taylor 8 months

18 lbs.

give thanks

I had fun this year decorating my moms house (as we are living here temporarily while we build) for Thanksgiving. My mom is usually too busy to decorate for anything but Christmas. I gave myself a budget of $0 and used scrap fabric, the kids drawings, free pumpkins and Indian corn from Vineyard Gardens, and artwork by my uncle worth thousands. Ah the irony. I love how it turned out.

Also included is Tay with her feathers and a photo from my favorite book, "A Time to Keep"

taylor 7 months

15.5 lbs.

moving day

hope the new buyers like bare blub lights - cause were taking the chandelier! muahh haha)

We like to keep things real, ya know. So to do that we try to think of ways to make our life more complicated every couple months. Like moving every summer, going to school, having babies during tornadoes, real estate projects (more fun -and complicated!- than actually just burning your money). So about month ago we decided to put up our house that we put our blood, sweat and tears into up for sale just to see what happened. It sold 9 days later. So next week we must be out and thankfully my parents offered to let us overtake their home live with them while we build a new home. Should be fun! This home is going to be ultra budget so I'll have to show you the creative ways we come up with to save money. Ba-bye orange wall!

taylor 6 months

Well, she looks a lot like her 2, 3, 4, and 5 month pics. She's gaining a pound a month but still easily fitting in that same white onesie!

15 lbs.

capital reef

Vacations at Capital Reef are one of my favorite memories. We started going when I was 13 or so with the entire Bagley family. Our vacations included riding bikes to Boulder, mnt. biking on top of Boulder Mnt., hiking, picking fruit, jumping into Upper Calf Creek, jumping off Freemont Falls, and swimming with cousins. I took Justin and the kids there about four years ago and we loved it. I wanted to make sure we went this year. It will be fun to do more things as the kids get older. Justin's parents have a RZR so we added that to the mix.

Cody has been nicknamed "the finder" since this trip. He found our awesome campsite, found Justin's lost wallet, the lost rzr keys, and a couple other things I can't remember. We've made a big deal about it and now he finds everything for us and he's really proud of his new role as "finder".

We were told a good place to take the RZR was Thousand Lakes Mountain. I was more than I had bargained for with the baby in tow. But I had her snuggled up in a sling for the ride up. We went up stuff no jeep could ever make, and she slept the whole time.
After about 7 miles we came to a dead end with some really crazy rock formations. We played around for a while and then went back to camp.

My parents came the next day and rented a cute cabin about five minuted from where we were camping. The nights were COLD! Tay did great the first night, not great the second night and I slept in my mom and dad's cabin the third night with TayTay. I am really surprised that it was actually my idea to take the family camping!


My dad has this 20 mile bike ride he loved down here but I had never done it. We drove up the scenic route towards Boulder, pulled over and he pointed out our route. My parents and the kids followed us on the RZR for the first 5 miles where we pulled over and explored a slot canyon.

In years past the water is low enough to jump in a swim. Not this year.

It was a fun date! I love getting really far away from everything. And the scenery was amazing. We started on Boulder Mountain and ended up in Capital Reef.

On Sunday we did a little sightseeing. Freemont Falls is now closed to the public but we hiked to it anyway. We used to love jumping off here.

Capital Reef was settled by Mormon pioneers. There are many original buildings still there, as well as historic fruit orchards. This is one of my favorite places. One of the homes has been turned into a store and museum where we get pie and ice cream. The kids loved riding bikes through the leaves while we lounged in the sun.


It was fun to have my parents there too, though it may have been a little stressful for my mom with the danger factor. Next trip with them will be to Hawaii ok?

deep conversations

Cody, TayTay and I hiked from Aspen Grove to Stewart Falls the other day. I was impressed that Cody made it without too much prodding, maybe it was all the talking he did that kept his mind off the hike. Here is what we talked about non-stop except for a few one minute "talking breaks" I implemented. Each of these topics what discussed IN DEPTH.

-Gravity, and how it helps us not fall off the earth
-How rocks are made
-Where waterfalls come from
-Why waterfalls don't turn off
-Whether the orange bird that lost a feather looks cool or pretty
-What if we see an orange bird but it's not the bird that lost the feather
-What sound trees make when they fall
-What sound bushes make when they fall
-Why squirrels are not scary
-Why stumps sometimes looks like bears from far away
-Why it's not snowing because mom said it would snow when the leaves changed colors
-Why someone spray painted a picture of a ladder on a watershed instead of putting up a real ladder
-Why leaves smell when they are dying
-What makes trees die
-Why we can't drive to the top of a mountain
-Why it's windy when you stick your head out of the sun roof, but not windy when the car stops
-Why when you hike down a hill it makes you run
-Why does mom like to make kids hike?
-Do I like bees and why?
-Why doesn't TayTay have to walk? Not fair!

