on television. Let me tell you, there is nothing like hearing them live in the original tabernacle. It was astounding. Absolutely thrilling. It was like my soul was hearing MoTab for the first time. Honestly, if you even kind of like the choir, you have to try to see them perform live--in the original tabernacle.

I need to get out of hear to a mini-enrichment dinner club, so I'll wrap this up. Here are the kids watching a movie while the adults played games. PS -- I totally taught Kinley how to play UNO in Park City. We're completely addicted now! Tired Tanner chillin' in Mama's bed...

The gane playing Ticket to Ride Europe.

You can't be in the tabernacle for recordings with children under 8, so Justin took the kids for a walk while we were inside.

They sounded so great.

Our awesome YW!! Justin didn't realize he was supposed to capture the entire Christus statue in the photo. He says I wasn't "specific enough" by dragging the entire group through the visitor's center to get at just that spot. Anyway, I chose the most comfortable (and least flattering) outfit that I think I have in my closet at the moment! Yikes! I'm so not that big! Otherwise, great picture :)

Bradshaw Ballerina

Two of the Young Women in the neighborhood have started a little ballet/modern dance class for little girlies aged 3-6. This is a picture of our little ballerina in her new duds. The teachers are two of our very favorite local babysitters and Kinley absolutely loves the class. She's in it with all of her little neighbor friends and she enjoys the entire thing immensely.

She's a Little Teapot

After I took a fast, sharp turn into to a parking stall at Walmart, Kinley remarked:

"Whoa! Mommy! You just tipped me over and poured me out!"

Parental Come Uppance

You don't know how ugly your parenting is until you hear it coming out of your kids' mouths...

Mommy: Kinley, are you ready to go?
Kinley: Not yet. Does it look like my shoes are on?

Mommy: Tanner, can you say "hug"?
Tanner: Ug!
Mommy: Can you say "shoes"?
Tanner: Shoes!
Mommy: Can you say, "I love Mommy?"
Tanner: Wu Mommy!
Mommy: Can you say, "love"?
Tanner: Wuv!
Mommy: Can you say "no no no!"
Tanner: No no no!
Mommy: Can you say "time out"?
Tanner: RAAAWWWRRRR!!!
Mommy: Hm...

Sidewalk Chalk Fun!

Credits: Fernlili, kit "Summer Crush". Template by Racketty Scrappety, hey!! That's me! :)

Hogle Zoo

Justin took the day off work yesterday and took the family to the Hogle Zoo. This is the Ghost of the Bayou, one of a few rare white alligators. Kinley wouldn't even go into the exhibit after she heard the name. Justin and I had to go in separately with Tanner while the other waited with Kinley outside.
"Mommy! That elephant right there just looked at me with his one eyeball!"


"I'm gonna get you!"
The women in this family do so like tigers :)
Tanner found a statue that was small enough to climb on without fear.

"Would you stop trying to take a picture of me please?"

The menfolk...
We have many extra seats on this stroller for the creative... "I'm comin', I'm comin'. Don't rush me!"
"Where are those kangaroos?? I know they are on here somewhere!"
No kidding, this little boy is sleep-laughing. Whenever we stopped tickling him, he fell immediately into peaceful, unfakable repose. It was really funny; he was very tired.

Halloween Parade

Last week we participated in a little Halloween Parade in a local church parking lot. The kids rode their bikes/trikes and got some extra use out of their Halloween costumes. This year the Bradshaws dug into the dress-up box for some sunk-cost Halloween costumes. Here is Kinley (aka Sleeping Beauty) making the rounds... I was a mean mom and stuffed sweet Tanner into the lion costume very much against his will. While he finally conceded to wearing the body of the costume (so that he could leave the house), he categorically refused to wear the lion head, which is dangling off the back. It's a shame he hates it so much; it's the perfect size for him this year and I doubt I have the meanness to shove him in it again for the Trunk or Treat next Wednesday.

Kinley wore this costume for two years in a row. She was confused when she grew out of it and we discussed a new costume for this year; I think she assumed she would be this lion until she was 18.

Princess Kinley made it to the front of the parade at one point. It was total mayhem, and a blast.

Shortly after arriving at the parade, I freed Tanner from the confines of his fuzzy mammal skin. I thought he was opposed costumes of any kind, but apparently I just needed to provide the right one. I (quite literally) couldn't get him out of Alicia's rocket-ship costume.

This is Mr. Tanner making his first attempt ever to ride this little trike of ours.

He was quite amused with himself, to say the least.

After a long morning, Kinley hitched a ride for the long walk home. Who says the Bradshaws don't have a double stroller?

