Braxton's Big Bike

Just a quick post...Braxton is so proud of himself for riding a 2-wheeler. He learned at the end of last summer but has liked the scooter more than the bike. That is until our neighbor gave him one of her boys old bikes. He has another bike but it's a little too big for him this year. He likes this one because it's more his size and he has been going crazy on it. He rides everywhere and we are so excited for him. No, I didn't make him wear a long sleeved shirt. It was his idea, that we couldn't talk him out of no matter how hard we tried.

in his gear.

"watch me mom."

And she's off...

Her favorite outfit for the first day.

I tried to take some pics of her outside but she would not quit squinting - even when she wasn't facing the sun. Silly girl.

sitting next to Aubrey.

My 1 second chance to get a picture before she got on.

at the Open House.

Nati started school on Monday. It went just as I'd hoped for - she loved it. We were waiting outside for the bus to come and when it finally pulled up I had to hold her back. There wasn't any hesitation whatsoever. She gets to go with 2 other little girls from our neighborhood which made it all the better. It's going to be a great year for her. I have high hopes for improvement and for her to have so much fun. I feel so at ease knowing that she is so excited and doesn't want to come home. When we were there for the Open House on Friday I signed up to help the room mom. Apparently I am now the room mom. Not quite sure how I keep getting into things like this - YW, PTA (bulletin boards), room mom, soccer coach. Please don't ask me to "help" with anything else.... my sanity is slowly leaving. It will be fun though & I am relieved that the preschool part doesn't have to do a lot with the rest of the school - one good thing out of it, right. Here's to another good school year for all of my angels!!

Back to School

Brax being not so sure (which started me worrying).
Time to go.
Big 5th grade grin.
So stinkin' cute.

It's the most wonderful time of the year!! I know that sounds cruel, but I was so ready for school to start. We had a fun summer but that last couple of weeks was a bit much for me and the kids. It's a big, big year for us. All three kids are in school this year! Dylan is in 5th grade with Mrs. Call. Braxton started kindergarten with Mrs. Briggs, and Natalie starts preschool on Monday. Yes, that's right, all of you moms out there can be jealous. I get 3 hours a day, two days a week ALL TO MYSELF. I have paid my dues and it's my turn. Anyway, Dylan's first day was pretty normal. The only difference from last year to this year was that he was totally stressed about what he was wearing the first day. He laid all of his shirts out and asked our opinions several times before deciding. Then came Braxton's first day. He was so excited to wear new clothes, new shoes, have a new backpack. I walked them down to the bus (Dylan also told me he was too old to have his mom walk him to the bus stop) and we took a few pictures. The bus pulled up, he said good-bye and got on. Our wonderful bus driver must have noticed me taking pictures and told me to come on the bus and take one of him in the seat. I got back home and downloaded the pictures and noticed that Brax looked kind of sad on the bus. Ok, so I may have shed a tear or two after seeing that picture. But he came home so excited and had such a good day that all of my fears vanished. I'm just happy that both boys are doing good so far and that things are moving right ahead....until Monday when Nati goes. I'll let you know.

How time flies

Dylan turned 11 today. I have an 11 year old.... um, I have an 11 year old. How did this happen?? I have been thinking that thought all day long. And to think that in a year he'll be passing the sacrament. Heaven help me. I am in awe of how well he has turned out, so far. He has been so excited for his birthday, counting the days, making sure we all knew how close it was. I picked him and his 2 best buddies up from school and took them bowling today. They had a blast. Dylan took 1st place the first game and "dead last" the second - out of 3...dead last. (His exact words - I'm still laughing). Right after his friend party we had the grandparents over for dinner. He picked the menu - chicken fried rice, magelby's rolls, salad, and chips and dip. I asked him the other day what kind of cake he wanted me to make. He usually ponders this for months and this year he just wanted a Nascar cake. Kind of random for him - guess it's the age. So I tried to do a Nascar cake for him. He had a ton of fun with friends and family helping him celebrate. He is such a good boy, always helping me with anything, keeping the peace between Nati and Brax. He and I went to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple Dedication on Sunday. It was such a great experience for both of us. He told me as we were driving home that he really felt the Spirit and that he had tears in his eyes for some of it. He's just a good kid and I am so blessed to have him. Happy Birthday Dylan! I don't know what I would do without him.

New Nerf gun - yeah for me!!
Dylan, Tanner and Wyatt - his best friends.
I was having issues lighting the candles on the cake so mom had to step in and help.
so handsome.
Having a great day!!

Braxton's Amazing Talent

It was the Talent Show for our primary today. They passed around sign-ups a few weeks ago and I seriously couldn't think of anything too astounding that my boys can do - not that they aren't talented, just not musically talented. Dylan didn't want to "do" anything in front of anyone so he displayed some of his wooden models that he collects. Braxton didn't want to take anything so the only thing I could think of was how loud he can click his tongue. He can ruin eardrums and stop traffic with that clicking. It is seriously so loud. So he got up there and clicked in front of everyone. He was nervous and just wanted to do it once until they clapped a bit and he did it again. If you watch the video you can see a girl totally jump when he does it the second time. One of our little neighbor friends laughed so hard after. It was great. He's got talent!!!

14 years and still loving it!

Father of the bride getting a smooch.
Jason with his parents
I remember being so embarrassed at the time with my baby brother and Jason's baby brother watching - such an intimate moment!!
Our announcement picture - back in the days of wearing all denim.
Our first date - Sweetheart Dance waaaay back in 1991. When big hair, mini mullets, and barely touching in pictures was"in".

It was our 14th wedding anniversary yesterday. Time goes by so quickly but I still remember the giddyness I felt when he asked me out the first time and how nervous he was when he proposed. I am so blessed to have him and now 14 years, 3 kids, and many life changes later, he is still the love of my life. We went out to dinner the day before because I had a big YW activity on the actual day. What a great husband to forgo celebrating the day of. We couldn't decide where to go to eat and ended up going to Brick Oven. Classic for us but I still love the food. Then last night I was so crazy trying to get everything ready for YW that I didn't make dinner so Jason had leftover pizza from our night out and the kids had corndogs. Nice, I know. Thanks for 14 great years my sweetheart. Love you so much!!!

Countdown to California & Braxton's picture

I am oh so excited for our vacation. I even made a countdown calendar to get the kids more excited (as if they needed to get more excited). They are taking turns putting Mickey Mouse ears on each day. It has been fun and works as bribery to be good everyday.

I couldn't resist. This is a picture that Braxton drew in Primary yesterday. It was supposed to be a picture of the brother of Jared and he turned it into a pirate picture(upside down). Not that I'm surprised - everything is pirates. He explained what it was with that tone of as-a-matter-of-fact/not a big deal/why are you asking me. He's so funny.