Preschool Graduates

Only 1 last day of preschool remains. These two boys have definately come a long way this year and we are so proud of them. I can't believe their last day is coming up on Friday as well as Kindergarten Orientation. It makes me want to cry.

Look at these 2 preschool stud-muffins! Way to go Boys!

Memorial Day Weekend

I was so looking forward to the 3 day weekend. Our lives have seemed non-stop lately. And although we knew the weekend would be busy, I couldn't wait to get it started and do it with an extra day of family time.
My Friday night plans got changed so after Mike got home from work, we looked for something to do with the kiddo's. We didn't like our options as we searched around so I voted just to do a little leisure shopping at Gordman's. After scoring a few deals there, we went to the nearby McD's for dinner and to let the kids play in the playplace. We hadn't been to this one before so it was new to us and I have to say, I was pretty impressed and the kids loved it. I think it's my new favorite. After that was done, we came home and relaxed and got ready for the test of the weekend.
Saturday morning we were up early and heading for the main event they had been looking forward to all week. Papa's house! We made it to Price and had fun hanging out and having a Bday party luau for Schydi in Papa's front yard. Here are some fun pics from that.

After the party was over, Mike and I took some time and went to the cemetery to decorate a few graves and pay our respects then it was back to Papa's to play a mean game of Apples to Apples with the whole crew. Then Mike and I retired to the hotel room and the kids (of course) couldn't be detached from Papa and spent the night at his house.

 

Sunday morning we were back at Papa's early and I went up to the cemetery again with him to do his flowers. Then it was project time. We made the cutest little bench from an old headboard and started working on some shirts to get printed for the reunion in August. Then it was time to head home. We made it home and the kids picked out a movie to relax to. We watched Wreck it Ralph together and enjoyed the evening.

 

Monday brought all the neglected chores and a hair appt for me to get a dye and a cut. It was wonderful. We also went and picked up our newest project for me and Mike here at the house.

Mike and I were pooped by the end of the day so after the kids went to bed, Mike mixed up some frozen margaritas for us and we went outside to enjoy the last of the beautiful weather and just have some 'us' time. It was wonderful.



Lucky #13

Today was our 13th wedding anniversary. I can't believe how time has flown. We've had 13 wonderful years. That got me thinking as to what has transpired in the last 13 years since we got married. Here's the list of 13 some of the most important (and memorable) things I came up with:

1. Both of us got our bachelors degrees.

2. Mike got a Master's degree.

3.We've bought 2 houses and sold 1 

4. Had 4 beautiful children

5. Survived 1 devastating miscarriage

6.  I've had 2 different jobs and a year of stay at home mommy-ing

7. Mike got his first big-boy job has been promoted numerous times 

8. We got re-married in Vegas by Elvis for #10

9. Taken numerous trips to Omaha for family

10. Mike and I enjoyed a kidless week in Hawaii

11. Family vacation to Disneyland, Seaworld and Legoland

12. Trip to the Grand Canyon

13. Owned 7 different cars and 1 camp trailer together

Kinda blows your mind when you get right down to thinking about it, doesn't it?

I'm sure I can add lots more to the list and hope to continue adding to it for many more years.

 

When it comes right down to it today, we didn't do a whole lot. With Lagoon over the weekend and a trip to Price coming up this weekend along with a lot of soccer (a game tonight in fact), we figured it was best just to have a normal night and look forward to our upcoming trip to Vegas together in  early July which I'm dubbing our "Lucky #13" trip.

 

I did manage to squeeze in a silly gift for him and made him a Twinkie bouquet. 13 Twinkies in all, one for each year.

 

 

 

And since we were going to have to rush out after dinner for the twins soccer game, I stopped at Papa Murphy's for a Take N Bake for dinner. But I made it special for the day before popping it in the oven.

 

 

It was a good day indeed. And I'm looking forward to properly celebrating in July. Vegas is waiting!

