Life Lately

So here is our business logo. It's kindof grainy b/c I couldn't figure out how to download it...it was in some vector format and wouldn't upload so I decided to scan it. After cropping it, this is what it looks like. The real one will be in a neat shade of blue and it is clear, of course.
Basically we've been really busy with the business. We are supposed to start framing any day now...just waiting for permits to come through. It's starting to get exciting!


This is a picture of the building. You can't see the whole thing from this, but to give you a better picture, there is another building exactly opposite of this one and it's connected by an archway. It has a matching tower. The tower, however, is all for looks...too bad! It would be fun to have a twirly slide coming down it or a fort up there!

Last week I had the opportunity to send my boys on the airplane to grandma & grandpa Dance's home in Bellevue. I took them to the airport, sent them on the plane, and enjoyed 5 days with just Tom, Jane, and Myself. It was heaven. I was ready for them to come home after the 5 days and they had a blast. Thank goodness for Southwest...$29 each way! We are going to make this a tradition. The boys getting off the airplane.

Grandma took them to Discovery Park and they had so much fun looking for sea life!They will never forget their trip to Seattle by themselves!

So that is about it for now. Jane is getting SO big! I have to post a picture of her soon. I haven't taken any in a few weeks...oh my...and she's almost crawling! She's trying to scoot along, it's so cute!

Graduation time

We seem to have a ceremony for everything these days. Not that graduating from preschool and kindergarten aren't momentous occasions, but is it really necessary?

OK, OK, So they were really cute. Braden graduated from preschool last week and we had the pleasure of hearing his class sign the abc's, their names, they counted to 100 by 10's and then 1's, and they sang a few cute songs.

Then today we went to Cameron's kindergarten graduation where we heard the whole kindergarten (about 100 kids) sing songs and then watched as one by one, they went up to the podeum, shook hands with their teacher, accepted their certificate and stood on the X to take a picture.
They were both really cute and I'm really proud of my boys. They have come a LONG way this year and both really come out of their shell. Don't get me wrong, they are still both totally shy and freaked out at the thought of giving a talk in primary, but it's been so good for me to see them grow up this year and watch them interact with other adults and kiddos in a school setting. I must be doing something right because as crazy as my boys are at home, both their teachers tell me how well behaved they are and plesant to have in their classes.

Congratulations Braden!

Doing the pledge...oops, wrong hand Braden!

Cameron with his teacher, Mrs. English.Cam with his kindergarten buddies.

Me and my handsome boy! (he just ate a blue cupcake & you can see the blue on his teeth!)

Braden's Birthday

Thank you everyone for your birthday suggestions! It definately gave me some ideas...in the end I got him

1. a new pair of Keen sandals for summertime

2. a mini skateboard for the cul-de-sac (to add to the bloody knees of summer)

3. a boogie board (for the hours we spend each week at the lake)

4. a playground ball for the back yard (kickball anyone?)

We had a "party" at Jump-a-Lot. The kids had a blast.

We topped it off with a Pizza Party at our favorite pizza place. We took over the place but the kids had a great time!

I can't believe my little boy is 5 years old!

Braden is such a sweet boy. He really is my tender hearted kid. He loves babies and the other day asked me if he could go next door to play with baby Jackson (our darling 1 year old neighbor). He is my kid that is SO stubborn. He is very particular about what he wears. He could spend an hour in front of the mirror doing his hair (wetting it, re-wetting it, combing it, re-combing it). He takes his own sweet time when we do anything (there is no such thing as "Braden, quickly jump in the car"...he needs sufficient warning so he can finish whatever he is doing). He is my kid that you can bribe to do about anything for a piece of candy (including quickly getting in the car)! Then when he gets the candy, he'll bite it in half and give half to you if you ask. He will do ANYthing for his sister Jane, who he just adores!

I love that boy!

HELP!!!

Braden's birthday is this Wednesday and I have NO IDEA what to get him! You'd think with Braden being my second boy I'd have some clue but I don't. We have plenty of legos and playmobil guys. I'm going to start Kinex next Christmas but I'm not ready to delve into that one right now. He's already getting Cameron's hand-me-down bike (while Cam gets a brand new bigger one...the life of a first child!), and he got a scooter for Christmas last year. So please, if you have any ideas of gifts to give my darling almost 5-year-old boy, please share! I'm at a loss.

