Brady's First Kill

Brady (and all of my kids for that matter) want to grow up so fast, and no matter how hard I try to keep them little, the years just seem to blend together. Since he was about 8, he has been asking for a BB Gun...ummm no...think again buddy. We told him, maybe when he is 12. Well he has been saving his lawn mowing money for a long time for anything...something. (He did spend quite a bit of it on new baseball stuff, i.e. bat, gloves, baseball bag). So he approached Nate and I about a pellet gun (kind of the same thing, but a little safer I think.) He loves it, and of course has been properly taught how to use it from his dad.

Even Nate likes to pull it out and shoot at the quail in our yard from time to time. Well one day, I was at lunch with my friends and he called and said very excitedly, "MOM...MOM...I just shot a squirrel! And it crawled under the deck and died!" Oh he was thrilled beyond belief that he had hit his mark.

Now before you go thinking that we are just shooting any random animal that enters our yard, remember that we are right up against the mountain and have quite a bit of wildlife. And now that we don't have a cat to chase small animals from our garden, they have become quite bothersome. So yes he was protecting our garden from the squirrel, so that we'll have some sort of harvest in the fall.

Brady did have to take care of his kill. I wasn't going to do it for him. I've joked with him that if he does ever shoot a quail, he has to pluck it and eat it for dinner. (Really don't know if I'll live up to that threat though, since I'd have to most of the work.)


I wonder if he'll turn out to be a hunter or not?

He wanted a shot with his gun in the picture, so Zack was volunteered to hold the squirrel.

Jace's War Wound

Well they say when bad things happen...they happen in 3's. The first bad thing was the snow storm taking down our willow trees, the second was that the water line to our fridge popped off and flooded our kitchen....3 times. (The 3rd time, was in the middle of the night and we didn't catch it for about 2 or 3 hours....Brady came running up in the middle of the night, both Nate and I knew exactly what had happened. So now we are dealing with homeowners insurance and replacing lots of drywall.) But the last thing on the list is our little buddy Jace. One night when Nate had a double header for softball, I decided not to go and get the kids to bed at a decent hour. Well Jace and Brady were racing down to bed and Jace ran into a wall and split his head open. And you know how head wounds bleed. Even though Nate was at a ball game, and Brady could babysit...I still wanted to have our friend Brett Clayson who is a P.A, look at it and just make sure it was 'stitch worthy'. So I drove down to the ball field and grabbed Brett real quick...which I'm sure Nate was wondering what the heck was going on. Of course it was pretty deep, and so we went to InstaCare, but were back at home just after Nate got home from his game.

Jace was pretty brave, and was super excited to get a yellow sticky hand for his efforts of not crying. They actually stapled the wound back together...which I prefer, because it's so much faster. After 10 days, and I told Jace it was time to go get the staples out...he got a little worried and didn't want to go. But luckily Nate took him, and again he got a little toy. I just hope and pray that's the last of our troubles for a little while.

Dance Festival

Our kids participate in the elementary school's dance festival every year. And every year they seem to have the same dances. But this year they changed it up a big, and all of the dances were to some sort of song from Walt Disney.

They do such a cute job, and it's so fun to see them practice their moves at home. It seems hard to believe that next year will be Brady's last, my how fast time goes.


Brady's theme song was 'Under the Sea' from the Little Mermaid.

Zack's theme song was 'You Can Fly' from Peter Pan.

Rachel's theme song was 'Colonel's Happy March' from the Jungle Book.

Last/Late Snow Storm

A week or so before Memorial Day, we had our garden tilled and all prepped for planting. In fact, we had a welcoming BBQ at our house for 3 new families in our ward, and I was saying how I was planning on putting in the garden the next day. Well it was a little rainy that next day, so I decided against it. And then the next Monday...this happened.




YIKES! I was so glad that I waited. (But got an ear full from neighbors that had decided to put their gardens in that next day, because everything of theirs was either ruined or frozen.)

But we had enough trouble with the center willow tree in the backyard. In fact for FHE that night, Nate pulled out the chainsaw, and we all worked together to clean up the mess left from the storm.




I'm glad for the fact that I waited to put the garden in. But now we are deciding if we should cut down the center willow all together. It seems that every year we have either a late or early snow storm, and those willows have such a hard time with the weight of the snow. It is amazing what Mother Nature can do in just a few hours or minutes.

Jace 3-4 Preschool Graduation

Jace was a lucky boy this year, since he got to attend a 3-4 year old preschool class. We usually don't put our kids in 2 years of preschool, but since his birthday is in September, he is ready for some sort of structure. He loved his teachers Miss Heidi and Miss Kylee, and they loved how 'rambunctious' he was. (There was a time when Jace went through swatting bums...even his teachers'...but in a playful way, and they got a big chuckle out of that.)

