Randmoness

I am back to the previous asked question; why do people think they no longer need a camera? If I use my phone or iPad to capture a moment I very rarely get those pictures transferred to my computer. I finally took the time today to do so and found myself grumbling with frustration. But, I got it done and now I present to you a montage of snippets of our daily life.

the boys waiting for daddy to come home

Breahna trying to figure out how to ride a bike
(we still need to teach her how)

Evelyn is always on my heels following me all around the house

 summertime water fun!

I decided I should mow the lawn before I lost a few kids in the jungle:

Evelyn loves having her own room. I love seeing this happy face that greets me after naps and especially in the morning:

my heart  melts when I see a dad holding their sleeping babies and kids

Evelyn is very proud of the fact that she can feed herself. And she will throw a screeching fit if you try to help her ... it's quite messy:

Evelyn is a very independent girl

Breahna had her hair trimmed and the stylist also did her hair, it was so cute!

 Dad taught the kid a science lesson:

 Alexander is super excited for traditional school. After 4 years of preschool he is pretty good at writing and spelling. He wrote my grocery list then helped me shop for everything:

about 15 years ago me and my best friend had a preschool class in junior high.
We were supposed to prepare lesson plans but often ended up making file folder games for ourselves.
I still have these games and my kids now love playing with them:

One day I was trying (haha) to snooze a bit on the recliner when I hear; "mom! mom!" I acknowledge Breahna and she says "I'm messy. I think I need a washcloth"

 Kaleb, and all the kids, were super excited when he lost his first tooth. It was loose for months before I was finally able to pull it out:

one of Alexander's paintings he brought home from school

one of Kaleb's paintings he brought home from school

shortly after moving in we were able to order some new furniture. Evelyn quickly discovered a box that was the perfect size for her:

 I feel so loved that the kids always make sure my vase is full of flowers:
(the also often leave me rocks on my nightstand. Special ones that they found just for me)

Exciting news in April was my sister Shawna and her husband
welcoming their 3rd girl; her name is Gretl

Brehna also loves drawing, coloring and anything art related

I made a quilt for a friends new baby named Boston.
I call it; Technicolor Elephants

The kids all love helping me work in the kitchen, especially if it involves cookies or other yummy treats:

Breahna will not take a nap anymore, except when she falls
asleep in the car. Most days, she still really needs one and will
fall asleep in random places around the house.

I am grateful for all the many ways I have to capture so many priceless, fleeting memories

May Showers

It has been wonderful having a dog. It hasn't made me an animal lover but this dog I can tolerate ... most of the time. I love seeing the kids, especially Kaleb interact with her. I love the big smiles she brings to the kids faces:

I see moments like this and I am quickly reminded; this is why we have a dog. She has been so good for Kaleb. Today the other kids were getting pretty wild. Kaleb quickly went outside for some peace and quiet. When he sat down Mako came and put her head in his lap and sat with him. Unconditional friendship.

May starts out with a birthday; Jake's. This year, as usual, was a quiet event after Jake got home from work:
Jake requested chicken, veggie lasagna for his special meal:

best chocolate cake I've ever made! I used coffee to enhance the cocoa flavor. Us not being coffee drinkers I asked Jake to grab a cup from the gas station. First time for any of us to buy coffee. But it was so worth it. It was very yummy. Chocolate peanut butter cake with a ganache drizzled over top. It was very rich. Jake took about 90% of it to work the next day so his co-workers could finish eating it.

the kids are always excited to sing 'Happy Birthday' and eat cake.
Here's a random Kaleb fact; he does not like chocolate. He ate, more like licked, a couple bites and that was more than enough. I made sure to have vanilla ice cream so he had something sweet to eat.

Not much else went on in May until the end when we celebrate our annual Memorial Day festivities with family.

Oldest nephew with youngest niece

I invited my family for dinner. Because I wasn't sure if the rain would hold off we skipped the BBQ and made fish tacos instead. No one complained about that!
We had a lot of fun playing with all the cousins:

 newest baby; Gretl

Sadie, 2nd from the right, had to get a short haircut because, as you can probably guess, she cut her own hair. And its not the first time she or her siblings have done so. At least she looks cute with short hair.

A few days with my family and then a few days with Jake's family. He seems to always end up on meat detail; I don't ever hear him complain.

lots more laughter and playing:

grandma's flowers were very pretty:

the kids all wanted a ride on grandpa's walker:

We got to sleep in a camper and then the next morning was Memorial Day. We no longer go around to as many graves and cemeteries as the rest of the family but we always make sure to stop by at least one.  Jake has lost 7 childhood friends so we enjoy visiting their burial sites.

All gave some, some gave all
They fell, but o'er there glorious grave floats free
the banner of the cause they died to save.

Death leaves a heartache no one can heal,
love leaves a memory no one can steal

We had a bit of time to waste while we waited for the appointed time to meet family at the traditional pizzeria. I randomly asked Jake to drive by the temple. We decided to walk around and ended up spending some very enjoyable time there:

I am so grateful to live in this amazing country. I know it's far from perfect but it sure is a blessed place to be.