New Obsession...

Okay, okay, so I know I am always the skeptical one when people make a HUGE deal out of things like books, but I am finally going to admit it. I am one of them. ::shudder::

I, after much persuading, started the book Twlight (the first of the series of 3 soon to be 4 books) and finished the first 3 books in a week! They had me hooked from page 1. Stephenie Meyer is an amazing author who packs in the action, suspense and romance! I guess it is good to force me to have a break to actually clean my house, run errands, and stop neglecting my child... but I cannot wait for the 4th book, Breaking Dawn, to come out in 5 days!! :) I never thought I would catch the bug like this. But, now I have persuaded a couple people to read them and they are just as addicted as I am, so I don't feel so bad. I highly recommend it! Jon's even thinking about reading them because I loved them so much... and maybe that would be good! ;) Edward could teach every guy a few things! ;)

-Brynne

18 months...into 18 years!

Our little Cade turned exactly 1 1/2 this week. He has been changing, learning and growing like wild fire lately. I just thought I would post a few things that he loves right now.

Helping: With putting clothes in the dryer, getting his own diaper, unloading the dishwasher, or whatever it may be! He's digging in.

Singing/Dancing: If any type of tune passes his ears, he is moving! He loves to sing (and do motions if there are any) when others are singing as well.

Reading: He many times in a day will ask for us to get him a book and he is very intent. He will also sit and "read" them on his own (or flip thru the pages and babble).

Playing outside: He must be Jon and Brynne's kid because he will play with the dog or in the dirt in the back yard up to 45 min. by himself.

Pointing out body parts: He can do most all of them!

Copying words: If we ever say one word, he tries to copy it. We have learned to watch what we say!

Swimming: He has always been a fish. We put on his wing floaties and he will kick, kick, kick! He's good and holding his breath and spitting out water that gets into his mouth in a perfect stream.

Throwing, Catching and Hitting a ball (or rocks, or othermisc. items) : His right arm is a rocket! He catches sometimes, tries very hard, and hit the ball with his bat off of Dad's hand.

Last but not least, DAD: Major Daddy's boy.

This little guy has brightened or lives. We love you, Taters!

4th of July...always quite the ride!

Over the 4th of July most every year, the Gatten side of our family goes rafting on the Clark Fork river! The water was really high this year. We hit it a few days too early so it was a little washed out, (and you know us Gattens, if we haven't flipped, aren't missing people, or aren't in a state of panic, it was just "okay") but this was the best, big, wave this time..."fang". We got buried! Brynne is on the left (Right side of the raft).
We made it through with only a few bumps and bruises. (Back LtoR: Brett, Dusty middle:Hayliann, David, Michael front: Brynne, Lizzy We had some good campfire games...(LtoR:Brynne, Lizzy and Brady, Jean, Hayliann)

Here is the cliff we always jump off of. It was about 35 ft. this time. Jonny jumped with the rest of the daredevils, but Brynne decided to be a spectator this year being pregnant, and after knocking herself out overrotating on a flip on the same cliff last year (it was low water=higher cliff) and severely bruising some ribs. Next time...!

We also have the chance to enjoy the firework display in St. Regis, MT. Let's just say there are no regulations there and they shoot of the big shells in the city park along with EVERYONE else and their dogs individual fireworks. It is CRAZY. Seriously. One of our cousins, Corbin Gatten, got hit it the head with one that went off sideways, singed his hair, and got a goosegg! We decided next time we need to wear safety glasses and hard hats!! Never a dull moment, and always on your toes!

Angie D, Cade and Brynne

Jonny and Caders

A few more of the group!

All in all, we always enjoy this time to do crazy things with family and friends, soak up the serenity of the river, see the bald eagles, go fishing, and catch up. We love it!!

HOOPFEST '08

LtoR: Jarman Lyle, Vinney Massey, Scott Brady, Jon
This was Jon's 2nd and Brynne's first annual (as in we will keep on doing it!) Hoopfest 3 on 3 basketball tournament. The weekend was SO fun but even more exhausting! Jon had his friends Scott Brady, Jarman Lyle, and Jarman's girlfriend Rochelle come up from Utah for the guys to play with him like the old days! We were able to spend Friday on Hayden Lake all day boating, hanging out on Jon's parents' dock, barbecuing, etc. It was a great day...Scott's speedo and all!

