Another Year in the Books

And just like that our school year is over!  Grant not only finished up his 5th grade year, but his entire elementary school career.  I try not to think about it.  He is a growing pre-teen boy!  He has his first job cutting our neighbor's grass...

 He is loving this responsibility and he gets a little side kick assistance.  Really, he gets more than one.  Dave is helping him with the edging, but Grant is the head honcho on this project.  Not only has Grant entered the work force recently, he has gone from this...

to this...

Phase one of braces complete!  Bring on the popcorn!  Of course the winding down days of the school year was full of excitement. There was the school carnival, where I had a ball watching our two big kids play bubble soccer.  

My favorite was when they would bounce off other players and flip upside down.  I think I need to invest in this for my own benefit.  It looks fantastic.  There was "laser tag" and a couple of inflatables, but the kids were not so impressed with the carnival this year.  Good thing field day did not disappoint.  I helped at the school, but didn't snap a pic of the inflatable water slides, water balloons, games, just dance, party galore.  It is my favorite day to drop the kids off because they are welcomed to the school with teachers on the roof of the school chucking marshmallows at the incoming students.  Another idea I should incorporate at home!

Katelee was awarded High Honor Roll and Grant Honor Roll and both of them had glowing reviews from their teachers.  We definitely lucked out with teachers this year.  Miss Spence was Katelee's kinder teacher, so we were thrilled when Brenna got her too!  She is the best!  

 I can't believe Brenna is a kindergarten graduate! 

She passed with flying colors, there was no question, of course!  I'm going to pretend like first grade isn't happening soon.  It causes a pit to grow in my stomach.  Brenna had school all day Tuesday, all day Thursdays and every other Friday.  She is a smart cookie full of life! 

Just before school got out was Memorial Day.  Why we go back to school after Memorial Day is unfortunate, but that is the case.  We had our annual breakfast at the park.  It was great weather this year and really fun to have Rachel back from her mission!! We welcomed her at the airport a few weeks ago and were able to witness Emmalee falling into her arms in sobbing heaps.  It was great.  

 We had our delicious breakfast, played games where many injuries were incurred (Jason smacked Brenna straight in the face with a soccer ball as he tried to score a kickball home run, Grandma kicked off her shoes and tripped making her toe a swollen bruised mess, Shannon also fell, Katelee had her wrist whipped back in a dangerous Red Rover game.  Good thing boccie ball is safe! 

Other fun May events included our overflowing window well:

 Luckily, we realized our rain gutter was clogged and we didn't need to install a pump.  The rains kept coming and coming and they were there for a freezing last soccer game.  These peeps were troopers...

 Our family went to the Bountiful Food Pantry and put together food kits for kids in need.  We loved it and will definitely return.  You make cards to place in the bags and assemble the packs, the kids really enjoyed it.

 We were able to witness the beautiful balletic moves of this tiny dancer.

 This little lady oozes feeling as she dances.  I can't wait to see her continue with what she loves. Its especially nice because Brenna gets to dance with one of her favorite pals, Kinley.

Tomorrow we leave for Jackson Hole and Yellowstone-a maiden voyage for all but me in our family.  Hence, the quick blog post to update quick before we have another adventure.  Truly everyday is an adventure here.  Every minute we survive the terrible two tantrums, that give the Hulk some serious competition, I feel is a success!  On to summer!  Yeehaw!

Spring Break Surprise

This post is way past due.  I'm not sure how it is May already.  I have no doubt that time is literally flying by.  We are enjoying the beginnings of warm weather-the ups and downs of the temperature that spring in Utah notoriously brings.  While I am no green thumb, I have really enjoyed our flowers this year.  We had a good couple of weeks of full bloom tulips, crocus, hyacinth, daffodils.  So, now my yard can go back to looking pretty dismal for the other 11 months!  A true gardener, tree and flower keeper would have beauty year round, I guess.  

The kids had their annual spring break to kick off this promise of heat with a week off of school.  Dave and I had been planning a little get away for a half of the week, but we kept it under wraps from the kiddos.  We kept trying to throw them by planning potential activities and it totally worked.  I packed the night before our trip, we loaded up the car while they slept and at 6:15 we woke all the littles up.  We didn't tell them where we were going, but had them guess and they were loving the anticipation.  Katelee had a hand me down shirt from a neighbor that said SEA WORLD on it, so I told them there was a clue on Katelee's shirt.  When they saw Sea World, Katelee squealed as did Brenna, followed up with "What is Sea World?"

The highlight of the entire trip for Harrison was riding on an airplane.  He loved both legs.  Nearly everyday of the past month he has talked about going back.  He wants to get on an airplane and go to "San Diego Utah."  He sat in the window seat both ways and marveled at the scenery.  It was so cute.  

