School Projects

Braden is a HUGE fan of SCHOOL. He loves his teacher Mr. R and is one of the top kids in his class in all subjects. Recently his class has been learning all about habitats and each student was asked to make a habitat diorama for homework. Braden really wanted to learn about the platypus so we went to the library and checked out a few books and then got started on the diorama. We made an unexpected trip up north for the weekend so we put together his project at Grammy Bo's house. My brother Dane who saw what we were doing was really excited to help. In fact he pretty much took over the whole project with Braden. They worked really well together and I and know Braden just loved doing more "uncle stuff."

Braden also had a special field trip to see the different habitats at the Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay and I got to go too! Normally Braden gets really funny when I come to volunteer at his school. He kind of acts like he's a cross between embarrassed and excited. I wasn't sure how he'd respond to me on his field trip and I was surprised at how lovey he was. I was not surprised that he was a good boy who followed directions.

After the tour we went into a classroom to expolore and learn different things about sharks and other fish and creatures in the aquarium. Braden was even chosen to be turned into a SHARK!  

Sweet Boys

This past week Carter's primary teacher lost her husband. He was not a member so we never met him but we do know Sister Bame and she is a wonderful teacher and friend. Carter and I made cards for her and decided to take her some flowers. Before leaving to deliver them Braden saw what we were doing and wanted to make her a card too.

It's good to know that my boys can be so sweet and willing to cheer others up, especially when they do things like this:

Boy's...you got to love them.

Historic Railroad Trail

This past weekend, Presidents Day weekend, we took a little hike with my mom and Gary out to the Historic Railroad Trail at Lake Mead. The trail is the only remaining section of the Hoover Dam Railroad system that is not highly disturbed or under water. All the tunnels are approximately 300 ft. in length, and 25 ft in diameter. The tunnels were oversized to fit the penstock sections and large equipment being transported to Hoover Dam.

Carter pooped out really quickly and had to rid with Sis most of the walk.

Sis used Carter as a rest for her feet.

1 Year Dr. Appointment

Riley is a very little thing. I don't know why she's so little. She is tall though and that doesn't surprise me at all because all my kids have been tall, at least as babies.

1 Year

18 pounds (8%)

30 inches (70%)

Birthday Girl

Riley's birthday was a drawn out celebration. We had 3 different parties with 3 different cakes. It was really fun to see Riley get so excited about us singing Happy Birthday to her and opening presents.

Our fist party was a little over a week early. My mom and sister came to visit so we celebrated while they were here. We played lots of games, most of them were played while Riley was sleeping, opened presents and ate cake.

Making her cake.

Playing outside before naptime.

My mom got Riley a toy box. The boys loved helping put it together.

Navy was really jealous of  Riley's new toys. Luckily we have 

more than one baby doll so we could keep both girls happy.

Cake Time!

We gave Riley her cake and the first thing she did was reach for the candle.

Good thing she had cake to make her happy again.

Even after eating lots of cake herself she tried to get Navy's piece too.

The little girls got really messy. They needed a good scrub down.

On Riley's actual birthday we didn't do anything big, but we did take Sis to the pet store to look at the puppies and then came home to eat/destroy more cake.

On the Saturday after Riley's birthday we invited several of our friends over to celebrate. Riley destroyed more cake and especially enjoyed having everyone sing to her.