Let summer begin!

It's official! I have a graduated Kindergartner!

The thought of this little guy

being gone ALL day for first grade...

makes my stomach feel sick.

really.

Lou says I'm not allowed to think about it for the next 3 months.:)

His graduation program was so sweet.

We were all so proud, but no one as proud as his sis.

As the above picture shows...she sat front and center,

(in the middle of the isle)

the entire time!

I also have graduates from preschool,

4rth, 7th, and 10th grade!

As much as I adore the years when they are little,

I can see how much fun it is

as they are getting older as well.

they may cause a few more grays...;)

but fun!

These are some of my favorite people

in the whole world.

We kept to tradition

and celebrated the first day of summer,

with shaved ice and a trip to the library!.

However,

I'm not sure how much longer my big kids

will let me take a picture in the library!;)

Love having a less scheduled life.

Love having my kids home more.

Love that summer is here!

(somehow my now junior in high school, missed the library...

it may also have something to do with his new drivers license??)

early morning bike ride...

6:35 a.m. to be exact!

I found Gracie waiting for me,

helmet in hand,

as I pulled in from the gym this morning.

Learn how to ride your bike...right now??....

@ 6:30 in the morning?

How about later?!!

" BUT mom, I know I can do it.

I know I can do it right now!

Pleeeeease!!!"

How could I say no to determination like that?

" Well...Ok, let's go!"

and GO she went!!!!

She wasn't going to let fear get in her way!

She knew she could do it.

She didn't care if she fell,

she didn't care if it took all day!

(luckily for me it didn't!)

Within 20 minutes,

she was starting, stopping,

and gooooooooing all by herself.

It turned out to be a beautiful morning for a ride!

moments....

I love that photography

can capture a moment.

It finds the feeling and emotion

of a single moment, and as I view it...

reminds me to do the same.

"The trick is to enjoy life.

Don't wish away your days,

waiting for better ones ahead.

The grand and the simple.

They are equally wonderful."

Marjorie Hinckley


A simple and grand
day in the park.

I feel blessed.

K-SHOTS!!

Last year when Justin had his

Kindergarten shots,

I left wishing

I had brought my camera to document

the sweet interaction as Gracie helped Justin

through this traumatic time in his life!!

Afterward, when Justin had tears in his eyes,

I thought it was because of the shots he had just received..

but he and Gracie were both in tears

knowing her time,

was yet to come... This time I came prepared!

Last year, they had decided Gracie

was NOT going to attend Kindergarten...

(no kindergarten=no shots!)
Well, things changed

as Justin has LOVED Kindergarten!

He worked hard to convince her- that it would be worth it.

"It's not that bad Grace,

I mean it does

Really,Really hurt...

but Kindergarten is

Really,Really fun.

You want to go Grace."

Forgetting about the appointment until 5 minutes before,

worked to our advantage!

Gracie didn't have long to think about what was coming.

I told Justin his job was to take her mind off the shots.

As you can see from the 'before' pictures...

he did a great job!

We were all kept entertained as they posed for the before shots!

BEFORE

AFTER
I don't have near the pictures of the 'after'!
:(
Gracie wanted Justin on the table with her.
He put on all 5 band aids!

This picture melts me.
It's as if she is thinking...
A pink sucker was so
NOT worth 5 shots!

But an ice cream cone on the way home helped!!!!

SPRING BREAK!!!

VEGAS!!

This year Mandi and I had a pre-break adventure!

Mandi had a soccer tournament in Vegas

and it was a great excuse for a girls trip.

I must say we were quite proud of the way we got around the city.

I was completely confident with Mandi as navigator!!

It was a really fun way to start our

spring break.

TRADITIONS!!!

I LOVE FAMILY TRADITIONS!

One day we may go somewhere warm for

spring break...

but our Targhee spring break has been a tradition for 7 years,

and one we would really miss.

We look forward to this trip all year.

It is such quality family time and makes for wonderful memories.

One favorite tradition of the trip is having

mom and dad Buhrley there with us!

I had to put in the pictures below of my amazing

mom and dad...(in-law).

They kick my fanny on the slopes,

and mom,

looks beautiful while she does it!

Sledding!

Always one of the first things we do.

