She's Here!!!

Our little Madison is finally here. She arrived on Monday Dec. 22 at 5:33 pm, she weighs 8lbs. 4 oz, and is 20 inches long. Pictures to follow, after christmas.

Photo's Coming Soon

I am awful with the photo's. I plan on posting some this week and then some after Madison is born. So watch for them. I have a lot of updating to do!!!! Thanks for the patience of the one person who actually reads my blog.

A GREAT MAN

So this is the last photo that will be taken of Braxton and his Grandpa Delbert. Grandpa passed away on Nov. 27. Grandpa was so awesome and would take anyone that wanted to up in the woods to get christmas trees. He was one of the best people I know and he will be missed greatly.

WHAT????

I've decided that I'm very computer illiterate. I know we have more pictures of Braxton, but I can't seem to find them on our computer. Steve has showed me several times, but I don't think that I pay attention as much as I should. I think I need to take a class on how to do everything that everyone else knows. So for those 1 or 2 people that actually care and read about our family, I will hopefully figure this out one day, sooner rather than later.

New & Easy

So I've been trying to get more organized and be a better homemaker. So part of that includes attempting to have a meal plan and be better organized with my grocery shopping. At Macey's they have their classes. But they also have a blog, which is www.savoryselection.blogspot.com. So if anyone wants some new and easy recipes go to thier website.

I just had to laugh!!!!

Kids are so funny!!!! Braxton was in the bathroom going "potty" and I hear him in there yelling, "mom, mom." So I go in there and he has a ton of baby lotion on his hand wiping it on his bum. I asked him what he was doing and he said "I have a sore bum so I was putting this on it." I busted up laughing. He is so funny. He is getting smarter everyday and always suprising me. I love him tons!!!!

What's in a name?

I've been bugging Steve to help me pick a name for our baby girl. He kept giving me stupid names like, Agatha, Bertha, and so on. So I gave him 3 different choices that I liked, Kennedy Jane, Brooklyn, or Madison Jane. So we're most likely going with Madison Jane Shockey. Unless we get some other revelation that says we should change it.

Have you guessed?

So we had our ultrasound today to see if we're having a boy or a girl. So the tech didn't have the best view but was pretty sure as to what we were having. So to the 2 people that read this blog and guessed a boy, you're wrong. We're having a girl!! I am very excited!!!!

What do you think?

So, we find out next week what we are having. Does anyone want to take a guess and see if you are right? Boy or Girl? Braxton has been saying a girl. I'm leaning towards a girl. Steve says twins, one of each(ha ha yeah right. Heavenly Father wouldn't do that to me.) What do you think?

Do you remember?

So a friend did this on her blog so I thought it would be fun to do also.
1. Leave a memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter what it is, but I'm hoping it's not a bad one, what ever will work.

2. Re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you.

Spa Day???

So for those few people that actually take the time to read my silly blog, what do you think about having a spa day at my house? I thought it would be fun. Let me know what you think and have any ideas.

Dinner anyone?

So I got this idea from my sister who is a much better blogger than I am. She posted an easy recipe that sounded good, so I thought I'd share one also that I just came across.

Chicken Casserole With Broccoli
1c. jiffy baking mix
1-1 1/2 c. pre-cooked chicken or 2 small cans of chunk chicken, drained
3 eggs
1c. milk
1 1/2c shredded chedder cheese ( I like more because I like cheese)
1 pkg (10 1/2 oz) frozen broccoli chopped, rinsed and drained
1/4 tsp. seasoned salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
Preheat oven to 400 degrees, grease 2 quart casserole dish.
Place chicken, broccoli and cheese in prepared casserole dish.
Blend baking mix, milk, eggs, salt and pepper in a seperate mixing bowl.
Pour into dish over chicken, broccoli and cheese.
Bake for 35-40 min, until knife inserted comes out clean.

It's a very good dinner. It would also be good with a breakfast meat and have for breakfast.
I hope the two people who read this will enjoy the recipe.

What an awesome Boy!!!!

