Bryson's Preschool Graduation

Our primary president has a fabulous preschool and she was such a great teacher to Bryson. He still loves and tells me what "Ms. Cheri" says...for it is law. It was great to get to know some other kids in the ward and to appreciate the super creative brains of Cheri and Sally. Sally helped Cheri for most of the days and what a team they were. Bryson loves bugs more than ever after a year in "Cute as a Bug Preschool".

Hiking in May

We haven't really found the chance to take the kids on many new hikes, but we have enjoyed the small hikes we do take. It is fun to see the kids make it up to the top and then witness the burst of energy and self-accomplishment they seem to feel as we enjoy the view. Brian has been teaching them the name of the mountain ranges we can see and we hope to hike some of all of them in the next year. It's fun to be outdoors and do "hard" and fun things with them.

Harley Ride with Aunt Joan

Aunt Joan came over one Saturday and the kids LOVED to see her and were quick to accept a ride on her Harley Motorcycle. We love her so much and it is always such a humble reminder to love others the way she loves my kids. It is amazing how they respond to her and can feel of her genuine love. It is such a special blessing to be a part of her family.

Olivia's Piano Recital

Olivia had a piano recital with Aunt Diane and her students. It was at a recital hall and Olivia was able to sit on the elevated stage. She didn't look nervous at all. This was her very first recital and we lOVED it. She played "The Entertainer" and "The Skater's Waltz." I was so proud of her!

T-Ball for Ellie and Bryson

Ellie played on the Little Leage T-Ball Team. It was unfortunate that the softball and baseball practice and game times were so conflicting with locations so far apart. It meant that Olivia was unable to play so Ellie and Bryson could both play. It was super fun to see them on the same team and I so appreciated Olivia showing such genuine kindness. It made our family stronger to have her sacrifice for her siblings. I love that girl.

Ellie proved to be every bit as happy, go lucky in T-Ball again this year. She has the wind up of a pitcher...but without force...any force. One would think that the ball would go flying far and fast as it comes sputtering out of her hands. Anyway, she is fun to watch. Even her step when she hits is exaggerated. :)

This was Bryson's first season. I was surprised what a space cadet he was in the field. He could often be seen turning circles and talking to himself while in the outfield. Many times he raced and battled a teammate for the stop. He also seemed quite the natural at talking trash to the other team's baserunner. It was so funny. He is a little clown as well apparently. Twice in one game he decided to do a summer sault into home base...with his helmet on. :) Might as well make it exciting since everyon gets to bat and all.

Fiesta de Maio with Friends

We had a Fiesta de Maio at our house with some of our friends that we have known since high school. It is amazing how many children there are when we all get together. We should have taken a photo of all them together...but we didn't. Bryson was in rare form that night and would run and jump-attack the pinata. It was short and fun to see everyone. It's so hard to get together with all of our different schedules. I especially enjoyed visiting with Colleen Wheeler. I haven't seen her forever. Alisha, Ariane, Sara and I all agreed to have a girls' dinner later. I love those girls.

Disneyland Trip in April

We did the Disney "Give a day, get a day" and decided to make a whirlwind trip and soak soak up Disneyland in one day...a Tuesday in April. Derek and Nicole kept Talon for us...which was such a blessing as we would live in constant fear that he may wiggle away without us quick enough to get him :). We left on Monday morning and planned to just swim and hang out at the hotel when we got there. Spencer and Alisha forgot their tickets here at home and we brought them up. They were to expire the next day and because they were forced to buy more tickets, Brian and the three older kids went to California adventure for the evening on Monday while I went swimming with Mason and let him dictate what we did (unfortunately he threw a little potty accident in the mix and had a hard time getting past that, so the first few hours were the best and the last few hours a bit sad :)). Anyhow, the kids had fun and came home soaking wet with Brian. Brian then spent time getting us some LATE dinner and we finally ate and got the kiddos in bed hoping that they'd wake up excited to run at it the next day...all day. The next day we got them up and going and hurried breakfast down them as we checked out of the hotel and walked on over to Disneyland. We met up with Spencer and Alisha and had a super fun time spending the morning with them as we ran back and forth getting fast passes and such. We were able to get Mason on Splash Mountain without getthing his height measured. We weren't sure if he were tall enough...which we found out later he wasn't at all (not even with his hat. We did however managae to get a great family picture coming down Splash Mountain and he didn't really know what he was missing with the Space Mountain ride he was turned away from.

Brian somehow managed to drive us home after we spent time looking for a souvenir, taking sponge baths at McDonalds and eating McDonalds food. We rolled in at 4 AM exhuasted and happy to have had a super fun day together. I love to be with our family!