Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Turning 6

Instead of a party this year, Dillan chose to take 2 friends to play miniature golf.

He was so excited to invite Brady and Brogan. All 3 boys (with Leah chasing their heels) had a blast! Of course, it wasn't JUST miniature golf they got to do.
He's been telling me all the things he can do now that he's going to be 6.
Such a big kid!

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Mother's Day


I know I'm blessed. Everyday I get to take in the sweet faces and phrases from those on this earth who love me most. We're not perfect, but everyday I am trying to be better for them. Baby steps. And just like I knew I HAD to have the HUGE custom clock on Black Friday so I could be reminded of the time, I know I need to be reminded of the important things in life. So right by my computer I have Elder Wirthlin's quote he shared from his mother: Come What May and Love It. With all the uncertainties of tomorrow, I know my family will always be by my side, no matter what. And we'll be okay. It's comforting.

Mom- I like this picture for a few reasons. First I look at my young self and can see a sparkle of each of my kids somewhere in my face. Always a good thing. Secondly, my mom is smiling in this picture. She is helping me put my shoes on and she is smiling. I'm not sure how old I am in the picture, but I'm guessing I was at the age where she at least had 1 other kid besides me. Since Kindergarten started, I don't believe I have ONCE helped my almost 6-year-old put his shoes on with a smile on my face. When we're in a rush to get out the door to school on time, I know I'm not smiling. Even in the afternoons before he runs outside to play, I am always in the middle of something else when he asks for help with his shoes. Again, no smiles. That's my mom, with her mom smiling through. She has always been my rock, the person I can rely on for everything. The one who reassures me when something isn't right. When everyone else is against me, she's always on my side. I have so much to learn from her great example. Love you Mom!

Grandma- With everything I have to learn from my mom, I have just as much to learn from my Grandma. I am so thankful that my children are able to have a relationship with her and learn from her as well. There is much to learn from her. She knows everything about everyone in her family. She cares about everyone. I always find sweet little emails and FB notes from her, just because she was thinking of me at that moment. I have many memories of being at her house reading books, eating cookies, playing inside and out, listening to the piano, looking at old pictures, watching her sew...lots of things. She's one of my heroes and the biggest fan of my blog. Love you Grammie!

Donna- I could not find a picture with she and Chris when he was young! I'll definitely have to remedy that the next time we're visiting. The greatest thing that I have learned about Chris' mother is that I will NEVER understand Chris the way that she does. Never. Of course, she has many more years experience with mothering than I, but there will always be a special relationship between them that I cannot duplicate. But that's how it should be. She is very special to both of us, and I always learn so much from her. I know I will never be the cook that she is, and I can live with that, hopefully Chris can too. She is such a strong nurturer to her family, even as they are all grown. She loves her grandchildren to pieces and is as creative a matriarch as they come.

So much to be thankful for, so much to live up to.

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

1st boat ride

Yay for Papa's Boat!
We just can't get enough!

Drew took his first ride on the boat, and did exactly as expected. Once the life jacket was put on and his cheeks were squeezed, he cried and cried, just like everyone else before him. But once the boat was in motion and the breeze was blowing, he went to sleep; just like everyone else before him.

Dillan and Daddy went on the tube together, then Leah and Dillan tried out the ski trainer (with no boat motion). Daddy went on the wakeboard, and Dillan promised NEXT TIME he would try wakeboarding and the trainer for real.


Summer, here we come!

Monday, April 25, 2011

Easter


4 egg hunts!!! FOUR! Well no, Leah got 5 (one extra at school) and Dillan will NOT let me forget that. We are up to our EARS in candy!
We tried a few new Easter projects like the sea-diving eggs we found online.

A big highlight for Mommy was our lesson we had about Jesus. GGMa gave us the Gospel Art Kit a while ago and we found 10 pictures of Jesus that we strung up on the wall.

