What happens when Kade gets a hold of the camera...

After Kade has been playing with my phone, it's always fun to see the many random things he has done with it. He can work that thing so well...apparently Evan can too! Love the many faces of Kade

Brayden turns 10...

I did not carry my camera with me to any of the events on Brayden's birthday. So, unfortunately all I got was crappy phone photos:(

Every year I am blown away at how old Brayden is getting. Now that he's in the "double digits" (that's what he calls it) I'm feeling old. He is so delightful, insightful, and concerned for others (most of the time.) I wasn't going to do the sappy blog post about how grateful I am to have him in our lives, but I want to share a little about Brayden. I know I will cherish it in the next couple years as he reaches his teens.

Lately Brayden has been very concerned about the way he is making me feel. He can look at my face and know exactly how I'm feeling, and he acts on that. He knows if I'm not feeling well, and just keeps to himself. He knows if he's made me mad. He will ask, "Mom, am I frustrating you right now?" Depending on how I respond, he'll back off. He can tell if I'm disappointed in him, and it makes him sad. He wants to make me proud and I love that. He is going through a tough time at school and it's upsetting to him that he's not getting the perfect grades. But, he continually tries to improve and make me happy.

 This was our "off" year for birthday parties, but somehow he talked me into bringing a couple friends with us to celebrate at Incredible Pizza. We had a good time (again) and he was happy he got to go off on his own (I NEVER let him do that.)

 A couple of his buddies that hung out with us for the day. Devon, Jackson, and Zach

Kaylee and Kade were happy to be with him even though he wasn't especially happy they were tagging along. Kade was thrilled once again, to give Brayden "the best pwesent eva." He got him tech decks and wrist bands. 

 Lauren and Kaylee hung out for the day as well.

For Brayden's birthday my Mom and Kenny took Brayden for a fun filled day at the Solomon Center in Ogden. He got to do rock climbing...

Sky diving

 Wake Boarding

 Mini Golf and Bowling. Afterwards he was treated to dinner at The Brick Oven.  He had the best time ever!

Brayden also got to go out to eat, spend time with Grandma and Grandpa (he even got to eat his lunch on their couch! He was so excited about this!!!) and he didn't even have to do his chores for the day (I know, I'm such a nice mom.)

Along with turning 10, Brayden will be moving up to the Weblos in scouts. He has worked hard this year and he earned his Bear. He loves going to scouts, working on the advancements, and learning new things. I hope this continues with him as he grows older.

Congratulations buddy and Happy Birthday! We love you.

The Bachelor...

By posting this, I am confessing that I am a true die hard Bachelor fan. I have been from the very beginning. This season has been fun to watch because of the "nightmare" from Utah. I actually went to school with her my sophomore year. She is crazy! After every episode all my friends are texting each other or we gather for lunch and talk about our latest thoughts. This past week we decided to get together to watch it instead. Allison went ALL OUT for this cocktail party. It was a blast!

Invitations:

She brought wine spritzers (Fresca,) and Root "beer," She also made Pina Coladas. All complete with the sugar around the glasses and lime to go on top. She also brought strawberries as my request, since one week one of the girls drinks looked so good. This was the only way I'd be able to drink it though.  

Gentry and Betsy....and Allison 

Lindsay, Me, Katie, Allison, and Betsy. It's showtime! 

CHEERS! 

Brent (Allison's husband) 

Looks like Ryan had a little to much to drink. Lay off the Root "beer!" 

Ladies, this is the final rose of the night 

Allison came up with a questionnaire about the Bachelor. I'm a little embarrassed to admit that Mike and I won (although it was really close. I'm not the only Bachelor nerd.) We won a rose, a diamond "ring pop" and......

DINNER FOR TWO! 

Thanks Allison for such a fun night! PS We'll have to do it again for the finale!

Davis update....

After dealing with a migraine for the past EIGHT days, I am finally feeling better and ready to blog. Although I was out of it, and have neglected everything around me, life continues to move on. Here's what's been going on around our place.

Daddy went away for a few days to play in some sunny weather. We thought we would pretend we were in sunny weather as well. So, I took the kids swimming. They had a blast splashing around, while I quietly sat on the side and watched. They are ready for summer to be here, so they can swim everyday.

Brayden and Kaylee had a blast going down the slide over and over. Kade informed me that he wasn't having fun, and he hated this place. All because he couldn't swim with the kids and go down the slide. If I was a good mom, I would have got in the water with him and played. I just wasn't up for it. 

He had fun practicing his swimming, and going down the kiddie slide. It just didn't entertain him for long.  

He decided it would be more fun to sit on the side with me.

I think she was going for a model pose here???

When I got my calling, I didn't know I was going to become attached to these girls. This past week, I had to say goodbye to my first Laurel. She went off to California to go to school. It's fun being with the Laurel's because they are a little more mature. It's hard though because in the next year or so, I'm gonna have to say goodbye to all of them.

Miss you Haley!

Kade got his school pictures taken, I love them! This was favorite, SO him! He has been such a stink lately. Maybe I've let him get away with a two few many things?? I need to crack down on him. Funny story: The other day he was talking to Kaylee. He said, "See dis finga Kaylee?" (He is holding the bird finger way in the air) He continues by saying, "if you put it up at people it's the "S Word." You should neva put it up cause it's

'gents the ammandments." Funny how quickly he forgot it was 'gents the ammandments. Yesterday, he held it up high at Brayden cause he was mad at him. What to do with that boy?

Gratitude Breakfast...

