First Swimming Lesson

Last month Braxton completed his first swimming lesson. Through a friend, I found a lady who teaches lessons for $25 for 2 weeks from someone's indoor pool. So, it was a small class, and perfect! Braxton was the oldest and the only boy. His teacher was great. I don't know how she can have so much patience, all the girls except one and Braxton were so bouncy and loud. Braxton and his friend Reagan were so timid about the water, but his teacher worked so good with them both. Braxton has always been afraid of water and getting his head wet. Every bath and shower was a fight to wash and rinse his hair. And very rarely would he get more than just his feet in a swimming pool. But now, if he gets in the tub he is always saying, "Mom do you want to see me put my face in the water? See how long I can hold my breath under water." We are so excited for his next lessons to start this month. Though, I am sad that I signed up and paid for them at the local public pool before I found his great teacher.

T-ball

So this year we decided it was finally time to put Braxton into a sport. We chose Coed Kindergarten T-ball. Most of his friends were signing up too, so he was excited. However, I guess we didn't all sign up at the same time because his friends are all on one team, and he is on another. It doesn't bother him at all though, he makes friends very easily. So, here are some pics of him during a game. He is so cute and little, everyone else is bigger than he is. Colby took him to buy his mitt, he was so excited that his Dad was taking just him somewhere alone. Here he is in outfield with his coach directing the team.When he runs the bases he holds the helmet on with both hands, because his noggin is too small. And when he bats, he is so focused and not taking the bat with him when he runs, that sometimes he swings and throws the bat in the process, and then takes off running. He doesn't realize that he hasn't hit the ball. So, they walk him back to home plate and try again. His team is so funny, there is only one girl and she is the coach's daughter....and might I add the best player. But all of the team runs to catch the ball when they are in outfield. Colby and I love watching the games. We just sit back, cheer him on, and get a kick out of all of their antics.

Here is Braxton standing on first base at the game when he played his friends' team. Cobe Rasmussen standing on first with him, and Seth Larson playing shortstop. His friend Adam Waite on third base, getting ready to run home.

Cobe guarding third base. I loved this picture, it just shows how cute they are. All of these boys are starting first grade next year. He has made some great friends from kindergarten, our neighborhood and the ward.

Happy New Couch Day!

This is what we were telling all of our friends and family all day long on Tuesday. We have waited 2 years to replace our hodgepodge of couches downstairs in the basement. We had pieced together a futon and an old sectional from Colby's parents in order to have seating in front of our big TV. This is where we all watch movies, play video games and where adults watch TV. Very rarely are the kids allowed down here since Colby's office is down here too. We waited to receive our Tax Rebate/Incentive (whatever they are calling it), then on Memorial day we went around town and priced different sectionals. It had to be a sectional in order to get down our stairway. We also wanted something that could seat 6-8 people, since we love to have friends and family over after the kids are in bed. After hours of debate, and a lot of mind changing, we decided on one from RC Willey, and made the purchase. It couldn't be delivered until a week later, but that gave me plenty of time to clean out the "entertainment room". After vacuuming, dusting, moving the futon into Colby's office where it was originally supposed to go, and sending the old sectional to a yard sale, we were ready. Monday night Colby and I watched a movie down there on a spare mattress to kind of say goodbye to the old setup, and for Tuesday evening we had invited friends over to eat Chinese takout and watch "The Fifth Element" on Blu-ray to welcome the new addition into our home. Tuesday around 10am, my mom dropped me off from a meeting, and we were thrilled to see the RC Willey truck at my home. They were just bringing the last two pieces in. The guys had a bit of trouble getting it down the stairway, but it was worth the effort. We thanked them, offered drinks, and sent them on their way. Colby declared that we were never going to be able to move again, which was to his chagrin, but I thought was fine. We skipped down the stairs to soak up the comfort and feel the excitement of it finally being here. Okay, I'm sorry if all of this seems a little cheesy to some of you, but you don't understand how uncomfortable the other setup was. Especially for me last year during pregnancy. The basement is very cold in the summer, and when you are prego, you just want to cool off, and put your feet up after a long day and watch some telly. Those other couches were near impossible to get a pregnant woman out of without someone's help. For those who were not in a child bearing state, we had massive amounts of spare pillows and blankets all over the room for propping beneath you, beside you, and anywhere else the couch/futon cut into your body. So, for us and those who have spent long hours downstairs, this was an exciting day. Almost like Christmas for me (Now I know why Colby was as gidding as a child when his laptop was delivered last summer). So, here are pics of our beautiful, and extremely comfortable new couch.
That night we actually fit 12 people on this, that's including our kids though. The couch is kinda high which helps to get out of it, it's also leather for easy cleaning, and has a 10-year warranty on the cushions, something that sold us big-time. One end has a recliner and the other a lounger.