This morning Braxton was so cute. I always sit in our rocking chair with him when he gets up so he can have a few minutes to wake up. And so I can get a few minutes with him when he's not so riled up. Well I was giving him a few kisses and he said "I need more kisses so they stay." So I kissed him all over his face and he said "Let me give you kisses to stay." How cute is that. My 2 yr. old is so awesome!!!!

Any Ideas???

I know that there are very few people who even look at my blog, but I was wondering if those who do still want to do another activity like when we did the recipes or not. If you would like to do something please let me know and we can do it. I would also like some ideas of what you would think would be fun.

WOW

As you can tell there are a ton of people in Manhatten. And as most people know I don't always do very well in big crowds. It was so crazy to be among so many people all the time. My first thoughts when I got to New York was,"It's a good thing Shelley is with me because I would just turn around and get back on a plane to Logan Utah." I think Shelley just wanted to laugh at me. I'm sure my facial expressions gave away what I was tinking about half of the time. I had fun, but I was glad to be back home. I have never been so homesick in my life. I was never this bad on my mission. I think having a little one at home made the bid difference.

Been a while?

So it's been a while since I've done anything. I've been pretty busy. I just got called to be the Secretary in Relief Society. So I've been busy with that and attempting to keep my house clean since I've been back from New York. I will try to get some photo's posted as soon as possible. This weekend we'll be camping and then Steve will be out of town for 3 days. So hopefully within the next week I'll get some time.

Happy Mother's Day!!!!!!!!!!

It is now 4:30am, I was up at 3:30 so we can leave for New York. I am way excited to be going. The only thing that makes me sad, is that we won't be home for Mother's Day,(and I'll miss Braxton and Steve) to celebrate my mom, and Steve's mom. I am so grateful to have such awesome people in my life. So Happy Mother's Day!!!

What I love About Cache Valley

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I love Cache Valley in the spring and summer times. Mostly because we don't have to be cooped up all day because it's cold and windy. I also love to be in the canyon. I was bored on Sunday so Steve, Braxton and I went up lift hand and we had so much fun. Braxton had a blast attempting to get through all of the small stick bushes. I can't wait until it gets warm enough to go camping!!!! So if any friends from distant lands want to go camping with us at any time, we'd love to have you go with us.

New York or Bust!!!!!!

So Shelley and I leave for New York in about a week and I am way excited. We'll be there for 6 days. Steve askes if I got a return ticket. I guess that all depends on if I still have money to get back or not. HA, HA, HA!!!!!

What Now?????

So I was thinking that those of you intrested in doing another activity for our womens club we could go hiking. I was thinking the end of May or beginning of June, before it gets way to hot. Anyone intrested please let me know. If you have any ideas for activites please let me know also. I could use all the help I can get with fun ideas for activites. I definatly don't want to do anything to boring.

Reminder

Just a reminder to all of you who are coming to the cookbook day at my house. It's April 12, from 10:00-12:00. If you have any questions you know how to reach me. If you didn't get an invitation and would like to come, contact me and we'll get you the details.

So Cute!!!

I just loved this picture of my cute niece.

Fire Safety Continued

I recieved an email this morning from a new friend in Michigan, who has informed me about the company that we got all the information from the other night. She and her husband went to the same presentation and bought some of their products. A month or so later on their news they were informed about a fire safety scam. Please do not buy from Master Guard. She informed me that you can contact your local fire department to help you get awesome quality fire safety products for much cheaper. I am going to contact the fire dept. and see what they suggest. I will post the info. at a later date.

