End of the School Year

We have four days left until the end of the school year! I upgraded my license to a level two which means I am good to go as a teacher for at least five more years. I feel like I just graduated, yet, I'm finishing my third official year teaching (although in my head my year long internship totally counts as a year, so to me it is my fourth year teaching). Time just continues to move forward without me really realizing it. I have been pretty happy in my current job though, and I believe it has been a good experience for Bradley as well. He finished his daycare for the year on Friday, and they made him this cute little book of art he had done, photos of him with his friends and caretakers and it just brightened my day to see that my almost 17 month old son is safe and happy even without me or his daddy around. He will probably miss being there every school day, and will be excited to go back (although I am sure he won't remember because he is so little).

Today's the Sabbath and I am just so overwhelmingly grateful for the life I get to lead. I have a wonderful husband, darling son, and we have strong testimonies of the Savior and the gospel. I am so happy every morning to hear Bradley babbling about whatever it is he wants to tell us and interact with him. Being a mom is the coolest thing in the world. I am so grateful God trusts me enough to let me take care of Bradley while on this earth. Your heart just grows so much, and I am sure will continue to grow as I have more kiddos and they grow up, being a mom. I'm happy to spend time with these special people everyday and learn from them.

We went to visit graves with my Grandma and Grandpa Ballard yesterday. We went to the Salt Lake Cemetery where most of the Bowen's and Ballard's are resting. We got to listen to Grandpa tell us stories of his ancestors and Grandma was so happy to play with Bradley. I hope I never forget his shy smile as she touched his nose and tickled his hands. We visited my Uncle Dave Roper's grave and his daughter Emily who would have been just 4 days younger than me. Dave passed away on March 20th  of this year, and Emily died when she was only 13 days old of a heart problem.  Tomorrow (memorial day) we'll go down to Sandy area and visit the graves of my Grandpa and Grandma Clayton. Grandpa passed away on conference Sunday, April 3rd of this year. So it seems somehow more realistic the importance of remembering those who have gone before and honoring the atonement. I know they are all in heaven enjoying the opportunity to be with family and loved ones and probably spreading the gospel. :) The gospel is true and I'm so grateful for it in my life.

The Zoo!

Bradley loves looking at the lights

Aren't I cute??

Conference Saturday, Grandpa passed away early the next morning.

We love the cougars! This is Bradley at his first BYU football game.
He was such a good sport, and we had a great time! 

He was a lion for Halloween. Such a cute kiddo at all ages.
He was almost 10 months old here.

We went to California on Nov. 9-15 of 2015.
We got to go to disneyland! Bradley's favorite ride was dumbo. 

It was a long trip for a little guy with two days at disneyland. None of us were feeling great (infact, I had the flu the whole time we were at California Adventure) But, it really is a special place and it was more fun with kids even though he won't remember ever being there. 

We got to go to the beach while we were in California!
You can tell that the little guy loved being there.

He just sat here for about 1 minute while he smiled and enjoyed being in the spotlight. 

We sure have a big family! 18 grandkids now! 

My cute little family! 

Somewhere from last January till this photo my little boy became a toddler.
He was actually sick with some kind of flu on this day… but he was still happy because that is his awesome personality. He absolutely loves candles and was devastated when these candles blew out. 

Mitch and I joined my siblings and parents (minus Kyle and Ashley) in Hawaii the second week of January. It was the first time we left Bradley overnight but he was in great hands with his cute GiGi and Grandpa Gill. 

We celebrated my Mom being completely cancer free while on this trip! It was the first time in a very long time that my parents could actually relax. And we were happy to accompany them. 

We got a house!!! We moved in right after our trip to Hawaii. Here are some photos. Our house is 1900 square feet finished and the basement is unfinished (about 900 square feet). 3 bedroom, 2 and 1/2 bath. They recently re-did it and we like all the paint colors and neutral look about the house. We live in Layton and are trying to make friends. I am the worst at that though, so it will probably take us the normal year and a half to be comfortable.

I coach the Davis High Girls Lacrosse team. It has been an exciting and busy adventure. We will probably always have some kind of coaching going on in our house. 

More Cougar pride! Basketball games are some of our favorite traditions. We love spending time there and Bradley has a blast. Thanks to GiGi and Grandpa! 

So cute. My team bought this for him and he loves holding it and playing with it. 

We got a sweet ride after lunch with Nana! He loved being in the car whiteout it driving in the wind.  Hated the wind… 

We have a few parks in our neighborhood with slides and Bradley can't get enough. 

We went to the zoo! He loved the kitten and seals. Hence the face.

Our recent doctors trip at 15 months. Bradley is 95th percentile in weight, 75th in Height and off the charts for his head. He is growing and getting bigger every day. I love him so much. 

He has quite the expressions.
We love to laugh together. and he loves to play in the sandbox at Nana's house. 

My Grandpa Clayton passed away last week (April 3rd). He fought Alzhiemers for 7 years and is now reunited with his sweet Bride, my Grandma Clayton. We will miss him. It has been an interesting beginning of the year but we are enjoing spending so much time together and watching our son grow into a boy. He is a lot of fun, and a lot of hard but worth it work. He just recently learned how to give us kisses and throw things in the trash can. Hopefully next time I blog he'll have some new words besides ut-oh and mama/dada.