Monday, June 29, 2009

A Fun Birthday!

Here are some pictures of Brae's birthday. We spread it over 2 days because our daddy had to work. Brae had fun playing in the front with the neighbor boys, eating Bubba's Burgers, eating chocolate cake, and buying and building Legos with his birthday money! Here are some pictures of his birthday celebration....
Brae used his some of his birthday money to buy two Lego sets. It has been cute to watch him work so hard to create these. He's never really been into Legos, but has shown an interest lately. We had to take a picture and share!
Brae loved that I found burgers that were named Bubbas. For those of you who know him, that has always been his nickname. As a matter of fact, I believe that Cason thought that that was Brae's name until this year. Anyways, they were great burgers and we had a great time together!
Brae with his birthday cake!
Brae blowing out his candle!
Brae and Cason playing with the neighbor boys on Brae's birthday!

Day 6 of Pool Building....Gunite....It looks like a pool!

On Day 6 of our Pool Building adventure, the doorbell rang at 6:30am. That is a great way to get you out of bed and get your day started. So, since I was up, I recruited Ty to go running with me while the workers began the Gunite Process.
As Ty and I were running a block over from the house, he said, "Mom, what is that loud noise?". As we got closer to the house, we realized that it was the cement truck that was in front of OUR house. So, sorry to all of our neighbors who I am sure were up bright and early today! It was REALLY, REALLY LOUD!!!!!
Our steps going into the pool. We are having them put in an umbrella plug on the big step (that is what the hole is for).
Our Pool!

Saturday, June 27, 2009

Day 5 of Pool Building....Corrections

Well, for Day 5 of our Pool Construction, nothing happened. Ok, so at about 8am, the electrician came and fixed the corrections that the City of Porterville inspector noted. So, Monday will be gunite day! I will post more pictures after we are gunited! Stay tuned.......

Friday, June 26, 2009

Happy 9th Birthday Braeden Michael Sanders

Our Handsome Boy
Braeden during his first baseball season (2005)
Braeden at the zoo at the age of 4
Braeden at the age of 4
It is amazing to think that 9 years ago today our Braeden Michael came to us! What a joy you are and such a special part of our family. The way you love your family and your big, kind heart make you so special.
Here are some things that make you special:
*You were our biggest baby boy weighing in at 8 lbs. 13 oz. and 21 1/2 inches long.
*When you were about 30 minutes old, your big brother Ty reached his hand into the warmer and you reached up and grabbed ahold of his pinkie finger. You have looked up to him ever since.
*You have the biggest heart of anyone I know.
*Hugs! Hugs! Hugs! You always have a hug to share. You make others feel special by showing you care.
*You love your family...When someone is upset or in trouble, you are the one that is worried and trying to fix the problem.
*You help to make our family complete....You are the perfect little brother to Ty and the perfect big brother to Case.
So, on your special day, always know how much we love and treasure you. You are precious to us and we are so glad that Heavenly Father sent you to us.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRAE!

Day 4 of Pool Building....Boring!

So today was a boring pool building day! It was inspection day. So, at about 10am the City of Porterville inspector appeared and took a one minute (literally) walk around the backyard. He then proceeded to pull out his pink slip and write down all the corrections. He wasn't the friendliest guy and was irritated that he couldn't find the pool plans that were hanging on the fence. Like it was my fault!!!!! Anyways, about an hour later another guy was out her fixing the problems and digging more bigger and deeper holes in my backyard. Hopefully, all will be fixed because tomorrow is Gunite day!

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Day 3 of Pool Building....Rebar

Today was Rebar Day. At about 6am, I heard a car door shut and of course, I was out of bed to see who was here. A tall, thin man that looked like Clint Eastwood was carrying rebar strips to the backyard. Well, I was already up, so I decided I might as well start my day. Ty came around the corner and said, "Mom, let's go running!". So we got dressed and off we went.
The man worked from 6am until about 4pm installing the rebar alone and it was only 100 degrees today. Talking about feeling guilty sitting inside an air-conditioned house!!!! Here are some pictures of our pool today....
Rebar....
Rebar....
And more rebar....

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Day 2 of Pool Building-Electrical & Plumbing

Here are Day 2 Pictures. Today they trenched the backyard, put in the electrical and the water lines. We now have a pool pump, filter, and drain pipes in the deep end. Bret and I also picked out our tile, colored bottom, and decking. It is going to be beautiful. We were told today that the pool should be completed and ready to swim in by about the 10th of July. Wow!
What a mess!
Look we have a filter and a pool light!
And.....a pool pump!

Day 1 of Pool Building..... Digging the Hole!

The Pool Construction is moving along so quickly. On Day 1, they dug the shape of the pool. Here are a few pictures throughout the day.Removing the grass....
Digging the hole....
Ty evaluating the situation....
Our pool! Kind of.....

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Happy Father's Day to a Great PaPa Paul!


So, if you know my father-in-law, you know that when a camera appears anywhere close, he disappears. So when he is least expecting it, I snap a picture. The most recent picture we have of our dad is at Christmas. So Happy Father's Day Dad! We hope you have a wonderful day!

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Happy Father's Day Daddy!



