Our Brad

(This picture was taken in our garage, our living room does not usually have a lawn mower in the background)

Brad is Adam's first cousin and they were good friends growing up. Brad has lived with us for the past three summers when he has come to work with Adam for Coverstar. We love having Brad around, especially Emma. She is the first one to run give him a hug when he gets home no matter how dirty he is. She refers to him as, "my Brad." It was Brad that taught her how to jump off our stairs to anyone below, even if they aren't aware of her abilities. She has caught a few people by surprise by leaping towards them when they are at the bottom of our stairs without any warning. Luckily, our friends all have fast reflexes.


Brad keeps our freezer well stocked with ice cream and our shelves with cheese dip and tortilla chips. We joke around that he is like my second husband. He helps me get the kids in the car on Sunday mornings when Adam has early morning meetings, drives me to church, drops me off at the door, and then goes and parks. He takes out the trash, mows the lawn if needed, does his own laundry, and can bake a mean dutch oven cobbler.

This past week Brad's mom and dad came out to visit the East Coast as well as his girlfriend, Val. Our house was the base camp and from here they set out on their excursions to DC, Philadelphia, Hershey, New York City, Conney Island, Palmyra, Niagara Falls. By the end of the week Brad's parents could hardly walk they were so tired, but I think Brad showed them a good time. For us, it was the best way to have visitors. They had someone else to show them around during the day and all we had to do was visit with them at night and give them a bed.

The girls just loved Uncle Scott and Aunt Joanne. After they had gone Ellie was asking me why we lived in Connecticut and everyone else fun lived in Arizona, all her grandparents and aunt and uncles. "Why can't we be like Skousens(my family) and live in the desert?"

Anyway, Brad we are happy you are here and we will miss you when you go. We are really going to miss you.