Okay so I was wrong

So, I was wrong.....here is the best lookin Hannah Montana. And, you would think he may be embarrassed by this picture........Nope, he wore the Hannah wig to the fire station.

Mr. Hannah Montana

Really, have you ever seen a cuter Hannah Montana??

WICKED

So, I know this post is not for too many people but those who care will be VERY happy. Wicked is coming to SLC next year.


http://www.broadwayacrossamerica.com/BAA.Web/Pages/BAACity+city+Salt-Lake-City+SeriesShowId+6558+showId+807+name+Wicked.html


ANG-- Can I count you in???

Jenica's Graduation

Yet another graduation today, and for all her talking she sure got shy all of a sudden when standing in front of lots of people she doesn't know. This is her getting ready to preform.
This is her cute little mask that she made. She is an elephant.
This is in font of her classroom. I had to beg her to smile, she decided to cop an attitude. (shocked anyone??)

Preschool, one year down one more to go, as much as she thinks she shouldn't have to go another year. (I am with you Jenica) Jenica, I sure do love you. You are my princess to the fullest extent. I love how you are a mommy to the "boys" (that includes Daddy) I love that you call everyone in the family either "the boy" or "one of the girls". I love that you get upset when I don't have shoes that match my purse. I love that you are, in your own words, "a girl who LOVES lipstick" I love how quick of a learner you are and I love that 99.9% of the time anything is lost you know where it is. I love that I can trust you to do anything. One of your best qualities is not taking "no" for an answer. It may drive me bonkers right now but I know this will be one of your best attributes when you are older. Jenica, there are 3 people in this world that can absolutely drive me bonkers and make me feel like I am losing my mind. I do love that you are one of those people. You give me a challenge that so many times I feel unequal to, but I think about you and how you would never give up, so I press on. But my most favorite thing about you in the ability you have to love with all your heart. And listening to you talk to your brothers when you don't know I am listening. You are so sweet to them. I adore when you climb into bed between me and Dad and giggle. That is the best way to wake up. I am proud of you and as Dad and I have said many times, we don't worry about you. You are amazing and strong and sweet and caring. You will be able to do anything you want to do in this life and I am lucky to be able to sit back and watch.

I will toot my own horn....

I figure I don't very often post anything about myself. So, I will do this plus if I put it on here then maybe Phil won't make me frame it and hang it up. (He is proud) Anyway, this is an award given to people who get perfect scores on their palliative care. When hospice comes in, someone from the state will interview them and it happens to be Applegates year. You are rated on a range of 1-5 (5 being the highest) You are rated on dignity, quality of care, pain management, instructions, "the dying experience", respect and if then asked if there is anything hospice can do to improve. Anyway, I was the only one to get a perfect score on all of my interviews. So all I got was this lousy certificate. Just kidding, I think it is pretty neat. I love my job and love to be able to share peoples last moments on earth with them. It is an honor. People tend to be really open and inviting when they know they are dying. I have lost a lot of people that I really came to care about but I wouldn't trade it for the world.
Why I am posting about myself, I will take this time to say I FINALLY feel great. It has been years since I have felt as well as I do now. And, probably 1-2 more surgeries and I will be good as new. All except my poor missing taste buds but I am actually getting used to. The only problem is when I try something and I tell Phil it wasn't good, I start to worry that maybe it was? Oh well, life can't be perfect and I only have one numb spot on my face that I can't feel but I can totally live with that!! Anyway I want to say thank you to mom for all the help with the kids as I have spent literally MONTHS doing medical stuff. Thanks mom, I could never pay you back....well, maybe I can take care of YOU when you get older. I get high scores!!

When you don't have a horse......

I will have anyone and everyone know that I blame or credit, whichever way you look at it, Paul that my child is "creative". Growing up, Paul could do anything or fix anything or ruin anything. Well, Carson is the SAME way! He pulled out Jenicas doll house and climbed on, rocking back and forth, screaming at the top of his lungs, "wheeeeee" (His impression of a horse)
Unfortunately I was not taking video of this because right after I snapped the picture, he got bucked off. Really quite funny.

