Memorial Day

We celebrated with themed food of course! We had fun decorating our flag jello cake. Of course, as we got ready to eat it I had the grand idea of being very patriotic and singing the national anthem. So, we all started to sing as I started to cut--even Ella seemed to coo in a special sort of way. Angie, Sunny, and Logan even stood up and put their hands on their hearts. Just as my heart was beginning to swell with patriotic pride, I looked down at our "flag" and realized that it had been chopped up. Well, it's the thought that counts right?
Here's what it would have looked like if we had hung it up--but we really couldn't do that because, yeah, it's a cake. Okay, so I forgot to switch this pic before I downloaded it, but you get the general idea.

We also went on a hike that morning to a great place near our house called Usery Park. It's a reserve that has several nice hikes in it, as well as some parks and restrooms. Very family friendly and, yes, it has helped us to enjoy the "beauty of the desert." When Jack and I first moved to this area from Flagstaff a hundred or so years ago, we swore we would never hike here--we were still mourning the loss of the pine trees and aspen I suppose. But we have really learned that it IS beautiful here, and our children really love to point out all the plants and wildlife that we see when we get out.

Ella had a great time in her little carrier. Thanks Heidi and Ryan!
Watching the desert blossom as a rose...or a cactus blossom.
Yes, even Caspian got to go--he had such a great time and now he loves to go in the car because he thinks he is going on another hike I guess. This wanting to get in the car works out well because he is such a little stinker and runs out the front door some times. If we are leaving this is very annoying, but now we can just open the door and lure him in, thinking that he is actually going somewhere fun. Then, as he trustingly and happily jumps into the car, we grab him and put him back in the house. But I digress...back to the hike. Trucking along....
What conquerers!

Happy Memorial Day--let's all remember those that "died to make men free."

Friday Family Fun Night

Sometimes on Friday nights when the weather is really nice like it is now we like to travel around our neighborhood--the kids on scooters and Mom and Dad on roller blades and Ella in her stroller. This time we used Trevor and Jennie's double stroller--so nice and light! It is a great activity because it is really tons of fun (Yeah, we probably look a little dorky, but oh well.) and the kids are all pooped and ready for bed when we get home. So Mom and Dad can still watch a movie for their own date night after they are all asleep!
Ready to go--don't you love how TINY Ella looks???
The kids decided to take and give a few rides around our cul de sac when we got back.

Raelyn's Birthday Party

So we had a very nice time Saturday evening hanging out at Trevor and Jennie'e apartment pool and celebrating with little two-year-old Raelyn. We realized that this will be our last pool party with Trevor and Jennie though--at least at this spot. They will be leaving in September-sniff, sniff!

Here's Logan, Ella and I getting wet--Ella wasn't quite sure about the pool thing for about five minutes--then she really liked it a lot. She never cried or anything though at the beginning--she just did this clinging thing to me that I must admit I LOVED--I remember Logan doing the same thing when I took HIM to the pool for the first time! Ahhhh..memories..like the corner..yeah, you fill in the rest....
Angie giving some free swimming lessons
Here's Daddy teaching Ella how to get the hang of it.
But Uncle Jacob took the cake in baby swim techniques--hello! She's already doing the floating star! We must admit he had the magic touch!
All the little fishies before the swim--oh how we miss you Dallin and Bryant!!!

Isn't this cute of Jennie and Rae--I love how they are almost mirrors of each other!
Here's Ella dawning her new suit.

Sunny has a cute new suit as well and some new goggles--she really has come so far with swimming. Last summer she was on the swim team and she worked SO hard to get across the pool. Now Angie, Sunny and Logan will all be on team this summer--it is such a great way to keep active and cool!

Well, we had a great time--if you want to see a few more pics of this event, check out Trevor and Jennie's link. Yeah for swimming and the beginnings of SUMMER!

Happy Late Mother's Day!!

I hope everyone had a fabulous Mother's Day! I first wanted to say how grateful I am for my own mom. She is such a great example to me of selfless service, and she has always made me feel unconditionally loved. I love you Mom!

I also thought since it was recently Mother's Day I should take some time to talk about my own kiddos and brag a little about them--oh wait, I pretty much do that every post don't I??? Well, I guess I better lay it on thick to make sure this feels different and special.


First of all, Angie has brought me so much joy. She is such a caring person--she loves all people and all animals--I am so proud of what a good friend she is. (Yes, that's a real bird, and no, she didn't get sick or anything. :))
She is very creative and a hard worker. She also has a great talent for the piano and is getting really good at it.



She is great with small children and always takes the time to help out--what a special gal!

Then there's Sunny--she also brings me so much joy--she is her own person 100% of the time--that is for sure!

She is also a very talented performer--she loves to sing, act, and dance, and her piano skills are really coming along. Looks like she is passing it on!

I love to watch her sewing or creating something--she is so intent and focused. What a blessing she is to our family!

Then comes Logan--I have so enjoyed watching him take on this new role of "Big Brother." I love to hear him say to Ella, "Don't worry, Big Brother will help you!" I know he will continue to say that for many years to come.

He is definitely "All Boy," but he also is a champion cuddler, and he still likes good night songs and kisses. I love my boy!

Last but not least is our sweet baby Ella. She is such a smart, sweet, girl, and she knows what she wants--in this case to hold hands with cute Jerron!

She loves people and learning anything new--she is very curious and determined. Sometimes she just cracks us up! Oh, and she is obviously super cool! We really love our little girl, and what a blessing for me to be a mom of a baby. We will always be eternally grateful to Ella's birthmom who gave the ultimate sacrifice of love. She is truly a mother in every sense of the word.


Yeah for mom's everywhere! As Sheri Dew says, "Are we not all MOTHERS?" Hope everyone had a great Mother's Day!!!

Our Star Daughter

Angie is doing a science project on starfish and she is supposed to document her work with pictures--so you lucky people get to see her in the process as well! We started this weekend working on making the starfish model, which we will later perfect and finish. So, this will be like a continous post, just like a movie sequel--maybe even two!

In the beginning....
Mad scientists?

The art of the perfect rip...

Grandma and Grandpa Visiting

We had a great time with my parents coming to visit this weekend. Mom even made a yummy dinner on Sunday and spoiled me by helping out in so many ways. No matter how old we get, it is always nice to have Mommy come home!

Here's Mom and Lyle with Ella as well--she was snoozing away when we took the last picture.
This is just a cute one of Logan reading to Ella--such a pair of literary scholars!

Bumbo FUN!

Thanks for the Bumbo Aunt Jenny! I love feeling so tall and seeing the world in a new way!

I am VERY pleased with myself in this thing!

But I still like to relax for a good toe sucking break every once in a while...


It's so tastey....

And always brings a smile to my face!