Brony Bron turns 5!!!

Bron wanted a NinJa Birthday! So that's what we "threw together", I didn't feel prepared this year but it was actually a big success!!

The kids get a friend party every other year, on the odd years... 

Bron wanted everyone to dress up, I told him that everyone might not have a ninja costume, so we had everyone dress up as whatever they wanted for our Ninja Themed party...

I had Brad play the role of the "Ninja Master" he did a great  job and taught the boys some moves... I gathered the recycle and the kids hit, kicked and karate chopped them all over the room

Ben Koch, Garrett North, Bron and Emerson Stevens...

They ate lunch and watched a Ninja show...

opened presents and had cake!

We also celebrated with Brad's family that night and my family the Sunday after...

his Ninja Cupcakes!!

Ninja or Pirate??

He got hooked up with lots of fun presents... he's really into Pirate stuff right now too, Kalli made him an adorable pirate pillow case and gave him some other pirate stuff too, of course we put the eye patches on...group pic of all of our best pirate faces...

:We celebrate all January's Birthdays:

Kara, Bron, Jesse, and Krystal!!!

Happy Birthday!!!

This is a big year for Bron he will start Kindergarten this fall! I added these pictures cause I kind of still picture Bron like this, as my cute little 2 to 3 year old toddler. The one who will give me hugs and kisses and snuggle me. The cute little guy who grabs his blankie, sucks his thumb lays on the couch to watch cartoons. This Bron, is how I could have him stay forever...

 I remember him sitting at the kitchen table (instead of his booster seat, just behind him) and thinking he was such a big boy! I took this picture for that very reason... it was one of the first times I recognized that he was growing up, 

he wasn't a baby anymore...

getting a big boy bed!

 

and this, classic Bron... he got a cut on his head that was bleeding a ton... we shaved around the cut to get a good look at it, he had to have his blankie and of course, the thumb!!

 This last picture is one of my favorite of Bron, seriously just look at that face, there is  something about him at this age that warms my heart!! 

 but ...he is growing up, there is less snuggling and less kisses... only a little less thumb sucking haha, but he is not this Bron anymore...

He is still my strong little man who can pound out 20 push ups and 100 sit ups and is still is very independent.  He will do so great in school, I don't think I'll worry to much about him, he is not a "mommy's boy" or a "daddy's boy", he's very social and outgoing, he's a good helper, a good leader and it seems like everyone wants to be 'Bron's' friend, and do what 'Bron' is doing... 

He has loved pre-school and has done well, I'm sure he'll run in those Kindergarten doors and not look back. We still have a little bit of time till he starts but I know he's ready and looks forward to it. They grow so much once they start school, it's a milestone and a turning point in their little lives, it will be that time where I look and recognize he's not a toddler anymore...   I'm excited for him but sad at the same time. We love this kid so much and of course, as always, look forward to what things he will accomplish this year!!

Highlights of 2011!!!

I love looking back on a year and reminiscing on what the year brought us...

Here is a look back on 2011 for the Wade Family!

Starting in January and the first 4 months of the year all, but Brad, celebrate our Birthdays! Bron starting in January! Bron turned 4 and has had another successful year in Pre-School he's growing so much! He also gave up his blankie this year, which is HUGE!! Bron was a major, major blankie kid! And one day he threw it away! Literally threw it in the garbage and never looked back! Well sort of, he did want it that night to sleep with, but other than that he did awesome, it was the craziest thing, just decided he was done... little does he know I immediately got it out of the garbage and put it in my cedar chest with all my other treasures! That blankie was a major part of that kids life and will always be a treasure. When the time is right I'll pull it out again someday and he can remember how much he loved that thing!! It makes me sad cause it was kind of his official "I'm not a little boy any more" My little Bron grew up in 2011 :(

Max turned 6 in 2011 and has had a great year in 1st grade, he is reading really well and has grown so much! He is currently obsessed with football, BYU football to be more specific! Rain or shine that kid comes straight home from school, puts on his football pads and a Jersey and heads straight to the trampoline to toss and dive and throw that football around (all by himself) and I'm not exaggerating he really does this every day after school!! He keeps it up you'll see him play with the big boys one day!

