Memorial Day and Family Week!

Last week was wonderful. We had lots of family time and visitors.

Memorial Day we had both Mike's family and my parents and sister's family over for a BBQ. The kids played on every wheeled toy we own and Mike set up a net for volleyball and badminton in the back.

We also got out the frisbee, batting tee, and every other yard game we could think of. It was a fun day!

Auntie Em and cute little Jaymison got to stay with us for 5 DAYS while Ren went home to work. She was also here to see our new baby nephew, but I'm afraid we hogged her! 

We went to lunch at Wild Zucchini Grill (yum!), went on a walk, played at a park, and played outside a lot. They enjoyed our temperatures, since it's 100 in Mesa where they live!

While Auntie Em was here our butterflies came out of their cocoons. It was fun to play with them and watch them fly away.

  

We tried out the bike trailer with Jake for the first time. Our bike ride lasted as long as Jake survived Ty's badgering.
 

It makes me happy when everybody plays on the playset. Ty likes to push Jake in the swing, and Maddie likes to take him down the slide.

Emily and I even tried the monkey bars and the trapeze. They are harder than they used to be! But sometimes it's fun to be carefree like a kid. Mike took this embarrassing picture of me but I want to remember that I let my hair down.

There's nothing like a warm summer night. 

Goodbye 1st Grade

Maddie had an AWESOME year in Mrs. Terry's class! She was the best teacher we could have asked for, and every day was a joy. Maddie might have a little bit of hero worship... so it was hard to say goodbye. She made some sweet new friends too, and is already planning lots of summer play dates!

The 1st grade worked really hard on their dance for the dance festival. Of course I didn't have a good view, but there she is right smack dab in the middle, with a neon pink shirt and shoes. She was such a cutie!

We stayed afterward to eat lunch with her, but it was super windy. We ended up running home to get her a sweatshirt while she ate with her class.

There is Mrs. Terry in the middle, surrounded by all her little ducklings. She has the sweetest, positive way with kids that makes them want to be good. I need to take lessons from her.

Speaking of lessons, Maddie has been taking piano lessons from Grandma for a little over a year now! She recently chose some hymns she was proficient at playing (High on a Mountain Top, We Thank Thee O God for a Prophet, and I Stand All Amazed --from the simplified hymns and Friend magazine)   and played the prelude in Primary. It was a great way to set a goal and work toward it, and we're proud of her.

Jake the Toddler

I am so used to doing monthly updates on Jake that it's hard to stop! He is a walker now, but I don't have a picture! He toddles and does the monster walk (arms up by his ears) all over now. As much as I love it, I miss the crawling already.

He also has a huge love for balls. He squeals and giggles and throws them. Its cute to play back and forth with him. 

He's into everything. That mess behind him was his own doing. But look at that snaggly grin--can't help but love it!

And those overalls... nothing like a baby in overalls.

You get him outside, and he's even more trouble. All he wants is the dirt. You would think he might know after one try that it's not chocolate, but I guess he keeps hoping.

Jake is a peacemaker in the family, especially with Ella. A squeeze from him makes everything better, even scraped up knees. Not so much with Ty... usually Jake is screaming "uncle" because Ty has him pinned somehow. Oh the joys of boys, already beginning.

Bye bye babyhood! It's been sweet.

Ella the Graduate

The official graduation regalia.

She had many great neighbors and friends in her class. (These are pictures of pictures, sorry not good quality.)

On May 21st Ella graduated from Ms. Jen's Lehi Ranches Preschool Academy! She has been there for 2 years and loved every single minute. We are sad that it's already over, and that Ms. Jen is moving and the boys can't have her!

Ella's and her best friend Cambry were in the same class. They are inseparable. Ella was a little nervous about the preschool program for the parents, but she knew she was sitting next to Cambry so she'd be okay.  In truth, she giggled throughout with Cambry to fight off the nerves.

The diploma makes it official! Ella also recited the nursery rhyme"Little Miss Muffet" on the green line with Cambry.

Maddie wanted to get checked out of school and Mike got off work for the big event. It was nap time for Jake, and by some miraculous means, Jake snuggled on his shoulder for most of the program.

We had a family picnic for lunch to celebrate the big day. Yay for summer!

Fathers and Sons

Mike and Ty were able to go on the annual Fathers and Sons camp out on May 11. This is the first year that my girls didn't go... instead we had our movie night and slumber party at home. Ty thought he was something special to be able to go with Daddy.
 

The weather was rainy all day but it cleared up enough for them to set up the tent and sleep in it instead of the van, which was the back-up plan! Apparently Ty went right to sleep and let Mike go "talk with the Dads" by the fire. He slept like a log all night, although Daddy didn't!

They explored their surroundings and played on the toys.

 

 

They sent pictures to us from the fireside. Cute little cheeser!

The next day they checked out the hand carts and organized a little Father and Son pull.

 Mike caught one of our Stake President hitching a ride from his son.

Yesterday I took the girls somewhere so Daddy and Ty had some down time together. They built a tower to touch the ceiling!

Today Mike and Ty had a little "Daddy Son time" where they talk about things that have happened recently, write down some things to remember, and draw a picture.

Mike sent me this picture at church today with this caption: "Ty had to pee so I strapped Jake in!" Love the way Dad's brains work. 

It's pretty sweet to see this Father with his Sons!

Gymnastics Perfomances

The girls had their exhibitions this week to show us all they've been learning in gymnastics.

Ella wanted to wear her heart leotard because she loves gymnastics!

 They each did their routine on the bars, beam, vault, and floor.

Here's Ella's 'candlestick'. I was so proud of her for going out there and doing her stuff all by herself--she gets so nervous!

Ella was really looking forward to getting her first medal. She felt so special!

It has been extra fun because she's in the same class as her best friend. They are two peas in a pod.

Daddy even stopped his hard work on Grandma's roof and came to watch the little gymnast.

Maddie's was a few days later. The theme of both was "Circus of the Stars".

Maddie's bar dismount was pretty impressive.

She was so excited to get her back bend and kick over (I don't know any real terms!) in time for the exhibition. 

We're proud of our little gymnasts! Ty wanted to hop in the picture too and I let him because you know what? The little brothers were troopers sitting through those classes twice a week!

Grandma Marcia was here (helping with my new nephew) so it was a fun treat to have her come to both performances!