When I was about 13 I had a best friend named Bill. She (yes SHE- also known as Marilyn) was (still is) so awesome and we shared lots of fun times together. As we grew up we got busier and went to separate high schools but we have been able to keep touch some and now she lives about 1.5 hrs away in Provo.

It doesn't seem that far but it really IS- we don't get together as much as we should. She had created a whole new person since I'd seen her last- miss Eliza was born in April. So this month I had to go and see the baby and catch-up. We hung out at her house and then visited the BYU paleontology museum. (Kaden was SO excited to see the stadium- he said, "MOM! That's BYU!!")

Here are the boys with her son, Josh, and the giant crocodile skull

And again with the Triceratops

It was so great to see them again and meet little Eliza! Love you guys!

This year we ventured out on our second attempt at a Drive-In movie with the kids. If you don't know, last year was a disaster- well actually it was fine until after the first movie when Kyson threw up his Chili-Cheese Fritos- ALL OVER my neck as we cuddled. (Needless to say that is a snack I no longer enjoy).


Anyway it took a whole year but we finally convinced Tyler to take us again. We saw Kung-Fu Panda 2 and Thor!

Kaden & MiJo waiting for dusk

Kyson passing the time pant-less (dress code at this drive in IS pretty lax)

We had a good time this year- thanks Ty for taking us!

This year Kaden went to Bravo for Pre-Kindergarten. He went 4 day s a week for a couple of hours and really had a great time learning a LOT of stuff! We are so proud of him and how much he has grown in this last school year.

This is a video of him performing his very first piano piece in front of TONS of parents and kids. He was the first to go and handled it like a pro! (He learned a little piano in school and is continuing lessons with me this summer).

And here he is receiving his graduation medal

He is a great reader now too- he can read just about anything with minimal to no help. His favorite books are Danny and the Dinosaur, and anything by Dr. Seuss. Next year he will be attending Kindergarten at North Davis Prep Academy- he can't wait to learn Spanish there! We are so excited for him- he loves to learn and we know he'll do great!

Kyson Xavier is now 3 years old! He has been a little sick during the last couple of days, so he was tired but still handled all of the commotion like a champ! It is so fun to see how his little personality has bloomed- he is really growing up and maturing. More than once I've cringed, waiting for the tantrum, and instead he has complied happily. His speech has improved 100000 fold in the last year, we are so proud of him in every way! He is our little sweetheart- always complimenting everyone and taking care of us. His favorite color is still green and he LOVES super heroes.

Here he is on the morning of his birthday with his balloons- ready to fly away!

He opened his gifts from Kaden and Mia that morning too-

He was SO excited when he opened this one from Mia

Mom & Dad got him a Thomas mega blocks set- he played with it for a long time! I like new toys as much as the kids since they are occupied :)
On Saturday we had his party- here he is excited to get started on the presents

Grandma Carolyn gave him this magnadoodle and a Dr.'s kit

Grandma & Grandpa Kent gave him this SUPER cute dinosaur book- it had these googly eyes that really surprised him when he opened it. They also gave him an awesome robot.

Uncle Cam got him a Batmobile! Nana & Papa got the Joker's Lair. (Seen below)

He wanted a Spiderman cake this year- I went a sort of lazy route but he loved it!

We had to bring the cake to him- he wouldn't stop playing with his stuff!

Uncle Derek got him the coveted Spiderman mask. Aunt Erica got him some fruit snacks and a card good for a trip to the zoo with her.

Here he is- pretty happy, I think!

So that's that! Whew long post- but lots of fun!!! Thanks to everyone for the great gifts and your time- he is sure loved.

I had to sneak this picture of Mia here- when I took it I thought her finger was in her mouth....NOPE! This makes me laugh every time I see it :)

So Tyler had a work trip to a United Way training in Orlando and we were lucky enough to be able to add me on to his trip- work paid for my plane ticket and 2 nights of hotel, and we got the corporate rate for our extra nights too- so my WONDERFUL Grandma and Mother took care of the kiddos so I could go! We have not had a vacation just us in about 6 years!

So here we are tired on the bus to the hotel

Here is Tyler with Tony! Yeah they're tight like that ;)

Here is the view from our balcony- the resort had 5 pools! I LOVED it!

Here is Tyler at the pool, trying out my nook

We are the most evil parents and went to Disney World without our kids...I KNOW! But the training was right in the park at the resort and we couldn't go all that way and not go!

So here we are posing with a Buzz statue at Downtown Disney

And me kissing a pirate- I knew Kaden would get a kick out of this.

The pic in front of Cinderella's castle at the Magic Kingdom

It was really fun and good to get away with Tyler. It also made me REALLY want to take the kids to D-Land next year...hopefully we can make it happen!

Ok I haven't had much to blog about lately- we've been enjoying the intermittent good weather and hanging out- but I DO have lots of cute pictures that I MUST share! So here's is a smattering of pics from the last few weeks:

Mom sandwich!

Fun at Grandma Carolyn's

Grandma spoiled them and took them to Chuck E Cheese

Iron-Mia

Happy Kaden!

Mia LOVED this and cried when we had to go without it :)

We hang out with Grandma a lot while Kaden's in school

Happy Mia reading a book in my bed

Mia took a tumble at a friend's, but she's OK!

Tyler trying out a sweet ride...

I have SUPER kids

SOCCER is here again! With Grandpa Kent- who almost never misses a game :)

It's so funny, Kaden sprouted up the most out of his team over the winter...

Some cool games at first but it's getting nicer...

Mia vanquished her enemies! She has to do whatever the boys are doing.

We have been busy lately- Mia took her first swim lessons, Kaden started soccer, Kyson exited speech therapy and will soon turn 3! Darci and Ty had a getaway/work trip...so excited for the rest of summer!

We returned from our trip on Mother's Day and I couldn't have been happier! I missed my kids a lot- even if it was nice to relax. They were SO excited to see us and when I got home they had the cutest gifts for me- Nana and Grandma helped them each pick out some gifts- earrings from the boys and a wallet from Mia (thanks!) and then Kaden had made this paper "me" at school- it was SO adorable! The card says, "Best Mom: She helps me reach what I can't reach. I love her sooo much because: She is beautiful! Love, Kaden" It was nice to know the kids love and appreciate me :) I also got my Nook for mother's day- but got it early to take on my trip!
It was also a blessing to be able to spend Mother's Day with MY mom! I have not done that in about 10 years since she lives so far away...I'm so happy she was able to come out and help and spend time with us all! I'm so glad we are friends, mom- you have always been there for me no matter what and I always know I can talk to you about anything.
LOVE YOU, MOM!
I also have to say I have a pretty great Mother-In-Law too! She is not mean or scary like I thought Mother-In-Laws were ;-) We like spending time with her. She loves my husband and kids and is a great mom and grandma. We LOVE you too, Diana!
And finally my Grandma Carolyn- she does SO much for us all- we will never be able to repay her. She is such a great example of service, patience, and love. She has been my stand-in mom for the last 10 years and I don't know what I'd do without her sometimes!!! We LOVE you, we LOVE you, we LOVE you GRANA!