Pierce turns 7!!

 September 4, 2012, Pierce turned the big 7!!! He was so excited leading up to this day. He invited the entire world over for a Birthday Party. Too bad he forgot to fill me in on those plans. We made up for it a few weeks later with a friends party. We celebrated a day early because they had no school since it was Labor Day. Grammy Russ of course made her annual Birthday trip for Pierce. We were sad that Papa Russ couldn't make it. It was also a little different without Brown Papa and Gramsie not here.

 He could hardly wait to wake up and open his gifts. We were pretty mean and made him wait until later in the day. He of course was spoiled rotten.

 He has been really into the Diary of a Wimpy Kid Books. He was super thrilled that he got most of the books for his birthday. He also got a watch that looks just like Daddy's! Some clothes, this kid loves clothes and shoes... hmmm wonder where he gets that from. ( No it isn't from me)

 He was most excited to get his Ukulele! He wants to learn to play the guitar just like his Uncle Cory! He spent the rest of the evening writing songs and serenading us with them.

 We got to go to one of their favorite places.. Dave and Busters. They played lots of fun games and even scored enough tickets to get pretty decent prizes. Then we went and saw the Diary of a Wimpy Kid Dog Days movie and had a good laugh.

 We ate Pizza at Pizza Hut, His favorite!

 This kid can never pick a cake that is ordinary! He wanted a BeyBlade birthday. Of course nobody sells them! This was about all the creativity I had in me. The Beyblade Battle zone with some new Beyblades on top. He was pretty content with it, thank goodness.

 Trent also took the boys miniature golfing and they had a great time as usual!

 Perhaps their favorite part was jammin' out to the 80's music that was playing that day. Here are a few pics to prove!

As you can tell he had a day jam packed with fun. It was truly a spectacular day. Pierce is such a big part of our family. His smile is contagious, gotta love his laugh. When he is laughing you know it is pure joy. He is always caring about others and worries constantly about their well-being. He makes my heart happy. I love you P!

Pierce's Self-Portrait

The first week of school Pierce was assigned in art to draw a self-portrait. He came home and was wondering what he should draw. I told him just to think about who he is and what others would see him as and draw it the best he could! I was one proud Mama when he brought home this Self-Portrait! I love that he drew himself as a missionary, because really that is what he is. He has never been shy to share with others his love for Jesus. He is always looking out for others and making sure that others are happy. I love that he drew a great big smile. Pierce has always had such a great smile. When he is smiling it just lights up the room. This picture has found its place plastered to my refrigerator and it makes me smile every time I see it.

Daddy & Brockie Date

 We have tried to keep up one of Trent's parents traditions of taking our kids our on personal "dates". We usually get at least one per kid per month. They seem to have the greatest effect on Brock. I guess being the middle child it is essential to him to have that one on one time with us.

 He almost always chooses to go miniature golfing! It is actually quite entertaining and you have never met a kid who has the best "luck" when it comes to mini golf! Maybe it is a natural talent?

He is just a totally different kid when you get him out and about alone!  These are moments that someday he will hopefully remember and cherish for always. He is so lucky to have such a good Dad!

No Training Wheels

Look who is getting so big and has no Training Wheels!!! He had it on his agenda one day so within the first 20 minutes he had it accomplished. When this kid sets his mind to something it gets done!! I was so proud of him. I love seeing him peddle all around.

Back in School

 I can't believe it, school is back in session and both boys are gone all day. It is really weird around here and super quiet. It is something that Jaida and I are still adjusting to. Pierce started 1st grade this year. His teacher is Ms. Biondo. He was so excited for school to start and is loving every minute of it. That is except for ALL the homework! This is not his (or my) favorite!

 Brock is off to kindergarten this year. In Maryland it is full day. It is a very long day for a kid who still falls asleep in the afternoon. Those first few days were pretty rough adjusting to the no "resting time" at home. He told me he fell asleep at school a couple of times. Poor kid! His teacher this year is Ms. Cook. Brock's first few days didn't quiet go as smooth as we would like. On the first day he couldn't open his lunch stuff and was too afraid to ask so pretty much went the whole day starving! He came home and said to top it off his snack for snack time (later in the day) got stuck next to the ice-pack in his lunch box and was frozen solid! I felt so sad for him.

 On the second day of school he got a really bad bloody nose, not unusual for a kid who has allergies. He actually is pretty well versed on what to do in these situations. I guess the teacher was a little concerned and sent him to the nurses office. She sent home a not saying that she lectured him on reasons not to pick his nose. Thanks lady but when you have allergies they just happen! He felt so bad and came home and said, "Mom I kept telling her I wasn't picking my nose but she didn't believe me. Plus I missed art time because she made me stay in there so long! I told her to just shove some toilet paper up my nose and I would be good, be she said that wasn't how she did things!" Hahahaha!!! Art is pretty much his favorite thing int he whole wide world so you can tell he was pretty much devastated.

