13!!!

I still can’t believe he is really 13.  Thursday was Brandon’s big day.  The morning was not like any other birthday morning because the boys get to bed so late, they all end up sleeping in, even on birthdays.  Brandon was the first one awake, he was too excited to sleep, I finally gave in and woke up Jonah around 9:00.

Bryan had to miss out on the gift giving.

3 happy boys.

A golf bag, which he got to use out later in the day when Bryan took him golfing. 















He and I went to lunch and to City Creek, it was my first time there.  He thinks I was probably the only person in Utah who hadn’t been before.  His shoes must have been really tall, because he is not THAT much taller than me.

The birthday dinner was a bit low key because we were on a baseball time frame, Bryan and Jacob weren’t back yet.  (It wouldn’t be a correct picture of Brandon without the food on his face)

I had the most relaxing and enjoyable day because I hired Megan to make his cake.  I just sat outside with Tiffany and chatted away while Megan slaved away.  She did a great job. 

So cute!  I am sure I feel the same way that every mother feels when her oldest, or youngest, or in the middle children grow up.  I love it and I hate it.
He is the best oldest child.  I love him to pieces and he loves me back the same.

He did It!

When Brandon was in 6th grade he was taller than his teacher. About this time he realized that one day he would be taller than me. He got very excited about that thought. For the past several months he has been about a half an inch shorter than me. Often we would line up back to back to make sure he hadn’t made the jump. Well on Sunday we were standing by each other without shoes on, normally he has on tall basketball shoes and me no shoes, we went back to back and Bryan casually says, Brandon is taller. We both screamed no way and ran to the mirror to see for ourselves. Sure enough he was taller than me. I swear it happened over night! I am glad he is growing taller, but can’t believe we have reached that point. All this combined with the fact that tomorrow he will be a teenager…it is too much!

We had Jacob as the photographer, therefore there are not any clear, centered, good pictures.

He has this idea about being able to look “down” at me instead of up. Not in the unrespective way, just the physical height way.

Birthday time AGAIN!

Yes my birthday season has started.  Bryan’s big day was Thursday.  I set the day aside so I would have time to make his favorite dinner, sante fe enchiladas.  They are so so so good and take me so so so long to make.  I shaved off about a half an hour this time, all my time watching My Foster cook is helping me!

We always open presents in the morning.  Well Bryan didn’t want to wake up Jacob and Jonah when he and Brandon had to leave so the pile of presents sat on the table all day.  With me looking at them and thinking how I didn’t want my surprise to be ruined and I wished he has opened them first thing!

He first got to coach a baseball game and then come home to deliciousness which we shared with Nate and Ayiska.

Wife of the year, is what he thinks I am.

Ho Hum, regular shirts and boring gifts.

Then total shock and disbelief.

And much excitement as he realized it really was a new ipad.

And 3 excited boys as well!

Happy Happy 39th Birthday Bryan!

Most Memorable

What a fantastic Memorial Day weekend.  Friday and Saturday we were in Utah County for another baseball tournament.  They played their hearts out and lost one by 1 and then won another.  It was fun, cold, but fun.

Me and Jonah relaxing in the car between games on Friday

A little part family photo on Saturday.

Jacob was wiped out by the end, but of course so happy.

The long weekend also meant fort building to sleep in, lots of fun for the boys.

Sunday night we had Nate and Aliska over for dinner.  My Beck boys all then came over to visit and a visit from the Price’s.  I LOVE just sitting back and chatting with people.

Monday morning was picture perfect.  We all slept in….sooooo nice for my sleep deprived body.  The Beck  boys all came over and ate breakfast (not planned) and then we all hung out front playing baseball, basketball and Jeff having a life changing ride on my bike.  It was exactly the way I would have chosen to spend the morning.  I then got Bryan to go running with me, first time ever.

Weeded and planted my garden ALL afternoon.  I have never felt my age until today.  I was so sore and my hips did not want to get up and down anymore!

A nice visit to my Mom and Baby James’ graves.

The boys then decided to go to the Bee’s game, because we don’t have enough baseball in our lives.  I was too worn out and so I stayed home and had a barbeque all by myself……

Just my little hamburger on our new grill.

What an ideal day!

Baseball, Baseball, Baseball

This is our life right now.  Just over a week ago we went to Pocatello for a tournament.  Jacob thought it was so cool that he got to miss school on Friday for baseball.  His team played in 4 games and lost them all, some by a lot!  Jacob is so good natured, it doesn’t bother him past the game.  He had so much fun playing and being with his team mates, that was what mattered.  It was good for me to be there, I had felt on the outs with his comp team and now I know the parents and other players much better.

Jonah spent every game playing catch with whoever would look at him.

And playing ball with the team.  He kind of became the mascot, all the kids loved him and they had a great time together.

Four games later, I wondered if those pants would come clean!

Brandon and I spent the in between game times running.  We had a lovely tour of Pocatello and some very good races.  He beat me by one half of a step!

3 tired boys on the drive home!

Before and After

Brandon January 2012

Brandon April 2012

Hard work and self control, which I have none of.

Most Important

One of the drawbacks of our crazy baseball life right now is that Jacob and Jonah don’t have a lot of time to play together.  Jonah waits everyday for Jacob to get home, only to find out that he usually has to run off to practice.

Some days, like this morning, there is nothing more important to be done than the two of them playing baseball.

Hallelujah, only a few more weeks of school.