Spanish Fork

After years of neglect, we finally went to Sam and my Dad's grave to clean them off and pay our respects.  Things were looking pretty bad.  They have run over the marker with the lawn mower so there are chunks taken out of it and the hard water stains are bad.  It's in a sad state for sure.  My dad's marker was covered in bird poop.  We took care of it all and it looks better now.  Just in time for memorial day.

I don't know why I didn't end up with a picture of the entire family, but I guess when there are several cameras out,we all end up with different pictures.  My mom was there and my sister Lori with her whole family.

 I'm glad my mom brought the lime away!

The little boys had fun running around with their pin wheels.  They didn't want to leave them there forever, so they got to take theirs home.  Jason kept telling me that he was blowing on it for Sam (to make the flower turn).

 There's our little family.  I miss Sam the most when we are out together and I see another family with 5 kids.  I look at my group of 4 and wish that I could count to 5 when I am rounding them up.  I know it sounds silly, and I don't even know how to really describe it...so, I guess that's enough of that.
It was nice to go to the cemetery and think of those that we love.  I wish my dad could see all his grandchildren and be here to give us all advise.  I miss him.  I'm glad that grave doesn't have my mom's name on there yet.  I don't even want to see it on there for at least 30 years.  :)

I don't have any pictures, but Mike and I went to the Provo City Center Temple on Saturday morning. It is a beautiful temple and it was nice to go.  That's why I really don't feel guilty about neglecting Sam's grave.  I go to the temple and that's how I do my duty as his mother.  Sam's body is in the ground, but his spirit is alive and well and doing missionary work on the other side of the veil.  I think he can handle some hard water stains on his grave marker, but he'd be sad if I didn't do what I could to further the work of redeeming the dead.  I won't let hard water stains get on my temple recommend :).  Happy Memorial Day!

Date Night

Allie had a fun idea for our date night the other night.  We went and bought balloons and learned how to make balloon animals.  She picked it up fast and can make all sorts of fun things now.  We really like our date nights.  

Backyard Hammock

Allie has been spending her evenings out in the back yard in a home made hammock.  If it's raining, there is no problem...they have umbrellas.

Sometimes she lets Jason join in the fun.

It's all very cute.

Bread Day

When it's bread day, these guys like to make their own little loaves.

Jason has a cute little poem about poking the dough in the belly.

They eat their own bread when it's all done.  It's all so fun!

Egg Drop

Allie's school had an egg drop and she was super excited to try her egg out.  The boys were super happy to be there enjoying themselves.

Her egg fell without cracking!  Great job on your design Allie!

We had a little problem with Nate and a dumpster.  He bonked his head and cut it.  I couldn't decide if I should take him in for staples or just glue it myself.  He really didn't want to go in because he can still remember the last staples, so we glued it and it worked!  Poor kid.

Last Day!

Nate had his last day of preschool today.  He will miss it for sure.  He learned a lot this year, and he is really excited for kindergarten.  He knows that you learn to read in kindergarten and he is ready to do just that.  Today he told me that he will read books to Jason to get him to sleep.  I remember Allie thinking that she was going to learn to read the first day of kindergarten, so I keep telling him that it will take the whole year, but I'm afraid he doesn't believe me.
For now, so long to preschool.  It was awesome!

There were only three boys in the class and they are all pals.  We've had a few play dates and have exchanged numbers to get together in the summer.  They are cute boys for sure.

This little friend was on Nate's soccer team too.  He really likes her and asked me one day if she wants to be a mom when she grows up because he wants to be a dad and she'd probably make a good mom.  I know he wants to marry a girl named Sophie in our ward, so I'm not sure where things stand with this friend...

I sure do love this Nate boy of mine and hope he has a great summer break!  Way to go kid!

FHE

We took a walk one day as a family for FHE.  Allie has a hut up the canyon that she wanted us to see.

It's pretty cute.  She has plotted off a spot for a garden and Heidi gave them some flowers to plant.

She also has a fresh flower spot that she fills up each time she needs new flowers.

It's all very cute.

After seeing the hut, they went on an adventure.

I love seeing Allie take care of her little brother.

They also played in the river.

It was a lovely evening.  :)

Found...

I was looking for some of my treasures the other day and I came across a box of camp stuff.  I don't know why I hung onto it for all these years, but I couldn't just keep saving it, so I took a picture and then tossed it all.  

There sure is a lot of work that is put into stuff for camp.

I earned this award because I loved chopping wood when I was a beehive.

I did love my years at Camp Shalom.  We had a pretty great program and I'm grateful for all the leaders who put such time and effort into making it awesome.  I only know how much work it takes now that I am older and have been to camp as an adult.  Anyway, it was fun to come across that box of treasures.

Allie's Soccer Season

Allie's soccer season went well.  She loves soccer and always has a great time playing.

She doesn't love being goalie, but does a pretty good job at it.

For the most part, I was able to go to the games without the boys.  Either Mike was with them, or Jake watched them so we could go together.  When we did have to take them, they weren't as bad as they were in other years (running out onto the field), but they do wrestle a lot and that drives me crazy because someone always ends up in tears.

Anyway it goes, it was a nice season and fun to watch.