Go Cougars

We took the kids to watch the national championship game for the BYU men's volleyball at UCLA.  While they lost quite handily, it was still fun to do something out of the ordinary.  

growing babies..

Hard to believe that my kids are growing so fast.  David is already wrapping up 1st grade.  We have enjoyed watching his progress with reading and piano.  He shocked us the other day by reading to Ruth because usually it is a struggle to get him interested in reading aloud.

James has taken on a new hobby: drawing.  Our refrigerator is full of all kinds of elaborate pictures ranging from sloths to pirates.  I asked him where he gets his ideas.  His answer: "my mind!"

We had 90 degree weather the other day, so the little ones were quite excited to get out the baby pool.  Now we are back to 60 degree, rainy weather.  I don't mind... let it be cold as long as possible!  Summer heat is no fun with pregnancy.

Don't think that this face is all sweetness all the time... we are definitely in the thrust of the terrible twos.  I feel like we are constantly at battle with each other.  In fact, I've given up on potty training because I figure we have enough to fight over during the day.  Ruth waited all week to try on this dress that Grandma M sent.  When Sunday finally came around, she ran to her closet to pull it out!  Fun to have a girl that loves to be fancy!

My First Quilt

So, I got talked into taking a quilting class from Joseph's Aunt Carolyn.  Since she is the most avid quilter I have ever known, and was months away from moving out of Southern California, I couldn't say no. It turned out to be a really great experience!  It was fun to spend time with her as we shopped for fabrics, assembled, and finally machine quilted.  This one got sent to my mom for her birthday.  Maybe someday I'll be brave enough to attempt another one!

April Randoms

Most mornings, Ruth is grumpy!  One morning, however, I was surprised to see her happily playing without following me around with the usual moaning.  I thought the occasion deserved a picture.  She is in the process of giving her baby a bath.  Good job, Ruth!

Our spring break was ultra low key this year.  I think David was happy to finally be back at school the following week.  We did manage a few outings, the most memorable being the Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary while James was in preschool.  We enjoyed the beautiful birds, scenery, and short hike to a nice overlook.

David and Ruth are checking out the bat caves on the other side of the canyon

Our weekdays are usually pretty predictable.  The most important part of the week is Wednesday morning park day with other friends in the ward.  Usually, James disappears with the other 6 boys that come.  This time, however, James made room for a bit of sister time.

Random carousel ride- she only smiled after it stopped.

Easter morning photo shoot

I remember how fun it was as a kid to get a new easter dress each year, so I've tried to carry on the tradition.  I must admit, the matching blue shirts and yellow ties on the boys were my favorite.  I love how Sunday clothes transform them into well mannered gentlemen!

Easter Egg Hunt

With both my birthday and easter in the same week, it feels like we had a few days of nonstop celebration.  Saturday, after dying easter eggs, we took the kids to grandma and grandpa's hill for a little easter egg hunt.  Ruth gathered up her eggs pretty quickly, but it took a little longer for the boys to find every last egg.

James, showing off his loot... David is still looking.

Finally!  The last egg!

The kids sat here for a few minutes to look over the loot.  Within that time frame, Ruth's candy was completely gone!  That's right, all 15 eggs had been opened and consumed!

Happy Birthday to Me!

I have to admit, that this birthday was a little depressing, as I have now broken a new decade (30!). I think that it will take me a while to get used to this new reality.  As far as birthdays go, this one was great!  My kids made homemade little cards and lego creations- David even played "Happy Birthday" on the piano, Joseph made his first ever cake from scratch (which turned out terrific!), and I had lots of phone calls and quick visits from family and friends.  To top it all off, the weather was absolutely GORGEOUS: mid 70s until sunset.