What Brayden's been up to...

Brayden started the summer out with the grand idea that he was going to grow his hair out. We all call it "Beiber Fever" I had such a hard time with this idea. He is finally at an age where he is actually is having an opinion about his looks. I had to take a picture of him this day, because it was two days into summer vacation and look what he's wearing....school uniform! Hmmm, he complained about it all year and this was his choice in clothing that particular day. It made me laugh. He said he just missed school that day.

Brayden thoroughly enjoyed the first month of summer break by watching the 2010 World Cup. It was especially exciting until Brasil got kicked out of the cup. What an upsetting game that was! It was fun while it lasted though. The kids had fun dressing up in their Brasilian gear and cheering really loud when we would score.

"GOOOOOAAALLLL!!!!!"

Brayden's soccer team had the unique opportunity to do some training with some player's from the Real Soccer team. Afterwards they signed autographs for the kids. Brayden had them sign everything imaginable, his soccer bag, shirt, trading cards, arms, ball, Kade's shirt. He thought this was so cool.

Pictured below: Nick Romando, Brayden, Kyle Reynish, and Chris Wingert

We went to the Bee's game with Mike's work. Brayden and Kade had a blast trying to catch foul balls. They actually came close a couple times. But once again,  Brayden was all about getting autographs. He had the Bee sign his arm and his baseball mitt.

Brayden has been working on his dancing skills this summer, in and out of the pool. Brayden enrolled in a boys hip hop/tumbling class and LOVED it. He learned lost of new and cool tricks. He loves to show us his skillz. The last day they did a battle and he said this was one of his favorite things to do.

This summer, Brayden also enrolled in a week long golf camp. He had so much fun with this. They did little contest's through out the week and ended up winning a variety of little things. This class boosted his confidence and love out on the golf course. He loved it!

He is much like his Daddy and wants to go golfing all the time. This will be a fun sport that they will always have in common.

It's nearing the end of the summer and Brayden's hair has definitely grown out of control. With much coaxing, I finally talked him into getting a haircut before school started. I let him pick the cut.

                                This is what he chose. Much, much better. But he still feels stylish.

Brayden has had a fun and busy summer. He still has a couple more soccer tournaments to go, then we can officially call an end to his summer. He got his teacher assignment the other day and is elated for the upcoming school year to start.

What Kade's been up to...

Checkin' out the Monster Truck at the local Maverick. Every time we drive by now, he looks for the truck. It has been the highlight of his summer.

"Look Mom! I fit in the tire!"

Lovin' him some ice cream!

"Mmmmm!"

Kade took swimming lessons this summer, and rocked! He learned so much and did so well. He turned into this little fishy this summer.

I loved that his teacher taught him to "fwoat" if their is ever an accident. He knows how to do this very well now. Who would have thought this brick could float?

He learned to many different swimming techniques, but his favorite thing was diving to the bottom to get the rings. He can't wait for swimming lessons again next year.

Happy 7th Birthday Kaylee...

For Kaylee's Birthday Party, she wanted to have a swimming party at her Grandpa's house. We quickly decided on an Ariel theme (I loved the idea since it's probably the last year she will ever want a princess party. She's too old now!!!) Since it was a pool party, we decided to invite only a few guests, I didn't want to be responsible for too many lives! This is the only princess party we've ever had so I had so much fun planning and coming up with decorations for the party. Then the day of the party, it was a HUGE windstorm. None of the decorations worked. It figures. I know better then to unnecessarily over plan. The decorations for the table kept blowing over. Our beautiful princess table, kept ending up on the floor. So I kept trying to maintain things, instead of actually enjoying the party (thus my lack of pictures and my excuse for not applying sunscreen on me or my daughter. YIKES!) Luckily I had some extra hands their to help!

Kaylee was very happy when her friend Hallee showed up
in an identical swimming suit!

Ella and Kaylee

Ella, Bella, Abby, Sophie, Katrina, Kaylee, Hallee

Abby and Hallee

The girls had fun playing Ariel, Ariel, Flounder. Keep away from Ursula. and swimming around like Ariel. We had a lunch that consisted of Octopus hot dogs, fruit skewers, goldfish, and lemonade. They decorated their own flip flops with colorful ribbons. Had cupcakes and ice cream. Swam some more. And left with a goody bag fit for a princess.

