All things Pink!!

Hat, water bottle, ring, necklace, bracelets & golf ball.
my favorites.
Proof that I did it.
last years motto.

I was a big brave girl today. I went and had a mammogram. Yeah for me!! I was nervous and a little scared, which would explain my lack of sleep last night. But I did it. The nurse was so fabulous and kind. She questioned why someone my age would be there but understood when I explained that although my mom was super brave and strong, I don't know that I could be - so I need to take precautions early. I had a moment while there and had to wipe away a few tears. I kept thinking that when my mom did this last year it didn't turn out as good as mine did today. I got home, wiped away some more tears and looked at all of my pink stuff that I have collected over the last year. So, while here in my "pink" moment, you get to see it. My favorites are my wishbone necklace, my pink rubber ring and my pink ribbon bracelet. A good friend gave me the necklace which came with a saying that goes something along the lines of "when the string breaks your wish will come true." I have tried to be so careful with it because I don't want to lose it. I wear my ring everyday. Jason found the golf ball last year up at Hobble Creek Golf Course - I thought it was super sweet of him to save it for me. I wore the purple "Cancer Sucks" bracelet lots last year along with the pink "hope" one. I have never been one to wear pink but I now have a few pink shirts & hats. So now you have seen my small collection of pink stuff. I still look for more fun, unique things to add to it. Life is good and I was brave!

Batter up!

Braxton up to bat.
Dylan's team.
The A's.
Braxton on 3rd base.

Let the games begin! It was opening day for baseball on Saturday. We started out with Braxton's first game at 9 followed by the parade at 10. Jason is coaching him this year & we are amazed with the progress he has made from last year. He still chews on a piece of his mitt (which I have told him repeatedly that it's full of germs), and still dives for the ball but he actually- kind of-in a round about way- knew what was going on. The parade was lots of fun. I got to sit in the back of the truck with the kids and throw candy. Dylan is playing as well so this summer will be filled with lots of baseball fun - AGAIN! I love it!!

A Mothers Day Weekend to Remember

It was a Mother's Day Weekend to Remember!!! Last year at this time my mom was sick from chemo and fighting for her life. So this year we celebrated her life. We went up to SL for the Susan G Komen Race for the Cure. I had heard how great it is and wanted mom to go and see all of the other survivors. We got there early enough, got my shirt and her shirt and walked around checking things out. It was amazing! The amount of people there were unbelievable. There were different groups together with different cute shirts on. Mom's shirt was bright pink with Survivor written up the side, so everytime we saw one of those shirts we had a moment. The race began (although with wall to wall people I don't know how anyone could run) and we walked the 5k route. We finished the walk back at the Gateway and shopped around there & went to see the Survivor Parade. Mom wasn't up for that this year but says she'll do it next year. There were all of these women, some bald with hats on, standing there together & we both couldn't help but cry. It was a sight I won't ever forget. We finished there and started home, with a stop at Hobby Lobby (my new favorite store). When I got home I noticed two hanging baskets on my porch. Jason had taken the kids shopping while I was gone & then riding motorcycles after. So I pulled up from an emotional but great morning and cried again. Braxton picked one out and Jason and Dylan picked out the other. I love them!! We went out to dinner that night. They made me breakfast in bed the next morning and totally catered to me all day. It was truly the best Mother's Day ever. I am so blessed to have such a great husband and great kids. I am so blessed to have the best mom ever who, even when fighting to stay strong herself, manages to keep everyone else strong. She is my hero and my example of hope, love and family. Thanks to my mom for more than words can say and to my family for making my life so grand.

You have to look through the trees but there are the survivors.
The sign that made me cry.
Finishing it together.
My cute mom followed by thousands of people.
The start of the race. The lady that took this picture had just found out in March that she has cancer. I'm telling you - it was an emotional experience that I will never forget.
My 3 miracles.
I love them even when they are silly!

A day of Sam Books and Snow

He's oh so happy.
after eating lots of pizza and cheese sticks.
his certificate.
once inside the building - my proof to Dylan that we were 1st in line.outside freezing.
All of the other crazy parents trying to make kids happy.

