Silver Mountain Indoor Water Park...Day 1

Memorial day weekend was coming, and Central Valley School district was taking off the Friday before as a make up snow day so we had an extra long weekend. Ben and I decided to take the kids to the Silver Mountain indoor water park. Last minute we called up the Mortimers to invite them and Ben called to get two adjoining suites, so that's what we did and it was so much fun! We had a joined kitchen and living room and separate bedrooms and bathrooms.  We got there and first thing the kids wanted to immediately go swimming, of course. Even though it was closer to bedtime. But we went and here we are all jammed into the elevator:

 

These kiddies were so excited to get into that water, and had such a great time!

 

Jackson was not happy at first. I couldn't tell if he didn't like the water, or the life jacket that I forced on him. It was probably both.

 

So, after enough whining and crying, him and I sat it out and ate snacks. The rest of the kids and adults went off and had grand adventures in the water slides!

 

We eventually had to take the babies back to the room but the big kids wanted to stay and play, so they did just that with the daddy's.

 

Meg and I were chatting in the bathroom after getting the littles bathed, and Taylor came up to me and said, mommy, take some pictures of me. So, I did! She is so funny, because just the day before at her preschool graduation, she wouldn't even look at the camera and now she was wanting to be a model! :)

 

 

 

All her own poses, by the way...

 

The men folk came home with some pizza, we pigged out, and we hit the sack! I love how swimming makes kids soooo very tired!  There was a loft above the kitchen that just had some beds, so Avery and Taylor got the big queen up there, and Tucker and Owen got a twin and a trundle and luke got a bed up there, and then we had Jackson with us, and they had Cole and Kate in the room with them, their room had a pull out hide a bed couch. It was perfect for us. We tried to stay up chatting in the living room, but the kids upstairs kept on wanting to know what we were talking about and kept trying to but in on our convo. It was so much fun though, I love having friends who are like family!

Oh, and this one was content just laying on the bathroom floor chatting with himself. He is so funny, I could just watch him all day. The bathroom was a pretty nice spot, I can't blame him! :)

 

 

Taylor's Preschool Graduation...

Can't believe my little girl is getting so big. Her big peschool graduation day came and I'm so glad that Teacher Barbara keeps the program short and sweet and minimal.

 

Their parade of musical instruments when they start the program:

When did my baby girl get so tall and skinny?

 

Then they sing the Alphabet song:

 

Taylor's cute little BFF, Will doing his part in the program:

 

And the cutest little guy, Henry. Teacher Kimbo's son, and Teacher Barbara's grandson. He's a bit young to be in the class, but since they are both the teachers, he gets to be in. He was up on that stage and I was dying! He is the cutest thing ever!

 

 

Taylor doing one of her parts:

 

The little stinker, knew that I was taking pictures and wanted her to look at me, but she refused. She was being so stubborn (I don't know where she got that?!) :)

 

I got there early to get a front row seat, and Jackson tried to climb on that stage the whole time. The stinker, always thinks that he has to be involved in whatever is happening! :)

 

Taylor, being the little red hen...

 

And, once again, refusing to look at me! She would glance with her eyes, and tried to hard not to crack a smile.

 

And here she is, receiving her ABC book. That is what they get when they cross the stage.

 

 

 

 

Very proud of herself:

 

Finally Jackson got to go up and be with the big kids:

 

So proud of my little preschool graduate. I was really worried she wouldn't pass, but she did. WHEW! :) lol

 

Really, look at that stance, and of course, in between two boys. This girl is all girl and all sass and all independence, and she chose everything about her hair and outfit this day and now she's with two boys. Can I just lock her in her room now and not let her out for another 18 years or so!

Will and Ethan, her BFF's in preschool:

 

And had to get a shot with Teacher Barbara, we love her so much! I remember when Tucker went to her there were rumors that she might be retiring, and I just prayed that she would stick around long enough to be Taylor's preschool teacher, and now that she was, I am just praying that she sticks around long enough to be Jackson's! :)

 
 Now it's off to kindergarten for this one!

My Tucky boy...

Tucker. Where do I begin with Tucker?! I love him so much. He ALWAYS has something on his mind. His mind is always going a million miles a minute. Always has a new scheme or idea or plan. I love that so much about him! This month it has been the talent show, so him and Carson have been practicing and practicing. He got the idea from his grandpa joke that he was telling at school. Then he went with it. They dressed up like grandpas and came out old and crippled, and then music came on and they started dancing. It was his and Ben's idea and it just evolved from there! :) It was so much fun seeing him mastermind this cute dance with his buddy Carson.