Once we got home Kaylee was thrilled to find out she had a package waiting for her in the mail from her cousin's Josh and Avery. She immediately put on her beautiful new dress and jewelry that they had sent her. She was antsy the rest of the day, waiting for Dad to get home so she could open the rest of her gifts. Between friends, family, and grandparents, let's just say Kaylee got SPOILED this year! 

We were supposed to spend the rest of the night at ward swimming party. But Mom and Kaylee were FRIED! No more sun for us. We made her all beautiful, she wanted her hair in a heart, and the rest all curly.

And we went out to dinner somewhere with Kaylee's favorite meal- Fettuccine Alfredo!

We finished the night off by going to the movies and seeing the Karate Kid.

It was a wonderful day, spent with a wonderful little girl. Kaylee is so fun to be around (as long as she gets her beauty rest) and can always make you smile. She always has something kind to say about everybody. I love having this little girl in my life. She is absolutely delightful.

Camping (lesson learned)...

One thing Mike and I have in common is that we love the outdoors and we love to camp. But we haven't done a lot of it in our married life. It's kind of hard with kids. We've gone camping with the luxury of a grandpa's trailer, but we haven't ever really "roughed it with the kids before. We decided that the kids were at a good age, we could finally go camping.

We loaded up the car with the camping supplies that we did have (which weren't many) and decided it was enough to get us through one night. Mistake #1. We didn't call ahead and reserve a spot we just knew one would be available when we got there. After driving up the canyon in our "non 4 wheel vehicle" for about 30 min. we decided we had lucked out. But on our way back down someone had left their spot and we were able to pull right in. It was in a dispersed area camping area which meant, no running water and no toilets. Mistake #2. It ended up being beautiful though. It was right by a stream. The kids had fun throwing rocks and soaking their feet.

The boys had fun shooting their air soft guns. Kaylee couldn't quite figure out how to aim for the target.

The boys drove their remote control cars around everywhere. It seemed like the boys were finding plenty to do. Kaylee just kept asking me, "So, what are we supposed to do now."

We had fun taking a little hike.

After about 1/4 of a mile, the kids had to stop for a break. Kaylee wanted to be carried.

Their were beautiful streams and waterfalls along the way.

With all this water, how could you not "accidentally" fall in. By the end of our walk all three kids had soaking wet shoes. No extra pair. Mistake #3

All that walking really got their systems moving, they all had to go you know what. I had expected toilets, so I didn't pack toilet paper. Mistake #4. We all had to pile into the car and drive down to the nearest porta potty. PHEW! Toilets! Too bad they had flies and smelt disgusting...Kaylee refused to go in.

Mike and I were quite the team at putting up the tent, although we don't all fit in there very good. After you fit in my queen size mattress, 3 pillows and 5 extra blankets, it gets a little squishy. Maybe we need to upgrade to a trailer or something?

We kids got hungry really early so we had to get our fire going so we could roast our hot dogs. Kaylee was a good help at collecting wood. But it usually helps to have matches to light it. Mistake #5. Mike had to walk down to the next camp and borrow matches. We eventually got the fire going, so the kids could start cooking their dinner. We ended up dropping about 3 or 4 hot dogs in the dirt (that didn't leave many more to eat.) The kids quickly ate their hot dogs so they could roast a GIANT marshmallows. Not kidding I found HUGE marshmallows at Harmon's. They took forever to roast. The kids lost interest with them before they were even finished. They were yummy though. We started our fire so early, that we quickly burned through what firewood we had brought. Mistake #6. It was still very light outside, but getting very cold. We all had to get cleaned up, into jammies and head into the tent for the night so we could try to stay warm.

This is were things started to get bad. The kids were so excited to be sleeping in a tent, that they quickly fell asleep. It seemed like it stayed daylight for HOURS. Mike and I just laid there, and laid there, and laid there. Finally the sun went down. and he went to bed, no problem. I just laid there, and laid there, and laid there. I kept thinking:

I used to be tough.

I used to love camping.

I really need to pee...no toilets, no toilet paper. Big problem.

It was really cold.

If I'm cold I bet the kids are cold. Check them. Nope, they're still sleeping.

Nudge Mike, yep sleeping too.

I can't stand one night camping, how am I going to endure 3 at girls camp this year?

Our family is really going to be in trouble in an emergency, we can't survive one night in the wilderness.

Did I mention how cold it was?

Kid's cold yet? Nope, still sleeping.

That's it, I was done. I just KNEW i was not going to fall asleep. I woke Mike up, and at 2:00 in the morning and my amazing, awesome husband packed us all up and drove us all home. But I need to be clear on one thing, it was for the best interest of my whole family. Father's Day would have been miserable for my husband had I not gotten any sleep at all. I came home for him. Also, my kids are under a very clear understanding that they were so cold that their teeth were chattering and they were shivering so much it was shaking the tent. I did not want them to get hypothermia. I came home for them. I cannot accept the fact that I have turned into a spoiled, high maintenance princess, that can't rough it for one night in the mountains. I need to continue to believe that I was just being generous, thinking of my family that night.

Mistake #7 Don't try roughin' it.

Love/Hate Relationship...

I definitely have a love/hate relationship with blogging. I personally have found that blogging has become a blessing in my life. It has been a way for me to stay on top of "scrapbooking." I have been able to document things, moments, sayings, etc that I normally wouldn't, because I am so horrible at journalling. I also have loved blogging because it's a way for me to stay up to date on my friends, their lives and what they are up to.

But, blogging has also placed a very negative effect on my emotional well being. It's so easy as you peruse from blog to blog, to judge yourself. It's easy to stack your family up to somebody else's family. As blog readers, all you see are the happy smiling pictures, and happy memories of the event. You don't see the crazy havoc that went into planning an event, the kids tearing out each other's hair in the back seat, screaming, telling on each other, Mom reaching back smacking them, car swerving as she's trying to reach them (Did I just paint a good enough picture for all my blog readers?)

I have been struggling for the past year or so with some emotional issues. Just recently I went back and looked through our family blog and I admit, I have been guilty of this very same thing. I haven't done it to paint a false picture though, I have been ashamed of the place I have been in. I haven't publicly wanted anybody to know I was struggling. I now feel I am in a stage of healing and feel it's OK to share it. I also feel that I'm supposed to. I have been documenting this recovery process in some other journals, and I feel that it's appropriate to document it here as well.

I have realized I have buried so many issues from my past for so long. But recently I have been lucky enough to have some "angels" walk into my life at just the right time to help me. Some were nearly strangers but were eager to help me along this path. Sometimes, I just needed to hear the right thing at the right time to give me a simple nudge. I have been able to see perspective on things much clearer. I have read/and am reading some great books by inspired authors. This has really helped me along this path.

 Some were simple truths that we've been taught all along.

I was really inspired to start the new Personal Progress program. Nothing will make you feel more important or more special.You will truly see who you are in God's eyes.

Sometimes, it's just spending a few extra minutes in the morning outside admiring some of the new flowers or vegetables growing in my garden. When you spend time actually thanking God for his beautiful creations it's amazing what it will do for your soul.

Sometimes it's laying outside with Mike, late at night, staring up at the stars. We can talk for hours, he is so good to listen to me, even though he doesn't understand where I'm coming from.

I know I still have a long way to go in my healing process, but the weight I feel off my shoulders is huge. I feel so sad that I didn't take this journey earlier in my life. I think I missed so many important years in my kids life, I wasn't able to enjoy them to the fullest. And maybe, just considering "the job" of a young mom, maybe it wouldn't have mattered. It's stressful, hard, you're always tired and you're just in survival mode. Maybe I'm just in a good place now as a mom. But I can honestly say, as I hang out with my kids, and we go on little outings, I just look at them and smile. I truly enjoy being around these little human beings. My heart melts knowing they are mine. I let them stay up a little longer just to be with them, talk with them, read with them. They are my little angels and I am so blessed to be their mom. I am blessed with an amazing husband. I am happy to look at my blog over the last little bit and know their is no facade, life is simply good.

Backyard Camping...

When the kids got out of school, we had a brilliant idea to camp out in our backyard. We brought out sleeping bags, blankets, pillows, and even the air mattress.

Dad built us a fire

As we were waiting for the sun to go down, it started getting a little chilly, so Kaylee and I got bundled in the blankets.

And then she bundled with Daddy by the fire.

Then everyone got silly and decided it was time for a photo shoot.

I have some major posers. Brayden said, "Look at me, I'm a HAPPY CAMPER!!!"

Finally our fire was just perfect to start roasting our marshmallows!

Grandma Sonia stopped by after work for a yummy smore.

We filled our tummies with marshmallows and smores, sang some songs by the fire, and decided it was time for bed. It had gotten dark and cold and nobody wanted to sleep out anymore. So, we hauled everything back in the house and the kids all slept out in the family room. As for Mike and I, we got to sleep in our warm, cozy beds. That's my kind of camping.