Happy Birthday Trayton

Dear Trayton,

Happy 8th Birthday.  You have been such a joy and blessing.  You love to help and are always seeking opportunities to serve your family, friends, and neighbors.  You humble me on a daily basis.  Your brother idolizes you and your sisters adore you.  You take great pride in your responsibility as a leader to your siblings.  Thank you for leading them righteously.  I'm proud of the testimony you have already gained and I look forward to soon watching you be baptized.  I love you brother.

Happy Birthday Braelynn!

I cannot believe my baby is TWO!  How the time has flown.  Braelynn has grown so much.  She is determined and independent and oh so fiery.  This little one has enough attitude to take on two older brothers and a sister.  Braelynn loves to play animals with the kids and LOVES jumping on the tramp.  Boy does she have some bounce.  However, no one else is allowed to jump while she's on because if they knock her down they suffer her wrath.  Braelynn was very slow to talk until about two months ago.  Now she babbles constantly and I'm finally starting to understand her.  Her favorite phrase is "You Mean!"  Which she uses very frequently at any one who doesn't give her her way.
Braelynn, Oh how I love you.  I love that you never back down.  Someday that determination will be a good thing.  Today it leaves me exhausted.  I love that you give great loves and cling to me desparetly in the mornings.  I love that you adore your father and as soon as he gets home from work you run as fast as your little legs can carry you so that you can wrap your arms around him.  You are such an amazing little girl.  I love you.

Jordynn Completed her First Year of Preschool

This is Jordynn the night of her 'graduation'.  She didn't really graduate.  She's only four so she gets to repeat Preschool next year.  She LOVED being on stage.  Unfortunately she was in the back row and I couldn't get a good picture of how awesome she performed her songs.

For her final field trip we went to the zoo.  I had to include this pic.  Check out that giraffe's tongue.  WOW.

Jordyn looks so sad but I promise she had a blast.  But at this point she was ready for lunch.

Braelynn was fascinated.  She wouldn't even look at me for a picture.  She LOVED the animals.

Happy Birthday Jordynn!

Poor kid was terribly sick on her birthday and had to wait over a week to have her birthday party.  She was so excited to finally decorate her cake.  She wanted a giant cupcake with lots of colors.  And SHE wanted to decorate it.  By herself!

She had so much fun.

Braelynn stood there watching in awe almost the whole time Jordynn was decorating.

Her favorite gift was a swimsuit.  That came with goggles.

Dad described her cake as a psychedelic volcano.

YUMMY!

Jordynn showing the family how to dive and swim in the living room!  Love this Girly.

Jordynn, You are a precious child.  Your dimpled smile lights up every room.  I love that you enjoy painted nails, frilly dresses, dirt, and bugs.  You talk to everyone you meet and when strangers tell you how adorable you are you say, I Know.  I'm glad you know you are amazing.  You are a great friend, a loving big sister, and I'm so lucky you are mine.  Happy Birthday Beautiful Girl.

We have Bees!

Our first season of bees was very successful.  But then they died due to vandalism.  Next season the bees didn't survive the winter.  I'm starting to really miss fresh honey.  So here we go again.  Dad is now so comfortable around bees that he doesn't even bother putting on his bee suit.  I'm still standing as far back as possible and pleading with Kade to not get any closer.  The boy is just like his father and can't resist the desire to examine bees up close.  They still scare me but I am dreaming of fresh honey.  Mmmm.

Happy Easter!

I love Easter!

Choir Concerts

Trayton had his first choir concert.  (He missed his kindergarten concert due to a concussion.)  Trayton has some anxiety issues and he didn't smile once the entire time he was on stage.  But he did it!  He stood up with his class and sang all of his songs and when it was all over he said he had tons of fun.  Doesn't look like your having fun Trayton but I sure am proud of you.