Catching Up...

I can't believe it is already the middle of June!! I have kinda been doing some blog slacking so I need to get caught up. When I was growing, Memorial Day was a big day for our family. We would meet at my Grandma Ila's house and go to the Wellsville Cemetary on sunday. We would put flowers on my grandpa's grave, her parents grave, her brother's grave, and whoever else she felt like. My grandma was very peticular about this process. The flowers couldn't just be set to the side of the grave- they needed to be spread out in front in just the right way. After Wellsville, we would then go to the Hyrum Cemetary and put flowers on my grandpa's parents grave. Well this tradition has been handed down to my mom and my aunt Paula. (My dad and uncle Ric are good sports and stake down the flowers just where they are told.) This year we had a family BBQ with my dad's side of the family on sunday and then we all went to the cemetary. We missed putting the flowers on my grandma Ila's grave, but still went by. Then on Memorial day we went to Sean's grandparents house. We had a great time- and as usual his grandparents spoiled us with a yummy lunch and entertaining the kids. Sean spent most of his time driving the kids around on the Ranger- they cannot get enough of that thing. And then grandpa fired up and old antique tractor- that I know was his dads and might have even been his grandpa's. But the thing still runs- Brooklyn had a blast riding with great-grandpa.

For Christmas, we told my parents we would provide the labor for them to get a spinkling system if they would get the parts. So last saturday we met at their house and the boys and Chelsea (way to represent the women) got to work. Nat and I utilized ourselves by preparing lunch and entertaining the kiddos. It turned into a much bigger project than I think we planned on and my dad managed to hurt his back again. But, it is up and running.

The most exciting thing to happen to our family in the past month, happened on thursday night. Brooklyn has had a wiggly tooth and has been SOOOO excited for it to come out. So thursday we were in the bathroom brushing her teeth and she was messing with it and I asked her if we should pull it out. She was a little unsure but decided that she wanted to try. I couldn't get my fingers in good enough to get it. So I told her to grab it and pull. She did and it came out. She didn't cry or even say "ow" like I thought she would. She was beyond excited and had to call everyone to let them know.

Brooklyn and Rylee at the Newton Cemetary

Wellsville Cemetary

Brooklyn and great-grandpa on the tractor

We were following behind and Sean took this picture that we love

Gracie could've stayed on the Ranger all day

My brother Brett, my dad, and my brother Brian

(We had a lot of helpers- I think when we were taking pictures, Derk was on the 10th run for parts, the rest of the dream team included Sean, Ruben, Willy, and Ric.)

I love this gal. She can't stand to be dirty- so she opted for the "Derkville" boots as we call them and had the time of her life.

Brett and Chels- trying to get Brett to act descent for a picture is next to impossible!

Brooklyn's first lost tooth

Sean and his gals

Support a Good Cause and Help Find a Cure

I think that most of us know someone who has been affected by cancer. I saw my grandma Vone and grandpa Claude both lose their battle to cancer. Cancer is no respector of persons!! I also know of some brave people who have fought and won their battle against cancer. A dear friend Karen, my cousin Janalee, and this year my uncle Bruce. Most recently, a guy that Sean and I go Hometeaching to was diagnosed with Colon Cancer and currentlyis fighting it. Our family is participating in our 8th Relay for Life. We are raising money to go towards the American Cancer Society to find a cure for cancer. If you have any extra $$ sitting around and would like to support a great cause, click on the picture and it will take you to my page, from there, click on the tab that says donate. (Spread the word- if you know of a person or business that makes donations, please let them know of this great cause! It is tax deductible. A form can be printed from the website- or I can get a form.) THANKS!!!

A Good Day...

Have you ever had one of those days that when it is over you think to yourself, "that was a good day"? Sunday was one of those days for me. On Wednesday, my mom let us know that she had talked to my brother Brian and he had just left the Stake Presidents office and would be going into the Bishopric on Sunday. We all went down to the meeting, it was a very spiritual meeting and the spirit testified to me that the calling Brian received was from our Heavenly Father. We had a lovely dinner after and celebrated Sher's birthday. My cousin Jan was nice enough to stay at B and Sher's with the kids while we went to the stake center. My dad ordained B into the office of High Priest and again it was a very spiritual blessing. Then B got the blessing to put him into the Bishopric- also a great blessing. The next day as I was talking to my mom and then my sister we all commented on what a great day it had been.

B and Sher- aren't they a stunning couple?

I love this picture of all the kids "helping" Sher blow out her candles

Wednesday was Brooklyn's last day of school. I can't believe that her Kindergarten year is over. Seriously, where did this past year go. She has LOVED her teacher, Mrs. Allen. Mrs. Allen was so good to Brooklyn and we appreciate it so much.

Brooklyn and Grandma

Gracie wanted in on the picture taking action

Most days after school, Brooklyn would hang out with Grandma and help Mrs. Allen. She loved playing teacher and was quite entertaining to watch.

