"Mom, I'm drinking Grandpa A style!"

Thanks Dad;)

That is a lawn chair on two skate boards and a scooter, tied to a bike. Helmets for safety!

American Girl Place

Cara had an American Girl Craft and Shopping Party!
We had so much fun.

Girls lining up for the Silly Bandz at our American Girl Store. Instead of a goodie bag, we gave them play money and let them shop for the party favors they wanted.

Cara and Emerson decorated the store earlier that day.

Shawn was the cashier. Ryan was the bagger. We had red bags with American Girl Stickers on them. I wish I snapped a picture of those, they turned out so cute.

All the girls lining up to enter the American Girl Store. The girls made those adorable head bands and matching ones for their dolls. They also dipped cake balls in Pink and White Chocolate, decorated bookmarks and cups. Then they had dinner with "mini" food and regular size: Chicken nuggets, oreos, pretzels, water melon, and M&Ms. Yep, that was dinner:)

It's great to be 8!

Ryan is 6!!!!!!

I love Cara's face as Ryan blows his candles:)

Anything for this smile!

Lazer Kraze!

Baseball Cake
I thought I got off easy with a baseball cake request. Then when Ryan saw the final product he ran to the garage, retreived his baseball and promptly showed me the missing MLB logo.
We did our best to add it.

Bring Your Child To Work.

Kim's beautiful, yummy spread!Rachael and Kathleen

Laura, Cindi and Emily

Motherhood Retreat- May

My dear friend Kim and I planned a Motherhood Retreat and pulled it off in May. It was wonderful! I say "we" pulled it off, very loosely. For some reason I was so scatter brained that whole week. I made lists, tried to get everything together, and still forgot almost everything I was responsible for which left me scrambling. Kim held up her end and more of the coordinating. The hardest to recover from, was leaving my talk on the desk at home. It wasn't grand, but was to be the kick off for the weekend. I just winged it and the most I can say is, I made everyone else comfortable that they didn't have to compete with me:)
You all know I'm no perfectionist, but I try to live up to my nick name, "Dependable Jen."
No such luck that weekend. However, the ladies who came were so inspiring and each so unique that I left feeling filled, loved and excited to try again next year. Also, with 9 new and closer friends!

Kim, Vickie, and Amy listening to Cindi

The Ladies

On to June

According to my blog, May was too busy to blog. I could go back and recap, but I've decided to move on.

We had a wonderful month of May. We're all alive, healthy, excited for June birthdays and last day of school, last soccer game. . . and that is just this week.

My to do list for the last two days of school does not include blogging, but I promise to get pictures up soon, Grandmas. I am very excited to be home with the kids an want to be prepared from day 1!

Here is a run down of our summer goals we made tonight:(just as they're written)

Shawn

1. Finish the list (experiments our 13 year old neighbor wants to do this summer. Shawn plans on participating as much as said friend will allow!) They've made a CO2 gun thus far.

2. Read the whole Bible (an older children's story version)

3. Fill 3 Library reading charts

4. Be a better pitcher

5.Get the Super Acheiver Badge

6. Listen to Mom like Simon Says*

Cara

1.Phisycal Goal: Learn to kick the soccer ball hard for a goal

2. Social Goal: Forgive Friends Fast!

3. Spiritual Goal: Read the whole D&C(reader)

4.Educationul Goal: better time for Math Minutes

5. Listen to Mom like Simon Says*

Extra Goal:(in cursive) Write in cursive all summer long!

Ryan

Learn Baseball

Fill a sheet for Library

Read scriptures every day

Be nice and careful (we had multiple accidents at the expense of his friends today- not a comfortable thing when you have a friend the size of Ryan)

Listen to Mom like Simon Says*

*We played Simon Says for Family Night tonight. I was beginning to wonder if they were waiting for me to say those magic words in order for them to listen to me. We all agreed listening to mom is much more important than listening to Simon:)

We are proud of the kids for making these goals. The only forced one was Simon Says. The rest they came up with on their own. Good luck guys! We can do it!

My mom!

I have a monopoly of good women in my family! This little baby girl is my mom. Isn't she cute?

She turned out to be the most selfless, compassionate, hard working, concerned, vigilant, diligent women I know. Thanks for being mine!

Happy Mothers Day!

FHE agenda

This is just the first page. As she was getting ready for bed Cara said, "That was a good Family Home Evening plan, huh?"
Yep!

Grandma and Shawn rode bikes to the used book store to find a book for the school book club. 39 clues. He's obsessed now. Grandma decided to walk on a hill and she said, "It's been a long time since I've ridden a bike." Shawn replied, "You're not to bad, Grandma."

The neghborhood pick up football game. I didn't notice until Nate told me that they play tackle football! Luckily, Shawn is pretty strong. Who wouldn't be with a brother who watches from the patio chair, yelling as loud as he can, "S-H-A-W-N!!?"

Ripley's Aquarium

After a hike in the mountains we treated the kids to the overpriced Aquarium. Is there any other type?
Shawn was in heaven!
He spent at least 30 minutes picking up the horseshoe crabs. We used to find these shells on the beach in Milford all the time.

Dad tries to follow tradition and feed his second son to the Sharks!

This girl enjoys these places right along with her brothers. She's learned to enjoy their adventures in her own feminine way:)

The whole draw to the aquarium, the saw shark!

Smoky Mountain National Park

Who doesn't love a good rushing river?

3rd annual Spring Break with G&G

Gatlinburg, TN paled in comparison to Washington DC and Kirtland, Ohio.
We started out big with this tradition of my parents joining us for Spring Break.
We enjoyed our time together in a great cabin and the best company!
Hillbilly Golf was the pace we were looking for. Not so touristy, but fun and different!

The tram took us backward up the steep hill, then we golfed back down.

Easter

Beautiful weather, General Conference and Spring Break. The perfect way to celebrate the resurection of our Savior.
We love Him and what his life means to us. Having these 3 healthy, happy children makes us so grateful for our Father in Heavens' Plan to return with him someday. Nate and I can see a glimpse of the love he has for us and why he wants to reward us with a perfect body and a perfect life after all we've been through here!
Happy Easter!

Favorite Home decorations

Nate's mom made this quilt. Isn't she talented? Its just what our wall needed..a little Love at Home. Thanks Grandma!

This is the ledge over our entry way. I bought this ladder from a cute little etcy store in town. I loved it and when I went back to buy it with money my grandparents sent for my birthday I had to call and share the news with them. My grandpa answered, Grandma was getting her hair done, so I had a few moments with just him and it was the best conversation I've had with him in a long time. One of those moments when the stars are all aligned. I miss them and this ladder will always remind me of how well he knew me, my kids, and the love we all have for each other. He is one of the best examples that writing memories down makes them last, even when we can't remember them!

Shawn earned his Arrow of Light- He should be pinning Nate, not me. They have worked so hard on this.

Pirate Ryan!

Cara had a scarf making party with 2 friends. She brought me invitations all made up and then said, "Mom, can I have a party on Monday?" It was Presidents Day. This is not an uncommon ocurrance, but me saying "yes" is a change:). She is sending the scarves to children in Pakistan.

What have we been up to?

This....
Ryan trying to make it to play with Miles.

The kids built snow forts, some with tunnels, some with their own rooms. We had great use out of our snow clothes this year! For me, I'm so glad it is finally melted and the sun has been shining for 4 days!!! We can even see the buds forming on tree limbs. I'm puttin up my "Welcome Spring" sign today!