Todd Finally graduates!! Friday the 13th of May, 2011

Friday the 13th. What a regal day to graduate! I am so Pleased with Todd. He never got to "walk" in high school graduation, so this is his first (and probably only) time to walk. He looked very handsome indeed. He worked extremely diligently for this day, with almost straight A's. As his wife, I can say "thank heavens", and I wish it were truly over. But he still has to finish his online Bachelor's degree, and he is in yet another program this year: Polysomnography. But this accomplishment is a great step! Now, to only get a job.....

Lena is practicing what it will feel like, a long, long, long time from now....

She is such a good baby and did awesome for the graduation ceremony and staying out late at the restaurant afterwards. We didn't get home until 11:30 pm, and of course Lena was still awake. She is a diehard!

Todd's fellow respiratory students were an amazing bunch, and Todd developed some great friendships. They are all graduating with an Associate in Applied Science: Respiratory Care. Todd already passed his Board exams to get his Respiratory RRT license back in February, and is looking for a job currently. It is a tough season for new graduates, but we are confident that with time, he will get a job.

The two graduates with their daughters :)

Todd with his sister Kristel and her children. We are so grateful they all sacrificed to come down, and enjoy being with them!

Although Deanna could not make it down for the graduation, Todd wanted to honor his mother by getting re-dressed in his gown. We suprised her at her home. Todd didn't want her to miss out on the excitement. My sister Ann, made TOdd a neat ribbon for him to wear as a graduation gift.

The poor Bracken's drove all 11 hours Friday to get to Todd's graduation, then made the trip back to Utah Sunday. They are troopers, but it was fun to have them! Matthew is getting so grown up, and I am so proud of him.

The moment you have all been waiting for..........To witness for yourself Todd graduating! To make sure I am not lying to you! So now there are no excuses for far-away family members, you can feel just like you were there yourself!! Don't fast forward, just enjoy.


The End :)

Happy 1st Birthday, Lena!!! 5/17/2011

We celebrated Lena's birthday while a lot of family was in town for Todd's graduation, and her party was awesome!













I did a polka dot theme for her party, and Todd was kind enough to get helium in the balloons the morning of the party. You can also see my new painting that my mom and dad gave me for Christmas this year. It is "The Gleaners" from T. Harwood, and I love this painting because it hangs next to the bride's room in the Mesa Temple where I served as a temple worker up until the time Lena was born.

I know, I know, these people don't look like they are having very much fun. But we really did! It's just that they are all concentrating on eating their cake, very somber and in their own solitude.

Lena wasn't sure what to think about her cake at first. I had imagined how I wanted her cakes to look like ever since she was born (lame, I know). Yes, both cakes are homemade, mainly by me, although my mom did have to help me frost them as I was in a time crunch the morning of the party. I bought the pink candle in Utah on clearance at Christmastime. I found this AMAZING cake decorating supply store in Phoenix, where I found the polka dots and the cake tins/supplies. I am excited about that find!

I hope the video works...Lena took her first steps on her own after most everyone had left the party. Grandpa and Grandma Bracken and Uncle Matthew were still with us, so they got to witness the fun event! We had a lot of fun with the Bracken's and Campagnas in town.

Lena is 9 months!!

Lena LOVES her little play-table Dad bought her! she can hold herself up and play for a long time. The past week, Lena is learning how to stand alone for up to 20 seconds at a time! She did it quite a few times this morning and will soon stand all by herself, all the time!! It seems she is changing to us so quickly the past two weeks.

She is starting to "crinkle" her nose, and over-exaggerates it about everything, it is hilarious! I'll have to post a picture of that soon.

Mommy is trying to learn how to do her hair, but Lena's babysitter, Heidi, is much better at it than I am. Heidi was trying to teach me last night when I went to pick Lena up, but I'm going to have to practice! My pigtails never turn out as cute as Heidi's. I new skill I need to learn....

Lena has her little "pincer" finger grasp down and is starting to eat those little star-shaped cereals. She is a great eater of the fruits and veggies, but still doesn't like babyfood meats.

At the pediatrician's office 2 weeks ago, Lena's checkup was great! She is in the 45th percentile for weight, and 60th for height.








Papa and Lena reading a little scripture.....

This is Mommy's first attempt at doing Lena's hair. What you can't see in this picture is that 2 minutes later, the loose pigtails came out :)

This video is the first time Lena tried chicken....