Happy 6th Birthday, Carsyn

Carsyn turned 6 this week and is excited to not be 5 any more! She is growing up so fast, I can't believe she will be in 1st grade this year. She lost her first tooth last week, and she learned how to tie her shoe last month. I told her to stop getting older because I don't want to have teenagers. She is 6 going on 16, she wants to do everything like her older girl cousins. Well for now she is still my little girl and we love her. Happy Birthday Carsyn!!

Bass Lake 2008

We had so much fun on our little vacation. The kids had fun hanging out with cousins and being able to roam around the camp. By night time, once they put their heads on their pillows, they were out! We were bummed that our boat wasn't fixed in time to take with us, but we still found a lot of fun things to do. Every day around 3:00 the misquitos came out and boy did they come out!!! Everyone has at least 7 bites except for the kids, none of the kids got bit, I think it's because they didn't sit still at all. We love Bass Lake, it is so beautiful, but I sure am glad to be home without all the bugs!! 

Fighting Kids

I don't know what it is but my kids fight more than any kids I know. I am so tired of it!! Does any one have the same problem, probably not. If it's not Caden and Carsyn, it's Caden and Nixon, or it's Carsyn and Nixon. Wow, it drives me crazy, it would be so nice if they weren't so competitive! Someone has to be first or someone didn't get as much as the other. I just hope it gets better as they get older, but for some reason I don't think that will be the case!

Happy Mother's Day!

I want to wish my mom, my grandma and my mother in law Penny, a Happy Mother's day! I'm thankful for all that you do and for the great examples you are to me and my family. It takes a lot to be the mothers of so many children, I am amazed at how you have done it over the years, and you are still, going strong! Thanks a million and Happy Mother's Day!!!

Caden's Baptism

Our Big Weekend

We had an eventful weekend. Saturday started out with a yard sale at my mom's house, early morning. My sister left to put signs out around the neighborhood and she wasn't gone for more than 3 minutes and people started showing up, I've never been a person to shop at a yard sale, but there are millions of people that do it. I don't like the thought of buying someone else's junk, but my sister made around $70.oo in a couple of hours, pretty cool.  After the yard sale I was off to buy tickets for Carsyn's dance recital. I thought I would be able to just go down and buy them, when I got there the line to buy tickets, wrapped all the way around the Fox Theater. There were people with lawn chairs, that had been there for a long time, crazy! Then Caden had his baseball game that was almost 2 hours long! They seem to get longer and longer every game. Then it was off to get ready for Caden's baptism. I think there were around 10 kids that were getting baptized on the same day, it was nice but it seemed to last forever!  We ate at La Tapatia afterwards, that place is great, the owners couldn't thank us enough for bringing so much business to them. Sunday we were up early getting ready for church and for Caden's Confirmation. I was so excited because Josh showed up with his girlfriend Maryanna and her kids.  Shelby and the boys came too! I'm thankful that everyone supported Caden, I love my family!  Afterwards we had a little get together at my house, it was so fun, but I am so glad I can relax now!!

our house

Here are the pictures of our house that we are buying, I'm getting more excited about it every day. We took our family to look at it today. We had bus loads of people in there, if the owners drove by they probably would have been a little mad. 

Happy 8th Birthday, Caden

Caden is turning 8, and is getting baptized, we are so excited for him. I can't believe he is so old. He is such a fun kid and we love him. Happy Birthday Caden!

Nixon's Itty Bitty Sports

Nixon has been dying to play baseball, like Caden. He has been asking me every day " Mommy when do me get to play my baseball." "When it's my baseball game I'm going to smack that ball!!" Well, we signed him up for Itty Bitty sports, which is two weeks of soccer, one week of basketball, and one week of t-ball. He was so excited, for his first practice he got ready about two hours early. We got there and he was out on the field for maybe ten minutes and all of the sudden he decided he was not playing anymore. For the rest of the practice he sat on my lap, drinking from his water bottle and that was that.  I think he likes the dress up part more than actually playing, probably like a lot of other 3 year olds. Maybe he'll like it better next year!

Our New Home

We found the house we are going to buy, finally!! We love it. It has all the features that we wanted in a home. We wanted to stay in our ward but I think we'll like our new ward.  Our kids are even a little excited about it. Escrow should close around May 22. Thanks to Linda Urmston we were able to get the house, she is a great realtor! Anyone that is thinking of buying a house should call her, she's not like those other realtors that only want a sale. I will post pictures of it as soon as we get to go inside it again.

Brad's Schedule

I am so excited, Brad's horrible schedule just got a little better! He now works 1-9 Monday thru Friday, instead of 2-10 Tuesday thru Saturday!! We can have an actual date night now! It will probably be another 5-10 years before he'll get a day shift, oh well at least we did not have to move to Fresno.  I'm just glad that Brad loves his job and doesn't mind any shift he has.  We actually have gotten used to him being home in the mornings and it's nice he gets to be the one who puts Nixon down for a nap! The only thing that really stinks about it is Brad doesn't see Caden very often during the week, since Caden is at school in the morning. Caden loves his Dad, and gets sad when he can't see him!!

