Caden had a birthday...

It's true!  Somehow it happens, though I try to stop it.  My sweet Caden turned 6!  Just saying that makes me sad.  I seriously want this boy to stop growing.  

This year Caden really really wanted a DS and so we had told him that he'd either get a party or the game system; not both.  He was fine with that and pretty much didn't care about anything else =)
{other than he insisted on a plain chocolate cake with chocolate frosting}

Because I couldn't let the day go by with no sort of party, we invited the cousins over to Grandma & Grandpa Jensen's house for swimming and dessert.

Grandma Jensen took him out to lunch and shopping for his birthday.  He wanted to go and pick out his own gift.  After driving around to Target, Walmart and Toys R Us he finally came home with pokemon cards and a new scooter that can make sparks.  He just kept telling Grandma, "I'm not really into that!"
 funny kid.

Grandma Westphal

My wonderful Grandma passed away the end of June.  It was unexpected, which meant we took a last minute trip up to Utah for the funeral.  I will miss my grandma dearly!  I love her!  Some my most favorite memories:

*having a "2nd" Christmas at her house every year; yes! She spoiled us!

*playing scrabble with her

*always being excited to have thanksgiving dinner at her house where I knew she'd make my favorite shrimp salad!

*Visiting her with my children {her only great grand children} and her loving every minute of it!

*Her love for her family!  It is unfailing...she'd do anything for them!

Nothing like a little dance party in the car to make it through the 10 1/2 hr. drive....

My dad, my brother Justin, and my brother Joel-pall bearers

This is 4 generations: my grandpa, mom, me and Lexi

We stayed for a few extra days in Utah to enjoy the cooler weather.  While there, we took the kids on a hike up to Bridal Veil Falls.

We also couldn't leave without making a trip to Brick Oven and going bowling at the Y.