Brady's Bunch

Cub Scout Day Camp!!!!

2012-02-01T10:31:00.002-07:00

This is the first time Brady has gone to cub scout day camp - I think he was sick last year - but the hubs went along with him and he LOVED it!!!! I mean, of course he does, what little boy doesn't love sling shots, guns, making boats, running around beating each other up with foam swords - I mean really - cub scouts is just heaven on earth for boys ;)

Brady's Boat!

I get to shoot this rock in a sling shot? SWEET!

Learning to fold the flag.....

Train cars - cool!

Knights of the round table? Let's roll!

Boys and their guns - I'll never understand the attraction ;)

Bows and Arrows are pretty cool too.....

Awwww - a great day!

Brady's 9th Birthday - Blast from the stone ages - DINOSAURS :)

2012-02-01T10:10:00.003-07:00

better late than never right? I figure I will just kind of go backwards and post stuff til I am allllll caught up :) Sound like a plan???

Soooo - on to Brady's party :) Brady is in love with all things Dinosaur! Well - maybe I should clarify that - Brady love the Land Before Time series. You know the one, Little Foot, Sera, Duckie, Petrie, Spike - the band of eternally constantly getting into messes and then screaming as they run away little dinosaurs from the 90's.... Yup - those ones. It's just a bonus that we have so many episodes on VHS, and that they are so cheap on DVD - AND that they even made a TV show for a bit of those darling little dinosaurs (oh save my poor ears.....). But, I digress and ramble - sorry - bad habit of mine - it hasn't changed in all these months that I haven't updated my blog ;) Brady loves dinosaurs - so he chose to do a dinosaur party!!! Yayyyyy :) Lots of work - but lots of fun! Unfortunately he came down with the stomach flu the morning of said party - which we had anyway - although he was still feeling a little under the weather right up until cake time :)

Here you gooooooo.......

What's a dinosaur party without bones and a little excavation? In advance of the party we prepared a little archaelogical "dinosaur dig" :)

Welcome to a land before time :)

The finished dinosaur dig and kids in action - excavating their bones :) Oriental trading company actually does a pretty good dinosaur skeleton and this was a BIG hit :) Only one injury from the excavation tools....

Hot Lava Rock!!! - you know - kind of like hot potato :) Played to the song Do the Dinosaur ;)

Dinosaur Egg hunt :)

Dinosaur egg grab :)

Protect your dinosaur egg - this game was a hit - Little T here was a pro ;)

Presents are always a big hit - and spongebob ones? AMAZING!!!!

Ice Age Dawn of the Dinosaur cake - PERFECT!!!!!

Sooooo fun - dinosaurs, volcanoes, friends, food, games and fun :) What could be better???

How am I doing with my new years resolutions...

2012-01-31T08:44:00.002-07:00

including writing on my blog - well - not so great- hey???

There is definitely room for improvement :) It's been kind of a rough year - and I haven't felt all that positive - hence - not very many blog posts.

But - hopefully things are on the up and up - and I will be posting more often and finally do a picture post catch up from the last year ;)

If anyone still reads LOLOL

Have a happy week!

wow - how did I miss that?

2012-01-17T02:44:00.001-07:00

hmmm - it was supposed to be a New Years Resolution - concerning my blog....

wow.....

well - that's about how things are going here - so I guess I shouldn't be surprised LOL

Happy 2012 y'all......

ummm - I'm a little...

2012-01-11T11:56:00.001-07:00

behind?

Don't worry - I have a news resolution about my blog....

Stay tuned ;)

Thank you for your prayers....

2011-09-09T16:15:00.002-06:00

my amazing big brother, Brant, passed peacefully away on Tuesday September 6th. He fought valiantly to stay with us, the surgeons and doctors fought valiantly to save his life, but in the end, Heavenly Father called him home.

I have so many thoughts and emotions about it all. I can see so many tender mercies from the Lord in his life and our lives over the last year - things you don't really notice or see the Lord's hand in, until you start looking back and realizing how many things that you may not have thought were blessings, really were.

