Orlando Overload!

We just got home from the most amazing trip! My father in-law and his wife have a tradition of taking each grandchild when they turn ten on a Disney trip. Well, this year, THREE grandsons turned ten, so we had THREE times the partying to do. And we did....oh my....we did!
In the last week we have been to:

Universal Studios
Islands of Adventure
Disneyworld
Epcot Center
Disney Quest
and the looney bin!

It was so incredible to be with all of Matt's family and to enjoy the fun with the kids...oh, who am I kidding, I was the one racing to the Hogwarts castle and knocking people out of the way!

Goodbye Grandpa

Two weeks ago, we buried my Grandpa Hunt. It was a beautiful service and a true celebration of his life. As soon as I heard that he had passed away, my initial reaction was a feeling of peace. Grandpa had been deteriorating for a few years, with the last two being extremely difficult. He suffered from Parkinson's, among other things, and it was always sad to see him nave to struggle. I am so glad he has been freed from his body and is no longer suffering. It was so great to be able to see family I had not seen in over 15 years. It was also amazing to see how many people my grandpa touched throughout his life. He was an amazing man who was gentle, sweet, and kind. He exercised everyday of his life that he was able, and he had a strong testimony of the gospel. I am sad for the pain my grandma is going through in losing him, but grateful for the knowledge that she will be with him again.

A WHOLE Hand

Joshua turned five yesterday, or as he puts it, "I'm a WHOLE hand old now!"

Joshua is such a funny, sweet, happy boy. I don't know how I got so lucky as to be his mama, but I'm grateful everyday for it.

He had breakfast in bed, followed by a party at the park with some of his friends. After dinner (Oreganos!) he went on a hot/cold search for his presents. He was really quick to find them!

Joshua loves to play with his brother and sister. He loves to jump on the trampoline, play the Wii with Nicholas, read books with mom, and play games with the family. He's old enough now to play his own game of Yatzee instead of "helping" dad with his. :)

Joshua is so excited to start kindergarten in July. I'm excited for him. He is very smart and I know he will love school.

Some funny things out of his mouth lately include:

"Mom, please PLAUSE (pause) the movie, I'll be right back."

(Listening to his heart with Grandma Sandy's stethoscope) "I can hear my heart beeping!"

(While I'm helping him scrub down in the shower) "Careful mom! That's my bad knee!!"

I love this kid.

Boys

My big man, Nicholas, turned ten last Friday. The big 1-0...double digits...a decade. I can hardly believe it. He is such a sweet kid with a huge heart. I am such a lucky mama to have such an incredible son. He is really a bright spot in my life.

This other cutie is about to turn five. He's registered for kindergarten and learning a TON of stuff already in preschool. Hard to believe all that, especially when he looks like this:

I Heart My Boys....

Musings

So, time flies. This is not new. I somehow did not post in the whole month of February...and it was MY BIRTHDAY....(sorry, but I love my bday!) So a quick recap:

I came down with bronchitis two days before my birthday. I felt awful. Matt got it two days after my birthday. Joshua fell victim next, and Jaycie was also taken hostage

by it. Nicholas has somehow alluded the terribleness, and I hope it stays that way.

Matt and I somehow managed to pull ourselves together long enough to go sit in the 7th row for WICKED...It was amazing. Ny third time seeing it, but his first. The best seats ever, and the best performance out of the three by far. It was wonderful!

Also...WHAT THE HECK?!?! Crystal Light is either brilliant or completely bonkers...

That is all.

Preschool Rocks!

Riding the Alphabet Train!

Creating an upside down masterpiece

Milking it for the camera...

Getting ready to sing for the parents

I started working part-time at a preschool in December. It's the best job in the world and I get to be in Joshua's class. I love to hang out with 4 year olds, what can I say? I am a BIG kid at heart. (and mentally sometimes as well, but that's a whole other story...) We have been on a field trip to the zoo, and performed a music concert for parents and that's in the last two months alone. Joshua is having a blast, and it's helping him prepare for Kindergarten (which starts in July! ACK!)

'Tis The Season to Neglect the Blog

(I'm singing happy birthday to Matt up close and personal, lol)

Wow, no post in December?! Lazy, lazy, lazy! Well, things have been pretty hectic around here. I (Melissa) started a part time job as an assistant teacher in a preschool. Christmas season is always busy, and I got called to be the Primary President in our ward. That is a job where I am responsible for the organization that oversees the teaching of Sunday School to kids ages 18 months to 12 years old.It's kept me pretty busy to say the least.

We had Matt's dad and stepmom visit us for Christmas this year, which was great.

It's always nice to see family. I love my father-in-law's camera...it takes amazing pictures! Im totally coveting one now...uh oh...

Here's a few good ones: