Memorial Day and Jacob's Birthday

Thought this pic was funny with Clayton wondering what the heck everyone was doing.

Jacob got to share his birthday this year with those who have gone before us. I loved this day. From start to finish it was funtabulous. I bounced out of bed that morning excited for Jacob's birthday. I woke his up with a happy birthday song. He just smiled and stared at me, then gave me a long hug. I asked him what he wanted for his birthday breakfast, I knew the answer. Square cereal. Meaning LIFE. For this is what Jacob has for breakfast everyday of his life for the last at least 6 years. It's like pulling teeth to get him to eat anything else in the morning. Then he opened presents. He finally got his starwars tank that he asked for for Christmas last year. He was so dissapointed that he didn't get what he asked for. Dane and I found that it was 200$ cheaper in May than December. Jacob and Luke both love it and have spent several hours since playing with it.

Then it was on to the next big Birthday surprise. Grandpa was flying down in his remos to give Jacob a flight back to Mapleton with him. Jacob had been asking for months to fly with Grandpa. This was the perfect Day. Chloe flew down with him, then took Jacob back. Jacob wasn't nervous just a little serious about it all. Luke and Clayton were quite put OUT! Clayton did get to sit on a huge motorcycle though at the airport.

Then it was off to the Cemetary. We picked peonies from our yard and decorated Grandpa Lee and Uncle Jacobs grave. We also listened to a tribute. So fun that Granny went with us.

Lastly we headed up to Mapleton to BBQ with the Clayton gang. Love hanging out with my fam.

(sorry my pictures are all the wrong order. I'm relearning this blog thing)

self portraits.

I keep scanning the photos on my camera and find a lot of self portraits from mostly Luke, and a few from Jacob too. Had to share cause they make me smile.

Jacob's friend Party

Jacob had his friend party today. It was crazy and a lot of fun. Have you ever taken 13 boys bowling? FUN STUFF. Actually I was surprised how good they were. They were also very independent. It is strange as the kids get older how they need you less, and actually at times don't want you. It's time for a parent to step back and just enjoy. after bowling we came back home and enjoyed pizza, brownies, and icecream. It's amazing how much fun boys can just have with balloons. I'm so proud of Jacob for the boy he is. He is such a nice, and considerate friend. I was so impressed with the conversation around the table at the party. The boys were talking turns saying where they wanted to go on their missions. They also spent time talking about BYU, and baseball, and how much they hated the Utah Utes. Hahah. Jacob is playing baseball this spring again. He is learning a lot. He doesn't have a competitive bone in his body, but maybe that will come later, or maybe not. Jacob loves legos, and anything starwars. He got a lot of water guns for his party, and we had a family water gun fight after the party. All the kids wanted to be on my team and spray Daddy. It was like they didn't have the heart to spray me. What respect. We sure love you Jacob and are glad you are part of our family.

homemade cleaners that I have enjoyed.

all purpose spray
1/4 c. white vinegar 2 c. water 30 drops essential oil (i used on guard from doterra. proven to kill bacterial and virus) 1 t. borax
window cleaner
1/2 c. white vinegar 1 C. water 10-20 drops lemon essential oil soft scrub (make one batch at a time) 1 c. baking soda 1/4 c. castile soap (i bought on amazon) 1 T. water 1T. vinegar 5-10 drops essential oils floor cleaner
1 gallon hot water 2 T liquied castile soap 15 drops wild orange essential oil 8 drops lemon essential oil toilet bowl cleaner (one time use)
1/2 c. baking soda 10 drops of melaleuca oil 1/4 vinegar all purpose no vinegar 20 drops on guard essential oil 1 t. borax 1 c. water

 You can totally mix this up and tweak them as you go. I bought nice spray bottles in the garden section at walmart. I like the doterra oils cause they are the purest grade. So the antibacterial really works, and the fragrence is so yummy. You start out buying a few products that you might not already have but so worth it cause you do save money and it feels so much healthier not to use chemicals. And they work just as well. if you don't have any oils I would start out with lemon and on guard. you can do just about everything with just those two. This is so easy and satisfying as you clean. I needed a little pick me up when it comes to cleaning. There are so many other receipes online too.

Manti music and Dance spring show

Yesterday was Lindsay's spring show for Manti Music and Dance. She gets so excited for her shows. She loves showing us what she has been working on since Christmas. Its fun for me too cause the show is the only time I see her perform her numbers. She doesn't really practice at home, and I dont ever observe her classes. My favorite part of the show was when she sang "I got Rythmn" It was awsome. She did such a good job singing the whole song by herself. She also sand Dancing queen with two other girls. They came out in gold bellbottom suits. So cute. Lena and Chloe came down to watch the show and spend the night. Lindsay loved their support. Lindsay has made a new friend in dance this year. Her and Keyera have tons of fun together.

It's been a wonderful spring day. I love this time of year. There is such an excitment in the air for school to be out. We have recital and field trips galore. Busy but fun. My life is feeling so different now that my youngest is 3 and playing more independently. Over the last 11 years I have had a baby to look after and follow around. Motherhood,and housewife keep me so busy but now I feel like I can take a breath now and again, and also I sleep most nights!!!!! So I plan on having such a fun summer with lots of fun outdoor activities with my kids. I feel like i've gotten them here; now lets have FUN. Yes I did enjoy the journey, but it was dang hard. So I don't know what this blog is but it might have some rambling from me and a few pictures. The purpose of this blog is a history for my kids in the future to look back on and enjoy the pictures and maybe get to know me a little better. So Dane and I are eating as carb free as we can. So I might post some recipes once in awhile that worked for our family. I would love yours too. I need to do a little catch up with pictures. so hang in there.

A few Mother's Day memories. My kids were so sweet and thoughtful. Lindsay woke Dane up that morning to get him out of bed to make breakfast for me. She spent time with the boys making cards, and wanted to make sure hourly that I was having a good Mother's day. I had a good Mother's day Lindsay. It was the best.

It's been a year and a half since I have posted on my blog. I thought I was done in the blog world, but of late I have felt drawn to the thought of sharing my life and photos on my blog again. Well this will be a short one since it's 12:18am. Not able to quite sleep just yet. I will post some pictures from today. The school year is finally coming to a close. Today was Luke's preschool Graduation. He has been in this preschool for 2.5 years. He is very excited about heading on to the next phase of life. KINDERGARTEN!

On our way with brother.

receiving diploma

happy he got his cookie

Some of his dear teachers whom have helped so much over the years.

Lindsay Pictures

Lindsay had her Suzuki book one piano recital recently. This is such a big accomplishment for her. She worked very hard memorizing 18 songs, and playing them all at once in front of a audience. She played for about 30 minutes straight. It was practically flawless. We were all so proud of her. She even was rewarded with a trip to the salon before the show, so I can't take credit for this fabulous hair do. She felt very beautiful and looked like an angel. I've posted other photos of Lindsay throughout the last year.