Hailee - Christmas Dance Recital

Hailee performed in her first dance recital this winter. She had so much fun doing a Christmas dance and was the cutest girl up there. She did an excellent job!



She was the most excited about the flowers she got after the performance.

Braden...Soccer Star

Braden has LOVED soccer! He is pretty good, too (I might be a little partial). He loves to get in the middle of the pack and go after the ball. He developed a signature move this season. It is the "run forward and kick the ball backwards". I don't quite know how he does it but it is a pretty sweet move. His biggest accomplishment this season was scoring 5 goals in one game. He has proud parents who love watching him!



That's one determined boy.








The second best part of soccer - the awesome trophy. The first best part is the treat after the game.

First Day of School - Braden

I have not been blogging anything lately. Hopefully one of these days I will get a whole year done. But until then, I have to start with today and work backwards.



Braden started school today. He is SOOOOOO ready to go to school. Yesterday I couldn't wait for him to go to school but I found myself a little emotional as I dropped him off today. I know it's the best thing for him and heaven knows I need a break. I guess it's just the idea of him growing up and I can never turn back time. It just gets faster from here.

I was so proud of him standing in that line. He was trying so hard to listen to what the teacher was saying and obey all the rules.

He made a cute little flower to describe himself for his class. There were some really "pretty" flowers that I know the parents made but I am proud to say he did most of it by himself. He wrote a description of himself for each letter of his name. Here is what he said:
B-Baseball, R- Riding Bikes, A- Appendix, D- Dessert, E- Energy, N- Nice.


Braden and his little neighborhood buddies who are in his class. Dillon, Braden, Jaden.


He loved the idea of picking out his own backpack this year. It is a Star Wars "Stormtrooper" backpack.

I can't wait to see what the school year brings. We are a little nervous about a few things. Hailee has always been one who naturally obeys all the rules and gets nothing but perfect behavior marks. It is a little more challenging for Braden. Maybe he'll surprise us...who knows!!

First Day of School - Hailee

There is no way it is coming this fast. She started 4th grade...already!!!

We had a little battle over backpacks this year. She wanted a $70 rolling bag - no way. So the next best thing is a "bag" not a backpack. We'll see how long it lasts...those things get uncomfortable when you start putting lots of books in there.

Hailee was hoping for a "young" teacher this year. I don't know why...I guess that she had a bad experience with an older teacher so young means good.

I couldn't be more proud of my sweet Hailee.

April Birthday Extravaganza

Half of the birthdays in my family fall in April so we went to dinner to celebrate. Yummy P.F. Changs. Happy birthday to Randi, Ryan, Dad & Casey!

Cutest mom & dad & sister
Cutest couple ever.
Cutest little family ever.
Happiest couple...eating out with no kids.
Grandma and Roman
Allie and Roman (if only he had bigger eyes)
Oh, Allie....

Hailee's 9th Birthday

My sweet Hailee is 9! It is so much fun to have a daughter that I can "hang out" with and joke around with. I love being around Hailee. She is so happy and full of life. There is a difference in our home when she is not there. I love hearing all about her day and all of the little dramas that go on at school. I couldn't be more proud of the way she behaves herself in school or church or wherever she is. She is always willing to help out at home and do whatever is asked of her. I miss the little baby that she was but I am so proud of the young woman she is becoming and look forward to many years of nail-painting parties and late-night chats with one of my best friends. I love you, Hailee!


Celebrating with the Morgans.

Hailee got new bedroom decor for her birthday. We will be decorating her room and she wanted "bigger" (meaning older) decorations. She really loved the idea of decorative pillows. This one is her favorite.
This is her other favorite - a fabulous lamp!

Hailee's cake...Dane had it made just for her. She still LOVES dogs and animals so he had dogs and trees and candy rocks on it. And it was chocolate, of course. Hailee likes ONLY chocolate cake and no ice cream (crazy)!!
Hailee and her cute cousin, Kayla.
Hailee's Birthday party. Hailee chose to see a movie with some friends for her party. We were originally going to go to "Princess and the Frog" but it didn't work out so we went to "Percy Jackson - The Lightning Thief". It was good but a little scary for some of the girls. She invited: Ashlynn, Cassidy, Kelsie, and Maddie.

Dane's 5k

Dane and Jesse decided to run a 5k. We came to cheer them on and had a great time. They both ended up placing in their age divisions. Dane won 1st in his age bracket. It was so much fun to see him cross that finish line. We were so proud of our daddy. Now if we can both be in the next one...maybe on to 10k????