The Goods Bads and Uglies

Yea!!!!, after a sad, dismal year at the Pinewood Derby last year (Kole's car did not even make it all the way down the track) we pulled off an amazing feat. On Tuesday, Kole took first place and Braydon took 2nd Place in the Tallyn's Reach Cub Scout Pinewood Derby.  The boys were so excited, when I say boys, I include Ryan in that too.  It seriously came down to a block of wood, some wheels, and a whole lot of luck! Thank goodness that Luck decided to join our family Tuesday night.

the Goods, the Bads, and the Uglies

Good: Braydon got baptized today, March 6, 2010.  He looked so cute all dressed in white.  It was such a neat baptism.  Ryan baptized him and my dad confirmed him.  Kole gave an amazing talk on the Holy Ghost  and I gave a so so talk on baptism.  I can't believe what an incredible, neat little man Braydon has become.  We are so proud of him and are so happy with his decision to get baptized.

the Goods, the Bads, and the Uglies

Good: Look who just turned eight, my Skunky Monkey, my awesome, fun Braydon!

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I asked Braydon what is the best thing about turning eight and he thought for a minute and said, "Turning 8."  I'm pretty sure there is going to be a book of deep thoughts written by this kid someday.  He really was so excited to turn 8 and wanted to celebrate his birthday last Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  I think he learned the "but it's my birthday weekend" from me.  Oh well it's fun to spoil him just a little.  Cub Scouts Tuesday night was one of the big mile stones in Bray's life and he loved every minute of it.  Look how cute he looks in his little uniform.  

We love Bray so much he is such a funny, sensitive, strong-willed little guy.  I love the way he laughs and makes all of us laugh with him.  He is a sweetheart and is the first one to share or to say he is sorry for something. How lucky we are to have him in our family.

the Goods, the Bads, and the Uglies

Bad: What ever happened to the paper heart valentine holders (that were 2 heart shaped papers stapled together) or the boxes with tissue paper wrapped around them?

Good: Yea for dad and his creative side!

Cool Valentine boxes huh!

The Goods, the Bads, and the Uglies

UGLY: Our beloved  two year old gecko, STRIPES died on Sunday, January 18, 2010 at approximately 6:00 pm.  He had been battling an infection that had caused him to lose weight and become very lethargic.  This was the second infection that he had had.  He fought off the first infection that he acquired, six months ago like a champ and tried to overcome the second infection but even with $300 vet bill, it proved too much for his little body to handle. He is survived by his self proclaimed dad, Kole Graper, his self proclaimed uncle, Braydon Graper, and his not self-proclaimed grandparents Ryan and Kimberlee Graper.

At the end of Stripes life, both Kole and I were crying over this stupid gecko.  I never touched him, hate reptiles and thought he was ugly, but there is something about a little lizard trying to survive and a little boy sitting by his cage crying saying, "fight Stripes, fight!" ....and yes, I am crying now while I write this so so lame.

Kole was so sad, and wanted to know why his prayers weren't answered for his gecko to get better this time.  I was trying to make him feel better so I told him that a little boy in heaven probably wanted a gecko to play with, so Stripes had to go be his pet for awhile. Okay, I know pretty lame but you try coming up with an answer to that on the fly.  Kole thought for a second and then asked,"Well, why did the little boy die that needed a pet in heaven?" At that, it was dad's turn to offer some words of wisdom.

Hopefully, Stripes is enjoying a fat juicy worm in Gecko Paradise.

Yes, Stripes is still alive in the pictures, but nearing the end :(

the Goods, the Bads, and the Uglies

BAD and GOOD: I turned 36....um not so good, but I was spoiled rotten with a lot of great gifts.  I admit I love presents and a day being all about me, so if I have to turn a year older to enjoy such things then so be it. Ryan out did himself this year, and my presents were fabulous. My cake was even awesome. I mean how cool is this burger and fries cake.  I thought that maybe the Cake Boss was hiding in the other room.  He wasn't but "that Albertson's Cake Baker might be his brother," Braydon is convinced. Oh and yes, as you can see in my pictures, my house can be messy on my birthday!

the Goods, the Bads, and the Uglies

BAD: My Kole-a-bowl-a-ground hog, who also answers to Mr. Patera, Koliapolis, Kolykalikymakisaka, and so many more (yes, we love our nicknames) turned 10 yesterday.  I mean a kid in the double digits.  How did this happen?  He even claimed to have one chest hair, but when I asked to see it, he couldn't find it.  He was sad and said that it must have fallen off.  The sad thing is, soon that won't be a hair that fell from his head. He was so so excited to be turning 10.  I guess 10 is only bad when you are the mom, but seriously where has all the time gone.  I think he should still be around 6 or 7, and I should be 26, but Kim Years don't really count in real life.  I am lucky he is an amazingly sweet, kind boy, who still wants to be read to at night, and isn't embarrassed to give me hugs in front of his friends, now his little brother is a different story, when it comes to hugs outside of our house.

Quotes from this amazing day:

Mom, if I'm 10 years old and you had me when you were 25, you must be........

I am 10 and can light the cake myself....10 minutes later the lighting process was still going.

How could this steak (9oz) be gone so fast? I mean did you taste the seasoning?

I can finally be the artist I've dreamed of. He got REAL art supplies for his birthday.

A lot of parents at my school, don't make their kids go to school on their birthday.