Go Venus!

Tonight we gathered together in honor of VENUS.  Kat Wyatt's Dad sent us glasses to view the Transit of Venus over the sun.
"It's a last-time-in-a-lifetime spectacle, one that only happens when Venus, the second planet in the solar system, comes directly between Earth and the sun. Because of the complexities of orbital mechanics, there are two such alignments in a period of eight years -- the last was on June 8, 2004 -- followed by a break of more than a century. If it's cloudy where you are today, you'll have to hang on until the next transit on December 10, 2117."  (ABC news)

Here is more information about the event:
http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/venus-transit-2012-watch-safely-damaging-eyesight/story?id=16499579#.T87C878j5e4
Here is what Max thought of the event! 

My baby can fall asleep ANYWHERE!  

But after a day of practicing walking, who can blame him right?  He was tired and Dad's head was the best pillow. 

June 5th, 2012

ALSO - Happy Birthday UNCLE DOUG!!  Enjoy your birthday and I hope all 5 of your boys did ALL the yard work today!

4 Years of Bliss!

Four Years ago I married my best friend.  And it was the best eternal decision I have ever made. 
Four years and one baby later, I love him more and more each minute I spend with William.
Happy Anniversary William!  I love you!

Here are some Wedding Day Memories:

For our Anniversary Dinner we went to our favorite restaurant.  Pizzaria 712.  It was fun to just have adult time and talk.  But to be honest a lot of what we talked about was about Max. 

Last Day of Canyon Crest

Eight Years ago I was hired to be an intern in 6th grade at Canyon Crest Elementary School, in Provo Utah.  Seven years of teaching later this is what I have gathered in my vault of memories:
1.  I have taught over 500 students.  I would love to say that I "didn't" have my favorites but I did.  And I would also like to say that all 7 years were my "favorite," but that would be a lie.
2.  I have mentored 5 interns.
3.  My parents visited my classroom twice, and my dad once more when I was pregnant.
4.  I started dating Will, who was the reading tutor in my classroom, in 2007.  We were married that Spring in 2008.  (Jake Wyatt really should be properly thanked for this)
5.  My Mom was diagnosed with Cancer in the winter of 2009, and then passed away two weeks before the start of the 2009 fall school year.  August 3, 2009.
6.  I taught Donny Osmond's son Josh Osmond and Will and I LOVE his really nice family.
7.  Will has taught over 50+ art lessons to my class.
8.  I have had a lot of great friends work with me at Canyon Crest, and not just as volunteers but they were a paid employee.  They include:  Jake Wyatt, Kat Wyatt, Will Strong, Grace Wilson, and Kalei Atagi.
9.  I taught 6th grade for 5 years and 5th for 2 years.
10.  I collected families of students.  I not only taught one child in some families, but three or four of the children.
11.  I kept the same Billy Joel poster on my wall for all 7 years.  And taught every child who Billy Joel was, and why he is THE BEST musician ever.
12.  I laughed so hard the day I said "titty" instead of "tidy" while reading a picture book.
13.  My last year of 6th graders heard that "Mrs. Strong and Will were putting their adoption papers in to adopt a baby."
14.  My first year of 5th graders heard "Mrs. Strong is having a baby due in June."
15.  Maxwell McLean Strong was born on June 18, 2011.
16.  I went to teach part time with the BEST teaching partner EVER!  Grace Wilson is pretty much amazing, wonderful, devoted, and an all around amazing teacher and friend.
17.  I received Golden Apple Teacher in 2010 and also the Crystal Apple Teacher in 2010.
18.  I met some of the best people who are my forever friends while working at Canyon Crest. Including the Parker Gang, what would I do without them?
19.  There are many many more memories but the one that is closest to my heart is that I got to be with children as my job for 7 years, and who could top that.

20.  Teaching allowed me to be a better Mama to this little man.  He is the reason I am going to be staying home and not teaching anymore, and he is the BEST reason EVER!  I am excited to see what other adventures life is going to bring, and I am proud of all the things I did while working at Canyon Crest.  Now on to other adventures...

Links - all the yellow words are links to different things.  (Including this one) 
This is linked to Max's favorite Television host. 

Jason Graduates - May 21, 2012

Jason graduated.  It was awesome.  The ceremony was great, and made me think of my own High School Graduation.  I felt like a real Mother to him, sitting there anxiously waiting for his name to be called, and then crying once it was.  It was a fun night, and I am so glad to have Jason in my life, and in our life.  Jason has taught me a lot.  And for all he has taught me I am grateful.
Now on to the next stage...Mission and college...
And Jason, we are here with you each step of the way!

  

Max slept through the last part of the ceremony on Grace's shoulder.

 Oh boys will be boys! 

Jason's Day May 21, 2012

Max's New Friend is a Hedge-Hog

Auntie Grace and Uncle Joe got a hedge-hog!  A real one, and it is soooo cute.
Max and I went and visited her today.

Presenting Miss Quillie Vanillie.

New Mom to QUILLIE VANILLIE!  Happy Mother's Day to Auntie Grace.

(The links above are GREAT!)

11 months

11 months ago Max was born!  11 months.  Crazy.
In a month he will be ONE YEAR! 
Do I really have a toddler?

Max is getting pretty difficult to distract while I take pictures with months labeled on them.  So this time we thought, we will do it while he is eating.  Well, did he fool us.  As soon as the paper came into his sight, the food was history. 

 Max is learning so much each day, and he can understand a lot of things we say to him.
"Elmo, Mom, Dad, Max, Up, Ball, Milk, Mario, Food, Gerald (his stuffed animal), Bath, No, All-Done, Come Here, Bed, Hugs, Diaper (and he will crawl away - FAST!), Books..."

He loves the book "I Love you Through and Through."  It is his favorite!

 He loves REAL FOOD!  None of this food in a jar for Max.  He wants the GOOD STUFF.
He will eat ANYTHING we are eating.  He still loves his bottle, and I was getting stressed out that he isn't getting the hang of a cup, but in the last 11 months if I have learned anything it is that Max likes to do things at his own pace.  A cup will come, but for now we are using a bottle.

 Max has been sleeping a lot lately.  Like newborn sleeping.  He is growing. 

My cute 11 month old Maxwell.  Love him through and though, yesterday, today and tomorrow too!

Mother's Day Photo's and Water!

Mother's Day Photos

COUSIN PLAY DATE!  Water Water Water.

This was Max's first time in summer water.  He loved it.  He loved watching his cousins play. 

 I love this face.  "Mom I am all wet!"