Simple Days

Things are slowing down around here and we don't have much scheduled each week beside scouts, dr. appointments, and mutual. It was pretty nice to enjoy a low key morning and afternoon with Ryder. He rolled himself up in his blanket this morning and couldn't get out for a while. It was pretty funny! Then this afternoon we played frisbee together outside. I'm so grateful for nice weather so we can get outside! It has been amazing.

Waterfalls

Brad told Kade all about our bike ride yesterday and Kade begged us to do it with him today. I'll admit, I was a bit sore, but we decided to do it again and I'm glad we did. We had a lot of fun family time. We were able to see 3 of the 5 waterfalls and there is a ton of water coming down them right now! They all look amazing. We met some nice people along our ride as well and one man told us it'd be worth the drive to Ryan Dam to see that waterfall this time of year. So after our bike ride we drove to the Dam which is only about 20 minutes from our house. It was beautiful! I love it there and I'm excited to explore more of the hiking trails they have there soon. There is also an island there that is closed right now, but will open in a few weeks. We will be going back soon!

Fridays

I love that Brad has Fridays off. It has become our date day and it is so much fun. Today he took me on our favorite bike ride from the trains to Crooked Falls. It was beautiful! And I was able to do it, which I was nervous about, but I'm so grateful that my body was capable.

Spring Photos, Ryder's Room

Ryder's favorite thing to do lately is to hang out and play in his bedroom. He loves to play blocks and jump on his bed. It's been really nice to have some fun one-on-one time with him. I know that will all change soon.

Kade and Tenley got their spring photos back today. They look so big and so adorable! I love them and I'm so excited to have them home all summer long soon!

A Backyard

I had a Dr. appointment early this morning right after I dropped the kids off at school. Things are going well. I actually scheduled an induction for May 18th! We'll see how I'm doing by then, but if all goes according to plan it will work out nicely with Brad's schedule to have the baby that day. I can't believe that's only about three weeks away!
After the appointment I took Ryder to Target as has become our tradition. He spent almost an hour in the toy section just playing with toys. He had a lot of fun. And I was just ready to come home and take a nap!

While I made dinner tonight all three kids played in the backyard together listening to music, kicking the soccer ball around, and throwing frisbees. I can't tell you how long I've been wanting a yard right off the kitchen so I could send the kids out to play while I make dinner and still be able to see them. And it's been forever since we have a yard safe enough (no rattlesnakes) and big enough (our yard in Indiana was tiny) to play in. It is heaven having this yard! And having kids that enjoy being back there and playing together. And finally having nice enough weather to enjoy it. It all made me so happy.

Piano

Kade and Tenley are prepping for their recital coming up next month! It will actually be on my due date. I hope I can be there! They've been working hard and I think they're going to do a great job. I really, really love their piano teacher and all that she is teaching them. They practice playing with other students, they play games with other students to learn more about composers and instruments. It's been so great! And she has a beautiful dog that Tenley loves to see.

Mondays

As much as I love the weekend, it gets me off track with good sleeping and eating habits so I'm always happy for Monday to start over and to try and be better again. But when school gets out in 5 weeks it will probably be hard to keep a good schedule! Especially with a newborn...but we'll do our best!

For a school project, Kade 'mailed' himself to his best friend Tanner in Lewiston. He wishes he was actually there, but it's still fun to connect with him this way.

Kade got a gold medal for his science project!

Brad gave us all a quick lesson on how to correctly brush your teeth. The kids needed a reminder. They loved practicing on Mr. Giggles!

Reverent Children

Brad spoke in Sacrament meeting today so I had all three kids to myself during that first hour of church. They were so good and so reverent. I was grateful. When Brad got up to speak Ryder went to sit by Kade and they watched Brad pretty intently for the first 5 minutes or so. It was really cute. Brad gave a great talk on teaching by the spirit. He's amazing!

Bike Rides

The weather is still beautiful so we took the kids out for a bike ride. It was so so nice to get out for a real bike ride by the river again. Ryder kept saying, "I love bike rides!" I feel the same way!
We started out at Giant Springs State Park and were initially going to have Tenley ride her own bike since she can ride without training wheels now, but after an incident we threw her in the stroller with Ryder instead. Apparently she isn't too good at working the breaks yet and if she hadn't run into Kade's back tire she would have ended up in the river! We were so happy that there wasn't a major crash and everyone was OK. We will have to work on using the bike breaks in the neighborhood with her and then try it by the river again another time.

