A Fond Farewell......

Look at Rico! Isn't that the saddest face ever! Meanwhile, Max smiles on!

Today we said goodbye to Rico, our family dog of four years. I'm a little confused by my feelings. I thought surely I would feel relief and elation, yet I've had a very emotional day! Why, I wonder? Wasn't this the same dog who gnawed on my brand new kitchen cabinets? The same dog that could unlink a chain link fence? Wasn't this the same dog that peed on my white clothes I had just sorted for laundering? My frustrations didn't end there. Rico often wandered throughout the neighborhood terrorizing children. Most recently he brought home not one, but a pair of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle slippers. I am certain I have picked up the garbage he snuck into at least a dozen times and spread all over the yard. And didn't I have to fight the kids everyday to play with him-not to mention feed and water him?

Still, seeing him go was bittersweet. Kaiti and Max cried. I cried. My sweet boys happened to be home when the new owners came for Rico. They were so kind to console me. Alex told me it was for the best. Max told me it would be okay. I just wish I could convince Kaiti. It's funny how we grow to love the ones we care for-even if it is reluctantly. Perhaps that is what pure love really is. Loving in spite of faults and mistakes.
Rico's new home is in beautiful St. George where the sun is always warm and he has a fenced yard. More importantly, he has a new owner who loves dogs and was so excited to have him that he drove all the way up here to get him.

My sister once had a goat, Oscar was his name. Her kids loved him dearly. He got "lost" once but somehow found his way back home. At that moment, there happened to be a rainbow....of course, her kids took this as a sign! I'm reminded of that old LDS movie, in my head I keep hearing, "I'll Build you a Rainbow"! However, I don't want to see Rico find his way home! In fact, the new owner called me to tell me they had arrived safely home and Rico was doing well-very thoughtful. But for a minute, I thought Rico had blown yet another audition! I'm glad he has found another family to love him. Here's hoping they will love him as much-no, more than we did.

PeeWee Baseball

So finally we have had some nicer weather to play baseball! Max is really excited. He is doing really well this season and it's been a huge confidence builder for him. I took these pictures the other night at his game. Little league baseball is so fun to watch! I captured a few moments that I wanted to save here on my blog! Enjoy!

Isn't he a stud!

On game day, Max went with me to run at the park. He took his scooter and we were going around the paved trail. The trail has a little bit of a hill on it and as we started down it, his baseball hat came off. He didn't want to loose it of course and started looking back for it. It didn't take long to loose control and he rolled a couple times. If you leave near the park, you may have heard his blood curdling cry! He really thought this was a huge injury. So when I made him go to baseball practice he was baby-ing it a little bit. His Coach asked him what happened and Max told him. Then the coach said the best thing he could have! "Well, Max," he said,"Did they have to cut off your arm?" Max said no and the coach responded,"Then use it!" That was a big "amen" from me!

This is his game saving catch! Not really, just practicing for when he does get one!

At bat....the pitch was inside. Kid pitch games are very long, rarely a hit. It's a walk fest! Max was walked every time!

Okay, this picture isn't very good, mostly because I'm still trying to figure out my camera! But that is Max on third base, jumping out to lead off. Watching him lead off is one of the funniest things ever! He thinks he's spooking the catcher and the

pitcher! It's hilarious-but he is definitely getting better!

It's not unusual to see this at a PeeWee game! Here's the Carinals Center fielder, picking grass! I had to snap this one! It made me laugh!

Ahhh! "Brother's don't shake hands....brother's gotta hug!" (TommyBoy)

They're off!

Hooray for Kaiti! She got her braces off last Tuesday. I was so very excited for her! I think I was more excited than she was. Braces for me were not at all pleasant, I had multiple oral surgeries and ultimately wore braces for just under four years. I got mine off February of 1986. A mere 23 years ago! I made a countdown chain and everything! I did not, however look anywhere near as cute as my Kaitibug! She just got her retainers yesterday. She talks with a little lisp, but she has had the best sense of humor about it. She really is a funny girl. Do I sound like I'm proud of her? Maybe just a little bit! Here are her before and after pics. She is amazing!

Easter Fun!

Alex was at a baseball tournament when we colored eggs- we missed him! There were way too many pictures to post so I thought a quick slide show would give you a taste of Easter with the Brakey's! A couple things you should know, we spent Easter with my parents and my sister and her kids. We had an egg hunt-Alex and McKay hid eggs for Kaiti and Kylie so well that the girls got really mad. Too bad they were so mean about it because we ran out of time for the girls to hide eggs for them and they had to go without! The babies you'll see are my great-nieces, yes, I'm a great aunt. Actually I have been telling them that for years but when my nephew's wife had their babies it became official! Max loved them. He didn't want to put them down! I took a picture of the dessert, mostly for Stephanie Grant! I thought she would appreciate that!