Phoenix 2012

 For our Spring Break we went to Phoenix for a baseball tournament for Braedon's Sun Devil Team.  It was nice and warm and sunny......everything that the weather at home was not!  We had a lot of fun whether we were at the zoo or baseball games or shopping or eating or shopping or baseball or swimming at the pool!

                                        Taelor was especially happy here!!

                         Bring out the camera and the best of Braedon appears!

 A funny thing happened in one of the games.  Braedon threw the ball to the catcher just messing around on his way out to the field but because he touched the mound he had to go in and pitch!  We had never heard that rule before.  Braedon's coach was glad that at least it was someone who knew how to pitch!  We ended up winning the AA tournament division and they all got rings.  Like SuperBowl size rings!  It was really a good experience for him. 

                                             Shadows are always fun!!

 I love this picture.  I am still amazed at how awesome the pictures from my new camera are!!  I love it!!!

Nothing like a little catching up....

WOW!!! I have not been on here forever!! It's nice to see that others still blog even though I haven't been. We had a great Christmas and I got a new camera!! YIPPEE!!! It takes amazing pictures and has awesome effects. In January Dawson turned 12 and got the priesthood from my Uncle. It was exciting. Now we have two boys in our house with the priesthood.

I love this picture of Dawson. The light from the candle and his smile are priceless. I love this kid and I can't believe he is 12 already. He is a great helper and loves his family more than anything!!

Also in Jan. Braedon made the Hawthorne basketball team. At first he was very excited but as the season has gone on it is very tough for Braedon and for his dad to sit through a game where not all the kids can run a play or even know what is going on on the floor. It is definitely not what we are used to having played competitive basketball for so many years. It is a good experience though.

This is my one and only crafty thing I have had time to do lately. I made this little tutu for two friends of ours that are both having little girls. They were soooo freaking cute I had a hard time giving them away!! The picture doesn't give them justice.

In Feb. Taelor started her second year of Jr. Jazz. She is doing much better this year than last. She is learning a little bit more about the game and therefore knows what she should be doing which is much easier to watch than her aimlessly running about.

She has potential, now if she will have patience with her dad trying to help her and her dad will have patience with her stubborness we might get somewhere.

Great form!!

On Feb. 23 the clouds opened up and FINALLY gave Braedon a cell phone for his birthday. By the look on his face you can tell he was slightly excited!!

I can't believe he is 14 all ready. He is growing up so fast. He is a great athlete and alot of fun to be around (when he isn't acting like a teenager). I guess time really flies when you are having fun. I love my kids!!

Accomplishments!!

So wow!! We got some family pictures taken from an amazing young girl (by young I mean early 20's...younger than me...). I think she did awesome!! I love how original they are. We had a good time with her and all her secret little spots!!

Mr. Handsome Middle School Man

All their personalities come out in this picture. Dawson is laid back. Braedon is very sure of himself and what he can do. Taelor is a big cheese, smiling to try and get away with anything!!

This picture sums up 4 years of hard work. I whould have put this one at the end but wasn't thinking. They won their 8th grade football championship game!! It was amazing and emotional!! I was a proud mama!!

O HOW I LOVE THIS PIC!!!! I love the way the sun is shining through!!

Me and my bald man!! His head is shaved because he bet a certain group of football players that if they won he would shave his head. Obviously they won.

My little girly!

This is a fun one!

Take care of that sister of yours boys!!

Before the BIG game

After the BIG game!! CHAMPIONS!!

Yes #1 is right!!

That is a beautiful thing. Just goes to show what hard work and confidence can do!!

2 weeks of excitment

On October 8th Taelor got baptized. She was a happy little girl. Thanks you to eveyrone who came to support her!! She was able to have just her own baptism so it was very personalized towards her. It was a very spiritual thing. I am very proud of her!!

Her proud big brothers!

My Aunt, Uncle and cousin came up from Utah for it!!

Today Braedon's football team played a tough game. They played the team who knocked us out of the playoffs last year. It was a hard game but our boys came out on top!! Now we get to go to Holt Arena to play next week for the 8th grade city championship. It will be tough but we just need to stay positive and play how they know they can!! However it comes out, it has been a fun 4 years together!!

Proud Grandma!!

He is pushing me down trying to be taller than me.....little stink!! I am still taller by about an inch for the record!!

Family Fun Time

Summer goes by fast when you have lots going on.... Between lots of day outside at our own pool to going to Ross Park and Lava a couple of times we are sporting some pretty sweet tan lines!!

We had a Family Reunion in Park City the beginning of August. We went to the Olympic Park and did the zip line and alpine slide. Dawson was afraid at first but decided to give it a shot and what do you know.... HE LOVED IT!!

Shane and Dawson taking the ride up the hill.

Braedon going down with one of our cousins Evan. It was so much fun to see everyone and hang out for a couple of days!! I wish my camera battery had not died so I had more pictures but that is just my luck!! There were about 70 of us at one motel and causing all kinds of chaos!! It was a blast!

Then my dad came for a visit from Wisconsin for a couple of days. We went swimming with him too (mostly because he is part fish like my kids!!) Then we went to Riot Zone one day and golfed and raced in go karts til we were all sick to our stomach!!

She is a crazy passenger.....heaven help us when she drives!!

Braedon has the passing move down pat.... if his sports thing doesn't work out he can always become a race car driver.

Shane and my dad bumped and bumped and crashed others every single time!!! Even when the attendant would say NO BUMPING!! He must have thought they were talking to someone else. They had a blast!!

Dawson and Taelor raced each other on the little track. They were the only ones on it and battled like crazy!! It was cute!!

My dad with all of us

Then it was football time!!! Last year for Braedon to play as a Chubbuck Ram. It is kind of bitter sweet. He has had a lot of fun the past 3 years and lets hope we have a great season to end on.

I love this picture!! A little pat on my back. ;0)

LET"S GO RAMS!!! MAKE IT A SEASON TO REMEMBER!!!