My boys are growing up.

Kade turned 14 today. HAPPY BIRTHDAY BUDDY! Kade's growing up so fast. He's such a good kid, he really is. He just does what he's suppose to be doing. I hope he continues to bring me so much joy.

And I hope I've done my job as a mother. I feel like time is running out. It seemed like he was just a little boy, and I had plenty of time to teach him all I needed to. Then I blinked, and now all of a sudden it seems like he's almost on his own. He now spends more time with friends without me by his side to intervene when needed (or at least when I think he needs intervention). I've got 4 more years before he graduates and heads out into the world to do whatever it is he chooses, I hope I've prepared him. It really is a scary thought that I'm the mother,... the one who's suppose to have the answers, teach him right from wrong, and be a support and guidance to him, and my other kids. However, I love this job as a mother and wouldn't change it for anything.

Zac's also getting so big , I thought I should post some updated pictures. I love him, he's so fun.

Christmas trees and sunshine

I just had to post this because I thought it was funny. Ellie is outside in short sleeves, the end of November, drawing Christmas Trees with sidewalk chalk. The weather's been awesome, but my kids are dying for snow.

Ellie's 8

For Ellie's 8th birthday we went to a play of Beauty and The Beast, and then had cake and ice cream at home. A couple days later I took her and a couple friends to get their finger and toe nails painted, and to Cold Stone for ice cream. She is getting so old. It's so fun to have a girl to do "girl" stuff with, she's my little friend. Happy Birthday sweetie!

14 years and counting

Aaron and I celebrated our 14th anniversary a couple weeks ago. Aaron was so sweet to bring me home roses and have dinner reservations. I love being married to Aaron, he is the best husband and father. It's been a wonderful 14 years. Yes there's those time that aren't as fun as the other's, but the good definetly out weighs the bad. I can't wait to celebrate many more anniversaries. I'm so blessed in my life, and my husband is just one more blessing I have received. I'm so lucky!! Love ya babe!

Friends

Aaron's friends from high school, Wade and Kevin, recently called us to go out for dinner. We hadn't seen either of them forever, it was so fun! We enjoyed them so much we had them over a week later for sunday dinner with their kids. Wade's wife was unable to make it because their baby was sick, we were sad we didn't get to meet his cute little girl. Kevin and Debi's kids sure are cute though. All the little boys had fun playing basketball and video games, the little girls had fun putting make up on, and we had fun visiting. Here are the 3 friends, and their families (minus Wade's wife and child) quite the group...huh?

Vegas Baby!!

This past weekend Aaron and I went to Vegas with some fun couple friends. I have to admit it was a very uneventful trip, yet totally wonderful. (I guess that's what you get when you take a 4 month old, and two pregnant women to Vegas). However, we all were fine with how "boring" we all were. And had a great time together. These couples are great! How many people play cards in their room, and not down in the casino while in Vegas? We are such NERDS...and I love it! We really did have a fun time, and laughed ALOT. I think that makes a great trip, don't you?

Halloween 2008

This year Kade dressed up, with a friend, only for a family Halloween party. I guess he's now offically too old to Trick Or Treat. It's so fun to have a teenager, but it's sad too. I hate that he's too old to Trick Or Treat, among many other holiday past times. However, every Halloween I make a pot of soup, and get cute little pumpkin colored and shaped bread bowls to eat it from.( I think it's the only sugar free thing the kids put in their mouths all day). The past few years Kade has a group of boys over for soup, so I guess I'm learning to celebrate holidays in a alternative "teenage" way.

Many of you will recognize Ellie's costume. She picked it out of a closet back in September, and couldn't wait to wear it. I have to admit it was very nice not to have to shop for a Halloween costume this year, and very cheap.

Zac was my little 3 eyed monster. He looked so cute.

I'm a little disappointed because I dressed up this year, which is unusual, and I didn't even get a picture with my kids. Oh well, maybe next year.

Football

Football season is a fun one around our house. I didn't grow up with older brothers or a dad that was a sports fanatic. So, needless to say I don't know much about sports, but with a teenage son I'm quickly learning. I have to take crash courses on football each week when Kade has a game. And I must admit it's more complicated than it appears. Most of you will laugh, but I didn't realized it had such strategy. I didn't realize they planned out their plays. I just thought they flew by the seat of their pants and did whatever they could in the heat of the moment. :) I'm starting to learn each players role in the game, and that where they stand in a play defines what position they are playing. And although I don't know squat about sports I enjoy watching Kade play. And, I know I'm his mother who knows nothing about sports, but I think he's pretty darn good. This week he earned "the hammer", which is given to the MVP of the game.
The two sports Kade enjoys the most are football and wrestling. And although I love to watch him, sometimes it's hard. Football is brutal. Right now his thumb nail is bruised, his bottom thumb knuckles are twice their original size, he's bruised up and down his arms, his ankle hurts and the list goes on and on. And when wrestling season comes I hold my breath the whole time he's wrestling as it looks like he's being choked out and is fighting for air. I'm glad he loves it....I guess?

My BYU Boys

As a mother I love to watch my husband in action as a father to my kids. As Kade gets older it's fun to watch him and Aaron enjoy time with each other. They have good talks about what's going on in the world and life. They talk sports, politics, cars, future plans and life. Every Saturday, when BYU has a home game, they enjoy the day out together watching a good game of football. It makes me happy to see them spend time together to bond as father and son.

Girls night out

This past year some of my best friends from high school have reunited. We now get together every other month for a girls night. This month we had a girls overnighter at my cabin. We had so much fun, talking, eating, painting nails, looking at old photo's, eating more, laughing, reminiscing, and just enjoying each others company. It's always refreshing to be in the company of good girl friends for a night away. It's been so much fun to reunite and catch up on each others lives. Although all our lives have taken many different paths, we still enjoy each other, and give each other support and friendship. I'm so blessed to have so many great friends in my life. I love my gal pals.

It's Autumn Time

Fall is one of my favorite seasons, I know there are only 4. So, I actually think it's the change of seasons I enjoy so much. It's always refreshing to have change after a blistering summer, or bitter winter. There's such a short period of time you can enjoy the changing leaves and good weather at the same time, and we did it. We made it up Tibble Fork Canyon in perfect timing. It was beautiful.

Ok I'm giving in.

I've tried to hold out and not be a "blogger", but I'm giving in.

No in all seriousness , I've always thought blogging was a fun way to keep in touch with family and friends. And, most of all an awesome way to journal. I'm horrible at journaling like I should, and I feel like a slacker of a mom and wife when I see others scrap booking so diligently. (Scrap booking is not for me. It is way too creative, and overwhelms me. I have Kade's scrapbook up to age 2.... only 12 years behind, if that tells you anything). However, I love taking pictures of my kids and sharing our events with the ones we love. So I'm committing to try harder at journaling our family events.

A brief introduction to our family. Aaron and I have been married 14 years next month. Aaron works as a police officer, and I work as an emergency room, and hospice nurse. We have 3 busy, and spread out kids. A 13 year old son, Kade. A 8 year old daughter, Ellie. And, a 3 month old son, Zac. I must admit it is much harder parenting a newborn and teenager at the same time. I drag my poor newborn around to all the teenage events, because currently I'm still the taxi, and Kade's become much more active with needing to run around. Football practices and games, to and from friends houses, movies, dinner, parties, fishing, boating, 4-wheeling, high school sporting events, and the list goes on and on. I don't think Zac will ever get an uninterrupted nap.

So, now that I've taken the step to set up a blog spot I will hopefully keep it up to date. And I hope I can learn to operate such a technical site :).