Mike and I have only been married for almost 18 months. Here are some pictures from what Mike refers to as our "Hitchin' Party".
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Brennan Michael
Mike and the girls give me a hard time about "babying" Brennan and they say he's such a momma's boy. As his mother, and the mother of two girls, I just don't see it! I was complaining about this to my mom, thinking she would see my side completely and validate the fact that I don't baby him. Ha! My mom listened patiently. When I was finished with my rant, she calmly said, "Well, you do. But it's okay. He's the youngest and he's the boy. Don't you remember you girls saying the same thing to me about how I treat Aaron?" I was like...uh, yes I remember! Because you DID and DO baby him! Ha!
I don't know how Brennan can be such a boy and such a tender heart at the same time. But he is. There are days where it appears that his only goal in life is to drive his sisters, and sometimes his parents, crazy. The boy makes noises, makes fun, picks on and teases till there are screams throughout the house. Then the next minute, he's loving on the dogs and begging his sisters to play video games with him. He'll even let them polish his toenails if it means spending time with them! When the girls aren't around, he mopes around wondering when they'll be home. He can be so thoughtful too. If I have a bad headache or something is hurting me, he's very considerate and asks if there's anything he can get for me. Those of you who know my mom know that she has terrible pain in her feet. Several times I've witnessed Brennan going to the couch, get a throw pillow and proceed to take it and put it under my mom's feet. When it's his turn to say a family prayer, he is often heard asking Heavenly Father to help his nana's feet feel better.
Brennan is 7 and going into the second grade. By looking at his report card, it's obvious he got his brains from his daddy. We're talking 100's, 99's and 98's. As with the girls, Brennan has a great sense of humor and reads several years above his grade level. He doesn't particularly love school, but he's never a complainer when it comes to going. Brennan is also a great soccer player. Although he plays all over, he's best in a defensive position. It helps that he's bigger than most all the boys his age. When he's on his game...those balls don't pass through the the goal. He recently told me that he didn't want to play soccer any more, which made me a little sad because I love watching him play. Can you guess what he wanted to do instead? Boxing! Thankfully, I don't think there's any boxing classes in our little town, so he'll be playing soccer again. He will also be starting piano in August.
This little boy reminds me so much of his dad in so many ways, yet he's so different too. It's such a blessing when I feel like I'm especially missing Jon, I just give Brennan an extra big hug and look at his handsome face, and I feel a tad better.
I don't know how Brennan can be such a boy and such a tender heart at the same time. But he is. There are days where it appears that his only goal in life is to drive his sisters, and sometimes his parents, crazy. The boy makes noises, makes fun, picks on and teases till there are screams throughout the house. Then the next minute, he's loving on the dogs and begging his sisters to play video games with him. He'll even let them polish his toenails if it means spending time with them! When the girls aren't around, he mopes around wondering when they'll be home. He can be so thoughtful too. If I have a bad headache or something is hurting me, he's very considerate and asks if there's anything he can get for me. Those of you who know my mom know that she has terrible pain in her feet. Several times I've witnessed Brennan going to the couch, get a throw pillow and proceed to take it and put it under my mom's feet. When it's his turn to say a family prayer, he is often heard asking Heavenly Father to help his nana's feet feel better.
Brennan is 7 and going into the second grade. By looking at his report card, it's obvious he got his brains from his daddy. We're talking 100's, 99's and 98's. As with the girls, Brennan has a great sense of humor and reads several years above his grade level. He doesn't particularly love school, but he's never a complainer when it comes to going. Brennan is also a great soccer player. Although he plays all over, he's best in a defensive position. It helps that he's bigger than most all the boys his age. When he's on his game...those balls don't pass through the the goal. He recently told me that he didn't want to play soccer any more, which made me a little sad because I love watching him play. Can you guess what he wanted to do instead? Boxing! Thankfully, I don't think there's any boxing classes in our little town, so he'll be playing soccer again. He will also be starting piano in August.
This little boy reminds me so much of his dad in so many ways, yet he's so different too. It's such a blessing when I feel like I'm especially missing Jon, I just give Brennan an extra big hug and look at his handsome face, and I feel a tad better.
Having fun at the beach
Silliness
Showing Poppy some love
First grader
Is this a Greene face and green hair or what?
First lost tooth
Momma's boy
Ninja
No, he didn't break the tractor
Horse playing with Mike
Summer haircut...he loves it!
Ella Paige
Ella, the true example of a middle child. This little girl has never allowed herself to be pushed aside or forgotten. She is a true drama child and keeps us smiling and laughing most all the time. Ella is not only sweet, but affectionate, nurturing, out-going, bright, funny, friendly, and wise beyond her years.
She and I both have something in common...we're both going into the third grade this coming school year! Ha! After many years of teaching fourth grade, I'll be moving down to third. Ella's super excited, even though I won't be her teacher.
