Monkey and Mister

We have been living in Nate and Britt's basement for the last month and a half, and although it seems like that would bring with it a lot of challenges, It has been so nice being around family. One of the biggest advantages, (besides meal planning and the fact that I actually get some adult conversation in the middle of the day), is that Kate has a buddy to play with!

She LOVES, LOVES, LOVES her cousin Isaac and they have so much fun being together! I worried at first that Kate would get old to Isaac fast, but he has been so patient with her and it's been really sweet to see them interact. Kate has learned so much from him too! I have to admit it has been so nice for me to have a "live in" play date for Kate each day as we have been waiting for Summer to finally arrive so we can venture out into the world.

Here are some pics from some of their summer adventures so far...

Defending Fort Beeson from the evil beast Charger!

Isaac riding the tractor at Farm Country at Thanksgiving Point

Kate saying hello from the play Saloon at Farm Country

A couple of pictures from the Living Aquarium

As you can imagine getting a picture with both kids looking at the camera and smiling was a challenge. But at least we know they were having fun!

Isaac and Brittanie went to Texas to visit her family this week and it makes me sad to see the confusion on Kate's face when we head up the stairs and he's not there waiting to play. It just isn't the same without our happy greetings, "Moeeey", "Keet", "Dadoo", and "Churgerr"!

Hurry home safe Isaac and Britt. We miss our friends!

Summer Resolutions

I moved to Utah the Summer of 1999. I was one of those obnoxious Texans who thought that NO place was ever going to feel like home to me as much as the Lone Star State. I have to admit, I was and still am pleasantly surprised at how much I like it here. It's been over ten years that the Beehive State has been my permanent residence and although I'm still not convinced I want to "put down roots" here, (because ten years of living somewhere doesn't mean "putting down roots" until you own a house and your kids are enrolled in school there), I am still here, that's gotta say something.

I love the mountains and the shopping. I love that there are pretty much two ways to get somewhere: I-15 or State Street. I love the convenience of Church activities (Temples, Clothing, Temple Square, Ward Boundaries). I even enjoy my eating-out options here and miss them when I am away.

I love how Utah has ALL four seasons in their true forms even if they aren't distributed equally,

BUT...

Come February I want to crawl into a well ventilated, well insulated, well heated hole... AND DIE!

Why can't winter be a month shorter here on either end? We do ok 'til Christmas, but every January Marshall and I return to our well-structured routines of sleep, work, hours of TV on DVR and a steady diet of fast food (sometimes three times a day, NO LIE!).

Over five months and five to ten pounds later, I'm ready to make my "New Year's Resolutions". Get ready for Six months worth of back posts and a "Kate's a Year old" post that is full of all the boring first year accounts that sound like they are coming from a woman who REALLY has been thoroughly enjoying every second of being a first time mom. Summer is here, the sun is FINALLY shining, and I have come alive!

So if you have been anxiously checking our blog daily, hoping for some juicy tid-bits of Beeson happenings, all of your wildest dreams have come true! I just completed 12 titles for 12 NEW posts, logging our life events from Christmas til now and my goal is to complete one a day til they are done (this being the first one).

How am I going to do this you ask? No more napping during Kate's naps until my project is complete. Yes, I just admitted, for potentially although not likely, ALL the world to see, that I regularly take two naps a day while my child is sleeping instead of checking things off my LONG ToDo list. How is that for accountability and a whole lotta run-on sentences?

So here we go blogging audience... Keep me accountable and wish me luck!

365 Days Later...

Two people who have no idea how their lives are about to change

Our little Peanut!

KATE IS ONE!!!!!!!!!!

WooHoo! We made it a year! I can't believe a year ago today we met our little monkey for the first time. It has been one of the most amazing and challenging years of our lives and we wouldn't have given it up for anything. We feel so grateful to have Kate as a part of our family. She is truly our greatest blessing! She's a "saucy little red head" "full of piss and vinegar" and we wouldn't have it any other way! Happy Birthday Katherine Ann Beeson! I hope today is one of many happy days!

Coming soon-

Back posts from the beginning of the year and Kate's One Year Stats!

Night Away

Nate and Britt celebrated their anniversary with a night away at the Grand America this year. Because we are in the basement, it was a perfect chance for us to watch Isaac for a night and for them to get a rare night away! Britt put Isaac down for his afternoon nap and then they took off for stress-free, baby-free fun. When Kate and Isaac woke up from afternoon naps Marshall and I wanted to be sure we had something planned to entertain and distract Isaac from the absence of his parents, so we took the kids to Thanksgiving Point Gardens for an evening of fun in the outdoors.

Marshall and Isaac taming the wild bear!

Everyone showing me what sound a bear makes... "Grrrrrr".

Kate and I climbed through the tunnels.

 

Isaac wanted to crawl through himself and almost did several times but was a little hesitant about the dark unknown.

