Spring Break!!

Ok... I am so far behind on blogging that you better sit down and relax...this is going to be a LONG one!

First on the agenda: SPRING BREAK!!
There is soo many great things to post about Spring Break...that I don't even know where to begin. Oh...yes I do. I am starting with my VERY favorite part of Spring Break. I mean my VERY favorite part!








Is she not the SWEETEST baby you have seen? Maybe it's because it's been a few years since a baby has been around...but I could not get enough of little Aftyn! I spent the whole week fighting with my girls, and Heather for snuggling time with Aftyn. I really hope we didn't ruin her for Courtney...because this little angel did not get put down in the 6 days we were there. Thanks to Mom, Becky and Courtney who let us hog her the whole time! They do get to see her every day though! She is such a sweetheart and it she truly was the highlight of the trip!

We did a lot of other fun stuff besides baby snuggling. We took the kids to an apple packing company, which they thought was really cool. sorry no pictures of this :( I was probably holding the baby so I forgot to grab the camera!

We had 2 great Easter egg hunts. At Grandmas, there were 2 golden eggs (with $5 inside) and 2 silver eggs (with $3 in) for the kids to find, among the 255 eggs the Easter bunny hid. Sydney found the first golden egg and Aftyn (really Courtney!) found the second golden egg. The kids had so much fun, and were completely LOADED up on candy! We also went to a nearby resort that had a Easter egg hunt, and even got to visit with the Easter Bunny. It was great weather, and boy were we glad to be out of the Utah snow for Easter egg hunting! That really didn't sound fun.


Tyson and the Easter Bunny


The "big kids"


Our little kids rocked!


Tyson bumming hard with NO golden egg!


Kylie and her golden find!

Monday night we went to a stake play that I had 2 cousins performing in. It was Beauty and the Beast. My cousin Mel's husband, Milo, played the bookeeper, and my cousin David played Lapoo. They were so great and the kids LOVED the entertainment. I never knew acting was in our blood! Thanks for inviting us Mel!

The kids loved driving Grandpas golf cart around the yard... the bushes and trees in the yard did not enjoy the under experienced drivers, however. Hopefully everything will survive the "few" accidents.

It was such a great trip. Thanks to Mom, We are very glad we made the 12+ hour drive to visit my family. Getting back to real life is challenging, yet refreshing!

Next up: WOMENS CONFERENCE!
A few good friends and I decided to head to Womens Conference this year at BYU and stay in the dorms. If you have never done this before...let me just say. DO IT!!! It was sooo much fun. I truly needed this little get away full of spiritual enlightenment. The classes were fabulous, and my friends are the best. We really had the best time. The ONLY sad part was that we somehow left the weekend without a BYU mint brownie that we had been soo looking forward to. I guess BYU was not prepared for the amount of brownies 20thousand or something women could consume in a few days, and they ran out. Sad times...but don't worry we are going next year. First thing on the agenda will be grabbing a brownie while they are still around! I didn't take enough pictures...another reason to go back next year!
Here we are at one of the fabulous classes


Here we are at Los Hermanos...YUMMY!


Oh I have so much more to post...like a Lagoon day with Brian and Kylie, Dexter's first soccer game (I'll let Heather do that one...it is good!), Brian and Brett taking all the kids to jump on it with no serious injuries,a trip from Becky's gang, which included a sleepover with 11 kids (CRAZY!), and lots of other fun stuff...but I am feeling blogger overwhelmed...so this is it for now. Except one last story that I just HAD to share. My sweet hubby needs your prayers.
Last week Brian was doing a hardwood floor for a neighbor and friend in our old ward. He is a 74 year old man, but is young in personality, and spirit. He collapsed in front of Brian with a massive heart attack. Brian did CPR for about 10-15 min until the paramedics arrived. It was a VERY chaotic and awful scene, with the wife watching the whole thing, completely hysterical. (I don't blame her ONE bit!) Anyway, the paramedics took him away still unconscious and not breathing on his own. He did have a little pulse but a very irregular heart beat. He lived on life support for 3 days until the family knew it was his time to go, and there was going to be no coming back for him. The funeral was yesterday. Brian has really struggled with this whole event. He was able to meet the whole family yesterday at the funeral, and that helped a lot. All the children thanked him for his efforts in keeping him alive, even just for a few days for the family to gather and say goodbye. They are such a gracious and wonderful family. Several years ago this man was given 6 mos to live from a previous heart attack, so they were glad for any remaining time they had left with him. I am so proud of Brian, and how he was able to stay calm, and do absolutely everything he could for this man. All the paramedics and police said he couldn't have done ANYTHING better. Anyway...give a little prayer for Brian, he needs them right now. He is doing better every day though, and I know it will be just a matter of time and this will all be behind him.

Tomorrow I get to spend the day with the 5th graders at the BYU Marriot Center, getting ready for their Hope of America performance tomorrow night. Wish me luck on the bus ride...but don't worry there will be BYU mint brownies for sale once I get there. I am pretty sure it is going to be a good day!