The kids noticed them every day and would ask the occasional question. It was exactly what I wanted to happen, and I believed it improved their behavior, at least at meal times. Dillan doesn't want it taken down.

We started out with the ward Easter party, then had a ding-dong visit from Grandma Donna's Easter Bunny who left a basket of goodies on our doorstep. Later in the day we went to Uncle Mark's new house where we dyed eggs, decorated cookies, had an egg hunt with cousins, and an over-the-top fun visit with the family.

Sunday morning the bunny hid baskets around the house, leaving clues to find them. Leah's were pictures and Dillan read each one of his without help. Even baby Drew got a basket. This bunny didn't put one single piece of candy in the baskets nor in the eggs he hid outside. They were full of little toys and money.

We put on our Sunday best and headed to church. It was touching to see Dillan raise his hand during Sharing Time when he recognized the pictures of Jesus and the story of his atonement and sacrifice. Score. Something is sinking in!

After church we were treated to a fabulous afternoon with Grandma and Papa, Great Grandma Mary, Chad and Lindsie, and a young couple serving in the singles' branch. We were spoiled with good food, another egg hunt, and hours of playing and visiting.

Live in all things outside yourself by love, and you will have joy. That is the life of God; it ought to be our life. -Robert Browning

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Springtime Fun


Dillan and Max
Lately we have been outside a lot and love it! Chris and Dillan were supposed to take a trip to Arizona to be at Chris' nephew's baptism. But at the last minute, we ALL decided to go! I'm so glad we did!

Easter crafts with Grandma
The family got to love up Baby Drew and we got to be with some of our most favorite people. Dillan got in some good boy-time with all his cousins, and Leah was primped and pampered by Grandma Donna who was also visiting.

Watermelon on a hot day
We were very well taken care of, it was like an all inclusive resort experience. All I did was feed the baby the entire time while being waited on! Steve and Jenni took great care of us!
Their park has a train and carnival rides!
We love getting together with everyone, one day I'm sure we'll all live close together and won't have to say goodbye!

Monday, April 11, 2011

Circus with Grandma

So as to not lose these pictures.
Grandma took the kids to the circus that came to town!



There must be something about Grandmas and the circus. I know I went with my Grandma when I was younger and my souvenir cup is still used at my mom's house!



They came home sticky and full of sugar goodness. Their excitement has lasted for days. They play with their swords and drink from their glasses regularly.

Definitely SPOILED!




Thanks Grandma!

Monday, April 4, 2011

General Conference

My conference tradition for the past few years has been pulling out our 72-hour kits and car kits to change clothes and throw out expired food. We also had to add Baby Drew and get him set up. But I've been trying to establish more family/kid friendly conference traditions, so the kids and I were hard at work before the weekend. We searched online and printed out a few helps to get us started. Add our primary journal and a few treats and we were ready!



I also told the kids they could sleep in their dino-tent, which was a great cause for excitement. The whole family was going to try to camp out in the front room, but Mommy and Daddy chickened out with Baby D at the last minute.



We missed Saturday morning conference because of soccer, but recorded it to watch later. Saturday afternoon the kids pulled out their primary journals and crayons and got to work. Of course, it didn't last the entire conference, and some of the small additions I tried to include didn't go off very well. Live and learn.
Sunday morning we got up early and headed to Grandma and Papa's to spend the day. We took our Conference Bingo cards and some treats with us. Bingo was great, even the adults got into it. We stayed the whole day at their house and had a lot of fun and learned a whole lot.


playing with Mommy's camera
Some highlights for Mommy and a few new tried and true traditions :
-Let it Alone
-Stop waiting on your Road to Damascus
-Parents are examples of faith
-Find your desire to change
-Don't forget service
-Personal Revelation comes gradually
-Difference between be and do. To be or not to be.
-Accept correction
-Bedlamites
-hot dog cookies
-Magnum bars (ooo la la!)
-family tent camp out


and I'll just stay cute then, shall I?