memorial day

Today started off with attending the annual  "Stan Crane Memorial" ICUP bike race up at the equestrian park in Draper.  

We cheered on Caleb, Hyrum, and Zach as they all 3 crossed the finish line in completion of another race in honor of their dad.  It has been a little over 8 years now since his passing, but he still lives strong in each of these amazing boys.  I wasn't able to get a photo of Zach (stubborn almost 18 year old...), but he promised one for next year.  And, he knows his Auntie H will not forget to cash in on the promise! ;)  Way to go to: My Caleb.  My Hyrum.  My Zach.  Because, no matter how old they get, to me they are my snuggles and my joy.  They were the first to tug at my mama heartstrings, and give me a taste of what being a protective mama bear is all about.  So, forever to me...they are mine.

 After the race we came home to do some chores.  Baby D lounged around on the back patio while his daddy did some finishing touches on the backyard fence masterpiece, and his mama painted the back door of the garage that leads to the patio.  The only thing missing in this pic is a nice cold brewskie... but that will have to wait a good long while for this little man! In the meantime, we will just enjoy all his loads of chubs, smiles, bright round blues, and new pearly white teeth!

And then, right before bedtime, a little tug of war between the 2 boys was a "must" to ensure optimal tiredness for optimal sleep time!  I only got one hour of shut eye last night (a bit of situational insomnia...not little d's fault) so anything to make sure there will not be any nighttime interruptions tonight is a good thing!

Another happy memorial day.  

And, memories were made.

twenty six point two for carmie

Carmen turns 40 on May 30th this year.  For a long while now, she has had a goal on her bucket list to run a full marathon by the time she turned 40.  So this past Saturday was HER DAY!  She has been training for the Ogden Marathon on May 17 2014 for a long time, and she finally had her moment of truth.  Here is Caleb waiting anxiously to see his mom approach the finish.  

 And, here she comes!

 Kelly helped him jump the barrier so he could run across the finish with his mama!

 I am pretty proud of her accomplishment, and also for once again staying true to herself and for being so dang self motivated!

 Four hours and thirty minutes to complete twenty six point two miles!! Wow! Amazing!

 Dare was pretty excited to get out of the restraints of the stroller and give her some lovin'!

Way to go champ!

special boy

I forgot to post these next few photos of Dare that were taken one night while we were in Denver the first part of May.  We went to a Mexican restaurant to meet our cousins Lou and Joe, his wife Holly, Uncle Jim and Aunt Vickie for dinner.  We had quite the crowd, and it was a busy Friday night.  While we were there, we were entertained by a very loud mariachi band.  Dare was quite taken by all the chaos and eye candy.  He kept reaching out for the Hostess, and after awhile she came and got him and took him around the place while she worked.  He made friends with everyone.  I swear this boy does not know a stranger.  He even wanted to play the trumpet... or something like that!  This is not the first time we have been out to dinner and he has ended up in the arms of the workers and others in the establishment. 

 This is the gift my dad gave me for Mother's day.  It took Dare no time at all to figure out a way to destroy.  There are days when he is one complete, HUGE Dennis the Menace. 

 And then there are those quiet times late in the night when I go to check on him in his sleep, and the moment is so tender, I have to snap a pic. 

 He loves Granny's new baby grand.  And he thinks he's quite the Beethoven. 

m day part II

As long as we have lived in our home, Ryan and I have been on a mission to remedy this absolute abortion

 of a view from our back patio.  We have hoped and hoped that the owner of the ugly pink house would at least PAINT the pink away... but nothing has happened, and our vines and trees are not growing fast enough, tall enough, or dense enough to even make a barrier.  So, a few weeks ago I threw out the possibility of Ryan building a fence along the back.  I was pleasantly surprised that his notorious "NO" was not the first thing he let slip out his lips upon my suggestion.  He was actually very receptive to the idea, and jumped on the project!