Right off the plane in Cali, we got our car and headed for Sea World.  It is the last year of the Shamu show.  Yes, I was slightly morally opposed after watching BlackFish, but it was really neat.  That's a discussion for another day!

We saw the Killer Whale show, the sea lion and otter show.  Harrison totally slept through the orcas, but I didn't feel like his life would be totally ruined enough to wake him.  

Brenna said the shows were so boring while we were there, but since we've been home, her tune has changed.  She just really wanted to ride the rides!  

I guess I didn't realize they had so many rides.  Fun stuff.  

Of course, we were amazed by many of the animals there.  The beluga whales were my favorite.  Some of the animals grossed me out.  I was not alone in my disgust.  I hesitate to swim in open water because sea creatures truthfully give me the willies.  So, the touch aquariums are not places I spend a lot of time.  Sea World has a large area of cleaner fish.  Brenna and I braved their nibbles for a minute (we counted). Dave tried to get Harrison to stick his hand in and you would have thought we were trying to murder the child.  His hand has yet to be touched by those aquatic life! Katelee, Dave and Grant let those little suckers chew away. It was kind of gross.  

The penguins were cute.  We walked in to their habitat and Brenna (not quietly, of course) said, "Mom, whenever I smell your butt.  This is what it smells like."  I guess penguins smell like roses.  Who knew?  Yea, it was slightly embarrassing...but pretty funny.  

The next day we went to the USS Midway museum.  It was really neat.  The kids put on their headsets, answered questions and earned their wings.  

We wandered the air craft carrier, read and learned a lot!  Most of the volunteers had served on the Midway, so it was neat to hear of their time.  We also saw a yacht crash into the dock as we left  That was crazy.  

After lunch, we went to Coronado to the beach. 

 It was a little chilly, but that certainly didn't stop the kids.

Beach days are awesome! Especially when you go straight from the cold water to the hotel pool to warm up!

Our last day we headed to Old Town and the Mormon Battalion Museum.  I wish we would have had time to meander Old Towne, but the Museum was stellar. 

 We panned for gold and had a great time.  

We had the urge to head to the beach for just a bit longer, so we rented a surrey and pedaled around. 

 I felt like we were quite the circus, but a good time and good workout was had by all.  Actually, no, a good workout was had just by the parents!!

On our way to the airport we stopped at the Corvette Diner.  They were out of the gluten free options that we had guranteed Katelee, so it was an emotional meal, until dessert was brought out...

That made up for everything.  

We seriously had the greatest time!!  It was a quick get away, but definitely memorable.  

Pulling off the surprise was really awesome! Seeing the kids happy and making memories is the best!!

It was a short and sweet trip and then back to real life! Grant had a huge capstone project with Providence Hall.  His exhibition was all about celiac disease.  He organized a Fun Run to educate the students at the school about the disease and then did a presentation on exhibition night.  We were so proud!! It was pretty heart warming that he picked celiac. He learned a lot about working with people and what to do when they aren't so reliable! Ha!

Spirit week brought us a couple of rockers.  

And, ADP (well, their wonder rep David McArthur) recruited these little ladies for CPA day. 

We've had lots of soccer, diving, and dance going on.  Grant and I went on a date to Peter and the Star Catcher (which was really fun), but I had to view it in my prescription sunglasses because I forgot my glasses.  My handsome date wasn't even humiliated that I was wearing sunglasses in the dark!  What a great family I have who loves me despite my penguin smell and tendency to wear dark glasses!

A Birthday, Easter and other Egg-citing Events

 Today is Easter and it has been a fun and special day.  But, lets not start with today, lets take an Easter bunny hop (bwahaha) back to the beginning of March.

The Provo City Temple completed construction and was open to the public recently.  We visited this historic and beautiful building as a family.  It was the first time all of us were in the temple together and it was great.  I want to say it was a highly spiritual experience for all, and there were times when it was.  There were other moments where say, one of the little people was bored and asking where the "play place" was inside!

I am grateful for the little glimpse of eternity we had that day.  

Brenna and I had tickets to Frozen on Ice.  It was a blast!  She may have covered my mouth when I tried to sing along, but all in all, it was a fun show.

We didn't get to meet the characters, I mean they were busy hobbling around on skates, you know.  But, on another occasion this month, the two littles and I got to meet Darth Vader.  

Harrison is obsessed with Star Wars, so our neighbor invited us to their elementary to be a part of their reading rewards event.  I thought he would be ecstatic.  Nope, mostly he was terrified, but he did hum the Imperial March for the remainder of the day...for real.  

