Sometimes I forget how blessed I am

I was just vacuuming when I looked over at Cameron.  Grandma had bought him some candy a couple of days ago and just now he got two bags out of the drawer and was separating them evenly between him Braxton and Dakota.  No one told him he had to, he just did.  I asked him why and he said "Because I really wanted Kota and Braxy to have some".  What a sweet little boy.  

Saddest Day Ever!

Well we said goodbye to Justin, Bernice, Cade, Medora, and Ryder tonight at a final party at Bella's.  It was heart wrenching to say the least.  They are headed to Japan for 2 to 5 years for a job transfer.  The saddest part was watching my children.  It was almost worse than a funeral for them.  These kids are their best buds.  They are the same ages as Braxton and Daktoa.  Braxton has a taken a particular liking to Ryder the 2 year old and it breaks my heart to hear Brax say things like "Mom, when they get back Ryder wont even want to play with me like he does now" and as he puts Ry on his shoulders he says "One last ride little buddy."  Or when he is trying to sleep crying his eyes out he says "Mom, why do they have to go?"  It was very sad for both him and Dakota even in the days leading up to their departure.  Japan is a world away from here.  We reassured them that there is Facetime and e-mail and letters and many ways to keep in touch, but in their heads all this is is Goodbye.

The worst part was when we left the restaurant and Braxton puked everywhere.  He had swallowed so much snot, it was disgusting!  Shane said that his mom called last night and had done the same thing as she left the airport, pretty emotional day for everyone.  We love them very much and will miss them tons, but know that this is where the Lord wants them to be for a short while.

Katie, Medora, Shannon, and the newest Weston--Tanner (2 weeks old)

Alisha and Alan

Grandma Becky and Michael

Braxton and Ryder saying goodbye with Grandpa Russ

Grandpa Brent, Grandpa Farr and Justin 

Shane posted a message on Facebook that I want to put on here just to have in our book:

Today is the day.
Farewell to Justin and Bernice family.
-Off to Okinawa, Japan.
Justin and Bernice,
As you begin this new chapter in your life, we wish you well in your travels. We hope that you find all that you are in search of on your new journey. Life is funny how things work out, we all know that this has been something you guys have been wanting for quite some time, for whatever reason it has taken a while to get to this point, but it is finally here. I am a firm believer there is a reason for everything that happens in life, we hope that you guys take this opportunity and make the most of this adventure, learn as much as you can, see as much as you can, and do as much as you can in the SHORT time you will be there. My favorite quote is “the greater the sacrifice the greater the reward”, this is an amazing sacrifice that I have no doubt you will be greatly rewarded. Thanks for everything your family has done for all of us, you will be greatly missed.
-Good luck to you little family, we love you guys.

Easter 2013

 We stuffed and Dyed eggs on Tuesday with our cousins on my side.  This is Mom, Kiley and Tara stuffing the eggs for the big hunt on Saturday.

 Cameron, Carrera, Dakota, Marley and Braxton.

 I forgot to upload this in the previous post, so I just added it here.  Such handsome boys :)  This is one of the spots Shane and I got our photo taken 13 1/2 yrs ago when we got married here.

 Plain City Egg hunt.  Braxton was too old this year to he went over early and helped Grandpa Brent throw the candy out.  He thought that was pretty great.  Cam and Dakota got loaded up.

 Easter Morning.  They boys went on their usual scavenger hunt to find their basket.  Once again Brax got up at the crack of dawn and woke up his brothers.  He is so into anticipation it is crazy.  He couldn't even sleep he said.  This is really what makes the holidays so magical, the excitement on their faces and the fun of all the events leading up to the holiday.  I love it!

Spring Break Getaway 2013

 For Spring Break we decided to do a couple of fun activities nearby.  On Monday we went to the Gateway with all the cousins and went to the planetarium and to get the kids swimsuits for Easter.  There were 8 kids so it was a little crazy, but we had a lot of fun.  Then on Tuesday we died eggs and got the eggs filled.  On Thursday Shane and I took the boys to a hotel in Salt Lake and swam and went out to dinner to the Cheesecake Factory.  Then at the crack of dawn Shane Brax and Dakota swam again for 3 hours while Cam and I slept in.  It was great :)

 Afterward we met up with Justin and Bernice and their family and Becky and Russ at Scheels.  It is a sports store in SLC that has a ton of fun things for the kids to do and play.  We rode the Faris Wheel, shot, guns, did sports simulators and bought a couple of things for the kids.

 Dori and Dakota (only 3 months apart)

 The family at the shooting gallery.

 Dori, Dakota, Cameron, Ryder, Braxton. 

 Ryder and Braxton have really taken to each other, where we find Braxton there will also be Ryder.

 All the kiddos.  Top: Cameron, Cade, Medora, Ryder, Braxton.  In Wheel: Dakota

 After our shopping adventure we headed to Temple Square and the City Creek Center.  There is such beautiful fountains at both places.  It was a beautiful spring day and I truly feel peace there.  I was happy to share the beauty of the temple with my boys.  Surprisingly we have never done that with them.  It is so close, but we rarely make it to Salt Lake.  What a fun Spring Break!!

IFLY

 Cameron had the awesome opportunity to do the IFLY for his friend Jace's Birthday Party.  They fly in a tunnel, simulating skydiving.  Everyone got to Fly twice, and Spiderman was even in there with them.  Cameron only flew once because he was very nervous!  What an opportunity.

 Cameron, Owen Hill, Jace Nielson, Brandan Dunn.

This is Dakota's 2nd Grade Basketball team.  He had so much fun playing this year.  He even made a few baskets!!!  I got to see one and Shane never did get to see any, he always made them when Shane wasn't there.