June 2018

What another fun month we had! June started out with Erika (Ryan's sister) coming out to visit us for a few days, by herself!! I can't say how much I enjoyed having girl talk and just hanging out with her. My kids loved all the 1 on 1 auntie time - it was a blast!! 

To start the visit, we made & decorated, and taste tested a churro cake. Not to shabby! 

 We made sure to hit up torchys tacos ... I think we made Erika a fan of that joint! We also went to Perry's Steakhouse for their famous pork chops & rocky road bread pudding.

 We hit up the Nature & Science museum and enjoyed walking around the exhibits there.

 The kids favorite part is always the activity kids zone. Griffin's favorite is the water section.

 We put up the big screen to do an outdoor movie for neighbors & ward memebers. We watched The Greatest Showman & everyone had a great time. My kids were excited that Aunt Erika was there to snuggle with on the blanket.

 This is what Griffin did a few minutes into the show. He was tired so he slept through most of it. Love this kid and all of his silliness!

On Saturday morning we went to Jaxson and Avery's swim meet. The meet is usually at least 4 hours long and when you only swim 3-5x for about a minute each, there is a lot of down time. We fill it with ipad time, snacks, and games. I think the kids are big fans of it all. 

 We also walked around the resevoir and stopped by the small nature center there. Jax & Erika put on the fish costumes and were very entertaining!

 The kids were finished school the 15th of June. Avery had her graduation day on the 14th. She has done so well and has grown so much in her reading this year - we are proud of you Avery Jo! She also worked so hard on behaving well in class... thats why we went to Disney back in April.

 Avery at her graduation program. Big smiles! Either because she is happy to graduate or because the two boys to her left are the cutest ones in her class in her opinion.

 Kindergarten celebration continued ... cupcakes at the field. Love these little humans and that I get to be their Momma!

 Jaxson had his last day of school the day after Avery. He has also worked so hard this year and we are proud of his efforts. He was in a special advanced class for reading & math all year and scored in the 99th percentile on his nation wide testing.

 Happy Father's Day to this amazing Dad right here! We love and appreciate all you do for us!

 This is how we found Avery sleeping one night. She lookes like she came straight out of an 80's exercise video.

At the Englad vs New Zealand rugby game. We went down on a Saturday afternoon and had a great time watching it. I haven't watched much rugby before so it was very entertaining for me. Hope we can watch more games in the future!

 Snuggling with Daddy before bedtime.

We have had 5 consecutive swim meets starting the beginning of June. It was long hours but we enjoyed it much more than last year. We had so much fun watching Avery & Jaxson progress and get better each week. Griffin loved the candy and playing the ipad with friends. 

 We had our last official swim meet yesterday. Bittersweet. The kids did great! We are skipping the prelims & championships and heading to Canada for a vacation. So this is our last week of practice and then we are done for the summer - yay! I think Jaxson wants to keep swimming during the off season, so we will enjoy this 1.5 month break before we are back at the pool.

May 2018

I just loved looking back at these pictures and remembering what a fun month May was for our family. We started out the month with a mardi gras pool party at a friends apartment. 

 Jaxson had a "wax musem" project at school this month. He researched a famous person (Albert Einstein) and pretended to be them as he gave a presentation about his life. He did such a good job! I am proud of his efforts at school and his desire to excel in academics.

 I felt very loved this Mother's Day. I am so grateful that I get to be a mom to 3 amazing children. They are each so different and special in their own ways and I love them to pieces!

 Avery wanted to make me breakfast, so I taught her how to make eggs & muffins.

 She is becoming quite the little chef and is loving all the baking practice she has been getting lately.

 Mother's Day before church. One child wouldn't cooperate ...

 So we snagged a picture after church

 My view from the dentist chair -he sat so well & quietly! The dental assistants couldn't stop raving over how sweet he was.

 Griffin loves to pick me the yellow flowers wherever we go and I think it is the cutest thing!

 "Momma, come up here so you can sit on my lap and ride down with me!" Melt my heart!

We did have to say goodbye to some of our closest friends this month as they moved to Utah. The kids were heartbroken but I am sure we will see them again. 

 I love it when my kids are getting along with each other ... even if it is ove the ipad.

 Griffin looking fly at school pickup

 Jaxson & Avery started swim team this month. Here is to the next 7 weeks of early mornings and lots of hours spent at the pool.

 Jaxson has been been practicing for the school play since January. He was a seagull in The Little Mermaid play and he did so great. It was fun watching him do something he excels at! The seagulls (4) were all goofy and energetic, so I definitly think he was casted for the correct part.

 One of his best buddies, Elodie, was one of Ursula's eels.

 I just love how kids are oblivious to messes. Jaxson and Avery ate grape popsicles outside and came in like this, having no idea about their faces. Hilarious!

 Hugs & back scratches from Daddy are the best!

 We went up to Estes Park this Memorial Day. We lucked out seeing so much wildlife and enjoyed hiking with the kids before the rain started to pour. This elk was right beside the road - how cool!

 Hiking around bear lake.

 Avery found a "walking stick."

 We hiked up to Alberta falls too - so pretty!

 I love moments like this - I feel so blessed!

 Love this crazy, silly family of mine.

 Jaxson has been on a rainbow loom terror lately - he has been pumping out bracelets left & right. He made me a rainbow one and it made my child heart skip a beat :)

 Early morning swim practice from 6:30-7:30 and school starts at 8.

 Jaxson had field day at school this past week and had a blast!

 Avery's first official swim meet. She was a bit nervous but did great and swam her races! So proud of her. Glad the bribes of ice cream helped her to get in that water and try!

 Just a minion dinosaur I found before church. Silly boy, we love you!