Catch Up

I've been absent for the last few weeks. First I was sick, and then we took a very impromptu trip up to Washington to see Greg's family. It was so great to see them all and just relax. Other than seeing family, the kids' favorite part was shooting the bb gun. After almost a week up there, we headed home with a detour in Utah for a day. I was desperately needed at the office there. I work from home and it mostly works, but there are definitely a few drawbacks.

Look at that concentration!

The day after we got home my youngest brother graduated from high school. And he was valedictorian! He gave an awesome speech and we're all so proud of him. We naturally had tons of family visit and there was a constant steam of activities all weekend.

While on vacation in Washington I was called as the 2nd counselor for the Primary (the children's class at our church). That was a pretty big shock, and has really kept me busy the last few weeks. But I think I'm really going to enjoy it.

So there you have it. A very short summation of why I haven't been around. There's much more detail I could go into, but I'll spare you this time. Lucky You!

River Fun

We decided last minute to go to the river yesterday. As always, we all had so much fun. Tawny and Brayden spent forever throwing rocks in. We found a very shallow and calm sandbar so the kids could wade through the water a little (under the watchful eyes of six very paranoid adults). When you've grown up on the river you develop a healthy respect of it.

On another note I found a fantastic photo editing website. It's called Picnik. I'm not the best of photographers, and I only spent about 5 minutes editing the pictures below. I'm sure anyone with an ounce of skill would be able to do some pretty awesome stuff. All this reminds me I need to have some family photographs done...in all our spare time.

Happy 4th Birthday!!

Brayden turned 4 today! Happy Birthday bud! He had his first real birthday party this year and he had a blast. I apologize in advance for so many pics, but couldn't narrow it down anymore. So here we go.

We started with an art project with cars and paint. So much fun.

Then we raced cardboard boxes out back. I think was the kids favorite part.On your mark, get set, go!

Pit Stop #1 for a tire change

Pit Stop #2 for Gas

Hanging out in the playroom

Time for cake. This is the cake Brayden picked out. I did my best, and it turned out okay.Blowing out the candlesHe actually ate the cake. A huge accomplishment for mePresent time! He loved this one from Grandma HebdonAlso loved his present from Grandma Terri (Grandma are the best!)We got him a mini trampoline (he wanted a big one, but they're too expensive and we got this one for free)All in all, it was a great day. I definitely won't be doing something like this every year, but we sure had fun.

Week in Pics

This is what happens when Tawny decides she doesn't want to wear diapers anymore. I was on the phone when Brayden same in saying, " mom, Tawny did something bad." This is what I found:I think she knew that she couldn't quite control herself, so she drug her little potty out of the bathroom, put it on the couch, got her snacks and just kept watching her movie. It's not exactly the approach I would take, but to each her own. She actually went through the whole day with only one accident, but we went back to diapers the next day. I don't really think she's ready, and don't feel like pushing it. So until she insists on underwear again, diapers it is.

Greg took Brayden on the Father-Son campout. He was so excited the whole day. I think he was ready by about 10am and they didn't even leave until 4pm.

Ready to head out.

Ready to sleep?

Nope.

Eating cupcakes on Sunday (it was Mother's Day, and I didn't feel like cooking so this is what she ate for lunch. Way to go Greg!)

After church on Sunday we went over to my parents house. This is my dad playing with Brayden. Quite the slingshot isn't it?

See that car Brayden is on? It's probably their favorite toy. I wouldn't mind if I didn't have to push them around constantly. I'll have to start counting it as my exercise.

Talking and Reading

Tawny's vocabulary has just exploded recently. Here's a few of my favorites:

"Ap-be-be" (apple juice)
"Hoo-na" (fruit snacks)
"Pe-pe-pe" (please, please, please.. always three times, I don't know why)
"I don know, Not meeee" ( her answer to almost every question I ask her)
"Dilla" (quesadilla or tortilla)
"Moo-mee" (movie)
"Bay-ba" (Brayden)
"I do, I do" (She uses this whenever she really wants something.)

Are you noticing a theme here? The girl loves her food. She's also starting to sing. She does her own little rendition of I am A Child of God that is incredibly cute.

Brayden has also hit a pretty big milestone. Just this last week he's really started reading. We do school time a few times a week, and he loves it. (side note: check out this site for school time ideas. There is some really great stuff here. Thanks Bethanne!) Anyways, he's been sounding out words for a while, but not really putting them together as a story. But this last week, something just clicked, because he's able to not only read the words, but follow the storyline too. Granted, it's almost painfully slow and he still needs help constantly, but I am so proud of him! Because he is so young, I try to let him set the pace of his learning. If he doesn't want to do a reading lesson that day, we'll play a math game instead, or look up something interesting on the internet (usually it's some kind of sea creature). At this age, I think developing a love of learning is one of the most important things he can learn. And he asks the most interesting questions, like where does wind come from? (I was pretty sure I knew that one, but I had to look it up to make sure) I'm rambling, but what I really wanted to say was we are so proud of him. Good job bud!

Going Ons

We've been so busy, but haven't had much going on,if you know what I mean. Mostly it's been mine and Greg's work. I've just had a lot more projects recently and Greg has been running the hay division of my Dad's farm. Which mean lots of all-nighters waiting for moisture to come in so they can bale. But we've still managed to have some good fun. My brother Brian and his family come to visit last week. It was so great to see them. Tawny especially loved their little baby Tyler who is about 4 months old. It was so cute to see how fascinated she was. And she was so careful with him the whole time. I think watcing her with Tyler put some ideas into Greg head ;) Tawny and Brayden have been playing so well together recently. I'm just waiting for them to start fighting, but so far so good. I'm sure it won't last forever, but a mom can dream right?

Easter

We've all taken turns with the stomach flu this week, so I haven't got around to posting Easter pics yet. And since I'm still not feeling too well, I'll just stick mostly to picture this time around.

It started 2 weeks early @ my Grandma Sharlene's House

What a great basket!

Decorating cookies...

with their cousin Kadence.Tawny mostly decorated herself.Cupcake decorating at Grandma Terri's (Since Brayden is super allergic to eggs, we just stayed away from them.)Having soooo much fun!At least some of us were smiling.Tawny mostly ate.Even Brayden loved themTheir favorite part of their easter baskets from mommy and daddy (sidenote: she still wears them all the time. She cries when I take them off to put her to bed.)
Brayden with his spoils

"Look what I found!"