Memorial weekend

Growing up I spent my Memorial weekend visiting almost every cemetery in Cache Valley. I have ancestors buried at quite a few and we would listen to stories about them from my Grandparents. Memorial day also meant the first summer bbq / family party out at my Grandparents home in Welsville. This year I got to reflect on the wonderful grandparents I've lost, and extended family who have also passed on.

We decided to stay home for Memorial weekend. Friday we rented Monuments Men (I highly recommend this movie. It's a true story about a group of men / soldiers who are trying to save art in Europe from being burned, ruined, and taken by Hittler during  WWII. Definitely a must see!)
On Saturday Casey finished our TV stand. He sanded it and painted it. I kept the kids out of his hair by playing in the yard. We ran some errands in the afternoon and got Casey a fishing pole for his early father's day present. Kendal has been begging for one to, so we went and found an inexpensive pole for her. Saturday night Casey and I watched the Hobbit. Casey has read and enjoys the Lord of the Rings series. We hadn't seen this movie yet, and it was on our list to rent once it came out.

 I was originally thinking of painting it with a lighter color like blue or green. But we couldn't commit to one so we ended up going with black. I'll buy some colorful baskets to go on the bottom soon.

Sunday took us to church where I taught primary; the kids enjoyed their classes, and we were spiritually fed. I took the kids for a walk Sunday afternoon while Casey made a delicious egg plant Parmesan for dinner. It's our goal to have a meatless meal at least once a week to be healthy and save some $ since meat is ridiculously expensive.
Monday morning we joined Casey's two brothers and their families to fish out in Filer. Kendal was so excited to use her new fishing pole, however she spent most of her time snacking and playing with cousins. The pond had been picked over so we didn't get a single bit from any fish. We'll have to scout out different places next time. Casey hopes to get in a good amount of fishing this summer; and as long as I don't have to deal with the fish we're good. We got burgers for lunch, and had a relaxing afternoon at home. We made some pizza for dinner, and had family home evening talking about what we want to do this summer.

Last week of Preschool

I got the opportunity to teach the last week of preschool this school year. The unit we've been on for a few weeks is about family and unity. I decided to combine the lessons and put parts of each into a lesson for Tuesday and make Thursday a fun day.
On Tuesday we talked about family tree's. I told a story about how two sets of couples met and they had children. A boy and a girl from each family decided to marry. After they were married they started a family and that's where these kids come in. I talked with each child about their grandparents, their parents, and their own siblings. The kids made family tree's. We also talked about when the kids were babies. Every kid in our preschool has a younger sibling so they have some memory of babies. Noah will be getting a baby brother in a few weeks, but he was the least willing to talk about babies ; ) We played "house" for free time and I pulled out my card table house for the kids. We sang some songs about family and did a number activity to review the numbers we've learned this year.
Today (Thursday) we had a messy day. We started out with a zebra craft to finish out the alphabet. I made elephant toothpaste (expanding goo) and we mixed colors in the foam to review our colors. We went outside and played a shape hop game to review the shapes. The kids enjoyed the chaos of the game. We colored with chalk for a bit then had snacks. After snack time I had free time with slime, giant bubbles, a car ramp, and face painting. After I painted each kid with butterflies, robots, rainbows, etc. the kids went nuts with the paints. I had two kids with paint up and down their arms and legs. Luckily I added lots of soap to the already "washable" paint. We rinsed off, toweled dry and were good to go.

 Left to right: Kendal, David, Guy, Noah, Amaya

It's been a wonderful year of preschool. I'm thankful for the Moms who came together and did this for these kids. We're not sure what we'll do this next school year for Kendal. Preschools around here are expensive / filled up; and we're potentially moving this summer. Hopefully something comes our way and Kendal can have another fun year of learning and friends.

Family time

My parents decided to come and visit over the weekend. The kids were thrilled all weekend to have Grandpa, Grandma, and Auntie Katherine come and spoil them with love, attention, and sweets. Saturday we went to Twin Falls for a picnic. The kids loved looking at the water and we walked around a bit. After that we went the the temple. Kendal was happy to show Grandma and Grandpa "her temple" and we walked around. Later we went to the park and enjoyed the swings and jungle gym. While the kids had a blast we adults wished for a bench in the shade. We went out to eat Saturday night and came home and played games with the kids before they went down for the night.
We all went to church Sunday and enjoyed some leisure time in the afternoon before my parents and sister left. I'm glad the weather was good for the weekend, and my family came up to see us. Family time is top priority in my books and I'm grateful for the opportunity we had to spend time with my parents and sister.Thanks Mom, Dad, and Katherine for the visit and the fun!
Forgot my camera at Twin Falls : / Here are a couple from the park.

4 1/2

Today Kendal is for and a half. Kendal is obsessed with birthdays and always wants a running list of whose birthday is next

in the family.
Kendal will finish her first year of preschool this next week. She has loved learning and making friends. Kendal is reading simple books with us and loves to learn new things. Kendal is full of questions and comments. She wants to be in the know of things.
Kendal is still pretty social and open. She does have her moments though when she needs Mom and Dad as an anchor before she feels comfortable enough to talk and play.
Kendal has a decent imagination on her and loves to play mom's and kids, or have dance parties. She plays well with others, but has a tenancy to try and be in charge. This usually doesn't bode well for Peter because he'd rather do his own thing instead of having his play dictated by his sister.
 Kendal is always full of love for others. Throughout the day kendal tells us she loves us and wants a hug or kiss. Sometimes she can be a bit much and we have to tell her to give others space (Especially her brother and new cousin Ashley).
Kendal likes to play games. She wants us to play hide and seek almost daily. She loves Play dough time, board /card games, and computer / tablet time.
Kendal likes to help out and lately asks to help with things like sweeping, folding clothes, wiping the table,  and cooking. In glad she's willing to help out because I know this phase won't last forever.
We're looking forward to this summer where we get a lot of daddy time, kendal will get to take swim lessons, we'll camp a bit, and we'll have lots of opportunities to visit family.

Mommyhood

Sometimes I reflect on the things I took for granted before I had kids. Going to the store alone, going on dates with Casey whenever we wanted, time away from home, having a clean house, looking decent most of the time, etc. 

While there are things I used to be able to do I am happy to trade them in for the opportunity to have my two wonderful kids in my life. My kids are my world. I am so lucky and blessed to get to stay home with them, love them, teach them, and learn from them. I learn lessons every day as a Mom and know I have a lifetime of learning and growing with my kids. Their hugs and love melt my heart. I love their unique personalities and thank my Heavenly Father every day for the blessing of having them as my own.

I owe my Mom so much. My mother has influenced me in so many ways and I look up to and love her so very much. I married into a great family with a wonderful mother in law. She is another great example I look up to.
Happy mother's day to the mommies in my life!

I love to see the Temple

I'll go inside someday . . .

Whenever we drive by the Temple Kendal asks when we can go and walk around. With winter behind us we took this beautifully warm evening and walked around the Temple with the kids. Peter loved the fountain, and Kendal loved the flowers all around (she didn't get to see a couple getting married though ; )