Visit from Kenzie

 I just woke up from a wonderful dream about Kenzie. ❤️ I dreamed we were throwing a big party for Tyler and one of the kids came up and asked Monica where Kenzie was and when she was going to be there. And Monica told them that Kenzie wasn't going to be at the party, because she was in heaven. And I said of course she'll be here, she's always here! We just don't always get to see her, but today we can see her here and I think she's here right now. And I opened the front door and she was standing on the porch and i stepped outside and gave her the biggest hug. She looked all grown up and was only a few inches shorter than I was. ❤️ Then I woke up. It was wonderful. Anyways just know I love her and I miss her. 

Shontel Pires dream 

Myleigh is 11

 Happy birthday to our sweet and sassy Myleigh. 

She is a happy go lucky girl, who beats to her own drum. She is not afraid to say what is on her mind or how she is feeling. 

She is such a good sister, and one of a kind daughter who gives us our run for our money, lol. 

She is growing into an amazing person and such a good friend to those she comes in contact with. 

A little bit about Myleigh interview-

What grade are you in? 5th 

Favorite color? yellow

Favorite restaurant? Texas roadhouse

Favorite drink?  Coke

Favorite animal? elephant 

Favorite subject In school? science 

Favorite things to do? Dance, play with friends and siblings and play piano. 

Happy birthday sweet girl, hope it's the best year ever for you. Photos from each birthday.

Today myleigh had a pretty chill day. She did hang out with a couple of friends that came over since it was a snow day in April, lol. She then had dance, and for dinner she wanted Texas Roadhouse. She got chicken fried chicken and it was shaped like a heart.  

She wanted cheesecake for her birthday cake and then she got a few presents from her siblings.

She wants a new bike and we were supposed to have gone today for her to pick one out, but the weather had different plans. 

Happy birthday sweet girl. We love you.

Spring break 2023

 First day of spring break, stopped in St. George for a picnic. Then stopped in Las Vegas for the night. We stayed at Circus Circus, tried to catch all the free shows. Made it to the M&M factory, posed in front of Hell's kitchen. We had some fun little moments when we got stuck in an elevator on the strip, and Makayla's shoe lace got caught on an escalator.🤣

On the second day of spring break, We made it to San Diego. Found a fun little beach in LA Jolla, where there were sea lions and seals all over the beach. Soaked up the sun, went in to a little cove to look closer at the sea lions and seals and had a picnic on the beach.

Before we left to California we stopped and visited Kenzie, and Myleigh wrote this letter to her and left it with her. I thought it was so sweet of her..

 

Day 3 of Spring Break we went to Sea World. When we got there it was sunny and about an hour later it started raining and I mean raining. It wasn't busy, so the kids had fun riding rides. Unfortunately Paetyn wasn't feeling well so she enjoyed all the shows. 

The park ended up closing at 5 because of the weather and of course at 4:45 the sun decided to come out and stay but they still closed the park down early. 

You can see the difference from the morning/afternoon weather to when the park closed.

Valentines day

 Holidays are hard but we try and make it the best we can. Kenzie loved the holidays and loved, loved making goodies to share. 

We got heart attacked and the kids loved everything about it thanks #cate and the "krew" who surprised my kids with so much love, they even remembered kenzie and gave her balloons. So today we went and visited kenzie for Valentines  and gave her the balloons from them and dropped off her cookie that I make every year for my kids (a tradition from grandma Madsen). Then Tyler gave each kid a box of chocolate, and they got chocolate from Grandpa and Grandma Ellen Lehwalder 

The kids chose what they wanted for dinner, (we don't do the whole going out waiting for 2 hours for a table lol). They chose Kenzie's favorite, they have been asking to have her favorite meal for 2 years now and it's been one of those things that have been hard for me to do. But, my kids said they would help me make it if we had it. So I finally gave in, took a deep breath and we made it and the kids did pretty much everything.  Kenzie loved Roulden, but she loved the rice and gravy even more lol, it was a good meal to have to remember Kenzie today.  We also made chocolate covered strawberries for her as well. For dessert we had a cookie taste off from crumble thanks #ihh for the gift card. The top cookie was cheesecake.

Paetyn is now a sunbeam

 Look who is now a SunBeam. Even though she was not very happy to go to class today even though I stayed with her she was still a bit scared. After class Tyler Madsen asked how sunbeams went, she said " I screamed" lol.

Braxton ordained High Priest

 My handsome boy got ordained a Priest today at church.  He will now be able to bless the Sacrament, perform baptisms and he also got called to be the first counselor in the Priest. 

Braxton and Isaiah are growing up to be amazing young men. Hopefully they will remain friends forever.

Learners permit Braxton

Oh man, this just happened today...
I can’t believe my baby boy has his permit! One moment he was my little snuggle bug, and now he’s stepping into a whole new chapter—learning to drive. It’s scary, nerve-wracking, and exciting all at once.

They say time is a thief, and wow, it's true. In the blink of an eye, he’s grown into such a smart, handsome, and genuine young man. He has the biggest heart and definitely adores his sisters—especially Paetyn (ha-ha).

A few months ago, Braxton bought a truck for a great deal—it doesn’t run yet, but the plan is for him to help Tyler Madsen fix it up. No work, no wheels! I hope through this, he learns some valuable skills and even more responsibility.

I’m just so proud of you, Braxton. Watching you grow is one of my greatest joys. 💙