Kid Update!!

Are lives have been pretty busy, especially just before school let out.  Here are a few things the kids have been up to recently.  On the last day of school both of the boys received an academic award for the school year, so they were very excited about receiving their certificates and Burger King coupons.  Ben also participated in the school talent show and played a piano solo he has been working on the past few weeks.  He looked stunning in his little suit, playing for all the students.

 Here is the first Pinewood Derby Car for our little family.  Luke and Ben had a great time making it together, and learned a lot in the process.

 Alec did a great job in the Kindergarten Graduation Program.  He loves to sing, and was really excited for this big event.  He also just finished off the soccer season, and had a blast playing.  Turns out he is a good little soccer player, and thanks to lots of hours playing with his older brother in the back yard, he had a really successful season.

 Congrats to Ty, he is finally tall enough this summer to ride our training wheel bike.  He likes be big like his brothers, but still struggles a little to keep his feet on the petals.  He'll have it down before summers over, especially since bike riding is the new favorite thing around here.

Our baby girl is now a big girl in her twin bed!!  She turns 2 already this Friday so we thought we'd give the big bed a try for awhile and give the crib a break before our new little BOY comes this fall.  She has been in it for about a week now, and is doing awesome!!  No tears, only caught her out of bed twice and after putting her back in she stays.  I love that she still calls for me to come get her when she wakes up in the morning and after nap.

The Start of Paramount Eye Care

April 27, 2012:  We finally have the start to our new business.  The long awaited ground breaking arrived with much anticipation.  

 May 10, 2012:  Pouring the cement slab, another big step in the building process.  The kids had fun putting their hand prints outside of Luke's office door.  Now every time we check on the building Violet finds the hand prints and puts her hand in each one until she gets to one that fits and then gets all excited talking gibberish and pointing to herself.

May 15, 2012:  The framing is well under way.  It was fun to see how fast the building started to look like something, and in no time at all we were seeing the plans take shape.

 The kids love going to the new construction site, not only to climb the dirt mounds that are still there, but they love exploring the area.  Ben is especially full of questions, and is the one that is always asking to go, and he wants to go to see the men working.

 May 21, 2012:  Framing is almost completed.  We can now walk through rooms and the outside is taking on more of its future form.  Now we are hoping that all the dimensions we chose will really be the right size, it is hard to tell with just the frames up.  We have made a few minor changes and will hopefully not have to make very  many more.

 May 29, 2012:  Windows are in, and doors followed shortly after.  Ironically it all happened just before a big wind storm came, so everything was nice and protected.

Ben's Baptism

Ben's Baptism was such a great experience. I don't know that I was fully prepared for how strong the spirit was. It was a really neat experience both for Ben and us as parents. We had lots of family support for this event, which was a fun surprise. I can hardly believe that Ben is old enough to take this step, but it was fun to see him excited and ready for the event. He invited his school teacher who he really admires, so it was fun to have her share in this special moment. I love this picture of Luke and Ben in their suits. Ben looks so big and handsome, and seeing the boys I love looking so sharp and can't even begin to understand how blessed I truly am.
England cousins dressed up for Easter Sunday.
Megan was glad to have one other girl to get dressed up with. She basically got Violet ready for me. Two girls with no sisters.
Ben's Grandma (Luke's Mom) makes blankets for all of her grandkids when they get baptized. She is currently on a temple mission in Washington DC, but she still managed to get one done for Ben and all the cousins his age. She is amazing, and Ben loves his new blanket along with the rest of the crazy bunch at my house.

Easter Baskets!!

BEN

ALEC

TY

VIOLET

The Easter Bunny hides all the baskets on Easter morning, so we had lots of searching and smiles.

Coloring Easter Eggs!!

We had a fun time coloring eggs this year with cousins. We learned that plastic containers that come with the kits are never a good idea. Lots of eggs, lots of fun!!

My sister and her family came to visit this Easter and to attend Ben's Baptism, we had a lot of fun.

Violet thought cracking/squeezing the eggs was just as fun as coloring them.

Trevin and Ben had fun making boats and sailor hats for their colored eggs, they were very creative.

We had an egg coloring contest, and everyone picked their favorite egg to enter. The babies were the judges, it was pretty fun.

First Day of School

The first day of school is always an exciting time. It is different having 2 kids in Elementary now, and it has been fun watching them get excited for a new year. Ben is very excited about being the 2nd grade and is thrilled with his new teacher because she gives play money for good behavior and you get to use it every Friday at her store. Rewards work great for him. Alec is my big afternoon Kindergartener and is learning how to make new friends. My sweet sensitive boy feels a little overwhelmed sometimes, but overall is doing great. Ty started his preschool playgroup today for his first day. He gets to go once a week with some friends rotating to different houses where the mothers take turn teaching. I think he was most excited to finally get to be in school. Hetakes it very seriously and had a great time today. He was a little disturbed when he got home to find that his brothers had still not returned home, but I think overall he is going to love this year with friends. I really love the fall time, and with it all the new beginnings you get to share with your kids.

Family Break-Lake Cascade

We got to sneak away for a little break with our kids before school started. We had a lot of fun playing in Lake Cascade, making sand castles, fishing, and relaxing. We have so much fun with our kids, especially in such a pretty place.