I celebrated my 31st Birthday and can say I really look forward to getting older!

Parker turned 9 March 27th 2011 and loves school! Which is a first for him! Up until now school has not been his favorite thing, but he will tell you himself he loves it and I am so glad! He loves the interesting things he's learning and he has lots of friends and loves playing football at recess. He is very social, sometimes a little too social ;) So much so that he sometimes just doesn't have time to eat his lunch... "maybe you should do less talking and more eating"... But I think he is growing up a lot and gaining more self confidence. He was even let in on an adult Christmas Secret this year *wink, wink* if you know what I mean... he took it hard at first but then got excited about the role he could play in it all!

a highlight this year was Parker rocken the PineWood Derby and taking first place!

Reese turned ONE year old in 2011!! She has grown the most this year... mostly her hair! Haha She is turning into a little girl right before our eyes! We are really starting to see the difference in boys and girls now... she is very active though just like her brothers, she stays very busy...  she talks alot and has about a 30 word vocabulary, at her 18 month appt. she weighed 22 lbs putting her in the 20% and was 35" Tall putting her in the 95% apparently she's taking after her dad so far... tall and skinny!

After most our Birthday's are celebrated we head right into Spring and celebrate Easter...

Spring also brings Soccer, always a highlight!

Another highlight this year was Bron learning to ride his bike!!!! He was so excited and so proud when he finally took off one day!

Sometimes the year brings on change and sad news... the  beginning of Summer, 

June 1st Brad's brother, Chad, passed away in a Plane Crash, it was by far the hardest thing we endured this year... it's still an adjustment some days are good and some bad... and some days it still seems unreal. It has put things in perspective for us and has helped us realize how precious life is. We are grateful for the Gospel and of our knowledge that we will see him again!

Brad celebrated his birthday just 9 days later...

we tried to keep ourselves busy over the summer... 

swimming ...

camping....

and lots of hiking!

spending time outdoors has been a big help for Brad

in June I ran the Wasatch Back Ragnar Relay and had a blast, it was a definite highlight for me this year!

I also ran in the Dirty Dash! Also a highlight I hope to do again in 2012~

Summer is well underway in July and is my favorite month of the year! It is filled with so many fun activities that we get to do with family and friends!!!

Island Park, our new family tradition, a definite highlight and one of the favorite things to do during the year!

We got to attend several family weddings and sealings!

Matt and Jill Wade

Easton and Jenny Wade

Jon and Emily Wade sealed to their baby Asha!

Summer turns into fall and we have Swiss Days!

we went to Mary Poppins, lots of fun!

RabbitStick in Rexburg Idaho

and BYU games!!

I'm pretty sure this was Max's highlight of the year!

Fall means October.... I had so much fun running the Ragnar in June I had to run it again! This time, Vegas Baby! With two of my sisters and 9 other fabulous ladies!!!
It was very fun and exciting and an accomplishment  I was proud to say I did!

October also means Fall!! Fall is my favorite SEASON!

Pumpkin Patches, Hayrides, Halloween!!

::November::
Thanksgiving with Wade's

Annual Tree Hunt with Bevan's

Fun times spent with friends!!

Parker's Choir Concert

which brings us to December!! And the end of 2011!!!

 The passing of Brad's brother has been a hard thing this year, but overall we are very blessed and I can say it has been a good year! We have a home and cars that run, 4 healthy, beautiful children who are learning and growing everyday! Brad has a job and I'm able to stay at home with my kids like I want to... We are surrounded by loving family and friends who make life so much fun! My hope for 2012 would be that we prosper in the areas we pursue! That we enjoy the little things in life, learn from our mistakes and grow to be stronger better people! And that we focus more on serving others and growing in the Gospel! We have a goal to read the Book of Mormon as a family in 2012, I know if we do we will be blessed! I look forward to those blessings of being a closer knit family and staying strong and focused on Eternal things!