The Story of a Mexican Postcard!!

Yesterday, the kids received a postcard. It was a beautiful postcard of an arch on a beach in Cabo San Lucas. You may ask who sent it.? Can you believe Bryan and I sent it to the kids from Mexico- When did we go to Mexico you may ask? We had a great trip there in early November- yes, early November. That nice little postcard must have quite the tale to tell, for it took seven weeks for it to arrive at our home. We mailed it approximately Nov. 9th or 10th and it wasn't even postmarked at the post office in Mexico until Dec. 1st. We had given up on even receiving it a couple of weeks ago, Yet it finally made it. What a long journey that little postcard had. I would highly recommend just bringing the postcard home with you!

Kate the Mannequin!!

Today Kate and I made a quick trip to Old Navy to make a return. Upon leaving the store Kate disappeared and I was walking around the front of the store looking for her. I was calling her name and looking about- suddenly I spotted her! She had climbed up on the little platform they have the mannequins on and was pretending to be a mannequin. She had one hand on the fake dog and was holding very still with the cutest expression on her face (she is such a poser)... She wouldn't even respond to me she was so in character. I laughed so hard. It totally made my day.

Hogle Zoo with Grandma and Grandpa!

At least once or twice a year we have the tradition of going the the zoo with my mom and dad. It is really a lot funner than me taking the kids to the zoo alone. 1. I have lots of help. 2. The kids love spending time with Grandma and Grandpa ( they are stuck home with mom all the time- and I am such a bore). 3. We can even convince Bryan to come with us.

Me and my dad!

Nicklas and Alex seeing how they compare to a gorilla.

Grandpa resting in the wagon with Nick and Kate!

Standing in line for the Carousel.




Zuri the baby elephant. She was adorable.



The kids just love sitting on this elephant trunk every time we go. The best is when it
starts shooting out water. I think Kate could spend a full hour there and not get bored.




Alex, my mom and I. Say Cheese.

Acorn Collecting!!

Have you ever considered collecting Acorns? Well, my Kate has and did! This was her entertainment for the entire duration of one of Alex's soccer games this past spring. When I informed her that she would not be bringing her large collection home (she seriously collected about 30), she quietly narrowed her collection down to five acorns and said,

"There is one for each person in our family!"

Sweet and loving Kate- I thank my Heavenly Father everyday for my children and this day I thank him especially for Little Girls!!!

Kate's Soccer!

Kate's spring soccer was quite an adventure. She was definitely one of the cutest players. She sort of decided she was afraid of the ball after the first game, that's when she learned lots of little legs were all kicking randomly at an attempt to kick the ball- and that meant getting kicked herself. Every practice would help her get over that fear and then each game would again reinforce that fear. That's the kicks of soccer! She was so cute to watch, all smiles. She would run and then if she got tired she would just stop and stand somewhere on the field for a rest.

I can't even begin to describe my enjoyment of watching my sweet, petite Kate play soccer. She even said she wants to play again- I would consider that to mean it was a good experience after all. Way to go Kate! Love you!

Nick's Soccer!!

So I know I'm a little slow getting this up but I just had to blog about Nicks wonderful spring soccer. What is so great about this little guy of mine is his pure determination. When he wants to be good at something he practices and practices- and soccer is no exception. Nick loves, loves, loves SOCCER!!! The kid gets torn picking going to his soccer practice or going to watch one of Alex's games. It is precious! I have absolutely loved watching Nick play this season. When he is on the field he plays with heart- all of his heart! One game this season he got the ball kicked in his face - close and hard- and he's like " I'm fine, I want to go back in". I never knew a six year old could be so passionate about something. Now, I am his mother but, he really is good. He handles the ball well and likes to score but he also likes defense and wants to goalie.

I am so grateful for Nick. I am grateful he is a hard worker and that once he sets his mind to something he won't quit. I love that he has something he loves and wants to work at. Nick is an awesome kid and I love him with all my heart.

Happy Birthday Alex!

Yesterday was Alex's 10th birthday... I can't believe he is already 10! Boy how life changes in 10 years, and I wouldn't change a day of it. Alex is my first born and will always be the big brother- both of which he is great at. He is a loving, hard working, passionate boy and I am so glad to have him blessing my life every day. Being a mother is hard work, but it is also the most rewarding. Alex- Thanks for being my son and making my life so wonderful.

Love you,
Mom

My Sweet Daughter!

I had one of the sweetest conversations ever with my precious Kate the other night, I decided immediately that I must write it down so I would never forget it.

The conversation began as I was getting Kate out of the bath and continued as we got her ready for bed!

Kate: "One day I won't live her with you! Huh!"

Mom: "No. When you grow up you'll have your own home, and so will Nick and Alex."

