Memorial Day Backyard Picnic

I really wanted to head up to the mountains for the day on Memorial Day, but Darren was having a hard time with the time/gas issue for one day.  So we stuck around here, watched a movie or two and then headed outside for a picnic and some smores.

Getting the fire started.  That's my job.  Darren hates the smell and smoke of a fire.  I love it!

And were off!  The smores were so yummy.  I traded the fire pit for pictures a little while back and had been itching to use it.  I'm sure when it cools down we'll get lots of use out of it.  After the smores were all eaten, Melissa headed to a movie with friends and the kids serenaded us with "Love Story" and "Eye of the Tiger."  BEST ENTERTAINMENT EVER!

Spring Season Baseball

We love baseball season around here.  Darren is super serious about it and therefore...so is his son.  Parker is pretty good.  He loves the game.  He loves the time his dad spends with him because of it.  We tried a different league this time around and although it was a busy season with games two nights a week it was such a great time.  We wrapped up the season before it got too hot.  The boys were supposed to rotate defensive positions but coach played him at first most games.  He loved it because of the opportunity to have the ball almost every play.  Once in a while he got to catch.  That picture up there brings back memories of his daddy in that same get up.  I'm sure we'll be spending many an afternoon or weekend at all my boy's baseball games.

Espee Park

Just before school got out Alexia's teacher, Mr. Cederstrom put together a little video for their class.  Each child had to submit 5 pictures of their child for the video.  She brought it home and showed it to us.  I watched with a sinking feeling.  The pictures of Alexia were taken at her piano recital, around our house, and on our lawn.  The pictures of the other kids were taken at Disneyland, on beaches, on cruises, at bounce houses, and a dozen other really fun places.  It made me look extremely boring.  That night I decided to do something about it.  I packed their swimsuits and some towels without telling them.  I loaded them all into the van and told them we were going to drive around looking for potential spot for photo shoots.  They all groaned but hopped in anyway.  We stopped at Little Cesar's for some $5 pizza's, called Daddy and told him where to meet us, and then I drove them all to the sprinkler park.  They all squealed with delight and I felt like a fabulous mom because it was Wednesday, just an ordinary day.  We all had so much fun.  

Yes!  I do feed him!  A LOT!

I love this picture of Alexia!

BOYS!  I swear...

Love that face!

I don't think she saw that one coming.

All tuckered out!

At least he's equal opportunity. =)

The sprinklers shut off every once in a while in order for the park to drain.  But it's no problem because all sorts of fun things are available on the other side of the park.  The kids loved this twirly thing and made a new friend in the process.

The happiness on their faces in this picture almost makes me giddy.

I love pictures of Darren with my babies.

Elijah made a little friend while we were there.

 

Even Aunt Melissa got in on the fun!

Famous Arizonan 4th Grade Project

Alexia had a big project due in May.  She had to choose a famous Arizonan, dress up like them, create a backdrop, and give a speech about them. 

She chose a woman named Isabella Greenway.  She was Arizona's first congresswoman and who used her rollerskates to get around the buildings in order to get some exercise because she couldn't use the men's gymnasium for members of congress.

Alexia's 4th grade class

It's Official...

...Aunt Melissa is here to stay!

Spencer thinks her phone is the bomb!

And we all think he's the bomb!  None of us can get enough of this little happy guy!

I'm adding this picture here just because.  I love these little boys.  They may not come in matchy cute frilly packages but they're mine for the keeping. If you look closely you can tell the jackets do not match the slacks.  These boys want to be just like daddy though so who am I to tell them to wear something else?  Love this picture of my three little handsome boys!

Easter Sunday

I love holidays.  I love the specialness of the day.  This one was extra special because not only was it Easter but it was Alexia's 10th birthday as well.  We started out with baskets for the kids and Grandma Stewart found matching outfits for the boys this year.  Seriously still cute even though they are boys.  It took me a while to pick up Alexia an Easter dress this year.  She's way too tall for the really pretty ones in the stores even though all of the girls her age can wear them.  I'd kind of decided to not even worry about it but in the end, she's my only girl and she should get an Easter dress, right?  I thought so.  :)

Apparently the candy was yummy....

I splurged and did Jelly Belly's this year, so even Darren thought the candy was yum!

We dyed some eggs.  This is one of my favorite things to do holiday wise and I almost forgot all about it this year.  I was in the midst of a photography rush (16 appts in April!) and so the eggs didn't get done until Easter day itself but they were colorful and delish in potato salad later that day.

