Ballet Recital

Prima Ballerina!

Last night was Brooklyn's ballet debut. She was so excited to get on the stage and dance like the ballerinas at the Nutcracker. She had the privilege of dancing with her daddy. It was so cute and precious.

What was even more fun was that we had some friends that go to the same dance school. So we were not only watching Brooklyn, but Madi, Hana, and Macy. Brooklyn had quite a group of supporters. She had Grandma & Grandpa Hooton, Grandma Graham, Uncle JD and Aunt Summer, and her cousins Kennadi and Braxton.

She was so excited to get flowers from her dad and Grandma Graham. We brought them home and put them in a vase. She thinks you need to check the water all the time.

President Hooton

President Hooton, boy Leno would have a hay day with that name. As we watched the motorcade pull out of the gate, Braden looked at me and said someday I want to be in that car. It made me so proud to be his mom. To have have a son that has such high aspirations for his future is an amazing feeling. He all ready has his college goals in his mind, and since he is so much like his dad, I really think he will achieve his goals. I think we definitely have a politician on our hands. Maybe even an Alex P. Keaton, we'll have to look into the young republicans.

Hello, Mr. President!

On Wednesday we went to watch Air Force One land at the airport. The boys were excited when I checked them out of school unexpectedly. Troy met us there. Security was extreamly tight. Much more than the times before when we've gone. While we were there there was a reporter from the Tribune talking to people and we got in the paper. Here is the link for the article: http://www.sltrib.com/ci_9404667?IADID=Search-www.sltrib.com-www.sltrib.comAbout half way down is where Braden made the artice.

hoot n holler

Our Memorial Weekend

Our holiday weekend started out with lunch and the first of our two movies. Ironman was the boys choice. Then on the way home Troy decided to go and look at riding lawnmowers. Our new yard is huge, with a lot of grass. I didn't think he needed one until I mowed the lawn. So an hour later we were on our way home with a new mower. Of coarse Cody was rallying at the store for the John Deere. As we walked out the door he was so excited to be holding the key to a real John Deere. Now everyone wants to mow the lawn. I used to have to because nobody wanted too.

On Sunday we visited the cemetery where Troy's Grandpa and Grandma Hooton are buried. I really want our kids to understand why we celebrate Memorial Day. The boys always like to make sure Grandpa Hooton has a flag by his stone, as he served in WWII as a foot soldier. Braden likes to remind us that this was one of the most dangerous jobs that a soldier could have.

Brooklyn was so sweet. While we were walking around and looking at some other family members stones near by, she ran around and sat up any flowers that had tipped over. She wanted them to all be setting up pretty.

After our visit to the cemetery, we went to lunch at Hard Rock Cafe. The kids really loved this. I have kind of corrupted my kids into liking rock. They were really impressed with the smashed guitar signed by KISS. Then off to the Bee's Game. Tesco's seats are awesome. Right behind home plate.
Brooklyn has her Daddy wrapped around her finger. What she wants, she gets. She wanted a monkey, so that's what she got.

We finished of the weekend by going to an early movie with the Hooton family. We all went to see Indiana Jones. I have a feeling Brooklyn and her cousin Kennadi won't be sleeping alone for a while. It was a good movie though. I rained most of the day so we just finished off the day relaxing.

We want a Pitcher!

Braden has gotten a few chances to pitch this year.

He loves it. His team isn't doing every well this year

but they are all young. They will be strong next year.

Billboard Cody

Cody is our walking advertisment. He seems to always

have a logo on eigther a hat or his shirt. They usually are:

What more could a boy want? Motorcycles,

tractors and big trucks!

Our Visit to Grandma Nelson's

We rode down to Fairview last week to visit Grandma

Nelson. When we got there my kids were able to spend some

special time with my uncles and their Great-Grandma.

Uncle Jay helped redesign some sling shots that we bought at

the museum. He told the boys how my Grandpa used to make

them for him. They loved shooting rocks into the field. Later Jay

took the boys to his house and let them pick out their first hunting

knife and pocket knife. They spent the rest of the time whittling

branches from the apricot tree.

When we arrived, Cody was anxious to find Uncle Kent.

After we took Grandma to Mt. Pleasant, we found him out

in Grandma's field doing some clean up. He let Cody hop

up into the backhoe to ride with him. I went back out a

few minutes later to check on them and Cody was driving.

He was excited to help the guys finish up the next day.

And of coarse he drove again, all by himself!

We had a great trip. It reminded me so much of the weeks

I would spend during the summer at my grandparents house.

It was the highlight of the summer. Braden especially enjoyed

when my Grandma happened across a little book of

questions that I had asked my Grandpa many years ago

about his childhood. He and I decided to get some paper and

ask Grandma the same questions. He loved hearing the stories

about the different way of life.