Brant endured several really difficult trials during his life - but he was always positive, always loved life, and always looked forward to the future. He was optimistic, he was fun, and he was always funny! Even though his last year was filled with pain and hardship after the accident last summer - he was always grateful and he loved that he had more time to spend with his family. He made the most of every single minute and showed his love and kindness to everyone around him. He was, without a doubt, an amazing man, an amazing, father, an amazing husband, an amazing son, and an amazing brother. His death leaves a big hole in our family - but we are comforted by knowing that we will see him again in the eternities - he was such a wonderful man - I know he's got it made :)

I love you Brant, and will miss you! Thanks for being the best big bro a girl could ever wish for :)

Prayers - pretty please???

2011-09-03T22:31:00.002-06:00

Hey everyone who reads this blog - who I imagine are not very many in number LOL Just wanted to ask for prayers on my brother's behalf. He is critically ill and needs a miracle - and I know the power of your prayers!! So - if you could spare one or two or three or more, that would be sooo appreciated!!! Thanks so much!!!!

Sunday Grains of Gratitude....

2011-08-07T09:51:00.002-06:00

Hello friends! Sorry about my delinquency in my grains posts :( I promise it isn't because I am NOT grateful - just busy! I know, I know - that is a very lame excuse :( But - it IS the story of my summer! It really has been a crazy busy one! And - it is drawing to a close :( School starts in 2 short weeks :( I am DREADING it :( I hate it when school starts :( And - Brady is going into 3rd grade - which is such a HUGE jump in all areas - it is going to take a lot of support to help him be successful, and I am worried at how that is all going to pan out this year. I know I am on board though LOL Whether BRADY is on board - well - that is a different story - hopefully it will all be great and he will amaze me as he often, but not always, does :) I guess it will all depend on his teachers and aide - none of whom I actually know. And, hopefully he will transition better this year - I am keeping my fingers crossed!!! I know he is excited to see his friends - so that is a bonus....

So much to be grateful for in the last few weeks! I just don't even know where to begin!

I am grateful.....

that C was able to go on trek at the last minute! Grateful that her boss and co-workers were willing to work things out so she could go. She missed going several years ago for soccer tryouts and has been wanting to go ever since. She said it was an amazing experience, and I love her perspective - she really really appreciated the experience and the things the pioneers went through to make it to Utah, whereas many of the youth in her group just grumbled and complained and didn't help at all with pulling/pushing the handcart and complained that their parents MADE them go on trek - instead of taking in the experience, appreciating it and learning from it. I am glad she had the experience - and the boys too! I think they learned a lot too, and I think the day they trekked 15 miles was an eye opener for them..... C said she really missed Brady, and that she thought of him constantly, especially when they were talking about all the little children who died or were carried on older siblings backs on their way to the valley.

that my trio of teens were safe on Trek! There were lots of thunder storms and rain storms while they were in Wyoming, so I was worried for my kiddos. I am glad they were protected and survived. Of course that is nothing compared to what the Willie and Martin handcart companies endured - but maybe it helped them be a little more appreciative, and me too!

for my sweet hubby who took time off for a little weekend getaway with the kids to the southern part of the state for a little R&R family getaway :) We had lots of fun with the younger kids and it was a relaxing, if hot, getaway! Thanks Grandma and Grandpa for letting us stay in your playhouse :)

for H, who has been a great weeder this week - for making the front beds look somewhat presentable after having a summer of being too busy for yardwork! He has also been our lawn mower extraordinaire this summer - I am grateful that he is always willing! Thanks H!

that we got to play with the cousins on the hubs side of the family. That doesn't happen super often, so it was fun! And - so grateful for my neighbor for letting us swim in her pool. It is so much easier to keep track of Brady there than at the big public pool with it's many slides, diving board, etc... I am also grateful that Brady is such a good little swimmer these days - he really does well and I am grateful for his cute swim teacher, Katie, who worked so hard to get him where he is! I hope she is having an amazing time on her mission in Italy!!!

for my friends! I haven't seen much of them this summer - but I know that once school is in session and we have a few hours in the day, we will be able to reconnect!!! I love how comfy we are with each other that we can do that - that we understand that family comes first and that there will be time for friends in a few weeks!

for perseverance! for the lessons it teaches my kids. Soccer has been so frustrating for Little K this summer. She did not make the team she wanted to - for various reasons - some political, some of her own making, and it has been a hard lesson for her. She has shed lots of tears and been bummed and angry with herself over things. Some of the reasons she didn't make the team she can't change, I don't think she's going to grow a foot anytime in the very near future - give it a few years ;) but there are things she CAN change, and she is seeing that and really working hard to achieve her goals. I sometimes think those are the lessons that are much better learned and experienced and make a lifelong difference, rather than just easily landing in the situation you want to be in. We grow the most when we experience trials... not that I want to see my children go through trials - it is so hard - but I am grateful to see them overcome and rise above the adversity that comes their way....

