First Day of School

Today was the first day of second grade for Braxton and the first day of my second year as a junior at Weber State. Let's just say if I graduate before Braxton does, I will be happy. My day started early because my son was so excited to get back to school, that he woke up at the crack of dawn. Then about an hour before we were to leave for school he grabbed his backpack and informed me that he would be waiting for me outside. After I reminded him that he hadn't had breakfast yet, he came back in the house. I was sad to see him go back to school, but I was excited for him because he was so excited to start 2nd grade and to see his friends. While I was walking Braxton to school, I noticed that there were a lot of moms with big smiles on their faces. When I got home and noticed how quiet my house was and that I could get a lot done when someone isn't looking to me for entertainment, I realized why all those moms were smiling. And I smiled too.

It's Not Much of a Fantasy (it's a sad reality)

Super Bowl Sunday is a bitter sweet day in our home. It's sweet because it's the biggest game of the year and the commercials are great!!! It's bitter because Ryan dies a little inside each year because Sports Center isn't as interesting and he has to wait a few months until the NFL Draft in April (the draft is another story for another day, lets just say we got married in June for a reason). I enjoy the end of the NFL season because I get my husband back. He is no longer the lump on the couch that sits there all day Sunday (all weekend if you count college football), except for when he has to go to church meetings. Anyway, every year around the middle of June, suddenly there are a lot more sports magazines and spread sheets hanging around the house. Ryan seems to have a renewed zest for life and Sports Center. When I see this happening, I know that it is time for the fantasy football draft. With the fantasy football draft comes late nights on the computer looking up stats, spending time on the phone with his dad, and trash talking people online. Ryan plays in a few fantasy football leagues. Probably the most infamous is the one that he and his dad play on with his brother, Kevin and his friends. Ryan and his dad are the only ones in this league who are not in the military. Ryan has never met any of these guys in person, they are spread out through out the US and are stationed overseas, but they are all friends. I even feel like I know some of them, just by what their nicknames are. So the draft was tonight, so even though the official NFL season doesn't kick off for a few weeks, the season is officially underway at my house. Go Broncos Go!!!!!

Some of the reference material used during the draft

Serious business with two computers going. I came in every once and a while to give my two cents on who they should pick next. Like I know what I am talking about, I am surprised they didn't lock me out of the room :) (wow, our computer chair is pretty messed up, isn't it?)

Children's Museum

Back in June, I promised Braxton that we would go to the Children's Museum in Salt Lake City during our summer vacation. Well, I started running out of time because school starts on Monday. So, we finally made it there yesterday. We went with Mare and her boys. The boys had a great time with all the different displays. Mare and I had a nice time sitting and talking while our boys played. The best part of the day for me was going out for ice cream after our museum adventure.

My Sisters and Cousin Jenny Will Appreciate This...

Today Braxton and I went to see Star Wars Clone Wars. After the movie, we headed to the mall to buy some clothes for school. I don't mind shopping, but shopping for school clothes always gives me flash backs of when I would go school clothes shopping with my mom. A conversation I heard today between a mother and her daughter almost made me hide in the corner of the store in the fetal position.

Mom: "Look at this shirt, it's cute."

Daughter: (looking disgusted) "Um, I don't know....."

Mom: "But it's on sale."

Daughter: "Mom, it's not really my style."

Mom: "You are so picky when it comes to your clothes, who are you trying to impress anyway?"

Daughter rolling her eyes

At this point I decided to leave that part of the store to get away from the same conversation that I had with my mom many times before at the Mayflower Mall or Zellers. It's nice to have a 7 year old boy. I held up two pairs of pants in his size and asked him which one he liked, he pointed and that's what I bought. I am sure that the time will come that he will he horrified that I shop at thrift stores and that I don't buy him name brand clothes from stores that I have never set foot in, but for now I am happy with my low maintenance boy.

PS: I bought some Christmas presents too, it's never too early for that.

Bear Lake

Can you believe that we only have one more week of Summer Vacation? I am in denial. I am not ready to go back to school and I am not ready to send my son back to school either. I love having him around. We took a little camping trip this weekend up to Bear Lake to begin our last week of summer celebration. It was wonderful. We went with our friends, Rigoberto and Angeles Salmeron and their three adorable children. My mother-in-law came up on Friday and spent the day with us. The first day was a little cold and overcast. We swam and hung out at the beach. It even rained for a few minutes. But once the rain clouds past, we had a nice clear evening. We played games, made smores and the kids decided that instead of telling ghost stories around the fire, that we should tell jokes. My only complaint about the whole experience was there was a rottweiler at the camp across from our tent that barked all night. Of course Angeles and I were the only ones in our group that heard the barking. I guess super-human hearing comes with being a mom.