The only time he ever had a hard time going was right after our 10-day vacation. He didn't want to leave my side, (and still seems to be having mommy-withdrawals from time to time.) But he got over it pretty quick, because preschool was much more fun than coming home and entertaining himself.

Towards the end of the year, I really enjoyed listening to all the songs with actions that he had learned. He was very animated in his program, and we'll treasure the videos for years to come!

We love you little buddy and can't believe how fast your growing up. But I'm so glad that I still have one more year with him, before he rides the big bus to school with his brother and sister.


Jace in his outfit before his program.

Jace receiving his certificate from Miss Kylee.

Jace and Miss Heidi.

Hope of America

This year since Brady was in the 5th Grade, his school participated in the Hope of America. It is a Patriotic celebration that they practice for all year, and held at the BYU Marriot Center. There are actually 2 nights of the program, since so many schools participate now. But WOW....what a program it is. The 5th graders are the chorus for the program and make up the 'Human Flag' on one side of the Marriot Center. Grovecrest was actually on the floor this year, so we had an easier time picking him out. My mom went early and got us great seats, which I will be forever greatfull for. My kids, except for Hannah, really enjoyed it...especially when they turned out the lights and the kids held up flashlights. I'm so sad I forgot my camera, but I did have my phone. But I still didn't get a great shot of the flag. It was an awesome program, and I'm excited for the other kids for their chance to participate.


Here's the best picture I got. Brady is on the very far right...4th from the front. And yes the flag in the back is made up of 5th graders from around Utah County. So cool!

Zack's Birthday Party

Since Zack's birthday was during spring break this year, we decided to wait until the weekend to have his party. He just wanted to have a movie and pizza night with his friends, hang out and play games. I guess no more 'themed' parties for this guy!


Jaxon, Tanis, Zack, Parker, and Caleb...eating chow! But seriously, I bought way too much food. Even though Zack is our bottomless pit, I guess these boys aren't going to eat me out of house and home until they become teenagers.


Zack blowing out the candle on his cake. It was a yummy smores cake. (Since our plans to roast marshmallows outside were ruined by the rain.)

Baby Clothes

Since I am the next one to have a baby on my side of the family, guess what I have been bombarded with? CLOTHES! CLOTHES! CLOTHES! There are 5 older girls in my family, and we have always passed around and handed down clothes to one another. Whether it be kids clothes or maternity clothes. There were 3 large bins of maternity clothes....which I quickly trimmed down to only 2 bins. (Because styles change quite frequently.) One thing that I had tossed was a pair of maternity overalls. I remember wearing some similar being pregnant with Brady, but seriously no one wears those anymore. But as I was putting in my garden the other day, and having my pants keep slipping down and cussing underneath my breath, I quickly retrieved those overalls from the DI pile and finished my work with ease. They will have to be a gardening staple for me this summer. (I told Aubree and Ashlee that I kept them, and that yard work is probably the only reason they'll ever wear them ;-)

I was given all the baby boy clothes from everyone. HOLY COW! There were so many clothes, and I know that they will keep coming. But it's okay, I'm not complaining...just wondering if I really need to buy anything besides diapers? Seriously, as I was sorting through the baby boy clothes, I didn't keep anything that had a stain or a rip or wasn't in near perfect condition. Just to give you an idea of the wardrobe possibilities that this baby will have if it is a boy is a picture below. These are the shoes for 0-6 months old. There are 14 pairs...YES 14 PAIRS! I couldn't believe it. And they are all in GREAT SHAPE...others were already tossed.




Next up are the baby girl clothes...I honestly fear for when all those are brought to me...because we know how much more clothing options there are for a baby girl over a baby boy!

Zack's Wolf

Just before Zack turned 9, he earned his Wolf badge at Pack Meeting. He was so excited to advance to the Bear Den, and to earn a gold arrow and 3 silver arrow points along with it. We are so blessed to live in the ward that we do, because scouting is such a big priority here. The leaders like to move the boys along quickly, and make sure no one falls through the cracks. (In fact most boys are starting on their Eagle Projects by the time they turn 14). So THANK YOU to all of my sons' scout leaders that they've had, and will have in the future!


Zack pinning on the Mother's pin for his Wolf Badge. Sis. Olesen, his Wolf Leader.


Zack, Caleb, and McKay receiving their Bear neckerchiefs from their new Bear Den Leaders. Brother Christensen, and Brother Jenkins.

