Brianne's Spring choir concert 2011

Chan and I and our cute little singer Brianne!
Last week was the spring choir concert for the Sunrise Singers! They have been practicing for a long time for it and Brianne was excited and a bit nervous. The women who volunteered to run it this year picked some GREAT songs! We really enjoyed each one of them!
As usual I could pick Brianne's voice out of the crowd! She is a very strong singer!
Here's the whole choir- it was much bigger at the first of the year- but those who stuck it out were all great singers!
They wore these sunglasses during one of their songs- and I finally got Brianne to look at me so I could get a good photo!
At the end of the song "Firefly" she had a solo. The kids had to try out for these and this was the one she wanted REALLY badly! And she got it! And not that I am biased- but she was AWESOME!! I am posting the link below so you can see the video on my Facebook page. We are so proud of you Brianne! We can't wait to see what you will sing next! Love you!

https://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=2066572429182

Chan's Birthday!

Chan's birthday was a couple of weeks ago and I truly look forward to it every year and figuring out something we can do to commemorate his special day! There's no better person in my life! He is such an amazing person and fantastic husband!! So for this birthday we decided to make it an extended day date! We have seen more of the kids than each other recently- so it was time for some "us" time!
One of his requests was a Maggie Moo's ice cream cake! His favorite kind of ice cream there is better batter which tastes just like cake batter! It's fantastic! So I went up Friday after work and got him one! It was YUM!!
The start of the day was the same as the kids- cards and balloons and fanfare in the kitchen! I also added a few of his favorite things like sugar free candy! Then after getting ready we headed out to the Cheesecake Factory for lunch followed by a movie! We went to see the new Pirates of the Caribbean movie and it was fantastic! Then we came home and had ice cream cake with the kids. It was truly the perfect day!
I am so glad I got to spend the day with him and talk and laugh- it was the BEST! I hope he thinks this goes down as one of the best too! Love you babe!! Happy Birthday!!

Brianne

Brianne is my baby, who turned 9 last fall, um... yeah... I guess I'm old :(. It's hard to believe that she is 9 until you start talking with her! She is an amazing girl and very articulate for someone her age. She can tell a 5 minute story in 15 minutes! She's not one to leave out details!!
She is also one for details in other aspects of her life from making plans with friends, to what we have going on for the day, to making sure her chores are done properly. I am LOVING this particular trait given that my boys are so "go with the flow" about things it's nice to have someone on top of things like home work without me having to harp on her. And I can tell her exactly how to do something without having to "show" her, again unlike her brothers!
She is a sweetie with friends and family. Always checking in on people and wondering how people are when they are away from her. She is a fantastic student too! She has always done very well and gets pretty upset actually when she doesn't do so well. It's a good thing that she is always pushing herself to do better.
She has more energy than the whole family combined!! She could run circles around all of us! She loves to play, whether it's riding her bike, the Wii, swinging on the play set, drawing, singing, dancing etc etc etc!!! She very rarely just sits unless she has pooped herself out or something really good is on the Disney channel! Her favorite shows right now are suite life on deck, wizards of waverly place, lemonade mouth, shake it up, and Victorious and big time rush on Nick.
Some things to know about Brianne right now: 1. She is a BIG TIME Gleek! Glee is her favorite show! The music is the reason- she is a musical person and this show has some amazing music! She has most of it on her ipod and loves to sing along with it. She wants the new Glee game for Wii, but I told her she has to save up! 2. She is also a big fan of musicals. She hasn't seen a ton of them yet, but her favorites are Hairspray and Annie and she is DYING to see Wicked because she loves the music! 3. Her favorite drink is diet coke with lime. 4. Her favorite treat is a double chocolate chip frappiccino from Starbucks. Basically glorified chocolate milk, but YUMMY! 5. Favorite food is grilled cheese sandwiches or chicken cordon blue. 6. The word she uses most often right now is awesome or awesomeness! 7. Her favorite activities right now are singing, dancing, softball and playing the piano. She does enjoy playing video games too- even the ones her brothers enjoy! 8. Her favorite scripture story is Daniel in the lions den. 9. Her favorite quote right now is from Glee and it's "Music is my Life". 10. Her favorite subject in school is Art and science, specifically the simple machines they learned about recently. Brianne is a special girl and is becoming quite the little lady! We have enjoyed watching her play softball and hope she continues with it. She also is excelling at singing, she even joined the Ward choir with me and is really loving it. I can't wait to see what she does in the future! Her bright cheery self is bound for greatness! We love you sweetie!!

