end of May part 2

What a whirl wind of fun, good times, and programs we went thru last week.

Taylor had her rain forest program and it was adorable! Her classroom was decked out. She did a great job in her Toucan dance and it was so fun to see her class perform the songs that I've been hearing her sing around the house for the past few weeks. I love this little girl so much. She is heaven sent.

Excuse me while I brag for a minute, but Taylor five timed her goal for her school's AR reading at home program this quarter! She was one of two to do this in the whole school. If the kids reach their goal (meaning they read a certain amount of books at a certain level of difficulty depending on what level they are in for reading) they get to pick a stuffed animal and as a result of Taylor doing so well she got to pick 10! I told her she needed to set up a stuffed animal shop! Instead she picked one for each of her brothers and her sister. She put a lot of thought into each one she was going to pick for them. Talan got a monkey, Easton got a giraffe, (he loves giraffes) Chase a puffle, and Avery a cute mini pink monkey. 

Chase's class had a bounce house-snow cone party on the last day of school. Me and Tal and East snuck over for a bit during it. I couldn't have asked for a better class or teacher for Chase this year. What a perfect end to a great year. 

Talan had his end of the year program last week too. I am going to miss having Mrs. Peggy in our lives next year. She is seriously the best!!

During their rainbow/colors song Talan and one of his favorite friends Kennedy, were the rainbow as all the kids were getting their props together and Talan was trying to match up his side of rainbow with Kennedy's, Talan shouted out "Mrs Peggy we can't get it together!" Sweet Talan can always make us smile.

The last day of school we decided, very last minute, to let the kids each have their own end of school summer party after school. Such fun friends they all have. We are so blessed. 

And that's a wrap. Good-bye May and Hello June! First official day of summer. Wa-Hoo!

schools out for summer!

"No more homework, no more books, no more teachers dirty looks!" :)

Today was our first official day of summer! And to be honest, I felt a little sad today knowing that this school year is now officially over. Chase is no longer a kindergartener, Taylor is going into 4th grade this fall, two more years and she's headed to Middle School. (Wasn't I just in Middle School like 5 years ago??) Maybe it's my pregnancy making me ultra sensitive or maybe it's because my kids are growing up and there's a part of me that doesn't like it. And then there's a part of me that loves seeing them develop into who they are meant to be, I just wish it didn't have to happen so fast! It's all so very bitter sweet. At least we have all summer now to spend time together. I plan on making the most of it!

Talan on his 1st day  Aug 2011         Talan on his last day May 2012

Chase on his 1st day Aug 2011         And on his last day May 2012

 

Tay on her first 1st day Aug 2011          Taylor on her last day May 2012

                                                            
And here's Easty Peasty on our very last day alone together. It's been so fun to spend some good alone time with him this year. I'll miss running errands with just me and him and stopping for lunch somewhere just the two of us!

I love my kids! Hooray for summer!

May 2012 Part 1

This month has been quite the busy one, and here we are only halfway through it. The boys finished up their baseball seasons, (two games twice a week), Chase had his end of the year kindergarten program, the kids all had a lot of field trips with their classes at school, Taylor participated in the Talent show at her school, which consisted of two performances and two rehearsals, Cort completed his first Olympic tri, in 2 hours and 44 minutes, (I swear there's NOTHING that guy can't do), Mother's Day came and went, what a great day that was, I sure am blessed with some great kids and one great guy, Cort took the boys on the father and sons campout, while me and Taylor got together with some friends that same night for some girl fun, And now I'm down to my one week appointments for this little one (so exciting!), 4 weeks to go til my due date. We are looking forward to the rest of May and all the fun it will bring as well. Maybe a new baby?? I doubt it. I never go early, but there's nothing wrong with hoping that maybe this time I will, right? :)

Chase's teacher told the kids to dress in their Sunday best for the program. This is what Chase chose to wear for it. He picked it out all by himself. So handsome.

Cort's out there somewhere getting ready to start his swim for his first tri. I think he's found a new hobby

 

Taylor was quite the crowd pleaser at her school's Talent Show. So proud of her. Doing the talent show was all her idea. Love her confidence!

To watch Taylor's performance in the talent show go here: http://youtu.be/iPZDskRr0Og

Cort and the boys right before heading out for the campout. Don't let Talan fool you in this picture. He was probably the most excited one to go, but not having a nap, after getting up at 6am and then not getting to sit where you want to in the car on the drive up, would be a disappointment to anyone.

 Me and Tay on our girl's night. Love spending time with this little one. We went with some friends and saw the movie Big Miracle, (great show) and then went out to dinner. And then I fell asleep by 9:30 that night. I'm such a party animal these days!

Talan's last T-ball game under the lights

Mother's Day 2012. At the end of Sacrament that day Chase leaned over to me and said, "How was I today Mom?" Meaning in sacrament meeting. I told him you did so good. You were awesome! Then he said, "that was my gift to you!" Best gift ever! I love these kids so much!

Our little Avery. At my last appointment my doctor wanted to do a ultrasound. So fun to be able to see her so far long in my pregnancy. Can't wait to meet her in person.

Still a girl! :)

Here's a few more highlights from the past couple of weeks of May

Handstand hold contest

Taylor lost another tooth

FHE outside

Taylor and her rain forest sock puppet that we got to make of the "Cock of the Rock" bird.

Lots of mornings spent playing at our new favorite park "the dinosaur park". Talan always makes sure we all have weapons to play with while we are there. So grateful I get to spend my mornings and days with these two. Always a good time with them!

