School starts 9/2012

 Lauren started school this year.  She was so excited to be able to buy school supplies and do something like her big sisters.  On her first day she was full of emotions.  At the end of the day she came running out with a BIG smile.  I asked her what was her favorite thing and she said, "we had three recesses!"

 Paige is now in 3rd grade.  She got the teacher that she wanted and is doing really well in school.  She was chosen to be a ASB representative.   This made her really excited because she was picked by her classmates.

 Brianna had an interesting situation to deal with when she started. Her school  decided to have a split level class because of the large number of 5th graders.  She was put in a 4/5th grade class along with 10 other 5th graders and 12 or so 4th graders.  Having the same teacher she had last year was not something she was thinking was cool.  In some ways she was wondering why she was picked to be in this class.  To be honest so were we as her parents.  After a lot of talking with administration and her teacher we learned that it was because the teacher wanted to have the best kids and know where she could continue on with their teaching from last year.  One of the perks is that Brianna will be able to go on all of the 4th and 5th grade field trips.  She gets to attend some of the classes in the other 5th grade class rooms.    After lots of talking she decided to stay in the combined class.  It seems to be going well.  Brianna also got contacts this summer.  What do you think?

Shane really wanted to get a picture of these three walking to school.  It will be the only year that they will all be in the same building.  Sad huh!!!   :(

Baby Z's Blessing Sep 2, 2012

 The blessing turned out great!  All the Broderick family was able to attend.  Shane was the only one unable to attend.    Demi loves her little brother.

 Here are a few shots of all the family.

 What a cute family!

 Reese thought that baby Z's cord needed to be in the crib.  Once Demi saw that this was happening she needed to join in the action.  It was quite a little team.  We needed to stop them once they started pulling on the cord.

 Here is his little blessing outfit.  Isn't he cute!

 This is the only place that Reese would sleep.  It was barely big enough for her it fit on but she loved it.

 Later that night we went outside and played in the yard.  The kids enjoyed the swing set and tramp.

 Steve is always willing to get on the tramp and jump with the kids.  They love him for that.

They got a fire pit this weekend and we were able to use it.  Thanks for letting us all come and stay with us.  We love you and can't wait to see you again.

Visiting Family Sep 2012

 One last trip to Idaho for the year.  We were lucky enough to have baby Z get out of the NICU after more then 10 weeks of being there.  Baby Z was diagnosed having Prader Willie syndrome.  There are many obstacles that their family. But they are counting their blessings that they were able to come home from the hospital.  Rena is able to stay at home with her children and she is facing the future with faith.

 Ryker and Demi playing in her room.  Demi likes playing in her room.

 Lauren and Demi playing on the trramp.  They got along really well.

 While we were there it was the Eastern Idaho State fair.  On Saturday Morning we went to the parade. The kids enjoyed that especially because candy was given out.

                                      

After the parade I went and got my mom so we could spend the rest of the day with her.  We went to the fair and had a good time.  There was a exhibit with sharks.  The picture above is with all the kids in a shark cage.

 We went and saw some of the ]\nimals (bunnies, horses and sheep).

 Grandma got tickets for all the rides.  Ryker really wanted to drive the car.  Demi wanted to go to but Rena had to help make sure that she didn't jump out.  It was fun to see their excitement.

 My mom loves to play the games.  She played darts and won a little toy for Reese.  It was a little stuffed banana.

 The older girls got to go on the swings.   They all enjoyed that.

 Lauren really wanted to go on this kangaroo ride.  She was really happy until they came and put two other girls on the ride with her.  She was really unsure about the whole thing after that happened.

 Thankfully right after all the kids got done with their first ride it started to rain and then it decided to come down in buckets!!  Before we could get to shelter we were all drenched.  We looked like little drowned rats.  We were all laughing so hard.  The picture isn't the greatest but it was something that we needed to take a picture of to remember.

Because we had to end the fair early we let the kids have a movie party before bed.  It was a really good day.

Camping time Aug 2012

 Well- another summer comes to an end.  Unfortunately we didn't get the chance to go camping.  I really love camping and the kids enjoy it also.  That brought me to the conclusion that the tent should be set up in the back and have a few nights under the stars.  The kids thought that this was wonderful.  We roasted marshmallows in the fire pit and had clean non smelly bathrooms.  The best of both worlds.  I was very proud of myself that I was able to set up the tent and take it down and put it away all by myself.  I was a little nervous that I wouldn't be able to fit it back into the bag but I did it!!!

Visiting Grandma and Papa Aug 16-19th

The first day we got there we got to go see the new Ice Age movie.  It was cute and we enjoyed doing that activity with grandma.  The movie was really cute.  We all wanted to go and see Brave but missed the time it was playing.

The next day we decided that we would go and see The Ape Caves.  Papa rode his Harley and we followed him.  The kids enjoyed watching Papa.