for Big K! This has been the most frustrating summer for her, and she has showed a lot of fortitude and perseverance, as well. Things have definitely not gone the way she had planned them to, either with school or in her personal life, and she has had to deal with hard things, do hard things, keep plugging along, and going in a forward direction, even when things are hard, and she doesn't understand why they have turned out that way. I think that is a big lesson the Lord teaches us - that even when we can't see the whole picture, or why things are happening to us, trials and adversity, even when we are living right and being obedient and faithful - HE can - and He will guide us in the right direction if we trust Him and have faith in Him. I am grateful that she understands this and is trying so hard to see past the things that have hurt her and frustrated her. She is an amazing young woman and I love her to pieces!!!

for J, and his willingness to tend Brady for me while I have been crazy busy this week. Brady is not a DS superstar, and still needs someone to keep an eye on him so he doesn't go wandering, or help himself to a pantry smorgasbord ;) J in all his sweet nerdiness is always willing to keep an eye on his little bro and spend some quality time on Youtube watching funny videos ;) I am not sure who likes it more, Brady or J - but I am grateful for how great all my kids are to step up and show their love both for Brady and for ME!

What are YOU grateful for today????

Sunday Grains of Gratitude.......

2011-07-17T11:42:00.004-06:00

Sunday again! This week dragged and went by so fast - at the same time! I can't believe it is over - it was such a whirlwind! Sooooo much to be grateful for this week though!

This week I am grateful.....

that I am back, safe and sound on American soil :) I don't think I have ever been soooo ready or so excited to come home from a trip, as I was this one.

that my family was so great to step up and care for one another while I was gone. My hubby has almost all the laundry done, the house was clean, the kids met me at the airport with a welcome home sign, Little K decorated to celebrate my return :) They were real troopers and really stepped up to help with me being gone last minute :)

for my friends that helped with my kids while I was gone - getting them to the things they needed to get to, and helping with swimming, soccer, etc....

for the strength of the Lord. This trip was definitely a lesson on relying on the Lord and seeing his hand in things. Lots of lessons learned, and hard things accomplished.

for all the blessings I enjoy, and sooo much gratitude for the many things I take for granted - food to eat, schooling for my kids, a democratic government, houses with central air and heating ;) and enough room for my family, a good job for my hubby (now that I don't take for granted, and I am grateful for it every single day!) and the opportunity I have to stay home and raise my kiddos. I am so very, very blessed and so very, very, VERY grateful. I am humbled by some of the experiences and things I learned over the last week, and I am grateful for them - even though they were hard ;)

for the hugs and kisses and love I received on my return. I missed my family sooooo much. I am not used to going places without them, and I am just so happy to be back at home with them.

that I DID get to have some interesting adventures and see some really cool things while I was in Australia :) It really is a super cool place - and I am grateful I DID not run into any of the world's most poisonous snakes or spiders - except at the wildlife park, where they were very nicely living behind glass :) The koalas, wombats, and platypusses were soooooo cute. How can a continent have so many cute and interesting animals and so many dangerous ones at the same time ;)

I am grateful that I had the chance to go and be with a friend and help with some interesting and hard experiences, and I know that when we look back in 6 months, we will see the Lord's hand, and his blessings, and hopefully have learned the things He wanted us to learn through the experiences we have had - now that will be a good grains to write!

What are YOU grateful for today????

Sunday Grains of Gratitude.......

2011-07-10T13:28:00.002-06:00

Sunday again!!! Well - actually I missed blogging on Sunday, I guess that's what happens when you fly to the other side of the world ;) on a spontaneous last minute adventure :) So, I will be interested to see if my post shows Sunday or Monday when it posts :) I have so much to be grateful for this week - so I better get started!