A taste of summer

It's finally warming up! We've enjoyed a few 80+ degree days and will get a few more before it cools off again next week. So today I made a major Costco run. What did I get? Well, water bottles, strawberries, sunscreen, watermelon, some food storage (yeah, we'll save that for another post) in addition to the "regulars". I've already picked up my huge, double beach towel and beach umbrella, to go with my buckets, shovels, and the sand at the beach!

What else comes with this time of year? Well, we've already planted a few shrubs and annuals, and will enjoy a fun Saturday planting the garden!

Can you tell I'm just REALLY happy that it's warm? After enduring the longest winter in history (quite literally), with very few complaints, I think we all deserve some sun! (Braden is riding our neighbors motorcycle.)

On another note, we are quite excited that our dad comes home today! Tom's been gone for the week and now he'll be home for a whole month before he has to travel again! Yipee! Although he will be working on the new business, which will be crazy for him, but at least he'll be here at bedtime.

I had to post a few of Jane. She's sitting up, eating food (thus the messy face), and just really brings so many smiles to everyone in our family! She loves her brothers so much and they both think that they are her favorite!

Here we go...

So we did it. Tom signed the lease today for a building space about 2 miles from our home. We have been in the works for some time now, but it finally is official. Now it's plans, plans, and more plans. And a lot of stress to go along with it. Yippee!
whew...here we go!

I forgot to put in a picture of my baby all dressed up for the wedding! She was so smiley and cute!

Happy Days!

Tom and I celebrated our 10 year wedding anniversary this weekend! What a great way to celebrate...in Las Vegas! We did a little shopping (yeah for H&M), ate out (California Pizza Kitchen, Olive Garden, and In & Out...yes, I think we both gained 5 pounds!), and hung out with family. It was a great weekend away from the kids (well, Jane's still attached). My brother, Christian, was married on Saturday (in Vegas...thus the trip) to a wonderful girl and my new sister-in-law, Amy. The wedding and open house was awesome. It was great to see Chris so happy!My parents were not able to be there (they just left on their mission to South Africa one month ago). Here are the kids in age order...We all kindof match, not even meaning to! Don't I have a cute family? It was tons of fun being together!

It was great to spend the weekend with my sweetheart. After ten years, I love him more than ever!

"Twilight" Fans Only...

OK so I HAD to post this link. For all you "Twilighters", take a few minutes to watch these clips from the upcoming movie!!! Can't wait!

http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?id=1585900&vid=222543

New Post?

Lots is happening and nothing is happening. Does that make sense? First of all, Jane turns 6 months this week. I'm without a camera this week so I can't post any pictures but I will soon. She's sitting up all by herself and is just as cute as can be these days!

The boys are doing great. We're working on being really big and having them do things all by themselves. Tom's travelling to Utah a lot and I am going a little nuts. I feel sorry for any wife who has a husband who travels. School is hard, but at least they are home at night. Thank goodness we just had some neighbors move in next door who are great. They have 3 kids, one of which is a boy Bradens age who goes to his primary class with him and preschool class. It's great. I feel safer and also my boys have a tramp right next door to get rid of a little extra energy.

We are going to Vegas this weekend for my brothers wedding. I'm SO excited. Not only to see my family, but to get away with just Tom (and jane) for the weekend. Pictures to follow! (Plus, it's our 10 year wedding anniversary weekend!!!)

Lastly, we've made a decision. Yup. We are really excited. Not only about the outcome, but also that we don't have to decide anymore. So I'm not going to say what it is yet, because until papers are signed, I don't dare. More to come though!!!

The Basement

So Tom has spent his spare time the last few months (well, 9 now) doing the basement. He framed it, sheetrocked it (thanks to his family for helping), tiled, did the trim work (thanks to Zack, my brother-in-law who is a creative genius...look for the railing...and basically the playhouse and deck was a copy of his idea from his home), and now we are just finishing painting the trim so the carpet can be installed when it comes in next week! I'm posting this b/c Tom's in Utah right now working for the week and wanted to show some of his friends who are finishing their basement right now, what he's done. Good job, hunny! He can use a dental drill and work in tiny kids mouths and now he can use a big drill, saw, hammer to do about whatever puts his mind to!

