Fun in the sun

It is probably obvious who I made this cake for. We celebrated my dad's birthday in May, and I wanted to make him a cool cake. I am by no means a good cake decorator.....but this cake was perfect for him. He loves the packers, so that is what I gave him. It was late when I decided to make it. Kyle went to our small local store to get me some supplies and I did my best with what I had=0)He hates pictures, but the kids need to know that their grandpa was around quite a bit.....even if I only get a few pictures a year to prove it. ha.ha
We had a free Saturday last month, so we planned a fun day for the kids. Kyle wanted to take them miniature golfing for the first time. They loved it.
A cute picture on the lizard decoration. I don't know if climbing on them is allowed, but Kyle wanted them to do it.

Waiting for their turn

Lex taking her first swing ever!

We were also able to make it to a great parade that day. These dancing horses are my favorite. I can't imagine the time it takes to train them to do this!

There are lots of interesting things at parades........what more can I say?

My little love bugs waiting patiently for some candy to come their way

Father son campout/ random pictures

My princesses came into my bed one morning after Kyle left for work. So cute to see them snuggling!

My handsome little man all ready for bed=) The turkey is his sleep buddy every now and then.

Looking good for church

Our church does a father and son camp out each year, but since my dad does not go to church.....he Kyle and Carson went on their own camp out. I love this picture of Carson riding in the front. I know it is so good for him to get some male bonding time.........without all of us girls!

He got to do some fishing

And hang out by the fire with lots of snacksThe girls and I stayed home and went shopping and out to eat with my mom. We had a great time. Kylie and Lexi enjoy playing dress up together. Kylie gets herself all dressed up, and then she dresses up her sister. It is sooo cute!
One night Kylie insisted on wearing her princess dress to bed. So here is our sleeping beauty!

Mother's Day and cupcakes

My kids and I on mother's day! They were so good to me. I love them more than they will ever know, and I think it is great to have a day to celebrate motherhood. It is hard work to be a good mom........and exhausting too!

I am also grateful to be able to show my gratitude to my own mom on this day.
I woke up to beautiful flowers, pretty slippers in my favorite color, and a new set of pots and pans. Thanks to my kids and their dad for treating me so well that day!!
Also, I feel so lucky to have made some great friends here in Idaho. My one friend and I have been on a mission to find a great cupcake. They all look so pretty, but don't seem to taste as good as we hope. She made some last month..........and they were fabulous. I was changing my clothes one night when she called and told Kyle she was bringing us some cupcakes. I was laughing, because I had just put on my cupcake jammies! What a coincidence. Kylie and Alexis were still awake to sample the yumminess! I had a hard time saving one for Carson.......but I did! They were the best we've had yet.
I have put on my cupcake jammies a few times since.......but I haven't had any more treats magically appear right after. I guess I need to buy a new pair!

Pre-School Graduation

All ready for kindergarten!!! Kylie and Carson graduated from pre-school. A few other moms and I took turns teaching the kids at home. Kyle was impressed at how much they learned in this short amount of time. They both can write their name and they know the alphabet along with the phonics of each letter. We went on several fun field trips and made lots of fun crafts. It was a success, and it would be fun to do it again sometime.

They had a program for all the parents

The girls jumping on the trampoline

The kids all sang a couple of songs for us, and one of their teacher's read each of their favorite things as she handed them a diploma. She had come over a few days before to ask them some questions and get their handprints. I will put their answers at the bottom. So cute!!

Hot dogs........how can you go wrong with those!

The boys playing in the rocks

more yummy food

this is what we brought

It was a privilege for me to participate in teaching my own kids, along with a few others. Kylie and Carson really blossomed, and it was fun to watch them make friends and learn so much in such little time. These were their questions and answers..........

Favorite Color? Kylie: Purple, Carson: Blue and Orange ( I am sure that has nothing to do with BSU)

Favorite Food? Kylie: hot dogs, Carson: Macaroni and cheese

Favorite thing to do? Kylie: Color, Carson: go to Disneyland

Favorite thing about preschool? Kylie: Writing letters, Carson: making stuff

When I grow up I want to be? Kylie: just like my mom, Carson: a shooter

The last answer was my favorite. I am sure Kylie will want to be something more exciting than just like me, but I couldn't ask for a better compliment from her. That is the nicest thing she could ever say. Melted my heart for sure! And as far as Carson's answer................I am not so sure how I feel about that one. ha.ha.

