Blogger App?

Apparently you can blog off an app now? So cool! Checking to see how it works. And it's this little sassy pants birthday! Love you to the moon and back!

Spirit week

The kids school main focus in learning is History. Everything they do is usually tied to History and culture. So spirit week this year was no different. They had a 50's, 70's & 80's day. The boys started the week not really caring or into it. Kaylee dressed up for 50's day with the classic polka dot dress and flipped out hair, but we didn't get a pic. By day two the boys wanted to participate. We had absolutely nothing 70's so we decided to spend family night making tie dye shirts.  We had limited time and neither Mike or I have done tie dye before. Thanks to Pinterest for this awesome idea. The kids absolutely loved it! They were so creative and could have spent hours designing.

Finished product 

 Third day was 80's day

Brayden turns 12

Brayden turned 12 this year!

This is a birthday I have been anticipating for quite a while. I feel like age 12 is huge because it signifies so much and carries so much responsibility. He is on the road to being a teenager, he started in the young men's program, he received the priesthood, and he will start middle school this coming year. I'm sure this coming year he will start getting acne, BO and a deeper voice...oh the joys of puberty!  For so long I have dreaded this day, because I hate watching my babies grow up. But truly, it has been so fun watching him grow into such a fabulous human being. I love watching him take on more responsibility. I love seeing him learn and grow from his decisions and mistakes. He truly has amazed me with his growth and maturity. But at the end of the day he still loves hugs and cuddles. He is so sensitive and compassionate to those around him. I get nothing but compliments and praise  from his teachers and leaders. He is the kind of kid that you always enjoy being around. He can read me like nobody else. He knows when I'm stressed, happy, worried, sad, excited, you name it. If I'm having a bad day, he will do anything to fix it and make sure I'm ok.  I love this boy more than anything and so proud to be his mommy.

 

Mike was out of town for Brayden's birthday so we celebrated the weekend before by going out to dinner. The day of his birthday we opened a few presents, got some dinner and went to soccer practice.

 

He got a perplexus,

some money,

and some t-shirts. 

A few days before his birthday we took him to pick out some new church clothes. Since he was going to be passing the sacrament and receiving the priesthood, we thought he needed some "nicer" clothes. He was SO not diggin the suit coat, but settled on some slacks, white shirt and tie. Dad made him try on these men's shoes (it was all that was around) so he could check the length. He looked a little doofy with his duck bill hat and very large shoes.  

This is the day he got to pass the sacrament for the first time. He looked so nice and so grown up.  

It made me smile when Kade came out of his room dressed in white shirt and tie also. Just like his big brother. If you know Kade at all, he hates getting dressed for church and looking nice. We're usually lucky to get him in some khaki pants and polo shirt. But since this week it's been different. He loves wearing his tie and being like Bray. Brayden truly is such a great example to this little boy and he is so lucky to have him as a big brother.  

 

Geography Bee

Brayden came home from school one day and announced he had made the school Geography Bee. What!?! Academics has not been a strong suite in our family. I thought he was joking at first, but alas, he was not! He studied hard(ish)  with his new map and globe to prepare for this day.

 

I can learn so much from his laid back demeanor. He did not seem nervous for this day at all. I walked into the gym, and if it were possible for my heart to burst, it would have done so! It was such a fun, nerve racking, proudful moment for me as I watched Brayden kill it!   

 

He seemed so little sitting there among the middle school kids. 

 

All ten students that advanced to the school round.

First question...I think this is where he started to feel a little nervous. But he and only one other kid got the first question right.



He hung in there for about 5 rounds. On his last question he got confused and didn't realize he could ask to have the question repeated. So unfortunately he got out that round. Had he answered that question right, he would have been in the top two! So, he didn't end up winning but he did SOOOO good! I was definitely a very proud mama.

 

Each kid received a certificate and the principal bought each of them the Guinness Book.



