April was definitely full of rainy days and you'd think that I could have used a few of them to catch up on blogging. Obviously that didn't happen. April was rather busy, crazy and hectic with a few 'splashes' of fun, spontaneity, and laughter.
Emily finished her indoor soccer league. She didn't end up scoring any goals this time around, but had fun and happened to stop quite a few goals as keeper. I think the net helped her find a new love for the game.
Some nights are completely crazy and you barely have the chance to think about what you're doing. And some nights are slow and completely random. This happened to be one of those moments. After saying family prayer somehow (and I still think Jeff was the conspirator) Jacob learned how to blow raspberries on skin. The next 30 min were spent blowing on everyone's stomachs and backs. It was hilarious, fun, and delayed bed time but was one of those times that I'm so grateful for such a wonderful husband and amazing kids.
The 5th was my birthday so I am now enjoying my last year in my twenties - which is
really weird to think about. On my birthday Jeff was able to get the day off. My mom graciously watched the kids for us so we could go out. We went to lunch at the Cheesecake Factory and then Jeff took me shopping. That night the kids helped Jeff make dinner and then we went for birthday ice cream at Coldstone. The kids were really cute and Emily was so excited. I am still enjoying my gifts - my new camera, etc. - and I have an extra battery now too. It was a nice day and I'm grateful for all the birthday wishes from friends and family.
(Singing Happy Birthday & Jacob playing with Gma Newman's cat)
This spring has been full of surprises. One of them was a rather large snow storm on April 8th. After the flakes had slowed down Emily and Jacob wanted to go out and play. Since we'd just had some warmer days the swing set and tramp were all ready to go. So why not combine spring and winter, right? The kids had fun making a few snow angels but the most fun was found in the swings and sliding down the
really slippery slide.
On the 17th I finally decided it was time to cut the curls. Stacy was gracious enough to help me out again. It was tough to make the decision but really not that hard to actually do it. He definitely looks more grown up now and I think he looks so handsome. I can't believe how fast he's growing. He was pretty good for the haircut - though not as good as last time. To entertain him and get him to hold still we gave him the squirt bottle again. However he has since learned to actually squirt it and not just suck on it. So he completely drenched himself and happend to catch Stacy a few times.
Jacob & Emily adore their dad. They l.o.v.e. having him home on weekends and usually prefer him to do everything when he's around (fine by me!). The other morning I caught them reading the paper with dad.
And then Jacob decided it would be more fun to just tackle daddy.
As I've said before and will continue to say, we LOVE having a yard! And leave it to Jeff to come up with some kind of entertainment out of his work. While I was inside cleaning up dinner I looked out the window to find this:
Yup. Jeff had the leaf blower out and was attacking the kids with it. They of course were thrilled about the new game and didn't think twice when dad said, "Hey, come put your face in this tube!"
Hallelujah the weather was nice for Easter! We have 9am church so our morning was spent getting ready and racing out the door. Emily was such a good girl and was very patient about not getting to ransack her Easter basket and go looking for eggs. Jacob had no clue what was going on so that was pretty easy.
After getting home the kids allowed me to snap some pictures of them in their new Easter clothes.
Then it was inside to see what the Easter Bunny had brought. Emily was thrilled with all the tangled items - charm bracelet, fruit snacks and the favorite, the DVD.
The kids also had fun with their new Melissa & Doug toys. Emily has enjoyed spelling words out and why wouldn't an 18 month old kid enjoy whacking things with a hammer?
Looking for eggs 
Later that night all of my family came over for dinner and our annual egg hunts. We attempted to get a picture of the kids in their Easter clothes. Yeah, didn't work out so well. The picture below was the best attempt out of 20. Not good odds. I think it might be a while before we update my parents grand kid pictures.
The kids egg hunt - Grace got the Golden Egg this year with $7 in it 
And the adult egg hunt - one egg, ten adults, & $25. Nick was the winner this year.
It was a nice Easter and it was fun to celebrate it with family. I'm grateful for this time of year to celebrate our Savior and all He's done for us. I enjoyed the talks, lessons, and thoughts that all centered on Him and helped me refocus my thoughts. I'm grateful for all the wonderful blessings in my life.
The 27th we attended my brother Matthew's rugby game - Skyline vs Highland. Jeff and I have never attended an event where our Alma Maters were competing against each other. We spent two hours freezing, eating pizza, trying (unsuccessfully) to keep Jacob from falling down the bleachers, chasing kids and trying to figure out (me) and remember (Jeff) the game. It was fun to watch Matthew and we were both proud of him and his team when they beat Highland by one point.
I can't believe how grown up Matthew is now. He's graduating soon and going to be moving away to college and then off to his mission. I guess it does make sense for me to be leaving my twenties. (Although still not a pleasant thought).