Kate: "I'm going to miss you because I really, really, really, love you!"

Mom: " And I really love you. I'm going to miss you too, but I can visit you and you can visit me. And when you have babies I'll come over and help you!"

Kate: (with the happiest face ever) "I'm going to have babies?"

Mom: " If you want to!"

Kate: "Maybe I can live by you, like Mya use to live by me." (Mya is her friend that lived next door)

Mom: " That would be nice!"

Kate: "Maybe on Sundays we could bring cake over."

Mom: "Yes. And maybe you could invite me to dinner like we do Grandma and Grandpa."

Kate: "And you can make dinner for me."

Mom: "That would be nice too!."

All during this exchange Kate jumped onto my lap at least two or three times and threw her arms around my neck, gave me her very best Kate hug and said, "I really, really, really, love you!"

Its moments like these that remind me why I LOVE being a mother. It also reminds me that being a mother really is the best job in the whole wide world.

Nick's Kindergarten Program!

Handsome Boy!!

The annual Kindergarten Program was on Friday and it was adorable. Those kindergartners are so cute and talk so cute. Nick was toward the end of the program. The program was about things they could be when they grow up, and how school helps prepare them. They had jobs from A to Z and Nick's was the letter Z. His line was "Z. When I grow up, know what I want to do? Take care of animals at the zoo."

Grandma and Grandpa came and enjoyed the performance with Kate, Bryan and I.

Great job Nick! I loved how great you sang the songs! Love you!

Nick's First Lost Tooth!

Last Thursday, May 20th- Nicklas lost his first tooth. It was so exciting you would have thought the it was Christmas. I have never seen a kid so excited about a lost tooth. Nick has been wondering the entire school year when he would lose his first tooth, asking me when I thought he would lose a tooth, imagining that he had a loose tooth. Kids in his class seemed to be loosing teeth left and right. He had he bottom two, middle teeth start coming in behind the baby teeth about 4 weeks ago. Luckily we had a dentist appointment that week in which the dentist said, "the baby teeth are loose, just work on them and they should come out." Four weeks later with lots of work, Dad yanked that tooth out for Nicklas and made the boy happy as could be. The next morning Nick said to me, " This is going to be a great day! I lost a tooth, the tooth fairy brought me money and now I get to go have my Kindergarten Program!"

Congrats Nick!. First Tooth! Can't wait for the other one to come out.

Alex's Soccer Season!!

Alex's soccer season has come to an end. It has been a hard fought season with more losses than wins but I am so proud of him. Alex has had the greatest attitude this soccer season- both on the soccer field and at home. After the games whether win or lose- he wears a smile on his face. He is the first one to comment on what a great play Daimon or Josh made. He asks us if we saw certain plays he made. I have loved it. On practice days, he doesn't even care he doesn't have time to play between homework and practice.

Alex has always enjoyed sports- that being ALL sport! This spring is the first glimpse of him possibly sticking with one, and then playing others when he can fit them in. I finally see him being passionate about one sport - not five. It's really exciting!

Alex plays defender on his team and he has really learned how to play his position well over the last year. The kid is aggressive and he plays hard, even when the kid is much bigger than him. He can catch just about anybody and get in his way or kick the ball away. He's had some awesome headers this season also. It has been a blast watching him play this season and I can't wait for Fall Soccer to start.

Alex and his friend Daimon got to be the captains at this game.

It was exciting, and it was one of the games they won!

Kate the Little Tree Climber!!

Invincible Kate thinks she can climb trees now.. She tells me she is very careful and she isn't going to fall, but mom is not as confident and just about had a heart attack when she looked out her bedroom window to see Kate about halfway up the tree for the first time. I asked her how she got up there, to which I was informed that Ella (her adorable friend) gave her a boost. How very nice of her! No matter how much Bryan and I tell her that is dangerous she insists that she is very careful and she will not fall. Good to know don't you think!! If only we could all be so confident as a 4 yr. old.

Kate about midway up the tree, looking mighty, mighty happy!

Ella and Kate- how precious is that!!

Jam Glorious Jam!!

I know! I know! You are all thinking I am crazy blogging about my jam, but I have to because I absolutely love it. Believe me- once you can your own jam you can never return to the horrible jam they sell at the store, there is absolutely no comparison. I am grateful to have a wonderful canning friend (along with our two wonderful husbands, who so willingly assist) who makes it so much fun. Thanks Michele!!
This year we canned an obscene amount of jam- over 60 jars, but I needed to make enough to supply my sweet mom and dad with a years supply also. Yes, they absolutely love it also and it is my own fault for getting them hooked on it in the first place. My mom likes to tease me about how domestic I am compared to her (Cooking and canning not her thing) , but it is because of her I am willing to try new things that at first seem difficult but then turn out to be fun and rewarding all at once. So thanks mom!
I enjoy my jam almost daily with my fix of peanut butter and enjoy the little reminder of childhood it gives me. So cheers to homemade jam- it is the very best!

