Happy 7th Birthday Brayden!

Nick is always a great party planner so the kids were really excited to have him home, because that meant their birthday parties were going to be amazing.   Nick planned an army party with netting, obstacle course, dodge ball, zip line, and friends.  He and his friends had a great time, but who wouldn't?!

First Season of Basketball!

Brayden played his first season of basketball at the beginning of 1st grade and loved it.  He did a lot of bouncing, moving, shifting etc. and even made a couple of baskets.  It was fun to go watch and support but I realized that I am that dorky mom that bosses a lot from the side line.  Brayden even had to stop in the middle of the game turn to me and say, "MOM!"  I am busy here!"  After that I decided to just boss a little more quietly.  :)

New York City!

After Nick was home for a bit, we took a trip just him and I to New York for a lovers getaway.  It was fun to see all the sites and also see an actual Broadway show Wicked. We also made it onto the Dave Letterman show.  It was a fun getaway and very interesting trying to figure out how to be alone with him again.  There were only a few minor "bossing around" exchanges between the two of us.  But of course in the end I was always right! :)  

Nick's Homecoming!!

The best day of the entire year!!  So glad he made it home safely and is still "Nick"!  He had a great experience and we as a family grew because of it.   It is amazing how much we were blessed throughout the year and how much prayers on our behalf helped us make it through such a challenge.  I know without a doubt that Nick was protected by our Heavenly Father.  There were so many amazing experiences he went through that we can't deny the fact that he was truly blessed.  I am so grateful for the man he is and the father and husband he has always been and still is.  I am glad to have our family back together and I am reminded daily with a peace that he is home and our family is whole again!  We, as a family, enjoy everything we do together and don't take for granted the small and simple things of being together.

A funny.

We were driving to school this morning and Jaycie and Brayden were talking about the cool soldiers that killed the bad guy to keep us safe like their daddy does. Jaycie pipes in and says "I give that soldier a Super Star and a thumbs up!!" She cracks me up! I didn't stop laughing all day.

Date Night with Brayden!

Brayden has been huge into writing what he calls his "Kindergarten" writing. He leaves notes around the house and also writes me little letters and puts them in my lunch bag before I go to work. It is fun to try to decipher what he is actually writing. Well we were sitting in sacrament the other week and Brayden grabs his note pad and starts writing. (I will translate at the end for those that can't read his "kindergarten" writing.

Brayden: I love you mom
Me: I love you too! You are handsome.

Brayden: You are pride. (Pretty)

Me: Are you happy?

Brayden: Yes, but I want to go on a date.

Me: That would be fun. Where should we go.

Brayden: To Night?

Me: No, it is Sunday, we can go next Friday. Where are we going?

Brayden: Fun Zone to play Laser Tag

Me: Fun, it's a date!

Brayden: Yes, I love you

So we ended up going on a date to the Fun Zone that Friday and had sooo much fun. We ended up bowling instead and then playing arcades. Brayden hit every single jackpot at every game we went to . On a normal day the kids usually will get about 200 tickets to split between them. But Brayden ended up with 1900 tickets all on his own. I should have had Brayden go buy a lottery ticket!!! Then we went to Wendy's for dinner and laughed and laughed and laughed some more. It was so fun to see Brayden be so mature and funny. What a great kid!