We had a couple playdates up at Jenn's house. I love how well the kids play and it's always so nice to be with my sisters. If only Lisa still lived here! Sara & Emily are the best of friends and Grace & Jacob are adorable together.
On the 28th we went up because my dad was pouring concrete in Jenn's backyard. My kids had never seen Gpa work so I thought it would be a great time - we could watch it indoors and not on a dirty job site. We had lunch, the kids played, were enthralled with all the guys, machines, and activity.
Watching outside
Watching inside
I ended up getting blocked in by cement trucks however so my 2 hour playdate turned into an all day affair. Jacob ended up missing his nap and when I was finally able to get out and head home I saw this in the rear view mirror:
Poor kid was so tired he covered himself with his blanket and passed out before I got on the freeway.
The weather this spring has been so crazy. One day we're playing outside in the sunshine and the next it snows. We woke up to a few flakes on the 15th and the kids had fun looking out the front window dreaming of playing in the snow. Of course that didn't happen since it didn't stick, but two days later they did get to go outside with Jeff splash in rain puddles.
Checking out all the worms that had come out
Splashing in puddles
We had Sunday dinner at my mom's today and Nick & Stacy were there with their kids. Not that all the kids don't usually get along, but today they did especially well together. Emily, Jackson and Lucy had a blast jumping on the tramp. They were playing with the broom - which was cute so I had to snap a picture - but was also a bit dangerous so we took it away right after I got a good shot. Then they had plenty of fun jumping around pretending that they were all still on brooms.
Meanwhile Jacob and Cameron played well together and even decided to cuddle up while watching a little bit of a movie. It's so fun to see these kids grow up and start to play with each other. It's so nice that they have cousins to play with. We all just love getting together. 
Emily had her last preschool fieldtrip today. We went to the fire station on Arapeen. The kids got to see all the fancy equipment the firemen get to use and all the gear they have to wear. They also got to climb in and sit in one of the firetrucks. We were lucky that Daddy was able to leave work early and come on the fieldtrip with us.
Emily finished her indoor soccer league. She didn't end up scoring any goals this time around, but had fun and happened to stop quite a few goals as keeper. I think the net helped her find a new love for the game.
Some nights are completely crazy and you barely have the chance to think about what you're doing. And some nights are slow and completely random. This happened to be one of those moments. After saying family prayer somehow (and I still think Jeff was the conspirator) Jacob learned how to blow raspberries on skin. The next 30 min were spent blowing on everyone's stomachs and backs. It was hilarious, fun, and delayed bed time but was one of those times that I'm so grateful for such a wonderful husband and amazing kids.
On the 17th I finally decided it was time to cut the curls. Stacy was gracious enough to help me out again. It was tough to make the decision but really not that hard to actually do it. He definitely looks more grown up now and I think he looks so handsome. I can't believe how fast he's growing. He was pretty good for the haircut - though not as good as last time. To entertain him and get him to hold still we gave him the squirt bottle again. However he has since learned to actually squirt it and not just suck on it. So he completely drenched himself and happend to catch Stacy a few times. 
Jacob & Emily adore their dad. They l.o.v.e. having him home on weekends and usually prefer him to do everything when he's around (fine by me!). The other morning I caught them reading the paper with dad.
Looking for eggs 
Later that night all of my family came over for dinner and our annual egg hunts. We attempted to get a picture of the kids in their Easter clothes. Yeah, didn't work out so well. The picture below was the best attempt out of 20. Not good odds. I think it might be a while before we update my parents grand kid pictures. 
The kids egg hunt - Grace got the Golden Egg this year with $7 in it 
And the adult egg hunt - one egg, ten adults, & $25. Nick was the winner this year.
The 27th we attended my brother Matthew's rugby game - Skyline vs Highland. Jeff and I have never attended an event where our Alma Maters were competing against each other. We spent two hours freezing, eating pizza, trying (unsuccessfully) to keep Jacob from falling down the bleachers, chasing kids and trying to figure out (me) and remember (Jeff) the game. It was fun to watch Matthew and we were both proud of him and his team when they beat Highland by one point. 
I can't believe how grown up Matthew is now. He's graduating soon and going to be moving away to college and then off to his mission. I guess it does make sense for me to be leaving my twenties. (Although still not a pleasant thought). 
We had a couple playdates up at Jenn's house. I love how well the kids play and it's always so nice to be with my sisters. If only Lisa still lived here! Sara & Emily are the best of friends and Grace & Jacob are adorable together. 
On the 28th we went up because my dad was pouring concrete in Jenn's backyard. My kids had never seen Gpa work so I thought it would be a great time - we could watch it indoors and not on a dirty job site. We had lunch, the kids played, were enthralled with all the guys, machines, and activity.