Stopping to smell the lilacs

Matchy- Matchy

Isaac loved the waterfalls and kept saying "wa wa". Here, he is trying to figure out why the feathers are on the ground and not on a bird!

We were a little shocked to find a family of Owls nesting in the rocks by the waterfalls. At first we thought they weren't real but the poop and the shifty eyes gave them away!

We had so much fun running around and exploring! Isaac went to bed without a peep that night and was happy to wake up the next morning and get to go into the basement immediately to see Kate or "Keet" as he says. Although he was pretty much perfect for Marshall and I, It was obvious he was excited to see his parents when they got home! All and all a successful adventure!

Bitter-Sweet Birthday

This year my birthday was kind of unusual. My father's father, Douglas F Prince, passed away a few days before and his funeral was the day of my birthday.  Marshall took the day off work and we traveled down to St. George Utah to see family and attend the funeral service. When we knew he was most likely not going to recover from his latest ailment, we had planned to make it down to see him and Grandma as soon as we could since they had not yet met Kate. Unfortunately, we weren't able to get there in time, but here are some pictures we were able to get at the family gathering with Dad and Grandma.

 

Not all of the cousins were able to make it to the funeral, but all of Grandpa's children and most of their spouses were there. Here is the big group shot of those who were in attendance.

Here is Grandma (Beth Prince) with all of her living children and their spouses. (Emmie wasn't able to attend because she was too far along in her pregnancy and Heidi had to stay in Colorado to hold down the fort).

 

Grandma and her children. Top row (Leon, Bill, Warren, Sam, Leland, Kim) Bottom row (Frances Williams, Sheila Knight, Beth Prince, Peggy, Gwen Mecham)

 

 

Daughters

Sons

 

Because Grandpa was being buried in Salt Lake City, the graveside and dedication was held the next day. As you can see the weather was not ideal to say the least but it was still a neat experience. Marshall's dad, Wayne, was able to attend and he helped with Kate while Marshall and I braved the weather.

I love military tributes! They are always so emotional for me.

 

It was a bitter-sweet couple of days and a little bit of a downer for a birthday but overall a good experience. It was so nice to see so many family members and especially nice to see my dad and brothers on my birthday (a rare occasion now that we are all grown). Grandpa's funeral was emotional and touching. The spirit was strong and there were a lot of opportunities for family member to heal and grow.

I had several impressions over the course of those couple of days, but only a few that really stood out and that I will never forget.

First, I am so grateful for the legacy of obedience and service, (especially service to the Lord and in building the Kingdom of God), that my father's parents have left me and my children.

Second, I am continually impressed and grateful for the example of unconditional love, especially towards family, that my own father shows.

Third, while my uncle Leon was sharing a letter written by one of my cousins, he quoted something along the lines of how my cousin was always grateful for the last name Prince and how he knew he was somebody because he knew it meant something to be a Prince. I always grew up feeling the same way, however, I was overwhelmed at that moment with a feeling of gratitude towards my husband and his family, the Beesons. I am so grateful that my daughter, and future children, have such and amazing legacy of strength, obedience, faith and service from both sides of their family. Marshall spent the entire funeral in the hall with Kate so I could enjoy time with my family and honor my grandfather. He was taught by his righteous parents and he is such an amazing example himself.

Even though if you would have asked me beforehand how I would've liked to spend my birthday this year, this wouldn't have been it... I am so grateful for the life-changing experience and impressions that came with that unique day!

What a wonderful Father in Heaven who blesses us with tender mercies!

John's Birthday Lunch

I was going to be out in Texas for John's birthday this year and we wanted to make sure we got some celebrating in before I left. So, the Saturday before his big day we met him and Nick at Tucano's in Provo for some lunch. We had a great time visiting, eating and even met an Apostle... not a bad turnout if you ask me!

When we first walked in and were seated we noticed this gentleman across the room that looked remarkably similar to Richard G. Scott. 

After Nick arrived we discussed it further and he confirmed that yes indeed, it was the Apostle! Of course, then we discussed how it would be inappropriate to interrupt his lunch for a photo op but did anyway after several of the wait staff did. Hey, don't judge, everyone was doing it! 

Here John is jamming out during the Birthday song! Don't worry, this was AFTER Elder Scott had left!

A great afternoon! The next Saturday while I was in Texas, Marshall, Nate, John and Nick celebrated some more at the shooting range! Jill and I thought it would be fun to do a "homemade" birthday message for John. Here is what we came up with!
Happy Birthday JOHN!

Earth Divers- Kate's first Art Show!

We took Kate to Uncle Lelands art show at BYU sometime in February (one of the many disadvantages to back blogging is that I can't remember exactly when it was).
We met up with John and Nick and got to visit with lots of other Prince family members who we don't get to see too often. It was Kate's first art show and she did pretty well considering it wasn't too formal. Here are some pictures.