Long Time no post!

It's been just about 9 months since my last blog post...wow time flies. A lot has transpired in that short amount of time. Braeden & Brooklynd are both in preschool. Brooklynd loves his first year and Braeden enjoys going one more day a week than last year and the addition of field trips. We've been to the Children's Museum and the Public Safety Building (including policemen and firemen). We have another fieldtrip to the library here in the next month or so. Then in the fall Braeden will start Kindergarten and Brooklynd will be in the 4yr old preschool class. It's amazing to think that after next year I will have two school age children. Darren is working for Streimer Sheetmetal in Salem at the Oregon State Mental Hospital. It is a long term job that will hopefully keep him working into next year. I am still working at MCAM thankfully and although our business has slowed at times we are still hanging in there. Braeden just started his second year of t-ball at the end of March and Darren is coaching his team. We just celebrated Easter at our annual brunch at my bosses house this past weekend, the boys had so much fun in the playroom and with their cousin Kody and they thoroughly enjoyed the brown sugar bacon this year! Following are a few pictures...

Play Ball!

So Braeden started t-ball this year (a year earlier than he's supposed to) and he LOVES it. He's made some new friends and has learned a little bit about the sport. It has been tough for us because we are used to seeing all of Kody's games and we've missed most of them this year, but are thankful for those that we make and it will only get tougher once all three boys are in sports. Braeden loves catching and of course hitting. It is very entertaining for us to watch from the kids that lay on the ground at practice and don't pay attention to those that run to second instead of first base once they've hit. At last nights game three kids picked up three balls to tag out the other team at home plate it was hysterical. A little bit of the overall concept is lost at this age which is what makes it hilarious to watch!

Twinster Visits!

Terra came to visit just after Memorial Day Weekend. Although she was only here for a (work) week, I got to see her a few times and I took Friday off to spend with her. We found shoes for Tristas wedding which was nice and it's the first time in a long time I got to go to lunch with my sisters and mom. I only wished it had been longer! We went out Friday night and had a great time, but her flight left early Saturday so she was super tired!

Portland Children's Museum

We took the boys to the Portland Childrens Museum this weekend. I wanted to take them while they still had the Bob the Builder exhibit. We were on a slight time crunch but made it through just the same. There were several activities for the boys to do and none seemed to be to advanced. We had tons of fun, all of us!

Easter Weekend!

The kids colored eggs with friends on Friday, went to an Easter egg hunt Saturday and got treats from the Easter bunny Sunday as well as had a delicious brunch with family and friends. Here are a few photos!

Bachelorette Party

I went to a bridal shower/bachelorette party for my girlfriend Wendy this past weekend. We had a great time and lots of laughs....she's getting married in May in Hawaii! Here are a few photos from the weekend...

Happy Birthday Honey!

A Swank Affair!

We had the incredible opportunity to go to the Champagne Ball at the Hilton Hotel this year and we jumped at the chance! It was such a fun and exciting NYE party, unlike anything we've ever been too. We got to dress up (my favorite part...by far) and ride in a Hummer Limo to the Hilton where we ate, danced and drank for the better part of the evening. The boys were safe and sound at the daycare slumber party and were sound asleep before the new year rang in! We are already planning and inviting for the festivities next year! It was great fun!

Family Portraits!

We always try to get in to do a family portrait at Christmas time, since we rarely get one any other time of the year! We went in last weekend! Last year Darren and I wore black and the boys red and the backgrounds didn't work well, so this year I decided all one color. I already had outfits for the boys I bought a while back because I always buy them two new outfits for Christmas pics and the holidays and so thankfully Darren and I were able to follow suit in color and the pictures turned out great! We were very happy with them. This coming weekend the boys will get their other pictures taken with their favorite cousin Kody!

Very Black Friday!

We did get up and go to the sales Friday morning after Thanksgiving as we usually do, this year we had an added participant that volunteered to drive and she amused me all day because she is hilarious! My mom, Trista and myself always go, but Colleen, my cousin joined us and we had lots of fun. We started at Walmart at 4:45am and boy was that ever mayhem. We got in and got out quickly, headed over to Fred Meyers, then to Best Buy, Target, Coastal and ended at Kmart! We got lots of good deals and truth be told I go mostly for the sheer entertainment value, but I did get the boys quite a few items and some good girly movies for myself :-) I hope all that made it out were respectful and good hearted b/c not all that were out were....happy holidays y'all!