 On Day three his teacher gave out "Gordy Bucks"(the school currency, if they are good they get it and can use it later to buy prizes) to everyone in the class and passed by Brock. I guess he was too shy to speak up. But he came home that day and said that he knows he was good and wasn't sure why he didn't get one. The next day I guess his teacher realized he hadn't gotten one, she felt so bad that she gave him three!

 So by the end of the first week we finally were getting the hang of things. They both are making lots of new friends and having a good time. Jaida misses them terribly and is constantly asking if it is time to go get the boys from school. Every morning she has to take her backpack with us when we drop them off and sometimes we even have to pack her a "lunch". She just hates to be left out.

 After 2 weeks Brock started being "fake" sick in the morning and saying that he better not got to school. He would ask every night how many more years he had before he was done. He wasn't very excited when I told him he didn't graduate until he was like 18, but then still had to go to college! Once he gets to school he is fine, but it is a battle every morning to get him there. I guess it isn't for everyone!

Pierce adjusted pretty well. This kid loves any kind of social interaction. He loves his friends, like his Dad! From the minute he wakes up in the morning he can hardly wait to get to school. I am glad he loves it so much. When I drop him off in the morning he pretty much dives out of the car and runs into school as fast as he can, usually with Brock trying to keep up with him as he screams, "Pierce slow down! Don't leave me!" They both are so different. I am so proud of both of them and you would be so proud to know that I didn't even shed one tear!

This kid loves his Daddy!

 From the second Brock hears the key inserted into the front door he gets so excited. He screams with excitement every single day, "DADDY IS HOME!!!" He just can't get enough of him. I actually think that it is really cute.

 The other day I snagged some pictures of the arrival of Daddy home from work, because it is really such a priceless moment. He is usually Trent's shadow for the rest of the night.

Man I love this kid!

Day on the Farm

 About a week before school started I decided it would be fun to take the kids to the farm. The county library here does a summer Reading program that is actually quite good. In the end they get prizes and lots of the local businesses donate. One of the donated gifts was a free admission to the Clark's Elioak Farm. When I proposed this idea to the kids they were not thrilled.. what? It took some major bribing.

 Once they were there we had a lot of fun. My Bribes consisted of.. Pony rides, check! They all got a turn riding on Captain Jack. The lady was quite impressed on how well the kids ride. she told Brock how she thought he was a great cowboy to which he turned to her and said, "Yeah I am pretty much an expert because my Brown Papa is a cowboy!" hahaha. Humble little guy!

 After riding our ponies, second on the bribery list was to ride the hay ride, check! They all had a great time riding that and looking for all the crazy faces on the Trees we counted 21!

 Bribery #3 was to let them buy food to feed the goats, check! This was actually kind of funny because there was a Rogue Goat and whenever he heard you searching for the change in your pockets or the clank sound of the machine turning he would come a running. He knocked Jaida and Brock over twice because of his excitement and would practically knock the machine over to get every last drop out of there. So this didn't go quite as planned.

 Jaida was in love with this goat and wouldn't leave the poor thing alone.

Here is Jaida and Brock talking to the Horse that bit Jaida a few years back... haha quite a funny story! After the petting farm we went and did the enchanted maze. We made it through pretty quick and thank goodness because it sure was a hot day! I think all in all it was a pretty successful day!

Brock Turns 5!

 This little man isn't so little anymore! He is getting so big! Brock did have a pretty awesome Birthday. He woke up rearing to go as usual and had his day planned out and filled to the max!

 First on the list was to go swimming with cousins to the "bucket" (Kearns Pool). This is kind of a tradition. We are so glad that Mia, Dax, Jo and Tess could come, but we sure missed Tyden and Hadlee this year.

 They all had a great time splashing around and we had to drag them all out of there after 3 hours of swimming.

 Next stop was to go home and get ready. Then we headed to the Pizza Factory for some yummy pizza and bread sticks. We are so lucky to have family that gets to come. He had his cousins, Aunts & Uncles and Great-grandparents and Grammy and Papa Russ.

 Jonah, Brock, Dax and Pierce

 Jaida & Mom

 Brock theme was Super Mario Bros. I didn't have it in me this year to create his cake. so he was just as thrilled with a store bought one. I did have to search high and low for the figurines to put on it!

 He got spoiled with gifts.

 After dinner we bounced over to Fat Cats and did some bowling. Here is Aunt Ninny and Mia giving it a shot.

 The best picture I could get of my 3 uncooperative subjects. Brock ended up beating everyone with a high score of 98!! After bowling we went and played arcades for a little bit.

 I think that this Birthday was a hit and everything went just as HE had planned. This kid is go, go, go! He is always keeping us on our toes and has ALOT of spunk. Life would just be boring with out him. I took him to the Doctor for his 5 year check up and for he first time ever.. he was in the 75% for height! Yup, this kid is finally growing. His voice is still very squeaky, but we love it! He is loud, all boy and also has a sweet side. We love you Brock!

Trent and I also Celebrated 9 years of marriage. Brock was born on our anniversary so it kind of makes our celebrating hard. I love Trent more than anything. I am so glad to have him to lean on! Love you T!