 

 

 

His other two besties, Taylor and Owen came over one Friday after school for a fun pizza and movie night. It was when Ben was out of town, so it was just us partying. I loved doing this as a kid, and my mom was so good to let me have friends over and play a lot and I love doing that for my own kids. Luckily Tucker is just as social as I am and also enjoys it!

My dream birthday...

My birthday this year was absolutely amazing! I wasn't expecting or needing anything fancy, but like usual, Ben made my birthday perfect and blew me away. I woke up to an absolutely silent house. Almost too silent, ya know! So, I went downstairs and found this:

Along with flowers, and balloons, and bags and bags of gift cards to my favorite places, like Nordy's and Gappers and to get my nails did and to get a massage! It was like the perfect gift for me and more than I could have ever asked for! I almost didn't know what to do with myself, and may have even gotten back into my bed for a bit. It was heavenly!

 

 

Katrina was already on her way to bring me breakfast and it was so nice to just enjoy my Mcdonalds breakfast with one of my BFF's! And have it be brought to me while in my pj's was an added bonus! After she left, I just took my sweet little time being in my quiet empty house, getting ready and enjoying every second of not having to hurry or hustle. Seriously, that was the best gift right there, being able to take my time and not hurry was the absolute best! I took so long that I ended up having to decided on weather or not I wanted to get my nails done or do some shopping before my massage appointment. I chose to get my nails done since I didn't know when I'd have another chance to get that done! I also stopped and indulged a bit and got a vanilla Italian soda which was heavenly!

 

I then headed to my massage, which, of course, was wonderful! When I got out of the massage I was told to head home for some dinner and dessert.

On the way home, I decided I couldn't let the day pass without doing at least a little bit of shopping! :) So, I stopped at Nordy's and found myself the perfect pair of summer sandals which totally made my day!

 

Also, when I got home, Meg brought me this cute vase with these beautiful hydrangeas! I sure am lucky with these BFF's of mine!

 

AND... Kathryn gave me a glass jar full of cash and some SKOR bars, so really, it was the perfect day! :)

 

I got home to these guys, which really, make turning another year older worth every second.

 

They helped me blow out my candles on my delicious nothing bundt cake cakes. Kathryn got us mini ones of all different flavors and they were divine! It was a perfect ending to a perfect day!

 

My greatest blessing by far are these amazing people that I get to spend my normal every day life with. I love them more than anything, and am grateful for the love they show me by giving me these days off to recharge and count my blessings!

Rosa's Birthday...

Rosa's birthday was two days before mine. I wanted to do something special for her, because I know she doesn't have a lot of family here, and I would hate to feel like I didn't have anyone to celebrate my birthday with. So, me and the sister missionaries took her to lunch. She wanted to go to Cafe Rio, and of course, with Rosa, we had a great time. I love that lady! She is one of Jackson's many adoring fans, and it just made her day because he started to say her name, and was saying Rosa over and over again and it was the cutest thing ever!

 

Here are all four of us, Hna. Boman, Hna. Santiago and Rosa and I. And Jackson being a pill. The little stinker.

 

So we got one without him. I'm so grateful for the wonderful friends I've made in the branch. I don't know what I would do without these people. They are more like family to me, and I just love them.

 

 

My Tay Tay

This little lady is my whole world. I love her so much. She is so happy and helpful and sweet and loving. I don't know what I did to deserve such a sweetie. She's pretty much the best!

I got to sub in her primary class this month and I just couldn't help myself from snapping a picture of these cute little friends: Taylor, Isabella, Daniella and Jaylie.

 

She loves to create and make things all the time. I am constantly getting sweet little cards and pictures from her. This one was so cute, and perfect for the spring, I framed it and put it next to our front door. I had been wanting to find something for this spot and I had this cute 8x8 black frame there from something at Christmas time, so it was definitely time for a change.

 

And she loves her gymnastics. And I have to say, she is so freaking good! I am so proud of her, and her determination and how hard she works!

 

AND...she lost her second tooth!!! Her other front top tooth, and now she has a huge hole in her smile! She is the cutest with her gappy smile!

 

 

She inherited this awesome party light from Kathryn's house and has been using as a night light in her room. Her room is the party room, I guess! I don't know how she sleeps with it on, personally, but she loves it!

 

And here she is all dressed up for church one Sunday. I loved the side pony so much, I had to get a picture! :) I mean, really. The girl pretty much rocks! And Halejulia for being able to wear light flowy dresses again and not having to bundle up! woo-hoo!

 

I found this back pack on clearance for her for Kindergarten next year and she wouldn't take it off all day. It looks so big on her, but so so cute!

 

 She, of course, had to start wearing it to school that very day...

 

My big girl wanting to do everything on her own and independently! :(