Sydney's Baptism

Sydney was baptized on May 31st.  She has been really excited about this day and has been looking forward to it for months.

 

Grandma and Grandpa were so helpful and supportive as always.  Grandpa was one of the witnesses of her baptism and Grandma was the one who did her hair and got her dressed after she was baptized.

 

Sydney was happy to have her dad baptize her and confirm her a member of the Church.

 

Our little family that keeps getting bigger.

 

Grandma Call was in town for her baptism and it was so great to have her part of it.  She said the opening prayer at the baptism.

 

Grandma Call and Grandma Pam put on a delicious dinner for all of our friends and family after the baptism.  Pam made this really cool cupcake white dress.

 

The Dutson crew.  They were all so nice to come.

 

Uncle Nate

 

Draney ladies.

 

Payne, Amy and Cory.

 

Uncle Scott

 

Uncle Curt and family

 

Cute Kate up to no good.

 

Grandma Pam.  We couldn't have pulled it off without all of her help.

Proud Mom and Dad

 

Cousin Alyssa.  She was so awesome to take over the camera and get all of these great photos from the day.

 

Cousin Cambrai and her husband Ammon.  Marseille and Rob and their crew of kids were also there, somehow they escaped the camera.

 

Sydney had a very special day and felt so loved with all of those who came to support her.  Several people from the ward and neighborhood came and we felt so much love for Sydney.  She is a beautiful girl who is growing way too fast.  She is a great helper at home and we are very proud of her for the girl she is.

Jake's Preschool Graduation

Our man Jake graduated from preschool this year.  He worked really hard to learn all of his letters and sounds and now a month later has forgotten most of them.  We have some work to do this summer! 

 

We are so proud of Jake for being such a big helper in school and being a good friend.  He loved to see his teacher Miss Sue and we sure hope she will still be teaching when it's Kate's turn to go to preschool.

 

 

Grandma and Grandpa came to his graduation with Kate and me.  Jason and Syd were in California celebrating her 8th birthday on a daddy daughter Disneyland getaway. 

 

I can't believe this guy will be in Kindergarten next year.

 

Easter 2014

Better late than never right?  I am tremendously behind in documenting our family's life but that's what happens sometimes. 

 

Easter 2014.  We joined a local church in their annual egg hunt and the kids loved it as usual.

 

Kate was in a section specifically for small ones and wasn't in a hurry to pick up eggs but she was having a great time.  She was smiling and laughing once she figured out  what to do. 

 throat

Jake and Syd were a bit more serious about the whole thing, this is a serious competition.  At the end of the hunt the Pastor announced that some children arrived late and didn't get any eggs.  Both of them donated some of theirs to the cause.  I was proud of them.

 



 

Syd ran into a friend from her school class.

 

The next morning we awoke to an egg hunt in the backyard.  That Easter Bunny is sneaky.  Everyone is still wearing at least part of their pajamas but it was cold so they bundled up and went out. 

 

Kate was still thrilled by the whole thing, especially when she discovered some of the eggs had M&Ms and jellybeans in them.

 

We enjoyed a nice Easter dinner with Jason's side of the family.  I am extremely grateful for the holidays that we have to stop and reflect on the love and care that the Savior has for us.  I am grateful for the plan of salvation and that our loving Heavenly Father blesses us to be able to repent again and again.

Crazy Ride Photos

Our first ride of this trip was Space Mountain.  It's my favorite.  Syd is absolutely hilarious - somehow the girl remembered when they took the picture during the ride and she decided to pose during many of them.  She was always giggling after the ride in anticipation of how her pose turned out.

 

 

Cory is genuinely scared.  In every one.  But, she had a ton of fun.  At least that's what she said.  Pam is the best person ever to ride a roller coaster with because she can't help but scream. 

 

Again, Cory is having fun but totally scared and the rest of us are just happy to be part of the deal.

 

Asleep in the first row - that girl makes me laugh!

 

Pam loves Tower of Terror, Syd does too so she is checking to make sure Cory is okay.  Cory tolerated it.  Jake is freaked, and I am outside the ride with Kate.

Disneyland Part 2

 

Syd, Grandma, Cory, Kate - barely visible, Brittany, Jake

Kate absolutely LOVED the carousel and lost it when we had to pry her hands off of the ride.  It was so cute!

 

 

One night on Route 66 there was a dance party -it was so fun!  Another one of those things that I just love about the whole experience.  They think of everything!

 

 

Toy Story Mania!

 

She is one happy chicka

 

 Cory took the kids on the story book train while we waited for almost 3 crazy hours in line to see the Frozen princesses.  That was the only out of control line for the week and we figured why not go for it.

 

Obviously Kate was more than done waiting and she was way too hot from standing in the sun so we stripped her down and she was thrilled when the whole thing was over.

Disneyland

There is magic at Disneyland.  Our kids are at an age right now that Disneyland is completely amazing.  We love watching them eat it up. 

 

 

Cory, Sydney, and Pam taking the traditional skip into the park.

 

We hadn't ever done Jedi training before and the kids loved it.  Jake has been absolutely obsessed with Star Wars since we have been home.  Sydney battled Darth Maul and Jake got to take on Darth Vader.  Although he calls him Dark Vader and says he carries a Light Saver.  I do love how Jake speaks in his own lingo.

 

 

 

We braved it and went on Grizzly River Run.  We looked like total tourists because we broke out our ponchos so that we wouldn't be soaked, it wasn't warm enough to cruise around all wet.



 

One of my favorite photos!

 

The girls on main street.

 

Jake does not nap.  But a couple of the afternoons in the park, he would announce that he was going to have a nap and he would snooze for a little while.  Being a Jedi is hard work!

 

It's too bright!!  Taking the raft over to Tom Sawyer's Island.

 

Jake had to practice his moves while we waited in line.