It's a Birdcracker?

Bryan came home from Nicklas' soccer practice earlier this week with the cutest Kate story.

Kate came up to Bryan with this little stick she had found in the grass. The stick had two little holes in it and Bryan asked her who she thought made those holes in the stick.
Kate replied, "maybe a Birdcracker?"
Bryan was thinking what in the world is a birdcracker, finally he thought maybe she meant a woodpecker, so her asked her.
Kate said, "Yeah. A Woodpecker!"

I can just picture Kate's little face during this discussion and it just brings a smile to mine!

Let Soccer Season Begin!!

This past Saturday, April 17th marked the official beginning of our kids soccer seasons. We had games at 9:00, 11:00 and 2:30. Yes, that means we are a little crazy. I have to admit it was wonderful. I have always loved watching my boys play sports and this year Kate joins in the mix.

Nicklas' game started the day, and yes I am his mother, but he really is an awesome soccer player and I love watching him. He even scored a goal and his team won 4-0. Great Game Nick!

Kate's game was next and boy was that fun to watch, our little Kate getting in the mix of all those little 3-4 years olds kicking their legs everywhere. She played very well, (thanks to all the times Nick makes her practice with him) and unlike our last pre-K soccer experience with Nick- she didn't insist on holding the coaches hand the entire time. Way to go Kate!

Alex had the afternoon game and played his little heart out, as always. He is a very hard worker and tends to put it all out there when he plays. His team played a very talented team and lost
4-0, but they played them tough and it was fun to watch. Alex's footwork has improved so much since he started playing on his competition league and it has been lots of fun to watch him progress so much in the sport. Great playing Alex!

We are all excited for the season and look forward to the next 7 weeks of craziness. Practices every night of the week and games all day Saturdays. I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Go REAL Salt Lake!!

My Handsome Sons!!

This year we are REAL Salt Lake Soccer season ticket holders. We are very excited about it and have made it through our first game on Apr. 10th and can't wait for the next one. The boys absolutely love it. They are both so into soccer right now that they think going to the Major League Soccer is a blast and I have to admit it is pretty darn fun now that I understand the game a lot better. 4 yr. old Kate even made it through the entire game though I am certain we won't take her to every one of them- she could probably enjoy a few more if I invested in a pair of pom-poms for the occasion. I hope the boys continue to enjoy it and it is quality family time.

Twinkle Toes!!

I have to share a very adorable story about my very adorable Kate. For several months, possibly close to a year now, my sweet daughter has been asking for these adorable shoes called "Twinkle Toes". Now, I have to admit it- "I am cheap". I rarely pay $40 for a pair of shoes for myself - let alone my 4 yr. old. SO... needless to say I had managed to hold her off by saying they did not come in her size, ( which originally was true)- next I tried the honesty approach by just stating they were too expensive. Well- they went on sale at Kohl's and I had a 30% off coupon so I broke down and purchased them with a little pressure from Nicklas in the mix also.

My sweet Kate is in heaven and thinks they are the most beautiful shoes and they even light up ( which I have managed to avoid light up shoes for 9 yrs. now- it figures the little girl would be able to wear me down on this one). Now I just have to hope her size 7 feet stay that size for at least a few more months. The upside is she enjoys walking on her own more so she can see them light up! Yeah for mom and dad!

Pure Delight!!

Look at those pretty Shoes!

Oh. Kate, Kate Kate!!

My sweet little Kate cracks me up. Last week I took Kate over to her friend Ella's house. As she was getting out of the car she says to me "How long do I get to stay?"
I said " I will be back to get you in about an hour."
She turns to me and says, " I can walk home."
To which I reply, " no, you are 4 and I will pick you up."
Kate then says, "But I really want to walk home."
Needless to say of course I picked her up, but I will never forget the look on her face when she told me she would walk home. I think Kate is 4 trying to skip ahead to 12.

What year were you born?

I don't often have cute 9 year old Alex stories to relay, but today I thought I would tell you something funny his Grandpa Max shared with his dad and I. Bryan's dad, Grandpa Max, agreed to take Alex to the Jazz Game with his Jr. Jazz tickets last Saturday. Grandpa said Alex was just full of information, stats on famous sports professionals, World War information, etc. Here is the cutest thing of all.
Max said Alex asked him what year he was born, to which he replied- 1942. Alex then said, " Grandpa you were 3 yrs old when World War II ended"- Grandpa decided right there Alex was a pretty smart kid and probably knows more then him. That is just so Alex for you!