Our Graby Turns 3

Today our Gray turned "Free" or three! I cannot believe he is already that old! We are loving have Gray in our family. He is so funny and is always making us laugh with his one of a kind personality! He does not love attention so whenever we would say Happy Birthday or someone would sing to him, he would hide his head. We went to the parke with Mimi,Brennan, Jeremy's and his kiddos. We celebrated Gray's and Hinckley's birthdays with cupcakes and Cars presents. We then met Joey at Carls for Gray's birthday dinner. Then home for presents (love how you can wrap them when they are three- they are just excited to get gifts!) and cupcakes. Happy Birthday our sweet boy! We sure love you!

The Last Day of School is the BEST day of School

Today was the last day of school! I cannot believe how quickly this year has gone by! Luke and Harlee had to be there at 8am and then they were done at 9:30am. All the moms gathered on the corner with coolers of popsicles to congratulate them on finishing another year! I am so proud of both of them. They both received straight A's. We have some smart kiddos on our hands. Here's to a great summer and hoping I can keep them from being bored!

Dance Festival

The dance festival was suppose to be yesterday but it was really stormy. So they rescheduled for today. I wish I could say it was an amazing experience but I had Nash, Gray, and Tag with me. Tag screamed the whole time and when Nash and Gray were not wrestling eachother, they were all in my lap. But besides the distractions I really enjoyed watching Harlee and Luke perform! Harlee's class did the Chicken Dance. They were all in a circle and she did a really good job. Luke's class did a mix of songs and can I just say that boy has rhythm! I was so impressed. He has moves! I am hoping that next year the kids will behave better and I can sit and enjoy the show! Great job Harlee and Luke! They are growing up too fast!!

And so the day begins....

I often stay up after the kids to make sure I go to bed with a clean house. But I am beginning to think that waking up to a clean house is overrated. It honestly only lasts about 5 minutes after they wake up. This morning, Tag got a hold of a cereal box and dumped it all out on the kitchen floor. Oh it is going to be a great day!!

Memorial Day BBQ

Since we decided to come home a little early from St. George we decided to have a little BBQ. We got everything ready and ate together outside. The weather was perfect, the food was great, and the family time was priceless. So grateful for this special day to remember all of those who lost their lives for our freedom. Happy Memorial Day!

Sand Hollow Round 2

We spent Sunday morning at Sand Hollow. We prefer to call it church at Sand Hollow!! We decided to go early and beat the crowd. We got there around 8am and had the place to ourselves. What a fun day. We came a little more prepared this time with a raft and a canopy for shade. We played in the water, built castles in the sand, ate snacks and relaxed! We left about 11:30am right when it started to get crowded. Joey took Tag in the water before we left and he did not want to leave. What a beautiful place! So lucky to get to enjoy these times as a family.

Watching Grandma and Grandpa in action

As I mentioned, Saturday night we went to the Brigham Young House in St. George to have a tour by our favorite missionaries. I was a little nervous because they warned us that nothing could be touched. For the most part however, the kiddos were on their best behavior. Grandpa was busy with another group so Grandma gave us the tour. She has learned so much and kept all of our interest with the facts about Brigham Young. My favorite part was when she told about Brigham Young's education. His mom paid for someone to come and teach him for eleven days! So crazy that those few days were the extent of his education. The kids loved walking through the gardens and tasting the pecans from the tree. Aside from Tag's stinky bottom it was a great experience. So proud of Grandma and Grandpa and the example they are setting for all of us. I just know they are going to convert so many who are ready for the gospel.

Our Memorial Day Weekend in the SG

We left on Thursday night and made another trip down to the townhouse. We were so excited that Joey made it home early from work and we got down there before 10pm. We were also so excited to see Grandma and Grandpa. We have not seen them since the beginning of April. So Friday we woke up and went to see the Grandparents. Grandma and I took Luke, Harlee, Nash, and Gray to their pool while Joey, Tag, and Grandpa went garage saling. When they got back we grabbed lunch and then went to our pool. We then went and got Bucca Di Bepo for dinner and rented Parental Guidance for a family movie night. Joey made us some icecream sundaes. Such a great family day. On Saturday morning we went to some sales. We found a great canvas that we hung in the front room of the condo. Then Grandma and Grandpa watched the kids so Joey and I could go on a little lunch date. We went to George's and it was really good. So nice to have a few minutes by ourselves. When we got back we took the kids to the pool. Then we went and grabbed dinner and tried out a new park. It was the best and we had it all to ourselves. It is completely shaded and Tag proof! After dinner we went to watch Grandpa and Grandma give us a tour of the Brigham Young house. The kids were pretty good. Tag pooped the minute the tour started and left his scent through all of the tiny rooms! The next day we woke up early and spent the day at Sand Hollow. Loved it! Then we went and had a bbq with Grandpa and Grandma. The vacation nazi talked us into leaving on Sunday night. I must admit it is nice to be home typing this instead of driving home with everyone else on Memorial Day! Such a great weekend. I feel so blessed to have a nice place that we can go and make some wonderful memories as a family.