5k

Okay, so I ran in the Kern River Trail Run, it was my first 5k. I really enjoy running, this run was a little different then what I normally run, it was slightly hilly and rocky. I'm used to concrete and the occasional street running, I think for training for the next 5k, I'll start running on the horse trails around my neighborhood. My legs are a little sore I think it was the areas that were like running on beach sand. I placed 60th out of 126. So I guess I'm average. Will did the 10 mile and placed 4th (WOW)! I don't think I'll ever actually compete to win, I'll just do it for fun.

Cute Outfits

I walked into Carsyn's room the other day and found her stuffed animals dressed like this. I asked her why she put her underwear on them, she said they didn't have any clothes. Has anyone seen clothes for stuffed animals anywhere, I think I might need to invest. She got sad when I laughed, I thought it was cute but she didn't think it was very funny. Wow, I can't believe how much more sensitive she is than my boys.

Kenneth's Blessing

We went to Fresno last Sunday to watch 

Paul and Mariela's son Kenneth, be blessed. It was nice, although we didn't understand the whole sacrament meeting because it was in Spanish. We still could feel the spirit. Anyone sitting near us probably couldn't feel it, since Brad and his brother don't know the meaning of whisper! Afterwards we went to Paul's house and had lunch. We actually met one of Brad's cousins there. She lives in Fresno apparently, and she and her family stopped by. I'm always excited to meet his relatives since they all live all over the country and none in our town (except for immediate family).  All in all it was a quick but fun trip. I always love going on trips, no matter where we go.

Nixon and Blake, Best Buddies

Nixon and Blake have a cute relationship. They love to play together. Nixon wants to play with Blake every day, when he hears that Blake is coming over, he makes me open the front blinds, he gets Carsyn's pink play chair and sits and waits by the window until he comes. If Blake doesn't come right away, Nixon grabs my hand, pulls me to the window and says "where is he mommy, he's not coming!" It is the funniest thing to hear when Nixon calls Blake "Blakie" Blake will say "my name is not Blakie!!!" I'm so glad my kids have their cousins near by, they all have so much fun!

Easter

 We spent Easter with both families. Saturday with the Simpson's and Sunday with the Race's, our kids love Easter egg hunts.  

Happy 11th Anniversary Brad

Wow it has been 11 years since we got married! Time flies when your having fun! Three kids later and we're still going strong!

 Ten Reasons Why I Love Brad    

#1 He is a wonderful husband!  

#2 He is very funny  

#3 He is a great Dad!  

#4 He is a hard worker  

#5  He might not understand me but he sure tries  

#6  He likes the same things as me  

#7  He is handsome!!  

#8  He takes me to the temple  

#9  He loves his family  

#10  He is my Eternal Companion!!!!!

The Rockers

There is this great new band out, everyone needs to see them in concert. I was amazed to see how talented they are. Take a look, you will be impressed! The band consists of Brad Race, Dan Reno, Marc Whitezell, Cody Bennett, and Brock Bean! 

Wow they all Rock!!! 

Strike That Last Post

Forget about that last post about our home.  We decided to back out of it!! I couldn't be more excited!  I've been praying about it non stop and I seriously have been  worried , I've had a headache for four days, and I have been sick to my stomach,  about moving into that house right now. I guess that's how my prayers are answered. I kept trying to put those feelings out of my mind because I wanted to buy that house so bad, and so did Brad, but  tonight, Brad said maybe we should wait, and I finally have a peaceful feeling about it. Heavenly Father really does answer prayers!

House Hunting

House hunting is fun, the part that stinks is all the paperwork, counter offers, after counter offers and dealing with people that just want your money.  We think we found the one, they excepted our offer and now we just wait.  I am glad we don't have to wait 6 months to a year for this one to be built, the last two took forever. I love that we can move in and not have to worry about putting in a backyard or pouring more concrete, to me that  was all a headache, or should I say it was a headache for Brad!!! 

Our New Home

Happy Birthday Mom!

Today is my mom's 56th birthday! I just want to wish her a Happy Birthday and I hope she enjoys her day!  Happy Birthday Mom, I love you.  Your the best!!

Happy Birthday, Shelby!

Shelby turns 32 tomorrow and I just want to wish her a very Happy Birthday!  

Ten awesome things about Shelby, 

1  She is a wonderful Aunt. My kids love her!

2  She is a great mom

3  She's smart 

4  She knows everything about computers

5  She's made it through a lot of tough times!

6  She makes people laugh

7  She can beat anyone at "mercy"

8  She is beautiful

9  She is thoughtful 

10  She is a fun person to be around

Here are some pictures that I thought she would enjoy!

Happy Birthday Shelby!!!