Fire Safety

So a few of you know, Steve "won" free dinner at the Bluebird Restruant for 6 people. Well come to find out it was a sales pitch. We wern't going to go when we found out that we were going to have to sit there for 2 hours listening to someone sale us something. Well we decided to go anyway, because it was free dinner. It really wasn't to bad for the most part. The whole thing was on fire safety and they had a lot of good info. That's why I wanted to do a blog about a few things we learned about fire safety.
*Roll out of bed and stay on the ground. Heat at eye level in a fire could be 600 degrees, and 1000 degrees when you raise your arm in the air standing up, so always stay on the ground.
*A fire is reported approximately every 16 seconds.
*A flaming fire doubles in size every 30 seconds.
*75-100million of the smoke detectors horn contacts won't work.(the annoying buzzer that goes off every time you burn toast.)
*Speaking of which, most homes smoke detectors are Ionization smoke detectors and most likley won't go off in time to get a family out. The fire ions are to big to trigger the alarm. But the ions from the toast burning are small enough to trigger the alarm. Pretty scary!!
*The Manufacturers of the Ionization smoke detectors put in their warranty that you need to test your detectors once a week(pushing the button to see if the buzzer works), clean it with your vacuum brush once a month. They also say that the detector cannot prevent fires and that their product is not full proof, and can fail at any time.(which almost all things can fail at one point or another, but it would be nice to have a company that stands behind their product and can have a little more faith in a product.)
*Most homes are installed with the Ionization smoke detectors, which are the cheapest way to get by. But in commercial buildings the standards for smoke detectors are much higher and are not allowed by law to put in Ionization smoke detectors.
*Get a fire extinguisher. Preferrably one that is all metal, ABC, and rechargable.(the guy suggested having one in the kitchen, garage, basement, and parents room)
*Put smoke detectors in every room.
*Get carbon manoxide detectors andput them on every level of the house.
*Unplug appliances when leaving on vacation(tv's, computers, microwaves, etc.)
*Practice fire drills. Have your children participate so they know what to do. If your kids aren't old enough to get out them selves, practice anyway so you know what how to get your child out safely.
*The top 6 rooms fires start are, 1kitchen, 2furnace/laundry room, 3bedrooms, 4living rooms, 5garages, 6attic.

The company that did the presentation was Master Guard. I don't know how much their detectors are yet. I'm sure they have a web site you could visit. The guy is going to come to our apartment tonight and give us a little more info.(and I'm sure try to sell us all their products, great) but I'll post what I find out so if anyone is intrested you can get more info for your selves.

Braxton is always good to share pretty much anything. If he wants some cheese, or a toy or anything, he always asks if mom or dad want one also. He's even good to share his soggy cookies.

Homecoming

As many of you know, one of my very good friends went on her mission to New Jersey. I thought I would post some of her homecoming photo's for those of you who wern't able to make it.

Busy time of the year

This past couple of weeks have been pretty busy. Braxton's B-day was the 19 of March so we had a little party for him. He's sporting his red wagon he got, which he loves to stand in latley. The next weekend we had Easter. Which is pretty hectic, because most of my family has 2 sets of families to visit on holiday's. We're also trying to potty train Braxton. Steve was trying to get his clothes off him one night to get him ready for bed and only got so far when Braxton decided he had to run to the potty. I thought it was a pretty good picture.

ABC's

Today I was fixing lunch for Braxton and he started to sing his ABC's. I asked him,"Are you singing your abc's?" And he casually said,"yeah." It was so awesome. His aunt Sharell bought him a Sesame Street abc video on Thursday, and less than a week he's started saying them. He can say pretty much the whole alphabet.

ABC's

Kids grow up way to fast.

On Wednesday March 19th., Braxton turned 2 years old. We are going to have his birthday party tonight. I'll post some pictures later. Oh my goodness. He's growing so fast. He can wear a 3T in some clothes and he talks all the time. Not just a few words, but full sentences. If he needs anything he can pretty much tell me what he wants. The other morning he was laying in bed with me before I got in the shower and he said, "What's that?" I thought he was looking at his pants that were hanging up. So I said,"Those are your pants." And Braxton said,"That's a pillow silly." He was looking at the pillow in the closet. I laughed so hard because if I ask him what something is and he says it's something different, I'll tell him, silly, it's this. Anyway, I guess you had to be there to find the humor in it.

Glutten for Punishment!!!!!!

