last weekend in april

This past weekend has been the best weather so far this year. I even got sunburned. (not used to sunscreen yet)

The older boys spent Saturday morning and afternoon working in the yard. We also got to enjoy having our first lunch picnic on our newly poured patio. (thanks to Big Daddy's Pizza)

I never wanted to be the family that was entertained by electronics, but at times, it can be kind of adorable. And luckily most of the boys get really bored after a while (Levi on the other hand...) 

And guess what? Justin just got a new position at his work. He was one in five out of 60 people who interviewed for it. I am very proud of him. This will be very good for all of us. 

Since he is with a new group, they invited our family to The Living Planet Aquarium.

That place is so cool. 

 We loved the adventure, and were happy we didn't have to pay the almost $50 it would have cost if we paid for it. 

We ended the weekend with Rudger's two top teeth breaking through. It's time to say goodbye to that gummy smile and welcome in the mouth full of big, wonderful, morris teeth.

I'm feeling so grateful for the new Youth Curriculum in our church. It's amazing to be part of preparing these youth for what the future holds.

our st. patrick's day 2013

Yes. st. patty's day came and went over a month ago, it was fun.

This year the leprechaun taped the boys doorway shut. 

He made a bit of a mess with our furniture and shredded rainbow love everywhere. 

He sent the boys on a treasure hunt to find gold 'chocolate' coins...to redeem himself.

He left the traditional lucky charms cereal.

He made a rainbow snack.

Then he slept quite a bit of the afternoon away from staying up so late and preparing the night before.

Remember last year. A little different. 

sometimes you just have to jump

Have you tried jumping on a trampoline recently?

The boys, especially Corbin, so often ask me to come jump with them. More often then not, I tell them not right now. Dishes need to be done, dinner needs to be made, bills need to be paid, I need to make another phone call, Rudger needs me, or I just don't want to. 

But I'm trying to be better at not always saying, maybe later. How about, yes I will...right now!

Then I remember, nothing makes me feel like a kid again than jumping on the trampoline.

pi day

On pi day Corbin got his wolf after being in Scouts for one year. Don't let the pictures fool you, he was more than ecstatic. 

 Scouts has been the most perfect thing for Corbin. 

At the blue and gold banquet, Corbin was asked to give a talk about scouts. I loved how he ended his talk.

I love to camp,

I love the outdoors,

I love my country,

I love God,

Scouts is perfect for me.

They have some pretty amazing leaders who plan really fun activities and meetings. 

 At the end of pi day we went home and had us some apple pie. 

I'll find any excuse to make pie. 

Side note: This past weekend we watched 'The Life of Pi'. Very interesting show. 

growing up

This boy has gone from having his first bites of cereal. 

Which was some messy fun.

 To being sick for several days with RSV.

He went from being sick, swaddled, and snuggled for days

to sitting up all by himself.

He's gone from sitting up to drooling like crazy.

and with that drool has brought new teeth. 

Rudger's first tooth broke through (6 1/2 months) on the same day Taylor lost his first.(7 1/2 years) 

Tay was extremely pleased at that.

 Justin decided if our baby is going to keep growing up on us, then it's time he learned to sleep through the night. I just told myself for 7 months that he really missed me during the night and wanted to be with me :)

So the first night heard 2 hours of crying while mom and dad traded off patting his back every ten minutes. Luckily the 2nd night it was only 45 minutes and we're slowly getting better. 

I know growing up is just a part of living. And that's okay. It just gives me more time to love them more. 

And we all love this growing boy so much.

reading

I never really read a whole lot when I was little. I wasn't a strong reader. I didn't absolutely love it. And Justin, when he was little he really did not love to read. So it should come to no surprise to either of us that some of our kids are in the same boat.

However, Justin and I have changed over the years. I grew to love some reading (especially when Harry Potter came out). And something happened on Justin's mission where he really grew to love it. I have teased him over the years because he is always reading at least four different books at the same time. (almost always gospel related)

Now the jokes on me.

It's only natural that both he and I have a deep desire to get our kids reading and to love it at an early age. We feel they will be at so much more the advantage if they learn to love reading now.

We have done well at some things, and not so well at others. But we will keep pushing on. 

Encouraging them to read alone.

Encouraging them to read to each other.

(don't let the picture fool you, Rudger really did love it)

Keep books out and easily accessible. 

 And my favorite.

Cuddle up and read to them.

 and of course, visiting our library often. 

I hope they get it sooner then I did.