SIX !

We didn't do a friend party this year.  We just did a small celebration.  Jared requested a volcano cake (easiest one I've done - less than 2 hours start to finish including baking time).  He wanted waffles for breakfast and pancakes for dinner.  He loved all his presents and got right to work on building his new toys.

We didn't his special outing yet - unfortunately we've had no time.  More on that later...

We're so glad to have Jared in our family.  He's just a pretty easy going kid.  He loves sweets, loves taking his time, loves doing artwork, playing t-ball, playing legos and pretend play with his brothers, says thoughtful prayers, and keeps us laughing with the things he says.  He's our most adventuresome kid - Jared is often the one to try new things (Nathan will push Jared on, and then if it's okay with Jared, it's okay for everyone!)

We love you Jared!

Utah trip

We drove to Utah the first weekend in May.  I snapped a few pictures as we came into Utah.  I had to take a picture of the billboard - Noah Hartsock is #34.  I went to high school with his older brother.    

We got there late Friday night, so Saturday was our "play day." The boys loved seeing their cousins. The kids played outside a lot.  Weston followed the cat around.  Alex and I took the opportunity to add another temple to our list - the Draper Temple.  (Family, thanks for watching the boys for us!)  We enjoyed spaghetti dinner, cheesecake, popcorn and a movie on Saturday night.  

And the main reason for our trip was for Emmy's blessing on Sunday.  Alison made her pretty dress - so talented!  I'm glad we got to be there for this special day, to hear the blessings the Lord has in store for Emmy.

Alison & Micah organized a big family dinner after church - good food and family.  Doesn't get much better than that!  Micah has a lot of family there, so I guess there were just too many people to take a group picture.  We got a few shots here and there.  Alex and Daniel were there too - we just never got a picture of them!  We did manage to get a picture of all the cousins on the couch.

It was a quick trip!  We had to leave at about 3:00am to make it back in time for Alex's afternoon meeting.  Luckily the boys were pretty good travelers.  

benefit of funerals

While the occasion is a somber one, funerals do have one benefit.  They provide an opportunity to see family and friends.  I got to meet my new niece Emmy (a week earlier than planned).  It was nice to spend time with all of my sisters as well.  We sang "The Old Rugged Cross" at my grandpa's funeral.  We weren't sure how we'd get through it, but it was much easier with the security and comfort that comes from singing with your siblings.  The funeral service was as good as it could be - a nice tribute to my grandpa's life.  We are grateful for MaryAnn and her strength in this trial.  We love you!  

I also got to tag along with my parents to visit our good friends and next door neighbors, the Jones.  My siblings and I spent half our time over at the Jones.  We had a fence connecting our backyards that was always open, so we'd come and go as we pleased.  (I don't think our moms knew exactly where we were or what we were doing most of the time...)  It was great fun.  Mike and I (and maybe Megan Jones was there too?) had a little wedding ceremony for Audrey and Darren.  We even made them kiss!  They must have been about 2 or 3 years old.

Anyway, it was good to see the Jones again.  Harold is battling cancer, but enduring well.  They have a very inspiring blog about their journey.  They are such a good example of staying faithful amidst whatever trials come along.  What a great family!  Whatever the outcome of this trial, they have been an inspiration to everyone around them.  It was fun to see these "old friends" together again.
 

no more crib

In April, Weston started putting his leg over the side of the crib, so that meant it was time to get out of the crib.  That's always been our cue to switch them out - as soon as the leg starts going over the side, they're done.  

Even though he's only about 21 months, we knew he could make the transition.  (Owen was out of the crib at about 18 months.)  He was pretty excited to have a bit more freedom.   We just pulled the mattress from the crib and put it on the floor.  Right now, he's scrunched in the corner between the end of Owen's bed and the wall.  He seems to like still having "walls" around him.  He does pretty well at night when it's dark and his brothers are all in bed too.  The afternoon nap is the challenge, since he's not confined in his crib "trap".  Lately, I've been driving to pick up Jared from school, because Weston falls asleep in the car and usually makes the transition to his bed.  Sometimes I can close the door to the room and he'll take a nap.  And sometimes he won't nap.    

Anyway, this is the 1st time we haven't had the crib up in about 8 years.  It was a little weird only having "big boys" in their beds and no babies in the crib!    

You'll notice that Weston likes to sleep with a baseball mitt - his new security item.  Too much baseball going on this year!

school stuff

We had the chance to peek at a few of the things Nathan and Jared were working on at school.  We also bought a cake at the cake auction.  We only got through about half of it - it was so rich with chocolate and peanut butter that we couldn't eat much of it.  We definitely picked the wrong cake.

April adventures

 For some reason, these ducks reminded me of my boys... they wouldn't stop "talking"!  

 

Is there anything wrong with this picture?  

Nope.

Spring Break with Aunt Jane

Aunt Jane came to visit us for our Spring Break.  We had a good time, although we're sorry that she had to put up with our rowdy travelers.  They wore us all out when we had to be in the car.  We had a small birthday celebration for Jane's recent birthday, went to the beach and local sites, out for ice cream a couple of times, Chinese food, sandwiches and fries at a beach front grill (with a sandbox for kids to play in), and trip to Ojai.  We hope the boys didn't wear you out too much Jane!