Mother's Day 2011

This Mother's Day I grabbed all the Mom's that were over celebrating with us and got a photo! Pictured here from right is my sister-in-law's Annie, then Brooke, my second Mom (Chan's Mom) Kathy, me, Kathy's Mom MaryAnne and Kathy's sister Jenni! I am so blessed to have amazing women in my life, from my own Mom, my awesome sisters, Aunts, Grandma's, friends and these people pictured here! I look to all of them for advice and watch them in what they do and how they handle the things that life throws at them. Truly, I have amazing steps to follow in and I am grateful for ALL of them in my life! Go Mom's!!

Will

Will turned 12 this year on his birthday and it's evident to me that he is growing up! He has been my child that has kind of "stayed the same" as far as growing taller and looks, but all of a sudden he is shooting up and filling out! He's looking more and more like a young man vs a "kid". He is moving into middle school this year and on some days is excited and then others is entirely freaked out! I keep telling him he is going to have a blast!
Sixth grade has been a challenge for him and also the funnest year he's had! He has been "hanging out" with friends a lot more and showing his independence. So far he's does great and checks in when I ask and is always in agreement when I tell him to do something. I so appreciate that and hope that it continues!! He also discovered the texting app on his ipod and loves to text his friends and Chan and I. It's been fun for him. I know that will continue when he gets his phone soon!
One of my favorite things about Will is his laugh! It's silly and sometimes almost wicked sounding and you can't help laugh along with it! He's always doing or saying something totally random or hilarious and making us all laugh! He's been that way since he could talk and I've posted some of his "Will-isms" in the past. He just kills me! Yet he also tries to be very adult at times- like when he took Chan's ipad up to the pulpit with him to read his favorite scripture for his testimony! He looked like a professor! It was so cute and funny!
He's my tender hearted kid too. He always knows when I am having a hard day and is the first to bring me a little note or give me a big hug- I love that about him! He has made me breakfast, brought me drinks, flowers and even tried to get me to go to bed when he could tell I was tired! I can tell he is maturing into a sweet, good natured young man. (With a die hard fun time in the center!)
Some fun things to know about Will right now 1. When I asked him what his favorite quote was he said, "Don't get mad, get even" and when I asked what it meant he said, "I don't know, it's just sounds cool and I use it in football". Typical Will! 2. His favorite scripture he shared with the ipad, "Seek me diligently and ye shall find me; ask, and ye shall receive; knock and it shall be opened unto you." 3. His favorite activities right now are air soft and Nerf guns- which he has in his hand almost ALL the time! I find darts from the Nerf guns pretty much every day in all kinds of places! He loves to have Nerf wars with his brother and sister and friends. Video games- right now his favorites are Crysis, Halo, Black Ops and Modern Warfare. It always amazes me that when he sees a gun on TV or in a movie he KNOWS what type of gun it is! That is also because he is a major military fan (just like his Dad). 4. His favorite words right now are idiotic and swag. He loves to break out words he learns in school and use them often. Once he called his brother Laxity and of course Carter had no idea what he was talking about- which made it even funnier to him! 5. His favorite foods are usually Asian inspired. He LOVES sushi and is a big fan of shrimp (the only one in the family). He's also a big fan of noodles- Asian or otherwise. 6. His favorite drink by far is COKE! He LOVES it! I have to force the kid to drink water sometimes (However, admittedly I am a bad example in this area!) 7. His favorite subject in school is writing. He is a very creative writer! He needs to work on his spelling but the content is always hilarious! I tell him often he should write screenplays or something! 8. His favorite treat is a snickers bar- can't go wrong with that! 9. He is quite a snappy dresser as of late! He likes to match from head to toe and even have a coordinating hat. Not a ball cap but the snazzy looking ones! 10. My favorite thing about Will right now is watching him pass the sacrament. He takes it very seriously and his first few times he was quite nervous. The person he went to for help was Carter and the two of them would talk it out and Carter has even passed with him and helped him along the way. Watching them do that together the first time seriously made me cry! I can tell the pride he has to be able to do that service and I am proud of him for doing it. Chan and I are very proud of him and are excited to see what's next for him! Including this coming football season- we can't wait!! We love you Will!

