So far in May

But first back to April. My parents anniversary was in April, and I couldn't resist putting up a picture. I'm sure I've put it up before, but here you go again. I like it, what can I say?! Their anniversary means I get to go to Park City and go to lunch with my dad. It has become one of my favorite traditions with him. I love it!!

Now, to May! Nolan and Erica graduated from USU!! Yay!!! I went up to their graduation and we had a very nice day. We went to a couple of ceremonies, and had a picnic in the park. My dad and Suzanne were there, and Erica's family came also. And I have to add this just because I think it is so cool. All four of my parent's kids now have Bachelor's degrees, and so do all four of their spouses. I think that is amazing!! Charles and I are the outcasts that graduated from Weber, and the other 6 all graduated from USU. Awesome job dad!!

The day after graduation was Mother's Day. Once again, I was spoiled by my amazing husband and my kids. They sure act like they love me!! They made me a great dinner and we had a nice day together. Charles bought me tickets to Wicked, which was great, more on that to come.

Also, even though this is really late, I want to thank all the "moms" in my life. First of all...MY MOM!! I have  the most amazing mom ever! And I really miss her! Love you mom.

And...My fabulous mother in law. I absolutely LOVE Charles' mom. She is the best grandma I could ever ask for for my kids, and I am so glad she has taken me in as her own. Love you Wyona!

And, last but not least, Suzanne. She joined our family a few years ago, and I am so incredibly glad she did. My kids adore her, and she can take Charles' harrassment so well! Thank you for everything you do for our family, especially for loving Rich!! Love you Suzanne!!

And, of course, for my Charlie and my kids, thank you for making me a mom!!! Like I said, best family ever!

Happy Birthday to Me!!

I celebrated my birthday at the end of April and it was a fantastic day. I had originally planned on going to Provo to have lunch with Charles, but he told me that I needed to stay home and wait for the Fedex truck, because they were delivering a package that had to be signed for. I didn't figure it would come until the evening, so I got up and went for a jog with Camille. As we were headed home we saw the Fedex truck turn into our neighborhood. We tried to catch up but it left the neighborhood before we made it. Luckily I had left a note on the door in case, and he left my package. So I called Chuck and he told me to bring it to Provo, I assumed he was going to let me open it. He didn't.  We went to lunch and did a little shopping. That night after dinner, and yummy Magelby's cake, it was present time!!

Aren't birthday hugs the best?!

An iPhone!!! Yay!!

And more snow.

I had a great birthday, and I have the best family in the entire world!!

Spring Soccer and Gymnastics

We signed the girls up for soccer again this spring, and I just may never do spring soccer again! It is COLD!! The girls are having fun, for the most part, and the boys love going to their games. They started the week after Spring Break, and Ella is on their team this year which has been fun. Charles started out bribing  them to score some goals this season, but by last week he was just bribing them to have fun. They got their mom's genes when it comes to aggressiveness and competitiveness. Oh well. They will find their thing.

Soccer in the snow...

This is what the sky looked like when we got home after the game. Nice.

Gymnastics started the same week as soccer, and the girls absolutely love it. Zoe is in their class this year, and they are having a great time.

Between soccer, gymnastics, piano, mutual, and homework our afternoons and evenings are way too busy, but hey, we are having a good time, right?

Easter Sunday

On the Monday before Easter Charles gave us a family home evening lesson about everything that happened during the week leading up to the first Easter Sunday. It was very effective, in fact Brielle was in tears by the end of the lesson because she felt so sorry for Jesus. I love that they are starting to get it! Brooke was assigned to talk in Primary on Easter so she talked about the same thing and Brielle kept telling her, "don't make the kids cry, because that is a sad story!" It was cute. Grandpa, Suzanne, Nolan and Erica were able to come watch her give her talk. Anyway, back to Easter  morning, the girls woke up bright and early. A little too early. They were sent back to bed. When it was a decent hour we got up and checked  out the loot from the Easter Bunny. Then we started cleaning up after him, man, that rabbit sure makes a mess of my house with his treats all over the place.

After dad got home from his meeting we had a photo shoot. A not-very-successful photo shoot. But hey.

After church we went to grandpa's house for ham. Another great Easter!!

Easter Eggs!

The day before Easter, after a very cold soccer game, we came home and colored Easter Eggs. The kids had a great time, and made a big mess! As they were finishing up I went downstairs to talk to Charles and when I came back they were eating them. Strange kids.

Afterwards we met grandpa, Suzanne, Nolan and Erica at Taco Time for lunch.

Spring Break 2011

This year we spent the first half of Spring Break at home. I tried to talk my kids into going shopping and hanging out in Provo, but they voted for Arby's, the library, and playing in the backyard. So that's what we did. Charles came home early on Wednesday and we headed for St. George. On Thursday, Charles and I got up early and went to the temple. Then, while Doug and Joe worked, we had a pool party. Anne and her two kids came down from Beaver, and Camille came with her mom and her three kids. We swam, ate lunchables and visited. Here is the only picture I got will all of the kids. We had a 6 and 7 year old, two 4 year olds, four 2 year olds, and baby Thomas. Crazy!! 

Allee

Caroline

Thomas

At nap time we sent 3 of the little boys to bed, turned on a movie for the rest (minus Thomas, he came with us), and left Chuck to man the house while us girls went to lunch and went shopping. And he did a great job! All 8 of those kids were happy when we got back!

After all of our guests left we had dinner and got right back into the pool. That night Matt and Jenna showed up, and Jenna made me get up and run with her the next morning. We spent the entire day on Friday in the pool. Literally from nine to five. I was completely waterlogged! The boys spent the day golfing and shopping, and swam a little with us.

This is a picture I took right after Joe had dumped his mom off of her lounge chair into the pool. How rude!!

That afternoon Grandma set up an awesome Easter egg hunt for my kids. They had a blast and got a ton of candy, plus some awesome new pool toys.

Here is Jacob. I found him outside on the wall, and I have no idea how he got up there. Oh well.

Friday night we got a babysitter and we all went to dinner at the C.C. That has become one of my favorite things to do when we go down there. Then after we had the kids in bed, we went to the movies.

Saturday was more running, golf, swimming, and shopping. I still can't believe what little fish my kids have become. Caleb, at one point, ran out the door and straight into the pool without even hesitating. Scary, but I love that he likes the water.

Caleb and Jacob loved hanging onto the rim and then falling into the water

I have some great pictures of Brielle and Caleb standing on the mats, and Jacob flipping, but I can't get them to load. I'll keep working on it. Sunday we were up and out early, so that we could make it back for church. Another great St. George vacation. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!!