Monday, January 10, 2011

2nd Annual Pray for Gray event

This event is so special to me and my family. My cousin Julie as pictured below with myself and my mom was diagnosed with brain cancer back in 2007. She has had surgery to remove the tumor followed by chemo and radiation. As of today, it's still inactive! It was stage 4 so it's still in the brain but for the most part, it was all removed except for the feet. She is an amazing, inspiring and giving woman! She is my hero! She started this event after attending a fundraiser for Brain cancer in Minneapolis. She found out that ND did not have a chapter for Brain cancer so she decided to start her own. She has been extremely successful with this event and we hope it continues forever!

My cousins Brittany and Ryan! Love them but holy crap can you believe how much taller they are then me!!! and how much younger they are than me!!!


My wonderful friend Stefanie joined me this year in this wonderful cause! I was so thankful she was able to come with me to wintess this great event!!! I hope you can come every year from now on with me and hope to get some more of my friends to join us!

Mi familia! My cousin Jodi and her sister Jami! They are both sisters of Julie! Notice the height differerence again! Apparently I should have been in their family! hahha! Love these 2 like they were my sisters!

My mom, Stef and myself. Self portrait of course, can't go an entire night without one of those! Not sure what I would do without these two wonderful women in my life! In fact, all of them!
My momma's big sister and Julie's mom Big Red aka "Sharie". Love her like she was my own momma! She is one strong and supportive mom to all of her children and family! We love you big red!

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

2nd child first day ...

Well the youngest child didn't get shut out, he did get to start his school as well. Just had to wait a week before it was his turn!~ For his birthday he got a new Toy Story backpack which he is very proud of as well! Dylan goes 2 days a week to preschool and actually his classroom happens to be right next door to Grant's, so he gets to see his big brother on those days! Dylan will have 2 years of preschool to go before starting Kindergarten as well...those summer birthday's will do that to you! But seeing how much the 2nd year helped Grant we didn't even question it with Dylan. So he is halfway through his first year and will have just next year left! He can't wait until summer when Grant is back at daycare full time again either!


Both boys showing off their backpacks and ready for the day of school! Dylan has to head to daycare in the mornings still as his school doesn't start until 12:30. His grandpa picks him up every Monday and Wednesday and takes him to school and his best friend Nora's mom picks him up from school every afternoon to take him back to daycare and he waits patiently for Grant to get off the bus!

Momma and her boys! They are growing up way too fast!


Dylan and his best friend Nora at their table at school ready to start their day. We are so lucky he has her around! They are such good buds! She tells him they are going to get married when they are old enough though, i will have to keep an eye on her when they are in their teens! haha



Dylan standing proudly by his cubby at school ready for his big day to begin. We have come to find as the boys get older how much the 2nd born feels he is left out of everything that his big brother gets to do and trying to explain to a 4 year old you just have to wait until you are that age to do things doesn't always go as planned. Dylan, you are never 2nd in our minds and have a way of making a room light up with your smile and expressions. Your personality is full of life and you are the best little brother anyone could ask for. We love you lots!!!


First day of Kindergarten....ugh...

Yes we are still here, just been super busy over the last 2 months or so! I will try and catch up on things as much as I can and hopefully get up to date and then start blogging more often again!
Well here goes nothin.... First day of Kindergarten. I think the first day of actual school for your first born is a bitter sweet day. You have looked forward to the big day since they started talking, but then at the same time, wish they would still be in diapers! Grant was so ready to start school and we are so thankful we gave him the extra year in preschool to grow and mature into the 6 year old he is now. He had no problems going to school, meeting new friends or riding a bus for the first time. However, I don't think mom had such a good go with it as he did! Oh well, that's part of growing up right! Dylan wanted to go right with him however, so we struggled with that a bit as they have been so used to being with each other every day for the last 4 years. He has now since adjusted but that first month was awful dropping him off at daycare and Grant at school that I had to have Brad start the drop offs with Dylan! We are thankful that some friends of ours has a daughter in Grant's class and they stop by our house every morning to pick up Grant for school! They just love this time together!



Eating breakfast before heading out the door! Dylan at this point thinks he is going with Grant still, notice the big smile on his face. This soon will change!

Grant's table at school, he found his spot and nametag and was ready to get started!

The happy and excited Kindergartner!


Dylan's smile isn't so big anymore as he is realizing that Grant is actually staying here and he is leaving without him.
Starting school is such a big step in growing up. It's hard to let go of your once newborn baby and see them walk through those school doors for the first time or get off that bus for the first time. I made it through dropping him off until I got to my car to shed the tears. I didn't want him to see me do that and think they weren't happy tears! Grant, you are one special boy, you are kind, loving and respectful of others. We love you so much and couldn't be more proud of you in your first year of Kindergarten!!!