Hunter's Graduation

Today was Hunters Kindergarten Graduation
Mom and Dad are so proud of you, you have worked very hard this year. (Your Daddy got teary eyed watching, I couldn't stop smiling) We can't believe you are so big.
Here is the program, Hunter did the Pledge and got to hold the flag as you will see in a later picture!
Here is his Graduation Certificate and his tassle. A lot of people worked really hard to make this so fun for all of us. Including Grandpa and Grandma Frank (Sorry Randa, but it is what they call you) for coming to support him and Stacie for taking the other two wild monkeys so we could watch this in peace. (Thank you so much, it was so crowded they never would have lasted 20 sec)

Here is Hunter holding the flag.
Since he held the flag right in front of his face, this is the best picture I got while he was doing it.
This is him trying so hard to be good, but how can you when you are surrounded by all your friends??
Here is his class. That is Mrs. Bunting (the tall one...just kidding) She is such a wonderful teacher, and she loves Hunter and can accept him as he is. When I would go to parent teacher she would in very nice terms tell me he always has something to say and he cares more about playing with friends and girlfriends, and believe me there are A LOT, than about the work.
Thank you Grandma and Grandpa for coming and also for letting us take your picture!!

*****and especially for Hunter for letting us share this experience with you. It is hard for me to believe that you are now in first grade. When I stop to think about 6 short years ago all we went through together I can't believe we are here. There was more than one time that I was afraid we would never be able to see this, but now knowing your personality, I know you just wanted to hang out with the cute nurses!! I am so proud of you for making friends with those that others don't like. I especially love that by the end of the year, the kid that pushed you down and punched you at the beginning of the year, is now one of your best friends. That says a lot about you. You are a wonderful big brother and especially a wonderful son. I love you!!

And of course Jenica is upset that this is not about her...shocker hugh?? But don't worry, her graduation is next week so she will get a post all her own. I love you too Jenica and Carson!

Jenica the EMT

Okay, I posted a funny on the other blog but it is worth looking at so you should all go take a look!

http://garrettkidsfunnies.blogspot.com/

My Favorite Picture of the Weekend

A picture is worth a thousand words.......

Mothers Day Weekend

I had to catch up on my blog so there are a few posts from the last few days!

We had such a wonderful weekend. It couldn't have been any better we had great weather, tons of fun and lots of family to share it with. Thanks to everyone who made that day so much fun. These pictures are from the Dinosaur Museum and Zermatt Resort.

Hunters Mothers Day Present

This is Hunters Mothers Day gift. I LOVE it. It is a soap pump with his picture and his drawings, is there anything better than that?? He was so excited to give it to me and kept it a secret clear up until Friday. My kids are the greatest and apparently thought I wasn't too bad either, although, if you ask Jenica she will tell you she wants to live with Holli. I don't blame her I would too!

Jenicas Mothers Day Present

I love Jenica more than life itself. She is fun and creative and full of life and stories. She is a fighter and a lover and a second mommy to the boys. I say Happy Mothers Day to her too. This is her Mothers Day present she gave me. On Friday, Hunter gave me his gift and I told him it was the best gift I have ever gotten. True to Jenicas form she quickly replies, "If you like his, wait till you see my handprints." She is right. I love them and they are just as wonderful as Hunters gift. Thank you all for making my Mothers Day a day I will forever remember.

Broadway, here we come

Sorry, I didn't edit this video, but this seems to be Carsons new favorite past-time. I sure do love him, he is becoming quite the little entertainer. Unfortunately I didn't get his dance to go with this, I will try to get both sometime soon.

Hunters trip back in time

I poured some breakfast for Hunter and walked out of the room. I think that is where I made my mistake. I came back into the kitchen to find this sight. He didn't want anyone bothering him. (Which I guess I can't blame him, Carson is a beggar!) After I took his picture, he told me, "Mom, just don't tell any of my friends, I don't want them to call me a baby." I was a little freaked out as this was my first experience having ANY of my kids be embarrassed about anything and they have definitely had some things to be embarrassed about. I guess we are in a new phase, one that now won't ever end!!

Another Blog

After having yet another funny conversation with Jenica I decided it was time to start writing down these funny conversations I have with my kids. They are all quite funny, even Carson is starting to get in on the action. I have started another blog with just funny things and conversations I have with the kids. I hope this can give you all a good laugh and help you to remember how amazing these little ones can be. I love my family--all of you. Everyone gives me much to be thankful for.

Grandpa's May Day

So it has been a year today since Little Grandpa died. Hunter wanted to send him flowers, Jenica wanted to send him a present, so we settled on balloons. This year has been a little lonely without him, but I love to hear, and tell, stories. He will live on forever that way and through all the little things he has taught us. Even though he only knew enough to be a truck driver, I happen to think that little truck driver is pretty dang smart. I guess the only thing left to say is....I hope he is up, cause that's where the balloons went. (For all those who don't know, don't worry I am not insinuating he went anywhere but Heaven)