This week I'm grateful......

that the planes I traveled on didn't crash :) I always worry about that, and even more I am terrified of flying over water, and there was plenty of that on my trip here :)

for good friends, and brave ones and the opportunity I have to accompany one of them on a grand adventure, so she didn't have to go alone :) I can only imagine how scary it would be to be here all alone - not that it's scary, just really different LOL

for my family - who are way more adventurous than I am, and who were so supportive and helpful to get this last minute trip off the ground :) Who are helpful and loving and supportive. Thanks guys - you are the best!

that Brady is feeling sooo much better from his surgery. His first few days at home he was still under the weather and suffering from some icky side effects and set-backs to potty training, but things seem to have worked themselves out and we are back on track - phewwwww. I thought I was just going to cry those first few days home when it looked like we were going to have to start all over. It has been a long two years of teaching and working hard to get where we are and I really really didn't want to have to start over.

that little miss K played well in the soccer tournament she was invited to guest play in. Her soccer team placement has been a bit of a frustration for me, so I am glad she had a chance to play up for a little bit and I am hopeful that they will see her potential and skills and let her move up, or even double roster or something. That whole situation has been kind of hard for both of us. So, I am glad she had the chance and worked really hard and tried her best :) She is a scrappy little player :)

that we had a fun 4th of July weekend and that Brady did so well with fireworks - he ended up really loving them and even holding his own sparklers! It was so fun to see him get over his anxiety about them and really really like them for the first time! I am so happy for him. It was great to have the whole family together for a bbq and Big and Tyler back from his family vacay with us for a few hours. I love it when my whole family is together!!!

for all my blessings. Being away and seeing different places alway ALWAYS make me grateful for all the things the Lord has blessed me with. The US is an amazing place and I am so grateful for the freedoms we enjoy there and the blessing it really is to live there!

What are YOU grateful for today????

Sunday Grains of Gratitude.....

2011-07-03T15:34:00.003-06:00

Another week has zipped past and it is July already! Summer has been so crazy busy and it is just flying by, and I don't want it to! Well mostly I don't, my kids have fought more this summer than I can ever remember, and are constantly provoking each other, but other than that, I don't want summer to go by soooo fast! I have so much to be grateful for this week!

This week I'm grateful.....

that Brady's gall bladder surgery went so well. This little boy is just so amazing. I think of the things he has been through in his short little life, which I know are NOTHING compared to a lot of kids with special needs, but so much more than anything my other typical kids have had to endure. I think of the number of surgeries (9) and procedures, and specialists, and blood draws etc... that he has had, and the grace with which he takes everything that comes at him, and he inspires me. He charms doctors and nurses, he goes with flow, he calms himself, he holds his own mask to put himself to sleep for the anesthesiologist :) He works through his worries and anxieties and trusts me completely to keep him safe and be there for him. I know people might say, why would I want a child to go through all that, that people think his life isn't worth living, that they are "saving" their children with DS from a life of "pain and suffering" by terminating them - but I would argue that Brady doesn't think he is suffering, that he doesn't think his life is not worth living - that in fact he appreciates and lives his life more fully than the rest of 46 chromosomers, because he doesn't get caught up in all the unimportant things, and he enjoys the things he loves with an abandon and passion that we would never allow ourselves. He is an example to me every day, and I am grateful - even on the days when I am feeling sorry for myself, because I may never be the mom who can sit at the edge of the pool and visit with friends without keeping an eye out for a fleeing Brady, or be able to freely go out without finding someone to keep an eye on Brady, or make sure I have an extra change of clothes in the car for my 9 year old - just in case - that Heavenly Father let Brady be a part of our family. What kind of people would we be without him? How would we have ever learned to appreciate the small things? How would we have learned patience? How would we have ever learned to appreciate and celebrate a statement as simple as "thanks C for watching funny videos with me" when he walks out the door - to his 9th surgery, in as many years. How would we have ever learned to love someone so completely, to forgive so perfectly, to trust so completely, to believe so innocently - to be like Heavenly Father wants us to be? Without Brady's example? I'm not sure we would ever have learned those things. I am soooo grateful for my sweet boy.....

for my brother! It has been almost exactly a year since that horrible accident that almost took his life. A year of miracles, and lots of hard work and pain and endurance for him. I am grateful for the miracle that allowed him to live, for all the prayers and positive thoughts from real life friends, internet friends, and internet prayer warriors that I don't even know, that pleaded with the Lord for his life and recovery. I am grateful for his continued recovery and that I still get to have my big brother - I love him so!

for my hubby and kids. They are awesome. I am grateful for them stepping up to drive each other places and look after each other when I am away. For taking such great care of Brady when he is in their care (mostly - the boys could use some work - but man I will have them whipped into shape by the time they get married, or die trying ;) I am grateful to them for being patient with me when I am stressed or worried and not being very patient with THEM. They are wonderful kids and I am grateful for them each and every day!

