Not as Promised

If you've been eagerly awaiting the promised "Boden Family Beach Vacation" pictures.....

...you'll have to wait a little bit longer.

Due to the internets unwillingness to run fast enough to upload my pictures and my procrastination in getting things ready for the move tomorrow the pictures will have to wait until we get to Utah.

That's right.

The movers are coming in the morning.

So meet me back here in a couple weeks.

Happy Birthday Jackson!!

Jackson turned 5 today!!
We had planned on spending the day in Santa Cruz playing on the beach and going on rides. On Friday morning we were trying to find something fun to do. Nate wanted to go to L.A. but we figured taking a big trip right before we take a big trip isn't a good idea. So then he suggested Santa Cruz, but I reminded him that we were planning on going on Saturday. So he came up with the grand idea of staying the night in Santa Cruz.
Brilliant!!

So we combined Jacksons birthday celebration with our desire to live it up during our last weekend in California. It was perfection. I'll probably post millions of pictures about it tomorrow and drool while I do it.

So, here's the Birthday Boy! Happy Birthday Jackson!!!



Usually when we come to the Boardwalk the boys go on all the rides together which means that Jackson ends up going on the tamest rides in the park. He always enjoyed himself, but, feeling extremely big today he wanted to go on the big people rides. This meant that I got to go with him.

The first ride he wanted to go on was the Ferris Wheel.

I've been avoiding Ferris Wheels since about the 5th grade.

My parents took us down to Lagoon when I was a kid and I was so excited to go on the HUGE Ferris Wheel that they have there. I was talking it up for weeks about how awesome it was going to be. Then when we got in line I freaked out, pulled my hat over my face and cried LIKE A BABY!! Seriously ya'll!!

I inherited some amazing qualities from my lovely Mom. One of the not so amazing things is a crippling fear of heights.

But because I love Jackson so dang much I put on my brave face and got in the Ferris Wheel line. I wasn't really sure how he'd do. Sometimes it kind of seems like he doesn't like heights, but you never can tell.

He LOVED it!!.

As soon as we got on the wheel went half way around and stopped us at the VERY TOP for about 3 mintues. I would've had a full blown panic attack right then and there if it weren't for the Lamaze techniques that I learned but never had to use. Steady breathing did the trick for me (but don't expect to see me on another Ferris Wheel anytime soon).

I felt the need to take pictures to prove to any doubters (Jackie) that I really did it.

Jackson told me about 50 different times during the trip that "This is the BEST BIRTHDAY EVER!" and boy did he deserve it!!

Brotherly Love

Payton loves to give his brother big spontaneous hugs.

SLC

Things We'll Miss #3

Visitors

Last weekend we were lucky enough to get a visit from my brother John and sister-in-law Tracy. They just spent a year in Iraq so to say I was excited to see them would be an under-statement!

We had so much fun with them going to the Aquarium and to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. It was beautiful up there despite the raging forest fire. The boys scored some sweet shades and went on pleny of rides (pictures to come soon).

I also took advantage of my brothers skills with Garlic and he made some of the best garlic cheese bread I've ever had in my life.

We are so happy you guys are home and extra happy that we got a visit from you!!!

Graduation Pictures

Nate's class & teaching team

Diploma

Certificate for exceeding the Army's expectations

Graduation

He Passed

2+ 2+ 2

For those who don't know, that's a really good score.

Things We'll Miss #2

DLPT

Nate took the SPEAKING part of his DLPT last week and felt really good about his performance. We won't know the score until he's done with the READING & LISTENING. He does the listening today and the reading tomorrow.

I've been all pre-occupied with physical therapy, doctors appointments, Harry Potter, Kindergarten Registration, and potty training Mr. P that I didn't even give myself time to freak out about the seriousness of this testing. Since my kids got up before dawn cracked I had plenty of time to quietly freak out in my brain while I cooked breakfast for Nate and the boys (I thought it might help Nate on his test if he got a break from the usual breakfast of cold cereal).

It's not like this is a normal test like the ACT's. I mean, I prepped for my ACT's by going to a football game and screaming my head off and following that up with a rowdy visit to JB's for dessert. After 4 hours of sleep I woke up with a nasty cold & headache but still managed to get a respectable score.

No, this test is major. After all, we did pack up all our belongings and move our entire life to Seaside, CA so Nate could learn this language. And all the perks that the U.S. Military is contractually obligated to give us depend on Nate passing this test and moving on to the next phase.

So, it's a little bit nerve-racking.

But,

Despite my moment of freaking out, I'm confident he'll do well. He's put in a lot of extra work and has a real determination to pass and get the "H" out of here (not in a mean way though, just, move on with life).

Things We'll Miss #1