Big Day for a Big Girl

It's been a big week for Natalie. She started Pre-school on Monday. Not only did she start school, she rode the bus to school. Yes, our Natalie rode the bus. She got approved to go to Hobble Creek Elementary's Pre-school because her speech isn't quite where it should be. I was extremely excited to get her the help she needs in that area. Part of me was scared because 1)she is my baby 2)she is a huge mama's girl & 3) she's way sassy. So we started getting her excited about riding the bus and going to school. Finally on Monday morning I asked if she wanted to go to school and she said "Bus". Green light for school. I got her all dressed and her hair all cute, got her backpack on (she had to have Spongebob), and waited for the bus to come. I seriously almost had a panic attack when it pulled up. She was ecstatic. She went right on and I buckled her in, said "bye", and got off. She was fine. More than fine actually. As I was walking back up the driveway Dylan pats me on the back and says "Well, you did it mom." And I did. Of course I followed the bus to the school to make sure she was ok when they got her off. Wacky parent, I know. It made me feel better. The great thing was when she got home. I walked on the bus and she started screaming and telling me "no". She didn't want to come home. The bus driver and the assistant were so great. She had a fun first week. Life is good.

Big First Day of School grin.

The backpack is bigger than her.

In her favorite seat.

Notice her protective big brother following her onto the bus. So cute.

My cute kids

Tickles make everything better.

Natalie playing with a box on the bar.....who knew it could be so fun?!

Where's Nati??

Braxton being a good big brother and playing in Natalie's bed with her.

We have had all kinds of sickness over the last two weeks. From pink eye, to yucky cough, to ear infections, to sore throats, to runny noses, to flu (as of today). The kids have been house bound and have actually been really good through it all. I'm sure that this weather isn't helping a whole lot so we'll just hope for the best and move on to new adventures and sicknesses this week. I had to teach YW today and with Jason having the flu I left the kids downstairs while I was gone. I got back and Braxton came up to tell me that Natalie needed me downstairs. When I got down there Dylan was sitting on the chair with her sound asleep on his lap. He gave her tickles until she was out. What a good kid and a good big brother. They need summer as much as I do. Wish us luck for this week.

40th Anniversary

Braxton took this of them right after their Easter party.

Cute snapshot of them about a year ago

Oh, so young!

We celebrated my parents 40th anniversary yesterday, the 18th. Also, it was 10 years ago on Friday the 17th that my parents were sealed and we were sealed to them in the Manti Temple. We had a "cake/banana split/ice cream" party here last night. We had been trying to figure out what to do for them for the past couple of months. It was a little difficult not knowing what was going to be happening with mom so we sent them out to dinner, alone, and had the party here after with everyone. We indulged ourselves with lots of sugar then watched a video that Jason made of their married life. It turned out really well and they loved it. I hope they had a fun night. Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad!!

A good try at family pictures.

This is our attempt at "self portraits". After church I remembered that I had wanted to take some family ones. Not the best idea seeing as the kids were just done for the day and making them stand still, look at a camera with no one behind it, and smile over and over again was the last thing they wanted to do. I learned, but at least we have a couple that turned out alright.

Natalie and her doll had matching dresses. She was thrilled.

Natalie and I.

Jason and Natalie.

The best one out of the bunch.

One of the first ones we took, so smiles were more sincere than later on.
Next time I'll hire a professional.

Our Easter

My niece, Grace and I with our fun lips (I was having flashbacks of whopper egg lipstick).

Braxton, Dylan
Natalie, Grace, Alexa and Blake at Jason's parents.

Easter morning.

Dylan, Mom, Braxton, Natalie and Dad after the kids egg hunt.

Carter, Jaxon, Gavin, Dylan, Braxton, Natalie and Kacen at my parents house.

We had such a fun Easter this year, even with the yucky weather. We went to my parents house on Saturday. It was raining so they had their hunt inside. They really didn't care, as long as candy was included, they were happy. We ate lunch and had a good time with my family. On Easter morning the kids found everything that the Easter Bunny left for them, we went to church, and headed over to Jason's parents for dinner and another hunt. It was a good day. We tried to explain the real meaning of Easter. Dylan understands but Brax and Nati just care about the candy. They'll get it at some point. We hope everyone had a great day.

Dylans' Letter

Dylan is my tender-hearted boy. He is so sweet and thoughtful especially for a boy. He tells everyone in the family that he loves them everyday. Sometimes I think he needs to be a bit less sentimental, although this is not one of those times. My mom had a treatment last week. This one made her really sick and I was worried. Dylan could tell something was different this time so he wrote Grandma a letter and sent it home with my dad when he stopped by for a minute. I didn't have time to proof read it before and just hoped it would be ok. Later that night Grandma called sobbing and my first reaction was "What's happened". She said she wanted to talk to Dylan and I knew - he'd written one of his sweet letters. He talked to her for a minute, totally blushing the whole time, and then gave me the phone. She read me the letter and I later went over to take a picture of it. It gave mom such a boost when she really needed. How he knew what to write, I'll never know. It was one of those times when I love being a mom and seeing the kind of people I am raising. I might be doing something right.....with him at least.

Dylan is such a great kid and I hope he never changes.

Natalie's 3rd Birthday!!!

Her 3 year old picture

About 10 hours old

Getting ready to blow candles out at her party

All dressed up

My baby turned 3 today. I can't believe that 3 years ago I was in a hospital totally enthralled with my new baby girl. I remember everything like it was yesterday - the non-stress test including ultra sound, being hooked up to the monitors just to make sure she was ok, calling Jason when Dr. Nance called and said that it was time to get her out, being so excited that it was finally happening, and anticipating the epidural. It had been seven years since I had a baby and I admit I was nervous. But knowing it was going to be way different than having Dylan made all the difference. Before I knew it she was screaming her way into the world. Natalie was so beautiful. She weighed 6 pounds 2 ounces and was 19 inches long, and she had some dark hair. It was an exciting time. The boys were loving her, well...once we got Brax to admit that it was his sister. My hospital experience was great and now here we are 3 years later. We had her party last Wednesday so that my mom could be here. The entire family, both sides, came over for dinner. It was Tinkerbell themed so I got her fairy wings, Tinkerbell pom-poms, and green dress up shoes. She looked so cute. Everything turned out great and she got such cute things. Lots of clothes which is fabulous for me. She is such a blessing to us, sass and all. I think she had a great day today also. We had pizza for dinner and put candles in it and made sugar cookies with M&M's on top. Braxton kept blowing the candles out making it so that we had to keep re-lighting and singing all over again. Happy Birthday to my Nati. I love you baby!!