Dog Pile

My kids are constantly stealing my camera and taking random pictures. I wouldn't mind too much, except that I always seem to be trying to catch a quick moment only to find my card is full, when I look through the pics, I find pics of dolls, pillows, even Baylie taking a picture of herself in the mirror (caught red handed!).

They also love to set up photo opportunities, which was exactly what this photo was, a complete setup. Kale looks particularly unhappy about this pose, but don't worry buddy you WILL learn to love posing!

a fond farewell

What an amazing year it was for Jaya being in first grade. I remember when Jaya started the year I was so sad that she would be gone all day. To think that someone else saw her more hours then me was quite a hard transition. Shortly after I met her teacher though, my anxieties were gone. Mrs. Irion is the best. She has taught for a lot of years, and she still treats each year with enthusiasm and looking to improve herself as a teacher. I really admire that. Jaya absolutely loved her, and I think I loved her more.

She completely excelled as a reader this year, she loves to write, and wants to illustrate books. I am just glad that I get her back for the Summer, she is such a joy at home too.

This is the last assembly of the year, and she was awarded 3 awards! Way to go Jaya.

Bathub Buddies

I am not sure if I have mentioned how much these two look alike or not, but there is a definite resemblance. When I look at baby pictures I have to do a double take to make sure I know whose picture it really is. The color blue or pink does help, but when it's a white onesie I'm in trouble.

Not only do they look alike they have become bath partners. Kale is big enough to sit up on his own now in the tub, and Eden has been very good about not getting too crazy & knocking him over. She loves the bath. Sometimes when we are looking for daytime activities I will suggest she take a bath and she is a willing candidate. Kale is the same way, okay so he can't really resist the suggestion, but he still loves it.

The Rexburg Train Station

My nephew Jordan has just recently chosen to serve a mission for our church. He was called to serve in the Tempe Arizona Mission. We are so excited for him. It was amazing to have 2 other nephews be on missions and just to see them grow and change while they were away. I know it will be the same for Jordan.

We were invited to go through the temple with him and his family in Rexburg Idaho. It was a great weekend. Little did I know though that there house was more of a train station then a home. My sister-in-law Janice is seriously Super Mom. Her son (who is a Junior) called on Friday asking her if him and 16 friends could come to their house on Saturday for dinner before prom. Janice didn't even bat an eye, she went straight to work on the menu. She ended up making, from scratch 18 Chicken Cordon Bleu's. Minutes after she made the menu she pulled out 4 frozen lasagnas to feed the group that would be coming to lunch after the temple. When we returned home from the temple right before prom, Jordan and 7 of his friends from college stopped by, along with 2 friends they knew in Washington. Shortly later the prom kids started to trickle in.

It was completely busy, chaotic and absolutely WONDERFUL! Both Darrin and I commented on how at ease both Bryan and Janice seemed. It really made us excited about the teenage years, when hopefully our home will be full of friends and family, coming and going, and just celebrating LIFE!

Test of Patience

(I want to apologize the before pics got deleted, so here is the after only.)

I am sure a lot of you know that our house is on the market. While putting it on the market I completely understood that right now is a very difficult time to sell, but regardless we just need more space. We love the area, we don't want to go far, we just want a little breathing room. So now that it's been 3 months I am getting impatient. I have completely forgotten about it being a hard market to sell and I want it sold!

To help curb my anxiety over this whole subject I have decided to pick things that need a little sprucing and particularly things I will enjoy doing. Therefore I painted my kitchen wall. I loved it immediately. I just used a color I already had (from my Master Bedroom) and it didn't change it dramatically but it just gave it an extra little umph!

I am looking forward to doing a few more projects around this place, none of these projects will provide more room, but they will at least take my mind of the wanting to leave now feeling.

Tinkerbells & Fairies

Jaya and Baylie both took dance this year from our good friend Amy, who started her own dance studio in the fall. We joined this Spring and both the girls did great. For a trade I got to watch Amy's cute boys while the little girls danced. It was a such a good time to run and play with her boys, and give some guy bonding time to Kale.

When it came to the performance the girls did great! I was surprised to see that they both seemed to know the dances well and both reported back that they were not nervous at all.

Cabbage Patch Kid

As a girl I always wanted a Cabbage Patch Kid. I loved that you got adoption papers, it just seemed so official. They must have been pretty pricey, because I asked for a long time. My Grandma Beynon ended up getting me one as a gift. This one she had actually made. She made it too look like me even, with dark brown yarn hair. I wish I could remember her name, even better I wish I had her still so I could pass the legacy on, but I don't.

Even better though is this little cabbage patch kid, that will carry on her own legacy, and I am betting I won't forget this one's name!