"Balls and Bat" and a letter to my brother

Adult softball began this past week, my husband is part of a team called "Balls and a Bat." Ryan you are so CREATIVE!!! While Matt plays ball, I run and run...after this little monkey. One of the other moms even commented..."He never stops moving!". I am looking forward to next week because Trisha and Sawyer will be there so I will let Trisha run after Mason while I snuggle Sawyer (just kidding Trisha).

I would also like to report Matt still has "it" as do his other buddies playing on the team. You should see these college baseball players hit a slow pitch softball. They did beat the other team 20-0 and had to call it a game in the 3rd inning.


Dear baby brother,

This is your older bossy smarter big sister....can you please move your beautiful wife and my darling nephews back to Colorado? And I guess you can come too:) Don't get me wrong your visit home for 5 days was nice but I greatly dislike the goodbyes and more importantly we have too much fun when we are together. I will keep praying and you can too and maybe we can buy a powerball or two...yeah I can rhyme!

I know the plane ride was suppose to be 4+ hours and it turned into 24+ hours with a wonderful nights stay in Detroit but you made it and the moment we saw your faces we all started to beam.

How did they grow so much in three months? Upon arrival Keegan announced "I am FOUR" and Cormic crawled and climbed everything. You better move home before they start driving and forget that their Aunt Micah is the coolest...

You all looked exhausted after that trip, so I suggested you take a nap and guess what...

you listened to me...

When you woke you realized how much Colorado has been missing you because mother nature provided snow in the middle of May. You and Emily both commented "that it felt so good to be home and that the snow really made it feel like home." The next day we hit 72 degree temps.

While you've been away we have been teaching Mason how to say your names. I swear we told him your name is Cade...it sounds like he says Uncle "Gay" which to an older sister who tends to be immature at times, is hilarious. But because we want our child to be accepting of all we will continue to work on your name.

Is this not the cutest thing? The only thing that would be better is if Cormic was in the picture but he was one tired little guy. He was on east coast time which translated to a 4am wake up call for you guys and actually the rest of us because that lil' bean is one vocal fella.

Sorry I get off track..after a quick massage in Grandpa's chair the boys were ready to take on the house and every toy grandma has in it...

Now seriously what is more fun than naked ball jumping? Actually that seems like it might hurt.

Maybe a nice bath will calm them down? Nope...but it will cause a temper tantrum when you have to get them out! I told mom that it confuses me when kids want to stay in a freezing cold tub..."your lips are blue and your teeth are chattering, we should get them out" and than she politely reminds me that you and I did the same thing as kids. Well our kids are smarter than her kids!

And than the battery in our camera died.....thats what happens when you back talk mom!

and of course I didn't pack the charger.

I was really bummed because I wanted to get more pictures of lets say the girls in the family but Emily did so I will have to steel hers.

It was really refreshing to see all of you and to kiss the cheekies of my sweet nephews. We ended the fun filled weekend at the mall for a goodbye lunch and some carousel ridding. I tried to pack Keegan, Mason, and Cormic into our stroller but Emily caught me and told me we would have to come visit instead and because I am a mom I decided to return your off-spring, your welcome.

As you know I am horrible at goodbyes and cry the minute hugs are being issued...so after bawling my eyes out I did my best to push Mason in the stroller through the mall sniffling the entire way.

Be safe family, we will see you soon, and we are proud of you for working hard and doing what you have to do. Love you more than you will ever know.

-Your favorite sister

PS "Keegan, wait...don't leave!"

Our little sister is 20....

On May 11th our baby sister left her teens and entered what I think are some great years ahead. Her big brother Matt decorated this fruit pizza.


Before I pass on my wisdom in this post I have to share this story; Nick went to find birthday candles and for those of you who knew Nancy, she always had A LOT of supplies for every holiday and birthday but when Nick went to look where the birthday stuff was these were the only candles sitting right at the top of that box... talk about some tears. We are always missing Nancy but we feel her presence everywhere.


So Birthday girl, as you "sister" who is ten years your senior I feel I have to pass on some advice for your 20's, so I compiled a list of "20 things I learned in my 20's"

1. Lots of change will occur in your 20's, roll with it. It won't always be easy but it will be worth it!

2.Travel as much as possible, experiencing new things and people will provide you with an education you can not receive in college.

3.Its hard not to compare yourself to others, but your life path is your own, walk it with your head held high.

4. Life experiences will mold you in different ways, just remember you can always go home to your family to find the little girl you once were.

5. Spend time with those you love, especially grandparents. There is so much you can learn from them and you will miss them dearly when they are gone.

6. Never settle in love, as a wise woman once told me "You have to feel the butterflies."

7. Its okay to stay home on a Friday night alone.

8. Its okay to get angry. Its never okay to be cruel.

9. You can press forward long after you think you can't. Its just a matter of wanting it bad enough.

10.Independence and loneliness are two different things. Its okay to feel both.

11. Hangovers are far worse as you approach 30.

12. Your 20's are some of the best times, make stupid decisions every once in a while.

13. True friendship will survive distance and time, no matter what.

14. Lots of friendships are formed in your twenties; some are short lived where others will last a lifetime. Take from them the good things but don't focus on the doors that close, your life paths weren't meant to intertwine. Same goes for boyfriends.

15. There is a big difference in knowing and doing. Knowledge is basically useless without action.

16. Even when you feel like you have nothing, someone else likely has far less. Find them and help them, you will see why.

17. In work and business , the "perfect job" doesn't exist. However your mental outlook can make it a "good" job. Ask questions, be humble but know that you have what it takes to get the job done.

18. You can find your high school figure in your prom pictures, don't focus on being that size just be healthy. A confident woman is far sexier than an insecure one.

19. Boyfriends and eventually a husband (if you choose that route) are wonderful but always make time for women in your life, they can refresh your spirit in ways a guy is not capable of.

20. Find time to be thankful and live each day in god's graces.

You are beautiful, smart, kind, and fun. We can't wait to see what your 20's hold.....

Ah Ha...Thanks Kelsie

April...thats a wrap!

Lets see folks...April was a busy month for us. One of us (not me) took the Professional Engineering (PE) Exam on April 16th. After 8 long hours of working engineering problems my handsome hubby left feeling good about his test...the bad part is he doesn't find out his results for 100 days. At least the studying is done and we will continue to pray that he passed.

Look at all those books...he didn't even take as many as some of the other test takers. Man do I love smart guys:) He logged 100+ hours preparing for the test. We will be sure to let you know when he passes!

Moving right along...we had a nice Sunday lunch with the Grandfolks. I got a great video of Mason giving his GG Bert a kiss but for some reason blogger has decided to change its format and it won't upload our video...grrrr!

We also enjoyed time with friends. Believe it or not there were other people here besides Sawyer (sorry Chris and Kathryn). Its just that I love this little guy and my camera was drawn to him as well. Trisha you look gorgeous as usual.

Were big on kissing....what can you say! Ryan you are such a good dad, always knew you would be!

Mason is just to cute...he points at EVERYTHING but he is also talking a lot. Not sure everyone can understand him but his mommy can. He will say " Lan car boon b" and I say oh you "love the car and the spoon and bird."

He is still up to his crazy antics..lots of climbing our stools!

And why are you in my kitchen sink steeling blueberries? And what is that blunt object in your hand? This boy is one crazy monkey. Oh and did I mention the tantrums....they have been a real joy as well. Still I wouldn't change it for ANYTHING!