Maya.....the Graduate!

On June 17, 2009 Maya became on official Kindergarten Graduate! We are so proud of her. She was lucky enough to have her Nana, Papa, Aunt Saralyn, Emma, Dad, Kai and Addison come and see her graduate.
It is so crazy reflecting on how far she has grown and developed this last year. She went from not being able to read at all to reading entire books with us. She has just blossemed in so many ways. It is hard to believe she is growing up so fast!

Although Anthony and I have had fun helping her with her homework, reading, and other skills, we owe most of her growth to her AMAZING teacher, Mrs. Phillips. She has been everything we could ask for in a teacher and Maya loves her dearly.

Proud Parents....

Proud Nana....



getting a hug from her Nana...

Saying goodbye to Mrs. Phillips...

Maya with her buddy, Gavin...

Maya with some of her best girl friends....

Playdate with a Pony

Maya has a sweet little friend in her kindergarten class that invited her over to her "house". She had so much fun. They had three horses and a PONY! Maya was able to ride the pony all by herself and had a blast!

Happy Father's Day Anthony!!!

Anthony,
Thank you for being the best dadda in the world to our little munchies. I love watching you become a better man as you daily try and become a better and better father.
Our children adore you and, although they aren't able to quite express it yet, they are so grateful and lucky to have you as their daddy.
I LOVE YOU
Happy Father's Day!

Colorado Trip

Last weekend Addie and I were lucky enough to be able to fly to Colorado with Nana and Papa for my niece, Kate's baptism. It was such a wonderful treat, although I did feel a bit strange and out of it all weekend seeing as how I was minus two kids.
It was such an enjoyable weekend visiting with family I have not seen in a while. I am so proud of Kate and it was amazing to see her take such a huge step in her life.

It was Addison's first time in an airplane and she was all over it. She was so good. Of course, it did help having Nana and Papa on the plane with me...


When we pulled into the Carlson's house there was a beautiful welcome awaiting us.....

Addie loves to give big ol' pucker up smooches....

Kate and I after her baptism...

The Carlson Clan....

Kate opening up some presents....

Addie with her aunt Jen....

A big girl on a big chair...

Hanging out in the Carlson's backyard with Nana....

On the plane ride home Addie was beyond exhausted. She was having such a hard time falling asleep and since she doesn't use a binky, I had to get resourceful and found a sucker.

Worked like a charm....

Spooky Stories

The other day a pretty nasty windstorm came rolling into town and knocked a tree down onto a power line therefore knocking out our electricity. The kids were so thrilled and got the idea to get a flashlight and tell spooky stories (even though there were still about 3 hours until it got dark). It was so fun to see the kids get so excited. It reminded me of when I was a kid and how thrilling it was when we hada a power outage.
We had so much fun.
Maybe we should "knock" the electricity out more often

Getting Wet

After Spencer's graduation we went out to eat at a nice restaurant. Just by the restaurant was a duck pond and a little water feature.


Addie was not walking last summer and so she didn't really get to do much as far as getting wet goes. I thought it would be fun to see if she would like the idea of getting a LITTLE wet.

Turns out she does.

It took a little while for her to warm up to the idea but she eventually ended up getting soaked.

When you have nowhere to change a sopping wet toddler, you improvise....

Spencer's Graduation

Last week my little brother, Spencer, graduated from dental school.

Anthony, Addison, and I were lucky enough to be able to go while Maya was in school and my dear friend, Cristy watched Kai. It was such a fun treat and so cool to see my LITTLE brother graduate.

Emma and Addison needed a little break from the long and very HOT ceremony...

Spencer and his Emma.....

me, Chris, Spencer, Sara, Dad, Emma and Mom....

WAY TO GO SPENCE!!!!!!