Memorial Day, Part 2

 Monday was another fabulous day. We went to the park and had a picnic, then came home and let the kids play in the yard, and barbequed with Troxells and another friend. The kids got sooooo dirty running around in the yard! Just looking at these pictures makes me want to take a shower!

Memorial Day, Part 1

We had the most wonderful weekend! Lots of fun times with family and friends, and GORGEOUS weather (James laughed at me when I told Kenley it was going to be a "beautiful, sunny night"). First up, a BBQ up at my cousin Rita's house to say good-bye to my other cousin Lori, who is moving away even though we've hardly gotten to hang out yet.

 

Then it was off to the cabin with my grandma!

Love this picture of Claire - doesn't she look so comfortable?

Giving my grandma all the most special rocks at the playground.

About 11pm

Parker and Claire are such sweet little buddies.

Picnic out on the raft

It's beginning to look a lot like sunshine....

Last week it was super warm here (like, upper FIFTIES, can you believe it?). Every day when I got home from work the kids were outside enjoying the sunshine. On Friday, the heat was so sweltering (high of 59 degrees) that the kids got their swimsuits on and ran through the sprinklers. Summer, here we come!

 No, I would never let my kids run around with sharp sticks. Why?

Lovin' the ankle chub.

 Soooooo cute! This might be my favorite swimming suit I've ever purchased for the kids. And I have purchased a LOT.

Don't worry, those aren't creepers in the background staring at the kids. It's my grandma and grandpa stopping by to say hello. LOVE living close to them!

Soccer, here we come!

 Kenley is playing on a little soccer team here this summer. It is a league for 4- and 5-year-olds, and of course it is the cutest thing, since they score in the wrong goal, fall over, trip themselves, and wander around crying.

Kenley loves playing and is actually pretty good (totally unbiased opinion, of course!). She scored her first goal last week and it was pretty exciting stuff around here!

Happy Mother's Day!

This picture exemplifies why I am the luckiest person in the world on Mother's Day. These two make my life better with their love, support, and advice. In this picture, as my mom and stepmom are waiting for Andrea to come out of the temple, you can just see their genuine affection for each other and their happiness and love for Andrea. I am so thankful for them and all that they do and teach to me to make me a better mom. They give me tangible and emotional support as a navigate motherhood myself, always encouraging me and instilling me with confidence as I face challenges. I know they're 100% in my corner and I can always count on them.

Also on Mother's Day I am thankful for the other mother figures in my life. There have been so many women in my life who have looked over me and guided me the way that a mom would. Grandmas, aunts, my mother-in-law and sisters-in-law, my RB "other moms," YW leaders, and ward members. I am also thankful for my girlfriends who help me figure out the crazy world of motherhood, endlessly discussing the details of carseat brands, sleep problems, potty training, birthday parties, and a million other things. I am lucky to have such strong and supportive women in my life. Thanks to all of you on Mother's Day.

And I guess these rugrats too, who challenge me every day to be the best mom I can be, and love me unconditionally when I mess it up.

Cuteness in a sweater dress

My mom is even more special than...

Today was Kenley's Mother's Day Tea at her preschool. I was able to leave work and attend, and it was such a fun and relaxing afternoon. It really struck me how much Kenley is growing up and learning, becoming more confident. She had some traumatized tears during her preschool Christmas performance, but today she just looked straight at me (too nervous to look anywhere else) and sang with such a big smile on her face that you would never have known how shy and nervous she felt.

The best part was a card where they ask the kids questions and write down their answers. It was then that I truly found out how incomparably special I am in my daughter's eyes.

Easter Sunday

Happy Easter! We had a day marked by momentous firsts - both the first Easter Sunday James has been able to spend with our family, and the first time we've been able to get a picture of all three kids smiling and looking at the camera! Happy day!

Cute sisters in their Easter hats (Parker was throwing a fit at this time and I thought this was going to be the only pics I got of the kids in their church clothes - luckily he changed his mind later.)

And Claire rocking her Easter dress. She LOVED that thing!