Question

So why is it that I am constantly dressing my daughter in PINK and I am constantly getting asked the question, "Is it a boy or a girl?" Today in TCBY I got asked. She was in Salmon pink PJ's with flowers on them!!! And her carseat is half PINK half brown and green with flowers!

The other day I was at the grocery store and Jane had on a purple velour sweatsuit and a white bow in her hair. A lady comes up to me and says, "Your baby is so cute." I thank her and smile. Then she looks at her socks and NO JOKE says, "Good thing she has these ruffly socks on or you wouldn't know if she's a boy or a girl."

I am seriously contemplating piercing her ears!

"Mom, take our picture with Jane"

Jane is growing up so fast! She's already in her 6-9 month clothes!

One more thing...

Oh, and what's going on (job)?? Well, right now we are still undecided. Tom is working part time for a doctor in Spokane Valley (just when he is out of town). He averages 2 days/week there (although it is a week here, a few days there, none the next week) and he is flying to Utah once/month (but twice this month...lucky me). So he is getting enough work in to get us by. We just don't want to do anything until we feel really good about something. There are some great opportunities in Spokane, but we don't really want to move, and don't want Tom to commute. There is options in Hayden (which is right by our home), but none of the building/lease options are quite falling into place how we'd like them to. There just continues to be bumps along this road and I feel strongly that when the right thing comes along, it won't necessarily be easy, but it will feel good and we'll go for it. We are pretty sure we've narrowed the field to this area though. We aren't going to move. We love it here and after all our travels the last few weeks, it was reconfirmed to us just why we love it so much and why we moved here in the first place!

Spring Break...whew!

We enjoyed quite a spring break last week! Ready for a novel? Here goes!
It all started with a wedding in Seattle! JeVonne and Paul were married in the Seattle temple Saturday, March 22nd. It was SO great! JeVonne is always a babe, but I've never seen her this gorgeous! She was glowing...as most brides do!
Easter morning, I rushed off to the airport to fly to SLC to surprise my parents who were leaving for their mission Monday morning. I just had to see them one last time and get some pictures with Jane, since she'll be 2 years old when they return! It was a great trip! We saw my parents, then I was able to visit a few others.

We stayed with my sister, Emily, and Jane just LOVED her cousin Adam. He is 3 and was making her laugh any chance he could.

We were able to visit Great-G&G Hawkes in Spanish Fork, Utah.

Then I got to see Tiffany and her 4 kids (go Tiff!). It was fun to see little Camilla who is just a few weeks younger than Jane (although you wouldn't know by those cute cheeks!!!). With the exception of Roxy, Tiffany and I have had all three of our kids within a month of each other!

I finally made it up to Salt Lake to have lunch with friends Mandee and Heather (and see their darling girls), and then I just HAD to see the newest addition to the Cannon family (our old neighbors in sugarhouse), little redheaded Lily Cate. Lily is 2 weeks old! So cute!

Our Utah trip went by so fast and I only saw a fraction of the people I wanted to, but I guess that's what happens when I only have 2 days! We did pretty good though, huh?

I flew back to Seattle where Cameron was so excited to see me and Jane again (Tom flew back to work here in CDA and Braden drove with Aunt Chan and Uncle Dave to Portland). We had lunch with old friends, Catherine, Eryn, and Traci and our...let's count...10 kids (2 not there) and 2 on the way (holy cow...we multiplied fast)! It was so fun to catch up with them!

We attended Jakes soccer game that night with umbrellas and blankets (and at the end of the game the pouring rain turned into snow) and cameron FREAKED when we left 5 minutes before the game was over! He wanted to see it till the end!

We THEN went to Portland the next morning where we spent 2 1/2 FUN FILLED days with Aunt Chan, Uncle Dave, Cousin Dallin and Anne Marie. They all had an absolute blast together! THey just LOVE Dallin and Annie was right by Jane any chance she could get! I could go on for paragraphs about our fun times in Portland but this is already a novel! It was a great time and a great vacation. Now we are home and it's taken me about 3 days to unwind from it all! Whew!