Like Mother Like Daughter

Back in the day when I was nearing 12 years old, I remember bugging and bugging my mom to let me shave my legs. I wanted so much to be grown up! (I also remember sneaking to elementary school and putting on mascara in the bathroom...but not being smart enough to take it off before I headed home.) In fact my mom found this cartoon in the newspapaer soon after I had entered Jr. High, and I added it to my scrapbook because it was just what I had been pestering her about.




Fast forward 22 years...(dang, am I that old?). Now keep in mind Rachel is only 7 1/2 years old. For her daily chores that week she was on trash duty. Well as she was taking out the trash from our house, and was approaching the front porch, I noticed something poking out of her pocket. I asked her what was in her pocket, and she quickly covered it with her hand. With a little prodding, and promising her I wouldn't be mad, she unveiled one of my disposable razors that she had snuck from the trash. It was all I could do to hold in my urge to laugh, as all these memories of 'wanting to grow up' came rushing back into my mind. She said that she wanted to shave her arms...see she is 'cursed' like me with long blonde arm hair. It's not bad, it actually didn't bother me while growing up. My Grandma Broadhead use to always comment on how I had taken after her with inheriting the long blonde arm hair. And so it begins with the battle for her wanting to grow up and me wanting to keep her little!

Trouble Markers/Makers

So one day in early April, just after I had gotten the kids off to school, Hannah came walking into my room with a permanent marker in hand. I knew there was trouble from that look on her face. I quickly went into the kitchen to find this:



Jace was ever to innocently eating his cereal, when I asked him who had written on the cabinets. He was quick to blame it on his little sister of course. But come on, I know she's clever, she was even probably the one who had stood on the counter and found the one marker I leave in the kitchen. But she doesn't know how to spell. Scribble yes...so I blame her for part of it.

But then this picture is proof that it just wasn't her. I guess I should be glad that a 4 year old knows his sister's name starts with an H.



Luckily there is the Magic Eraser from Mr. Clean...that works ever so beautifully on some things. (See I had already erased the J from his name in the picture.) Otherwise I probably wouldn't have found the humor in the situation. (And don't worry they were punished for their deed, and now that one marker it hidden in my bedroom.) Even after the washing the sweater numerous times the H is still there...it's a good story I guess.

Brady's Choir Concert

Just after Christmas last year, Brady came home begging me to let him join choir. I honestly thought that it was a phase and that he'd forget about it, but nope...he never let up until I wrote out that $10 check to let him join. He was so good to remember Tuesday and Thursday mornings, that he had to be to school 45 minutes early for practice.

What a great experience it was for him. The school had a theme for 'Walt Disney' this year for all of the extra curricular activities (choir, ballroom, and the dance festival...info to come later.) All of their songs were from Disney movies, which was quite entertaining for my kiddos to listen to.

They even had a special musical/dance number from the movie 'Newsies', where just the girls sang and the boys danced a sort of 'fight' like they do in the movie. So, so cute! I loved it! Reminded me of high school/college dancing days. I have lots of video, but here is a picture of Brady in his 'Lion King' hat.

Since choir members have to be in 4th, 5th, or 6th, grade...I think Zack will join his brother next year. Can't wait!

Spring Break 2010

We decided to stick around town for spring break, but I knew we needed to think up some fun things to do. Well since Monday is always laundry day....we had 4 more days to play and have fun. I decided to let the 4 oldest each choose an activity on one day, but the activity had to start with the same first letter of their name. On Tuesday, Jace decided that he wanted to go to a Jungle-gym. Well since I really needed to make a trip to Ikea...that was the jungle-gym of choice. It was also fun to have lunch in the cafe there. I just felt sorry for both Brady and Hannah, because they were either too small or big for the jungle-gym there. (I made it up to Brady, by letting him choose a movie to rent for that night for everyone.) Wednesday, Rachel decided to go roller-skating at Classic skating. We had a blast, with scooters, skates and strollers. They all took their golden dollar that they got from Grammee for Easter and bought a special treat there. Thursday, was Zack's birthday, so he was actually exempt from having to find an activity with a Z...since the zoo was pretty much his only choice, and I didn't want to drive all the way up there. But he decided on Jump on It...a place that has wall to wall trampolines and blow-up slides. SUPER FUN...they boys really loved the velcro-wall blow up, with the velcro suits. Since it was Zack's birthday, Nate slipped away from work early so that he could come with us. (And that is the only time I remembered to take pictures...oops.) Friday, Brady decided that he wanted to go to Bajio for lunch. We picked up lunch and took it to a park and had a little picnic. We had a blast hanging out and enjoying the much needed break.