Preschool Graduation

Kaden attended Inch by Inch preschool this past year. He has learned so much this year and we are so proud of him. Kaden is such a smartie pants!

A-tootie-ta, a-tootie-ta, a-tootie-ta-ta!!
Kaden's part was, "This year we have found that every letter makes a sound." He had practiced so hard, and when the time came for him to do it- he did it perfect. Great job buddy!

All of his grandparents came to support him. They are all so great. Gramy was there too, but she had to leave a little early so we missed her in the picture.

Our little family-Rylie of course fighting getting her picture taken.

Kaden and his cute teachers Miss Ali and Miss Megan.

Next stop: Kindergarten!!!

I can hardly believe it.

Soccer

Spring soccer came and went way too fast this year.

There is our Kade-man out there playing his little heart out.
Nic had a great time coaching his team this year.
What a great group of boys!
{Davis, Stockton, Nick, Kaden, and Tyler}

And the team picture...

We are so proud of Kaden for playing so hard this year. It is so fun to watch him out there having a great time with his friends. He is such a team player, and is always high-fiving his team mates when they get a goal! What a great kid he is. We are so proud of him!!

Way to go Kaden!!

Eight Years... And Counting...

{The night we got engaged}

{Our wedding day}
I can't believe it has been 8 years since Nic and I tied the knot. Wow, how time does fly. I dug up some old pictures of the occasion (sorry about the quality, this all happened before digital took over so I had to scan these all in). Looking through these old pictures brought back so many fun memories of back then. I knew the second I laid eyes on him I had to have him forever. One of these days I will recount how he proposed- or I'll just do it now. It was super sweet. Valentine's day, a dozen red roses (minus 1-that he had to point out to me), dinner at Rodizio (sat is something mysterious which left a brown spot on the butt of my white pants), borrowed Nic's over sized WSU basketball sweat pants, snuggled up and watched 'For the Love of the Game', fell asleep (I'm a boring date), he woke me up and took me home where he dropped me off (mind you, this is around 1:00 in the morning), then I hear a little knock on the door and my sweetheart is back with a single red rose (the one that had been missing from the dozen sent to me earlier), he got down on one knee holding the rose in his hand and asked me to marry him-there in the middle of the rose was my ring. It was so romantic. Of course I said yes! and ran around waking my family up in the middle of the night to tell them.



Nic and I have been through so much this past eight years. I am so thankful to have him to go through this crazy life toghether with. I really don't know what I would do without him, he truly is my best friend. I look forward everyday to seeing his cute face walk in the door from work. I love our date nights, spending time with our kids, pillow talk, the way he makes me laugh, his constant support of anything I do, his kindness towards everyone around him, talking for hours with him about the future and setting goals, watching him be such a great Daddy to our children, knowing that he loves me even at my worst, his hugs and kisses, and even those moments where all heck has broke loose and we look at each other in desperation. He can make me mad as a hornet one minute, and the next I think he can do no wrong. Thanks honey for making me one happy girl, and taking such great care of me and the kids. You are the best husband I could have ever dreamed of. Here's to many more crazy years together!!

Happy Anniversary Baby!!

Race for the Cure

{I really do have eyes. The sun was a little bright.}

{Nic and his brother Ty who ran with us as well, and kicked both our trash.}

Last Saturday was the annual 'Race for the Cure' down at the Gateway. What an awesome turnout it was. It is amazing the support that race has gained over the years. It was very touching to see people running for a good cause, most of which had been affected by breast cancer in one way or another. I was feeling very grateful that I was merely a supporter. What an inspiring morning.

On a another note: My dear darling hubby decided to run with me!! I have been trying to convince him that running is 'fun' for as long as I can remember. His response has always been, "I don't run long distance." Well folks- he NOW runs long distance. Sure it was only a 5K, and sure I might not see him out running again any time soon (although he has shown some interest in the Bear Lake 10K), but the point is that he did it! Oh, and in case you were wondering- yes, he beat me. At my own game. It was a little disappointing, but I was nipping at his heals as we crossed the finish line (around 23 min. for the record). I was really hoping he would run out of gas and I could get him, but it felt good to be able to at least hang with him. The boy is an animal- and pretty much kicks butt at whatever he does. Me on the other hand... I have to work a little harder. I am so proud of him!!! Next up, Bear Lake Half! Can't wait!!

Thank you Dad for the race, and thanks to Gramy & Papa for taking the kids so we could go!! We truely have the best parents EVER!!

I Declare...

The Peanut Butter Blossom is my favorite cookie.

I don't know what it is about these babies, but I seriously can not eat just one! I only make them on rare occasions because, well... let's just say I'm weak, and they are NOT low fat!! The other night we were reading 'The Bernstein Bears and Too Much TV,' and Mama bear was fixing Brother and Sister Bear's after school snack, which happened to be milk and cookies (just for a little background). Anyways, Kaden looks at me and says, "Mom, will you fix me and sis an after school snack? I really like that snack Mom. Milk and cookies are my favorite." Hint hint. So of course first thing the next morning he was reminding about the after school snack (even though he did not even have school that day). Oh, the choices... chocolate chip, homemade oreo's, snicker doodles, oatmeal... decisions, decisions... we settled (I won rather) on the delicious peanut butter blossoms! My favorite is when they are fresh out of the oven and the kiss on top just melts into your mouth. So GOOD!! So without further adieu... ladies (and if there are any gentlemen- I doubt it :) The recipe to my favorite cookies: (aside from sugar cookies- they are on a playing field all of their own)

Peanut Butter Blossoms

1 3/4 c. flour

1/2 c. firmly packed brown sugar

1/2 c. sugar

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 c. shortening

1/2 c. peanut butter

1 tsp. vanilla

2 T. milk

1 egg

sugar and 48 Hershey's kisses (unwrapped)

Heat oven to 375. Mix all ingredients together and mix at low speed until still dough forms. Shape dough into 1-inch balls, roll in sugar. Place 2 inches apart on un~greased cookie sheet. Bake 10 minutes. Quickly top each cookie with 1 candy kiss, pressing down firmly so that the sides crack. Remove from cookie sheets. Enjoy!!