Easter

The day we got home from vacation, my birth parents came to visit us. I didn't get very many pictures, but we had a great time with them. They brought the kids a lot of presents ( we only see them once or twice a year, so we celebrate birthdays and holidays when they come). We went to the movies and out to eat. Here is Kylie with her nonna. They gave Carson this awesome train set. He played with it for hours that night. At one point he was even laying in the middle of it, watching a movie. My boy LOVES his trains!
My friend Melissa put together a fun Easter egg in our neighborhood. The kids had so much fun, and the weather was really nice
There were so many eggs and each was one hidden so well.....thanks to Melissa's mom and her friend. They did a great job!

Easter eggs! It seems like we never have enough eggs to color. They go so fast! Lots of fun though. We colored them right before the kids went to bed, so here they are in their p.j.'s and aprons.

Oooooh.........so pretty!

Easter morning.....baskets filled by the Easter bunny. We also taught the kids about the real meaning of Easter the night before. My mom was so impressed when we went to her house and she asked them if they knew why we celebrate this special day. They answered by telling her that Jesus was resurrected. That word is impressive....especially coming from a four year old.

Here the kids are all dressed up for the special day. The girls' dresses were a gift from their nonna and pop-pop. They looked beautiful in them. Carson always looks so handsome in his Sunday best=0)

We went to my parent's house for dinner that day. I always love to see her festive table.

She made them a special drink......yummy.

And my dad hid some eggs for an egg hunt. There was one golden egg that was filled with gold coins.

I guess Kylie found the grand prize

You know it was a great day, when the kids look like this on the way home!

I am a little behind on my posting, but before I forget I have to share a funny story about Lexi. She has really been talking a lot lately. Sometimes she surprises us with her vocabulary. Well two days ago after the kids had a bath, she put a lot of her shoes in the bath tub while it still was full of water. I let them dry in there over night, and yesterday I told her she needed to put them all away. She started with one pair and came back over to me. I asked her if she cleaned them all up and she said "I can't, my too little mom". ha.ha. Too funny!

Vacation part IV (Sunny San Diego)

We started out our fun in the sun by taking the kids shopping for sun glasses and hats at this beautiful outdoor mall. They had sunburns on their scalps from Disneyland.

The beach!!! Carson LOVED finding seashells. I think he almost liked it as much as Disneyland!
Lexi and her yummy chocolate chip cookie=0) We all loved relaxing and playing in the sand for a few hours.

and here is Kylie building a sand castle with her daddy!

I do miss the ocean! It is so peaceful.

That night Kyle took us on a carriage ride. He said he always wanted to take me on one, and there was his opportunity!

This horse was named "Prince Charming" how appropriate.

And then he took us out to dinner at a cool place right on the water. I love clam chowder in bread bowls.

We met Julie at her favorite beach the next day.

She taught the kids how to dig for these little crabs. They were all over! A little creepy. She said that was the most they have ever found.

That beach also had tide pools, we were able to see star fish, and crabs.

Even the walk to and from the beach was beautiful!

We got to go in this cool tunnel under the highway to get there

On our way back to our hotel we drove by the beautiful temple in La Jolla.......gorgeous!

We then started our trip back home, and stopped in Palm Springs to see another family friend, Yvette (Julie's sister) and her boyfriend Sean. She has such a nice house with a pretty backyard. They also had this cute, sweet dog that the kids fell in love with! Carson was not even afraid of him at all. I was really surprised. The weather was hot over there and the kids would throw the ball in the pool, and the dog would jump in to get it.
Yvette was awesome! She made the kids cupcakes and let them decorate them. She knew exactly how to get to their hearts=0) She also made us the most delicious lunch. I have already called her to get her recipes, and have made it a few times. She is a great cook! I was craving her food all the way home. ha.ha
We stayed in Las Vegas again on the way home. We found the pawn shop that is on t.v by accident, but we had to get a picture of the long line of people waiting to get in!

And this was my favorite street! Kylie wanted to find one that was named after her too!

It was great to get home, but it is also so wonderful to take a vacation together with no responsibilities to worry about. Can't wait to do it again!