Party time

After Rachel's baptism, we got to get together for a family hot dog fest.  We roasted hot dogs, played T-Ball with coach/uncle James, gabbed and ate too much chocolate.  I will always treasure these fun, happy afternoons with everyone.  Sam LOVED T-ball, and now he's excited to actually play it this year at the rec center. 

These two hung out like always... like Diane says, "If they weren't cousins, we could betroth them."

Last Saturday

 

This last Saturday, we were invited to attend this sweet and amazing little girl's baptism.  I can't believe she's 8 already... sheesh, time gets away from us quick.  She was so excited that she was bouncing up and down in the font while her dad held her.  I'm so glad that we have a chance to know her.

 

On the way home from the baptism, we stopped by the train... not just a train... THE train.  This is The Big Boy.  Jer was so excited to see it... he was almost bouncing like Rachel. The kids got oily, liked seeing the train, and mostly liked having Dad and Grandpa tell them about how the train works.

 

Lego Brickslopes

Last Friday, we went to the Lego Brickslopes thing at the expo center.  It was so neat... there are so many talented and creative people out there.  I loved the mini kits that they hid throughout the whole place. We met John and his kids there and my very favorite part was the big lego pit that they had.  Thousands of legos all over the floor that people could dive into and build whatever they wanted.  Evelyn put together a fence crown.  Sam and Anya built treasure chests... and Ada and Rachel built "bigger" treasure chests.  It was fun!

late Easter eggs

We didn't dye eggs until the week after Easter... Yeah, I didn't have energy to do it this time, but we made it happen eventually.  The kids loved it, and loved the egg salad sandwiches afterwards.

Saturday two weeks ago

Two weeks ago, we were invited to attend Jer's cousin's sealing in the temple.  Liz and Dave adopted their second baby and what a special day it was!  When they put baby Spencer at the alter with his parents, he smiled as big as he could and held on to his mom's thumb the whole time.  It was amazing, and I loved catching up with all the extended family afterwards. Thanks for including us!

Meet Muzzy

This is Evelyn's Muzzy. I named it Muzzy after the Muzzy alien that eats clocks and learns French... Evelyn has just started calling him Monkey... That works too...

Neighbors

I have the best neighbors... Our kids and the girls down the street asked our neighbor if they could have a picnic in their front yard. She said yes, she they were in heaven.

Best way of waking up

I came out of the bathroom this morning to be greeted by this face in my bed just patting the bed next to her and cuddling up in my blanket.

Yeah this just happened

My 6 year old thought it was a great.idea to put  my 2 year olds potty seat on her head... Yeah, not the best idea ever.

Taking part

Saturday, a little boy in our neighborhood made me think a lot about being a parent.  He's a 10 year old, has been to my house several times and his family is not currently active in the church that we both belong to.  And he made me think a lot.

The first time I met him, he had come over to play with my kids along with another neighbor.  He'd been here playing for a couple of hours before telling me that he couldn't be in my house because I didn't know his parents.  He asked for my phone to call his parents but didn't know his own phone number... then he shrugged and kept playing with the kids all while telling me every few minutes that he shouldn't be here.  After several visits to our house, I talked to my neighbor and found out where he lived and Jer went by and introduced himself as the neighbor where their son has been disappearing to. 

Saturday, he came to me and complained that "no one" had told him about the Ward Easter Egg hunt... he kept saying it over and over again.  Everyone had received a note on their doorstep... so I know someone in his family knew about it.  They announced it several times in church... he hasn't come to church in a long time.  And his friend from our street actually did go pick him up the morning of... so someone did get him and he found out about it.

It makes me want to be a BIG part of my kids lives.  I want to know where my kids are playing.  I want to know that they can and will call me if they are at someone's house.  I want them to be able to take responsibility for their own actions instead of blaming them on everyone else.  Other people can only do so much for the well being and desires of my children.  He's a good kid, but where will he end up in 5 years if his parents don't show that they care where he's been the last 4 hours.  And what will he be saying to his teachers 8 years from now... "No one told me that I had to pass my classes to graduate high school... no one told me that I had to be in class to know what was going on.  And my friends didn't come get me to drag me along either.  No one told me." 

I want to be the parent that cares enough about their kids to bug them every step of the way... to drag them to church even if it's "boring" or even if "Evan can wear jeans to church so why can't I?" I can't force them to believe what I believe or call me when they go out... but I can put them in a place where they CAN learn if they believe what I believe and teach them my phone number so that they CAN call me when they go out.

Easter basket surprise