Master Brown

Hard to believe it, but my masters program has officially come to an end! (WOO HOO) Back in April of 2009 I went to my orientation for grad school. I remember calling Josh on a break and freaking out saying, "I cannot do this!!" The thought of writing papers, researching, and having a full time relationship with text books again was enough to make me reconsider! I had a paper due before I even started! He calmly said, "Yes you can do it and you will..."

Orientation 2009 (freaking out inside)

A year later! May 16, 2010 and so happy to be done! I am grateful to Josh for being so incredibly supportive throughout my masters program...For all the hours of overtime he worked, for the many times he brought me back to earth when I started to stress, for being motivating after a hard day!! Thanks for all this and so much more! Couldn't have done it without you babe!

The rest of my family has also been so supportive! My parents and Josh's parents (and Cels!!) were able to come out for graduation and I am grateful for their support to the very end as well! I am so blessed.

We got to explore the city a bit more with our parents here, which was really fun...

Our FUN week consisted of... Crown Center. The Plaza. Dress shopping with mom. Yummy Food. Church History Sites. More shopping. More eating. Worlds of Fun Amusement park. Pedicures. Sharing the place we have come to love! We got spoiled getting to spend this extra time with our family! Thanks so much for coming out and being with us for graduation week!

At the Allen Field house before graduation.

Before Graduation we had a little time to go to Allen Field House.

The grad and the fam

My great friend Gayle! Love her!

After graduation my wonderful Auntie and Uncle were nice enough to host the BBQ at their house. Bob's back yard is looking PERFECT like usual! : )

HaPpY MoThErS DaY!! XoXo

Mothers are amazing! I was blessed with an amazing mother who has taught me and still teaches me some of the most important lessons for my life. She teaches by both by word and example. She is such a hard worker and has always taught me I can do ANYTHING I set my mind to. There are not words to express the appreciation and admiration I have for her! When I become a mother I know those feelings will only be stronger. Only then will I really understand all the hard loving work that goes into being a mom. My mom is not a perfect mom, but she is a fun mom, a strong mom, a courageous mom, an adventurous mom, a generous mom, a loving mom, a funny mom, a thoughtful mom, a gospel living mom, and a faithful mom, ( I could keep going!)...the kind of mother I aspire to be one day!

Love you Mama!

Then when I got married not only did I get a wonderful husband, but I also got the IDEAL Mother-in-Law. They do exist and Cheryl is proof! Some people refer to their In-Laws as "Out-Laws," among many other names...well not me! I would claim Cheryl any day!! There are so many great qualities I see in Josh that I know he was taught my his mom who possesses the same qualities; patience, kindness, generosity, selflessness...just to name a few! One of my favorite things to do with Cheryl is just LAUGH. Laugh so hard your sides hurt and you have to gasp for breath! This morning Josh woke up and was humming the primary song "Mother I Love You." So I know he was thinking of his great mom on this day.

Love you my adopted mother!

When we decided we would be moving to Kansas I was very happy to know we would have family close by; my Auntie Sonja and her family. Auntie Sonja has been like a mother to us in Kansas! Josh and I REALLY do like Kansas and I know 90% of the reason has a little something to do with being close to my aunt and her family. It is such a good feeling to know if I am having a hard day I can just pop in and see my aunt! I am truly grateful for the relationship I have with Sonja, she is an amazing woman!! She jokes that we don't know how much we will miss Kansas....I know it will be tough! Don't you fret though you can't keep us away for too long. We will be back for visits!

I love you and appreciate ALL you do for us Auntie! xoxo

Top Ten

Ten things I LOVE about Kansas

10. Crazy exciting storms
9. MANY shades of luscious green
8. Variety (shopping/restaurants)
7. Diversity!
6. Life Time Fitness (gym)
5. Royals. Chiefs. Jayhawks.
4. KU/Masters Program
3. Great ward
2. Walkers. Hardys. Andersons. (My Fam!)
1. Adding another adventure to our life

Deanna Rose Farmstead

Last week I went with Kenz, Tar, my friend Gayle, and the boys to Deanna Rose. This place is SO cool for kids. Admission is free during the week and still only $2 on the weekend. They have all sorts of fun stuff for the kiddos. There's farm animals, milking, petting pens, play grounds, fishing, feeding the animals....the list goes on. Some of the activities you pay extra for, but if you want to spend nothing at all there is plenty to do! I loved that everything was very clean..even animals looked freshly bathed!

YUM

Josh and I have a new favorite treat! We LOVE this popcorn! You can buy it at most grocery stores. I love this treat even more cause its low in calories; 2 cups is only 130 cals. We like the kettlecorn flavor best, but the cinnamon and sugar is pretty good too.

Tyler!

Guess he got bored...

Easter Fun

On Easter's Eve we did some egg dying with the boys. They were excited about this new experience. Tyler loved trying out all the different colors...especially GREEN! Josh taught the boys to color on the eggs before dying them to make their own designs.

How can you not love these kids?? They are so stinking adorable!

And Gav found the stickers...


On Easters the boys were on a candy high! Gav had learned how to say candy as well as many other words, but all we heard that that day was "candy? candy?"


Gav asking to see the goods in his egg! : )