Oh how I love my kids!! They learned the depth of a mothers love on Friday. The day of love started at 4:30 am. I got up and went with Amber to get the two boys signed up for Shadow Mountain. It's a 5th grade 3 day summer camp held in June. Dylan was so funny when he came home a couple of months ago with the flier. He wanted to "sit down and talk to you and dad." Apparently he thought he needed to sell us on the idea - not knowing that both Jason & I went when we were that age. So Amber picked me up at a little after 5 and we packed up camping chairs, umbrellas, and were dressed to the extreme. It was snowing when we left and kept snowing the entire time. We were lucky enough to be first in line for the boys so we had a 2 ft. cover of the building but it was still dang cold. So...he is going and is so super excited. I will say that it is crazy that we have to go sign our kids up that early, but it's worth it. Then after crashing for a couple of hours we got to celebrate. Braxton has been reading "Sam Books". There are 51 books that they start reading once they get the reading concept down. He has been working so hard to get them done. We told him once they were done that we would get to do whatever he wanted. He chose to go to Pizza Pie Cafe - over McDonalds and Carl's Jr. Ok?? great with us, but a little strange for him. So we went Friday night and stopped at the creamery for his favorite ice cream after - Marionberry. If you know Brax you know that he doesn't like anything to do with girls, including colors. His favorite ice cream is pink...go figure. It was a fun night for him and we are so proud of him for reading his books.

Oh boy....

Roasting hot dogs.
look out, Brax has his stick!
thinking they are pretty darn cool.
a mothers greatest fear!!

Although it snowed today we have been getting excited for spring and summer. We built a fire pit this last week and got it done just in time to enjoy it once before the storm. Jason & I had been watching DIY trying to get good, affordable ideas to build one ourselves and after a quick trip to Home Depot we got all that we needed to do it. I have to give Dylan credit for digging out the grass and helping level it all out. He did great. We finished it and roasted hot dogs that night. The kids think it's great. The fire pit is all part of our "making memories" idea. Our other "making memories" idea, rather Jason's other "making memories" idea was getting himself and Dylan dirt bikes. Yup, I said dirt bikes. We already have 2 four wheelers, one being a child size one for Braxton to ride because I refuse to let him ride a dirt bike. But what is dirt biking without all of the gear??? I quickly got an answer to that question - you have to have the shirts, padding, helmets, socks, gloves, pants..... the whole thing. It's been lots of fun at the Carter house. They have only been able to go riding once but they can't wait to go again. Can't you just see it now - Natalie out there in a few years with her pink bike stuff on? We are having fun and most certainly making memories.

It's great to be 4!

Her 4 year picture - don't know why it's sideways.
enjoying her party.
the cupcakes
more & more presents.
playing "Pin the nose on the Minnie"
Blowing out the candles - notice Dylan's hand over Braxton's mouth - nice!!
My cute little Minnie!
I just loved this picture of her. I told you she was super excited.
Her new ride.

My baby is 4 (sniff, sniff). Her birthday was this last Tuesday. She is coo-coo crazy over Mickey Mouse so we had a Mickey Mouse party for her. She was so super excited for her party. We had grandmas & grandpas come over Monday night for the official cake and candles and then I decided to go out on a limb and have a few friends over for her party the next day. We borrowed a Minnie costume from a friend and Nati loved wearing it - all except the tail. She looked so stinkin' cute. We played lots of games, opened gifts and had Mickey Mouse cupcakes. I think the kids had fun and she loved every second of it. Oh.... and then Jason, Dylan and I ditched Nati and Brax with Jason's parents and went to a Jazz game. I know what your thinking - I'm a bad mom. My whole family (adults) were all going and sitting in the suite so... she's 4 and hopefully won't remember. It was a crazy few days but so fun for her. We got her a little power wheels truck in light of the fact that the boys all have fun things to drive around. She loves it and we have cruised the neighborhood a few times trying to get her used to steering, which hasn't happened yet. She looks everywhere but the road in front of her. It's good times!! Happy Birthday to my baby!! Love her so much!

Hippity, Hoppity...

Easter festivities this year were pretty basic. Friday night we colored eggs. I had told the kids we would do it all week long and finally did then. I think it's so fun to color them but the smell is something I could do without. We went to my parents Saturday morning'ish for an egg hunt and lunch. With the weather being what it was we celebrated inside. Sunday we had lunch and another hunt with Jason's family following our own little hunt at home. Despite the weather it was a fun Easter weekend.