Retirement Celebration BBQ

The Grant and Sodowsky family got together Saturday evening to celebrate the retirement of two great teachers, my mother-in-law Connie and my husband's aunt Christy.  It was a great evening. Good food, good company and entertaining kids!  Also snapped is the first picture of the four grandkids.  Ahhh.............

Brenley LLLLOOOOVVVEEEEEDDDD holding baby Will.  And she also liked playing with Luke on his tractor!

2nd Grade......Here We Come!!

It's official.............we have a second grader on our hands.  Beau's last day of school was Friday, May 21st.  Where did the time go?  Wasn't I just putting him on the school bus for the first time only a few short weeks ago?

Well, no matter how I look at it........it's now officially summer!  It was a big week. He had a ballgame Monday night, his school track and field day on Tuesday, a Sundae Math party on Wednesday, end of year party on Thursday, and his last day and Northridge Latchkey party on Friday, along with his friend Keegan's birthday party Friday night! Whew!  But we all made it, although were a bit tired Friday night.

I really could not be any prouder of Beau. He had an awesome first year at school.  This is the last year for Vermillion Primary (only a K-1 school building), but I am so glad it worked out this way for him this year. Next year he is on to Maize South Elementary (a 2nd-5th grade school).

To end the year, he was tested on his reading, and is at a late in the year 2nd grade level.  He was the ONLY one in his class to complete all his timed math tests - completing his sundae to include sprinkles!  AND he is the youngest boy in the class!  Wow.  He's a stud, with one really proud Mom.  Love you, big boy!  Keep up the good work and here is to one fun, fun summer! You deserve it!

May Day Parade

Brian and Brenley had a daddy/daughter day and took to McPherson to watch the annual May Day parade with Grandma, Grandpa, and Aunt Laurie.

This was Brenley's first parade and she had a great time. Her favorite words were, "Look at that, Daddy" or "Look at that, Aunt Laurie" or "Look at that Grandma/Grandpa."  Needless to say, she was very excited to see all the clowns, bands, floats, and cars!  She was chatty cathy when she came home tonight!

Mother's Day 2010

I had a wonderful Mother's Day. My mama, husband, and sweet kiddo's made sure of that!

We drove down to Oklahoma Saturday afternoon to have a big ole family dinner. I absolutely love any time we can all be together. Each time we are together, the kids all just get a little taller, a little more mature, but their love for one another is always there.

We enjoyed looking at old pictures as Mom and Dad have been going through some of their older ones and sorting them for us. My youngest brother likes to scan the negatives into the computer so we can have for eternity. We are so wild when we get together - scanning pictures like mad men! ha ha

We drove home Sunday afternoon. Beau ran into the house to give me my present - homemade bath salts that he made himself at school. It was an awesome gift and smelled so good!  He was so proud of himself for keeping a secret and for making his gift. And I was so thrilled to have such a perfect and thoughtful gift.

I got so many hugs and kisses. My favorite part of the day was when I laid down on the couch to start reading my new book and Beau curled up in one arm, and Brenley came and laid on top of me - both of them snuggled tightly on their mommy. It was the most blissful, perfect mommy moment of the day

This my handsome nephew carter. And below is Brenley "driving" the tractor. And the last picture is my cute nephew Blake riding his new bike, courtesy of Beau!

Will's Baptism

Baby "Vill" as he is affectionately known around our house by Brenley was baptized on Sunday, May 2nd.  It was a beautiful morning to celebrate this with family. After an early church service, we headed over to Kyle and Kate's for brunch. It was a lovely way to spend a Sunday morning. The kind of smoky haze on the picture below is from Brenley wanting to take her own pictures - I DO IT!  So we got it fixed with later pictures......

This is Baby Will's mama, Kate; his Godfather Uncle Don; his Godmother Aunt Laurie, and his daddy, Kyle.
And here is proud Grandma and Grandpa Grant holding the blessed baby boy!

March for Babies - 2010

We look forward to this event every year and it didn't disappoint..........the March for Babies, March of Dimes sponsored fund raising event.  Our Grant Family team raised $500 this year and we spent the beautiful Saturday morning, walking around downtown Wichita, and having a little fun in-between.

Brian and I take this opportunity to reflect each year on what happened to us the day Beau was born. It makes us realize how fortunate we are.  We even laughed this year about how that experience made us "grow up" real fast in a short amount of time. It made our marriage stronger and our hearts bigger.

Thank you March of Dimes for all that you do to prevent premature births.

Brenley's Camera Taking

CCCCCHHHHEEEEEEEEZZZZZ!
I take pictures, Mommy!
I got it!
Need I say more?