SNOW and COLD!!

Well we had at least some fun in the snow. Its too bad it it so cold! Apollo hated the gloves and for the most part just stood and watched Brian and I build him his first snowman. Brian says the Big Bird hat is becoming a family heirloom. It sure does stand out!

Apollo --Climber and Partier

It's about time that we post something new! Brian has been very busy with finals and leaves me even busier at home with Apollo. We can't wait for the semester to be over. Brian says this has been his most challenging semester so far and that the Spring will be so much easier. It will be nice to have less tension and less worry! Last week Brian! Hang in there! 

Our little one is growing too fast! Apollo is getting faster and faster on his little feet and it is getting difficult to keep up with him! He has become very fond of climbing, on chairs, toy boxes, anything! He also gets hyper and starts to stomp and turn in circles and flair his arms in a little dance. Sometimes he turns circles until he's too dizzy to stand! What a fun little man.

UTAH: 48 BYU:24

After watching this game I had one predominate feeling, love. Love for the sport, love for the rivalry, love for the color red, love for the University of Utah, and love for Max Hall. Poor guy. I took some time to look into his previous performances and it appears that this was his lowest since TCU defeated the cougars. Well I grew up cheering for BYU, living in Provo, and I will be the first to admit it. But over the past year and a half of studying at the U of U, I have come to the realization that I bleed red! And last Saturday my day was all red. Of course it was not a heart breaking last second pass to win the game, but a solid butt kicking is great to see too. It makes it especially sweet when I recall some BYU fans saying that this year was going to be a repeat of 1984, the year BYU was undefeated and won the national championship. And sweeter still when I heard some fans ranking Max Hall next to Johnson (Tulsa), McCoy (Texas) and Tebow (Florida). I know Max has a good amount of passing yards (something like 3rd in the nation) but lets face it, against a solid defense, he panics and can't pull off good throws. Against the U threw the ball into the Utes hands where it was deflected or intercepted more times than you can count with your two hands. So cheers to the U!

If you missed the game, here is what happened... The first half was the typical BYU UTAH showdown. Back and forth all tied up at half, it was looking like it would come down to the wire. But as the pressure built up it seemed that Max Hall, QB for BYU, couldn't handle the pressure and turned the ball over 6 times. The Utes were able to capitalize on each turnover and treated the cougars like house cats. The result was Utah doubling the score of BYU with Hall having his worst performance of the season. Here's some stats for you: M. Hall 21/41 (completions/attempts), 205 yards passing, 0 T.D.'s, 5 interceptions, one lost fumble. His lowest passer rating this year of 26.0. Brian Johnson, on the other hand, had his highest passer rating of the year of 138.8. Throwing 30/36, 303 yards, 4 T.D.'s and 0 interceptions. Go UTES! Back to a BCS game! 

Our Little Dancing Boy

We love how Apollo flails his arms to the sound of a cool tune.

Halloween Pictures

Well Brian and I got lazy. Apollo didn't like his hat too much but he did look really cute

We hung out with my brother Nate and his wife where their neighbors came over and played a guitar, Apollo loves music and busted out all his moves

Catching up AGAIN

Some pictures of Fall

Apollo had a great time playing in the leaves and hearing them crackle under his feet

Grandma came to visit and Apollo loved it!

Apollo had a bit of an accident and pulled a chair down on top of himself, his poor nose took the brunt of it

Go UTES! 

Utah: 13 TCU:10

They had us worried but pulled off a very quick touchdown in the forth quarter to win the game! BYU visits Salt Lake City in just a couple of weeks and it looks like the U has the advantage. Carly and I (this is Brian by the way) have had a really fun time cheering on our school's football team this year, the first year they have gotten to 10-0 since Urban Meyer and the original BCS busters. I'm betting on the Runnin Utes to make it to the Fiesta Bowl again.  