Ella turned 8 in December and is ready to be baptized. Like my usual self, I've procrastinated on planning and getting her baptism planned. After talking to a friend of mine recently, I was reprimanded into putting some plans in action. Mike and I have decided that the end of July will be when Ella gets baptized. It will be a special family occasion.
Ella continues taking jazz and is currently one of the younger students in level 3 jazz. We loved watching her shake those tail feathers at her recital last month. The did a dance to Viva Las Vegas. I could totally see Ella on a stage in Vegas! She's got those high kicks down! I can't say that Ella loves jazz, but I just can't bring myself to let her quit when I see so much potential. So, on Wednesdays, if you hear a lot of screaming and crying and ranting going on at our house, don't worry. It's just me getting Ella ready for dance class. Quite honestly, once she's there, she has a great time. Her true love and passion right now has to be soccer. She was so blessed this year to be on a new team with a fabulous coach. Actually she has two great coaches and a group of girls that work so well together. As Mike and I were weighing the pros and cons of staying where we are or moving to another town, we wrote down Ella's soccer team/coach as one of the cons to moving. Beginning in August, Ella will be starting piano lessons as well.
Miss Ella is our ray of sunshine on a cloudy day!
She and I both have something in common...we're both going into the third grade this coming school year! Ha! After many years of teaching fourth grade, I'll be moving down to third. Ella's super excited, even though I won't be her teacher.
Ella turned 8 in December and is ready to be baptized. Like my usual self, I've procrastinated on planning and getting her baptism planned. After talking to a friend of mine recently, I was reprimanded into putting some plans in action. Mike and I have decided that the end of July will be when Ella gets baptized. It will be a special family occasion.
Ella continues taking jazz and is currently one of the younger students in level 3 jazz. We loved watching her shake those tail feathers at her recital last month. The did a dance to Viva Las Vegas. I could totally see Ella on a stage in Vegas! She's got those high kicks down! I can't say that Ella loves jazz, but I just can't bring myself to let her quit when I see so much potential. So, on Wednesdays, if you hear a lot of screaming and crying and ranting going on at our house, don't worry. It's just me getting Ella ready for dance class. Quite honestly, once she's there, she has a great time. Her true love and passion right now has to be soccer. She was so blessed this year to be on a new team with a fabulous coach. Actually she has two great coaches and a group of girls that work so well together. As Mike and I were weighing the pros and cons of staying where we are or moving to another town, we wrote down Ella's soccer team/coach as one of the cons to moving. Beginning in August, Ella will be starting piano lessons as well.
Miss Ella is our ray of sunshine on a cloudy day!
Enjoying her chicken "arms"
Modeling her hairstyle by Anna
Boogie boarding
Visiting dad
Flower child and mosquito bait
First day of 2nd grade
"Orange" you glad you play soccer!
Dancing with Big Mac
Crazy hair day...Queen Bee
Chef Ella
Isn't she lovely
Viva Las Vegas!
Anna Claire
The other day at church, one of our close friends was giving a talk. This happened to be our young women's president, who was also Anna's fourth grade teacher, a co-worker and dear friend of mine, and the mother of one of Anna's best friends. As she talked, she went through and spoke about each of the young women and what characteristics she loved most about them. Listening to her describe each girl, it was obvious she loves each of them very much. I waited to hear what she would say about my Anna girl. She explained that as she had gotten to know Anna, she felt like she had such a sweet spirit that her body almost couldn't contain it. This was one of the sweetest things I've ever heard about one of my children.
Anna is so sweet. That being said, she is my daughter, and is more like me than my other kids. In fact, my mom likes to refer to her as Jen Jr. My mom once referred to me as being like an M & M. Hard on the outside but sweet in the middle. That's my Anna too.
Anna is 12 and going in to the 7th grade. She's excited about moving up to the intermediate school. She's in the band and shuffles up and down from 2nd to 4th chair most all the time. Although she claims to not be any good, I can assure you she plays the flute very well. Her piano skills have continued to improve as well. This spring she decided to play soccer. I'm sad to say she didn't enjoy it very much, but I certainly enjoyed watching her play. It's fun to see her interact with other girls her age. Up until December of this past year, Anna wasn't much of a reader. She read only when it was forced upon her. This is not to say she's not a good reader though. For Christmas, she received a Kindle. Since then, she's become a reading fiend. I didn't know how expensive that little gift was going to be! Now reading is one of her favorite things to do.
Anna is happy as a clam hanging out with friends or sitting in her room, listening to music, drawing or reading on her Kindle while eating Dove chocolate.
First day of 6th grade
After piano recital in May
Isn't she cute in her glasses?
Anna turns 12!
Catching a ride with Chelbo at Cheyenne's wedding
Anna as the "Mad Hatter"
Enduring family pictures at the pumpkin patch
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