And summer begins....

Tracy is finally back from her cruise...so Spencer has re-united with his love...Ella, and I have my "bestie" back! We have been swimming 3 times and school just got out on Wed. Plus, we are going 2 more times today... Birthday parties!I love this picture of Aubrey... she is such a stinkin cute little girl. Love her!And here we have me and my Miamaids in the ward getting ready for an adventure hike up and Picacho Peak. We went today and left at 5:30 am. I haven't done something like this in a real long time and I loved it. I just can't wait for summer.

So I always have loved summer and the change it brings. Now that I have school age children I get to enjoy that again. When I started working after college, I felt like summers came and went and their wasn't enough change. You know what I mean. There just wasn't really any variety from April till Oct....just same. Even when the kids were small, the months blurred into one another...especially here in AZ where the seasons hardly change. Anyway, before even in high-school and college I still worked in my summers, but I would move home and still get the "change..." the fun, the variety! So anyway, I feel like summers are finally back now that Aubrey is in school, I feel the "difference" when she is home and I just love it! I am not talking about vacations and stuff, just the day to day differences. No homework, less structure, bbq's and such. I feel bad for my husband cause he still doesn't get that for him. Sorry babe and I still gonna just enjoy this summer with our kids!

So for the summer 2010 I am going to make it even better than before. I am going to be concious and focus more on the fun. So my resolution is this: not clean too much and to be more laid back and just enjoy this time we have together. We can't wait for NEWPORT with the Watkins' family and of course Disneyland (thank you Disney give away.) Then 3 whole weeks with my Peterson family....Yeah! SUMMER.....HERE I COME!!!! (by the way...last 3 weeks of July I will be in Idaho...hope to see you my friends.)

NO FEAR

Weston: "Mom me and Drew have NO FEAR!"

Me: "OK cool...What do you mean?"

Weston: "I am not scared of anything;...

not even, vampires

werewolves

bees

scorpions

blood

ghosts

dead spiders

"broken heads off"

fire

black widows

BLACK BLOOD

dead piranhas or even

...eyeballs popped out."

Me: "Wow buddy... you really have NO FEAR."

Weston's Preschool Graduation

So the pictures came up backwards and I didn't switch them...oh well. Here is little Weston after he recieves his graduation present: Lego Batman for the Wii...he was so excited. Here he is with his teacher Ms. Jen. He learned so much this year thanks to her...she really worked well with all of his energy and such.

Weston was so much fun to watch in the program. They did song and activites throughout. Here are some of the faces he made during a fun song.

Weston got to "read" the word "d.i.d" in front of everyone...he was so PROUD of himself.

Jake and I are so proud of him too and cannot believe he will be in kindergarten next year. Praying for a GREAT teacher to love him and help him learn to read and behave. We have seen him improve so much this year...he really is ready, just don't know if I am.

Soccer Days

We just got back from Weston's last soccer game of the season. He has been a BLAST to watch this year. He has always been an awesome defender...but now he is even scoring goals at most of the games. Their team was undefeated...( although we aren't supposed to keep score.) I was so proud to watch him play. I love seeing how he passes, defends, scores and just plays with a great attitude and spunk. He never lost his temper or had a fit...love him. Jake was the coach again because they didn't have a coach when the season started. I appreciate him as a Dad. It was hard for him to always get here for practices and such, but he was awesome and the kids really learned a lot and improved. I think we scored 10 points in our last game and the other team...zero. Sorry...I always keep score!!! :)

Gotta love the Trophy!

Field Day at Pathway

Aubrey had her Field day this friday. I wasn't going to go, because I didn't want to take Spencer and Weston...however, last minutes I just put them in the stroller and walked to the park. I am so glad that I went. I got to see Aubrey with all of her friends running races, hula hoops and more. I was just so impressed to see her coming out of her shell. She has one friend in particular....her "BFF" or "BSF" (ie. best sister forever) as Aubrey likes to call her...Naomi! Anyway, I love how outgoing Naomi is and kind she is to Aubrey. When I see them together my heart is full because I see that the Lord see fit to bless us even when we are six to have a friends that enrich our lives. Aubrey needed a friend who was sweet but sassy all in one. I wonder if other mothers are ever grateful for their kids friends....probably.

Anyway, Weston was worried he would be stuck in the stroller the whole time...but Miss Merrit said he could get out and play with the other students. He loved it! In fact, he keeps reminding me he starts Kindergarten next fall and that he is going to a REAL school, like his big sister. Aubrey was nice to him and he was the fasted kid on one relay race. He just tries so hard, you have to love him for that.

Traci Doll!

Here I am with my youngest and most wonderful little sister! I can't believe how grown up she is. I haven't seen Traci since last summer and she has changed so much. I have always loved to talk to Traci...she is the best listener. Even back when she was so young I told her about all my boyfriends and the drama in my life. She was only like 10 I think when I got married and was the biggest fan of Jake. Poor thing is 12 years younger than me and heard about everything. Now she is in beauty school and living her own drama! Yeah for growing up...yeah for my absolutely HUGE family so I could have one more "best sister in the world!" Thanks for being my friend and always being so much fun to be around. Love you girl!!! By the way...Traci Doll visited this last week and we had a blast. I felt 16 again and I needed that. (Those who may of noticed...Yes I did dye my hair...not sure what I think about it yet....)

Recital Spring 2010

So the Spring Recital was last weekend. It went super great! I was so pleased with how all the students performed...especially my own sweet kids! Aubrey never misses a beat and Weston is such a ham he was just born to be on stage. I had such nerves all morning. I really didn't know if I could handle it! I just get so nervous and jittery about stuff like this. I have had many a performance where I completely let myself down and let my nerves get the best of me. Anyway, the best part about this group is I wasn't the one performing and the kids didn't let me down. They did it...and did it wonderful!!!

Here we are with Miss Tracy at the end. This is the whole gang .( Minus one...who forgot:)

Some close ups. It is so hard with indoor lighting to ever get a good shot.

I thought this would be cool...but it turned out cheesy, but Aubrey will like it. I love her smile.

Afterwards Jake took us to Pei Wei to celebrate. He is the best! The kids love the noodles and I love to eat. I am so proud of my kids and myself for this. It has been a great experience and I am excited to do it again next fall. I want to get some of the video to upload so you can see it for yourselves. I love singing and music is just such a huge part of who I am. I feel blessed to have children that have shown an interest and even Jake for letting it be such a big part of our lives. I love feeling like our little family is learning and developing knew talents. This silly little recital sure meant a lot more to me that I thought it would. I felt like a real "grown up" and like I am achieving some of the potential that I have been given. I have always been a little scared of sharing my talents and felt I wasn't "good enough." There is something about doing things you are afraid to do....that is so rewarding. I hope to instill in my kids a desire and a belief in themselves. Thanks everyone who believed in me! My mom and Tracy and Jake have all been really supportive and I needed it.