Toy Story 3 - Happy birthday Alex

We got to go see Toy Story 3 today for Alex's birthday - what a cute show. Darren was out at Youth conference so he didn't get to join us. But we still had a great time with family and especially cousins. After the movie we went to a park for cake/ice cream and a water fight. The cousins that live in Utah are all boys - 7 of them - from the age of 9 to 2 so you can image what our family get together are like. It was so much fun to be out in the warm sun and watch the kids have a great time!

Weston enjoying some swing time. The park by our home doesn't have the "kids" style swings so he loves parks that have them so he can go higher.

Preston and Adam getting one of Alex's friends

Bryson getting told not to shoot mom :)

Weston - he just watched the mayham for awhile... but it didn't take him long to join in.

Preston off to get someone

Weston, Grandma, Uncle Jason - Weston was throwing water out of a cup at people. He would fill it up from the drinking water jug. It was so cute to watch him jiggle after throwing it.

Singing Happy Birthday

After we put the water jug up, Weston figured out that he could get some from the cooler. He is so smart and cute :)

A New Era

After 13 years - Darren and I have decided that it is time for him to no longer work at Creative Expressions. The stress, anger and frustrations were getting so bad on him and his mental health - not to mention the family relationships that have really been damaged. It's hard to work for your family, its even harder to work when it's your in-laws. While Darren fought it as long as he could, there was no other choice then for him to leave the company. Some people think we are crazy to do this in this economy... we do to sometimes. But the release of burden and a huge amount of peace we have felt since we made that decision means it's the right direction for our family.

Darren's leaving came as a shock to the entire company, I guess everyone thought... he is family so he'll keep fighting the fight no matter what. to help ease some of the uncertainty and burden that some of the "long time" employees were feeling, Darren planned a huge water balloon fight in the parking lot. I spent just shy of 2 hours filling balloons - there was close to 300 of them. It was so much fun to watch and just what the employees needed.

These people are who Darren will miss, we have been lucky to have suck great individuals work for us. He feels he has let many of them down, but this decision was a selfish one on our account and we recognize that. Sometimes those decisions need to be made. He official last day was June 30th, however he has boy scout camp the 28-30 so he was off those days. Which made the 25th his last day in the office. Thanks for 13 years!

Preston's Closing Ceremonies

Preston had his closing ceremonies today, there wasn't a placement in his division as they never kept score. But he was still super duper excited to get his trophy.


He was pretending something here - maybe transformer... who knows, he always keeps me guessing

On his way to get his trophy

Receiving his trophy

2010 Raptors with their trophies

Do you think he is excited? Love how we left his hat at home. He had it on his head when I sent him to the car - no idea when it came off.

Running to show it off

Seriously - he is so much fun!

Bryson's Closing Cerimonies

We had Bryson's award ceremony tonight. It was really cute to have the boys recognized the way they did. Bryson's team finished 2nd place in our division, we only lost twice and it was to the first place team both times. So they got super big trophies for their placement. Bryson was super excited about that, I was super excited for the season to be over for this year.

Coaches - Daddy and Jared

The Team coming up for Trophies

Bryson getting his trophy

After the ceremony all the boys getting together for final good-byes

Coach Jared brought silly string and got plastered by the boys. I think that plan back fired.

Bryson in the silly string fight.

Events Happen in 3's.....

NOPE! they happen in 4's....

1st - Darren went in for surgery on his arm, which is healing well but a long slow process.

2nd - Weston falls off a 6" step stool while pulling the oven door down with him. He limps for 4 days before I take him into the doctor (we didn't see any major bone breaks or swelling) get sent over to Primary Children's for Xrays on both legs hip to ankle... nothing broken, he is fine... you can pay for that over there they say with a smile :)

3rd - My ankle that I broke and did ligament damage to about 20 years ago started acting up. It was very painful to walk on, braces at home didn't help and it actually started to pop - you could see it. So off to Darren's orthopedic doctor's office who sent me for an MRI - I have tendinitis... you can pay for that over there they say with a smile :)

and just when we thought we were in the clear...

#4 - Bryson trips over our smaller dog while running in the backyard. We look at it - doesn't look hurt or broke, so we ice it. He doesn't use his arm all day and really babies it. Next morning we wake up - take a look and it has a definite bow to the under part of his arm... yep it's got to be broken. Leave kids at the neighbors, go to kids care on Sunday morning... it's a $50.00 less co-pay if we go after 12:00... so back home to wait out the time... back to kids care... Xrays of the arm... not broke! just a sprain and deep tissue bruising.... you can pay for that over there they say with a smile :)

Needless to say I think we should be done with our pointless - exploratory - accidents that keep happening. Did I mention all this happened in about 7 weeks time? The Stecks are done getting hurt!

Bryson in the Kids Care room

A shot of the bow in his arm

Being a good sport!

The sling he had to wear for 5 days.

Bryson's Last Baseball game :(

Bryson's last game was colder then his first game so we went out the same way we came in. The other team ended up fore fitting and Bryson's coach didn't want them to end the season on that note so he did a mock practice game with our team and the two players that showed on the other team. Although it was cold the boys were great sports and went out and played a fun game. Running the bases, calling the plays, sliding into home... all for the last time this season. I will miss being at the ball park 4 days a week. I love this game and really want my boys to love it... whether they play it or watch... both Darren and I love this sport.
Bryson did so well trying to learn the game with 'out's this season. He took them in stride when he got out and was ecstatic when he got to 'walk' to first and come into home. He is suck a cute, sweet, tenderhearted little boy... and I won't change any of that for a natural athletic boy. It's okay with us that sports isn't his strength... his is simply amazing and such a good example to his little brothers.

Preston using the dug out as a wind shield.

Coach Daddy! What a sport he was to be at all their games, both boys. I love how supportive he is as a father.

Weston not having much fun in the cold and wanting to go home.

The ominous sky

Trying to put his hoodie on - it was seriously cold!

Bryson's play at left field to first...

Bryson's last up to bat, he never got a single hit all season - it was really quite heart breaking. I started hearing his team mates talk behind his back while he was up at bat :( Hard to hear as a parent.

Giving it his best shot and still smiling :)

Darren stepped in to help him get that last hit - he did and ran to base like a super star!

Look at that smile! he was so excited to run to base after hitting the ball. A perfect way to end the season.

Bryson's Zoo Field Trip

I got to go with Bryson on his 2nd grade field trip to the zoo - I love going on these with him and the experiences he has. I hope I never have to miss a field trip of any of my boys. There were so many parents that we only had groups of 4 which was super nice. We had about 4 hours at the zoo which was a perfect amount of time for that age group. The weaterh was a bit breezy - just a super nice day.
Bry and me on the bus ride

Getting in the boat - watch out for sharks

Bryson with the elephants

Zuri - so stinkin cute

Jessica - Matthew and Bryson - all in his primary class