Katelee and Brenna spent two weeks enrolled in community theatre school.  

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We love this program and were so happy to get to do it with friends from the hood.  Brenna was a little Siamese child in a scene from "The King and I."  Her dramatic scene was from 'Cinderella,' where she wowed the audience as a little mouse who exclaimed "Cinderell-y".  Brenna loved her acting debut and we loved watching her. Katelee was a bush, yes she was covered in greenery in a dramatic scene from "Wiley and the Hairy Man."  She also had a lot of solo singing parts in a song from "Flat Stanley" called "I Wish I Were."  She was a star!  It was spot on and fun.  She nailed it!

She had a really fun week because shortly after her performances-our lucky lady turned 9 on St Patrick's Day!! We always have a lot of fun on her birthday in our green motif.  She was awakened  earlier than normal due to the smoke detectors when I was baking her muffins (more on our kitchen smoke fiasco later), went to school for Grandparents Day and came home for dinner with Shannon, Grandma and our family friend, Linda. 

Katelee had been anticipating her gift for ages.  She had big dreams of owning a mini moped scooter.  We told her if she saved $100, we would cover the rest.  So, she did.  She worked, she saved and she did it! The response was as bubbly as we expected.  

She zipped around and has been riding it daily.  Her little bro and sis are always hitching a ride.  It is a lot of fun!

Of course, there was cake

 

and ice cream and other gifts from family.  We also got a surprise visit from Gage,so that made for a fun night.

It was an all around fabulous day.  Katelee decided not to have a friend birthday party, but to spend an evening with her familia at a new rock climbing center for kids.  Funtopia has all sorts of walls and adventures to explore. 

 

The big kids had a blast.  Dave ended up taking Harrison to the park and gas station because we knew that harness and scaling up a wall 

was not going to happen for him.  Brenna at age 2 probably could have done it (without a harness), but it just didn't feel right for him!  After our hour time slot was expired, we went out to the birthday girl's favorite restaurant-California Pizza Kitchen.  

Katelee is extremely dramatic-hence her success in theatre school!  She is so smart, kind, helpful and very goofy.  She is always there when I need her and very creative.  We love her dearly!!

Dave traveled quite a bit at the beginning of the month.  I thought I would start off our dad-less weeks with a bang...or with some flames, at least!  

This...

resulted in ...

Yea, I tried to clean that batter out, but most of it got into the slots where the gas ignites.  When I turned on the cleaning cycle, the entire oven was flaming.  The door was locked, so I couldn't use the fire extinguisher.  Smoke was coming out the sides, back and knowing it was gas, I thought I better just call the fire dept.  While smoke was filling our main floor, every detector beeping, Harrison was just laying on the carpet watching tv with his hands over his ears.  I told Grant to grab Harrison and run to the Taylor's so we could call 911.  I turned off the cleaning cycle, got outside and Grant expressed concern for all his stuff.  He told me it has taken YEARS to get all those legos.  I told him I was so glad he grabbed his brother instead.  In a truly touching moment, he said, "I love him more than legos."  That's a lot!  The girls came home from theatre practice to the excitement.  The fire burned down, no firefighters needed.  We slept with smoky eyes, but we were safe!  phew!  Plus, Grant said as he was running with Harrison in his arms, he felt like a hero.  So, picture in slow motion Grant shielding Harrison from the terror as he dashed to safety.  That's pretty much how it went down in his head.  

Speaking of super heroes...

There is this tough dude.  He loves Captain "Murica." 

Apparently, he also loves Elsa... hey, she is a hero too!

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Now, we are to the end of the month.  March Madness is appropriately titled because I kind of feel like that's how our past 30 days have been!  We have been focusing on Easter for the past week.  We had a small egg hunt at grandma's last week when it was family dinner, went to the city egg "hunt" (which is just chaos, but they love it!), had a family devotional this morning, basket finding and a special day at church learning about our Savior.  Here are the peeps all ready for Easter service...

 Dave did a photo shoot with  them while I was at choir...I'm laughing at this one below because he was trying to be all professional cheesy photo staging, telling the big kids to look adoringly at the little people.  Of course, Grant couldn't do that.  I can only imagine what face Brenna is making.  

They bring me joy.  Pull my hair out, 'I don't know if I can hold it together some days' kind of happiness.  I am thankful they make me grow and want to be better, to access the grace of God and be magnified in my roles.  I am eternally grateful for our Savior and his miraculous, charitable life.  He gave himself willingly, He is perfect.  He loves unconditionally.  Because of Him, all things are possible.  

 His gospel gives me perspective and peace that can't be duplicated.  I hope my kids all come to know He is the world's true hero.