Last Day

(I was trying to get one good picture of the kids before they headed off to school for the last day. Justin just couldn't do it, he said it was too bright outside.)

Today was the last day of school! We hosted a neighborhood lunch at our house, which really is the same group of Mom's and their kids having lunch together every year on the last day of school. The kids had a great time playing with their friends and then headed to the pool all afternoon. I was the lucky Mom who got to stay home while Ethan and Kate napped. Thank goodness for great neighbor's who are willing to take my kids along!

What a day!

I haven't been putting a lot of Ethan and Kate's messes on our blog...not because they aren't making messes but because there are so many of them!

This afternoon was particularly hard. Ethan started by dumping a whole bottle of Oil of Olay on the bathroom floor. While I was talking (spanking/sending to room) to him, Kate decided to hurry and get into while she could. Then Kate got on to the bathroom counter and dumped out a bottle of water and pumped a bunch of liquid soap out. I cleaned her up and she was back at it again for a second go around. Maybe I should have locked the door? I don't think I was thinking too clearly at this point. I decided not to put a third set of clothes on Kate, bad mistake! While I was switching my last load of laundry she took off her diaper and pooped on the floor, sweet! Just what I needed. Her nap this afternoon was only a half hour, maybe that was the problem for both of us. While I cleaned up the poop, she and Ethan got a bag of Fruit Loops and dumped them out on the floor...and that is how our afternoon continued, one mess after another!

Student Council

We are so happy for Savanah! She applied for Student Council next year and made it!!! Only fifteen kids get to be on Student Council and over one hundred applied. Savanah said she was really nervous for the interview part, but she did great. She is really looking forward to fifth grade starting and being part of Student Council.

Memorial Weekend

Soccer Party

This year Jeff coached Emily and Savanah's soccer team. Today was their last game so Jeff decided to have a BBQ for the team and hand out awards. It was also Justin's last game today. Although his team lost, he scored a goal and had a great finish.

Field Day

Today was the annual school field day. Emily and Savanah preformed a pioneer dance (sticking with the Utah history theme for the fourth grade) and Justin's grade (2nd) did a chili pepper dance. They all did great and then enjoyed games and concessions the rest of the afternoon!

Spring Piano Recital

Emily, Savanah and Justin had their Spring Piano Recital tonight. They have been practicing so much, and they have a great teacher that helps and supports them. They all did a great job, and we enjoyed seeing the practice paying off!

38

Jeff turned 38 today! He isn't sure this is so great...getting too close to 40! He had a great birthday, all his presents involved a triathlon some how, or exercise. He even went on an 18 mile bike ride on his birthday. That evening we met Jeff's Mom and Tom at the Cheesecake Factory for his birthday dinner, then had cake and ice cream at home with the kids.

First Party

Ethan and Kate were invited to a birthday party! Our neighbor behind us, Jane, turned one. For her party there was a big bounce house, lots of games and even hot dogs! Ethan and Kate had a great time and it was fun to watch them enjoy being at their first party.

Father's and Son's

Jeff took Justin this year on the Father's and Son's camp out. This year the camp out was in the West Desert. They had a great time being with the ward members and neighbors. Justin absolutely loved sleeping in a tent, being at the campfire, and not using a toilet! Glad the girls aren't invited!

Mother's Day

I had a great Mother's day this year! The older kids had Jeff take them shopping to find me gifts which was the first time they had asked to do that (a great benefit to having older kids!) They bought me nail polish, bubble bath, earrings and some flip flops I really wanted, but thought they were too much money - what a surprise! The older kids also had homemade cards and cute things they made at school and activities days, which really are the best presents to a Mom! They also made me breakfast in bed which was a real treat.

We headed off to church (with Jeff and my niece Summer) and the kids sang Mother's day songs and the speakers were several of the youth from our ward talking about their Mother's - it was fun to hear what they had to say about their Mom's.

We had a great dinner and Grandpa and Grandma's house and had fun being with the family. We also had a quick trip to Jamestown to visit Grandma Taylor and and even quicker trip to the cemetery to put flowers on my Mom's grave.

I love Mother's day...it is a little bitter sweet for me not having my Mom here to celebrate with, but I am thankful for all she taught me and the example she was too me. I think of her almost daily as I am raising my children and am glad I had the time I did with her. I am especially thankful for all the wonderful mom's/grandma's/sisters/daughters/friends/neighbors that surround me now - I feel luck to know such incredible women!

Chocolate Face

Kate's chocolate face after eating a See's Candy sucker from Great Grandpa Taylor.

Utah Handcart Trek

Every year the fourth grade reenacts part of a hand cart trek. This year Emily and Savanah were able to go. They were put into families and had to plan out their food/supplies, who would walk, who would take turns pulling the hand cart, planning for a mock emergency, etc. They also had to wear pioneer clothing. The trek they took involved crossing a river, setting up camp for the afternoon, eating lunch and playing pioneer games. It was a long day for them, and even took an hour longer then their regular school day! They both enjoyed it and appreciated what the pioneers did to get to Utah.