A spooktacular weekend...

Bethany Harvest Festival-











Happy Birthday Levi- We wish you a year full of joy, love and health, thanks for being our friend!

studio 28 photoshoot preview!

studio 28 photo blog: Little Mr. Will...

Busy, busy, busy

Happily, Scott has been posting things on here from time to time and if it weren't for his encouragement it wouldn't be happening from me either. I just have so much to do during the day it seems like taking the time to stop and write something down can really be daunting, hence, it takes a month or so for me to post anything.

When I was pregnant people would say, ALL THE TIME, cherish every minute, it goes by so fast. I nodded like a good expectant mother...having no idea how right they were. Will will be turning 8 months old next Tuesday, I am simply in disbelief. It seems just like yesterday we were all three cuddled up on the couch watching episode after episode of Battlestar Galactica (I know...I know...nerdy), nursing, napping and staring at this little human with amazement. Some things haven't changed- I still nurse Will, although he is starting to be too distracted to really be all that interested in being still to eat, he still naps- I still can't, we cuddle up and watch Sesame Street in the morning or afternoon and he giggles and kicks his feet with pure glee at the funniest things and last but not least I still stare at my son with amazement and the most full heart- he truly is more precious than I could ever have hoped for. Although I am still getting spotty sleep at night, sometimes 5-8 hours, most times 2-3 hours at a time, and he can be quite persistent at letting us know what he wants, and that he wants it NOW...I simply cannot get enough of this boy. His warm snuggles, big belly laughs and slobbery kisses make every sleepless night worthwhile. I praise God for his little beating heart and his delightful countenance- I, truly, am blessed. Scott is an amazing father, the way he plays with his son is silly, happy, and with devotion, they are always up to something when I leave the room and it makes me smile to hear their laughs.

So- while I don't always have much to say on here, know that it is not because I don't want to share my little life with the friends and family who peek in. It is because I am trying to capture every minute I can with my heart and mind, so I will remember the early days of my sweet firstborn and these days that are passing by so quickly.

First words!

Hey everybody- Scott here again.
Wanted to share a moment that happened today. We have been trying on teach Will to recognize Bri as "Mama" and me as "Dada" and he has been doing incredibly well! He definitely understands, and will look around when we ask where the other parent is.
Today he gave me an special treat - Bri and I were pushing him in his stroller and we both came around to see if he had fallen asleep. He wasn't but instead looked right at me, reached for me to pick him up, and said "Dada!" with a big smile on his face.
Words cannot describe the pure joy that overfilled this father's heart to hear his son's first words, especially when they were wrapped in such adoration.

September

Things have been busy around the Prather house this late summer! Now that the shadows are long, Will loves taking walks in his stroller- he is fascinated by watching them walk along side us. Our neighbor has dahlias galore blooming in his yard- I love to walk by and see which ones have bloomed. Our nieces' birthdays are this month and so we decided to throw a combo party in our backyard, we had tortilla soup, sausage tortillini soup, salads and vanilla and chocolate birthday cake...delicious! Kathy brought a pinata- so it was great to have all the kids running around hitting things and grabbing candy, I can't wait until Will is big enough to run with the big kids.

I'm off to get ready for some visiting friends- enjoy your day everyone!

Aloha Maui

We made it back from our awesome vacation to Maui and we miss the ocean and sand already. Scott and I were so blessed to be able to visit such a beautiful place with such good friends, Bryan and Rachel were troopers with little Will's schedule and giving him all the hugs and extra love a little guy could possibly need.

There was only one stressful day- and it was a doozy for this new momma! We thought visiting the bamboo forest would be a great day trip, until we arrived and learned that there had been a fatal accident and that the police, fire, search and rescue all needed to close the area off from the public. Since we had been in the car nearly an hour we all got out to stretch our legs and see if there was a small trail leading to a clearing where we could get some photos and feel like we had an adventure...and what an adventure we had! I had worn flip flops and WHITE linen shorts- within 3 steps up the mudslide trail I was flat on my face- thankfully Scott insisted on wearing Will. I eventually (like 20 minutes later) made it up the hill but only with the help of both Bryan and Scott- so embarrassing! When we got there I took a few pictures and dodged cows pies and mosquitos on the decent- I was almost in tears thinking Will and Scott were going to slip and die...ugh...mommy hormones are intense! I thought about giving up and becoming one with the trees, mosquitos and cow pies- a true tree dweller. But I came to my senses and with Bryan's vigilant help made it down without incident. We stopped to watch the surfers on the way back to our side of the island and I saw the stop sign below and laughed- life is full of humor.

All in all the trip was great- we learned a few lessons and relaxed, thank you Bryan and Rachel for thinking to ask us to go on your journey- it was fun and a great time to get to know each other better.

To my sweet wife...

Happy Birthday schnookie lumpskins!

This last week, we played a game trying to remember the times we've laughed the hardest. We only got through about 4 memories before I realized that picking particularly happy moments in our lives is difficult because of the sheer and overwhelming amount we've shared together. We've been together since 13 - I couldn't imagine spending 16 years with anybody else! I wanted to share some of my favorite moments below-

May 8th 2004 - the day we were engaged to be wed! I still remember you scooting over in your chair away from me while I was on one knee trying to propose!

Our first trip to NY- being there for the virgin snowfall, dancing with fashion week girls, and you getting sick in a taxi heading down to chinatown!

Living in LA - Miluka and Paul taught us to laugh about life, even when you're ramming a gate in reverse

Eating ice cream and spitting gum - I believe that was the first time we created a competitive game to pass the time (She won with a 50ft gum spit!)

The birth of our precious baby boy- every time that I see you with him, I realize that you were meant to be a mother. You are the most gentle, loving, and patient person that I have ever met. Will and I are lucky to have you in our family, and we love you all the way to the moon and back