for the service men and women who serve around the world every day to help not only the US be free, but other countries too. Who work and sacrifice for the freedoms that we enjoy, and to make the world a better place. I am grateful for the free country that I live in (even though I am not a US citizen :) and the freedoms and privileges that I enjoy every single day.

for my hubby's job. His company has been so up in the air for the last year, and I am grateful for his continued employment and the insurance benefits that we enjoy, as I know there are so many people out there who do not have the same benefits. I am so grateful....

for so many wonderful friends and family who love and support me, my kiddos, and Brady. Who pray for him and believe in him and love him - and ME - in spite of my many, many faults and shortcomings. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

What are YOU grateful for today?

Brady's 9th birthday Dinosaur Expedition :)

2011-07-02T07:17:00.003-06:00

Dinosaurs are one of Brady's most favorite things right now :) He loves the Land Before Time movies, he loves the dinosaur museum, he loves making his toy dinosaurs eat each other and run away from the "sharp tooths" :) Soooo - what better party could he pick but a dinosaur expedition?

We got dinosaur fossils and encrusted them in "sandstone" and sand....

We made dinosaur tracks and decorated our "land before time...."

Complete with a dinosaur sister, a volcano and everything!

The kids had fun "digging" their fossils and seeing which kind of dinosaur they would find - three horn, velociraptor, spike tail, flyer, duck bill, sharp tooth :) We had em all :)

We played pass the Lava rock.....

Had a dinosaur egg hunt.....

Did a pterodactyl egg grab :)

protected our eggs from other dinosaurs wanting to smash them :)

Then it was Brady's favorite time (good thing he was feeling better by this point - he came down with a bug the morning of his party and wasn't feeling well til almost the end!)
PRESENTS!!!

and CAKE!!!!

Happy Birthday Party Brady :)

Sunday Grains of Gratitude....

2011-06-26T09:29:00.003-06:00

I have not been a very good grains blogger lately :( Trying to do better - because it really does make my week go better and I have so very much in my life to be grateful for!!!

This week I'm grateful......

that I got to go to girls camp!!! What amazing and darling YW we have in our ward - especially the beehives - they're my favorite - but of course since I am a beehive advisor, I could be a tad biased ;) It was just beehive camp since the older kids in the stake are going on Trek - so just a small group of 17, 12-13 year olds camping for 4 days :) It was so fun, and they are such cute, good girls! LOVED IT!!!

for my bed, flush toilets, showers, and electricity ;) Love camping, love sleeping under the stars, and hearing the crickets and rushing water of the river - but I sure do love my creature comforts :) Taking a shower after camping for 4 days sure did feel heavenly!!!

my family who looked after each other and watched out for Brady while I was gone. It was nice to know he was taken care of, even if Daddy did forget to do a number of things - like take him to summer school - etc..... ;)

that our cute neighbor girl who was hurt in a 4 wheeling accident is doing better and will hopefully be out of ICU and home this week. We came home last weekend to several police cars and eventually ambulances, firetrucks, and a life-flight helicopter in our front yard, and at first thought maybe Brady had drowned in our neighbors pool (which many other people in the neighborhood thought, as well, judging by the number of phone calls we had ;) And, while I am sooo grateful it was not Brady, our prayers have been with Savannah all week that she may recover and gain the most mobility and healing of her hand as possible. If you have a moment, could you pray for her too please? She is just barely 14 and such an athletic and vibrant gymnast and cheerleader, so this is very difficult for her.

for beautiful, gorgeous weather - no rain, warm temps, and just overall great sunny, summer days - I LOVE them!!!!

for all the birthday wishes from my friends on FB last week - they made my day!!! Birthdays become less and less special it seems, the older you get! My hubby kidnapped me away for an overnighter and it was the BEST :) Dinner, Pirates, and sweet hotel, and shopping - he couldn't have picked a better birthday present :)

and last, but not least, all the sweet testimonies of the beehives at testimony meeting on bishops night, or in our case - bishopric night LOL The girls were so sweet and tender and I loved hearing them share their thoughts and watch them work up the courage to do so and what it meant to them after. About half the girls were 1st years, so this was really their first experience with a camp testimony meeting, and it really was special! Oh how I love those girls!!!