This picture was taken a couple weeks ago when we actually had some good weather. I thought it was so cute and Garrett and Dracie (as he calls her)

The gals were able to get a horsey ride from uncle B

Brooklyn's Dance Revue

Saturday was Miss Brooklyn's dance revue. This is the 2nd year she has taken dancing. She did such a great job and looked so cute at there giving it her all. During the dress rehersal, she was all business- I don't think she smiled once. So on the way over I kept telling her to remember to smile. She did smile and my favorite was during her dance when she saw me wave at her, she waved right back! I love that gal! It was a very proud mommy moment! And now we are done for another year. Something to look forward to- Gracie was loving watching the Mommy and Me class and asked if she could take next year. So mark your calendars- Gracie and I will most likely be performing next year! :) Brooklyn is so lucky to have such a great support system- THANKS to you all who came and sat through the revue!

So cute!

Miss Brooklyn Maynard

Just chillin

Brooklyn and Rylee and Gracie admiring them

Brooklyn was so excited about getting flowers and spent the rest of the night looking at them

Proud parents

And this is how her hair looked when we got home and took it out and brushed it!

Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day!! I have been so blessed in my life to have an amazing mother! My mom wasn't able to stay home with us and now as I am a mother who gets to stay home with my kids, I am so appreciative to my mom for the sacrifices she made for us. I can't imagine having to get 1 kid on the bus and 3 kids up who were 4 and under every morning and taking them to a babysitter (who lucky for us was my aunt Paula who is like my second mother.) And then having to work all day and come home and have the second shift at home- dealing with me, my attitude, and my siblings. :) My sister and I have commented recently that our parents must have been so tired! As I kid you don't understand all that- but I do now and I am thankful! Thanks mom for all you do for me and my little family. Thanks for being a friend, a listener, a super grandma, an awesome shopping partner, and for being you! I love you!!!

This is my mom with her family (minus Garrett and Abby- who wasn't born yet)

I am also blessed to have a great mother-in-law. Gisele is one the most unselfish people I know. She would do anything for anyone and usually puts her needs and wants last! She is a great grandma and mother. Thanks for all you do for us!

And these 2 cuties are what it is all about for me. They bring so much joy and happiness into my life! Their smiles melt my heart and there is nothing like when they wrap their little arms around me and tell me that they love me!

We also have many other "Mother" figures in our lives who I am very thankful for. Many aunts, grandmas, cousins, and friends. You know who you are and we love you so much!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!

Sean's Graduation & Abby's Blessing

We had a crazy, busy week this week. We celebrated Brooklyn's birthday on tuesday and on friday, we headed down to SLC for Sean's graduation. We crashed at Brian and Sher's place and the gals had some quality time with B & Sher. They are so patient and the gals love them so much. Brooklyn got some Yoga time in (her and Gracie have been doing Downward Dog all weekend) and some great make-overs! Saturday morning we headed over to the E-Center for Sean's graduation. He has worked so hard these past 3 years working on his Masters Degree in Mental Health Counseling. I am so proud of Sean in his efforts of working full-time, going to school, and being a great husband and daddy! He didn't want to participate in the graduation, but I thought that he should. It was a nice day and I think that Sean is glad that he did it.

Sunday was Miss Abigail's blessing. Greg gave her a beautiful blessing and she acted like a rock star. We tried our hardest to get a cute picture of my mom and dad with all the kiddos. I can't get enough of Abby- I am glad that she will tolerate me so I can get some cuddle time in.

**********************************

This is a classic story. We were saying prayers on sunday and Sean was helping Gracie say hers. He said. "We are thankful that we could go to" and paused- he was going to say "Abby's blessing" and instead Gracie says, "To Chuck-E-Cheese" We tried, but Sean, Brooklyn, and I burst out laughing! And of course Gracie thought it was great. She is currently obsessed with Chuck-E-Cheese and talks about it numerous time daily! I love my gals!

Chuck-E-Cheese

Brooklyn had a wonderful birthday! She got to open a present before she went to school. She goes fishing with my uncle Ric and she has wanted her own fishing pole- so she got a pink Barbie one and is as happy as can be with it. She decided that she wanted Zhu Zhu pets- (I was so glad that she didn't see them at Christmastime) and got some of them. They are actually quite cute and her and Gracie love watching them run around their house. She had asked grandma Maynard to make her a dress a couple months ago and she got that and a necklace from grandma and grandpa. She is absolutely loving the pink scooter she got from grandma and pops. She scored big time in the present department this year- thank you everyone for spoiling my child :). After having Brett's birthday party at Chuck-E-Cheese, that is where Brooklyn decided she wanted to go for hers. Tuesday after school we all loaded up and headed down to Layton to celebrate. We had a GREAT time. I am really impressed with the place. Brooklyn is such a lucky girl to have so many people love her. She has quite the entourage- we were glad that Keith and Shawna joined us adding another kid. When we go places it is quite funny because there were 17 adults, 4 kids, and 2 babies. The adult to kid ratio is slightly off balance. We all added our tickets together and at the end of the night she was able to get 2 High School Musical dolls with them. It was fun bringing the inner child out and playing games and trying so hard to earn as many tickets as we could. I think Sean played this football game for at least 1 hour straight and it was actually probably longer, but he scored big time on the tickets. It was a good time. I am so happy that Brooklyn was able to have a great 6th birthday!