Afterwards we got a cookie at Sundance. I was exhausted - but I don't think it was from the hiking. I love you Cody!

taylor 5 months

14 lbs.

vivint + powell = powell done right

The week Justin got home from his extension in Ohio, his region hosted the annual Lake Powell trip. We had a dillema though. Wives were invited, kids weren't. But after being away from Just for over a month and he not seeing his baby girl for that long - we decided TayTay was more of an appendage of me than a "kid" and so she went and we got forgiveness later. We had the entire roof of the houseboat to ourselves and she slept better than at home, sleeping through the dj's music blasting till all hours, fireworks, and general mayhem. There were 5 houseboats, 3 chefs, volleyball, a blob (aka a launching pad for ppl who don't value their lives), numerous boats (including ours), and just a lot of crazy people. Thanks Mealeys, that was a much needed break after the long summer!

hike to the G

We are continuing our goal of hiking to all the vowels and consonants in Utah. On Labor Day we bagged the "G" in Pleasant Grove. My kids talk about the Y and G all the time and are so proud that they have hiked to them. Ellie was very surprised that it was made out of metal and not paint. The hike was way steeper than I had imagined. At the end I had to hold both their hands and run up, otherwise we'd fall back down. But going down Ellie didn't fall once! And that is a huge improvement folks. Taytay came out the worse with a scratch on her leg from a tree. Ooops.

ellie starts 1st grade

This year we were staying with my parents for a week when Ellie started school. It was fun to have my parents be part of the action. Ellie was so excited but as we walked down the hall she squeezed my hand "as hard as she was nervous."


Most of her nervousness dissappeared as soon as she saw Alliviah, Courtney, and Brielle - her friends from last year. Mrs. Vickers is her teacher and seems like a great teacher.

In her classroom. Brielle is in the front of the line. She's so cute and her and Ellie try to have playdates everyday after school. She lives in our ward.


Brielle, Charise and Ellie after getting off the bus. 1st grade is a big adjustment. This is what Ellie did for the first couple weeks when she walked in the door. Actually the first week she couldn't even make it to the door, she just fell over in the shade in our front yard. She's so cute and smart and always tells me funny things about boys and says,"Promise you won't tell anyone?"

taylor 4 months

13 lbs.

grandpa bagley

My grandpa (mom's dad) passed away August 20, the day after I got back to Utah. I had meant to go see him that day and my dad and I were at Costco when we found out. He was suffering so we were glad he could be free from pain. The funeral was wonderful. My cousin Sarah, pictured, is the youngest grandchild and had a special bond with grandpa - stronger than I realized. She read a letter she had written him when she left for college and it was so sweet. My uncle John spoke as well and talked about life as a farmer. My grandpa struggled in this life and I hope he is feeling peace now.




Chocolate (stress relief) and the newest member of the Grandpa's legacy.

Obituary:

Lowell Edward Bagley 1924 ~ 2011 Lowell Edward Bagley, 87, of Annabella and Orem, Utah, passed away on Saturday, August 20, 2011 in American Fork, Utah. He was born in Koosharem, Utah on April 16, 1924, to Edward Merrill and Ruby Arminta Olsen Bagley. He married Aleith Anderson on February 9, 1946 in Richfield Utah and their marriage was later solemnized in the Manti LDS Temple. Lowell attended CSU, U of U, USU and BYU. He served valiantly in World War II as Sergeant Company K 11th Infantry 5th Division 3rd Army and among many other honors and medals was awarded the Silver Star. His family is so proud of his service to his country He loved and respected the beauties of nature and was very mindful of caring for and protecting this earth and it's resources. Lowell is survived by his wife and their six children: John Edward Bagley and Phyllis, Koosharem, Anne and Michael Morrey, Orem, Renee and Karl Thomas, Provo, Mignon and Kent Nicol, Orem, Marian Castleberry, Orem and Lisa Elaine Bagley, Orem. He has 14 grandchildren, 25 great-grand-children, and one great-great granddaughter. Lowell was a wonderful grandfather. He is also survived by his sister Melva Harward, Salem, brother, Jay Merrill and Devonna Bagley, Logan, and sister Carolyn and Howard Edwards, Park City. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters Elaine Bagley and Fern Jeanette Johnson and his brother Dr. Lell O. Bagley. Lowell's family and friends will honor him with a visitation from 7-9 p.m. on Friday, August 26th at the Sundberg Olpin Mortuary, 495 South State Street, Orem, and also a funeral on Saturday, August , 27th at 1 p.m. with a visitation beginning at 11:30 a.m. at the Suncrest 5th Ward Chapel at 130 North 400 West in Orem. Lowell will be laid to rest in the Orem City Cemetery 1520 North 800 East with military honors. His family is thankful for the special times we had with him and for his examples of hard work, honesty and generosity. We are very grateful he is no longer suffering and we look forward to being with him again. The family would also like to express heartfelt appreciation for the care and kindnesses shown to him by the Smedleys and the Staff of the Beehive Home of American Fork South. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.SundbergOlpinMortuary.com.