Our darling 'little deers' in ski class!
Their instructors fought over them!

Fresh Powder
has always been a
Targhee tradition.
This year was no exception.
HOLY POWDER!!!!!

This particular run in knee deep powder

(or waist deep for Mitch) will be a memory forever!!

The powder was like quick sand,Mitch and I

were sinking fast.

Emotions were high and I was beginning to think

it would take the rest of the day to get down.

This is when I heard Mitch quietly saying to himself...

"I am calm, I can do this.

I am calm, I can do this."

He repeated this all the way down the mountain!

It was amazing to see the difference

these words made as they were repeated over and over.

He did stay calm

and he did do it...

ending with a huge smile on his face.

I was so proud of him!

Can you say

POWDER?!?!!!!

Snow dares

are as much of our Targhee tradition,

as skiing is!!

Somehow Lou and I have been able to avoid participating.

It is enough entertainment to watch!!!

On the slopes all day and relaxing in the hot tub each night.

It's a great life.

This trip does provide a lot of family

togetherness!

:)

I think Lou may have started a new tradition!

Our balcony became an ice cream store!

Mom and dad really help make this trip wonderful.

This picture was taken just minutes

after the last run of the week.

AND just minutes after Gracie was begging to go

"just one more time"

to the very top!!

She loved squeezing in

the last run of the day.
It's always hard to see it end.

Spring Break 2010!

Until next time... We came home and enjoyed a relaxing Easter weekend.

I loved spending Easter Sunday as a family watching Conference.

In between sessions the kids tried out their 'Easter' basketballs.

Notice Gracie in her new shin guards...

(like Mandi's!)

Also with her pink basketball

and in her favorite outfit of the week.

This girl is such a girlie girl...

but with some definite spunk!!!

Happy Spring everyone!

sleepy tears...

6:15 pm...Gracie has a complete

meltdown in the car.

6:25 pm...Gracie is falling asleep!

6:26 pm...Mom tries getting Gracie to,

"wake up!"

(it's way to late in the day for a 'nap'!)

6:27 pm...Justin's very calm plea with mom,

" Mom, maybe let her rest...sometimes when your parents get

VERY stern

and it makes you so,so sad

and you cry

really big tears...

it just makes you sleepy."

I want to remember the sweet,calm delivery of this information.

Especially, on the rare occasion I find myself being,

very stern.

:)

It's my LUCKY day!!!

Justin Michael Buhrley Lucky!

describes perfectly the way you feel

when Justin's around!

So it is only fitting to begin his birthday post

with some St. Patty day pictures!

Hat and photo session designed by the b-day boy himself. :)

We adore this 6 year old boy.

He brings so much love, energy,
and laughter to our home.
As you can see from the Chucky Cheese birthday pictures above,
you can't help but smile, when he is around!

Somehow, I missed getting many pictures of our celebration.
However, these few definitely show his
personality!
I love the sweet expressions of excitement and gratitude
shown while opening presents.
He doesn't know what it is before he is saying,
"Thank you! Thank you!"

I was happy Lou got some pictures,
of what must of been, a very fun ride!
I just love the way Gracie
is looking at Justin!

Here are just a few things I heard Justin say this week...

"You look beautiful! WOW. you. look. beautiful!"
Justin tells his mom and sisters daily they are beautiful.
He says it with such sincerity,
you just have to believe him!!
He is also the first to notice when I have something new on, or I've changed my hair!

"Mom, you and dad are perfect together..
but sometimes
I wish I would have met you before dad."

"Mom, you are the best mom in the whole,whole world.
I am so glad I have you."

I just asked Mac what's something sweet Justin has said to him lately.
"That's easy... he tells me I'm the best brother in the whole world,
he tells that to me every single day."
Mac then adds,
"Oh, I love that kid."

Tonight,
as Justin was kissing my entire face goodnight,
he said, " I love you mom,
tomorrow I am going to be so,so nice."

With his big brown eyes
and eyelashes that touch his eyebrows,
this little guy can melt your heart in a second.
Add that with his genuine sweet,thoughtful,
(although very mischievous,)
nature... and you have the
most adorable 6 year old in the world!

Happy Birthday Justin.
We feel so LUCKY to be loved by you.
XOXOXOXOX