I can still hear the screaming

The girls sporting their new "T's"


Sooo excited...The concert is about to start!

I think my ears are permanently damaged! LOUD, but awesome! Imagine 10,000 screaming teenage girls. It is truly deafening! It was soo worth losing the hearing! David has really come out of his shell and is so much more comfortable on stage than when he was on AI. He looks like he is having an absolute blast on stage! 0090He sounds awesome live! Just as good as his cd! The girls had a blast! They were so fun to watch. Kylie was convinced that David waved right at her one time :)!
The ONLY bad news was that Brian had my camera in his truck and so when we went to leave for the concert I couldn't find it anywhere. Kylie brought hers...but it is a $20 cheap WalMart camera. So cheap that as I am now looking at all the pictures on my computer...there is 2 that turned out. Both of the girls. Well..they are cute at least. We had good seats too...not like the stinking camera had to zoom very far! Just trust me when I say David looked ADORABLE!!

We were told that after the concert he would be signing autographs back by the exit gate where he would depart from. So right after "crush" (Kylie's favorite!)we headed outside to wait. We were about 20th in line so were feeling pretty confident we would get to see him up close and personal. Maybe even get an autograph! It was 30 degrees outside...sooo COLD! I somehow made it to the concert with no jacket. Kylie and I traded off warming up in her jacket. She was in short sleeves but her adrenaline was keeping her warm! 45 min later we were almost FROZEN! A nice man came out and said that David normally comes and signs autographs after wards...but that he had about 100 family members backstage that he hadn't seen in almost a year...and so he would not be coming out. Family shamily! URGGG!! We froze for 45 min for NOTHING! It was 11:30 by this time too, and we had a 45 min drive home still. Of course I had to get up for work at 5:30 this morning! It was totally worth it though...just to see the girls having a great time. I am sure it won't be the last Archie concert we attend! Next time with coats and cameras!

No name Post

I don't know what to call this post because it is totally random junk. So, I am calling it no name post. Hey, I can't have all the talent in the family. Creativity is my ONLY downfall. :)
So, I was at the park the other day walking my dog, and a cute little girl, maybe age 5 asked me if she could pet my dog Ruby. Of course I said yes...and a minute later she asked what kind of dog it is. I replied: A Shih tzu. She looked at me for a minute and then said "My mom does not let me say that word", and she got up and left. I was laughing so hard I couldn't even respond. It was so cute and innocent. I am sure she went home and told her Mom there was a bad lady at the park. I hope I don't run into them together at the grocery store, and she ratts me out to her Mom!

The next day Tyson was over at Heathers playing with Wesley. He LOVES playing with Wesley. He adores him! On the way back home Tyson said to me :"I wish Wesley could be my brother but you could still be my Mom." It broke my heart. I soo wish he could have a little brother. Thank heavens he has a great Dad who plays with him constantly! I am however, so glad my girls have each other. I think it would be TERRIBLE to not have a sister! I kinda like mine, anyway.

We are finally feeling settled in here at the new house. I was called as Primary Secretary. It should be so fun and much less stressful than YW President! I love it so far! We have a gigantic primary with 150 kids! Let me just say that I am soo not used to that, and unless we sit in the very front of sacrament meeting, I can't even hear over all the crying babies. It is nuts! Very nice ward though, and the kids are making good friends.


Tyson just finished "Shark nets". It is an after school program where they do fun activities such as playing games, hanging out with friends, and speed stacking. He loved it! It was a great way for him to meet new friends, which is hard for him. Although he seems so outgoing, he is very shy at first. Kinda like his Dad in that respect! He was a dang fast speed stacker!

Tyson's "speedy" speed stacking! Go buddy!




The girls and I are going to the David Archuleta concert this Friday night. They are soo excited they can't stand it! I am excited too...mostly to watch them swoon over David Archuleta. They get so funny when they get to see famous people in person. It is hilarious! I will get some good pics to post. Don't hold your breath though, because you all know how fast I am at posting! :)
That's all the excitement at out house for now. But watch out E Center for the Wade girls on Friday! It's about to get wild!

Where do I begin?

So since we started packing 3 weeks ago, I have completely put of blogging! I was busy the first two weeks packing, unpacking and all of that. But this last week I just haven't blogged because I am so far behind that I don't know where to even begin. Here are a few of the last month's highlights. Sadly it is not very exciting..but I would have it no other way! Caution: long post ahead! 4 weeks is a lot of blogging to catch up on!


First, Brian's best friend from 1st grade until now, Pete, came into town and got Brian GREAT seats to the Jazz game. It happened to be the game after Larry Miller died and they did a tribute to him. They had such good seats, and Brian took about a million pictures of Jazz players that I can not name. Just what I needed, more useless pictures on my computer! I am glad they had a great time though!