Our Nations New Leader

Congratulations Barack Obama! Wow, the 44th president of the United States. What a time to be president. Brian and I both voted for Obama and are hopeful that some changes can be made throughout the country. We are very impressed with his ideas. We were also impressed with how McCain handled the outcome of his vote and hope that we can all be supportive of our country and the President. Although we don't agree with the way the electoral college is set up we are happy to see that Obama did win both the majority of electoral votes and the popular vote. We found a great web site that compares the two candidates and if you are still unsure of what each stands for, check it out: www.obama-mccain.ifo/index-obama.mccain.php. 

This was Brian's first time voting and he was very excited to show he does actually care. He reminds me how grateful he is to live in this nation. He has told me many times about families he met in Chile who lived in one room houses with an outhouse and who bathed from a bucket outside. I must say that I agree, that although our government and country on a whole have their problems, it is still a great nation capable of changing for the better. I have a cousin who is on the brink of moving to New Zealand because he is fed up with the USA. Brian and I talked about it and yes, it does seem nice. But then again, the problems the USA has affect the world and as the cliche goes: "you can't run away from your problems". We both have hopes for the future and the next four years will be interesting. Again congratulations and good luck to Barack Obama.

Apollo's favorite activity at the playground is trying to crawl up the slide. He loves getting halfway and then sliding down. Basically I just follow him around and try to keep him from getting killed! He is not at all shy, which is kind of nerve-wracking because he will approach anyone and try to get them to play. Sharing is something he understands very well. He "shares" other kids' toys all the time! He has two more new teeth and can say "mama," "dada," and "bah-bye." It is one of the greatest things in the world to hear him call me mama. This last weekend he enjoyed playing with Grandma and Grandpa Higley and waking up Uncle Chris by crawling all over him! I love my sweet, happy little hellion!

Back to My Husband!

After being in St. George for a week where my mom could help me take care of Apollo, it is great to come home to my husband. I really missed Brian and it is so much fun to be with him again for Apollo and me. Thanks to everyone who has offered to help as my arm heels. It is getting much better and I am encouraged everyday. 

Broken Arm!

This week I was riding my bike and had a bit of a crash! At first I just thought it was bruising and road rash but after noticing pain at any attempt to lift anything, I went to the hospital to find out that I have a fracture in the head of my radius! What a crappy fall! I have a hard time picking up Apollo, let alone scooping him up out of the car seat so Brian stayed home Thursday and Friday to take care of him. Saturday Brian's mom brought me down to Saint George so that my mom can help me with Apollo and Brian doesn't have to miss any more class. We were planning on competing in two more triathlons this year but it looks like my season has ended short. Look out next year though, because once I am recovered I will be a force to reckon with! It's very hard not to be able to pick up Apollo and comfort him as usual but I am grateful that nothing was torn and that surgery is not needed. I miss being around my husband and I feel bad for having to depend so much on my mom for the care of my son. Apollo really misses his dad, Brian is usually the one who gets Apollo to bed and he misses playing with him.

Catching Up Again

I thought that I would have more time to stay caught up with the blogging once school started for Brian again, nope!  This first week has been hard not having Brian around all day.  I miss my husband.  I can't complain though, at least we had a couple weeks to relax a bit before his classes started.  

Yesterday we went to Richard's birthday party and had fun hanging out and eating some awesome food.  Happy Birthday Richard! 

We then went to our nephew Chandler's baptism.  It was great to see the innocence and excitement that Chandler had.  Congratulations Chandler, we love you and are very proud of you.  

Brian also finally got his F.E. test result back.  He took the test way back in April and kept waiting for the result to come in the mail.  He found out recently that they e mail the results, the testing website still says via mail. Anyways Brian passed and is very relieved that he doesn't have to repeat the 8 hour test.  He only wishes they would let him know the break down of his scoring, which they only do if a person fails.  Way to go Brian!  I love you!  You are so smart!

Now that Brian is not around to play with, I have been taking Apollo to the park more often and I can't keep him out of dirt or the sand of the volleyball courts.  What a fun boy, I love my son so much!  I have also been trying to cook more and actually made a really good Thai chicken soup. Even Brian, who is no fan of soups, loved it! Okay, I think that gets me caught up with our life story!

Apollo had another cold a few weeks ago, it got to me too.  He gets very clingy when he is sick, I don't mind!