Happy Father's Day Daddy! Mom asked us why you are the best dad in the world and this is what we said:
Tyler: "My dad is the best because he always encourages me to do my best and remember who I am!"
Braeden: "My dad is the best because he goes to work so we can have a nice home, and toys, and stuff!"
Cason: "My dad is the best because he loves me!"
You are the best daddy to our three wonderful boys. I love to watch you play with them, talk with them, and set a wonderful example for them to follow. I hope you have a special day and remember how much we love you! Happy Father's Day Honey!
I love you! Jen

I Couldn't Ask for a more Wonderful Dad!


Happy Father's Day Daddy! You are the best and I hope you know how much I love and treasure you! You are a honest and wonderful man and the example you set for the boys means the world to me. Thank you for loving us, supporting us, and for just being you! I hope you have a wonderful day!

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Before and In Progress......

Here are a few pictures of what the backyard looked like before this whole process started and today after the curbing (completely taken out by Ty, Brae,and Case) and trees were taken out. Our yard looks huge! It is crazy! We are getting so excited for the digging to begin.
Before..........on June 6, 2009
In Progress..........on June 10, 2009

Brae's 1st Paid Job!

Here is another cute story about our Sweet Braeden. Today our Yard Guy came to do the yards and take down two trees in our backyard. One of the trees was easily 30 feet tall and I was a little nervous about it coming down. Once it finally fell, Braeden asked if he could go out and help them drag the trimmings around to put in the trailer. We also had old swing set wood that needed to be hauled off. So out went Brae and he worked with the yard guys for about an hour dragging branches and wood to the front yard. I also looked out in the front yard and he was raking up clippings there too. It made me so proud that he was willing to help. After the yard guys were done, Brae came running into my room with the bill and .......$3.00 that he had earned for helping Gonzalo. He was so excited! He later told me he tried to give it back, but Gonzalo made him take it. Isn't that the cutest story? I'm so proud of you Braeden

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Did Someone Say a New Swimming Pool?

WE ARE SO EXCITED!!!!! We have decided to put in a swimming pool and can hardly wait. Cason says it will be ready in 3 days but we are thinking more like 4-5 weeks. Today the boys went out in the backyard with the sledgehammer (scary I know) and started taking out the curbing. Ty did the pounding while Brae and Case put it in the wheelbarrow. I loved to see our boys working together. Stay tuned for more "in progress" pictures to come.
Cason and Brae working together to remove the cement.
Ready, set, hit!!!!!! Way to use those muscles Ty!
Ty and Brae looking very Muscular with the sledgehammer.

How about a kiss Cason?

Ok, so this is kind of gross but I couldn't resist putting it on the blog. Ollie and Cason have never had a very good relationship you could say. It all stems from Ollie getting kicked numerous times as a puppy by Case. Well, I was excited today to see that Ollie has forgiven him.

Sunday, June 7, 2009

Cason's End of the Baseball Season Party.....

Cason was so cute at his end of the Baseball Season Party. He was so proud of his trophy with his own name on it. He has waited a long time to have his own trophy. He really has a love of the game. He would rather watch a baseball game than cartoons. Is that normal? I guess so coming from our family. GREAT JOB TO OUR LITTLE ALL-STAR!Cason receiving his trophy from Coach Donnie.
Cason couldn't be prouder that he has his OWN trophy!

Brae's 3rd Grade Awards Assembly

Brae had his 3rd grade Awards Assembly and we are so proud of his progress this school year. He earned Academic Excellence and an award for completing all his reading for the school year. We are so proud of you Brae...now off to 4th grade you go:)
Brae with his 3rd grade teacher Mrs. Yaeger. She is an awesome teacher and Brae has learned so much from her.
Brae receiving his awards during the assembly!

Cason closing another chapter.....Preschool!

Well Cason is officially done with preschool and it didn't bother him a bit. Now his mommy on the other hand was a whole different story. Here are a few picture of his last days of preschool. We love you Cason and STOP GROWING UP SO FAST!!!!!!!
Cason the night of his Preschool Program. He is so cute, I could just eat him!:)
Cason the morning of his Water Fun Day at Preschool. He was so excited about his surf shirt (Ty has the same one, just bigger:)) and his water shoes. He had a great time and sure didn't come home looking as clean as he went. (The sandbox at preschool was the beach!)
Cason during his Preschool Program.

Our D-Back Catcher

What a fun baseball season we have had. I almost don't know what to do with myself now that it is over. I don't think there is anything better than watching my boys on a baseball field having the time of their life. Brae loved playing catcher and got to end his last game of the season in that position. Ty loved seeing his brother play the position that he loves so much! Great Job Brae!

A Superstar Daddy!

For the last 2 years, Bret has played in the Battle of the Badges Softball Tournament. It a charity tournament in which the proceeds go to help a officer's family or to another cause. This year Bret played with his MAGNET unit and they called themselves the Bangers. They won their first three games, but lost their fourth and were removed from the tournament. We had so much fun watching our daddy play and the boys thought it was great to see him on the baseball field instead of them. We are proud of you daddy!
Our Daddy swinging for the fence.
Our Daddy waiting for a pop-fly in right field.