Raging Waters!

June 30th we went to Raging Waters as a family to celebrate Tristan getting his casts off. We learned earlier this year that Tristan has cerebral palsy and needed to wear casts on both legs to help stretch out the muscles. He had both legs in casts for about 8 weeks. Since we were limited in what we could do while he had his casts on we made a plan to go to Raging Waters the weekend after he got them off. When we got there we made the decision to get season passes. We will definitely use them and it has it's nice perks. Since the Raging waters in located inside the state fair grounds you can use your season passes to get into the fair for free! I am especially excited about that one. We will definitely be going to the fair multiple times this year!

The kids had fun and I was really impressed that the older two went on some of the slides. They tend to shy away from some stuff like that, but today they went with daddy! Jaden was not so sure about the water at first. The minute I put his feet into the water he started crying and getting upset. Which was a bit surprising because bath time is his happy place. But I can see that it would be a bit overwhelming for him. So I spent most of the time walking around and sitting on the towels with him to help him settle down. Finally, right before we were planning on leaving there was a section in the kiddie area that had cleared out. I decided to try one more time with Jaden since there wouldn't be as much chaos as before. He was still upset when I put his toes in the water but once I showed him he could splash around like he does in the tub he started giggling and started splashing himself. He became more comfortable and would walk around and hold onto my fingers. He then cruised along the side of the pool and even tried to crawl to me in the water. It was cute to watch him try that since he was in the water he would float and crawl. We ended up staying a bit longer to let him play. Jaxen and Tristan decided to join in and played in the area as well. It's set up like a pirate ship. The boys played on the pirate ship and then would come see Jaden and then go back to the ship. It was a very fun time. I'm so happy Jaden finally had his splash time and was able to enjoy the day with the rest of us.! We really did have fun and I know there will be more fun as the summer goes on. We will be back!

U.S. Olympic Gymnastic Trials!

 The weekend of June 29th-30th, Ron surprised me with a date weekend. Since he travels so much for work he has a lot of hotel points saved up and we decided to use one of our free hotel nights. It was such a fun get away! We were able to go to the 2012 Olympic gymnastic trials in San Jose, CA. It was so much fun. We were there for the mens finals. Their strength and talent was awesome sight! One of the best parts was we were able to meet up with our friends from the Seattle area, Julie and Sterling. It was so wonderful to see them again.

 This was our first time to the HP pavilion. It's a great stadium. They seem to understand women's needs and had women's bathrooms across the hall from each other. It made the lines go faster. Yes, it was nice.

 Outside the stadium they had set up an area that they called gymnastic city. It was full of booth's and people playing mini challenges. There were a few demonstrations as well.

 We stopped to watch a trampoline demonstration. It's very exciting! I guess they had the trampoline trials earlier in the week. I thought it was a shame that they didn't seem to broadcast them as well. It was fun to watch though. They actually get pretty high up. The HP Pavilion is actually right by the airport and a few times when these girls would do their stunts a plane would fly by really low because it was getting ready to land. It was a neat added effect.

 Inside was very exciting! There's so much that goes on that you don't get to see on tv. I wasn't allowed to bring in my DSLR but I was allowed to use my point and shoot. At least I had that. Not all the pictures came out as clear as I would have wanted but I think I was able to get some pretty good shots considering.

 These are just a few of what I took. I loved every minute of it! And although I wanted to come back home to my boys who became sick right after we left, I also didn't want the day to end. We only planned a one night get away, it was a much needed one. We don't get date nights alone very often. So while we worried together about the boys, we still relished the time together.

We love the Olympics! Both winter and summer! We look forward to each one. I remember being in Utah for the 2002 winter olympics and being able to take part in those and how exciting it was. I loved being able to share a similar moment with Ron! We are very proud of our team and we are so excited to see them and cheer the world on this July!

Stairs and T.V.!

 One of the fun things with our new house is there is more space for Jaden to wander around and explore. We've never had a home before with stairs and Jaden is loving climbing up the stairs. He generally has a huge smile and will laugh or giggle while he goes up the stairs. One thing I love about babies is watching them learn and figure out new things. This is Jaden doing just that. He figured out that by holding onto the railings while going upstairs he can still see and watch the TV. It's hilarious! So now if we're going upstairs to change a diaper or something I have to keep reminding him to keep going. Luckily he hasn't gotten to the point of getting really upset if I take him by the hands and lead him up faster. I just can't get over how cute and funny this is to me. I love that this makes me smile. I hope it makes other smile as well. Kids are so cute!

Last day of School!

 June 20th was Jaxen's last day of kindergarten. It was a happy/sad day for us. He absolutely loved his teacher Mrs. Peterson. She was fantastic! We're really going to miss her. So we're a bit sad to say good-bye but happy and looking forward to next school year. Jaxen will be going to a new school for first grade so there will be many new things to get used to.

 On the last day of school each year we like to take the kids out to celebrate. Jaxen choose to go to "Tops Yogurt". It's a really yummy build your own frozen yogurt bar. Since we were celebrating I let him choose whatever he wanted.

 This was his creation. Chocolate yogurt, gummy sharks. cookie dough, chocolate pretzels.