What are YOU grateful for today?

Exhausted!!!!

2011-06-15T18:02:00.002-06:00

motherhood is exhausting! Summer is exhausting! And - they are two of my favorite things! I think I just need to go back to when summers were RELAXING instead of filled with soooo many things. Soccer camp, swim team, summer school, EFY, Engineering state, girls camp, trek preparations - they are all a little overwhelming right now!!!

I am hoping things slow down soon!!!! How is YOUR summer shaping up????

Mothers Day 2011!!!

2011-06-12T19:24:00.002-06:00

Look at me - only a month behind now :) ha ha ha

We spent mother's day this year with my MIL and the hub's brother's family :) We went up to their ward, then for a picnic, on a somewhat blustery day ;) Imagine my surprise to see our old pediatrician in their ward - it was so fun to chat with her and meet her family! It was good to get together with cousins and share this special day with Oma :)

H and M swinging - guess they aren't too cool for that just yet ;)

Cute Brady-man - he decided he would pose for a few pics before heading to the playground equipment :)

Darling cousin O :) He is such a cutie patootie - I realized I mostly have pics of him and Brady - the youngest in each of the families - I guess they must move slower than the other kids ;) ha ha ha

Aunt J and the cousins!

Oma and most of her grandkids ;)

Me and my bunch :)

Sunday Grains of Gratitude.....

2011-06-12T18:28:00.003-06:00

Sunday grains.... Soooo much to be grateful for over the last few weeks :) It's hard to know where to start ;)

This week I'm grateful......

that my Dad turned 80 and took us kids on a cruise to celebrate :) It was soooo fun! We did a Mexican riviera cruise and it was soooo great (and warm and sunny :) It was so fun to spend time with my brother and sister and their spouses and my parents - and no kids ;) It has been a while since we've all been together, the last time right before my brother's accident - and the last time I saw him he was in a coma and on the vent - so I am soooo grateful that this time around he is recovered and up and around! I sure love my family!!!!

that my big girls did such a great job babysitting the other kids while we were gone :) Even though they are ungrateful and whiny and don't listen :) I told them that was just prepping them for parenthood ;) ha ha ha I am so grateful that they were safe and everything was good while we were away :)

for my sweet hubby - he is awesome and I am grateful everyday for him!

for Brady's aide - Nicole and his teacher Mrs. N and class TA, Mrs. S :) They were so wonderful to my little guy and helped him grow and progress so much this year. I am grateful for them and their acceptance and willingness to go the extra mile and think outside the box to work with Brady :)

For Teacher Heidi - one of our most favorite preschool teachers, and our beloved summerschool teacher :) She is soooo awesome and I am soooo grateful she is working with Brady again this summer! He loves her so!

that the boys had a great and uplifting time at EFY. J went on his own this year again, and that always freaks me out because I never know if he is going to get a good roommate or not :) He did and he had a great time - said he danced like a fool at the dances and socialized with the ladies ;) It was H's first year and he went with a friend from our ward and had a grand time - no worries with him and socializing with the ladies - he found some cute girls to hang with and now thinks his life is a little more complete because he got to get a facebook account ;)

that the girls traveled safely to CA to visit a friend. They will be back home soon and I am praying for their safe journey home :) I missed them while they were gone. You would think I would be over that, with them having been moved out for 1 and 2 years, but I really do still miss them when they aren't here - go figure :)

for good friends who lift me up, listen to my vents and fears, and support me and my family - you may not think it is much, or even know that you are doing it - but you are - and it means so much - and I am sooooo grateful!!!

for people who have and show integrity - who are honest in all their dealings and do what they say they are going to do. This isn't always the case with everyone I deal with, so I am so grateful for the people it means something to, and who accept responsibility for their actions and strive to be honest in all they say and do.

for my Heavenly Father, who knows and loves me. Who sees through my faults and knows the true intents and desires of my heart.

What are YOU grateful for today????

Spring Family Pictures :)

2011-06-12T18:01:00.002-06:00

cause I am just that torturous ;)

H :)

Little K :)

Big K :)

J :)

C :)

Brady - not that thrilled with the flower locale......

apparently this rocky background is much more to his liking..... more manly maybe???

The boys :)

The girls :)

The kids :)

The family!

Oma and the grandkids :)

Mom and Dad :)

Oma :)

Easter 2011!!!!

