year in review: april & may 2012

{ April }

I actually did cover a lot of April on the blog, but missed a few important events (i.e. Ryan's birthday) . . .

April began with a quick trip to St. George for spring break - 

a little chilly, but a much needed welcome break from our day to day routine!

Sophie meeting the author of The False Prince, Jennifer Nielsen at her book launch.  Jennifer and I grew up together and Sophie was thrilled to meet her and get her book signed.

Ryan's Birthday:

RYAN'S 17TH BIRTHDAY

His best friends came over (early) and surprised Ryan (in his bed) and stayed for breakfast.  Meet Ryan's friends: Maddie P., Stu B., Maddy H., Julie T., and Sean S.  (I adore these kids and Ryan is so blessed to be surrounded by such great friends).  Having everyone over was a great way to start the morning, and I'm feeling like a bit of a slacker mom since these are pretty much the only pictures I have from his 17th.  Hopefully we'll be better for his 18th in a few months.

{ May }
Liza's baptism, Mother's Day, the last month of school & activities, Caroline's 15th birthday, SPRING . . .

Forgive the orientation - I couldn't fix this, but just HAVE to post Liza's sweet ode to spring: 

composed May 2012 (2nd grade).

Liza's Baptism:

My attempt to capture just the right picture for Liza's baptism invitations 

(she was very patient with my very amateur photography skills).

Everyone gathering at the house before heading over for Liza's baptism (Grandma with the girls and cousin Owen).  May 12, 2012.

Liza was so excited for her special day, and it was a beautiful baptism and confirmation by Chris.  Ryan and Caroline gave the talks and we were all a little emotional watching our little Liza become the newest member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Lunch and desserts ready at the house for family and friends

Liza with her best friend and cousins

Uncle Travis and Liza.  Doesn't she just look so clean and pure in this picture?  So sweet.

Had to grab the big kids for a picture with Liza - especially after their tender talks at the baptism

The next day (Mother's Day) we realized we never got a picture of Liza with Mom and Dad, 

so better late than never.

Mother's Day 2012.  Thank you kids for enriching my life in ways I could have never imagined.  Motherhood is indeed a most wondrous blessing.

End of school activities:

Sophie was Helen Keller in the 5th grade wax museum and did a fantastic job ignoring me and staying in character as I took pictures.

Oakridge "Art Night" - Liza with one of her works of art and Sophie with friend Amelia demonstrating their skills on the cool instruments (I have no idea what they are called).

Sophie was pretty proud that she took 3rd place out of the 5th grade girls in the annual "fun run."

Oakridge Elementary "Super Kids Day" to celebrate the end of the school year.  

I love volunteering for this event - so much fun!

Caroline's birthday:

 CAROLINE'S 15TH BIRTHDAY

It was a covert operation to plan a surprise party for the girl who continued to remind me and all her friends that she "did NOT want a big party!"  Her best friend Maddie planned and carried out a huge party at her house just for Caroline (I think there were close to 60 kids who came), and after the initial shock, I'm pretty sure our Miss Caroline thought it was pretty neat to celebrate in style with all her friends.

Video of Caroline's reaction

Her really close friends (Sara G., Olivia, and Maddie) came over for breakfast the next morning - May 25, 2012 - they had to be there for the actual date she turned 15!

Sophie was so excited to give her the i-pod she had won in a raffle at school, along with an i-tunes card.  Such a sweet moment - Sophie could hardly wait for Caroline to open her gift!

easter

Although Easter was a few weeks ago, it's one of those "catch-up" posts that I'm determined to put on the blog since we actually did get some pics of the family after church before anyone changed clothes (which seems to happen every year!).

I don't want to forget the beautiful sacrament meeting that morning, the pretty spring day, or the generous meal prepared for us at Chris' mom's.  I love Easter, love the profound meaning behind this holiday, and hope our children will remember the words that were spoken by Brother Grow that lovely morning.

Also, the kids just may want to remember the "non-traditional" Easter treats that appeared in their baskets later that afternoon.  Yes, being the procrastinator poster child that I am, I found myself at Target around 9:30pm Saturday night for what I had planned on being"one stop shopping" to fill the baskets (the traditional Easter candy and a new spring outfit for each child).  Well, let's just say that by the time I had carefully picked out each item of clothing, and finally made my way to the back of the store to grab some jellybeans, cadbury eggs, and peeps, to my dismay they were CLEAN OUT of everything we would consider appropriate Easter treats (chocolate peeps were the only thing left and they looked disgusting).  So, since it was coming up on 10:30pm and stopping at the grocery store was out of the question, I had to use my imagination . . . Spree candy took the place of jelly beans, European chocolate bars instead of cadbury eggs, and gum instead of peeps :).

Easter 2012 pictures . . .

You're never too old to dye Easter eggs

Our attempt at family pictures after church . . .

 My sweet neighbor noticed us out front snapping pics and took one of the family.  Anyone notice that we have absolutely NO idea how to pose ourselves - anyone notice Sophie back there??

2012 Easter baskets

 The baskets with treats before I added the clothes . . . oh, tictacs too - the little girls love those!

 The finished product . . .

 Easter Egg hunt in the backyard

Cousin picture at Grandma Pat's