He Did it!! Eric's Graduation

             2 Years ago, Eric and I decided that it would be beneficial to his career and our family, if Eric went back to school for his Master's degree. So we began a journey that we will never forget. I am not going to lie, the last two years have probably been some of the hardest years in our lives. Eric carried two jobs: One with the City of Sumner and an Associate City Planner, and also his side business 4M consulting, where he works contract work for the City of Ruston, and also doing wetland delineation reports. The first year he kept busy serving as  Elder's quorum president in our ward, and keeping up with the kids,  that summer we chose to sell our house, and move in to my parents home while they are serving a 2 year mission. Getting the house ready to sell, was absolute stress, and chaos, but in the end it all worked out.

             Then he started his 2nd year of his Masters degree. His jobs became more and more demanding. He served as assistant ward mission leader, and in the Young Men's organization, and I was called to be Primary President. We kept busy with our kids in Soccer, football, and baseball. With Eric at school I often felt like a single mom. Raising the 3 kids by myself. Helping them with homework, keeping up with the house and bills. Running them from sports, to scouts, to school events, etc. It was very common for us both to come to bed late at night, physically and emotionally exhausted from the day. We cried when times got so hard we weren't sure if we could keep going. Then we picked each other up, and pushed forward. I admire Eric so much. I have never seen him with so much weight on his shoulders. He is the hardest working man I know. He truly wants the best for our family, and wants to serve the Lord. My boys missed having dad around. But he always tried his best to make it to their games. They always knew when Eric was at the games. (Everyone did). You could always hear Eric cheering and whistling from the stands. And the boys always tried a little harder and played a little better when Eric was there cheering them on.

              We are so thankful for all the love and support from both of our parents. We could not have done it without their love and support from the sidelines.

               It has been a crazy journey!! Congratulations Eric. We are all so proud of you!!

Brody's first sports Team- The Redhawks T-Ball and Blake's First Pinewood Derby

After years of sitting on the sidelines and cheering his brothers on, Brody is officially on his first sports team. And he is so stinking cute!

I have to be honest, he could use a little work.  But I LOVED his enthusiasm and how happy he was to be a part of a team.

It was such a cold rainy and windy day, but Brody didn't seem to care. I seriously can't wait to watch him play this season.

Go Redhawks!!

It was a busy day for us, after t-ball was Blake's first Pinewood Derby for scouts. I am so glad that it happened to be during Eric's spring break, because I would have had no idea how to help him build a decent car.

Blake did awesome. He won 3rd Place out of about 14 scouts. I could tell he was very excited.

Such a cute face

 

Watching the race!!

 

 

Tommy and some of his scout buddies.

 

 

I love my boys so much! I LOVE being there to cheer them on in all that they do! 

Blake's 8th Birthday Party, Nerf Wars!!!

We also had Blake's birthday party and celebrated by having a Nerf Wars Birthday Party. Here are a few of the pictures that I snapped amongst all the chaos.

 We are thankful that Blake has made so many friends already with the our move. Here are two of his buddies from his Sunday School class at church. Jack Karren and Eamon Galloway.

 

 Sorren Harris, another new friend from church.

 Ryland Stephenson - friend from Federal Way. They have been good friends since they were babies and have stayed close.

 No Homework-- one of the Targets!!!

 Eating pizza with friends-- JuJu is one of his friends from school last year at Camelot, the funny thing is they both moved to Kent over the summer and ended up at the same school. They were so excited to find each other the first day of school!

I can't wait.. Until I'm 8!! Blake's Baptism

 

 

 

Blake turned 8 on December 8, 2013. He was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, on January 11, 2014. It was a special day. We had lots of friends and family come and support him on his special day. We love you Blake, and are so proud of your decision to be baptized.

 

Ringing in the new year with these cuties, and meeting our new cousin, Lizzie!

New years Eve was a lot of fun. We got to ring in the new year with these cuties:

 

We had a lot of fun having Ryan, Emily and Allie spend the night New Years Eve, while there baby sister Elizabeth was being born. We played games, watched movies, ate popcorn, and stayed up till midnight to hear the new years eve fireworks. All of us, except Allie. She made it till 11:00pm and was so tired, she went and put herself to sleep.

 

I love this picture of Emily and Diogo. She LOVES diogo. I told her I would trade Diogo for her new baby sister. She said, YES!! I was so excited..... until we got to the hospital to meet Elizabeth. She told me she changed her mind. She wanted to keep her sister.

 

The cute Stringham Family. Elizabeth and her dad, James share a birthday on New Years Eve. December 31st.