Jaden turned 6!!!

July 16th, 2002...oh I remember this day so well!! When Justin and I got married we knew we wanted to wait about three years before having children, but we didn't know we would share our 3 year anniversary with our first born! Did we plan that well or what??!! I can't believe our Jaden is 6 years old, my how time has flown by! He has been a handful but he has also been a joy in our lives. I can not imagine life without him, he brings craziness and soon gray hair to my life!! He is a great kid, full of energy and a zest for life! He goes non-stop and thank heavens each day has an end...or he would be like the energizer bunny, keeps going and going and going!! When I stop and think about my Jaden these are the things I think of: big blue eyes with great eyelashes, contagious laugh, goer, great big brother, soft heart, caring, loves his family, loves Heavenly Father and Jesus, loves playing with his friends, very coordinated, and loves to test the limits!!! I'm sure I could go on and on but these are the things that come to mind first!

Jaden celebrated his 6th birthday with friends from preschool, church, and the neighborhood! He celebrated "Kung Fu" style!! I was a little stressed out this year because I would be putting on the party widow style, seems we had it during the week and Justin had to be at work. Thankfully I had two great friends there to help me out with the girls and keep things under control! Jaden loves presents and was so excited when a friend would come with a gift, he would stop dead in his tracks, run to the friend, take it, and go put it next to all the others! All he asked was, when can we eat cupcakes!...I told him after cupcakes came presents!! Yes, I went the cupcake route this year because every other year I ended up throwing away basically the whole cake. I will post a picture of them, but don't laugh!! I'll tell you what they are unless you are thinking "Kung Fu Panda!" They are Chinese dragons! They didn't turn out wonderful but they worked!! I had each child a name badge with their names printed in Chinese...don't know that they thought it was as cool as I did, we then did a craft which was a necklace that they beaded and then for a favor I had Chinese take-out boxes with a few goodies!! I think it turned out pretty cute although I must say...I'm glad it's over!! It was a crazy 2 weeks!! I have to post this because it doesn't and won't happen too often. Justin and I had to speak in sacrament the Sunday before and if you know me you'll know this is something that terrifies me, but it's all over and now the party is done and I can sit back and enjoy and wait for our vacation to Utah in a month!! Woo Hoo!!! Wow that was a long random post!! Sorry!!

I forgot to add a picture of the cupcakes!! Jaden kept saying they were crazy, I told him we didn't have to use them but then he insisted, made me feel a little better! You crafty ones out there don't laugh too hard!!

The Birthday Boy!!

This is Cindy one of my good friends! She's from South Africa and has a daughter Jaden's age. She is so much fun to chat with!!

What a bunch of cute kids, don't you agree??

A Bus Trip to the City!

I mentioned before that Justin's dad, sister, and baby came for a visit and we decided to take Grandpa Russ to the "City" since he had never been there before. Jaden loves to take the bus to the "City" with his dad and spend a fun filled day. He doesn't call it downtown or Seattle, it's the City!! We decided instead of driving that we would take the bus. I had never been on the bus before and really didn't know what to expect! I just remember stories Justin would tell me of when he would travel to work on the bus. The kids were all great on the bus ride to and from! Halli was a little concerned when we left the car, she kept saying, "mommy car, mommy car!" Then when we would have to transfer to another bus she would say, "dat bus!" We had a fun day! Our first stop was Pikes Market...way too crowded so we decided to head over to the Seattle Center! What we did there...we tilted our heads at all the crazy people, ate lunch, had snacks, walked around the Seattle Center, wanted to go up the Space Needle but the line was way to long, tilted our heads more, went to the fountain and then decided we had had enough. There's only so much you can do with little kiddos!! All in all it was a fun day in the City!!

Bus ride to the City, Halli wasn't too sure about it!!

Aunt Heidi and cousin Hogan!!

Can you tell Halli was in love with this sucker?? She licked and licked and licked some more!! On our ride home I was tired of holding it so I put it in the garbage thinking she didn't see it but soon she started pointing and saying "hucker!" In her little whiny voice we love sooo much!!