 

Timon Burns (5th grade) Jackson Brown, Eli Bastain, Brayden Davis (6th grade), Samantha McKay, Kai Peterson, Geoff Beckstrand, Logan Glather, Alexa Shields (7th grade,) Mitchell Kirkham (8th grade)

 

Brayden and his buddy Jackson

 

Brayden and Mr. Burns

Me and my little buddy

One of my greatest regrets from 2012 was not keeping up with my blog. This is my journal, my source of family history, and I'm not doing it. One of the best things to do with the kids is open the blog and relive so many great moments...and I hope to print it all one day :/ I have missed that this past year. I love being able to sit down and brag about my family and go into detail about events and you just can't do that on Facebook/Instagram. So instead of letting the thought of catching up weigh down on me, I'm going to start fresh with 2013. Hopefully with time, I can insert the things I didn't document from 2012.

To start here are a few random pictures/moments from January

My dear friend Brandi, got married this past month. I have been so happy for her, and loved going through this process with her...even if it means she's moving away:( Her friend Lizzy was so kind to host a bridal shower in her honor. So fun having most of our old YW there. These girls are getting married, going to college, and leaving on missions. Love them dearly, and the women I got to serve with!

Had to take a picture to prove it is possible for Brayden's room to be clean...really clean. He didn't quite believe it could happen cause his room's "so small." 

One night walking around Target 3 girls came up to me and handed me a rose. They said they were spending the night doing random acts of service. I was a lucky recipient of their service and it totally made my night!

When we were little we spent hours and hours at the baseball field. My little brother Curtis would spend all his time in front of the snack shack. Because he was so stinkin' cute, they would eventually give him treats. He always had a snowcone or nacho's or candy. Well, we have been spending a lot of time at the indoor soccer facility by our house. When it's Brayden's turn to practice, this is usually where you can find Kade...camped out at the snack shack. I about died the first time I saw him sitting there. It took me way back to those days at the baseball field. He hasn't had any luck with free stuff yet, but I'm confident he will.

 We were driving down the road one night and Kade hollered from way in the back, "Hey Mom! I pulled my tooth out!" This kid loves money so he is always twisting and pulling trying to get those teeth out. He was definitely successful this particular night.

Between Mike's work, good friends, and parents with tickets,  we have had the rare opportunity to go to a lot of Jazz games this season. The kids LOVE them! They love dancing and trying to get on the jumbo tron (they are usually successful!) It's a fun date night for Mike and I, especially if we have his work tickets. We get to go to a nice dinner beforehand, great seats and all you can eat treats at half time. Let's be honest, nobody's really there for the game...right?

 

Kade and his buddy Jaxon got their picture taken with Gordon Hayward

Kaylee and Kyra with the Jazz bear

I am always in awe when we get to sit so close. It's a whole different game when you can hear the players banter back and forth. 

Kade's class did a play called "Tacky the Penguin." He got to be a hunter in the play.  It was so cute watching these little 1st graders and their acting skills. They really did a great job memorizing their lines. I've got to say, Kade was the best little hunter...even if he wouldn't wear his white circle on his tummy. 

 The hunters

 For the super bowl we spent the night cuddled in our basement. It was low key and perfect. None of us were really that interested in the actual game. The kids got more amusement from Grandma snoring and folding socks, then from the game. Secretly I was really jealous she was able to fall asleep 

 You know the game was bad when the kids asked, "Mom, can we fold socks!?!" For some reason they think this is really fun (not sure why we don't do it more often???) I hate folding socks so they  usually end up in a big basket. Kade's so excited in this pic, he's actually hugging the socks.

 

 

And PS. By the end of this post, I remember why I quit blogging in the first place. It. Takes. So. Long. Holy moly! I only got through about 1/4 of what I thought I would accomplish tonight.

Crazy Hair Day...

Indoor Soccer....

Kade got the opportunity to play indoor soccer with some of his buddies, and have his Dad for the coach. This boy adores soccer!!! It is so fun watching him play and progress in this game. One day he is going to do amazing things with his talent.

 For once, Brayden has to be the spectator



Pass of all Passes

I was fortunate to find the Pass of all Passes at a killer deal. Our first outing using them....Trafalga! Kaylee and I tried the rock wall and only made it about half way up. It was terrifying! Hopefully we can make it a little higher next time.