Devins Band Concert

Devin has started playing the trumpet this year and has been doing a great job! He has been second chair since he started. The 6th grade band is so big that the concert is the first time that they all played together. There are over 200 band members and over 30 trumpet players. I think they did a good job. See the video below.

As part of the concert, they asked if one of the parents could go up and play. Sure I'll go. Do you get extra credit for this.-you know your dad ACTUALLY plays the trumpet. Lets just say, I was not the only one just blowing random notes.

It was fun to see Devin perform- Way to go Dev!

Devins Band Winter Concert

1st day of school

Salt Lake trip

It has been a while since we have done the downtown tour. We thought we could see everything but there was so much to see, we will have to do it again. The kids could not get over how big everything was up close.

Girl time

Ok, this would look crazy anywhere else but Utah. But we filled up the WHOLE place. Not included are my mom and me and susies little one. It is so rare that I get moments like this. I really relish them when I can. Growing up with a lot of sisters and then having majority boys in your home. Girl time is a must.

At the Joseph Smith Memorial Building with Susan and Michelle. Braeden got lost there and nearly caused me to go into full panick mode. Ok, I was there already on the inside- The workers had posted at all the doors and his description was out. After we found him- HIDING!!! Ugh! The sweet workers would see us throughout the place and I guess from his description, would come up and comment-"Oh, is this the boy?", "the little brown shirt boy". We were famous.

My sister Lori took me to the ABBA concert. can I say FLASHBACKS. Ok, I am not that old- but my sister is-he he he. I love their music and we were the "dancing queens".

summer cont...

We had a lot of cousin time. We had to get it in. We were lucky to be able to spend three weeks there. The Dawsons just moved there as well so we had even extra cousins this year. The kids are already talking about going back.

This year was the Bunker reunion. It was fun catching up with the Harris family and all of their new additions. Some great stories were told and memories made. This picture is of my mom. She is telling stories about our ancestors and with this she had photos of them around the pavillion with their names underneath. I wish that I had my video on. I was so mesmorized with the whole thing, not only did I not take videos- I didn't take pictures of ANY of it. Help to all of those who attended. Send me pictures---Please!

At the beginning of the reunion, we had all of the families meet to spend some "gathering" time. We had a giant water slide in Susans back yard. It did not take long for the fun to begin.

I know this is a blurry photo. My camera broke. So all of the photos are from my phone. ugh. At Beckys the kids spent a ton of time on her trampoline. It makes me miss ours. Note to self. Get trampoline.

Summer Fun in Utah

Brittany spent her day off and filled tons of water balloons and made a cousin water fun day. Thanks Brittany!

Seven Peaks was crazy- Braeden went on Everything scary FIRST! Which meant mom had to go on them as well. The drop of doom ones are scary enough, but to watch your little guy do it is even scarier! Devin is getting old enough to go off with the older crowd. I saw glimpses of him throughout the day. They both were having a blast with their cousins.

Moving into our new home for the first time. Mixed emotions there. More on move later.

The last time at the Sienna House. I have a lump in my throat typing so I will move on and post about this later. Still fresh. Boo hoo.

One last culdesac party before we leave Houston. We will miss the kids and my wonderful neighbors so much.

Devin's Webelo

Devin earned his Webelo award in September, he is working on his arrow of light! Just a few more weeks and he is DONE- yeah! He has done double duty lately to be able to try and get every badge in the book. Cross your fingers!

Homecoming Victory!

Braeden had a great homecoming game today. The score today was 26-13 Wahooo! He went for a touchdown and got so close! They are still undefeated and we are keeping our sights on the superbowl. Today was pretty big though. For homecoming, we had a procession, homecoming king/queen, posters, mums, and the whole gammet. Braeden is LOVING football (it is a religion here in Texas) Lots of practice and hard work, but he thrives in it. He plays, running back, sometimes quarterback anddefensive back.

Beach

Ok, so I have not been the greatest blogger lately. I have been trying to get caught up on my photobooks for this year. So , I am killing 2 birds with one stone. Maybe I will actually write a little later.

Division A Champion!

Braeden won the Division A championships tonight and it was CLOSE! My voice is almost gone from screaming so much! He made some great plays at 2nd and hit some great balls. It is his first year at machine pitch and he is the youngest on his team- he was not at all intimidated by it. Gotta Love it! The score was 22 to 21 and they were a hard team to beat. We had 2 outs and it was tied, a player at 1st and 2nd. What a nail biter- but whack! the 2nd made it home- You can hear the crowd cheering cant you? It was AWSOME! I cannot wait until next season! So proud of you Braed.

