Graduation Time

This has been a momentous week. Porter graduated from Pre-school and Hayden graduated from High School.

I have never been a crier. I didn't cry when my boys started Kindergarten like other moms did or when Hayden went to his first prom or got his license, but oh boy has that changed.... We were sitting at the Dee Events center today waiting for his graduation to start, feeling good about everything and then I saw him in his cap and gown with the music starting to play and out of nowhere came the water works!

For some reason this sweet picture kept running through my mind. And I could not stop crying.

(We were still in the hospital. He had an IV in his little wrist)

It hit me all at once! Time with our children is so precious. We get so caught up in daily lives and before we know it BAM! They're all grown up.

The sweet baby boy I used to hold in my arms now towers above me. He is such a perfect son. He tries so very hard to do what's right and I know how hard this can be at times. I'm so glad he is the oldest because he is a wonderful example for his younger brothers.

He and 4 friends are driving to St. George and then on to California next week. I offered him my van, his remarks, with a big grin, "we can't pick up girls in a mini-van!"

Needless to say I will be doubling up on my prayers for him this week!

Congrats Hayden. We love you sooooooooooooooooo much!

Happy Mother's Day to Our Favorite and Most Wonderful Mother

This song was written and performed by Jordan Ballou. He is the dutiful and loving son that naturally results from the kind of love and guidance provided by someone like April. I told my sons today that they can see that their mother is incredibly special and unique. They will be lucky to marry half as well as I did. Happy Mother's Day April.

LOVE,

Hayden, Jordan, Conner and Porter

And even though you aren't my mother you have been a wonderful mother to my sons. Thank you.

Love,
James

Vacation GO GO GO

CALIFORNIA 2009

OK, brace yourself! There are a ton of pictures on this post.

My sweet brother and sister-in-law just moved to Anaheim Hills, CA. So the gang came down to visit them. We have been here for 9 days. And haven't stopped the whole time. We have been going, going, going. But what fun!

Here is their beautiful home.

Porter acquired,count em, 6 swords on this trip!

Conner thinks he's Tarzan

Here the girls are ready to go into A Bugs Life

And these are homes are on the Beach on Balboa Island.

They start at a cool 5 million.

Want one?????

Conner and Abbie in the Ice Caves in Sea WorldSome of my beautiful nieces. I have 11!!!Conner got a new hoodie in Disney Land.

"It's super de duper pwnsome!" He says.Here's the "O" in California. Hangin' out on Balboa Beach


Yummy Shaved Ice

At the beach. Porter loved everything but when the sand would stick on him.

Hmmmm, hard to not let that happen.

Huge, loud, waves
OK, funniest thing ever. When we arrived the rental car only had one of our reservations, so we ended up renting a 15 passenger van. You should have seen my 19 year old niece's face when we told her to get in to the "Polyg-Rig" And then the jokes that followed us the whole trip.

Priceless!
My brothers AWESOME pool

We missed all of you that couldn't come this time. Let's go again really soon!!!!!!!

And I want to thank my sweet adorable husband. Hayden and Jordan stayed home this time. And while we were gone Hayden got super sick and ended up in the hospital. James cut the trip short and flew home to take care of him.. Everyone is doing well now. Thanks honey for allowing the rest of us to have a super time.

THE END

New addition

I know you're all going to love this new tote. Just in time for spring. My favorite part about making these totes is picking out all of the fun different fabrics.

Don't forget to go to www.giveawaytoday.blogspot.com to enter to win a tote. It goes through Sunday.

Here is another one. Sorry they turned out blurry.

Good Things Utah

I wonder how many millions of times they've posed for a picture like this.....

This morning I went with my sisters and mom to a taping of Good Things Utah. It was so much fun. I even won an awesome cookbook. I recommend everyone do this. I will def do it again. The girls were so beautiful and nice. Annnnnnnnnd super skinny. (I want to be them when I grow up!) After we ate lunch at the Garden in the Joseph Smith memorial building. Yum! It was a very fun day.

Me, Julie and Robyn

Just a question, do any of you watch Jon & Kate plus eight? If you do what do you think of it lately?

This is how it works...
The first three people to leave a comment on this post will receive a gift from me during this year. When and what will be a surprise. BUT, in order for you to receive your gift, you have to post this on your blog first. (Which means that sometime during this year,you'll send a gift to three people as well!) Get it?
So, the first three people to comment will be the lucky ones!

Good luck!

Look at these two cuties!!!! Last week Jordan was in the "Battle of the Bands" at Union Station. He is on the left and his friend, also Jordan, is next to him. They did awesome!!!!! And they had so much fun. Jordan couldn't stop smiling. They even had "groupies". I hope he continues down this path. He is truly at home performing.