Please don't stop the music...

This is the overall opinion in our home. Please....don't stop the music. My kids all love music, and they like the music that is popular now days. All of my boys have started "rocking" to music at a young age, Tristan is just carrying on the tradition.

Girls' Night Out!

Last night was my turn to host Girls' Night Out. This is something a bunch of us have started in my neighborhood. The hostess gets to decide what we're doing or where we're going. So, we all met at my home between 6:30 and 7pm and we headed to my favorite place to eat right now, Costa Vida! Then it was off to bowl. Now, this is something I love to do, but have never been very good at. However, it doesn't stop me from trying and having a great time with friends - Denise, Rachel, Jackie, and Jeanette. Afterwards we headed back to my place to play rock band together, but as so many other times, we ended up talking and getting to know one another better until almost 1 in the morning. Sorry, hubbies for stealing them for so long, but it was definitely something we all needed. Thanks for attending gals, I had a great time! Notice my terrible score, sheesh! Sorry for the not-so-well-lit pics, I was having technical difficulties.

Mother's Day!

So, kudos to Colby! This is the first Mother's day he has gotton me a gift from him and the boys. And it is something you wouldn't think of, but that I really really wanted. Another guitar for Rock Band. Now when we all play there can be a guitar and a bass. I was so excited. He tried so hard to make it a surprise, but the problem was taking Braxton with him to get it. He gave him an entire lecture about how this was a surprise and not to tell mom anything. Then Braxton came right home and said, "I'm not supposed to tell you this mom." And I continued to ask if he had done something naughty or if it was a surprise from dad. Because the first of those he should always talk to me about. He said that dad told him not to say anything to me about what they bought me. So I hurried and cut him off by saying, "Don't tell me then, I don't want to know, I like surprises." He kept hinting around about it for a few more minutes while I continually tried to stear the conversation elsewhere. In the end he says, "Okay mom, I won't tell you, just that it's for a game you like." Argh! Now I knew what it was. And I had to wait a whole 3-4 days to act like I didn't know and then be surprised when I opened it. In the end Colby found out that Braxton had ruined the surprise, so he just gave it to me the night before Mother's Day. Here are a few pics since then. A bunch of us playing at the surprise birthday party we threw for Colby's brother Ty. Sorry about the red eye on everyone, I don't know what was going on that night.

Colby's Results on the Princess Quiz

You Are Ariel!

Headstrong and fiesty. You have a mind of your own that's full of romantic dreams about the world around you. Exploring exotic places is your ultimate dream, and although you can be a little naive you'll realize that there is something to be gained from your family's wisdom.

Which Disney Princess Are You?

Colby's Celebrity Soulmate

Take the Quiz

Colby Junior?

Braxton is so much like Colby. You can almost always find him on a computer, video game, or playing with legos. The older he gets, the more he looks like him as well. Even with his glasses. He is the ultimate perfectionist, and doesn't stop until everything is in place just right. Or, he has killed the end boss, mastered the song on rock band, or finished the level in a game. Now, just to get him outside utilizing these traits. We will soon. He starts T-ball this week, and finishes his first swimming lesson. He does have some qualities from me. A movie lover and a great reader, and he loves to socialize with friends from 3 yrs to 30 yrs. I am as much a perfectionist as Colby. Our poor children are doomed to never let things be until they are just so. Love ya B!

My Little Engineer

Gabe is so good with building things. He is so determined to make something work his way. Here he is building a train track and using other train cars as lifts for the road. He is so smart, and he gets so frustrated when things don't work out his way. But that doesn't stop him from trying and trying again. Even to the point of throwing something because it doesn't work. When I get him up in the morning, he has built a new track in his room with Take-a-long Thomas trains. And all morning in the family room his is constructing something our of Geotrax. I love you Gabie!