8000 Feet Above the Sea

Braden needed a vacation after a busy school year, so he caught a ride to Mammoth with Gramma and Papa.  There they met Uncle CJ, Aunt Sandy, Sydney, Kendall and Lyla for a week of adventure.

We only got to spend half a day in Mammoth, but it was great to hang out with family.

Matt and Braden are a nice addition to this gorgeous backdrop.

The boys went on a quick adventure before heading home.  Surprisingly, neither fell in the lake!

Enough family photos yet?

Couldn't pass up the opportunity to take one more shot to capture the background.

Braden loved his special vacation with Gramma and Papa!

This cute cuddle bug managed to sneak her way into lots of photos.

No pedals?  Way too small?  No problem!  Braden managed to have fun racing around on Lyla's bike.

Gramma coordinated a scavenger hunt.  The kids drew names to see who they got paired up with. Papa and Sydney took the traditional route and actually went to a neighboring campground to knock on doors to request items.

Lyla was less than pleased when she got paired with her mom.  She wanted to be Uncle Matt's partner.  Matt and Kendall appeared pretty confident they could win this competition.

Boy power!  Braden looked thrilled to be teamed up with Uncle CJ.  After all, how many kids have an official university camping instructor for an uncle?! Surely he'd have tricks up his sleeve to win the hunt!

Braden found lots of items quickly to ensure the scavenger hunt was in his hands.

There's a reason we call Gramma 'Martha Stewart.'

What kind of example did Papa set by throwing a temper tantrum when he thought he lost the scavenger hunt?!

Prematurely confident?  Maybe not...Kendall is holding a prize.

What kind of game is this?!  Lyla got a prize too?

Apparently Gramma was in no mood for tears...all the participants received prizes!

Uncle CJ even got a prize...so technically, Braden and CJ may have really won.  Shhhh, don't tell the girls....or Papa and Matt.

Homemade lemonade popsicle.  Warm weather.  A perfect picture of summer....

Braden took a break from his painting craft Gramma coordinated in order to snap this adorable photo.

Braden proved that hanging out with a bunch of girls while wearing a friendship bracelet Sydney made for him can be extremely cool.

C'mon Braden, smile!

There's never a shortage of goofing around when these two guys are together!

Good thing Papa worked for the fire department at one point, because looks like his skills could come in handy here...

Pretty soon, Braden may be this much taller than Gramma.

Braden attempted to ignore Lyla's inquiries as he examined the best places to go mountain biking.

This girl is a pro at looking adorable always!

Think they're coming up with some fish tales? 

Is this a relaxing vacation or what?!

Double trouble!

After a rough day of fishing, Braden found the biggest, juiciest worm to entice some fish.

Apparently it worked!  Braden showed off his two catches of the day.

This dynamic duo seemed quite relaxed in this serene setting.

Attempt number one for a family photo...not bad.  Should have stopped after this one.

Deteriorating fast....

We tried to get one last shot.  Braden and Lyla had ideas of their own...

Lyla is no longer the baby...she hangs with the big kids just fine!

A picture is worth a thousand words...Sydney is clearly the one who suggested going fishing.

Apparently Braden needed some alone time...just him and the fish.

  Where's the rugged setting? Leather chair, iPad....this doesn't look like a camping trip at all!

The three amigos...

It's about time Braden got put to work!

These spoiled kids should earn their keep, after all!  Love Lyla's smirk...guess there are advantages to being the youngest!

Now THIS is camping!  A chance to enjoy the great outdoors, sounds of nature, sights of bears, deer and other wildlife....oh, they just hung out in the tent to watch movies?!

The whole camping trip in the mountains was pretty cush, so why end that on the drive home?!  Braden enjoyed 3D movies on his way to and from Mammoth...but of course, is there any other way to travel?!

The End of an Era

The last day of school always brings a bit of excitement.  Braden's school performed several songs to close out the school year. We enjoyed the entertainment and enthusiasm the children offered. 