Lagoon



Yesterday we got to have a real treat when we got to go to Lagoon for my niece's cheer leading competition with a good chunk of my family. We braved the rain in the morning and got there super early before the park opened to watch her team do their 2 performances. Once the park opened, we braved the rain and started hitting rides. We went in between adult rides and kiddie land most of the day (thanks Papa and Grandma for helping with Kiddie land rides for the twins). We had some lunch in Pioneer Village and we enjoyed the time in between storms when the sun came out here and there.

 

We didn't take the camera with us because of bulk and the weather, so I tried to snap a couple with my phone. But mostly I didn't remember to do much of that either. But here's a couple of Papa and Leyton on the Sky Ride and Schydi and Caleb in front of us on the Sky Ride. 

 

 

 

And a cute shot of me and Mike while waiting in line for the Spider. I think that ride was my favorite of the day.  

 

After a very long and wet (but fun) day we all went to dinner together at Denny's. It was very good and I snapped this pic of DaNell and her boyfriend Cameron who braved coming along on the trip and meeting us all.



It had been several years since we have gone. I think since Caleb was just little. So it was fun to see how much it's changed and how much it's stayed the same as well (even since I was a kid, much of it is the same).  And Caleb was just the right size to go on both the kiddie rides with his brothers and the grown up rides with Schydi and Dad. The best part was that because of the weather, I think a lot of people stayed away except those there for the dance competitions. So the lines were relatively short. I don't think we waited in line for more than 20-25 minutes for anything we wanted to go on. I kicked everyone's butt in the Bumper Cars (even if they won't admit it) and got to go on the Tilt-A-Whirl with my Dad which reminded me of being a kid. We didn't get to go on all of the ones we were hoping to, but we got to go on a lot and the kids loved it and were worn out by the end of the day. What a treat!

 

Oh and bonus,  Schydi's team took 1st place in both of their performances. Way to go Fierce Cheer!





The Prince and the Pauper

More school year end fun. Caleb's 3rd grade class put on the play "The Prince and the Pauper" for us parents to come and watch. It was a very short, but cute performance. And he did a great job as one of the villagers.

We asked him why he didn't try out for one of the other parts. To which he informed us he didn't want to remember that many words. He kept telling us for a few weeks that he did have one speaking line toward the end. So we were waiting for him with baited breath. Turns out it was a whole group speaking line, they all said it together at once. He is too funny. 

 

The best part for us was that because of some Dr. appts and schedule conflicts the twins ended up not at the sitter and going with us to the play. They were totally into it  which was a suprise to us. At one point in the play Zaden yelled to the characters, "run from the guards" making the whole room laugh. A little later Zaric loudly exclaimed, "This is funny!". Again making us laugh and tell them "shhhhh" at the same time. Who knew they would pay that much attention?

 

Here's a few pics we took after of the C man and him with a few friends and with his brothers.

 

It was very fun. The only thing we were disappointed in was how short it was since we were enjoying it so much. 

Spring Preschool Program

We have been busy winding the school year down. The twins recently had their very last preschool program for the year and forever (sniff, sniff). They were so excited while we were setting up and waiting for it to start. They were striking silly poses for Mom's camera and being total goofs.

 

Once it started, they were so good. They sang a ton of songs and were super excited that we were able to Skype in Grandma Braska again on Dad's tablet so she could watch too. 

After we were done, Zaric needed a picture with teacher. Here he is with Miss Karen. So stinkin' cute. 

 

It was a fun morning and they were rewarded, as Mom promised,  with Hot-Donald's (as they call McDonald's) afterwards for happy meals and play time.

 

We are down to the last 2 weeks of preschool and gearing up for Kindergarten Orientation coming up soon. Can someone make time slow down?

