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!