Jaden decided to take the plunge and head down to the fountain! Down and right back up!

Raggie was all tuckered out!!

A Few More Pics. of the 4th!!

I had to post a few more pictures...I think I got a little excited about posting and forgot I wanted to add more pictures of our evening at our friends house. Sounds like me, I always forget what the heck I'm doing or better yet what I'm going to do!! Sorry...but hey who doesn't like to look at pictures of crazy people!!!

Little "smiley!" Don't look at her hair! Bad hair day!!

Trouble and Trouble!!

Aunt Heidi, Hoagie, and Grandpa Russ!!

4th of July!!

We had a super fun 4th this year!! We got some news Monday morning saying that Justin's dad and sister and her baby would be coming for a quick visit and would arrive Thursday night. So...they got to join in our 4th of July fun!! We started out our day by being late to the ward breakfast, well Justin wasn't, he had to be there to make the pancakes and he did a mighty fine job, we got hot ones right of the grill!! YUMMO!! After breakfast Jaden and Halli joined the kids in decorating their bikes with flags and other festive decor! After breakfast we came back to the house for naps while I started making food for our next outing. When evening rolled around we headed over to some friends house for a fun filled evening and boy was it filled with excitement!! It was a good time! We ate lots of food, chit chatted, kids played, laughed, lit fireworks, ate more food, laughed more, and lit more fireworks!! The fireworks were great until...a couple of friends and I were enjoying them when all of the sudden one tipped over and shot at us!! Holy Cow...I don't think I have ever moved that fast in my life!! I did a very graceful acrobatic move over the back of my chair and in doing so I caught my foot on something and landed flat on my belly!! I thought I was going to get it right in the face! Thankfully we only walked away with a few minor burns and bruises...oh and a little fire on my friends blanket!! So...this same fire work hit one of the guys in the chest...okay the nipple! YIKES, but the best part was how funny it was hearing him tell about it. I almost died laughing! I think it was even funnier because the guy it happened to I would have never guessed would say the word "nipple"! He kept saying "Yeah, it about took off my nipple!" After our little mishap we enjoyed the fireworks from afar!! It was a fun day!!

Halli sporting her 4th of July rig!!

Camilla, Jaden, and Jaxson! What some cute kiddos!!

Ragen and Grandpa Russ!

Swim Lessons!!

We get to check one more thing off our summer activity list!! I mentioned before that when I asked him what he would like to do this summer, he rattled off a mile long list. Well...I think we narrowed it down to four and we finished up with the second! He has been enjoying swimming and got a little dissappointed when I told him he only had 2 sessions left! Soon to follow was lots of attitude demanding that he does more swimming!I would really like for him to learn how to swim, I hate water myself so to have him know how to swim would give me a sense of security, I guess! The first few classes he was not too keen on going under the water but soon got the courage up but had to plug his nose and then he got even more brave and started doing it without and can now blow bubbles out of his nose when he goes under. More than I can do!! He has been doing a great job!! It is so fun to watch him grow and do new things and become this cute little boy taking on life. Oh to be a kid again!!!


Playing Red Light Green Light!! Those are some hot goggles, I know!! We finally got the dang things to stay on and not bend his ears down! It only took two summers! I need goggle placement 101!!

He was so excited because he was doing so well on the kick board! He's getting it!!

I had to post this little Diva!! She had to wear her sun glasses, it was pretty sunny inside!! She makes me laugh and everyone had to comment! She walked around like...What are you looking at, is something wrong??

Remembering our Crysta Lee!!