2011-06-12T17:59:00.000-06:00

celebrated on time, but blogged a little late :) I figure better late than never ;)

The easter bunny came!!!

and left yummy lindt chocolate bunnies - mmmm mmmmm good!

and new movies!

and he even knew that Brady doesn't like candy - so he left goldfish and pringles instead ;)

Waiting til dad says ---- GOOOOOO!!!!!

I got some!

The boys waiting their turn......

Giving Bubbles some love while the other kids fight it out hunting eggs :)

Divvying up the eggs :)

Look what we scored? That Easter bunny sure picks good candy ;)

Oma brought us her traditional Dove Easter peace bread :) Yum Yum!!!

Dying Easter Eggs :)

2011-06-11T13:09:00.002-06:00

Soooo - I really did take pictures of our events over the last few months - I just haven't had time to post them -soooo - back on the blogging wagon I go ;)

Easter Egg fun!

Brady really got into this year - please excuse his yellow hand - it took a few tries to convince him that the egg dipper really IS better :)

So fun that the girls came home from college to participate!

Dad's hairy eggs - proof that men really DON'T read instructions.....

That hairy egg ended up working out afterall ;)

Little K missed our egg dying time with an alternate committment - so she got her own dozen!

H is for Honor Society.....

2011-05-22T19:51:00.002-06:00

A while back H was invited to apply for Honor Society. He was accepted and his school had an induction ceremony. The hubs and I had to divide and conquer - you know - that thing where you can't be in two places at once :( I am glad he got some pictures though!!!

Congratulations H!!!!

Rain Boots!!!

2011-05-22T19:47:00.002-06:00

Little K has been wanting rain boots for a long long LONG time :) C has these black polka dotted ones, and Little K has had boot envy for years ;) Soooo - while we were on vacation she came across these ones....

and it was just our luck to come home to rainy days - so she could wear them!!!! She loves them - can you tell?

Brady's first Pinewood Derby!!!

2011-05-22T19:40:00.003-06:00

We were barely home from Vegas, when we realized it was pinewood derby! We asked Brady what kind of car he wanted to make and he said "Lightning McQueen!" sooooo off to the internet we went to try and find a design to copy. Lucky for us - the internet is a pretty dang handy invention and we found one we could kind of copy. We found a bunch you could send away for and buy the designs, but since we are such procrastinators - that wasn't exactly an option :( So the hubs printed off a picture and we got straight to work!

Carving and cutting - I admit - Brady is not too good at that part - so Daddy helped....

a little spray paint :)

The finished product!

Our cub scout pack!

Pinewood derby treats - they were soooo cute!

Spring Break in Las Vegas!!!!!

2011-05-22T16:48:00.009-06:00

Spring break - it's always such an adventure to find something to do that fits into our budget, but is still so fun for the kids :) This year I really really REALLY wanted to go to Disneyland, since it has been 3 years and this is the year we were supposed to get annual passes again. But, alas, it didn't fall into the budget, and with the hubs job so up in the air with his company being bought, we decided to do something cheaper. I looked at different options for weeks on Expedia, until I found a screamin' deal on a cheap hotel in Vegas :) I heart Expedia - we have found such good deals on there for different vacations :) So we booked it, and off we went! The kids had never really been IN Vegas. We had shopped there, and driven down the strip once or twice, but we had never stayed there before - so we thought it might be a fun experience, although we wanted to shelter them from the "what happens in Vegas, stays in vegas" mentality ;) So we researched other things, besides the 'usual' things people do there, to do :)

Our first day we just went to church and chilled. The kids thought it was pretty cool that the ward building we went to had palm trees and a red tiled roof - it was a pretty nice looking building - cool desert landscaping and all :) We played some games, watched some cartoons, and just hung out together :)

Day 2 found us at Valley of Fire State Park :) The red rocks were sooo amazing - I just love them! I think it is the beautiful contrast between them and the blue blue sky - I think it is just beautiful!

We saw some cool petroglyphs.....

Played on the rocks!

and IN the rocks :)

Saw these cool rock cabins that the forestry service built almost a hundred years ago for travelers passing through - they were really clever!

tried not to disturb the petrified wood - although I think it would take a lot to disturb it ;)

Day 3 was our first day on the strip. I was a little worried to take the kids down there because there is sooooo much porn being pushed there now. Vegas used to be so much more family friendly - but it has really gotten entrenched in the gambling/sex trade these days :( But I have to say - the porn pushers were fairly considerate of my family and did not shove any brochures into my teenage sons hands and moved away from us. I think it was an eye opener for my kids though. They saw a lot of poverty and people down on their luck - more so than anywhere they've been, except maybe in Belize - although they didn't see too many people begging there. It was a good lesson for them too, in never starting drugs, because they could see what they do to your life :(

First stop was Circus Circus for the midway show......