Playing the water, again my white child

When the wind picks up, is there anything better than snuggling with Grandma?

Playing in the sand

Having fun around the campfire

Yummy!!!!

The next day, we went to the beach again and had a ball. The sun was shining and it was a beautiful day. While we were packing to go home, Ryan's mom called and told us that Ryan's aunt Wendy and uncle Rick and their kids were at another beach down the road with their boat. So, before we left, we went to see them and did a little boating. Of course, we weren't dressed for it, but we had a blast. Braxton was dying to drive the boat. Braxton is asking when we can go on the boat again, so I guess we will have to make a plan for next summer. We had a great time, a very relaxing mini-vacation. I was so happy that the Salmeron family came with us. We love spending time with them and we don't get to see them as often as we would like. Plus, it's nice to brush up on my Spanish (or Spanglish) every once and a while. (more pictures are posted on my facebook page)

Ryan heading out on the tube

Angeles and Rigo Salmeron Me and Braxton

Braxton, Me, Ryan, Aunt Wendy, and Sunny

Braxton taking the wheel

Ryan catching a wave

Wash Day

We are going camping this weekend with some friends. Even though I have known about this little trip for weeks, I have been trying to avoid thinking about it because I knew that our sleeping bags were in desperate need of a good wash. Since my washer and dryer aren't very big, I really didn't want to go hang out at the laundromat. We leave tomorrow so I knew that it had to be done today. Yesterday, I started reading "Three Cups of Tea" and I haven't been able to put it down. I was up until 3:30 this morning reading. I probably could have finished it, but I do value sleep in my old age. So this morning, I was actually excited to get to the laundromat, because then I could read my book. Braxton brought some coloring books. What an amazing book, "Dr. Greg" is an amazing man. It's such an inspirational book and shows that one man can really have a huge impact on many people's lives. Time at the laundromat just flew by.

Now Where Will I Put My Christmas Tree?

About a year ago, Braxton started asking about taking piano lessons. For the past 6 months he has been asking more and more. Ryan and I decided that since he has taken an interest, that we would start looking for a used piano for him to learn on. I have searched many classified ads and also have sought the advice of my piano playing friends (thanks especially to Daphne). So today, we finally found one in our price range. It was FREE!!! We just had to find a truck to bring it home. I was quite amazed that within 10 minutes Ryan was able to get a truck, a trailer and 4 willing souls to help move the piano (a huge thank you to Daniel, Matt, Pete and Matty). The piano does need to be tuned and has 6 keys that stick, but other than that it's in pretty good shape. Which is good because after moving it, Ryan says that it will not be leaving our house ever. So, now I am faced with the very important task of finding a new spot for my Christmas tree. Mom may have to come down in a few months and help me figure this one out.

(I wonder why that wall always photographs green?)

Party Time

Even though Braxton's birthday was a month ago, we had promised him a party with his friends. It seems like July just kind of got away from us a little too fast, so yesterday was the only Saturday that we didn't have something going on. We had his party at the Classic Fun Center. The kids bounced in the Bounce Zone, played at the arcade, used their scooters on the roller rink and had 2 hours of non-stop fun. The best part of the party for me was not having to clean up after 9 children and since they spent most of their time in the Bounce Zone, as long as we kept our eye on the exit, Ryan and I just sat and talked for most of the party. There was something for everybody!!!

Bounce Zone

Climbing the slide

Gotta go on again and again

Courtney and Kara on the "big ball"

Picking out their prizes

Lunch time for the party-goers

Silly Boys

Opening presents

Spinning the birthday prize wheel

Note to Self.......

Maybe this should be the final year that Mr. Long Legs Brophy rides this ride at Lagoon. :)

Church BBQ

This evening was our Church summer party. We had a BBQ and water fight. I was pretty proud of myself, I made my very first "Becky Homemecky" salad. I usually don't get too creative and just bring a boring old green salad to functions, but this salad was actually pink, I wish I would have taken a picture. It had cherries, pineapple, marshmallows, sweetened condensed milk and whipped cream. I didn't have any, but the bowl came back home empty, so it must have been good. The boys had a great time during the water fight. Of course, Ryan was right in the middle of the whole thing. He and Braxton were drenched when it was all said and done. I hung out in the "dry zone" and chatted with friends. Although I did get a little wet because Ryan would come and occasionally give me a hug just to make sure that I wasn't missing out on all the fun. (Sorry the pictures were taken with my phone and aren't that great)

Braxton hitting Ryan with a water balloon

Braxton loading up on balloon and looking for his dad

Kids playing in the pools. There was a stray dog that was hanging out at the party and it kept "swimming" in the pools, so I made sure Braxton didn't jump in. Gross

Ryan spraying some kids with the hose