Cut to the chase...

I am not even going to attempt to catch up on the last year. It was crazy busy and I simply lost interest in blogging.

In an attempt to keep track of my kids and their growth I am going to attempt a monthly post from here on out.

July was filled with family, camping, a TSFL National Convention, and lots of HOT days.

May 2012

Yes, I am way behind. Yes, there has been a ton going on lately. This is my attempt and catching up. 

May was filled with some really great things and some really hard things. We were able to celebrate Mother's Day, enjoy some warm weather, finish a week of swimming lessons, and continue training for the Ragnar. Those were the great things. However, we also had to say good-bye to a grandma and Matt had to start working 10 hour days again. Those were the really hard things. Needless to say, May was filled with some major ups and downs!

Here are the fun and exciting things that took place in May:

A ride up the canyon in our awesome 1984 Suzuki Samurai. We even heard a bear growl. Needless to say, our drive was cut a little short.  

Love this picture!!!! Baseball in Grandma Great's yard with all of the cousins.

Running....this was my favorite route. I love the scenery around here!

Halle wore my mom's dress. This dress fits her perfectly and is at least 50 years old.

We got to doggy-sit Yogi. Ryan loved having a be partner.

Swimming lessons! Ryan overcame his fears and finished his week of swimming lessons. He had a great time with his cousin. 

Matt's grandma, Grandma Great as we called her, passed away the week of Mother's Day. It was truly an amazing experience but it was really difficult as well. She was really an incredible person so saying goodbye was really hard for all of us. She had been doing really well but made a turn for the worst about two weeks before she passed. She had a small brain hemorrhage about two weeks before. She wasn't in a lot of pain and her last two weeks were really special to everyone around her. We were able to say good-bye and Matt was able to have some special visits with her. Her viewing was on Mother's Day and her funeral was the next day. We are so grateful for the time we had with her. Our kids adored her. It was really neat to go through this with our family. We were able to teach Ryan about Heaven and about the Plan of Salvation. 

These are a few pictures of Grandma Great throughout the past few years:

Wow...such a bad blogger! Catch up time!

I can't believe that a year ago I was in the middle of my "100 days of happiness" experiment and now I post maybe once every two months. I feel like I have neglected my blog. I would say readers but let's face it, when you only post this often, readers are pretty non-existent. Either way, I promised myself that I would keep a blog just for my kids. I want them to be able to look back and see their lives documented through pictures and writing.

With that said, the month of March and part of April have been sort of uneventful. Spring is starting to show it's face but in small glimpses. The kids absolutely love being outside and throw horrible fits when they are stuck inside all day. This has been a challenge since we have gone from 60 degree weather to snow in a matter of hours. Crazy Utah weather! Even between the sporadic storms, we have managed to plant three trees, see the ducks, ride bikes, play with Annie and Tex, play lots of baseball, and even get sunburned a couple of times. The kids would seriously live outside if we let them.

Okay, maybe dirt doesn't taste very good.

He decided that the bathroom was too far away...not a good start to the summer but kind of funny!

Our 3 new trees. Hybrid Poplars. Fast growing and big shade trees!

Halle loves her brother's boots!

Halle got her haircut for the first time and we managed to tame her mullet. Our neighbor did a great job and although Halle hated the experience it ended up really cute.

 Before pictures...OUT OF CONTROL!

 During

 After pictures...So much better!

In addition to the weather, Matt and I have started training for the Ragnar relay race. It is a 200 mile race that travels through the mountains from Logan to Park City. We are on a team of 12 and each of us run 3 legs of the race. Crazy!  I am not a runner and this has been a real challenge for me. It is natural to Matt and it make me angry that it is so easy for him. I have worked hard and actually can run 6 miles now!  We have two months until the race so by then I should be able to run about 10 miles....what in the H*** am I thinking!?!

We also celebrated my birthday the beginning of April. Birthdays are so not exciting once you start to get older. Matt and I both had to work then went to dinner at Texas Roadhouse without the kids! It was a great day and ended with a delicious cake from Cold Stone with my kiddos and parents.

Lastly, we made the trip to Boise for Easter and had a great time. My parents, Drew and Chelsea, and Adam and Noelle all made the trip. It was so great to be with everyone. We only see Adam and Noelle a few times a year so it is a real treat when it actually happens. Ryan is in heaven with is cousin Brynn so they were pretty entertaining throughout the weekend, especially when the Easter Bunny actually found Grandma Dodo's house! They were thrilled!

The kiddos before the Easter Egg Hunt

Daddy and Halle Easter morning

The 3 girls in matching shirts from Grandma Debbie

Uncle Drew helping Ryan (Grandpa Dodo and Grandma Debbie in the background)

Getting some eggs!

So excited to have a sucker!

The kids Easter morning (FYI, Ryan did not pee his pants he spilled milk on himself)

Halle really does love her brother :)

So excited!

The Easter Bunny brought her a baby!

Getting the high ones

We all found matching dresses at Ross for $6 and had to buy them. We all walked out and everyone thought we were so clever :)  Not bad for $6 right?

Three of the Allen siblings and our fams. (We missed you Bret and Jan!)

Our little family!

Oh yeah, I almost forgot. I have been hooked on Pinterest lately and have picked up some great ideas. We have had Pinterest meals for the past month or so and our dinners have become much more exciting. In addition to food, I also made these book shelves using rain gutters. I am crazy about them. If you need book storage, do this. So easy and so perfect for little kids!