CARTER

Carter just turned 15 this year and has turned into quite the young man! He out grew me a long time ago, but now is starting to get close to his Dad! He's not only growing physically but has changed a lot in other ways as well.
All the things he cares about have come into a much clearer focus. He started seminary this year and LOVES it! He talks often about the church and how important it is and you can SEE that when you watch him at church. He takes his calling of Teachers Quorum President very seriously and always makes sure the duties are fulfilled. His other primary focus is football- I know it's a funny transition- but TRUE! He has committed himself FULLY to it and is working SO HARD to reach his goals. He wants to play football for a Division 1 football team- preferably University of Utah. But he would play for any number of schools for a scholarship.
Because he wants a scholarship so badly, his grades have to match up! So this year (with a lot of hounding from me) he has tried very hard in school and has done pretty darn good! I know he could do even better and I tell him that often! He is keeping it in focus though and knows what's expected of him and is truly doing his best.
He has also matured a lot when it comes to our family. I see him being a better helper and trying to connect the family. He loves to help with family home evening and even told us once that he was going to "spiritually School us"! Too funny! He's always willing to watch his siblings so we can have a date night and even tries to help them when they need a boost.
Some funny tidbits about Carter right now: 1. He is obsessed with his music! He blares it so loud from his room that he can't hear us when we call him, so we bang on the wall to get his attention. He's even gone through several sets of head phones- he wears them out! His favorite right now is Eminem. 2. His favorite quote right now: Fight 'em till Hell freezes over then fight 'em on the ice! 3. Favorite scripture right now: Many are called but few are chosen. 4. His favorite activity right now- his work outs! Even though they leave him so sore he knows they are helping him get better! 5. His favorite word to use right now- bummer! 6. Favorite food: McGhetto's, cheese roll ups from Taco Bell and our home made taco salad with Dad's special ranch/salsa dressing! Mmmmm! 7. Favorite subject in school this year: Geography because it also touched on Government and history of the United States which he loves! 8. Favorite drink: Right now it's Fuze Banana Colada. 9. His favorite treat- anything with chocolate and peanut butter. 10. I love that he and his friend Dylan are singing in the school talent show again! They tried out and made it! I love that he is not scared to throw himself out there! And I can't wait to see him perform! We are proud of you dude! Keep up the great work! We can't wait to see where you go from here! (Even if you do wear black Grandpa socks all the time! Hee Hee!)

Working

I started working a part time job the last week of February this year at Carter's middle school (yeah he was thrilled about that) as an aide. I am truly enjoying the environment, the people I work with and the kids! I know for many people being around kids this age would be torture for them, but for me I really enjoy it! I think they are hilarious (maybe because I haven't grown up myself)! There are a few "regulars" that I see pretty much daily and that make me laugh and others who pop in on occasion like my cute nephew who I lovingly call "my 4th child" who loves to visit and say hello. I admit I keep a bag full of candy in my drawer that I will share with those kids who need a boost- like the ones who are here for in school suspension and feel like they are going to die if they have to SIT any longer! A Hershey's kiss can go a long way when your THAT miserable! Hee hee! But for the most part it's just encouraging kids to get their work done and entering in their work etc. It's such a fun and easy going job! I don't take myself very seriously so I think I fit in just perfectly! The best part is I am counting the days (right along with the kids) till summer vacation! (20- not including weekends or holidays) I get to spend the summer off just like them and return to school just like them! It is truly a blessing and I am so grateful that I was able to get it! And it's fun to share the "school stories" with the family! Like yesterday a kid going into a classroom got nailed by a door and thinks he broke his arm! He was sure yelling like it was broken! Yikes! There's always something happening here! If there's ever a funny story to share I'll have to put it on here! And thanks to all my blogger friends too because reading your blogs when it's slow at work has been so fun!