AJR

For Christmas Camden got tickets to see AJR. They are one of his favorite bands and they were finally coming to Boise. While I liked a few of their songs to begin with, when we left I had a whole new respect for them and really enjoy more of the songs, once getting the background and story that went along with them. 

BoyWithUke opened. He wasn't too bad. His outfit was interesting. He wore these glasses the whole time. 

These are 3 brothers who have been making music together for a while and semi recently blew up. The singer, Jack, has a crazy amount of energy and was fun to watch. It is a very different show being in seats vs the pit. While a lot of fun still, the energy isn't fully the same. 

He got three tickets and chose to take Emery. It is her first real concert, and she was excited to go, sunburn and all. 

Fair warning ahead, in the video he does swear 3 times but I love his message. It really was one I could relate to and where my respect grew for them. This was the closing song and a great closing song. 

Random's

It's finally summer which means lots of pool time. That also means the kids need to apply sunscreen well. Emery was playing with her cousin at the pool then the slip 'n slide, they were out for a while. I yelled down to make sure she puts more sunscreen on, which she says she did. If she did, She did not do it well. I guess it's best to get the first real bad burn out of the way. This was a really bad burn though. The blisters lasted a few days. She went to another friends house and their dog jumped on Emery, hit the blisters and popped them all. It ended up being the best thing, because it took most of the pain away and they healed pretty quickly. I don't think she'll forget sunscreen again. 

We made pizza for dinner the other day. Luna was begging for food so I gave her my green peppers as a joke. Well she loved them and ate all of the ones I had left. 

Brad and I went to Walmart to get the kids food for when we were gone. As we drove up there was a van with it's back doors open and I saw 2 big cages in it. The animals were not normal looking and pretty big. One the way out we say what they were. Nutria rat. A big, nasty rat that this guy had as a pet. Yeah, no thank you. 

17 Years

Seventeen years ago today I married my best friend, and today I still feel the same today, actually even more. Looking back now I can see how young we both really were, but I would not have changed it for anything. We finished growing up together, which has made us stronger for it. You'd think us both working from home would be too much, being together almost 24/7, but we wouldn't have it any other way. He is still the one person I'd rather hang out with over anyone else. He still makes me laugh every day.

Talk about young. I do not have a current picture of us together... but we don't look that young anymore. 

We went to dinner last night to celebrate and for dessert you get a cotton candy and a piece of fudge. It's actually the perfect end to a big meal. 

While not a big fan of birds, there was one that was walking around the  pond next to the restaurant. I loved the colors. 

Graduation

We are now done with Elementary school! It's kind of a weird milestone to hit. Jackson is excited to start Jr High next year. He still seems so small. I think Beckham was our only kid who ever was on the back row, all the others have been stuck to the front row. 

I love that he looks for us and makes faces at us. 

Him and his Best Friend Luke. He was the first friend he made here. 

Since in 4th grade COVID was going on and pretty much all instruments were stopped, they were not able to do the recorders. So this year they had a crash course and played a few songs at the graduation. 

Beck's Special Night

One night about 9 or 10 I got a text from Beck, (this was a screen shot another day). Beck is pretty mellow and calm, so for him, this is freaking out. 

Starset is one of his favorite bands that he has wanted see for a while. They just happened to be coming to Revolution Concert House. Its just by the fair grounds. What made it better is this month is his special night. The tickets were pretty cheap, so he and I went to the concert. I have never been in the GA portion of a concert, and that is all this one was. It was very different but a lot of fun too. Probably the best way to watch a show you don't know the bands very well. 

Nice and cozy

There were 3 opening bands. Two we didn't know, Smashing Into Pieces and Fame on Fire, and one we did, Red. All were good but Smashing was the best of the three. Both Beck and I added some of their songs to our lists. 

Their drummer wears this light mask the whole time. I'm not sure how they see or don't over heat.

The second band came a little into the crowd. The best song they did was a cover of Linkin Park, the rest were not bad but not great either. 

The one song I know 'by' Red they didn't do. But technically is it just a cover, so I'm not surprised. This guy had a TON of energy and sang really well live. 

At the end of their set they tossed things into the crowd. I felt something hit me and turned the flashlight of my phone and saw it was a pick; so Beck got a free pick from the band. 

Starset was last. They went on at almost 10. I knew a few songs by them but Beck knew them all and sang all of them. I love seeing him let loose and sing loud. I loved that this band had a violinist and cellist in the band. You really feed off of the energy of everyone when you are in 'the pit'. So even now knowing the lyrics, it was still a blast. I will say getting there at 6:30 and leaving at 11:30 was a long time standing in one place. The whole show there was only 5 people between us and the stage and by the end we all were much closer than we were at the start of the night. I would defiantly do the pit again, just give me a few months. 

This was the song he was waiting for them to sing. He was so excited when they finally played it. 