Chore Chart

Thanks to Angie for finding this great project and www.howdoesshe.com , I have my summer chore chart done! I know, I know, mine is VERY colorful, but I intentionally did it that way. I want my boys to see it front and center every morning. I am excited to use it. Now, I have to wait until summer because I have MANY things for my kids to do and they cant possibly do it on a school day. I of course will not make them do all the sticks every day. That would be crazy. They get to pick one out of the "hard jobs" like clean the toilet.(My favorite for them to do. They get to see their wonderful misses and it helps them to stop if they have to clean it) They then pick one from the middle of the road like unload dishwasher, then their regular everyday have to's like clean their room. Cleaning is always more fun when little stickers, sticks, or charts are involved. Now, if I could only get myself motivated by a stick. any ideas??

Mothers day

Quote of the day

Quote of the day:

On the way to school, Braeden was driving like a mad man on the sidewalk, nearly crashing every time. This was done of course on purpose. I said, Braeden, what are you doing?! His reply :

"Mom, I have to live like this so I have some stories to tell my kids!"

for a moment this morning, my heart broke a little

Today was bring a flower to your teacher day at school. I fashioned a bundle for each kid and stamped a card for them. Braeden was excited to bring his to school. I love this age, when doing little things like this are exciting. Since we were carrying flowers, we walked to school instead of riding bikes. I like these days because I can spend time talking to Braeden and stopping to pick up bugs or cool looking leaves. Today, Devin also walked . But since he is a fourth grader and old enough to walk without his mom, he went ahead. As we were walking, we could see him in the distance. His friend was no longer with him and he was happily walking alone. (for the record, the flowers I gave him littered the sidewalk. I wonder what was left to give his teacher.) Braeden saw his opportunity to walk with his big brother and ran to catch up. He yelled Devins name over and over. He never caught up. As this was happening, my heart was breaking. I knew he could hear Braeden, I also knew what Devin was thinking. Devin loves his brother, but walking with a kindergartner was "not 4th grade". I could see Braedens little backpack jumping up and down as he ran to get his brother, he is so little, so vulnerable. He never did catch up and secretly I was grateful. braeden thought he could not hear him. I was glad that he did not get his feelings hurt. When did the gap get so wide? I know that after school today they will play together like usual and the divide will close, but for a moment this morning, my heart broke a little.

Easter 2010

spring break cont

Instead of the beach this year, we went camping. It is the first time we went camping as a family in Texas. The Kenningtons asked if we would come and I am so glad we did. The weather was wonderful (minus the cold first night in the tent). We hiked, cooked smores, fished, chatted and played. It was nice to get outdoors without any distractions from technology. I love to camp, my parents took us camping in Utah all of the time. With 8 kids you really can't afford vacations to disney all of the time. I am glad though. It gave me a love of the outdoors and roughing it. Family togetherness, love it!

spring break camping

A date with a monster!

Date with a monster! While I was off to see Beauty and the Beast, my boys were at the Monster Truck Jam. Although I would have LOVED to see giagantic, extremely loud, part flying, flipping all over the place, dirt everywhere, trucks. I opted to see the play Beauty and the Beast. Did my mind wander during the play wishing I was with my boys, having some good family fun? Um, No. Ok, a girl needs girl things every once in a while. I mean, do you think that my boys were thinking, oh... I wish I could see Belle sing along with furniture?! I am glad that I can recruit others like me who take in the arts. Now, my boys would beg to differ. They would think that a truck splayed out after a good spill, is art. They do however, accompany me with much bribery to my girly events every once in a while and I appreciate that. I tell them, look- I am preparing you for marriage. I mean you are going to have to learn while you are young to build up your tolerance for girl things. Your wife will want you to go shopping, see chick flicks, go to girly places. I am just doing you a favor. Your wife will thank me one day. right?

Pinewood derby

Here it is- the derby! Ok, I have to say I have noticed that every boy at the age of 9-10 cannot take a picture unless their mouth is wide open. What is it with that?
We came in 5th place overall. Pretty good, better than last year. We did learn a few tricks for next year. Echards, bring it on!
They had a sibling race and Braeden was chomping at the bit to race, he was more excited than all of us for this. He designed and painted his car and very specific decals he wanted. Devin on the other hand was like, whatever. But when the race came- he came alive! It was so much fun, we already have our ideas brewing for next year.
Below is Devins car- good eh?