What We've Been Up To

It has been awhile since I've blogged so here are a lot of pictures showing what we've been up to!

We did the Running With Angels at Thanksgiving Point in memory of my sister Becky and my cousin Jason. We started this tradition last year and I'm pretty sure it will continue for years and years. We had a great turn out of support and it was a very memorable day. Even the kids were such troopers-- 3.2 miles is a long way for their little legs!

I turned the BIG 30 in April. The picture below shows just how awesome I look when I first wake up in the morning. Yes, I sleep in Jared's t-shirts and nope, I usually don't remove my makeup before hitting the pillow!

However, despite how awesome I look that's not what the picture is about. My cute little darlings made me breakfast in bed! They planned to wake up early (Aspen even set her barking dog alarm) and they collaboratively made me their version of French toast (2 pieces of bread, toasted, with butter, A LOT of sugar, and cinnamon). It was so yummy and they are the sweetest kids.

I had multiple celebrations that lasted the whole month. I celebrate every chance I get-- it's great to have a whole month just for my birthday!

My cutest ever niece tried on her prom dress for all of us (isn't she so beautiful??) so Aspen and Emily had to dress up too! Grandma's dress-up room is the best!

Aspen decided to try soccer this year and was on the team with one of her best friends from school. She loved soccer and did really well! Of course, the orange shirts were not her favorite.

The kids had to do a project for school where they become someone from history. Jackson was Johnny Cash and Aspen was Amelia Bloomer (the lady who invented bloomers). My friend from work had true vintage bloomers that her mother made for her when she was in the 2nd grade and she let Aspen borrow them for her report.

Jackson came onto the stage and "scanned the crowd" then went up to the microphone and said, "Hello, I'm Johnny Cash." It was classic! Everyone laughed.

The above picture is Aspen and my mom cleaning (YES, cleaning) my sister's grave. Who else but my mother would take a bucket of soapy PineSol to a cemetery and scrub down a grave??? It was close to Memorial Day and there was bird poop everywhere so she decided it needed to be cleaned (does anyone remember Danny Tanner from the sitcom Full House???).

And, Lynnie and my mom always make sure there are beautiful floral arrangements adorning the graves. The picture below is them hauling in fresh lilacs (Becky's favorite).

We took a trip to the aquarium with Grandma Dean-- she probably doesn't remember the trip but she really had a good time while she was there!

Jackson had a GREAT baseball season this year. GO PADRES!!! Jared helped coach the team this year. I was so proud of Jackson for how well this season. His big black eye shiner from that nasty softball was just a few days before tryouts. Jackson was a little scared of the ball but he overcame it and did great!

Easter came and went! Grandma's Easter egg hunt was awesome even though it was indoors because of the weather. Aspen was so glad to have the "long list" back for the hunt.

We had a couple of fun sleepovers with cousins complete with junk food, video games, and late nights!

Jackson helped Jared build the shed in the backyard. It took them quite a long time but we're glad to have it done!

Last, but not least, we finished the basement! When I say "WE" I mean Jared! My dad was awesome to come help with a lot of it too. Aspen and Jackson also wanted to help out. It is so nice to be done with it and now we spend our time chillin' downstairs because it's so much cooler than the upstairs!