Connor's Birthday

So Connor's Birthday was pretty low-key. He picked steak for dinner and had his two best buds Kevin and Tim over. Sherri and Lauren gave him the book Hunger Games. I wasn't too sure about this gift because Connor just doesn't like to read. Suprisingly though, he has really been enjoying it. Good choice Sherri.The most coveted present was a quilt from Grandma and Grandpa. (picture coming) Braden got one for his birthday and now Connor has one. Wesley is jealous and thinks June just won't come soon enough!

The grand present! A red IPOD. Connor was so excited. It is even engraved with "I Rock Therefore I Am! Connor Rocks!" What would a birthday be without your two closest friends. (Even though one can't take one single serious picture!)

Happy Birthday Connor! I hope you had a wonderful day!!

Happy Birthday Connor!!

Happy Birthday to my 14 year old! Wow, where do the years go? Connor is such a great kid. He's funny and talented in so many areas from sports to music. He recently made the audition choir at the Junior High and is pretty excited about that. Some of my favorite moments are at night when he will sit down at the piano and just plays and plays. I love to listen to him. For his birthday, he wants a harmonica, so he can have a "portable" instrument!! He is always looking for someone to go outside and play lacrosse, or basketball, or learn the latest trick on a skateboard with him. He often thinks that he must have been adopted because we are such a low-key family. He just doesn't feel like he fits in. He has interests in so many different areas and when he puts his mind to something, he can get it done and do it well!

Connor's friend base is so broad that it is hard to keep up with what he is doing and who he is hanging out with on a daily basis. As his mother, I try to keep him under my wing, but it is no easy task! I can't say that he is the most humble person around, but I think that contributes to his overall confident personality, which I think will take him places in the future. He continues to be our most stubborn child who, with the help of his loving parents, is slowly learning when and when not to conform. I think that for the next few years, Connor will definitely keep us on our toes, but we could not imagine what the past 14 years would have been like without him!!

Happy Birthday Connor! I love you!!

GRoWiNG PaiNS!!

So one day I was looking at Connor's hands and realized that they were as big as mine. I have to admit, I felt pretty sad about it. My kids are just growing so fast. Okay, so on most days, I can't wait until my older kids are grown and move away. (Teenagers are hard to handle sometimes!) But on this particular day, I was a bit sad about it.....Wes and Connor amazingly complied with my wishes to take this picture. It is amazing how we seemed to have the same size hands, although mine look very old. Surprisingly, Connor's is the one on the left. Crazy that I can have kids this old!! Where does the time go?!?!!

Happy Valentines Day!

So for years now, we have celebrated Valentines Day with a yummy candlelight dinner. The kids love it and it is nice to have a sweet family tradition to share. Halle just had to take some pictures of Parker's and her valentines gifts. She posed them all different ways. It was really cute. Here is my favorite.

I really am glad that I have such a great family to share this special day with!

Science Fair Project

Last month Braden did a science fair project. He decided to study what would happen to teeth that soaked in Coke, Sprite, Apple Juice and Water. His guess was that the Coke would dissolve the tooth. What he discovered was that it discolored it, but so did the apple juice. All three drink with sugars in them, caused the teeth to shrink a small amount.

Good job Braden!! Great idea!

Wesley's Swimming

So back in April, Wesley finished his high school swimming season. Because the team doesn't get much pool time, they can't really compare to the teams that swim twice a day but they really give it their best shot. They went to regions and held their own. I am just really proud of Wes and his committment to the team. This was his third year swimming on the high school team and he signed up again next year. I love that he is able to be a part of something that teaches him how to work hard and be dedicated.

Way to go WES on another great year!!!

Happy Birthday Braden!

It is hard to believe that Braden is 12! I used to always tell him (before Parker was born) that he would ALWAYS be my baby boy! He hated it and would "argue" with me that he was not my baby. Even though Parker came along and took the spot of forever remaining my baby boy (lucky him), Braden continues to be one of my children that I thought would be my little boy forever. I guess he's out to prove me wrong! Who does he think he is to continue growing up?????

Braden is a great kid. He's smart and funny and has gorgeous eyes. Being the middle child, he often gets lost in the shuffle. He is learning to fight for his position and stand up for himself more and more. I was so proud of him on Sunday for receiving the Priesthood. It's hard to believe he will be passing the sacrament and attending Young Men's. I can't believe how time continues to pass us by. I wish I could slow it all down a little.....