Graduation

We had a fun time celebrating Kyle and Hailey today! We're so proud of them and all they accomplished and we're so grateful that we were able to be here and that Brad was able to hood Kyle. Such a fun day!

This dentist tie has been passed on to five dentists now!

Enjoying a movie together in recliners!

Safe Travels, Chicago, FaceTime

We had a long fun travel day today. We left Boise early in the morning, stopped in Sioux City, Iowa for lunch at Firehouse Subs, then made it to Chicago in time for dinner at Lou Malnatis which is always delicious. It was good to see more of the family gathered here for Kyle's graduation and it's crazy to think that just one year ago we were celebrating Brad's graduation! Time goes by so quickly!

We got to FaceTime our cute kids tonight and it was so good to see them! They look happy and are being well taken care of which makes me feel good.

Selfies with Kids

Brad and I are heading to Chicago tomorrow for Kyle's graduation. We are excited to be there for him! And Kade, Tenley, and Ryder get to party with their cousins in Boise. They're pretty excited. And even though I've been positive about it to them I'm really going to miss them like crazy! We don't often leave our kids because I don't really like to. I'd rather just all party together! But I know they'll be well taken care of. I'm so grateful for Jared and Angie for being willing to help out.

Before we left I took selfies with the kids because they're just so cute and I wanted fun pictures of them to look at while we're gone. I love them so much.

Bubbles

Today was a much better day! The weather was nice so we spent the afternoon in the backyard playing in the sand, blowing bubbles, and jumping on the tramp. I love my three little buddies!

Happy Memories

Most days as a stay at home mom are completely wonderful and fun and some days are anything but. It's rare that I have a hard day with my kids so I'm not sure what went wrong today. Ryder whined and cried all morning and even Kade was excited to leave and go to school this morning to get away from the whiny baby. Tenley must have been extra tired today because when something didn't go her way she would instantly cry, and Kade had a bad experience at a play date with his friend so he was in a sad mood when he got home. Those things along with a few other not so fun situations made for a crummy day. But I'm sitting here now remembering a really good day we had last week, making cupcakes and playing dancing games on the Wii. I'm going to do the best I can to make tomorrow more like that!

They love each other most of the time :)

Rainy Sundays

It rained all day today. But Sundays are the best day for rainy cool weather since we just like hanging out on the couch and watching scripture movies together. Brad had home teaching visits all afternoon and Ryder took a long nap so it was just Kade, Tenley, and me and it was great!

Reunions

I love it when the boys get back from a trip and we get to hear all their stories and see their pictures. Kade had a lot of fun fishing and caught two fish all on his own! They slept pretty well until 5 am when another camper decided to chop up some firewood so they decided to just get up then and do some more fishing. They both took a long nap after lunch, but we are happy to have them home!

We got out this evening as a family to walk along the river and throw rocks, one of our favorite family activities, then ordered take out to bring home to eat. 

Ryder was sporting a fluffy mo hawk today!

Surrounded by a bunch of rocks to throw = heaven.

Girl Days

Tenley and I had a lot of fun girl time today! She came with me to volunteer at Kade's school and she was a big helper! Then we went to the store to buy treats for us and for the boys and then we sent the boys off on their Fathers and Sons camp out and we headed to the mall! We had fun shopping and eating yummy Mexican food. Ryder was a trooper through it all! Then we ate treats and watched her favorite fairy movie as of today. I love girl time!

Andrea

My friend passed away yesterday from cancer. I was able to be her visiting teacher while we lived in Indiana. Her life was filled with trials (she fought cancer eight times and she lost her Dad and brothers to cancer) but she was always cheerful and kind regardless of what she was going through. She never let her battle with cancer hold her back from getting married, mothering children, and enjoying life. 

The loss of another beautiful person I've been privileged to know and whose life has touched mine for the better hurts. It brings back the pain of all the other losses I've experienced. I know there is life after death, I know they are all happy and in a better place, but the seemingly distant separation for an unknown amount of time is painful. And my heart hurts for Andrea's mother, husband, and children.

"Nevertheless the Lord seeth fit to chasten his people; yea, he trieth their patience and their faith. Nevertheless—whosoever putteth his trust in him the same shall be lifted up at the last day." Mosiah 23:21-22

Cookies

Wednesday nights are always a little more quiet because Brad is gone at scouts. Tonight the kids requested that we make cookies and they helped with a lot of it. It was fun and yummy!

Zumba, Waffles

Every week a bunch of girls from church get together twice a week and do Zumba together. I've been going once in a while but lately I think I may have caught the dancing bug! Tenley, Ryder and I went today and we had a blast dancing together. It's a lot of fun!

After Zumba we got to go out for waffles for my friend's birthday and it was delicious! It was a fun morning.

Simple Days

We had a lot of fun stuff going on today that I can't help but mention...

This morning Tenley and I went to craft day. She is never too excited about going out with other friends, especially when Kade isn't with us, but she's usually happy afterward. And she loved painting for the craft today!

We have a birds nest in our yard and the babies hatched a few days ago. They are finally flying around and it's fun to see them! One accidentally flew in the house today and Tenley thought it was pretty cool!

The rest of the afternoon was low-key. Kade and Ryder played the piano together for almost 20 minutes and it was really cute to see. Then during  family home evening Ryder put on a fun dancing show for us while we sang primary songs. 

Our kids sure bring a lot of joy into our lives!

Mother's Day

My husband and my kids made me feel so special today! They gave me sweet cards and gifts and had even made me my favorite treat, chocolate covered strawberries! 

It was so nice to be able to talk to my mom as well and I even caught my sister and her family! I'm so grateful for my mom and the wonderful family she and my dad raised. I miss them all like crazy and can't wait to see them soon.

And I'm so grateful for the wonderful kids that Brad and I are able to raise together. If we do half as good as job as our parents did with us then we'll be doing ok.