Kaden the Kindergartener

The day has come, my little boy is going to school. Cue the silent tears and trying to hold it together until he's gone. Time just truly flies by and thought I try to hold onto these littles and keep them little forever it keeps going. Kaden is super excited, and so are we, that he is starting kindergarten. He is such a great kid. He is funny, smart, empathetic, a great listener, the best little buddy and a big brother. We are his  biggest fans and will be forever and ever. I know he will love school and be great at it. So exciting that he is learning so many new things and making new friends. We are excited to see what this year brings for this guy. 

 Funny story, Kaden started going to Academy Charter and then a few days later was accepted into Aspen View Academy (which is what we were hoping for all along) so he switched over and had two first days of school. He was a great sport about it and we are excited we get to walk to school now and have so many ward friends who go to the same school.

 It's hard for everyone that Kaden is going to school everyday now, including his bestest friend, Gavin.

 His teacher, Mrs. Solich is the greatest ever and I know she will take great care of our guy and make sure he is happy and doing well. So grateful for great teachers like her to help him get excited for school and start out on the right foot.
After his first day we were so excited to get our Kaden back so we took him out to a special first day of school lunch. He had a great first day. It's hard to start out not knowing anyone at all but all the kids seem nice and I know Kaden will make lots of friends very soon, it's impossible to not love Kaden after all. LOVE this oldest boy of mine so much. We are so proud of him!

This was the hardest moment, watching him walk away and into this building all by himself. It is weird to drop your kid off for the first time all by himself with someone you don't know very well watching him without you. I didn't cry until he couldn't see me and then it was a long teary walk home. Good luck my man, I know you will do great and have a great first day. We love you.

Grandpa Boom's 80th Birthday Celebration

Anyone that knows us knows that we LOVE going to Vernal and this trip was even more fun and special because it was to celebrate my grandpa Boom turning 80! We had such a great time spending time all together and talking about all the fun memories we've had. I love my family and I love spending time together and reminiscing. We had a great time celebrating a great man!

 Of course we visited Big Pink and Big Green lots and lots of times. I sometimes wonder if the boys will get tired of seeing them multiple times every trip or if they'll lose their love for these dinos but so far they are still one of the greatest things in the world to see.

 We found this huge blowup swimming pool on sale at WalMart so we had to get it for the boys to play in since Vernal in the summer is HOT

 Paul and the boys caught toads and the boys were very comfortable taking them out, holding them, dropping them, recatching them. haha they are their daddy's sons for sure.

 We visited with Grandma Lois a lot. She is such a sweetheart and loves when the kids come and talk to her and just play so she can watch them.

 One night Paul even caught 2 salamanders, grandpa and grandma didn't even know what salamanders were but thought they were cool they were in their window well. Again, no fear from either boy to hold them.  Vernal truly is a magical place for boys, they are outside almost the whole day everyday.

 We visited the dino museum this trip and the boys loved it.

First snow cones for these guys. They loved them!
 One thing grandpa really wanted to do for his birthday while we were all there was to spend the day and go fishing. It was a great day, so fun to be all together, outside, eat good food, catch some fish and some rays.

 I love the picture of the boys fishing from behind. We took a little detour on the way home from fishing to see this beautiful sight. It was amazing.

 Fun times in grandma's basement. Sometimes we can talk the boys into coming inside to cool down a bit. We had such a great time. I love that my boys love Vernal so much because I felt the same way growing up, it was one of my favorite places to be so it's so special to take my own kids back and have them experience the same memories I did.