Top 12

The 12 best things about Braedon are:

`his smile
`his sense of humor
`he picks up on how do thing quickly, whether it is a sport or something else
`he is an awesome athlete
`he is protective of his brother and sister
`his ability to eat.......despite how skinny he is the boy can EAT!!!
`he loves little kids and is so kind to them
`he does very well in school
`his laugh
`his dimples
`his love for his family
`and best of all he still loves his mom and isn't embarrassed of her!!!

12 already!!!

Braedon celebrated his 12th birthday yesterday. He is growing up so fast. I can't believe he is already that old. YIKES!!! He got lots of gift cards and some LeBron James stuff. The boy is all about basketball (well right now anyway)!!! On Saturday we had some of his friends over and went to the church to play basketball. They all had a good time .......including Shane!! Braedon has a great little posse of friends and they are so much fun to have around!!

They played 1/2 court lightning, pig, three point contest and a game with Shane and Kaden vs. Braedon, Hunter and Easton. It was alot of fun!! Happy Birthday Buddy!!! I love you and I am so glad I can call you mine!!!

Process

Have you ever noticed that life is all one great big process. From birth, to marriage to having your own kids to them growing up nothing is ever complete there is always something. The process of life can at times be overwhelming but then there is that breakthrough moment when everything you have worked so hard for is shown. This goes for marriage, kids, remodeling really everything. I have always tried to be a good mom and make sure my kids get the attention they need. Dawson is finally starting to realize that it is okay to do things and he doesn't need to be embarrassed about them. Like talking in front of the class, or programs at school or substitutes (This has been a hard one this year). It is just nice to see forward progression. :) Then there is Braedon who is almost........gulp.......12!!! This sounds so cliche but "I remember the day he was born and it seems like yesterday." It is hard to imagine that I am OLD enough to have a 12 year old. Where did the time go? He is finally starting to become a little man with certain things he will do or say, it makes me think well maybe you will turn out just fine. I always thought that it was hard being up with sick kids but I think it is harder trying to teach your kids life lessons and make sure they grow up to be good human beings. So I guess life is just one big process. Just when you have accomplished something, something else will takes its place. If it was all the same all the time life would be pretty boring. Just wish that sometimes you could push fast forward through tough situations or pause for those moments you want to savor and rewind for those you speed by and didn't take the time to really appreciate.

Thinking of You

I changed my front picture in honor of my baby cousin Oliver who passed away last year on Valentine's Day. We love you and think of you often. We are very excited to see you again some day!!

So close.....

The basement is so close....as I type this the carpet is being installed!!!!! YIPPEE!! This is 'Vanna' in front of the fireplace that Shane crafted up so beautifully. I am soooooo glad he knows how to do so much. He has taught all of us how to do something new. I am proud to say we built this!!! Part of the family room. Clubhouse peeking in the corner. Stairs which now have carpet!! ;0)

Taelor in the clubhouse, making a cheesy smile which seems to be the only kind I get anymore!

The three prisoners in the clubhouse. I really want a scene painted on the wall around all of it. Any ideas?

I will post finished pictures soon!!

I now pronounce you......

So I typed a big long explaination and now for some reason it is at the bottom of all these pics. Argh!! So you will have to look at pictures and then read the story! George..... World's most awesome 3 year old cousin!!!

Taelor and Lizzy being flower girls

Bad picture.......George walking Grandma down the aisle.

Grandma's zebra shoes.......good call Sarah!!!

My grandma wanted all of her children in attendance to stand for her. The lady in red is Bill's daughter. My grandma had 7 of her 12 children there to represent her and give her away.

Family pic- Top- My mom, Beth (Bill's daughter), Aunt Rachel, Aunt Alisa, Aunt Tammy, Uncle Jared. Bottom-Dave (Bill's son),Bill with George, Grandma and Uncle Clay

Taelor with the Happy Couple!

My Uncle Knute did the flowers and did an amazing job!!

So this weekend we (Me, mom, Taelor and Dawson) went to Salt Lake for my Grandma's wedding. Shane and Braedon stayed here for his first basketball game. My grandma had been sad and lonely since my Grandpa died a little over 2 years ago. She met a man named Bill in September and after lots of talking and dating they decided they would spend the rest of their lives here on earth together. They are good for each other. He is a nice man and will keep my Grandma busy!! It was nice to see her smiling and genuinely happy again. I have missed that about her since my Grandpa died. My cousin George walked her down the aisle. Taelor and my other cousin Lizzy were the last second flower girls. The cake was this huge 6 layer choclate cake that was to DIE for!!! I have never tasted a better cake!!! YUMMMMMM!! Thank you to all the family for all the laughing!!! I needed it!!!

Top 10

So I got to thinking about Dawson's birthday and I decided to make a list of the great things about each one of my kids around their birthday. Since Dawson turned ten here are the Ten best things about Dawson:

*His smile
*His laugh
*His kindness towards others
*He is the best Brother (ask Taelor she will tell you)
*He plays with anyone no matter what age or gender
*His freckles (just like mine)
*His ability to make others happy
*He is a awesome tumbler
*He is easy going (most of the time)
Last but not least
*He gives the best hugs!!!

I love you Dawson!! I am glad you chose our family to be a part of. It wouldn't be the same without you!!