Shocking

Trevor has a really cool scout leader. Tonight they got to go to an arena football game for scouts. Front Row. And Grant got to tag along. Next month, they are going to go boating. They kind of remind me of the movie, "Troop Beverly Hills." This would be my kind of scouting!

Time Out

Who knew that a dog could be put in a corner? Well, as long as there is a light in said corner, this dog would want to stay there forever.

Wednesday Nights At Our House

Wednesdays at our house are busy. So, Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays are too. Well, and some Sundays--but who's counting? This particular one went like this:
Grant had a meeting, so he was gone. Ben rode his bike down to the church, but I still had to get Trevor to scouts. The girls and I went over to the playground to get some wiggles out. While there, Grant was helping *2 kids* at the church and he let them use his phone. So the girls and them texted pictures back and forth. After the park, we went over to the church and hung out with them while we waited for the boys. After we were done, the kids and I packed everything up and headed home. And it was a good night because Grant got to come home early!

Happy Birthday!

The coolest guy in the whole world's Birthday is today. I think this guy is pretty awesome. He is perfect for me. He balances me out when I start getting too worked up about things. He is a great dad and spends a lot of time with the kids. He is smart and thinks outside the box. He is pretty handy and can fix most anything. He is my favorite person to hang out with and I love how he knows me better than I think I know myself! 

For his Birthday we tried to go on a hike, but it was way too hot, so we only made it about 10 minutes before we decided to stop, eat lunch, and head back! 

Dorothy in Wonderland

I've decided that Trevor is talented. He begged us to let him take drama, and Grant and I were not excited about it. But now I really think that between drama and Remicade--we have a whole new Trevor! He loves drama and he is good at it. He had two big parts in the play this year. Both of the parts that he had were the two funny roles in the play. I talked to one of his teachers later and she said that Trev has talent that they just can't teach kids...they either have it or they don't and Trevor has it. The way he can deliver his lines is powerful And he is funny (at home he is a kick, but I don't know if other people outside our home see his humor like we do). I loved this play and I loved seeing him shine on the stage!

Life With Girls

If you fall asleep in a house full of girls, this is sure to happen to you:

Sorry

See how I did that? I apologized before the fact--before I inundate you with more pictures of our sweet baby. Here are just a few more pictures of Lu because I pretty much can't get enough of her and her happiness.

Gymnastics

Today Karmin and Trevor both had their end of the year celebration for their Gymnastics class. They were super cute and did a great job. They have learned a lot this year!

Before & After

Karmin wanted to get her hair cut a few months ago, so I took her to get it cut because I can trim long hair, but I wasn't going to attempt the dramatic lengths she wanted. They cut about 10 inches off, but they didn't take enough off. I think they were hesitant about going too short and sending her into shell-shock. But she knew what she wanted.
When Lydia saw Karmin's hair, she wanted to cut her hair as well. Thinking about those long curls made me sad, but I also know that getting her ready for school in the morning is a huge challenge because she doesn't like getting her hair brushed. I told her that if she still wanted it cut after Keys' wedding, she could cut it. And guess what? She still wanted it cut and remembered on her own. And Karmin still wanted her hair cut shorter, so I took them to my hairdresser this time. I think the results were awesome! I will miss Lydia's curls, but will enjoy the mornings more. I will miss Karmin's signature hair, but love the maturity in her new look.

Gobble, Gobble

Grant and I woke up to the strangest sound this morning coming from the living room. We went out to investigate and discovered a huge turkey pecking at our door. It was the craziest thing ever. He was a beautiful turkey and even ended up fanning all of his feathers for us.

BFF's In The Making

We got to *finally* see the Demars. They had a baby 7 weeks before Lucy was born, but Ella wasn't due until 6 weeks after Lucy's due date. So they have spent their time in the NICU and then haven't been able to take Ella out or have any one around her. But the day finally came and we got to get together. It was fun going out to dinner. It is so easy to pick up where we left off with them. I think I will go into some serious mourning when they move.

Daddy's Girl

I think they like each other.

First Tournament

Trevor had his first TKD tournament this weekend. They had a class before the tournament for about 2 hours, so Grant and I came for the tournament part of it. But as luck would have it--they started early, and Trevor was one of the first to go, so we missed him. Yes, we felt about an inch tall. But he didn't care (or so he said) because he placed third and he got a medal.

Happy Mother's Day!!

This was a perfect Mother's Day. Grant and the kids spoiled me. They made me breakfast and dinner. They did all the dishes. They were kind to each other, and they even let me take a picture with each one of them. I am so thankful that I am a mom to these 6 sweet cutie-pie kids. They have all stolen my heart. And I adore their father.
Having a new baby has made me let go of a few things--or try to let go. Even when everyone pitches in and helps, I have realized that my house will not be as clean as I want it. I have realized that as much as I would love to be a minimalist, with 8 people in our house there is no way that we can minimize. As much as I would love to plant a garden this year, there are more important things that need to be done. There is a quote that I have on our wall that I'm trying to help me to change and do better and be better--and do the things that really matter. "What matters most is what lasts forever. And family is for eternity." -M. Russell Ballard

Inspiration

Ben had the opportunity to meet Kyle Maynard--a man born with congenital amputation. He wrote a book titled, "No Excuses," and talked to the youth group about how they too can overcome anything if they put their minds to it. He talked to them about setting goals. Ben got to talk to him for a bit afterwards and got to share with him some of his struggles that have been on his mind. Kyle talked to Ben and gave him a pep talk on how he can overcome the things he is struggling with. Ben was in tears telling Grant and me about what he had said and the encouragement that he gave Ben.

Flower Girl

Miss Lydia was asked by her cousin, MaKade (AKA Keys) to be the flower girl in their wedding reception. Lydia was over the top excited. She got to go out the day before the reception with the bridal party and get her nails done. She was floored when the next day she woke up and the nail polish was still on---nail polish from home just doesn't last as long! The day of the reception, I took Lydia to get her hair done by a lady in our ward. I about cried when Lydia told her that she wanted her hair straight. Lydia has the most beautiful curls that would have been gorgeous as a flower girl. But I felt it was more important that she was comfortable and confident--so straight hair won. And she was beautiful.

The reception itself was a lot of fun. They had a photo booth (which Lydia relinquished her duties as flower girl and spent most of the night there) and dancing. We all had a lot of fun!