OuR wEeKeNd

Friday night was my brother Jareds Graduation. He was getting his Masters! We are so proud of him!

Here are all the Graduates walking it at the University of Utah.

Here he is walking as they called his name!

Siblings!

Bates family with the Graduate

(i love how Kate is looking at him funny)

Gotta throw in a silly face!

All who was there to witness him "Gradumanate"

Then we met up with Pat and he brought the boys!

We went to Chilis for dinner.

I gave Alma a new hair cut on Saturday and then we went to a comedy club in Orem.

3 years ago, on Saturday, Alma proposed to me!

And I love him more each day! He is seriously, the best thing in my life!

I love you Alma, Thank you for the best times in my life and I am definetly looking forward to many more!

Sunday evening, I decided to make a fort in our living room.

Here we are inside the fort.

(with flashlights of course)

View of the fort

Another view

She had so much fun in it.

It was a great Mothers Day too! I am so grateful for all that my mother has done for me. It has been a lot, and even though I am moved out and on my own with my own family, she still supports, and gives advice and helps me through hard times. Thank you for always being there Mom.

And to all you Moms out there... What a great blessing it is to be a mom!!!! I hope to felt loved and appreciated for all the things that you do.

It completely rocks my socks off and I know that my life is 1000000000Xs better because I am able to unselfishly serve my daughter and take care of her in numerous ways. What a great blessing she is and how wonderful it is to raise her and watch her learn and grow and teach her the gospel of Jesus Christ. I am looking forward to the many more children to come to our home.

FHE and Success!!

Well, We have taken the Binki away Cold Turkey. It has gone a lot better than I thought it would. This is more for my record, or if you are interested in how long it takes you can keep reading....

The first night which was Friday, She cried for 20 mins.

Her 1st nap, Saturday, she cried 10 mins, slept for only an hour. Which usually she sleeps 2.5-3 hours. That night she cried 5 mins.

Then on Sunday, she didn't get a nap because of Church, and that night she only cried about 7 mins.

Then Monday nap she cried and cried for about 45 mins, and only slept for 35 mins, and then last night she cried for about 3 mins.

And then today for her nap she cried about 3 mins and slept for 3 hours!!! and then tonight she didn't cry at all when we put her down!

Which made me SUPER happy. That is how she was before I took it away, and I hope she continues to go to bed without crying. I am ok if we have to take a couple steps back every now and again, but I am very proud of her for doing so well. Good job Kaitlyn! Growing up and being a big girl! We love you!

Here she is, wearing Daddys shoes!

(Videos of this at the bottom)

Feeding Ducks for Family Home Evening!

Dad and Kaitlyn



Mom and Kaitlyn



Bates Family at the Duck Pond!
Which she loved!! She kept saying "Duck" which before it was just "Du.."

Our friends the Chapples, who we enjoyed FHE with. We went to Jay Dawgs!

SOOoooOOoOOOO Yummy! I would definitely recommend!

Kaitlyn playing Peek a Boo at the Park

Kaitlyn and Makenzie hugging.

They do that a lot.

Getting ready to Drive!

Tonight I made a Chicken Pot Pie!

Super Easy!

3 Cups of Chopped Chicken

16 oz of frozen veggies

8oz of Velveeta--cut into 1/2" squares

1 can of Cream of Chicken Soup

1 can (8oz) of Refridgerated Crescent Rolls

Cook at 375 for 20-25 mins

***Mix all together in pan and top with Crescent Rolls***

Enjoy! We really loved it.

You can find more great Recipes at Kraftfoods.com!

Here she is wearing Dads shoes

Alma put her shoes on her and then put her feet in his shoes and then tightened his shoes so she could walk better.

2nd Post Today...Binki, Broccoli and Cheese

Tonight we took away her Binki. I have to admit, it broke my heart to see her so sad. I tried to tell her it was broken (I cut it) and she knew it wasn't the same, but she couldn't let it go. She really didn't want to throw it away, so we decided to put her to bed without it. She really loves it and I know that it is probably going to be a tough road for the week. But she fell asleep after only 20 mins of crying which gives me hope!

So, on a happy note: Kaitlyn LOVES broccoli! I mean she LOVESSS it.

I put it on the table for dinner and I hear a little ***gasp*** like she was super excited and wondered what she did to deserve this little green leafy treat. When she ran out of these "little trees" she would reach and hollar for more. I couldn't get her some fast enough. She just loves it and could eat it all the time.

I guess we should tell her as she gets older that it is a treat and when she is good we will give it to her. I must admit, I am ok that she loves broccoli. She also likes spinach.

She cracks me up when it comes to veggies and adult food. She really loves things that Adults would like. The more seasoning and more taste she loves. Nothing bland for this girl. We made homemade Chipotle last night for dinner and I have to admit, it was a little spicy for me and was making my nose run, but not this girl. She couldn't get enough of that chicken! I hope this keeps up as she continues to grow. I love that she loves Food. Healthy food at that!

After dinner she found the bag of grated cheese and dumped it on the floor, the Shag rug to be exact. As we cleaned it up, she was stuffing it in her mouth as fast as she could! It was raining cheese and she was lovin' it!

I was a little mad at first, but we decided to take a picture and laugh about it. Not too much, cuz we dont want her to do that again!

TeXaS tRiP

We took a trip to Texas for a couple reasons:

1. To interview with Deliotte Accounting for a summer Internship

2. Interview with BDO Seidman for a job after graduation this fall. Jan. '11

3. Look at areas, to know what our options are if we end up there, which is helpful when my mom is in the Real Estate buisness.

4. To let Kaitlyn Party with her Grandma and Grandpa Chamberlain

The trip was a success. We Did all of the above plus lots lots more. It was a great week and here are some pictures about it:

Ps. He was offered a job with both firms and accepted a job with:

Congrats Alma! We are so proud of all your hard work!

On the plane from SLC-Houston

Loving the AC!




Chick-fil-a milkshakes!



Ooooooooooooooo!




Went on walks!

The weather was so nice!




Saw old friends!



Took family Photos after church




Such a pretty little dress!







Fell in love with a neighborhood!

Fell in love with a model house!

Which makes me get excited for when that will happen one day!

Went canoeing with Anna and Jeff!

Thanks again for taking us!

Row row row your boat!





Standing on the Dragons tail!



Helping Grandpa with every chore outside

Made homemade Ice Cream

Played in Grandpas Truck

Saying Goodbye!

With Grandma and Grandpa before leaving for the airport

Ahhhhhh.... feels good to be home and back in our beds.

Thank you Mom and Dad for everything that you have done for us! You have spoiled us and we were so glad to spend all the one on one time with you guys. Thanks again for letting us come and crash on you! I know Kaitlyn had a blast and is missing you guys already!