mccall

We took a little detour on the way home to Utah, via McCall, Idaho. The Bankhead's were going there for their annual trip with the Dickersons so instead of flying home then driving 10 hours a couple days later to Idaho, we opted to fly right to Boise and drive to McCall. Jann and Lew were nice enough to send Courtney out to help me the last couple days in Knoxville and she flew with us to Boise. Bless her, is all I can say. We were so sad to leave Justin behind, I felt so badly for him. We've been apart a lot and we've done the month long thing before too, and to be honest I'm usually just fine thanks. But this time has been really hard for all of us, probably because of little TayTay in the mix. Justin can't wait to get home to her.

Anyway, McCall was all I imagined and more. It was gorgeous, relaxing, and yummy. Like drinking a cold glass of water after being in humid Tennessee all summer.


The six things Grandma and Grandpa live for.


We stayed on the ground floor of the lodge which made it so convenient for napping babies. Ash and her nugget bum Rusty.


Cody with Lewie on the tramp and Braden making a "Vo-tino" (volcano) with me.


Tubing is always a hit and can you just imagine (those of you that know Cody) what was going through his mind as he watched this float plane come in. "How do the batteries work if the plane gets wet?"


Pretty Ellie, and Scott, Jaime and Courty

Can't wait for next year!

nashville temple

The first weekend in August we made a little trip out of ward temple day in Nashville. Friday we took off and drove 2 hours to a great little water park. It was the coldest day of the year (of course), but it turned out to be a good thing since the rainstorm cleared out the crowds. The kids loved it (waiting for Jess to post so I can steal pics of the water park, hint hint). After, we drove to our glorious hotel rooms, crashed, and the next morning got all the kids ready in church clothes and went to the Stake Center for ward prayer at 9:00.

Cute side story: That morning I was riding down the elevator with my kids and Kelty. A woman slipped in with us. Here I am, with a baby, a 6 year old, and what looks to the woman like 4 year old twins. The kids were un-characteristically well behaved and Kelty asked the woman, "Are you going to breakfast? We are." She replied no, that she was going to get coffee. I held my breath hoping Kelty wouldn't say something about coffee being bad - she is super outspoken. She didn't, whew. But she did say, "We are going to the temple!" The woman smiled at her. Awkward moment. In the bistro, the kids quietly found a place to sit together while I ordered (again, very unlike them - ever). As the woman left she said to me, "Your children are amazing!" I let her think they were all mine, haha. Maybe a seed planted? Who knows.



At the stake center, which is in the same parking lot as the temple, the kids had crafts and pictures taken and were looked after by the Young Men/Young Women. Our ward is notorious for getting almost the whole ward to Temple Day each year, every primary kid was there. It was quite humbling to see how excited the ward was to go, and what a big deal they made out of it. Walker smashed his finger in a door while we were in the session. There are six doctors in the ward but they were all in the same session as us. Luckily, the temple president was also a doctor so he was called over to look at it. It was broken but there was nothing they could do about it. Poor guy. We skipped our plans of seeing downtown Nashville and headed home, which was probably a good thing anyway because I was exhausted by the time we got home.

baby

Just some more pics from the pick your own farm.

theatre in the air

Just a fun memory I wanted to record. The kids loved watching movies outside with popcorn and m&m's at the bottom. Just try not to think about the giant spiders hanging overhead.

wiggley taytay

taylor 3 months

12 lbs.