 I got some too and shared with Jaden. He was loving it. He kept trying to pull himself closer or out of the stroller to have more.

Looks like Jaxen loved his creation. It was a fun little celebration with just the three of us.

I can't believe how much time has gone by. My little boy is now a first grader. Some days I am still in disbelief and amazed at how much he has grown. Some days it still feels like he should still be my little one toddling down the hall. And now here he is, starting school, making friends, playing new games, learning new skills. Some days I long for the moments when he was a sweet little baby, those were magical moments, but I am loving being able to begin these new adventures with him. It is very exciting! We love you Jaxen! Congratulations on graduating Kindergarten and the best of luck beginning first grade! It's a big step up and we are so proud of you!

Catching up!

Well, in my attempts update my blog because i'm so behind, as usual, the hard drive died on my computer. I lost all the photos I was going to use for my updates. So I'll give a quick recap of what's left and then I will start again. Our Utah spring break trip was for a couple reasons. One, my Grandma Berry died so we went out for her funeral and two, one of the girls I was a nanny for got married. It was a bitter sweet trip for me. I had so many mixed emotions. I mourned the loss of my grandmother but rejoiced in seeing so many family members I haven't seen in so long. Some I hadn't seen in over a decade. It was wonderful to see them all again even if it was to say good bye to Grandma. I wished I could have spent more time to catch up with everyone. It's true, that when you get together with those you love and know love you in return, it really helps with healing your heart.

We celebrated Easter while we were there. My sisters put together an egg hunt at my mom and dad's house and the kids had fun with that. Jaxen said the easter bunny was really smart to know to come to Utah instead of our house in California. It was so cute to see his reaction.

We did a mountain drive through Provo canyon. In all the years we grew up Ron never went to Squaw Peak. So even though it's been dubbed the "make out point", the view is still spectacular. I remember going up there as a child  and collecting acorns. So I took Ron and the kids up there. It was beautiful, there was snow on the tops of the mountains that gleamed in the sunlight. However all the trees I remembered were gone. I was really sad about that. It was shocking to see all the trees gone. But instead of focusing on what I remembered, I just enjoyed the moment. Ron and the kids all loved the view. They were amazed at how much they could see from there. I love being in the mountains as much as I love being on the beach next to the ocean. It brings my heart so much peace. I really needed that.

We had fun playing at nickel arcade, and having a cookout with my sister Amy and her kids and my friends Jenny and Mike and their kids. Amy lives in the country and has a campfire pit in their back yard. We roasted hotdogs and marshmallows. It was fun! Jaxen had a blast playing in the big sandbox. He is my dirt boy, loves digging in the dirt.

We went to Joelle's wedding. It was beautiful. I can't believe my little girl is married and expecting her first baby. I'm so happy for her though. She was glowing. She looked so happy! It was great to see her and the rest of the family again. They hold special places in my heart. I'm so excited to be an Auntie!!!!

All and all it was a wonderful trip. We had our ups and downs, a few rough moments, but we had beautiful and happy moments as well. On the drive home we stopped in at Circus Circus in Reno. It was a great way to end the trip. Ron won me a stuffed bear. The kids all played a game and each won something. Jaxen played a game against me and a bunch of other adults. The look on his face when he realized he'd won was priceless! It was fantastic!

May was also a big month for us because we moved!! Wahoo! Just to a bigger house. We really needed this. We found a fantastic house that has an extra room that technically can be used as a 5th bedroom because there is a small closet but we're using it as my very own ART STUDIO!!!! Wahoo! I'm so happy to finally have my own space where I can have all my art/craft stuff in one place. I am loving it! I love being able to work freely on my projects again without taking over the kitchen! It's wonderful! I have my computer in here also so that I can look up inspirations while I work as well. It's so wonderful just being in a house where we all fit, and our stuff fits. It's nice and bright inside our house as well. I can picture us staying in this house for a long time. Which is good because I told Ron we are not moving again until we are ready to buy a house( we're just renting).

June was a big month for Jaxen. He celebrated his 6th birthday! I can hardly believe it's been six years since we welcomed him into our family. I am amazed at how the time has gone. I wouldn't change any of it. I love him so much! I lost the photos of his birthday but I did manage to get this pic of his birthday cake off my phone. He asked me to make him a mickey mouse cake. I had so much fun making this cake! He absolutely loved it! He told me it looked awesome! I sure love my little guy! He makes me smile!

June was also a big month for Jaxen because he finished kindergarten! I can't believe i'm now the mom of a first grader!!! I am excited and look forward to all it brings though. Jaxen's school had a graduation ceremony for all the kids. They did a little program. It was so cute. Jaxen was the kid who was dancing and wiggling around while all the other kids were singing the songs. He was cracking everyone up. He was also the only kid who gave his teacher a hug when she handed him his certificate. It was so sweet. He really loved his teacher Mrs. Peterson! She was fantastic with him. She said that if Jaxen keeps going the way he is that he might qualify for the advanced program in a few years. I am so excited to see what his future brings! Whatever happens, I will always love my spunky little 6 year old!

Okay, so that is some of the updates without the photos to go with them. It's been a fun few month's. Lot's of lessons learned, but lot's of fun memories to go with them!