Ty's 6th Birthday

This cute kid isn't so little anymore! 6 is when they have growth spurts and look so tall, and then lose baby teeth, and go to school all day long, and start acting so independent... I'm not ready! But he certainly was--he pulled a strip off his Pokemon chain for 40 days!

Cinnamon toast crunch was the breakfast of choice.

The kids had a picnic lunch outside on a blanket.

We let Ty open a present early because we thought it would help him with his t-ball game... Nike's!!!!

We think they made him run faster.

In the afternoon we made sugar cookies (it was supposed to be a sugar cookie crust for fruit pizza, but it turned into a girl cookie party).

For dinner we made Pokeball pizzas on the grill.

Then we opened presents. Daddy gave Ty this Atlanta Braves hat and taught him how to rally.

Grandma and Grandpa gave him a rolling suitcase of his very own!

One of his main requests was Nike or Under Armour clothes and a hoodie. His wish was granted and he was stoked!

That evening we played t-ball and Fox and the Pie. Love me some family time.

Ty was patient with me and didn't mind a sugar cookie cake, since the fruit pizza didn't work out. Hope he made a good wish!

The following Monday we had a Pokemon Party! The invitation was quite a hit. 

This house full of 16 boys (and a few girls) was a tiny bit overwhelming, but mostly fun!

Oh man that's a lot of Pokemon! We're grateful to all Ty's friends for spoiling him!

The pokeball cake and pinata continued the theme, per Ty's request.

We ended the party playing water kickball (with kiddie pools for bases) and goofing off in the backyard. Overall a good success and happy Birthday Boy!

Memorial Day

We met Mike's family at Bridal Veil Falls for a little outing in nature. It was beautiful, but very crowded for the holiday. The river is also really high this spring, and it was nerve wracking when the kids got to close to the high, rushing water. Sadly, right after we left a 4 year old girl fell in, and her mother and another man who tried to help drowned. It was such a sad story, and too close to home. I went to bed very uneasy--and very grateful--that night.

It was fun to wade in the waterfall. That cold water felt so good on a hot day!

Afterward we stopped by the Provo Cemetery to find the headstone of my 4th great grandfather Peter Conover, who was a body guard to Joseph Smith and a leading pioneer in Provo. It felt good to honor those who have come before.

I'm so grateful for all those who have defended our freedoms and built the great nation and gospel that we enjoy. We are so blessed.

Anniversary and Mother's Day

Having our anniversary and Mother's Day close together makes me nostalgic about the amazing life I have. Mike and I have been married 14 years, and even though it's crazy and draining around here most days, I am incredibly blessed and never could have imagined how beautiful and full my life would be right now. 

Just look at that yummy baby! Waking up to her is pretty amazing.

My parents offered to take both us and the Sherwood's to playoff games, which also happened to be the days of our anniversaries. So we swapped babysitting and enjoyed watching the Jazz!

Mike took me tree shopping and I was finally able to get a lilac bush of my own! We also got some chokecherries and a maple to help solve the lack of shade in the back yard.

Missy Kate is in the age of exploration. She is my favorite little helper. 

The Friday in between the special days we went on a date down in Provo, and stopped at the Botany Pond on BYU campus. There were the cutest baby ducks and Kate was in love!

It was fun to visit the place where out story began. So much has changed in 16 years!

Mike insisted on buying me my hanging basket, as per tradition, even though he had already bought all the trees.

We had quite the formal basket hanging ceremony. Sure love these kiddos that made me a momma.

We spent the most relaxing Sunday afternoon reading in the shade.

I am loving this book about Washington and the national covenant the Lord made with the inhabitants of the promised land. It's amazing to see the hand of God in the infancy of our nation, and the connections with the Restoration of the gospel shortly thereafter. Such a good read!

Mike and the kiddos made me dinner: pesto pasta and corn on the cob. I am so blessed to be the mother of this crazy clan!