Very tricky to get four of them smiling and looking in the same direction, but at least they're all in there.

Once Spencer found an egg with candy in it his hunt was over.  He found a comfy spot, plopped down, and proceeded to eat some jelly beans.

Not these three though.  They were on the hunt for the Golden Egg with $5 in it.  I remember my dad hiding one of these once.

And she found it!  The egg was actually a tiny green one and was hidden in the middle of the rose bushes.  They all were so excited about it!  We'll have to have a repeat next year. 

Hope it was a happy day for you all too! 

In the Meantime

I have lots to post from Easter weekend, but don't have the time right now.  I'm supposed to be in the shower getting ready for church.  But I do have a minute and wanted to post these.  I took Parker and his friend Carter out to do pictures for their upcoming baptisms.  These boys were so funny and silly and wanted me to stop taking their pictures already!  I have quite a few to wade through, but thought I'd post a couple. 

Double Digits

Alexia had a birthday today.  She turned the big One OH!  I can't believe it was ten years ago that she made me a mother.  Looking at this picture gets me all teary eyed.  Where did the time go?  She has become the most beautiful girl, inside and out.  We're so proud of her.

Because her birthday was also Easter this year we wanted to give her a day to celebrate all on her own.  I arranged with a friend to keep the boys while Darren and I took Lexi out to dinner on Saturday night.  We headed to Chilies and the three of us had a great time together.  I told the server that we were celebrating her birthday and after dinner out came a bunch of people ready to sing to her.  Alexia was terrified!  She's so much like her daddy that way.  Enjoy the video.  From the look on her face you would have thought they were giving her poo on a plate instead of a big brownie sundae! :)

 

Flashback

Since I'm on a roll with uploading video I thought I'd take you back to April two years ago.  Lijah was three and he really liked a song.   This is how she sang it.

This is how Elijah sang it.

Conference Report

I love conference weekend.  It's just so fabulous not having to go to church and being able to be spiritually fed anyway.  This year Darren and I took a very laid back approach to conference.  I didn't print off any pictures of prophets and attach to candy.  I didn't set up a tent.  I didn't print conference packets for the kids.  We just turned it on.  I put the baby down for a nap and then Darren and I sat down to watch.  The kids were amazing!  There were no whispers, no fights, they just sat and listened.  Parker took notes through the entire thing.  Lexi saw him and decided maybe she should too.  It was great.  

 At one point I had the loveseat all to my self.  Pretty soon Parker came over.  Next was Lijah.  Lexi soon looked up and realized there was just enough room for her to squeeze in.  So, with a full size couch and a lazy boy recliner and a room with pillows and plenty of floor space...this is how we watched conference:

Parker told me that he loved when the ladies speak because they talk to the kids.  Saturday we were able to watch without any problems.  Our internet connection went in and out on Sunday and we finally called my parents, asked them to put their phone on speaker right next to the tv and then put ours on speaker so we could listen.  Maybe next year we do the free month trial of cable. :)  I wanted a record of Parker's notes.  This boy amazes me with his capacity to understand spiritual matters.  He reads from the Bible and BOM every night.  He remembers his prayers.  He wants answers to some very seriously thought out questions.  He wants to wear a suit to church so that he looks like a missionary.  He can't wait to serve his mission.  He is a believer.

Confrence Talks By: Parker

Eleder Ucdorfif anountsments

tomas S. Monsen: Gathering together and anouns temples

L. tom Perry: The sacrifice and sakrment

jean A Stevens: espanpls from children

Walter F. Gonzalez: obedience gives blessings, go to temple

kent F. Richards: fiskel and spiritle pain, heald by power of god

Quentin l. cook: faith of women

Henry B. Eying: serveing othurs

Eleder Ucdorfif: sestaings

Robert W. Cantwell: telling what you want to know

Brook P. Hales: telling what you want to know

Boyd K. Paker: evryone shud hear the words of the scripers, call ourselfs lds not mormen

Elder elson: Keep caments

Richard J. Muynes: familes are importent, and we can be happy, you can learn at home, you can help our famile be strong

Cecil O Sanuelsunson: give your tesmony, say your prers, read skripshers, go to meadens

Dallin H. Oaks: desiers, haveing good piorides

M. Russll Ballard: The commandment, love, serving