My Mother's Day

When Jeff and I were at the Temple recently the flowers were breathtaking. So for a special Mother's Day evening, I told everyone we were going to the Temple grounds to take pictures. I would just like to apologize in advance for the bazillion pictures which are about to follow. I really did try to narrow it down.

Lexie tried to help out with the photography- we'll work on that, I guess...

Okay- she redeemed herself on this one

The whole family- (what a bunch of wack-o's)

This one might end up our Christmas card- we rarely get a good one of everyone at once!

Dad and Lukie

Funny- our neighbors across the street had the exact same idea! (great minds think alike) It was fun to see them there too...

Payter was way too cute- I HAD to keep taking her picture. (It must be the dimples)

The Bishop and his family ALSO were there so they took a few for me-

Kobe took this one- I thought it turned out beautiful

Here's the girls!

Handsome Boys!

Lukie's turn!

So I am finally getting around to reporting on the OTHER April birthday we had. I am VERY excited to report that Lukie no longer keeps track of his age in months! YAY!!! He is officially a whole year old. Although I am a little sad to see my baby growing up so fast, I appreciate his efforts to not hurry everything too much- by that I am referring to the fact that he is not walking around yet and that makes him not quite a toddler yet, right?
For any of you who don't have the privilige of hanging out with my little guy on a regular basis, I just have to tell you what a sweetie pie he is! He has always been a very good natured baby (which has been an answer to his mommy's prayers) and is very entertained by all of the crazy action that usually fills our home. He is everybody's favorite sibling- and I always have volunteers for people to help out with feeding, playing, getting him up, ect...

Lukie's two favorite things to do are play with balls, and put shoes- ANY shoes- on his hands and walk them all over the house. He is becoming very vocal, although I am not sure I can single out any specific words other than mom and Da-


So, obviously for his b-day Lukie got some new sports balls. His favorite was the soccer ball and he batted it around all night. As seems to be the trend with 1 year old b-day presents in our house, presents are usually something that benefits more than just the b-day baby. (We have WAY enough baby toys around here already) So, the balls will come in handy for all sorts of things for all of the kids this summer.

Even though it was almost dark, the older kids insisted on breaking in the kickball in a good 'ole game of four-square. The cracks in the driveway are conveniently in four somewhat even sections. How convenient!!!

Thanks Lukie for requesting a box cake with sprinkles! It took a fraction of the time the other kids cakes take!!!

So Lukie, what was your favorite part of your birthday?

EATING CAKE!!!!

Easter

We had some fun Easter visitors this year! (besides the Easter Bunny) Jeff's parents were able to come up and stay for a couple of weeks. They split the time up between 3 different houses, but we got a chance to spend some fun time with them!
They got here the day after Lexie's B-day so we invited Greg and Christy and their girls to come for a little post-birthday get together. We decided to BBQ despite the cool weather, and even tried out the new fire pit. As you can see from the picture, it may be time to invest in some longer roaster sticks and some benches to replace the purple Fisher Price plastic chairs.

I have to smile whenever I look out the window and see how much attention the new swing set is getting. I am SO, SO glad we got it! The kids play on it non-stop. I am in the process of staining it right now. It is a bigger job than I realized!

On Easter Sunday we headed out to Melba. Jeff's cousin Robert came home from his mission and gave his report. It was fun to go and hear him speak. What a great guy he is! Then everyone went to Aunt Linda's for the rest of the day. They have a big house on a few acres. It is the perfect place for a big group to get together.

Here all the cousins were playing 'Monkey in the Middle'. I had to take the picture because Zack was cracking me up. He didn't quite get the jist of the game I guess- he just tackled whoever had the ball and wrestled them until they got rid of it.

Every year they have a big egg hunt in their huge yard with HUNDREDS of eggs. It takes awhile to hide them. I had to get creative occupying Zack so he didn't run out and get a head start. I was able to talk him into posing for a bunch of pictures. It worked for a few minutes.

Here is Payters- always happy to pose.

No one comes up short-handed in this hunt. When Kobe noticed Zack had more eggs than he did, he had a great idea that they should combine their eggs! What a good idea big brother!

This is all of my Mother-in-law's family- Jeff's grandparents in front, and the six children and their significant others in back.

Here's Lukie hunting for eggs. I must admit I really miss doing Easter on the desert. I've seen some other blog posts of fun desert trips that make me wish I could take my kids there. We had some good times rolling eggs down the hill, didn't we? I have come to realize however, that rolling eggs is only an Emery County thing. People have no idea what I am talking about when I mention that. Boise is definately different that way. No one knocks and runs on Valentines Day either.

Grandpa Mower and Great-Grandpa J

We did find some time to dye our own eggs and do a little back yard hunt and Easter-basket thing. We did it after we got home from Linda's and everyone was pretty pooped. I was very determined not to skip MY Easter plans though. (I don't care if you are tired, you WILL look for eggs!) I think my inlaws were definately worn out after that day.

Here I am giving my children MORE candy. It seems kind of dumb. But look how cute sugar makes them! Now if it could just make Payter sweet...

So, that is the end of my Easter stuff- I'm having to break all of my recent pics into different posts as to not be TOO long winded. More to come soon, I'm sure.

Happy Birthday Lexie!

April is another birthday month at our house! I think I am starting to get used to the fact that I will be having the "I'm getting older" shock twice every year. Of course I get it on my own birthday, and then I have it again on Lexie's birthday. I can't believe I have a 10 year old. Wierd. She is starting to get into more of the "older" kid things instead of the little girl things we were used to. She is even now in the older Activity Days group. Before I know it- she'll be in YW!

Since Lexie has the luxury of being the oldest kid of lots of siblings, she gets the opportunity to help out a lot. For the most part, she is a good sport. She is going to be an excellent babysitter someday. She loves little kids and babies and is very responsible when it comes to caring for them.

So- here is are few little things about the B-day girl!

• She is a great reader and LOVES to always have a book to sneak into!
• She is liking learning how to cook- and likes to help out making lunch on Saturdays by making a resturaunt- complete with menu and choices!
• She has a wonderful imagination and is ALWAYS in the process of writing a story in one of her many notebooks she keeps handy. She also got to be involved after school in a Writing Club where they made actual little books!
• She is progressing awesome in piano- mom loves to hear her play!
• She is still having tons of fun doing gymnastics
• She is a great help with her younger brothers and sisters
• She looks super cute in her new glasses
• She is so good at including all of her brothers and sisters when playing a game
• She is counting down the days until she can have her own room!

So I must admit that Lexie was a pretty good sport about her presents this year since it was very obvious that she didn't get her #1 choice. What she did get was a microscope, a scrapbook, a movie, and a webkinz puppy. What she really wanted was a hamster. She did her best to talk us into it- but Jeff is very firm on the NO PETS INSIDE thing. But just to show how persistence can pay off -to my utter surprise- Jeff has agreed to allow a hamster the next time she brings home straight A's!

Even years are family parties for our kids. I do my best to still make it a special day, but I appreciate not having the stress of a big party every year.

Lexie wanted a strawberry shortcake or a tiered wedding-type cake- she couldn't decide. So with the help and inspiration from my friend Polly, this is what we came up with. It may have been the yummiest yet! It had strawberries, and oreos, and this awesome frosting made from cool whip and pudding! Great request Lexie!!

Everyone had fun with her new microscope. It is pretty cool to look at the slides that came with. It is quite the different present from the Polly Pocket stuff we've always had in the past.
Well, sweet Lexie, you are such a special part of our family. We appreciate you so much and want the best for you always. You make Daddy and I so happy to be parents. We love you tons!

Happy Birthday!!!