School stuff

Katie's class had a "Talent Show" where some children performed, and others had artwork up. This is one Katie did:

She loved this hairstyle and wanted a picture of it:

Katie's class went on a field trip to Fairview. There is a museum there with a full mammoth skeleton. It is very impressive. You can see Katie at the bottom of the picture for scale comparison:

The Fairview Museum also had a communications display. There were old phones and phone booths. Here, the children rotary-dialed the number, watched the connections being made in the glass case, and then Katie is answering the phone on the other end. The kids loved it!

Sitting in an old dentist chair.

There was a room full of displays like this. Miniature horses and carriages. This was Katie's favorite:

We also visited a fish hatchery in Fairview. There were long troughs of fish, then the guy gave each child a handful of pellets to feed the fish. The fish went crazy! The kids all started screaming too, so it was chaotic for a couple of minutes.

Elayna graduated from Preschool. She is so happy and cute! I love her expressions.

Before they graduated, they visited the Santaquin Fire Station. They got to sit on the big fire truck. 

Katie's class did some performances for her Graduation program. It was so fun and cute. I love watching my children perform.

Kathryn's 7th Birthday

Birthday Cupcake!

Grandma Evans (GG):

Grandpa Joe: (he just had some cancer removed)

Close up of us girls:

We got Katie a scooter for her birthday. She loves it!

Mom and Dad took her shopping and out to eat. She chose a "Skip It" thing. I had one when I was about her age. You put one end around your foot, and swing the other end in a circle, so you have to jump over the rope going around your foot. It's really fun.

She chose Sizzler for her birthday dinner. She wanted some steak. Ryan was taking the picture. Irma and Jerry got her a purse with fun stuff in it, and stacking dolls, and "The Secret Garden" book.

We love Katie so much. She is so happy, healthy, fun, and loves to make us laugh. She is a great helper, so smart, a good reader, thoughtful and kind. We love having Katie in our family.

Annalisa's 2nd Birthday

This is the cake I made for Annalisa's 2nd birthday:

Katie gave Annalisa a hat that used to be Katie's: (wrapped in a blanket!)

Elayna gave Anna a baby doll that Elayna used to own (also wrapped in a blanket) :

Blowing out candles:

Eating her cupcake. Yum!

Jerry and Irma gave Anna a big purple ball, sunglasses, "The Hungry Caterpillar" book, and a white Spanish-style top with a purple skirt.

Hugs to Grandpa Jerry:

Grandma Irma:

Dad and Mom gave Anna a green shirt with purple shorts, and a cute bright colored dress:

Grandpa Craig:

Grandma Paula:

GG mails the children birthday cards with balloons and money in it. We got Annalisa a small My Little Pony Twilight Sparkle from GG.

GG:

Ryan and I got Anna a pink bike that makes lots of fun sounds:

Daddy:

Mom:

Admiring her new "bike" -(3 wheels, with pedals):

Loving her sunglasses and ball, with Grandpa Craig holding cute outfits for Annalisa:

We love Annalisa so much! We are so grateful she is a part of our family. She gives wonderful hugs and kisses. She adores her sisters. We love her laughter and the joy she brings to our lives!

April 2013

Someone went a little crazy with stamps:

Anna uses sunglasses for a belt, and a watch for a headband.

Such cute girls - at my Parent's house

Mom, Me, Amanda and Alisha are all born in the same week in April. We try to get together and celebrate our birthdays sometime. It can be anytime during the year. This year it happened to be in April.

My sisters and I:

Plus our Mom:

We had this infant car seat in the garage, and Anna tried to see if she could fit in it. Not quite.

I'm not sure where this strained smile is coming from. It is funny to me that she is smiling the same, with her arms tight to her sides, just like she was in the car seat. 

Elayna is standing on the seat of one of her old car seats. Who knew they could be so much fun? 

Katie doing tricks again. 

So of course Elayna has to try also: 

This is a painting of me and my sister Alisha in 1995. The artist, Steve Parsons, wanted to do a study of  Hollyhocks. It was supposed to be kind of a trial painting, and Amanda was at a basketball camp while it was being done. I guess after he finished, he was going to just paint over it, but my parents bought it from him instead. We all wish that Amanda could have been in the painting also.
We are standing in front of my Granny's back porch. She had the most beautiful flowers all over her yard, but these Hollyhocks were amazing. Wow, just thinking about those flowers, and her yard, makes me miss her so much. 

And it is interesting that Katie and I are both the oldest of 3 girls, and she is sitting under me. And Annalisa is the youngest, like Alisha, and sitting under her. I'm not sure where Elayna is, probably at a friend's house.

Katie discovered she could climb the door frame:

I just can't get over how beautiful these girls are. Plus they are smart and obedient and kind. I'm so blessed. 

Matching hairdos. Flowers and a pony tail. 

The apricot tree in front of Irma's house. The flowers in the ground are beautiful too. My girls start singing "Popcorn Popping on the Apricot Tree" when they see it blooming.

Enjoying time with Grandma Irma

Our house is listed! Crazy! I know it is the right decision, but it is still scary!

Swinging time: 

Swinging at the park: 

Riding the Horsie at Bowman's house: These girls sure love being together:

And posing for pictures together: 

The girls gave me this for my birthday. You can push a button and the flower closes and opens. They love it so much. They took it from my room and put it in theirs so they can play with it. 

A note from Katie: 

"Hi. My namn Kathryn (Kate Katie) wen is your birthday? Myn is May 29, 2013. I will be 7. how old will you be?     to Abby love Katie     I hate elayna. Please do not tell anyone."
This note just makes me laugh.

Irma has a swing that the girls love to play on. All 3 girls wanted to swing together: 

My hair, courtesy of Katie: 

Playing at Amanda's house with  Gracie and Sadie:

GG and Grandpa Joe have a party at their house each spring. Sometimes there is a pinata involved. Here Anna is, enjoying her spoils, and sharing: 

Katie getting ready to play with her toys and eat her candy from the party. 

Elayna, with Celeste, Gracie, and Sadie on the Merry Go Round:

So sad, tired, and cold:

Nope, not really, just teasing: 

Wrestling with Ryan in the front room, with the front door open for air. 

They love beating up on their Dad. 

Elayna rode this bike without training wheels! She is at Lacee's house, playing with Swayzee.