Last year I started a "Gratitude Breakfast" tradition with my friends. I was so happy this year when Lindsey decided she would host. It is such a fun time getting together with these girls, talking about life, and enjoying each other without the disruption of our kids. We get together once a week for lunch at chick-fil-a. But it's really hard to talk to each other with the amazing amounts of children we have between us all. For the "Gratitude Breakfast" we eat yummy food, and share what we have been grateful for over the past year. This year Lindsey made cookie waffles with ice cream (not sure if it was breakfast or dessert but it was DELICIOUS!)  We also had bacon, fruit, muffins, and bread. I am so grateful for these girls and the long friendship we've had with each other.



Ally, Lindsey, Me and Becca

 Kristin, Betsy, and Katie (Lindsay had to leave early so we didn't get her in the pic.)



Incredible Pizza...

Our family set a goal a little while ago to finish reading the Book of Mormon. We decided when we finished this, we would do a reward as a family. The reward they wanted was to go to Incredible Pizza. Well, happily we finished at the end of the year. Everyday they asked when we could celebrate. After coming across some sweet discount tickets, we decided to spend the day there yesterday. Can I just say, this place is SO cool! We played, and ate, and played and ate, and played and ate...you get the picture. I think I had just as much fun as the kids. The endless amounts of food also helped make the day great!

Here are the kids with their first round of food. For those of you who haven't been there, they have an all you can eat buffet with everything! The kids loaded their plates.

We did the bumper cars over and over 

Bowled a gazillion games. 

Raced each other on the race track. Brayden won once and made a girl cry. He was quite proud of himself. 

Acted silly 

Participated in the dance off. If you participate you get a $3.00 credit for the games. They did this a few times, and in return the kids got to play a lot of games.  

Miniature golf 

Played on the play land 

After 4 1/2 hours playing, lots of trips to the buffet, we finished the day off with some cinnamon rolls. What an awesome day! I can't wait to take them back. 

I spoke to the kids a little bit about the "real" reward of reading the scriptures. Brayden and Kaylee got it. But when we asked Kade what the "real" reward was, he said: "Going places." We said, "Is their any other reward you might get? He replied: "Nope! Just going places." Maybe we're sending mixed signals by offering a reward, but it helps motivate each other.

Jazz...

We had tickets to the Jazz game the other night. It was so much fun! We ate the best food up at the Sports Club before the game. They fed us so well! We had the best seats, great company, and even more food at half time. If you're gonna go to a Jazz game, this is the way to do it (cause truly food is the best thing about sporting events...and people watching!) Thanks Lightstream! Can't wait for more games...my bellies growling just thinking about it.

Christmas 2010...

Can I just say, Christmas was so blissful this year. During all the preparations and business of the season, I was going crazy. I could not get excited. I was so overwhelmed with the idea that "commercialism" had taken over. It took the joy out of giving to others. But the day of Christmas was perfect. Just what I needed. It was a reminder of the things that are special in my life. And it was the very first year we actually had a calm, relaxing day.

Looks like it was a close call this year. Luckily it was just candy coal. Next year...who knows?

Kade's stocking

Christmas morning. The peacefulness before the chaos came. 

After a slightly good night sleep in their new jammies. 

Who knew a little stuffed animal would be the highlight of this little boy's Christmas. He takes this thing everywhere with him. He even has a make shift home next to his bed.

Stocking loot 

The highlight of my Christmas was seeing how excited the kids were to give to the members of our family. They did not even care about the presents Santa had brought. They wanted to give their presents to each other first. Brayden's face explains how truly excited they were. After every present was open, their were hugs, and pure and genuine gratitude expressed. Kade was very thoughtful and SOOO excited for the presents he gave this year he gave Brayden a paper snowflake he made a school. He gave Kaylee a frame and picture of himself, that he made at school. He gave Mike a Mtn. Dew and a caramello. And he gave me gloves and an umbrella (He was very insistent on this idea for some reason. When saying what I received he makes sure I mention the umbrella.) All the gifts were so great, but I just loved that Kade doesn't have an idea of money or "value." We didn't have to go to the store for most of his gifts and yet they were the highlight of the morning. 

Can I pull off my new hat? Taking a picture was easier then getting up to look in the mirror. 

The last present of the day.

Funny story: On Christmas Eve we had put all the kids presents in our room, and locked the door. I had gone in there and the doorbell rang. So I walked out of the room for seriously 30 seconds (why would I need to lock the door if it was real quick?) Well Kaylee innocently ran in my room for something. By the time I realized this, she had ran in the room, found what she needed and ran back out. I was SOOO mad! I knew she had seen everything (well really it would have just been the bigger presents below.) I cried and just "knew" Christmas was RUINED!!! She claims she didn't see anything and was more than thrilled when she opened her present. So who knows if she actually saw the presents, but lesson learned. I need a better hiding place. 

One of my favorite things on Christmas is wearing a new outfit. Mike knows this and plans his presents accordingly. Well, it looks like this might become one of Kaylee's favorite things too. She quickly got ready head to toe with her new stuff, even the glasses. You decide if they are real or not.

After we got ready, Grandma Sonia came over to open gifts and have breakfast. Mike was quite excited when he opened a shirt he really liked. Too bad I had already given it to him. Sonia didn't even catch on to it after he opened it (or before for that matter.) When she asked if he liked it, he replied, "Ya I like it, I'm wearing it." Thank goodness for receipts.

Kaylee and her new laptop 

After a yummy breakfast we went over to my Mom's for some more family time.

Brayden and Mormor.

Ryan, Kaylee, Becky, and Paul 

Curtis and Whitney 

Mom and Kade 

I would have to say, I received some really great things this year. I am so blessed. But, the very best thing I received this year were copies of our family home videos of growing up. I went straight home and watched them all (12 disks.) It was so fun to relive some memories of the past. This will truly be cherished. 

We filled out tummies with food all day, hung out with family, played games, played with our "new" stuff, and spied on the activity going on at the temple (a shooting.) We laughed at each other, and felt of one another's love. Truly a magical day.

Thanks to everyone for making it great.