Swimming Lessons

Kids are so unpredictable. I signed Brykn up for swimming lessons and he was so excited--until he put one foot in the water. Then, he cried the entire time! The teacher was trying so hard to get him invovled in what the other kids were doing, but all he could say (through sobs) was, "I don't want to be splashed!" Seriously? It's swimming lessons--with water, and kids. Geez!

I only got one picture when he wasn't crying. I sure hope swimming lessons get better!

Medal of Honor

Last year Mom and I discovered the Springville 5k--it is a ton of fun! The race is part of the City's celebration and they have some really killer sponsors. Between Wal-Mart and Nestle, the race bags were awesome and the prize drawings they do after the race are really cool too. To be entered in the drawings you have to be entered in the run--so I entered all three of us, and Mom entered Dad, TJ, Sami, Jeannie, Kelli, Tate and the twins. Because the race is longer than what Brykn could walk/run, I took the wagon and Dad pulled him the whole way! Brykn didn't walk a single step. I have to admit that I was a little nervous because the first stretch of the race is 100% uphill--steep. I wasn't nervous about Brykn, but scared to death Dad was going to have a heart attack on the hill. Eeek!

In the end, Dad did fine. They were the VERY LAST finishers, but they both had a great time. The best part was when the participation medals were awarded to kids under 6. They read Brykn's name and we went running to get his medal. When he gathered his up, he asked the lady, "Where's my Grandpa's?" She gave him another medal for Dad. I thought it was sweet Brykn was worried Grandpa wasn't going to get a medal--and, I think Dad was touched.

In the end the only one of us that won a dang thing was Brandon. He won a cool outdoor canopy. Fun times!

Happy Birthday Brykn!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Brykn's birthday was great! He was so cute when he woke up and I told him that today was birthday day--he immediately starting singing the Happy Birthday song. When we came down the stairs, he saw his swimming pool and presents and just went a running. Little did he know, there was a trampoline--the thing he really wanted--just outside the window. After opening some clothes, a Wii game, and a marshmellow roaster, he caught the trampoline out of the corner of his eye. He ran to the window and said, "Hey, there's my trampoline!" I was thinking this was pretty cute until he said, "Wait...where's the dang latter?" I was totally speechless--I had to hug him to keep from strangling him. :)

After opening all the presents inside, we went outside to jump on the trampoline, which, by the way, is incredibly hard to put together. Brandon and I started at 7:00 pm in the dusk light. At about step 14 of 18, we learned that we completed step 1 wrong. That's right--we had to undo all our progress and start from scratch. %$#@! After lots of colorful, not really birthday spirit words, we finally got it together. Holy smolly.

Brykn's party was all done in cowboys and horses. Brykn told everyone he was having a "orse" party. Complete with a "orse" cake and chuckwagon grub, the party was a ton of fun. Some of the highlights of the party were: a bike from Grandma Lauri, a fishing vest and hat from Grandma Sally, Play-Do from Grandpa Buck, and even $103 from Grandpa Mike. Totally spoiled, I tell you...totally spoiled--just they way kids should be!

Birthday parties are a LOT of work, but totally worth it when you see the looks on their innocent little faces. I just love that Brykn knew the entire day was just about him. He's growing so much every day and I can't believe that 3 years have gone by so fast. Happy Birthday Brykn!

Mother's Day

I LOVE being a Mom! I've often said that Brykn is the best thing that ever happened to me; and, it's very true. We have our moments, and I know that I'm far from Mother of the Year, but Brykn and I have a very special bond.

This Mother's Day Brykn gave me a handmade necklace that he had created at the babysitter's house. I ABSOLUTELY love it! It's a metal washer that has been covered in paper and modge podged. Then, twine has been added so it can be hung from my neck. It's darling--and the best part is that Brykn made it for me. He was so excited to give it to me, too. He came just a running in with his newspaper wrapped presents saying, "My made it for you, Mom!" Just thinking about how proud he was of this necklace brings tears to my eyes. He also made me a plate that says, "Love, Brykn" on it. He has colored around the outside edge and has added hand-picked stickers to the edges.

Brykn, you will never know how much your Mom loves you, because you will never be a mother. But, I want you to know that you mean EVERYTHING to me and I am so proud to be your Mom. Love you!

Race for the Cure--Run, Run!

Jacquie, Mom, and Jeannie


The whole gang!



Running in memory and in honor of...

The Run, Run, Runners!

Mom, Misty, and Me

This was my second year at Race for a Cure, but it was just as inspirational as last year. I can't even begin to think how difficult it would be to fight cancer; and, I pray I never have to find out. But, for all those women who are struggeling with breast cancer, this Race is an amazing thing. It's absolutely touching to see the survivors (some with a full head of hair and some without a single strand) walking, running, and just being an inspiration to the other 17,000 people there. It really doesn't matter how fast you run or how quickly you finish--thank heavens! It's just nice to be running for a cause. Thanks, Kel, for getting me hooked on this--I'm a life-long Racer now!

Easter Sunday

Brykn finally understood the point of an Easter Egg Hunt this year--hooray! The funniest part was that if he picked up something he didn't like, he would ask the kid next to him if they wanted it--he's such a giver! He had a great time hunting for the eggs and was purely delighted when he saw the presents left by the Easter bunny. Brykn was really unsure about the Easter Bunny leaving eggs around the house. He was insistent that the Bunny should not have made a mess at our house! Too funny...

When it came to dying Easter eggs, I couldn't help but think of Grandpa Hopes. I loved dying eggs with him. He always sat in the same chair at the bar in Grandma and Grandpa's house. He had one egg in every color and I'm pretty sure he enjoyed dying the eggs as much or more than we all did. Don't worry, Grandpa, we dyed an egg just for you!