Apollo always wants to take the camera when we try to take his picture

Brian has made sure that Apollo knows what team he will root for during football season

Apollo's reaction at the Utes beating Michigan...okay not really but he is so cute with his little sharp teeth!

Apollo loves trying to catch our cat, Luna.  Every once in a while he is able to corner her!

Our Trip to Saint George

For a vacation during the time between semesters we decided to take a trip down to Saint George and stay at my mom's house.  We were there for almost a week and had a great time relaxing and playing.  Apollo had a lot of fun exploring his grandma's house and crawling up her stairs.  We also celebrated my dad's birthday right before he jetted off to Scotland and Italy.  Happy birthday Dad!  We love you and appreciate all you do for us! Here are some pictures of our stay: 

Apollo and his dad watching the tube, we seem to always get sucked in to the television when we are with someone that has more than two channels. 

Apollo is so cute, and even more so when he falls asleep in your arms.  What a sweet moment between him and his grandma

Apollo playing with Tinker Toys, and Brian joined in as well of course.

We all enjoyed a picnic in Pine Valley

My mom's house has a huge tub so we took advantage of it and dressed in our swim suits and hopped in to play with Apollo.  He loved being able to crawl through the water and splash to his hearts content

Playing at the neighborhood pool with my mom and son

Apollo loves the water!

we LOVE the OLYMPICS

Brian and I love watching the olympics together.  Brian has really gotten into swimming, my fault, and we both cheered for Phelps during the 400 I.M. and then the amazing finish in the 4 x 100, especially after the trash talk from the Frenchies.  Way to go Phelps!  Only 6 golds to go.

Brian thinks the buildings are slightly cool and a bit ridiculous.

GO USA!!

The First H.O.T. (Higleys and Others Triathlon)

Brian hosted the first HOT race!  It was a shortened version of a sprint triathlon for the family and it was really fun.  We were really glad that it did not rain and drop to around 50 degrees like last time.  I finally got to show off my new skills too.  I feel like I am getting better and better on the bike.  Thanks Mom for watching Apollo and our equipment!  Thanks Courtney for the pictures, next time you should join in!  Brian says he wants to do another race in September so his brother Chris can get in on the fun, so anyone else is interested let us know!  The results were: Brian won (way to go hubby!), Nate Hughes, ME! (Carly Higley), Rachael Rose, Nick Hughes, then Kate and Ted. Here are some of the pics that Courtney snapped for us.

Having Brian cheer me in is always a plus!

Kate didn't like her bike very much and Brian had a pretty steep route planned.  Sorry Kate!

The sprinklers suddenly turning on turned out to be a nice surprise.

Nick finished the swim pretty quickly, even though we heard he paddled with one hand and pulled himself along on the side of the pool with the other!

We hope those involved had a good time, Brian and I both love these events and hope to have many more in the years to come.  Some highlights were: 

Nate sprinting out of the pool area shouting: "I'll get you Rachael!  I smell your Fear!"

The close finish between Nick and Rachael, she had the running experience to pull ahead at the end!

Apollo's First Birthday Celebration!

Let them eat cake!  We pretty much bathed in it, at least, Apollo did!  He also managed to wipe it all over Brian and I.  We are so grateful to have this little guy in our life.  His laugh makes us laugh and his smiles always make us smile.  We can't believe he is already one!  Time flies when you are so busy changing diapers and trying to survive on minimal sleep.  Thanks to everyone who has helped us along the the way, and thanks to everyone who helped make Apollo's birthday celebration fun.

Finally Posting Again

We got through the summer semester!  What a pain to take classes during the time when we want to get out and have fun.  Anyways here are some pictures of things that happened along the way.

Apollo and his dad always have fun together

Me doing some miming so that Brian would laugh hard enough to lose his hiccups.  Sure made me feel like a dork.

Still one of Apollo's favorite times, bath time!

Apollo loves being outside and loves watching everything from cars to people go by.

I look forward to being able to more posting now that I don't have any classes to worry about. I am really going to try to start taking my camera with me too!