Talent Show

Brandon and Kenyon both participated in the Harmony School talent show again this year. They both played the piano as their talent.

Brandon played Do Re Mi- He did a great job and is becoming a good little pianist.





Kenyon played Were You Sleeping?- He is also becoming a great piano player. I am actually really surprised at how much he likes it.





The night of the Talent Show was a bit stressful, since Pete had a makeup baseball game he had to coach. We knew he would be cutting it close to get to the school on time to see the boys perform. As Kenyon's name kept getting closer to being called I nervously kept looking at the doors willing Pete to come through. Finally it was his turn and no Pete. I was sad, but went up front to video Kenyon, when I got back there was Pete sitting in the chair. He made it just as Kenyon started playing. Talk about cutting it close. I was so glad he made it.

Way to go boys! You did such a great job!

That's GREEK to me!

Brandon had his first year of EXCEL this year and he loved it! It was such a great experience for him and just gave him that much more to add to what he was already doing at school. This year the third grade emphasis in EXCEL was Greece. Everything that they did revolved around Greece. Greek architecture, Greek Gods, Greek food, the Olympics (which made him really interested in the Olympics in February), anything and everything Greece. He says he is a Greek expert and even wrote a paper on it in his regular classroom. Their culminating project for the year was a play that they did on April 28th. It was called "Queen Midas and the Golden Touch". Brandon was a behind the scenes guy. He did the smoke machine and also created some of the power point on the project. He was originally cast as one of the Gods, but decided he didn't want to get up in front of everyone and would be more comfortable behind the scenes. He did a great job and really enjoyed himself. It was a cute play and a fun night. Way to go Brandon!

Vancouver- Yes BC!!!

On April 16-18, we loaded our family in the van and headed to Vancouver, Canada. We went to Victoria three and a half years ago with my parents, but have never been to Vancouver. We decided to go because the church was having the Vancouver Temple open house for three weeks in April. We had only been back from Spring break for two weeks, but we knew it was an important opportunity for our kids to be able to go to a temple open house.

We stayed at a Motel 8 that had a pool with a big water slide. The kids thought that was great. We got there late on Friday night and of course the kids had to go on the slide, so they went to the pool and swam until about 10:30 pm. I am not one to usually let my kids stay up, but they had been in the car for so long and were just dying to check out the pool and slide.





On Saturday we went to the temple open house first thing. We got there at about 9:30 and we got right in. It wasn't very crowded, but it sure filled up fast after that and got a lot busier. The temple was gorgeous and the kids loved it. They especially loved the beautiful celestial room. We then headed to Stanley Park, but since it was pouring rain we didn't really get out or do much because it was just raining too hard. We went to downtown Vancouver and were disappointed to not see anything from the Olympics, but we did find a store selling Olympic stuff for pretty cheap. We loaded up and had a great time there and at a toy store that was super fun for the kids. We ate at a yummy restaurant called "The White Spot" and then headed back to the hotel, where the kids swam again until late at night.

On Sunday, we headed back to the temple for pictures, since the weather on Saturday had been so bad. It was gorgeous on Sunday. By this point Jaron had had enough and he did NOT want his picture taken. So, we only got a few of him. But, Pete was able to get some really beautiful pictures. He has turned into quite the photographer. After the temple we headed home. It was such a great weekend and one I am sure we will remember for a long time.























These raccoons were in a tree near the temple

Jaron's Bday

So, for Jaron's third birthday we decided to go out to dinner and bowling as a family. Jaron is all about balls, so we figured he would love bowling and boy did he ever! He had a hard time understanding why he had to wait for everyone to go before he got another turn, but he was very patient. It was such a fun time. All of the kids had so much fun. I am amazed at how good Brandon and Kenyon are getting at bowling. Before too long, they can probably bowl without the bumpers up.













For dinner we went to our favorite kid friendly restaurant, the Star Dust Diner. It was yummy and the kids love to eat the breakfasts there. Jaron had pancakes and eggs, his favorite breakfast. YUMMY!!!!