So, it's been one of those days, again. Not a bad day, just crazy and hectic. I popped some mircrowave popcorn for Braxton and Karson. I went back into the kitchen to get a drink and when I returned to the living room the popcorn was all over the floor and not in the bowl. Hum, I wonder who's idea this was and who started it?

To all of my awesome family and friends who are reading this, YOU'RE THE BEST!!!! I was talking with a friend a couple of months ago and we thought it would be fun to do a womens club and meet once a month. We thought it would be fun to do scrapbooking, hiking, picnics, hogle zoo(with our kids), or anything anyone would like to do. If you are reading this, please let me know if you or your friends or family would be intrested in doing this with us. My email is: amandashockey777@hotmail.com
Please feel free to let me know if you're intrested or have any fun ideas to do for activites.

Acrabat

We never have a dull moment in this house, especially when we have extra kids. I woke up this morning at quarter to eight and thought Braxton was sleeping. I checked on him and he was awake, so I thought I would get in the shower really fast since Karson was going to be here today. By the time I got out and into Braxton's room he had crawled out of his bed and was on his changing table that's connected to his bed. He's not even 2 yet and already we have a circus acrabat. Well I got Braxton and Karson in the tub while I was doing my hair and make-up and Karson decided to take my conditioner and dump it in the tub with them. I tell you there's never a dull moment around here.

Christmas Lights

It's so amazing what intrests children. Braxton has always loved lights. So when we put our tree up he couldn't leave the lights alone and everywhere we went he was always saying,"more lights." Oh, the simplicity of a child. How I wish more adults, including myself, were more simple with their lives, and appreciated the little things, such as Christmas lights.

Braxton is so awesome. He's alway into something, exploring things, or wanting to help. Like I said Braxton loves to be outside no matter what the weather. He loved playing in the leaves with my mop which was ruined shortly after he decided to "rake" leaves with it. He also loved to help his dad with the truck he's trying to get running. Never a dull moment with a child but we love him so much and wouldn't change a thing(except the temper tantrums that have started about a week ago.)

I love these photo's. The one with the little "hoolagins" are Braxton with his friends Ashton(3) and Jaxson(2) and he loves to play with both of them. They're playing in the first snow of the year. Braxton loves to play outside no matter how hot or cold it is.
The other photo is of the gorgeous sunset in Logan, yet another reason why I love to live here.

oops, sorry!!!!

I need to clear up something. We're really not building a cabin, we wish we were but we're not. Those who know us know that we don't have the money to do it. I am sorry about the misunderstanding, it was a joke.

My big helper...

Braxton is getting so big and so fun. He's at the age where he likes to help with everything, from dishes to shoveling the sidewalk. He even loves to help with his little cousin Brinley. He's always putting her binkie in her mouth, and attempting to put her socks back on.

Our new view

The photo's above are from our new cabin that we've been building this summer. The one on the left is one of a gorgeous waterfall we found while hiking on one of the few trails behind the cabin. The other one is of a huge elk across the lake from our cabin. When we get photo's of our cabin we'll post them. It may be a while before we actually get the cabin photo's posted. Ha ha ha.....

GOOD MORNING!!!!!!!!!!!!

I just happened to be up one morning before everyone else and captured this beautiful sunrise. How can anyone not love living in Cache Valley. I always thought I would love to live anywhere but here, but now that we have Braxton, I can't imagine living anywhere but here. Besides, you can't find to many places that has the mtns., like we have.

My Little Yoda...

I loved this picture. This was at the pumpkin walk in October. I am always learning something new from Braxton, he's always teaching me something new everyday.

I got some help getting photo's from point A to point B. I thought this was cute of Braxton. He takes after his mom, who love treats, especially chocolate.

Getting Way To Smart

So tonight I put Braxton in his crib for a short time-out, because he kept climbing on the pack-and-play. I was in the restroom, and heard him say "hi." I looked out the door and he had crawled out of his crib, without me hearing him. He is getting way to smart. I dont know what I am going to do if he keeps doing it. I guess we will have to deal with it when we get there. Any ideas?