Happy Birthday to Me

For my 33rd birthday, I decided to treat myself to a significantly smaller butt. I've spent the last 6 weeks attempting to grant my own wish. While I'm still not quite where I want/plan to be, the skirt in the picture above and below is (technically) a Gap size 6. Regardless of the size, this very skirt wouldn't drag over my thunder-thighs 6 weeks ago and now it fits comfortably all over, enough to actually wear in public, zipped, buttoned, and everything. It doesn't matter what pose I strike, however; I just can't make my chest look any smaller :)

Sorry, is that too much information? I figured we'd pretty much crossed that line when I confessed my childhood hooker-aspirations (unbeknownst to me what that really entailed). Speaking of which, I must admit that I'm relieved that the responses have been "Really? You did? How funny! How bizarre!" I would have been disturbed if anyone said, "Oh, totally CALLED it!! Had you pegged as a would-be prostitute all along!"

Animal Week

For FHE tonight we did part of Jenna's great Noah's Ark packet! (Thanks, Jenna!) After that, we watched Evan Almighty, attempting to keep Kinley straight on doctrine versus a completely made-up Hollywood modern story of a different guy named Evan who also builds an ark. I'm not sure we were entirely successful, but we did the best we could and I'm not terribly concerned. Both of the kids loved all of the animals, Tanner was fascinated from the get-go, and I liked the movie more than I expected. And tomorrow? Guess where? Yep, the Hogle Zoo!

We are celebrating animals this week. Why? Because I hate them. Yep, that's right. I was once briefly a zoology major, intending to eventually study Bengal tigers in India, but I hate animals. My aversion to them has grown substantially since college, though I never much liked any animals, except for tigers. It's laughable now to think of my life's work being devoted to any kind of animalia since I can't even stand housepets. I figure I clean up enough poop on any given day; I don't need to volunteer for a lifetime of fecal servitude. The (shockingly high number of) animal lovers in my family must be screaming "blasphemer!" at the computer, but I careth not.

Then again, when I was really young, my life's ambition was to be a hooker. I didn't know exactly what they did for a living, but I knew they were always dressed up and all the boys seemed to like them in the movies and the skanky shows we watched on tv. Hookers got to stay up late, hanging out with their "friends", wearing the coolest Madonna costumes. I was a Material Girl, what can I say? Heather, do you remember the pink lace demi-gloves you never let me borrow? I figured if I was a hooker I could have my own set!

Ok, I'm going to bed before I confess anything more serious and/or bizarre.

Date Night

Justin and I enjoyed a really unique date night on Friday. A little birdie told us that the BYU football team would be hosting one of their pre-game firesides in a local stake building. We dropped the kids off at babysitting club (love B.C.!) and raced to the stake center like bats out of you-know-where. Fortunately, all other attendees were a little more sane in their affection and obsession for the Cougars and arriving 45 minutes early allowed us ample time to find the dream seat of our choosing. It was packed by "kick-off", a great way to spend a Friday night, I think.

I'd love to go to another one. It was a fireside and it had very little to do with football, and much to do with the gospel. It wasn't a pep-rally or anything freakish like that. It was a really nice fireside. And I loved hearing 37 players from the football team sing "We'll Bring the World His Truth" (Army of Helaman). I still get a chuckle thinking about their accompanist, I'll call him "Twinkle Fingers Offensive Lineman" (though I'm sure Justin could correct me on his position). This large, gruff-looking Polynesian sat down at the piano and played the most delightful arrangement.

It was really quite enjoyable. Two of the players spoke, one of whom broke his ankle in the game next day. Hearing him speak and bear his testimony made him more than just a name and a number for me. Then Bronco's wife spoke, followed by Bronco, (the head coach, for those of you who don't obsess over BYU football) who gave an equally wonderful talk.

One thing Bronco said that was really impressive to me is that football is not the most important thing in his life, not even in his top 5. He talked a lot about caring for and loving the people around you and following the guidance of the spirit to do so. You can tell that he and his wife practice what they preach and you can tell how much they love the gospel and how deeply they approach this job of his as a "calling" and a responsibility. And clearly they don't much care what other people think of them, which always impresses me. I loved hearing both of the Mendenhalls speak. Sister Mendenhall was so real, down to earth, and sincere, and in situations like these, Bronco has all the charisma and natural motivating aura of a really good football coach all squashed together with the light of Christ and the spirit. That's a nice combination.

They give firesides before every game both home and away. If you ever get the chance to attend one, I would make the effort.

P.S. -- Kayla, now you know my inspiration :)

Nice Things About Living in Utah

I wish I had rememberd to bring my camera.

Tonight we took our YW to volunteer as investigators at the MTC (Missionary Training Center). It was absolutely great. We were taught by sisters who are preparing to serve in the various visitor's centers and it was awesome! Some sisters were native English speakers, some were just starting to learn English. It was honestly a really fabulous experience.

