This little princess totally rocks my world!! She brings a little (okay, a lot) of drama, sassiness, and pure sweetness that helps to balance us out from so much testosterone. So glad I am her mom!! (I just wish that she would stop growing up so fast:))

On our walk the other night, Brynlei said the cutest thing. She was riding her scooter up ahead of us and stopped. She rode back to us and said, "Look Mom it's beautiful, the clouds are smearing away." I love how kids view the world. I {heart} my kids. Just thought I would share.

GoOd LuCk Karter and Brekken!!! Club basketball tryouts are today!!!

Do your best and try hard. We love you!!!

Off they go.....

Brynlei and Peyton both started school last Wednesday, August 18th. They were both so excited. They couldn't wait to go. Brynlei is in her last year at Watch Me Grow with Miss Julie and Grandma Smith. She loves it there and so do I. I don't know what I will do when she is done. We have been going there since Karter was 3. Wow!! Time sure doesn't stand still.

Peyton loves going to his brother's big kid school!!! He has a good teacher this year that will make Kindergarten such a fun experience. He goes to PM Kindergarten and loves the fact that he gets to ride home with the big boys.

I am so thankful that my children love school and anticipate going each year.

Back to School!!

Today was the first day of school for Karter, Traevn, and Brekken. Wow, I cannot believe how fast summer went by this year. I thought I would be happy to see school start but I have to admit I was a little sad to say goodbye to my big boys.

Karter is in 5th grade this year! Holy Cow, how did that happen? Do I really have a kid that old? Seriously. He has Mrs. Jennings for a teacher, whom he absolutely loves already (maybe the fact that she is a Utah Jazz fan helps:)) He is growing up so fast and is almost as tall as me!

Traevn is in 3rd grade and he was so excited for school to begin. He hates each year when school comes to an end, and is probably the only kid I know that dislikes summer. He would love it if they offered school year round with no breaks. Good thing he is so smart. Also, he went in for x-rays yesterday and Dr. Leitze decided that his arm was healing so well that he took his cast off, just in time to start school. He has to soft wrap it for a couple weeks and be careful not to bump it but he is glad to be able to move it around again. His teacher is Ms. Lichfield.

Brekken is in 2nd grade and has Ms. Nef for a teacher. He is such a social magnet. His ability to make friends is amazing. Kids just naturally attract to him. When we dropped him off, he already had half his class and friends surrounding him. With two introverted parents, we are super happy that he is so outgoing and such a good example to us. We got a call from his teacher and she said she just wanted to tell us what an awesome kid he was today. They had to take a few tests today and when Brekken finished he went around helping kids understand the problems, etc. She said he was just so good today and that she was thankful for all the help he gave her. Ahhh, what a sweetie!!

Poor Peyton, who starts Kindergarten this year, has to wait one more week to start school. He does have to go in for some testing this week. He is so freaking excited to finally go to his brother's big school. His teacher is Mrs. Brushke and she looks like she will be tons of fun this year. His pictures will be posted next week.

Brynlei also starts her second year of preschool next week with Miss Julie and Grandma Smith at Watch Me Grow. She loves it there and is excited to be in the older class this year. Her pictures will also be posted next week.

I love that my children have such a deep love for school and learning and pray that they can always feel this way about their education. They are all so bright and smart in their own ways and it amazes me what they push themselves to do each year. We love you kids and pray that you will have another amazing school year!!

More broken bones

On July 3rd after celebrating for the 4th all day with swimming, bbq, and being with family and as the day was winding down and we were all preparing for our firework show, disaster struck. Traevn was trying out his donkey kicks on Grandma's trampoline and his arm locked up and he ended up snapping both his ulna and radius bones. Nate and I were inside cleaning up from dinner and swimming when we heard screaming and then my BIL Kress came running inside telling my dad to hurry and get outside. We ran out to see what had happened and I knew in an instant that it was one of my children. I heard the crying and that was all it took. I am not good in moments like these when my children are in pain that I can't control. We found that everyone (all aunts, uncles, and cousins) had Traevn in a chair and were trying to console him. His arm was in an S shape and it was then that I realized that it was broken pretty bad. Grandpa immediately called to see who the orthopedist was on call and told him to meet us in the ER. Nate and the other men gave Traevn such a beautiful blessing comforting him with the peace that he so needed at that moment. Then away Nate, my mom, my dad, Traevn, and me went to the ER. Traevn was pretty adamant at this point that he was not going to the hospital, but knew it was inevitable. We got there, got checked in, took some x-rays, and waited for the orthopedist to show up. Dr. Leitze arrived and they gave Traevn a sedative(way freaky medicine) so that they could set his arm. They set his arm and sent us on our way (of course it took a few hours to do all of this).

Meanwhile the cousins had all said a big prayer for him and made him a huge sign for his return. They also had gotten him some stuffed animals, treats, his favorite drinks, and a new set of Mighty Beans. Traevn was so distraught that he would miss the fireworks that the cousins willingly decided to hold them until the next night. It was amazing to see how family just steps in to help in moments like these. My brothers and sisters and their families had taken my other kids home, bathed and put them to bed so that we wouldn't have to when we got home late that night.

During this whole ordeal Traevn was so worried that he would never be able to play the piano again, we reassured him that he would and that maybe he would play even better. :) Afterwards, Traevn told us how he actually heard his bones snap. His brothers and cousins who were standing by the tramp also heard the snap. YEEOUCH!!!

I am glad everything turned out as well as it did. I also hope that we won't be having another broken bone, at least not anytime soon.

*He now has his blue waterproof cast on. Pictures to come.

Happy Birthday!!!

Happy 7th Birthday Brekken!!!! Wow, I can't believe my middle child is that old! We love you tons Brek!!

*Stay tuned