4 year old Preschool Graduation

Miss Nicole held a graduation program on the last day of 4 year old preschool. The kids sang songs and recited poems together. As usual, Braden kept the adults laughing with his almost non-stop editorial (ie "Hey - look at that boy - he's standing on a lady bug...). ANd, as a bonus, Cailin decided to join in the antics. As the kids were singing "The Wheels on the Bus" and got to the verse about the babies on the bus going wa-wa-wa, Cailin let out a loud fake cry and all of the adults giggled.


After their performance the kids had a little graduation ceremony and were awarded a star necklace by Miss Nicole. It may have been a bit over the top (based on the way things used to be when I was little) but Braden loved it and so did we. It is so fun to watch our little boy grow and learn. We love you, Braden!

From left to right, Back row - Christian, Tyler (cousin), Lilly, not sure, not sure, not sure; Front row - Jack, not sure, not sure, Ellie, Braden

Tyler, Braden and Christian

Tucanos

For a belated Mother's day we met CJ in Provo to move the washer and dryer from Kathy's to Grandma Guthrie's house. When the work was done we celebrated at Tucanos, a Brazillian restaurant where they bring all sorts of different meats to your table. I loved the garlic sirloin, Braden loved the brown sugar grilled pineapple and Aaron can't remember so he must have loved it all!

My family (I'm taking the picture), Carolyn, Kathy, Grandma, GG and CJ

A Birthday Riddle

Question: How many regular candles does it take to equal the light of a super Mayan birthday candle? Answer: We have no idea - but it must be something like 39! Happy 39th Aaron!

Aaron on 1st 39th birthday. (My father has celebrated 39 more than 20 times now!)

Holy Animals, Batman!

Aaron and I watched the Nelson boys while their parents attended some foster care classes in preparation for taking in a baby. For the last class (end of April) Aaron took all the boys to the zoo for the Earth day celebration. They saw Chester Cheetah who gave them free chips and made masks. Amazingly Braden seemed to like the rhino statue (be ready to see this again) almost as much the visiting batmobile!

Left to right: Enoch, Noah, Braden and Elijah

Right to left: Noah, Enoch, Elijah and ... Batman (either making bat wings with his arms or complaining about the noise.)

The 3rd 3rd

While some wards like getting together for food or sports, our ward likes racing cars. . After the scouts are done with their "real" pinewood derby, the ward borrows the track for a huge race that anyone can enter. Engineers, mechanics and contractors spend weeks creating thier perfect vehicles and we all have a great time watching them race. This year there was a bat mobile, a truck, and even a racing tube of lipstick. In the end it is very competitive so coming in 3rd place with a car that Braden and Aaron designed just days earlier is no small accompoishment. Congratuations, Braden (and Aaron!)!

Braden with his car and trophy - just a little red and out of breath from all the celebratory dancing he did when he won.

INTERESTING NOTE: Aaron has participated in 2 other pinewood derbies and his car came in 3rd both times!

From Break Free Run to Salt Lake Marathon

Back when I used to put on the Break Free Run with Elizabeth, my brother, Ben, came out to support me and ran what I think was his first 5k. It is hard to explain what that meant to me - but it meant a lot. This time WE got to support him - cheering as he finished the Salt Lake Marathon.

I always tear up as I see runners finishing a race - I love how the crowd goes wild for everyone they know AND everyone they don't. But of course this race was particularly special to me. It was so neat to be there with all of the relatives that could come. I am so proud of my brother. I love you, Ben! I hope you know that!

Waiting - Ben's Family (Kim, Abby, Jack, Max, Lola), Kims parents and grandparents, my family (Aaron, Braden, Cailin and me), Sarah & Tyler and our parents.

Ben finishing strong with Abby running the last block with him

My brother, Ben

Ben and Sarah - my brother and sister

Grandma Parker and the 3 little musketeers - Braden, Tyler and Jack

Gardner Village with Grandma Guthrie

I am not sure if I have blogged about this yet but Grtandma Guthrie (Aaron's mom) is in the process of finalizing her move from Sierra Vista, Arizona to Orem, Utah. What used to be a 15 hour trip to see her is now give or take 40 minutes depending on the lights! We see her so much more often - and can even do it on short notice. A few weeks ago she called and thought it might befun to get pedicures. A few days later she and Carolyn met me at the pedicure place and then we all met Aunt Kathy at Gardner Village for food, sweets, a pony ride and a trip to the petting zoo. A very fun day! Here's to more of them!

Grandma, Cailin, Braden and Kathy

Two babies that were fascinated by eachother