I wanna go back! I think I will...in fact, on Mondays they encourage you to bring your family, including little kids, so that the missionaries can get an even more realistic experience of teaching a family. I don't dare take my crazy pants little stinker, but I think I might just take Miss Kinley with me one of these days...

The Legacy of Friends

Bethany, it appears that Spencer is gone but not forgotten:

Kinley: Mommy, can you please put some syrup right here on my plate?
Mommy: Alright, here you go.
Kinley: Yeah, that's what I'm talkin' about, baby!!

Ch-ch-ch-CHANGES!

After much careful consideration, Justin has decided to leave his public accounting position with Squire to accept an offer to join Silverado, a private real estate development company. He will be their in-house accountant/tax specialist. We are extremely excited about this opportunity and feel very blessed to know that he won't be working tax season hours anymore!

This morning Justin and I toured the current development sites in Park City, three extraordinary (and gigantic) resorts in various stages of completion. They are amazing and we feel very fortunate to be a part of their future. Crazy, huh?!!

No, we aren't moving. Fortunately, the operating office is close to our home.

Here are some pictures and more of two of the developments currently under construction. The pictures don't do them justice, particularly now that they are decorated and complete. Silverado is mostly finished, and Escala is expected to be completed summer 2008:

http://www.silveradolodge.com/
http://www.escalalodges.com/

Building Traditions

I didn't grow up with a great pumpkin carving legacy. In fact, I vaguely remember only one carving experience during a YW activity 18-20 years or so ago. I remember it being very difficult and extremely messy. I was also under the misguided impression that pumpkins were unduly expensive (up there with valentine's day cards and vacuum cleaners, for those of you "in the know" on that inside joke/life scar). I found out how very cheap they are this week when I bought our very first family pumpkins.

I'm not quite ready to make the leap to carving anything, but we had a lot of fun decorating our own pumpkins with sharpies; the kids found this compromise suitably satifying. It was a great family night activity -- can you guess which pumpkin belongs to whom? ;)

Racketty Scrappety

I've decided to make some templates of some of my favorite scrapping pages and share them. I've posted them at this site: http://rackettyscrappety.blogspot.com/

I know some of you are scrappers -- if you use templates, if you scrap in my preferred dimensions, and if you happen to like my style, you are welcome to swipe any templates you see. Enjoy!

AND...it looks like Courtney will be joining me there. So check back for some 12 x 12's in the future!

Pumpkinland!

Yesterday we went with some friends to Pumpkinland at the Vineyard Garden Center! We walked through a corn maze, saw some goat, chickens, pumpkins, and greenhouses; we played in their three different play areas and enjoyed a picnic lunch. It was a great morning and it's so nice to spend it with friends! We even picked out some pumpkins for our family to decorate (a first for us, incidentally), so more pictures to come once we get them done! Kinley is embarassed that we aren't ready for Halloween :) Kinley and neighbor/friend/all around good guy Ray
Should I be worried?
Tanner always says "No no no!" when he sees marker or crayon in a place that it is not supposed to be (usually put there by him, I might add). The moment I sat him on the pumpkin, he noticed the entrance stamp on his little paw and this is him chanting "no, no, no" over and over again.

Still going... I love this shot of him!

The ladies posing by Cinderella's pumpkin coach.

Birthday Boy!

Yesterday Tanner turned 2 years old! We had a mellow day; the cousins came over to visit in the morning, then I let him play at a friend's house while Kinley and I shopped for his presents. We had birthday brownies because Daddy was craving them and Tanner has no treat preference, and we all ate Dinosaur-shaped chicken nuggets and curly fries for dinner. Daddy was not amused with the dinner choice, but he managed to choke down the burnt little dinos.

Tanner has become very vocal with his opinions of late and we're in a transition stage. If I'm not careful, he's going to be a tempermental little tornado. And he knows exactly how to push my buttons. This morning he dumped the bathwater onto the floor with the hair-washing bucket, then when I was drying him off, he reached over quickly and threw his pajamas into the bathtub. When I tell him to come to me, he runs the other direction. He thinks it's very funny, and unfortunately for us, we've kind of thought it was for a while and made do, but the willful disobedience is getting very old. Regretfully, I'm still somewhat charmed by the mischevious little grin he delivers, complete with big-brown-eye-effect. What can I say? He's my favorite son.

Here are some pictures of the festivities. Kinley wanted to invite all of her friends over for his grand celebration. Vetoed, we enjoyed a quiet evening at home with just the four of us.

Daddy "helped" Tanner blow out the candles. The smoke freaked Tanner out.

Yay for Toys R Us! I love these two awesome trucks we got for him! So did he, incidentally! He plays with them as a pair. Glad I didn't get him three :)

Nighty night...