Piano Recital

Braelynn had her first piano recital tonight .  She did wonderful . She was nervous but I am so impressed how she just plows forward and does it. I never had that much courage. Teri Huckvale does a wonderful job and has more patience than I ever could!!!

Great Job BraeLynn- So happy for you

Guard Duty- Watch Out

So now that mckenna is in upper elementry they have the opportuntiy to beon guard duty. They get to help the kids out of th e cars and well, just look cute, at least mckenna does. I can't believe how big she is!

By, By hair

Well, I let it go for a year but had to cut the wings growing on the side of his head! Cant get rid of the curls on the back yet though! 

Gotta love him

Ok, so the last few months my washing machine has progressively gotten worse. It used to be a good pounding on the lid got it running again. But more and more it would stop in the middle of the cycle and I'd have to come in and sit on it in order for it to work. 

So I tell Aaron what's going on with it. And of course he says " well, at least you have a washing machine", "that's not a priority", "be grateful for what you have", blah,blah, blah

As you may recall I was in California for 5 days. Well when Aaron picked me up from the airport no sooner were we out of the parking garage does he say" what's up with the washing machine, it's driving me crazy!" 

So the very next day he buys me these:

:)

Random

A man and his garage- oh brother! Aaron just loves his garage, his tools to be specific. I think the day after we moved into the house he went to home depot and spent, well lets just say I choked when I saw the bill. But this is his first garage for cryin' out loud. A mans just gotta  have the tools to fill it.(??)  He really has put it to good use, I have benefited greatly from his handiwork! Oh and it really isn't this messy, he had just finished a project. (he made me say that)

A darling little friend of ours babysits the kids sometimes and she was willing to watch them for our anniversary which happened to be her birthday as well. So of course I had to make her a birthday cake.  So mckenna is now in the 5th grade, and well that means lots of things to a 10 yr. old. to mckenna it apparently means that she can talk on the phone for hours at a time. ( no worries mom and dad we will establish limits!) But check out the look, I mean this screams teenager

And Last but not least I have my new jewelry line name- as you can see above- and web site- www.beadsnapod.com- I am hopeful I can stay busy enough to keep up this hobby of mine! I love it. It's my only out these days. But I really do hope people like my designs. It's so scary for me to do this actually. I get so nervouse and worrysome. But thanks to my BFF and her encouragment I am putting myself out there to be , well- out there!

Happy Birthday Jackson!

Oh where does the time go? My baby is 1yr old today, oh how I love him. Birthday party pics to come later! So, Jackson was the only baby I delivered completely natural. I wish I had been more educated with the rest of them because it was the best choice I ever made. Seriously by the time they were ready to take me to recovery I was walking around and ready to run. His birth was the first that Aaron and I really did this together- he was the most involved than any other delivery and I leaned on him more than any other delivery. What a great memory I have of this little guys grand entrance. Now he didn't have to come out sideways, but none the less it was great!

Jackson baby, you are the greatest gift. The joy and light you bring to our family is indescribable. Happy days are sure to continue with you in our life's. We love you little man. 

Californ-I-A

The boys and I went out to Napa California, where I grew up this past week, it was nice to see family and friends. It had been a long time. I loved to see some of my favorite places that have strong memories for me. Here are a few:

This Bakery, ButterCream Bakery, is where my grandmother took me all the time as a little girl. As soon as I walked in the smell brought me way back. My favorite things were the sugar cookie, and signature pink checkered cookies. But being in there made me feel so at home.  These rocks are at downtown Napa, where my grandmother and great aunt used to take me shopping all the time. I would play on these rocks and run up and down the side- Water used to run from them too I think. Napa has changed so much, only a few things left that are the same as when I was young. They even took down the grand clock tower that stood in the center of town because it wasnt sophisticated enough anymore. Dumb winos My great Aunt Marian above and My grandmother below. Marian will be 95 in a couple weeks and my grandma is 90. They are amazing women. I have so much of them in me, they make up a part of who I am. I love that I have had such a close relationship with them all these years.  My grandma and grandpa Pickett, and me and my pop. They are so awesome. Always keeping family first. The older I get the more I realize how much they did, and still do to keep us close. My cousin Jason was married in the Oakland Temple as well on this trip. I had not been there since I was married 12 years ago. It was so nice to walk around the grounds and feel of the wonderful spirit. They don't make temples like this anymore! Such a long trip! we were going non stop and the boys were so pooped out. Jackson has slept all day today!

First Day of School!!!

McKenna is a big 5th grader now. Her last year in elementry school. 

BraeLynn is in 2nd grade  now. she says she will "protect ashlyn" now that ashlyn is in Kindergarden. So I am asuming braeLynn is feeling big too! My sweet girls Cottons and the Adams, ready for school. I love the little routine the kids have in the morning waiting for the bus. Its so dang fun to live across the street from my best friend!!

If you look close you can see McKenna waving out the window- my heart melts!

                                 This is what Jackson does while the girls are at school: Eats dirt

This is what Jaron does when the girls are at school: Steal their Nintendo DS and play it all day

Rise and Shine!

Mira and I had a back to school rise and shine breakfsat for the kids, hoping they will wake up earlier on the actual day! Mira made the cinamon rolls- I just had to boot my kids out of bed. By the way, McKenna was totally frowning until we said"cheese" and of course she puts on the face for the camera. 

It really wanst that cold- the kids were just being such babies about getting up at 6:30 am. (heeehee) Jack Jack loved it!

12 Years Down, Eternity to go

It's Aaron's and mine 12 year Anniversary Today. I love this day, truly, I love remembering why I married this man! J/K We always go to a baseball game on our anniversary , or a day close to it. This year so happens to fall on a day where we can go that night. So we are heading to the Reds Game. We would always sit in the nose bleed section- one time we scalped really good tickets that put us pretty low- then worked our way down to the dugout and ever since then we have tried to scalp good seats. Sadly we never have been so lucky. This year Aaon supprised me and bought, legally, 3rd row behind home plate! I am totally stoled and am so excited. Anyway- I love being married, especially to Aaron! I have to say that one of the things I asked him while we were engaged is to please never stop making me laugh and smile. I am happy to report that he has not failed me! We can sure have fun. I love you Babe, Happy 12 years 

"I love the way you love me"