New York New York!!!

Excalibur.....

The little Statue of Liberty - wait - I thought Gru stole this one ;) The kids went on the roller coaster here and thought it was awesome!

Can't go to the strip without a stop at M&M world!!!!

A statue of Liberty completely made out of Jelly Bellies!!!

We finished the day with dinner at the Rainforest Cafe!!!!

The Luxor......

The Paris!!!

The Palazzo!

The Venetian!

Gelato at the Venetian......

Caesars Palace.....

We watched the show and it terrified Brady :(

The coool circular escalators at Caesars - Brady was a total fan!!!

More Paris!!!

We thought this shop was right up J's alley - except candy wasn't the only 'sugar' they were marketing :( They did have 5 lb gummy bears that the kids thought were cool!

The Bellagio....

Little K's treat - we looked all over for french pastries and found some, but she chose cheesecake instead!

The kids went and did baptisms at the Las Vegas temple.

After our strip days - we needed some down time - the weather was so nice - 90 degrees - so a pool day seemed in order. We pretty much had the pool to ourselves for the whole day - the kids had a blast!

They had a few tube wars ;)

Can you do this?

Caught some rays......

Poor Daddy was stuck inside working :(

Our second to last day was H's 14th birthday - so we HAD to celebrate in style.

It's a 3DS - thanks Grandma and Grandpa!!!

yup - sucked right in......

We went to Rio and Rango.....

We thought since it was opening day for Rio that we would have to be there early - apparently in Vegas, not so much ;)

Passing the time :) Pockets are cool!

Too soon it was time to go home :( But we did manage to gather a few souveniers to bring home :)

Little k's treasures :)

M&M treasures for J ;)

and H too :)

Brady and the Chipmunks :) ohhh - and scooby doo too!!!!

Sunday Grains of Gratitude....

2011-05-22T11:29:00.002-06:00

We interrupt the "blog-catch-up" to bring you Sunday Grains of Gratitude..... :)

Soooo much to be grateful for this week!

This week I am grateful for....

all the young women in our ward that graciously served at a fundraising walk our disability group had yesterday! They were so great with all the kids and families and I am grateful that they were willing to come and volunteer their time!

for my friend, Julie, who spent so much time and effort working on the fundraising walk - and helped it be so successful - raising twice as much as past ones. Julie - you did a FABULOUS job!!!

for friends who donated and came out to support Brady at the walk, and family who donated money to our team! You all rock. Your love for my boy brings tears to my eyes and warmth to my heart and lifts me when things are hard. It means the world to me, and to him! THANK YOU!!!!

for the SUN yesterday!!! It was so nice to see it after sooo many rainy days! I am grateful for moisture, but I really really really need sun :)

that Little K's team won their last three soccer games! They worked hard and pulled it together! We will be sad when their team dissolves after their tournament next week - they are a great bunch of girls! We will miss seeing them all the time.

that my hubby was home all week - what a difference that makes! I love him sooooo much!

that school is out for my three younger ones on Friday - sooo happy to be done with the year and soooo ready for summer vacation!!!

that the world didn't end yesterday at 4:00 :) I am just not quite ready yet - guess I better get my life in order, since we never know when that could be!

What are YOU grateful for today???

Brady's 2nd Grade Program.....

2011-05-19T13:35:00.002-06:00

Brady's 2nd grade program was soooooo cute!!! I need to post some video of it - he was soooo excited about it! He performed sooo much better this year! Every year he knows all the songs and actions, but a lot of the time he just watches his friends and doesn't do them - but this year - wowwwww! They sang about 10 songs and he really participated with his whole heart for most of them. I was soooo proud :)

He has had such a good year this year, and it makes my heart happy to see how many kids he has touched and all the things he has learned from them. His first grade teacher laid such a fabulous foundation last year, and this year has just been wonderful for him. He has loved his class, his teacher, his class T.A. and his aide, and they have been sooooo great with him. I love seeing him happy and feeling successful!