Spring Break - Rocky Point

We made a last minute trip to Rocky Point for Spring Break.  My parents were going there to stay at my Aunt and Uncles house they have on the beach.  And we kind of invited ourselves.  I wasn't sure if I really wanted to go because Mark had to stay back and work so I would have all my kids myself.  But I thought to myself..... my kids will either drive me crazy at home or at the beach.... so I decided the beach would be nicer to be driven crazy at than home.  

I couldn't get enough of Caleb's little feet at the beach.  He was IN HEAVEN there.

He literally didn't stop moving ALL DAY.  Constantly running around trying to figure out what this whole beach thing was.  I'm not a beach lover with little kids.  They just eat the sand and get it everywhere.  But it was a ton of fun with Caleb. He was actually easy to put to bed since he was so tired from being on the beach all day!

Our cousin Kenna

He just kept going and going and going.....

Elli had so much fun there too.  Check out those cute little Caleb footprints to the right of her.  

These kids were each other's buddies this whole trip.  Braeden and Elli were like 2 peas in a pod.  They were inseparable.   

We missed our dad A LOT!!!  We couldn't talk to him at all.  We texted a lot and that was nice!!

From one place to another, only wanting his mom when he needed a drink or food!!!

The kids just thought this was the coolest thing... being able to ride on this boat!!

On the car ride to town, the kids were just being so silly and LOUD!!!  So we played the quiet game.  And whoever didn't say a word got their own soda!!  It worked like a charm.  They were quiet (er) after we told them that!!

Since the house is in such a nice area, you can't even tell you're in Mexico when you stay there.  Braeden said he wanted to live there.  I told him, "Well, when we get to town, you won't want to live here."  After we drove by the school and really saw what Mexico was about, Braeden said he likes where he lives.  

We went shopping for a little bit and Braeden thought this mask was funny (he loves Nacho Libre) so he wanted a picture with it.

Caleb had a thing for these birds.  He loved trying to catch them.

Caleb and I were walking around and all of a sudden, he dropped to ground in this position.  I think he knew I wanted a picture of him.... my little GQ man!

This was the day that Diary Of A Wimpy Kid came out in the theaters.  Braeden was SOOOOO excited to see since he has read all the books about 3 times each.  I told him we would be able to see it tomorrow since we would be going home and he was sooo anxious to watch it.  So he drew this in the sand!!  

My dad was searching for crab or something and brought out the real shovel.  The kids gathered around him and tried to help out.  But it turned into the kids thinking they were going to "Stop the Tide"  So they built a wall and tried to stop the tide from coming in.  It was funny watching the kids as the tide quickly destroyed their wall.

This is a funny picture because this is Caleb "talking" to my dad in only the language Caleb understands.  He was pointing at the shovel and trying to convince my dad that he should take the shovel and play with it!  I guess you had to be there!!  :)  

My sweet little Elli showing off her shell collection.  Her and Kenna had fun collecting them.  They found some pretty cool looking ones!!

We had sooooo much fun!!  It was a fast trip and the only thing missing was Mark.  We need to go back with him soon!!

Winning Worker Award

Braeden has gotten so much better at school.  He always has a hard time in the beginning of the year with talking and be a little out of control, but he has consistently been getting GREEN lights now instead of yellow or red.  But one thing about Braeden that he has always done in school is he gets his work done fast.  In his first Kindergarten class, his teacher said he was finished with his assignment before any other student could start working on it.  He has always been fast and just "gets" what he is taught.  

(Where's Waldo??)

So a couple Fridays ago, Braeden was rewarded with the Winning Worker Award. I was so stinkin' proud of this kid.  He made sure I was there to see him get his reward.  

They gave the parents a chance to go and take a picture of their kids and Braeden seriously sat like that and smiled with his certificate in that same position until they were told to go sit back down.  I'm pretty sure Braeden was excited to be up there.  

Caleb (on the other hand) was not too happy to be there.  He was good for about 10 minutes watching people, then it got real old, real fast for him.  He wanted out of that stroller.

He was begging me to get him out of that thing.  

I did get him to laugh and be happy by telling him to touch the camera and then tickling him when he touched it.  That trick always works for him!!

But he was done!!  He played some games until we got in the car.  Thank goodness for the technology we have these days!!!

I also need to note that after Braeden got his award, I was trying to say bye to him so I could leave and take Elli to school since she was already 15 minutes, but Braeden kept trying to tell me something while he was still sitting with his class.  So I decided to stay and I'm glad I did.  Braeden surprised me because his name was called again for being great in math.  They were tested for math and Braeden passed with flying colors, so they announced his name and he got to stand up.  I love seeing his face when he knows he accomplished something and he gets acknowledgement from it.  He has an amazing smile!!  So stinkin' proud of that kid!!!

(PS. I would like to note that is was Hawaiian Day at his school that day and Braeden, of course, wanted to wear his swim suit.  He was wearing a lei too, but took it off for the ceremony.)