Although there was much talk of the "glory days", the boys did awesome in the tourney!! They placed 3rd in their 18 team bracket and didn't even have their 4th player, Vinney, the last two games! They also played the team that won the whole thing their second game, placing them in the losers bracket so they had to play twice as many games to work their way back up the semi-final where they lost. They were beat, and with the 100 degree weather we made tons of beverage runs! Scott Brady...tryint to catch some shade between games

Angie and Brynne spectating the boys after we'd lost the day before

Brynne's team did okay. Angie D. (ex. BYU player and sister-in-law) flew in for the tournament (and the day on the lake) from Seattle and they had SO much fun together! They also played with Brynne's high school teammates Andrea Whiteman and Juli Pearson (ex. NIC player). They won their first game and lost thier last two. Then the team they beat, beat the 2 teams they lost to! Bummer! Next year we will have a strong team and a better outlook! There were some BIG girls (or were some guys?) out there. It was the first time Brynne played since the sprained ankle and being pregnant, but she felt and did pretty well.

Rochelle and Jarman

Jonny and the future baller, Cade!

Thanks to our supporters: Dan Sarah, Kyla and (in the womb) Carson Ross, Rochelle, the husbands and wives, and Briettney, Landon, and baby, and mostly Cade! We love you all!

Gatten Girl's Week!

We had our second Gatten Girls getaway to Las Vegas!! This was such a fun trip without kids! Oh, wait, besides the three babies in the picture below. But they were hardly even noticed....hahaha. ;) Although we missed Angie B. and Angie D. We still had LtoR: Cassie (w/ Beckett, Brynne, Mikin (w/Asa), Brooke, Momma Jean, and Lizzy (w/ Brady). We had a great time going to amazing restaurants, shopping, cruising the strip,

going to the temple together,

going to the show KA at the MGM grand hotel, (this was the second most AMAZING show you could ever see after "O"...jaw dropping acrobatics, costumes, and stage)

hanging out by the pool (who need pictures of that?), watching movies, eating goodies (pictured below) and enjoying eachother's company. I sure do love a little girl time every now and then!

I cut the trip short, though, and flew out 3 days early to go to Seattle to assist Dusty, my brother, on his dental school boards. This was so fun, too! We also had a GREAT steak at an argentine restaurant with some fellow classmates to celebrate their completion. We also got in some doubles tennis (tradition) and guitar hero (also tradition). All in all, a great trip.

Baby on the Way!

Well, we found out we are expecting baby no. 2!! (Sorry about the picture of a picture.) We found out a little over a month ago, but the beginning was a little complicated and a bit scary. After much pain, two wierd periods, an emergency ultrasound, many other tests, and a priesthood blessing from a loving husband, we found out I don't have cancer, or a cyst, or a tubal pregnancy and everything they thought might be wrong (due to symptoms) is fine! The doctors still can't explain it. We know it was a miracle. So, after a second check-up ultrasound today, at 11 1/2 weeks, we are super excited to have another healthy little one on the way.

We were quite excited to give Cade a sibling, as he is such a baby lover. He is so kind and caring with babies. Toddlers, on the other hand, watch out! He's ready to wrestle! That's probably why Jon is hoping it is another boy! I, on the other hand, could care less what it is this time (wierdly enough I mean it!) I am just so happy he or she is healthy.

We are so grateful for the opportunity to bear and rear children. With Cade, we know Heavenly Father knew Jon and I needed him at that time in our lives...even though we didn't. Now with this one, we feel so humbled to have the opportunity to participate in such a miracle again as we wanted it and it happened right away. (although now that it is in the works I am realizing how close 2 years apart is, and I am thinking...now why did we want it NOW? jk). But, I am a little nervous. ;)

Cade's Giggles!

I got a cute clip of Cade giggling. He is such a character!