Almost done!!

After over a year of work we have a new place to hang out! Our basement is almost done! We just need to have the finish plumbing done and it will be a full functioning basement. I love it! It turned out so great and we are not in debt. It is quite the process to do it as you can pay for it but when it is finished, and you do not owe anyone, it is a great feeling. We now have three bedrooms (one for toys, a work out room, and a spare bedroom), two bathrooms, a big storage room, a kitchen, a family room, and a game room. We just love it down there. Here are some of the pictures.

Nash's Preschool Program

Tonight was Nash's Preschool "End of the Year" Program. We rushed through dinner, got everyone ready, and we were excited to see what Nash had been working on. As soon as we went in Nash refused to go up and participate. No matter what threats we gave him, he would not go up. He sat in the back the whole time. What a stubborn boy. When he makes up his mind there is no changing it. He did agree at the end to walk up and get his gift if I went with him. So much for watching him perform!! He did have a great year though. He learned so much and the progress he made was amazing. We are so proud of you Nash- even if you refuse to do the program! *The second picture shows his progress in writing his name. The first example is at the beginning of the year and the third example was a few weeks ago. Amazing!

Luke's 3rd grade play

Last night Luke had his 3rd grade play. They performed songs that explained what they had learned this year. There were songs about all subjects. I was so impressed with how much they had learned. I was even more impressed with Luke's dance moves and performance. He was smiling the whole time. This shocked me until I heard that his teacher, Mrs. Mangum, bribed them. She said that if they smiled and performed they would get $10 to spend in the class store. I should have known! Nothing motivates our Luke like a little cash!! He did a great job and I am so impressed by this smart boy.

Someone is tired...

Friday night, after I rocked Tag to sleep, I realized it was unusually quiet. I could not find Gray. I had asked him about ten minutes before to go and get his jammies for bed. I went to look for him in his room and found him asleep in the hall. He was laying sound asleep with the IPAD in his hand. So funny. I wish I was able to fall asleep anywhere like he does.

Field trip to the "Bird Zoo"

On Friday Harlee had her field trip. They were suppose to go to Hogle Zoo but instead went to Tracey Aviary AKA the Bird Zoo. Harlee had lots of fun. She got to sit by her friend Grace on the bus. Then she said that they saw some ducks fighting with their beaks. Her favorite part was seeing everything! So glad that she gets to have these experiences.

Harlee's Animal Showcase

On Thursday Harlee had her animal showcase. I decided to brave it with all three little ones. Wow- not sure that was the best idea. Within a minute of being there, Nash was bleeding, Gray was crying, and Tag wanted out of his stroller. But they calmed down a little when Harlee started singing. They sang a few songs and then showed us their diorama's. Harlee read us all the facts about cows! Then they read us their journals that they have been working on all year. I cannot believe how much she has learned. She can read and write so well! So proud of you Har!

Mother's Day

Yesterday was Mother's Day and my sweet family made it a really special day. They brought me presents as I rocked Tag. Luke made me a magnet and a book. He wrote in there that I was 92 inches tall and 36 lbs! Harlee made me two cute cards and a flower. Nash made me a plant at preschool. They gave me four new pairs of earrings and a card with some money. It was so sweet of them. They tried really hard to help out and get along all day. If ever someone got upset, Luke would remind them it was Mother's Day. We had my family over for a bbq. It was so nice to visit with them. I am so grateful for these five beautiful kids that call me mom. I just love them so much. I pray that they will all have amazing lives and that they make good choices. I want so badly to be with them forever and will do all I can to make that happen. I am also so grateful for my own Mom. She is such a great example to me. So grateful for her love and friendship. I am truly blessed.

A Celebration of 30 years

As I mentioned in the last post, Saturday was the dance recital. It was the 30 year anniversary of the Dance Depot. So this year we tried to bring back some songs from the past as well as some new numbers. My jazz class did Proud Mary and All That Jazz. My tap class did In the Mood and That Man. They really did a good job. It was a stressful week but it really paid off. After nine years of teaching at the Dance Depot, I am taking a break. I am not sure if it is indefinite but I need to take some time to focus on being a mom. It is hard to put your hobby of the last 31 years on hold but my family comes first. I need to be around to take them to their many activities and to have more time to focus on raising them to be the best they can be. I will sure miss teaching but I feel so right about this decision. I feel like I ended on a high note and that is all I could ask for. So grateful for Becky and her willingness to let me teach there and live out my love for dance. *The last picture is of all the teachers. Becky the owner is in the top row center.

Harlee's Dance Recital

Saturday was the big dance recital!! Harlee had Holly this year and LOVED her! She did a tap dance to Kids in America and a jazz dance to Mambo #5. Mimi, Joey, and Nash came to watch her! She did such a great job. She smiled and did all of the steps. I love that she loves to dance. It is so fun to watch her and share this love with her.

Just chillin...

Tag loves to watch tv- not sure if this is a good thing! Spongebob was on and he found himself an apple. So this is the way I found him on a Saturday afternoon. He is such a mellow kid! We just love our Tag!