Name Game

Ok, so here goes.  Becca tagged me a long time ago to tell how we came up with baby names.  It is pretty easy since we just have the one.  

Brooklyn Paige -  Brooklyn I heard while I was still in college before we were trying to have kids and I loved it.  Brad said he would only name a girl Brooklyn if we could name a boy Bronx.  I vetoed Bronx, but he grew to love Brooklyn by the time we had her.  I can't imagine her by any other name and I think it fits perfectly.  Her middle name was a little harder we still hadn't decided when we were at the hospital.  She was originally going to be Brooklyn Breanne, after my good good friend who gave me her white blood cells.  (Long story, it was an experimental infertility treatment that didn't pan out in the beginning.)  I promised Breanne that I would name the baby Brooklyn Breanne  after her if I was to get pregnant shortly after her blood donation.  We didn't get pregnant until a year later and the name was still in the running, but Brad wanted Brooklyn to actually get to her SAT tests in high school and not take the whole time filling out the bubbles for her name.  We liked Paige, and decided to name her after the only other granddaughter on my side Courtnie Paige.  They now share the same middle name. 

Thanks Becca for the idea.

Easter

Easter has been fun this year with Brooklyn understanding more of what is going on. She loves Easter eggs. We went on two egg hunts, dyed Easter eggs and she got spoiled by the Easter bunny. Brooklyn looked like such a little lady on Sunday, she was adorable as always. Here are some fun pics. Hope everyone elses Easter was great!

Two Crazy Kids in Love

Today is our 9th anniversary. I know, hard to believe, but it is. Here is a little bit about us.

What is his name? Bradley Scott Beckstead

Where did you meet? In Las Vegas through one of his mission companions Jeff Paul. Jeff and I were buddies and he wanted to set me up with his companion. I don’t think Jeff didn’t have long term in mind for us. He had set up a few other things for Brad while he was in town, but Brad said he did good the first time.

The trip to Vegas was only supposed to be about 24 hours, but Brad ended up staying for 3 days and only going home when he had a dentist appointment. I followed him back to California the next weekend and then we were both off to school. Brad to Ricks and me to Dixie. We then continued to travel back and forth or meeting in Salt Lake/Provo for every single weekend during the semester. It was madness, but it was young love.Who kissed who first? I would say Brad, but I am not sure what he would say. It was kind of on a bet and there was some cheating involved on Brad’s side. Needless to say after a fit of giggles we shared our first kiss.
Who said I love you first? Brad. We were at the LA temple walking around, one week after we met. He kept saying my name over and over until he finally blurted it out. It was all very fast, but incredibly sweet.

Where did you get engaged? Now this is a story in and of itself. Brad purchased a ring about a month after we met and I had seen the receipt so I knew it was coming. After it was all over he said he it was either take me up Provo Canyon to propose and I would know it was coming or he could do what he did.

We were meeting in Provo over conference weekend and staying in Orem with a friend at her family’s house. My friend and I got in very late Friday night and I was exhausted. Brad woke me up bright and early and said we had to get up to Salt Lake to meet some of his old friends from the “hood”. I was super grumpy and was not up to meeting more people at this point, but I slowly started to get ready. About a half hour later he said we didn’t have to meet the people from the “hood” anymore, but we did need to meet one of his mission companions at UVSC. I begrudgingly got ready and I grumped around a lot. We left to meet his mission companion and lets just say I wasn’t being the sweetest. I don’t do tired well. Anyways, we were on our way to UVSC and suddenly I hear sirens and we are being pulled over. I felt so bad, like my foul mood had caused him to drive fast. The cop came to the window and said he was driving a little fast. He asked Brad for his license and returned to his car. When the cop came back he said he was just going to give Brad a warning for the speed, but then he asked if Brad had any illegal substances in the car. Brad said no and the cop asked if he could get out and they could look in the trunk together. I was wondering what the heck was going on. (I thought I knew Brad, but it was sinking in we had only known each other for 7 weeks.) It had been a few minutes, which seemed like an eternity, and the cop came and knocked on my window. He said that Brad said there was something in the trunk that was mine. At this point, I was shocked I didn’t know what to believe and I was like “what the heck”. I got out and went back to the trunk and Brad had my ring box open, red roses, and a little card that said will you marry me. It was super sweet and of course we all know I said yes.

Where did you get married? Las Vegas Temple, March 13, 1999

Where did you go on your honeymoon? Southern California. We opted on an inexpensive honeymoon to save money. We went to Disneyland, Sea World, Tijuana and shopped. It was a great time.

Who is smarter? I would like to think we are evenly yoked. We are each smarter in different areas.

Who is more patient? Probably Brad, as long as he has gotten enough sleep.

Who is taller? Hmmm, Brad.

Who sings better? Me.

Who mows the lawn? A little of both.

Who has the worst temper? I definitely do, but Brad has been known to get upset once or twice. He is much better than me.

Who cooks? I do.

I am so thankful for my wonderful hubby and adorable “dada”. He is fantastic, sweet, caring, loving, of course good looking, and most of all funny. We enjoy all of our time together and I am so very very grateful that he chose to marry me. Happy anniversary Brad!

Brooklyn's Big Day

Brooklyn turned 2 last Sunday. It is definitely bittersweet. She is so much fun right now and as she grows, but she is definitely not my baby anymore. Brooklyn had more of a birthday week than birthday.

For her Birthday we threw Brooklyn her first friend birthday party at Chuck-e-Cheese. We had so much fun. Our friends the Irwins, the Barrs and the Ewings came. Brooklyn helped make the invitation, party bags, and even the cupcakes. She enjoyed all the preparations and LOVED the party. All the kids seemed to enjoy Chuck-e-Cheese and I think all in all it was a big success, at least for Brooklyn. She got some fun presents and she loves them all.

Brooklyn's best friend Belle wasn't able to make it to the party, so they had their own little birthday celebration at Culvers earlier in the week. Belle was so excited to give Brooklyn her present and Brooklyn was definitely excited to get it. They giggled and laughed and played in the restaurant afterwards.

On Thursday I needed to go to Phoenix for the day and Grandma and Grandpa Arnot were happy to show up and play with her for the day. They got her a new Little Einstein DVD for the trip that we still have not been able to put away. She keeps asking for her "new Einsteins".

We also had cake and presents for her at home on her actual birthday which was Sunday. Needless the say, the girl cleaned up and loved every minute of it. It is so fun to see her so young and innocent. She was excited and loved it all with no let down because she is too little to have anticipation. I think this definitely has to be one of the best ages.

Thanks to everyone her made her birthday a hit.

Sorry there is like a bazillion pictures, but I couldn't pick just a few. Look at your own risk.

Brooklyn's Birthday

Sorry about the music, it came with the slideshow and I don't know how to turn it off. Mute if you like.