Another "Awwww" Moment

Elli was spending the night with her cousins a couple weeks ago and I could tell Braeden was kind of lonely.  He never came out and said it, but I think he missed her.  They sleep in the same room and have really liked having each other's company.  But Caleb took Elli's place (for about 15 minutes) while she was gone.  They watched a movie until Caleb was done holding still and wanted to get up and throw toys around.

But I love how Braeden is playing with Caleb's hair.  He does that with me ANYTIME he is close to me.  He plays with my hair whenever I have it down.  And I love how he is doing it with Caleb.

What Do YOU Know About Penguins???

Braeden seems to know an awful lot about penguins, given that all the 1st graders spent about 2 months learning about them.  Braeden came home many days asking me if I knew this and that about penguins and if I knew which penguin was the same height as him.  So funny!!

Since they did spend so much time, they had a Penguin Night to where the parents were able to see everything the kids made and also play some games that the kids made.  Braeden was so excited for this night.  I think Elli got a little into to it too.  She gets excited about anything Braeden is excited about.  She is definitely a fun little sister.  But Braeden had fun showing us everything he did. The penguin right above him is the penguin his group made.  He was so proud of that penguin because his group was the only group to make their penguin EXACTLY like the real one.  Braeden made sure his group made it the exact size and everything.  

So proud of this little boy.  Once you get him going on something, he never stops wanting to learn about it.  Such enthusiasm to learn (about certain things, of course!!)

Valentine's Day

(I noticed this was a draft and was never posted...  thought I should probably post it now since Easter is already over too.)

I have always loved Valentine's Day.  Even back in Junior High and High School when I didn't have a boyfriend, Valentine's Day was fun...because it's my birthday!!  I had a reason to celebrate despite the lack of "boys" in my life.  

Now Mark thinks it's the worst day of the whole year..... he has to make up for Valentine's & my birthday!!  :)  I personally think he's got it made.  He gets away with both of those in 1 day.  But he does a great job making me feel like it's a Special Day.  Since Valentine's was on a Sunday, Mark planned a little something on Saturday.  I woke up to the kids asking me to make them something for breakfast at 7:30 AM.  But I am such a mean mom because I fell back to sleep.  Then about 8:30, Mark said, "Go get dressed, we're going to breakfast at Crackers."  (That's my favorite breakfast place!) Braeden loves the french toast there.  So do I.... I inhaled breakfast.   

Mark got me a new pair of jeans, but he wanted me to look at the other ones they had, so we went to the mall.  In the car, the kids were just being silly.  I was asking them questions about each other and it ended up like this.... me asking Caleb were his nose was.  That's what he did to show me.

This is the 2nd year my parents have done this for the kids.  My mom makes sugar cookies for all her grandkids on Valentine's Day and leaves them on the doorstep and runs.  They love it.  Elli got too excited and dropped her cookie on the ground.  Sweet Braeden blew off the dirt for her.  But she didn't want to eat it.  So grandma let her decorate another one for her.  

Caleb was too busy eating his cookie to take a picture.

I've never been a cake lover, I'll still eat it, but it's not favorite.  So Mark made me Creme Brülée and stuck 3 candles in it for 30.  Oooooh, it was sooooo good!!  I tell ya, I have the best husband!!

Well, with the exception of this.....

 Mark looks good in a goatee.  He looks so handsome standing there.  I actually got him to smile normal.  Sometimes he'll make a funny face for pictures, but he looks good here.  

He was so kind to shave, but left the handlebars....... for my birthday.  What a great ending to my birthday. (Insert sarcasm)  He thinks it is so funny to do this.  This isn't his first time either.  I didn't get a picture, but he did shave the handlebars this morning and left just the mustache.  I think that's even uglier!

I had a great 30th birthday!!!  Feels weird turning 30.  Isn't that REALLY OLD????  Geez, time flies!  

Kara's Bridal Shower & Wedding

My sister Kara got married on March 5th to Ryan Gardner.  It was a fun day to be had by all!!

But first was her Bridal shower.  My sister Lisa had it at her house.  She did a fabulous job at making it a yummy lunch!!

Kara is a big fan of Ned's Krazy Subs so we had a big sub there.  Mmmmmmmmm!!

Typical Lisa at the sink with Melissa by her side..... talking!!

We weren't sure how this thing was to be worn but I'm sure Kara figured it out! :)

Little Blaykey Poo!! (She hates being called that)

And Blayke's Mom, Melissa.  This is a great picture of her because she looks more "curvy" than normal.  

Kara & Ryan

My mom with a long time friend, Colleen Brimley

Lisa with Colleen's daughter, Sarah.  

Pictures of the 2 crazy kids!!

This is Ryan making fun of Kara ALWAYS using her hands to talk.

Wooo there Ryan!!

And the sexy Kara!!  What a babe!!!

So glad they are happy!!  We love you guys!!