Darren Williams handing the game ball to Larry Miller's wife



Brian and Pete outside the Jazz game

Next was Tyson's last Basketball game. Can I just say...what a stud! He must have known that it was his last game and that we had the camcorder going. That boy was on FIRE! He scored 14 points in the first half!! Several people asked me what I fed him for breakfast that morning! He was so fun to watch! Tyson had a fabulous coach who was encouraging, positive, and really taught them a lot about the game. He made this season so great for the kids! I hope we can get him next season! It almost made me sad that the season is over!


Tyson won this war for the loose ball!


I LOVE this picture. Tyson had just made a basket...
look at that grin! :)



Tyson's teammates and his awesome coach

Last weekend we took the kids up to the outdoor sportsman expo in Sandy. They LOVE this every year. The girls went off on their own, so I mostly have pictures of Tyson. He was my little buddy that day. We fished together, golfed together, tied fly fishing lures together, and had a great time hanging out together. Tyson was totally loving all this "outdoor" stuff. It was his day of pure bliss! There was also baby bear cubs there if you wanted to pay $10 to hold them. I told the kids no way...but the girls spent their own money and got a picture with the cute little cubs. They really were unbelievably adorable. Not everyone can say they have held a real bear!




Tyson "fishing"




Tyson "tying" his own fly. He loved this!


The finished product...looks like a fly?



Tyson begged me to buy this for him. If only I ha a few
more dollars in my wallet..it would have been his!



The girls and their baby! (friend Maddie too!)




Now the most exciting news of all.... Yesterday my little brother and his wife Courtney had their new little girl Aftyn. She was 8 lbs 5 or 6 oz (apparently there is a dispute on this). This is their 3rd little girl , and she is soo lucky to have Matt and Courtney as her parents. They ROCK with little girls. She is absolutely adorable and we can't wait to meet her in person...hopefully during spring break!

The Perfect Sport for Tyson

Tyson guarding his man like a hawk!



I am sure he was shouting "I'm open, pass it to me!" (little bit of a ball hog!)



So finally after obsessions with soccer, swimming, and baseball, Tyson convinced me to sign him up for basketball this year. Being vertically challenged, I was not sure this was a great idea. This little boy of ours can negotiate though, and that he did! I am so glad he talked me into letting him play. He absolutely LOVES this sport. I think it is perfect for him because there is never any standing still. It is constant action, and if you know Tyson ...that fits him perfectly! He is the 2nd smallest on his team, but he is aggressive, fast, handles the ball well,and plays awesome defense! He made 5 baskets yesterday in his game, his season high. He was so excited that he would jump up and down and look at Brian and I and remind us how much we owed him. Brian had agreed to pay him 25 cents for each basket! $1.25 he shouted as he made the last basket! Way to go buddy...you earned each basket!

In other news...we rented our house and have to be out by March 1st. We are sad to leave, but all feel very strongly that it is right. I don't know why, because when I really think about it, all reason tells me I want to stay. But, I am so grateful for the peaceful feeling I have had, and the assurance that for some reason this is what is best for our family. Brian and I both feel that very strongly, and that has made this move so much easier. Wish me luck the next few weeks...we have been in this house almost 6 years and we have accumulated A LOT of crap to move! For all of you...anyone within an hours distance is expected to come help pack the crap with us!

It's Official

Yes we have put our house up for rent. I have avoided it as long as I possibly could! But seeing how the spec has not sold...we need to get rid of one payment! We will be moving into the spec home as soon as this one rents, unless the spec rents//sells first! My kids will still go to the same school..so all is well. Wish us luck! On some good news...we went to the Draper Temple Open house last Saturday and it was awesome! Such a BEAUTIFUL temple and the kids had a great experience. They all promised me they would do what it takes to be married in the temple someday. I feel pretty confident as my kids NEVER break their promises to their Mom!! :) Overall things are great for us...and we are STILL looking forward to spring. The stinking groundhog saw his shadow so I guess it won't be early this year. Oh well!
P.S. The cat comes with the house

Happy Birthday Sydney!

Sydney "doing" her hair



Easter 2002 (she loves dresses!)




State swim trophy





Loving the Dolphins in Hawaii





Sydney with Snoopy




Sydney at the hair school...with her new "up-do"




Our baby girl turned 11 today! That is seriously messed up. She always seems to be the one that I struggle with her getting older. Maybe it is because she is so little. It just doesn't seem possible that she is already 11! Sydney is such a sensitive, sweet little girl! She has always been my very best helper, and does anything to make others happy. (Let's hope this is a good thing in the future!)Sydney always tries to do what is right, and when she doesn't she feels terrible. She gets heartbroken when she knows Brian and I are disappointed in her. We love her so much and are so grateful for the fun, sweet personality she brings into our home. Sydney had a teacher tell me once that she wishes she had a room full of Sydney's because she is such a good kid. Not much else to say! My only complaint about Sydney is how stinking fussy she is over her hair. Drama in the morning time! Must have got that from Brian! Love you to pieces Syd the Kid! P.S. I have no baby pic's of Sydney on my computer because that was before the day of digital cameras...and I don't have a scanner!