Mother's Day 2013

I love being a mom and love Mother's Day. This year was more like a Mother's Day weekend which was just fine with me. Thursday the kids came home with kiss jars full of Hershey Kisses with their hand prints on them for me from the babysitters.  On Friday we had the twins preschool program. At the end, they gave us little gifts they had made in school and Grandma (one of the teachers there) gave us all little soaps with a crocheted on loofah. So cute.
After we got home, we spent some time in the yard planting our annual Mother's Day weekend flowers and added a few new bushes to the yard where it lacked a little. They all look great.
Saturday, we had soccer games and I let Mike and Caleb go see Iron Man 3 while me and the littles enjoyed some time together at home. We then let the kids play outside for quite a while while we sat in the yard and just enjoyed.  Later,  I got to pick out a couple of Redbox movies to enjoy and relax for the rest of the night.
Sunday, they made me stay in bed so they could cook me some Mother's Day breakfast in bed. They cooked some French Toast and a ham steak. Then came and sat on the bed with me while I ate it (or rather, they ate it lol) while they talked to me and asked for nibbles. Caleb surprised me with a hand-written story called, "The Story of Mother's Day." In the story he detailed my life; Meeting, Mike, getting married, and what years I had children to make me a mother. It was super cute. And Mike gave me the new NKOTB cd that just came out (does he love me or what)?
After getting ready for the day,  I got to sneak away for several hours and go outlet shopping at the newest outlet mall in Lehi with my Mommy friend Holly. I found some smokin' good deals for me and also bought the kids a few things (I know, shocker!). And had a really good time.
When we were done shopping we met up with the kids and husbands and all enjoyed a dinner at Olive Garden together.

What a great day! I know my family loves me so and I'm so grateful to have them.

All about Muah!

Caleb had to do a survey at school all about muah for Mother's Day. I love, love, love his answers, they make me happy and make me giggle.  So, I am sharing. Where did I get such an awesome kid?

1. What is something Mom always says to you? I love you a lot.
2. What makes Mom happy? Being nice because she doesn't like meanies.
3. What makes Mom sad? Being mean makes her sad.
4. How does yout mom make you laugh? She says funny stuff and acts funny.
5. What is her favorite thing to do? Watch football all day to watch a lot of Cowboys games.
6. What does your mom do when you're not around? She talks on the computer all day when I'm gone.
7. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for? She would become famous for cooking dinner because she's a very good cooker.
8. What is your mom really good at? She is really good at cooking.
9. What does your mom do for a job? She cleans a lot of the house.
10. What is your mom's favorite food? Pizza because to her it tastes good.
11. What makes you proud of your mom? Her cleaning. It makes me proud because it is so clean.
12. If your mom was a cartoon character, who would she be? Scooby Doo because she likes dogs.
13. What do you and your mom do together? We color and do math.
14. How are you and your mom the same? We both like the same food.
15. How do you know your mom loves you? She says it a lot to me.
16. Where is your mom's favorite place to go? Texas Roadhouse. Because she always wants to go there every time.

I will neither confirm nor deny that some of the answers are true. But you can bet,this is one assigment I'll be saving.

Babe Ruth

Caleb had a walk of fame at his school this week. He chose to be Babe Ruth as his famous person. We were required to come up with a costume. We weren't supposed to buy anything, so sue me....I cheated. I couldn't resist when I happened to find this blank shirt in Walmart. It was perfect so I bought it and went to work with the Cricut cutting out the logo and the number and name.  We also cheated and bought him some pants. In my defense, he says he wants to be Babe Ruth for Halloween too. So really it was a 2 for 1 special.  The helmet, bat and cleats were stuff we already had at least. I should get partial points.

 

 

They mirrored the walk of fame after a wax museum. Each kid had to be still like a statue and then come to life when you pushed their button. After you pushed the button, they had to recite a little paragraph telling us who they were and why they were famous. Here he is in action telling another family that pushed his button.

 

He did a great job and Mom pushed his button 3 times to get a good video. I've so far been unable to transfer it from my phone though to share. He told us between the other classes coming through and the parent time, he probably said his paragraph 85 times! hahaha

 

We also pressed the buttons of some of his classmates, we met Princess Diana, Donny and Marie Osmond, Jim Bridger, Jackie Robison, MLK Jr., Benjamin Franklin, Pocahontas, Abraham Lincoln and Walt Disney to name a few.  It was a nice morning and they were rewarded afterwards with cookies and punch for their hard work.