lego submission.

Kosty had me send in {most} of these to the Lego Club magazine. We are really hoping they pick one for their magazine! With those dimples and sweet face, how could they not want to? 

Kosty's graduation.

Call me a sentimental fool, but I never want to forget the way they looked as they walked into their classroom each day. About as high as the doorknob, and cute as cute can be, they were eager little learners and always rushed in the door. 

Check those socks. Being as OCD as he is, I was pretty shocked that the only day he (ever in his life) wanted to wear mismatching socks, was his graduation day. He was supposed to be in his Sunday or uniform best.  Oh well.

At least Madison got it right. 

I took them to lunch on their last day together as classmates. Madison moved to California :( They are simply adorable together. She's the sweet to his sour. 

The sweetest and most patient teacher, Mrs. Harris. Mrs. Harris frequently shared with me  that it was an honor to teach Kosty and what a great leader he was. Kosty misses her already.

I'm not sure whats going on here with his fingers?

They wanted to celebrate at Yogurt Jungle!

first date.

Kosty and I went on our first real date ever. Sadly, he has always rejected the idea. He would rather do anything else than be alone with me. He always asks if Brayden can come too or if he can go with Daddy instead. Feeling just a bit desperate, and knowing that he had almost enough money saved to buy a super cool Lego set, I bribed him with a date no 5 year old boy could possibly refuse: Chick Fila, the Lego Store (with purchase), and Fuzziwugs candy store. I knew that would get him. He has been working his teeny butt off doing extra chores and even doing chores at Grandma's house (whose pay is much more generous than mine). He saved and saved. His goal was the Lego fire rescue boat, and he got it. I need to include a picture of it now that its built. Its pretty sweet. I treasured every moment of our date. Too bad it won't be more than once a year. Cause I know I can't keep buying giant lego sets. So, it was fun while it lasted sweet boy. 


On a side note: I couldn't help but notice how different my dates are with Brayden. Brayden opens doors for me. Says please and thank you. Holds my hand. Compliments me. Is thoughtful and kind. Kosty groaned when I asked him to please open doors for me. He walked ahead. Refused to hold my hand. He did say please and thank you, but it was a clear glimpse into the future of the kind of boyfriends they will be. Kosty will drive girls completely crazy. But they will only love him more. He plays hard to get. Brayden will be so sweet and affectionate that it will backfire on him at times. Some (dumb) girls like a challenge, but he can't help it. He wears his heart on his sleeve. 

girls trip.

i text this to jer & kids...they thought i shrunk ;)

this guy was unbelievable! look at that face and jawline. After a whole lot of staring, we decided that it was NOT a mask. 

My bedmate who was 37 weeks along! so glad she didn't go into labor & ruin our fun ;)

44 kids between all these moms!!!

A few weeks ago, a group of girls from my 'old' ward/neighborhood got together and went to LA. We toured Hollywood blvd, which was fun and I think I was 5 the last time I did that...then we had tickets to Jay Leno, which we barely got into...we obeyed the teleprompter and clapped till our hands were raw and stinging...we had a few BIG misses and a few hits in the yummy food department...we went to Crumbs bakery...we shopped and shopped...we ate way too much and felt ill...some physically got ill ;) ....we stayed up entirely too late and had lots of girl chat...and laughed till we couldn't breathe. Yep, I'd say it was a pretty good weekend. :)

momma's day.

 At Donuts with Divas...the new, cheaper, (and slightly more ghetto) alternative to Muffins with Moms. Darn budget! The principal asked the kids to give their moms a big hug and Brayden just looked at me awkwardly. Darn.

 I awoke Mother's Day morning to Brayden standing over me asking me what I like most for breakfast. I told him pancakes. He was quick to respond with.."just wondering. we're not making breakfast for you or anything." 5 minutes later, he came back and asked me if the griddle needed to be cleaned and what I clean it with. And again he added, "not like we need it or anything.." 5 minutes later, he returned and asked me, "what do you do if the pancake mix is kind of runny? not that we are making pancakes for you or anything.."  I was laughing so hard at that point, tears were streaming down. 5 minutes later......SURPRISE!! I got pancakes in bed. Who woulda thunk?

This got me all choked up. Its been so long since I mentioned wanting a new camera. What a sweet boy to remember and to give me his dollar as a "teeny push" towards my camera fund. He is just soooo unbelievably sweet.  

graduation may.

 SOOO proud of my little sister, Stefanie. She was the first out of all my siblings to graduate from college! I felt deep regret as I watched the ceremony and saw the priceless faces filled with such pride, satisfaction, happiness, accomplishment! Ohhh why oh why didn't I do it? Oh yeah, I was married and having babies. (still should have stuck with it) So glad she did it. 

 With Stef & Maria...Maria, my stepmom, actually graduated from ASU too. They both graduated with honors, and wore gold chords. How cute.

 Jer's brother, Zach, and my brother Zach both graduated from Highland High. It was rather convenient to kill two birds with one stone :)

My Zach to my left, Jer's Zach to my right. Both very special boys! See how Kosty is missing? ya. We noticed right after this picture. I ran over to where we were previously standing and he was sobbing and some sweet girl was helping him look for us. Poor buddy.