BEFORE:

 DURING:

 (another of his great projects: his garden)

 

FINISHED: 

 His goal was to have it done by mother's day.  What a great husband and a dedicated hard worker!  I love him so much, in spite of his sometimes cantankerous ways, when it really matters and counts, he never lets me down.   He has been such a great helpmate and partner through the years, and it has been a really enjoyable journey this past year, experiencing parenthood right along his side.

Thanks Ry, for the fence.  For the one you built just for me, and figuratively speaking, for the one you have been helping me build in life ever since the day we met.  You have reminded me to "love, not hate",  to laugh a little more, and to be a better person by tempering my fire and "fencing it up" at times when things just don't really matter as much as they may seem to in the heat of moment.  I am happy that you helped me realize my dream of motherhood.   

mother's day 2014

On this Mother's day, I am so grateful that I can celebrate being a mama.  This past year has changed my life forever.  And I wouldn't trade the experience for anything....

even when he's ever so dirty and slimy and sticky

 

and his curiosity could be interpreted as a "naughty child playing with matches" 

"Don't worry mom, I didn't burn the house down....YET!"

 Or when his opinion gets the best of him... in a display of an outright one-year-old tantrum...over absolutely NOTHING!!

And, when he melts my heart by "helping" his daddy with my mother's day gift: a breakfast of veggie omelets and toast, and 2 new planter pots for the flowers!

On this day, I am aware of my abundance, and take none of it for granted, as I know as much as mine is full, there are many aching hearts out there all around me, wishing to be called "mommy", and desperately hoping and dreaming that it will be.  I was there for many years. I very much understand the void, the hurt, the pain, and the desperation.  And, because of that, I am even that much more grateful for the way in which our little man has mended my ache, and brought so much light and happiness into my life and my heart.  

So, tantrum it away little D.  Mommy will always love you. 

pratthood

Our little visit to "The Pratthood" in Centennial Colorado was a great time! 

This was Dare's first time to travel by plane and he did great! He had his own travel backpack so he could carry his own snacks, toys, and bottle!  Such a grown up!

 

The whole crew (minus Charlie the cameraman, and Dallin who was on the field)

We were at Dallin's Saturday morning soccer game

It was such a beautiful spring day so we wanted to be outside to enjoy the sunshine! 

 Kenzie, Dare, and Auntie Mij all watching the game so intently!

 

Kenzie is such a strong girl to push her huge cousin Dare, and her little sister Genie. 

 

The two Prattbirds.  Expecting #5 on October 13!  They are creating quite a collection.  And they just roll with it every day! My sister is amazing.  She is a great lil mama!  

Out to lunch with the whole fam. 

 

Dare quite enjoyed the play set in the backyard of The Pratthood.

 Auntie Mij was helping him kick the ball.  His favoirte toy.

Dare wanted to be in on all the action, even cartoon time on the internet with his cousins Lulu and Kenz.
 

 Raenie made him is very own nursery in the storage closet off the craft room where Carmie and I slept.  I called it his "Harry Potter closet"  It worked out perfectly!

We went to Old Navy one day and he was obsessed with the "da" up in the front of the store.  Chal said she thinks it was because he was missing his Bogey...probably some truth to that. 

umbrella photos

Last weekend Dare and I flew to Denver with Carmen and Mijken so we could all visit Raenie and her family, and have a sisters weekend.  I had Raenie shoot some photos of Dare while we were there.  Her business is called "Umbrella Photography"  

I think she captured him well.  She was so great to take time to do this!

 

He played so hard with that balloon that it popped! 

 

So... he ate rocks instead! 

 

He's such a little man! 

loves

Dare and his daddy love to stare out the big picture window in our front room.  They look for birds, for dogs, for friends, trees.... anything at all.  

 On Easter we went to visit some of our family.  Grandma G and GrandD gave him an Easter book with a bunny

He was pretty curious about this easter basket business, and once he found those few jelly beans, that was all he cared about.  As soon as those were gobbled all up, then he wanted all the "balls" (eggs).

He is loving his new found mobility, and will use it whenever he can!