Our Spring Break in the SG

We are so lucky to have a house in St George where we can have a guaranteed vacation spot. With this blessing it was kind of obvious where we would be spending our week off! We left on Tuesday night and did not come back until Sunday. We spent a ton of time in the pool, doing yard work, went to a couple of parks, ate yummy food, and just relaxed. One night we went and did the trail and the kids went 3.5 miles. They were champions! Joey and I were able to go on a double date with his parents. It was so nice to have a visit uninterrupted by cute kids! We also found out that we are not the only family living in that house! A family of birds have taken up residence in our outdoor fan. So cute! We had the best time. Seriously love my family! So grateful to make all of these memories with them.

Glitter Mountain

After a failed attempt on our last trip to the SG, we finally made it to Glitter Mountain. It did not disappoint!! It was off the beaten path but we found it and it was beautiful. It is so fun to watch the kids beat the crystals with their hammers and filled our bucket! It was also so fun to have Grandpa and Grandma with us to enjoy this beautiful place. Grandpa told us that the pioneers used the crystal to make plaster for the temple. What a cool place. It is so crazy to me the things that appear in nature, out of no where. Such a testimony to all the beautiful creations of a loving Heavenly Father. So great to explore this place with our family! *I tried to post the picture of Joey and I in the picture collage but it kept cutting Joey's head off! I know he would not mind but I do! So we get our own spot in the blog post!

Gray's first birthday party

Yesterday Gray went to his first birthday party. Is he really old enough to be doing this? He was so excited to go to his friend James's 4th birthday party with none other than a Cars theme! He was so excited. We went to Target and he picked out a spiderman toy for him. He was a little apprehensive through out the day making sure that I was going to take him and pick him up. As soon as we got there though, he jumped out and could not wait to get in the door. He was so excited after for the candy he got to bring home and shared with each of his siblings (kind of "unGraylike") So glad he had fun and know that this will be the first of many!

Harlee's field trip to the zoo

Yesterday was Harlee's field trip to Hogle Zoo. She really wanted me to go with her but it is just so hard with all the little ones. I promised her that next year I will get a sitter and accompany her on her field trip. She went to school early and so I picked her up an hour an a half before her brothers got out of school. She came home and shared every detail with me about her trip. I loved it! She definitely takes more after her mother in this aspect! She told me that she was persuaded to go in and see the snakes, after which she admitted she really wanted to see the snakes! She told me about the cheetahs she loved, the monkeys, the giraffes, the black bird, the bears, etc. Then she told me that our neighbor was her partner. She said "She is so much like her mom!" Her mom is one of those ladies that never stops talking. Harlee said she just wanted to sit there quietly and Alexandria kept elbowing her and encouraging more conversation. Too funny! I LOVE this girl of mine. I LOVE that she comes home and fills me in on every detail. I pray she always wants to talk to me and I promise I will never tire of listening. So glad that she had such a fun day.

April Fools

Harlee stayed home sick and I was really thinking that April Fool's might come and go without a prank. I was wrong. In the craziness of trying to get the kids off to school, Luke mentioned that Tag had touched the computer and it would not work. After the kids left I sat down to fix the computer. I could not get the mouse to work and I was so frustrated. I finally turned the mouse over to make sure it was on and found out I was the victim of a clever prank. Luke had taped paper over the bottom of the mouse so that it would not work. Who thinks of these things? He is definitely his father's son! Love his clever approach to a usually annoying day! I will get him back next year for sure!

Much Appreciated Progress

After Mark, one of Tag's therapists, came for a visit on Thursday, I was feeling very down. He was really concerned that Tag was not spontaneously speaking. He told me that I needed to require more of him to encourage his speaking. So I have been trying to narrate all that I do in hopes of getting him to speak. I have also brought back a little sign language to get the communication going. On Friday we went to Costco and I grabbed a box of cheez-its to put in the cart. Tag said "Cracker"! I was so excited. He recognized that these were some of his favorite snacks and he called them by name. Then we were playing out back and he brought me the ball and said "ball"! Then last night we were sitting down and he brought me a drink to open for him. I gave him a sip and then closed the bottle. He wanted more and I helped him sign for more. Then he wanted another drink so he did the sign for more and said "more". I almost cried. He is starting to get it! He is putting names to objects and finding ways to communicate his wants and needs. Today Joey was reading a book with him and asked him where Donald Duck was. He pointed (I had no idea before this journey with Tag, but pointing is an essential part of development)to Donald and then to Daisy. Then Joey asked him where Mickey Mouse was. He pointed to Mickey and then to Minnie. He is such a smart kid and I am loving the progress he is making. Joey made a comment the other day that Tag is starting to come alive. I am so enjoying this and appreciating every bit of progress this cute boy is making. We are so proud of you Tag!

Mary's blessing

On Sunday we had the opportunity to go the blessing of Mary, Jeremy and Steph's newest little gal. Jeremy gave her the most beautiful blessing reminding her to live up to the name that she has been given. He also blessed her with the knowledge that he and Steph would do all they can to be good parents to her. So special. So grateful for the Priesthood. So grateful for a husband who honors his priesthood and participates in these special moments. What a beautiful day.

Mimi's Birthday Lunch

My Mom's birthday was on Wednesday and my dad planned a surprise birthday lunch for her. All of her children, except Tara, and our significant others met at PF Changs and she was so surprised to see us all waiting there for her. It was so nice to visit with my siblings and enjoy this time celebrating my mom. I am thinking that my dad better choose another location if he wants to surprise her next year. Not sure she would not be on to us if we did this three years in a row!

Quick Superhero Save

On Tuesday Nash was asked to wear a superhero costume to his preschool class. They were having a day focusing on imagination. He was so excited all week and told me he wanted to wear the gray batman costume. On Tuesday, we had both totally forgotten. Thankfully Mimi was over for her birthday lunch and she started talking about these little girls at her exercise class is superhero capes. This sparked a memory and I quickly ran down and got Nash the costume. I was so grateful for the reminder so that he could participate with his class. That was almost a huge mom fail!

Tag's 2 year check-up

Today we had Tag's 2 year old check up with Dr. Stampfl. I was a little anxious to go since I have been concerned about some of the delays that he is having. I expressed my concerns with autism and Dr. Stampfl quickly told me that he does not see any signs of autism. Such a blessing. He said that all of his behavior is so age appropriate. He does see a delay in his speech and wants to see him in 6 months to see how he is progressing. I am so grateful for a great pediatrician, who knows our family and knows how to make me feel better. He also agrees with the option to have him scoped with the GI specialist suggested last week. They want to see if he has any allergy cells in his esophagus. She is thinking this could be why he is refluxing and not willing to eat more of a variety of food. He said that Tag is growing in true Childs form. Here are his stats: Weight- 30 lbs- 80% Height- 36 in- 90% I love this little boy and pray that he will continue to progress. In my worrying the past week, I read on the blog about Nash's 2 year old check up. I said that he could say words but did not speak spontaneously. This is exactly how I feel about Tag. So grateful that I write things down. To be given this reminder helps comfort me. Especially since Nash is top of his class and shows no sign of the struggles he went through 3 years ago.

Tag is Two!!

I seriously cannot believe it! Our baby is 2! When did this happen? Tag is seriously such a blessing in our lives. He is our quiet little guy who loves to disappear and get into trouble. He loves Team Umizumi and Wallykazam! He loves to play with cars, throw balls, play outside, go to the park, play with bubbles, and jump on the tramp. He is always moving and is so funny! We love our little caboose. Do not know what we would do without him!