Braden will spend one more month at Montessori at the Park before doing a few summer camps and then starting kindergarten at a new school. 

Braden sang to his heart's content...

Spoke his lines with ease...

And of course, he knew the hand motions...

Always time to flash a smile before exiting the stage.

He looks a bit preppy in this outfit.  It was the only thing we could throw together at the last minute that fell into the "white and khaki" dress code we were informed about the afternoon beforehand.

He'll always be this sweet and cuddly, right?!

 

Braden's had a great school year.  His teachers say he is genuinely sweet and caring, more so than most kids his age.  That's enough to make his mama proud!

Braden got treated to sushi and teppanyaki...we let him pick the restaurant...Guessing lots of kids chose pizza or McDonald's...not our kid though.

 

Never should've introduced him to salmon sashimi.  He loves it!

Attempting to catch a ball of rice that was thrown at him from the chef!  Looks like it is coming at him at lightening speed!

Loved the seaweed in the miso soup too.

Training chopsticks?  Way too experienced for these.  What was the server thinking when he brought these over to our table?!

 

We ended the night with Madagascar 3.

Daddy was so full from dinner and theater candy that he pretty much passed out on the seats!

Day for a Diva

Journee turned one and celebrated in style with lots girliness.  There was no shortage of pink, zebra print, and of course, wardrobe changes!

Let the party begin with lots of cupcakes, cake pops, and personalized candy!

Journee had the, "Dad, don't embarrass me" look on her face.

Braden was ready to help Journee celebrate!

Loved the photo booth!

Grandma loved the photo booth idea too!

Braden and Casey became fast friends at the party.

This cake was delicious!

Never mind how wonderful it tastes.  The messiness was far too overwhelming!

Just a random photo of us simply because Matt reluctantly agreed to it!

Journee didn't want to be held by anyone, but Matt has a way with babies. 

Miles went missing briefly, but he was found sampling the treats at the candy bar.  Maria thought it was a great idea to have candy everywhere so the kids and adults could have a free-for-all!

Aunt Debbie, Aunt Joan, Grandma Judy and Uncle Jan had a little fun at the photo booth too.

Braden decided to forgo the idea of scooping candy into the bags and simply shoveled it into his mouth instead.  His new buddy, Casey, told Braden that his parents would never let him do that.

Daddy couldn't leave the party without having a little fun with Braden.

The variety of expressions were endless, so we stopped after two poses.

The bouncer is the number one best invention for a party, hands down.

Relaxing or just completely worn out from lots of wrestling?!

There were so many of us in the bouncer that we almost collapsed it. Literally.  Maria was really concerned she was going to have to pay for it.

Journee loved the bounce house too!

Getting Daddy back!

Not exactly the Christmas card family photo we were going for. Pretty cute, nonetheless though!

I thought some mother-son snuggling time would be nice, but Braden just wanted to wrestle.

Sweet Tucker just rolls with the punches, especially when surrounded by so many older kids.

Charley and Braden were a little delirious by this point in the party.

Adorable Journee is looking a lot like her pretty mama.

Braden absolutely loves having a baby cousin.  He just can't wait for her to get a little older so she can run around and get dirty with him!

Where are these kids' parents??

Hmmm, this kid's dad suggested climbing in the bucket of ice while his mom shot a photo...

Heaven's Helper

Pepper has been a wonderful part of our family for nearly 5 years.  We remember picking her out as a fluffy, adorable puppy before Braden was even a year old.  She has been a great dog and Enzo's constant companion.  Sadly, cancer ended up taking her life.  Braden absolutely adored Pepper and was greatly saddened when she became sick.  However, he helped us through this difficult time by constantly focusing on the fact that Pepper won't be in anymore pain in dog heaven and she'll get to play all day long with other dogs there.

Braden wanted Pepper to have a special memory to take with her to dog heaven.  He had a few photos taken on the day Pepper passed away.  She still seemed so happy every time Braden was around.  Pepper will surely be missed!