This is going to be a tough one to post! I can't believe our Crysta has been gone now for 2 years. I will always remember the day we received the news, it was such a "bitter sweet" time. We had just celebrated the birth of Halli June 21, 2006 and Crysta returned home to her Heavenly Father June 24, 2006. Words can't even explain the sadness I had in my heart, it all seemed like a dream. My heart hurt for my sister. It was so hard to be happy for me and my little family, when my sister was mourning the loss of her first born. The thing that was hardest for me was not being able to go home and attend the services. Having no closure has been a little weird...I know she's gone but to me it just feels like I haven't seen her for an extra long time!! I am so thankful for the Plan of Salvation and the knowledge I have knowing that I will see her again some day. I know Heavenly Father has a plan and knowing that makes it a little easier to accept her being taken away. I love my sister Jan, she is one of the strongest people I know. Having your child taken from you has really got to test your faith!! She was a great mom to Crysta!! I will always remember our Crysta. It was always a little weird to me having a niece so close in age. Isn't it crazy when something happens to someone and you find yourself saying, "I wish I would have spent more time with them!" Well that's what I wish! She was a great girl. Always willing to help anyone out! She could do anything, and I mean anything! I'm sure she could change a flat quicker than any guy out there. She loved adventure and was up for anything!! In her short time here on earth I think she got it all in!! I miss you Crysta and can't wait to see you again some day!! I guess the right thing to say would be...Miss your mug!! Love your guts!!

Look Who's 2!!

Yes, our Halli turned 2 June 21st. I can't believe how fast the time has gone!! She is so much fun to have around and keeps us on our toes all day long!! Yesterday I asked her what she wanted to do for her birthday. Her response, "Birthday Shopping!" Hope she likes to shop more than I do... although my friend is getting me to like it more and more!! Well...we didn't go shopping on her birthday, instead we spent the afternoon at the park. We had a picnic, the kids played at the playground, we had cupcakes (tried to blow out candles, but had to do that when we got home), played in the dragon sprinkler, came home and played more, opened presents, and had more cupcakes. This time she got to blow out candles!! I think all in all she had a great day!! We don't think she fully understood it was her birthday but I think she knew it was a special day for her. Leading up to her birthday we would ask her what was coming and she would say, "birthday coming!" How old will you be? "2!" It has really surprised me how one day she started talking so much better and putting more and more words together. Her favorite thing to say, "Jaden did it!" Smart girl!! They grow up way to fast!! Here are some pictures of Halli's special day!! Happy Birthday Halli J. We love you very much!!

Sorry about all the pictures, I need to learn how to do a slide show!!

Taking a break from the sprinklers!!

Looks good!!

I couldn't believe my eyes when she shoved that big bite into her little mouth and then the look she gave me as she pedalled away!! What a little stinker!!

She loves her glasses and necklace!!

What a cute Birthday Girl!!

Halli blew out her candles a dozen times and each time she would blow them out she would cover her eye and say, "more 'gain!" So we would light them up again!! She covered her eyes because she thought the HOT (what she calls "fire") would get her!!

She was a little more dainty with the cupcakes at home, could have been because she ate 3 at the park and wasn't feeling up to another one!!

Preschool Graduation!!

Wow!! Where has the time gone?? I can't believe I will have a child old enough to go to Elementary School in the fall. It doesn't seem that long ago that Jaden was our only child. For almost 4 years, our lives revolved around him...well things change and they seem to change more quickly than we want sometimes!! I find myself saying quite often, "Oh, I can't wait for him to go to school!!" I know when the first day of Kindergarten rolls around and he leaves on that big yellow school bus I will be one of those moms who cries at the bus stop! My Jaders drives me crazy and tests my patience by the minute but I love him to pieces and hope he knows that! I can't imagine life without him! We are so proud of you Jaden and hope you continue to love to learn!




Jaden's class sang and danced the Macarana!! Well...kind of. They used the tune and the dance and sang the Months of the Year!! It was so cute and boy did they get in to it!!


Jaden came out with his arms folded and kept them folded for quite some time. I guess he thought he looked like a stud!! Doesn't he though??


This is Jaden and his teacher Mrs. McBride!!


Jaden with his Preschool Graduation Diploma!! Yah, he made it through 2 years!! How many more left to go????