 Ryker was very excited to use his head light that he got for Christmas last year.  He wore it the whole way there.  It took us about 1 1/2 hours to get there.  

 Once we finally got into the caves Papa reminded us of when the it was dark for three days in the scriptures.  The kids enjoyed having this story told to them and for them to realize how scary that might have been to be in complete darkness.  Papa didn't get to stay with us for very long.  He had to get back to work.  We enjoyed spending the little time we had with him.

The kids in front of one of the signs.   After we got done with the caves we went out for lunch.  It was really yummy.  We upgraded all of our meals and had shakes.  By far it was the most expensive fast food experience we had gone to.  It ended up over $50.

 That night we got to go see Great Grandma Nielson.  It was great spending time with her.  She got out her little cat.  The kids enjoyed playing with it.

 While we were at Great Grandma's Reese thought that she needed to climb through this table.  She did it over and over again.  I thought it was funny.

 Shane thought that Reese should do some exercises.   She held on for about 2 minutes with his help.

 The next day we went over to the OMSI. We have never been there before.  The kids enjoyed looking around and discovering.  In the picture above Brianna is holding a Australian Walking Stick.  All of us held it.  It was very interesting, on it's legs were little claws to grip with and when you blew on it, it would sway back and forth to look like a dead leaf.

 This ended up being on of their favorite things.  Playing in the water changing how the water would go down and building little banks with the sand.  I think they could have stayed there for an hour.  They were pulled away after about 30 minutes.  We missed going to the physics portion of the museum.   Grandma said that she wished that we would have made it for that.  Maybe next time.  Grandma  was able to attend OMSI with us and we also went and watched  a movie there called Tornado  Ally.( I think that is what is was called.)  We all decided that we should have gone to see a different one.  It wasn't that exciting.

 The next day I took the kids to do some school shopping and then when we got back Shane took them for a little walk.  Most of them enjoyed it.  Brianna didn't want to go but I think she ended up being ok with it.

 Grandma got these foam noodles and some balloons out and they got to hit them around.  Unfortunately they kept getting popped by Ryker.  The grass wasn't super soft so it made it easy for them to get popped.  The game only lasted a few minutes.  It was really nice of grandma to think of them.

 On our last night there Grandma got out the ice-cream trough.  We filled it up with six different kinds of Ice-cream and got out all different kinds of toppings and let the kids dive in.  The guys didn't want to have anything to do with it.  Shane finally came out when the kids were done and ate some.  I think this would be fun to do at a summer birthday party.  The kids thought this was heaven.

We had a great time with Grandma and Papa.  The time went to fast and we look forward to seeing them again.  The kids cried as we drove away.  I sure do wish that we had family that lived closer. We love you all and hope that we will see you soon.

Paige's 8th Birthday 2012

 Here is a few pictures of Paige on her birthday.  First is her cake and the bottom is us serving her breakfast.

 This year was a friend birthday.  She decided on a movie party with pizza before the movie.  They watched Tooth Fairy 2.  Shane had to work late.  He didn't get home until 8:15pm and then asked if I cared if he went on a guys night out.  At that point I didn't care because the party was almost over and he had been working really long days.  He needed a break.  Back to the party.  Paige invited 9 girls to come and all 9 girls came!  When does  that happen????  The kids had fun.

 The cupcakes were fun.  They were supposed to look like a cup full of popcorn.  It has marsh-mellows on top with yellow food coloring  painted on top.  The frosting tasted like cotton candy.  Their goodie bag was the popcorn container with candy, a bag of popcorn and a soda at the bottom.  They all got tickets for the movie and treats.  Brianna was the ticket taker.  In fact  this party wouldn't have turned out without the help of Bri.  She really helped me a ton!  Paige had a blast and it  was fun to see her and her friends have a good time.

The kids ate 10 bags of popcorn.  I thought that they might throw up!  After the movie we ate cake and ice-cream and only three of them ate any of it.  They all ate to much at dinner and the movie.  They all took their cupcakes home.

Paige's Baptism Aug 11, 2012

      It  turned out great!  Grandma and Papa were able to come.  Paige asked them both to give talks.  They made her day special.  Right before she was about to get baptized she started to cry.  She was nervous but excited.  Emotions were running high.  After she was baptized she was smiling ear to ear.
     On Sunday she got to stand up and was sustained as the newest member of the ward and a little 4 year old little boy turned around and looked at Paige and said, "Oh she is BEAUTIFUL!"  Nice and loud so a large group of people could hear.  I told Paige later and she blushed and then said, "He is to little."

    Here is a picture of our family outside of the church.  Papa got a picture with all of us on it but I don't have it to share!  :(

Just a few more pictures.

     Grandpa and Papa were able to stay with us for the weekend.  But they had to leave before church on Sunday.  Lauren took it really hard when they left and sat on the front steps and cried.  Luckily we were  going to their house in three days.  That was the only thing that helped her  get over the fact that they left.  Thank you for coming.