Jackson is 11

Eleven years ago our baby was born. He came out crying and didn't stop for an hour until I was able to hold him. For the next... I can't even remember how long, he was a mammas boy. He would not go to anyone for way too long, not even Brad. Aunt Teresa worked hard and about 2, I think, he went to her while I was still around. He is still cuddly. During church he still sit next to me and hold my hand or lay his head on my arm. I really hope that never stops. 

On May 1 the boys gave each other their gifts. Since Cam had a job and he was in a spending mood, he got Jackson something as well. He got him a signed copy of the Star Wars script signed by the cast. He loved it. 

We had a low key night with him on his birthday. He wanted breakfast food for dinner and then cake. Reese's cake, one of his favorite candies.

He wanted a tablet to draw on to make pictures and animation on the computer. We got him a nicer one as his only gift. He has not been off of it since opening it. 

Jackson is super creative. He has piles of drawings in his room. On the back of most of his school papers are drawing as well. He also likes to make comic books. Jackson is a amazing student. His first parent teacher conference I was worried they would say he talks a lot and makes jokes all the time, a little class clown, but it was the opposite. He is helpful to all of the teachers and students. He loves to play games online with his cousins. It's the one thing about Boise that I think it is missing, a cousin Jackson's age that he gets along with. He has met a lot of friends here and gets together with his friend Luke often. We have recently been rearranging the garage. We found some bikes and tried to get Jackson to learn to ride now since he is older and he still does not care to learn. Jackson still loved horror things but has branched out to a little of everything. He watches, and re-watches lot of movies, like Star Wars, Jurassic Park, Marvel movies. Every thing and everything is a toy. I love that at 11, he is still able to do this. It is fun hearing him in his room playing with his toys. We were looking the other day wondering when we should go through his old toys and get rid of ones he no longer plays with, although I'm not sure I'm ready to do that. Getting rid of the LEGOs was one thing. Jackson has his one definition of clean/organized, and well, ours do not match up. He has a few cubbies full of drawing and loose papers. His bed is half covered in stuffed animals, almost to the point I'm not sure how he has room to sleep. Any trip we take, he adds to that collection. I have passed on my love for Dr Pepper to him. It used to be Fanta, but now that is his drink of choice. He is a homebody. Most nights he would prefer just to be at home with his family watching a show or playing a game. There are times we go out to get a snack or drink and his first question is if he has to go to get something. Which there is a story of Brad, his parents were going out to dinner and asked if he wanted to come. He said no, but can you bring me something home. His older brother Josh was there to witness it and was surprised at how Brad didn't care to go but still got the 'treat' of eating out. I have a feeling Jackson will get to that as well. He is the baby of course.  He is like his mom and dad in that aspect. He is not really into playing sports but he does like to watch them from time to time with Brad. His favorite hoodie is the one that Brad made for his PS5 hockey team. He has also asked to go to sporting events, although he usually only lasts until half time. Jackson is a kind person. He is a good friend and a friend to anyone. I loved watching in Texas how quickly him and Preston became friends again. Other than the eyes, he is a copy/paste of Brad, and Camden. He doesn't like to tease as much yet, but I have a feeling that may come with time. Jacksons favorite food are French Fries. His favorite game or toy is Roblox and his favorite subject is Math. 

Shoes and Stranger Things

A few weeks ago I had the boys take some things to Goodwill after school. They decided to go in and look as well. Cam found a cool shirt and Beck found some white shoes. Jackson liked them as well and wanted Brad to create some custom ones for him. 

These are Jackson's

Once Beck saw Jacks', he wanted some as well. I think both turned out really well. 

The  best way to spend a lazy, colder day? Binge Stranger Things. It's not too often right now that we have all of the kids together at one time, let alone a show we all like to watch. 

Luna

Luna is a weird dogs, to say the least. She loves her sleep and when she's tired, she is just a solid log that won't move. She also is not a normal dog in how she lays. 

She loves the heat. I swear our neighbors probably think we are the worst, but she would not come inside. 

Still he favorite nap spot, the basket of blankets.

Wrapped up in blankets, especially when next to someone.

Then bending a stretching like a dog normally doesn't.

She is comfortable like this and sound asleep, snoring. 

Jackson

It's not a big secret I like plants. I have actually kept them alive for a decent amount of time. Jackson started to grow plants at school, tomatoes and green onions. Now we will really see how much of a green thumb I actually have. 

Jackson is such a good student. Every teacher has loved him. At school they give WOW awards when kids go good things or helpful things. I got this email the other day from Jacks' school. I love hearing things like this. 

Cam's New Space

There is a desk in Jackson's room that was meant for Brad working. He doesn't really ever use it and Camden likes to paint a lot now. I hate the mess on the table all of the time, but it can be a pain for him to put it all up and take down. We moved his room a little and gave him the desk. It really is the perfect set up for his desk. I forgot to take a picture, so I text him and told me to send one... this is what I got. 

I love it because he had to show each section he made. He sent this picture last and said it was the best of them all. I have to agree.