Bring on the rest of May, the end of school, and SUMMER! We are sooooo ready for you!

ya baby!

Last night Chase hit his first home run during his game. We all love this boy so much.

Easter 2012

Every year the Saturday before Easter Sunday my mom's sister, my Aunt Marie does a huge Easter egg/swim party at her house. We love being here in Arizona so we can be a part of it. It's always so nice to be with family.

My boys with some of their favorite Nelson cousins.

bffs

Swimming outside in April! Love it!


The kids made out like bandits! This was not their first Easter egg hunt. ;) Talan and Easton checking out their loot!

Taylor and Kinsey. Such fun friends and cousins. These girls are only two months apart and for sure friends for life!

Chasey

Easter morning. I wasn't as on top of it this year as I normally am ;), I meant to get ties for the boys and a cute dress that I absolutely loved for Tay well, this was as good as it got. But somehow they didn't care, I guess when it comes down to it I really didn't either. There's always next year! Still looking as cute as ever though, if I do say so myself.

One thing that I really wanted my kids to take away this year from Easter was the message of Hope that comes through the Atonement and the Resurrection of our Savior. In the past, whenever I asked them what Easter was about the answer has been "that Jesus died for us." Which is absolutely correct, He did and thank goodness for that! But, really Easter is about so much more. He lives! And He made it possible for us to be resurrected and live forever with each other as a family and with Him. There is no greater gift. How grateful I am for His life, example, and of course His sacrifice.

i just want to remember

So much to blog about! If this wasn't our family's journal, I just might give up! Ok, probably not, but I would definitely put it off a little longer. I think I have about 10 separate posts that I have started of different things we've been up too, but while I was just looking at them, I figured maybe they will actually get posted if I include them all in one post. So here we go!

Talan learned how to ride his bike without training wheels a few months ago, he caught on like a champ! Pretty much tried it and that was it. He loves cruising around on that thing.

Easton loves to ride his bike too! STOP GROWING UP EASTY!

We took the kids to a Spring Training game last week with our fun Nelson cousins. I actually really enjoyed it! Mostly, probably because I was so excited for Chase and Talan to see a real baseball game now that we have started T-ball and baseball again for them. I'm pretty sure Chase enjoyed it the most. Easton was a wreck by the end of the game, not getting a nap and getting up at 6am will do that! I think Cort is going to try and take Chase to another game next week, just the two of them. SO fun!




ATTENTION OUT OF STATE FAMILY AND FRIENDS: During Spring Training in Arizona is a great time to visit! Great games, great weather, and cheap tickets. Plus, lots of team choices to watch to choose from. Plan now! Just throwing that out there! :)

Chase waiting for his turn to bat at his very first coach pitch game. I was beaming with pride watching him play that day. And Chase is loving playing! He gets so into whatever sport he is playing. Makes it so much fun for us all.

Talan is doing T-ball for the second time. And he is just as cute to watch. I just love that little guy so much.

Taylor and Chase's school did a fun run fundraiser last week and carnival. Their school does the funnest stuff. It truly makes me sad to think we could possibly not be here after next year. That school has been such a great experience for both of them! Such a blessing for us all.

Chase ran double the laps he needed too. He is so competitive. He wouldn't stop til he had it done. Not even for a drink. And someone said all 36 laps equaled 2 miles. Not sure if that's true, but regardless he did great.

After the run with his buddies.

Taylor did great too. Although she wasn't as concerned as Chase was will getting her laps done, instead she was more interested in chatting with her friends. She is such a social butterfly.


School Carnival celebrating the end of the fun run


This past weekend was my mom's dads 92nd birthday. Happy birthday to him. Here's my Grandpa and Grandma with the kids. I hope I make 92 look as good as my grandpa does!

The kids really love to draw, especially lately. Here's some of my very favorite pictures they have done recently.
Taylor drew this picture of our family. I love how her little sister is in it.

Chase drew the stable the other day with Mary, and Joseph, and Jesus. I guess it was on his mind.

And here's Talan's version of the stable. What sweet kids we have.

Today was the first session of conference. Taylor actually invited a non-member friend over to watch the second session with us. A few days ago we were outside playing and the missionaries stopped by and asked if we knew anyone they could teach. Me and Cort both said no. But then Taylor piped in and said "I know someone." And she gave them the name of one of her little friends in her class at school. Last night those same missionaries stopped by and said they were here to "return and report." They told us that the parents of Taylor's friends had accepted a Book of Mormon and told the missionaries that they were curious about their Mormon neighbors and friends. (We basically live in a Utah neighborhood, members everywhere!) So today Taylor asked if she could invite her friend over to watch conference with us. She came and it was a great experience for us all. We played lots of conference games and Taylor had the opportunity to answer several of her questions. What an example of pure love and faith Taylor is to me.

I have been meaning to do a post on Talan for quite some time. There is no one in the world like Talan. He is such a hoot. And lives his life his way. I hope he NEVER loses that. He doesn't care what people think. He has an imaginary friend named, wait for it, Tutti who lives in a bush at Mrs. Peggy, his preschool teachers house. He loves toys so much. He reminds me of Andy on Toy Story. He can play made up games for hours, you will never hear him say he is bored. Yesterday he said to me "look mom! I can make a four." He crossed one of his legs over the other and said "see."
Talan's preschool field trip to the Zoo

Robot day at Mrs. Peggy's

Making a four :)