jamie's bon voyage

This seems like so long ago! Jamie and I have known each other since her daughter Kylie and Brayden were in nursery together. We joke about the friendship boat that was missed when we were in that first ward together, but then when we both ended up moving to the same neighborhood we finally got to be real friends. This girl is one of a kind. We would each clean our houses on Mondays and always always chat on the phone while we did it. We would chat about the weekend, our kids, our callings, what we aren't doing right and what we want to do better. She always uplifts, and every conversation left me feeling positive. I can tell her anything, and unfortunately for her, I usually do. There are too many good memories to list, but I'm missing her while she's living a dream life for the next 1.5 (?) years in New Zealand. Our friend Melissa threw the most fabulous Bon Voyage party in her honor, and it was the best way to say "see ya later" to this good friend of mine! Miss you Jame!

days of summer.

first official experience with a bottle of "Mr. Bubble"

our favorite candy shop stop, sweeties.

had to try Flipside's mini bowling, laser tag, bumper cars, and arcades. Mini bowling is so genius.

we bought season passes to Big Surf this year and it was our Tuesday tradition

we also bought AZ Science Center year passes & love going there

garden progress, and the cutest cherry tomatoes I've ever seen. 

a nice friend took me for a pedicure on my birthday and it lasted 8 weeks

a little grocery shopping run with two extras.

Harvey.

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Cede had her baby! 

Harvey Mark Lindblom

Born May 15, 2013

He is so adorable. 

Cochise (wax musuem project)

Whoops, wrong order, but that's the least of my concerns at this point ;) Brayden was not too happy about his wax museum person that was chosen for him. But he's lucky his past couple of costumes (he sprang on me at the last second) were pieced together with his and my clothes & shoes. This happens to be the only shirt that I paid quite a bit for hanging in my closet, and he insisted on it....he had a lot of rules with it that day. Mainly, when his speech was over, to fold it nicely and put it inside the giant ziploc and then put straight into his backpack.  Funny thing is, I after helping him and hearing bits and pieces about Cochise for weeks, I kept calling him Geronimo and I can't tell you one thing about him. Sorry, Cochise. 

oh hey jamie!

remember these? just happened to see them as I was attempting to update this beast of a blog, and instead of emailing, this was easier :) the good old days! Brayden's bowling party, halloween party, splash park...I think you forgot your camera that day (YOU!??? Weird!) which would explain why I have so many pics of Kylie and Jayden all alone. That hayride was a hit...love jennie in her zombie bride get up. Good times. 

last day of school.

 first day/ last day

A friend of mine always does a side by side of the first day of school and the last day of school to see how much the kids grew that year. Somehow the way I took it makes it appear that they shrunk, if anything. According to Brayden's teacher, he grew 5"...or something. Which I know is not true. She must have been in a hurry. Brayden got to make tie dye shirts and all the class mates signed the back. I loved how the whole staff at the school lined up and waved goodbye as we all drove away from the school that day. 

We wanted to go out to dinner to celebrate and of course, in raising opposite children, there was a conflict with where to go. Brayden picked Gecko Grill, which is one of our favorite restraunts that has recently reopened in a new location, so we were all excited to go. But...Koston voted Taco Bell. (!!!!)  Since it was a celebratory dinner, I did cater to both their different cravings. 

Koston and Mrs. Boyd (the best 1st grade teacher of all time)
Brayden refused a picture with Mrs. Makiyama (who he thought was the worst 4th grade teacher of all time. It was a rough year, for sure.)