Career Day, Unbirthdays

For the past two weeks Tenley's kindergarten grade has been hearing about different careers from the parents of the kids. Today was Brad's turn to come and present about his job as a dentist to all the kindergartners. Tenley stayed up in front with him to help with the presentation. They both did a great job and I think the kids all enjoyed it.

We also brought in ice cream sandwiches for Kade's class so he could celebrate his summer birthday. We even got to sing Happy Birthday to him. He loved it.

My Buddy

Today was a busy day. I had a Dr. appointment this morning and then this afternoon we all went to the hospital to check it out and to get me pre-admitted. Things are getting real! I'm not so sure I'm ready for this. Being in the hospital room made me nervous. I'm nervous about labor and hopeful it goes more smoothly than Ryder's. I'm nervous about finding a place for my other kids to be while Brad and I are at the hospital. And I'm nervous about possibly going into labor during Brad's work hours. But I know I just need to stop worrying. It will all work out!
The Dr. appointment went well and Ryder was so good. We drive by Target on our way home and he asked to stop. How do I say no to a request like that! We had fun getting a little snack and doing some shopping. I love hanging out with my little buddy! We played outside some more after lunch and I can't get enough of this beautiful weather. It's been so refreshing!

Playing Outside

After the kids got home from school and we finished homework and piano practice, we spent the rest of the afternoon outside. It was perfect weather! The kids rode bikes and colored with chalk and I had fun just watching them. I hope this weather is here to stay!

For young womens tonight the youth practiced their talents for the Ward Variety Show on Saturday. I'm so excited to watch them this weekend! They'll all do a great job.

The Mall

I'm beginning to realize that my days with just Ryder are numbered. Although I'm sure he's super excited to have a little buddy around, I know things will be very different and I'll miss these days with him in a way. Today I decided to take him to the mall for a fun little outing. He loves going up and down the escalator and running up and down the ramps. He also loves getting a bouncy ball and checking out all the toys. When we left I tried to convince him to go to Cafe Rio with me for lunch, but he just wanted to come home. He actually fell asleep in the car on the way back. I guess his body still needs some rest!

The kids were so cute at piano lessons today. They are practicing their songs for their recital which happens to be on Baby Luke's due date. Hopefully he'll already be here by then! 

Healthy Kids

Everyone seems to be doing so much better today! They still have little coughs, but they definitely have their energy back and are willing to go to school. Ryder was especially fun to play with today. He was back to his normal self, laughing and teasing with me. It was great to have him back!

Sunday Traditions

Tenley seems to be doing much better so she came to church with Kade and me. Brad and Ryder stayed home to rest, but they seem to be improving as well. Hopefully we can get this sickness behind us!
Somehow we've accrued a few Sunday traditions that the kids just can't do without. Brad always makes us a grilled ham, egg, and cheese sandwich (they call it grilled ham and squeeze) for lunch and then he makes us Italian sodas after that. I was going to try and make it today, but he was willing to do it for us still. He's a trooper. And it was all so yummy.
We've also been watching Music and the Spoken Word while we eat dinner. Kade loves the 'pretty music with the pretty videos'. And, of course, calling my parents on Facetime has been a great tradition for a while now. I love our Sundays.

Spring Weather

Today was such a beautiful day! I only wish we had a healthy enough family to get out and enjoy it. Brad and Ryder had a really rough night and Tenley is still feeling pretty sick as well. Otherwise, I'm sure we would have been out on a bike ride. It's no fun to see Brad so sick. I felt so bad for him.
Kade and I made it out to run a few errands. It was so nice to feel the warm sun! When we got back, we played in the backyard and Tenley and Ryder joined us. They played frisbee and jumped on the trampoline until dinner time. Then we made chocolate shakes for dessert. So it wasn't all that bad of a day.

Snowmen

Tenley wasn't feeling well enough to go to school and luckily she didn't beg me to let her go. I had a hair appointment this morning and I felt bad leaving Brad with two sick little kids, but he took good care of them. In fact when I got home they were outside enjoying the sunshine and they had built a snowman! I think the fresh air was good for them. The sun melted all the snow by the end of the day, so their snowman is now gone, but it was cute while it lasted!

I have the perfect little 'shelf'' for Ryder to sit on right now. It makes it pretty easy to carry him around!