Brendans Graduation

So...my sweet firstborn, and only son is graduating May 27. Very joyous and yet, sad. As the announcements come, the cap and gown, the cards... I get excited for him, but feel kinda sad. I hope thats normal. Its a huge road in his life, and ours. We couldn't be any more proud of his decisions, goals, and high school achievements. He is graduating with honors, already has several college classes done, has been taking college classes this year, and well starting off on a REALLY good foot for the rest of his life. I would like to take responsibility for all these choices and honors, but truly, they are his. Brendan has always been a high achiever, has always been kind, has always gone the extra mile. I am so proud! I am glad he is choosing to stay at home for a year (saving me money you know) to go to Weber State University. He has a scholarship and is enrolled in their pre-dental program. He is planning on finishing college as an orthodontist. But, whatever he does, I know from 18 years of watching, he'll do it great! So,

my sister Jill took these graduation pictures for me and I thouhgt she got some great ones! Bear with me as I post quite a few! ( thats one reason you gotta love a blog!)

Another Great Getaway!

Well, we just got back from our trip to NYC/Boston! It was great! We saw so many things...went to New York, Kennebunkport, Maine, Boston, Newport beach and all things in between. We had great company, as usual, with Mom and Dad, and shared many laughs!
Here is Rockefeller square, I really wished the kids could have been here to go ice skating!

Boston has so many cemeteries, actually all of the back East town seem too. It was very cool to see the graves of Samual Adams, Paul Revere, Mother Goose, John Hancock, Benjamen Franklin. The headstones were so old, they all stated Here ly the body of Y --- and had skulls and crossbones with angel wings. Kinda showed were all the skulls and crossbones came from.

Newport beach was so pretty, very chilly in the afternoon with a foggy mist. Now I know why you always see big cable knit sweaters, galoshes, and people eating hot clam chowder!

One of my favorite spots in Boston. Just a motel, but they have this HUGE flag in the breezeway. Boston really makes you feel American and Patriotic!

Kennebunkport was very chilly too, me and Mom resorted to the fashionable Katherine Hepburn look.

OOh LALA! Here is the naked cowboy in Times Square. He makes all his money sporting his white tighties and taken pics with the gals!

Hot Dogs in NYC ROCK!

Times Square

Thanks for all the memories everyone!

Saturday was Brendans Senior year prom...very bittersweet. He went with Paige B/, who he has been great friends with since, 4th grade. They have had a lot of fun together through the years. We have been neighbors since we moved here(until just recently) her mom babysat Chandler, the kids play all the time. Anyway, a great neighbor! We just love Paige.. she looked gorgeous for the Prom. I have to admit Brendan is looking pretty fine too. It was just sad to know it was the last big Prom for them. Both of them are such great kids, high achievers! I am so proud of them both! I am so glad they had such a great time!

Summers in the air!

So with the warm weather today i am getting really excited for Summer! I am thinking about camping, hiking, swimming, traveling, 4-wheeling, vacationing! I can't wait! So For an ode to summer enjoy the last years pictures!

I know ugly toes, but look past that. hot feet.....cool river...........AAAHHH!!!!!

Uncle Toms pool! So inviting!!!! Mooch,Mooch, Mooch! Hey, look at that! Woundn't you?!

After a 3 hour 4-wheeling ride! AWESOME!!!!!

Big hike over the pass! GORGEOUS!!!! Even though Brendan had to help a little!

Big Sur Marathon! Way Fun, but this year wait for pics of BOSTON!!!!@!

Meet Edward

Chandler has been saving her money for awhile now in hopes of buying a new pet. She had a hard time deciding, but eventually she chose a rabbit. But, Maggie Mae is bred for rabbits and the last time we went to Pet Co she went a little crazy wanting to snack on the caged chinchillas. Her next choice was a snake. Yes, let me repeat that a SNAKE. NO WAY, NO HOW!!! So we settled on her 3rd choice a parakeet. So...meet Bella (later, we found out Bella was a boy) so....meet Edward. I have to say, this little guy is so dang cute! He sits on your finger and likes to ride on your shoulder. Supposedly, you can teach them to talk, but everyone Ive met that has had a parakeet has not achieved this. But, I'm working on it. I'm hoping for "clean your room" or "do your homework"

I am sad to report I guess Maggie hunts birds too, she has already gotten a hold of poor Edward once now and now Edward has no tail. Does anyone know what the tail is for? I'm sure its important, I mean think of what happens if you just cut off a cats whiskers. Well I guess well find out.

BRENDAN IS GOING TO STATE!!!!

YAHOO!!! Brendan took 4th place at the 5A Region tournament..so HE IS GOING TO STATE!
We are so proud of him. Wrestling is one of the toughest sports I have seen, it takes so much personal dedication and sacrifices. Weber has 12 guys going, so wish us well it starts tomorrow.

The BIG PIN!

Happy 40th Babe!!

Ray had the big 4 0 on the 22nd! I have to say, Ray is the best husband and father! He always lets me take trips, never refers to watching our kids as "babysitting", cleans the house, makes dinner, loves being a Dad, loves playing with his kids, pampers me and I love him so much! But, I had to show the video below, because our 18 year old is , well just getting bigger and tougher all the time! Ray has wrestled around with Brendan well...forever, the last little while though it seems he has resorted to.. do I dare say....cheating...But, this may be the first time I have ever seen Brendan getting the upper hand(turn off the music, because the screaming is the BEST!- Teens!)

We've Moved!

WHEW! and WHEW! Its over, we moved in our new home last weekend, but as you know its basically packing for weeks prior then unpacking for the next months and years to come. But I am so glad it is over. I have decided moving is like having a baby, you forget how painful it is, so you do it again. I have to say I LOVE my new house. Its a rambler with a daylight basement ( which by the way, was unfinished but during the whole move thing already have it framed and the plumbing and electrical done- thanks to Dad and Doug) I love not having stairs. We stayed in North Ogden and moved about 1 mile away from our last house, we are up on a hill with a beautiful view AND to Chandlers excitement- right next to a horse pasture. Here's some pictures- these were before we moved in.

The Big CATCH-UP

I have been so busy crazy since my last post. So here is my big update. We are still frantically searching for a new house as we are supposed to sell ours on the 15th, we have an offer in on one now, so think positive for us. We celebrated Chandlers birthday, had Chandlers tonsils out, been going to a wrestling match almost every night, packing, doing the Christmas and New Years thing all while searching and buying a house. So here are a few pictures of the last few months.

Christmas was GREAT Santa was generous!

Brendan was shocked to get a laptop, but hes going to need it for college next year. I think so far he knows of 4 friends that got the same one. (Everybodys on the same page I guess.)

Maggie Mae enjoyed Christmas too!

IPOD TOUCH!!! YAHOO!

Closest thing to a REAL horse!

Star wars toys are always a hit!

Chandler had been sick before Christmas and had her Tonsils out- NOT FUN! But Im happy to report shes doing well now and a crazy as ever!

Ive been pretty much spending all my free time addicted to beading, yes, let me repeat that BEADING - a craft! Hard to believe, but true. Here is the whole fam getting in on the action at Thanksgiving!

Chandler getting to finally play in the snow, she had been sheltered inside for a few weeks with post tonsil blues and of course it snowed the whole time, Im sure just to taunt her.

Gotta love a snow angel.

Mackenz and Chandler doing the traditional "gingerbread boys"

Brendans been a wrestling fool. Weber is still undefeated in their duels. GO WARRIORS!

Chandler also had her 8th Birthday! WOW TIME FLIES!