Our Preschool Graduate

Monday after we got home from the cabin, Allie had her graduation ceremony. Since her class is so tiny they rescheduled it when we could be there. (Thanks!!!!) It was really cute hearing lots of fun songs the kids have learned throughout the year. Allie's favorite is Splish Splash I was Taking a Bath. It's darling!

I've got lots of great video, but really no pictures. Since Mom and Amy were here, I used Mom's camera for all the stills, but being the brilliant person I am, I never downloaded them. Some day...

Allie is super excited to be graduated, but when I told her she didn't have school for the summer, she broke down-even though we live only two doors down from the teacher and one student. We're doing swimming lessons with them and weekly picnic lunches at the park. We have weekly play dates with the other student, they're in the same primary class, and we're going to the summer movies with them. It just won't be the same.

Hanging Out at the Cabin

Just some random pictures of mostly the kids.
Jason and his cute tongue.
Kayla had lots of fun taking self portraits. Jason looks like he's trying to figure her out.

Good luck! She's hard to figure...

Like I said lots of self portraits. I could continue, but you probably don't need to see all 50 of them.

Roooaaarrrr!

I'm not sure what Amy had on the computer, but it must have been interesting.

Hard at work in their appropriate PJ's.

Jason was sooo tired, but for some reason he couldn't get comfortable in the arms of anybody playing a game. So Amy picked him up and laid him on Big Tyler. Jason just cuddled up and stayed there for at least 30 minutes without going to sleep or anything. He was just perfectly content.

Kayla really likes Jason, and Jason really likes Kayla. I kept getting after her to "Put him down. He's old enough to walk." But then I realized he kept coming up to her with arms outstretched to be picked up. They're such cute friends.

Allie and Tyler just love playing together. They get along really well (except for the occasional 4 year old moment). It is so fun seeing them together.

And everybody loves Papa. Poor Dad is in serious need of a total knee replacement. We were constantly having to remind the kids to watch out for Papa's knee. It was cute though to watch the kids reminding each other as the vacation progressed.

Another shot of Kayla and Jasers.

It was fun, but could I just make one request... Next time, lets move McCall a little closer to our house. If I'm going to drive all day, for multiple days, I'd like to at least get to see Mickey. I'm just saying.

Wrestling with Daddy/Uncle Nathan

There is just something magnetic about Nathan laying on the floor. The kids can't seem to help themselves. Jason, Allie, Tyler, and Kayla
HEEEELLLLPPPPP!

Get Him!!!

Why is it that even at 3 to 1, Daddy still wins?

If you notice, Jason hurried to safety on Grandma's lap when the real wrestling began.

Puzzle Time

I brought one of the great big Disney puzzles to work on. We had lots of fun putting it together with the kids. Nate, Ty, Mom, Allie, and I paused to pose for Kayla taking a picture.
Kayla snapped one of herself.

It was hard work-Ty needed a break.

Almost finished.

Done!!!

Nate and I

Even Jason wanted to help. He lost interest pretty quickly while assembling the puzzle, but he had a blast helping to tear it apart and put it away in the box.

Ice Skating

We went ice skating right after shooting. Nobody else wanted to come, but we went anyway, just the four of us. Kayla and Allie were sooooo excited to go, but it didn't end up being as fun as we thought it would be.
They have buckets to help people learn how to skate.
Allie needed help, and I tried my best.

Kayla didn't want to use the buckets, she was happy going it alone.

Look at her go!

Allie had a hard time staying upright even with the help of the buckets.

She liked running around outside the ice, more than on the ice.

After a few hard spills, Kayla decided to give the buckets another try.

Daddy took Allie for a big spin around the rink.

Somehow I missed getting some good shots of Nate. He sped around the rink. Considering how long its been since he's been on skates or rollerblades, it was very impressive.

We had fun, but I think before we spend the money at the rink again, we're going to have to practice with rollerblades. The girls are hoping to pull out the ones we found at the DI sometime this weekend. I think that can be arranged.

Target Practice

Actually no paper targets were used, but there were definitely guns being shot. Tyler brought some of his gun collection for everybody to use. After a great lesson on gun safety, Kayla was ready to go. They shot for a short time, but the snow just kept getting worse. Nate and Dad had a great time shooting some Dr. Pepper cans.

The next day, Allie and I decided to come along. Here she is with Daddy. There is just something weird about seeing my little girls with guns in their hands.

Amy-all ready to go.

Carefully taking her shot.

Cory helping Allie line up her target.

I took a turn at the shotgun. My arms are so short I can barely reach to hold and shoot the thing. I much prefer the 22 or handgun.

After taking a few shots, the girls were happy to just hand clay pigeons to the thrower for whoever was using the shotgun.

Cory taking his turn. Nate shooting Clay pigeons. He got the record-6 in a row...well
Nate was the record holder until Tyler took a turn. He hit 10 in a row, no problem. Considering his job, his and others safety could depend on the accuracy of his aim. So we're very grateful he's such a good shot.

As the shells would fly from the shotgun, sometimes they would land standing upright. It was driving Allie crazy. She just couldn't wait to knock them over. Cory and Daddy took a break to let her at them.

It was fun, and I know someday Nate would like to own a gun. But for now, with young kids, I'm good with just contributing to the cost of ammo. Thanks for sharing Tyler!

Spud Inn at McCall

We were able to spend a few days on "field trip" as Allie would say or vacation as known to the rest of us. My Dad is able to get the cabin through work. It is free, but we can only get it when the weather is too warm for snow mobiles and too cold for water sports. We're totally okay with that though since we just enjoy relaxing. It was a great chance to catch up with everybody. We went shooting, played board/card games, made flowers, went ice skating, got family pictures, and of course ate lots of great food.

Allie's Dream

During breakfast Saturday morning Allie started telling Nate about her dream. She dreamed she was at our wedding in the temple. She saw us getting married and Grandma and Grandpa were there too. She described a few things that sent chills down my arms and brought tears to my eyes. It is amazing how thin the veil can be at times, especially for the little ones.

Happy Mother's Day 2010

After a late night working in the yard, it was pushing it just to make it to church on time. But as soon as we got home from church, Kayla sent me to bed. She insisted I not come out until I was told I could. Surprise! I got breakfast in bed. Yummy pancakes and raspberries!
We relaxed and just enjoyed being together and not working. Then Nate insisted on making dinner without my help. He made me just sit and read a magazine-life is so tough. It was a simple yet delicious meal completely with, my favorite, beautiful yummy fruit.

Allie and I spent some time reading together. She's doing soooo good! I am continually amazed!

Saturday while I was at the Super Saturday, Nate and the girls sneakily made this darling stepping stone. I LOVE it! It looks so cute in my flower bed. Now I have a place to step for turning on my water. Yay!

Me and my girls

They also spoiled me with some fun books. One of them was a book about Mom. We had fun reading it together.

Thanks for the special day! I really loved it!

A special thanks for all the moms out there. You are fabulous!!!