Then we came home and opened presents and had ice cream and cake. He got some fun additions to his GeoTracks, and home for his Zhu Zhu pet, books, a DVD, clothes and bedding for his new big boy bed. That's right! Jaron is finally out of his crib and in a big boy bed. He loves it and has transitioned really well. It was a great birthday and he had so much fun.

MY BABY IS THREE!!!!

Happy Birthday, Jaron! I can't believe it has been three years since I had a baby. Since I got pregnant with Brandon this is the longest I have ever gone without having a new baby. I never thought I would reach this point in my life. It is bitter sweet. Jaron was such an easy little guy. He slept through the night early. He took good naps. He rarely cried. He was just the perfect baby. I enjoyed him so much. As he has gotten closer to three, his little personality has really taken off. He is so much fun and I just love being his momma!

Jaron at three

• He has the best smile
• He loves balls
• He is all boy- he can take down both of his big brothers and wrestle them to the ground
• He has such darling freckles on his forehead
• He has a temper
• He is the most polite little boy I have ever seen. He says "Thank you" to everything.
• He is very scared of bugs (especially spiders) and the toilet
• He loves to read books and will spend hours reading to himself
• He plays by himself very well.
• He loves to watch his big brothers play ball, but can't wait until he's old enough to play with them
• He is a momma's boy if he is scared or wants some loving
• He is all about daddy when he wants to play ball or trucks
• He is such a little angel from heaven. I have always called him my angel baby.

Happy Birthday Jare-Bear!

What?! She's how old?

FIVE!!!! That's right, my baby girl turned five years old on April 6th. How can that be? I swear it was just yesterday that I was in the hospital with her. Time does fly especially when you are having fun and Shaylee is ALL fun! Here are some fun things about Shaylee at five.

• Shaylee loves skirts and dresses, for a few months she was all about pants, but has recently gone back to her first loves! :)
  
• She hates getting her hair done, but loves it when its all done and looking pretty
• She loves anything to do with princesses
• She loves preschool and her teacher Miss Michelle
• She loves dance
• She is a great eater
• She is very affectionate and loves to sit on mommy or daddy's lap and gives lots of hugs and kisses
• She can climb and reach anything. Nothing is out of her reach
• She can have a mega attitude.
• She can be the sweetest girl around.
• She loves to sing and makes up her own songs
• She "reads" to herself all the time even though she is just starting to really read. She makes up her own stories
• Her best friends are Hannah and Maddie
• She really enjoys having brothers.

On Sunday night, before we headed back home, my mom and dad gave Shaylee her birthday present from them. She got a Barbie that she LOVES, and a skirt, puzzle, and coloring book.






Shaylee with Grandma and Grandpa

Her birthday got off to a great start, but when the actual day hit... four of the six of us were sick with the stomach flu. It was the day after we got back from our Spring break trip and I woke up sick, Shay came in our room and had thrown up on her PJ's, I went to get Jaron out of bed and he had thrown up all over his crib, and then Brandon came home from school early that day and was sick. Needless to say we did nothing on her birthday. We let her open three presents because she was so sad, but we decided to celebrate the day after her birthday instead. We took her to McDonald's and got a happy meal. (This is a treat for our kids because they rarely get happy meals) Then we had cake and ice cream and opened up her presents. It was a fun day and I feel like it was a good birthday even though it started out rough.








Kenyon made her a purse! Sweet!




Her cute tutu!

On Saturday we had her birthday party. She invited nine friends and they were all able to come. It was a Fancy Nancy party and so all the girls were dressed in their very fanciest clothes and looked so cute. For their party favor, I made them each a headband with a flower. It was a fun party and all the girls had a great time. Shaylee was very happy and enjoyed herself a lot.










They played "Fancy, Fancy, Nancy"!




Daddy serenaded the girls!





The headbands! Those were a lot of work!

They had parfaits

Happy Birthday, Shaylee! We love you!