California

Jessica and Sabrina have graduated from High school! A senior trip was planned to California and all the aunts were invited. We had a great time exploring cities, beaches, shopping and restaurants. A highlight for me was going to Glendale, where Dennis and Kathryn both grew up. We got to see their homes and their schools. We each got an eclair at the bakery where Kathryn went each day on her walk home from school. 

It was rejuvenating to get away, laugh hard, play hard and take in the beauty of California. 

Thank you so much, to Treavor and Gram who take perfect care of my sweet little kids who I missed terribly. 

opposite

One day Owen found a snail in the garden. He made him his pet. He named him Snaily, put him in a jar, and gave him leaves and a rock to climb on. After loving his pet for quite a few days, Owen came upstairs in tears. Snaily had died. Owen was crushed and felt guilty for keeping him inside, saying "he would have been happier outside" and "he didn't have enough oxygen". Owen grieved his snail with loud sobs and crocodile tears. It took a long time to consul him. 

A few days later Lewis found a snail. He made him his pet. He named him Snaily (except he called him "thnaiweeee"), put him in a jar, gave him leaves and a rock to climb on. After kind of liking his pet for a couple days, I noticed an open jar on our kitchen floor with no snail in it. I called Lewis and asked him where his snail went. He said very mater-of-factly "I frew him outthide in the dirt cauth him got dead." and ran back downstairs to play.

These boys are so very opposite in so many ways. I love the way they learn from each other and love watching their extreme personalities balance our family. They teach each other how to be gentle, friendly, brave, kind, inquisitive, and so much more. Makes my job a little easier. 

 Playing airplane

After fresh new haircuts

Deep in their imaginations

Joy

I am an emotional, sentimental and reflective person. It wouldn't be a surprise to anyone if I said an old family picture makes me cry. 

This picture makes me cry. 

But it is more than that. So much more than teary eyes. This photo makes me ache, makes me burst with gratitude, puts a knot in my throat and then my chest, transports me to a time when I didn't have a care in the world. To a backyard that was such a safe, comfortable place where I could be completely me, a place where I was uninhibited to imagine and dream. When I see this photo, I can feel the air, I can smell the smells, I can hear the laughs and the squeaky swing, and my mom's voice behind the camera. I know what I was feeling. I remember that little me. I remember the way those soft little arms felt, and the way those new permanent teeth took up more space in my mouth. I remember cozy summer clothes and loving so much being with my family. 

I always knew I was a lucky girl, to have a Dad who played hard and loved me so much. Now that I am a woman, a mom and a wife, I know that I am beyond lucky. I am divinely and uniquely blessed. I know that it isn't easy to be a parent who makes a life perfectly secure and fun and full of constant joy for a child. I know now, that my Dad was burdened financially, that work was stressful, that he was the bishop of our ward and there were problems that weighed heavily on his mind, that he didn't have a lot of free time. I also know that he put the worries of the world completely on hold, while he played with his kids. He mastered the very difficult art of not allowing my 7 year old self to detect an ounce of worry, stress, or fatigue. In moments like these, he lived completely in the moment. And that is one of the reasons my childhood was untroubled, full of love and joy and in my opinion, perfect.

washront

A couple Saturdays ago, we went out to breakfast. It was kind of a big deal for the kids. Lewis was really enthusiastic about the outing. He kept saying "me wov going to a washront!" he devoured every bit of his french toast, sausage and eggs. Between bites and big slurps of chocolate milk he would say "thith ith dewishouth" On our way out to the car it was only about 9:30 am he said "my favorite part of thith day wath going to the washront"

The Zoo

We got a pass to the Zoo! Owen can NOT believe we can go anytime we want. We've already taken full advantage, I know we'll continue to get our moneys worth. These crazy animals just cant get enough! 

 One day, there was a diver cleaning the seal tank!! We were lucky and happened to be the only ones watching him for a while. He waved at the boys and then signed with his hands for me to take a picture (what a nice guy!). Lewis was a little nervous to be in it, but was totally intrigued watching. We could have spent the whole day right there. It was for sure the highlight and Lewie is still talking about how he wants to be a "scuver diver" when he grows up.

 Everyone was a little timid to ride the carousel at first, now they hop right on and want to go over and over. 

It's really soothing to Kit. I thought she might fall asleep right on her dolphin this day. 

We spend hours checking out the animals and then we go home and the boys make their own maps and set up their own stuffed animals and play zoo for about another hour. 

Summer

We're welcoming Summer with open arms! 

Here's Owen on his last day of preschool with mrs. Jeannette. She was so good for him! I was a little teary walking out of Discovery knowing he wouldn't be back. He grew a lot there. He learned letters and numbers and how to make friends and be kind. He is excited to have a break! But the night before the last day, he cried a tiny bit saying he's "going to miss that great, great school".

One of the most rewarding and enjoyable parts of being a mother for me, is watching my children do something that took work, doesn't come totally natural or is conquering a fear. Owen's Spring sing was  all of those things.  He sang his little heart out and was so happy doing it. 

The class even sang a song "2,4,6,8 why don't you participate?" it had really cute lyrics about jumping in and having fun. pretty much summed up how he grew the last two years. 

City Creek with cousins

Lewis in the Summer, is Lewis in his element. 

I had a fun evening out with Lauren

Another Bees game. This time, with the Fentons.

and, lots of playing outside!