Hershey Track Meet

 

** Please make sure the Chariots of Fire music is playing in your head while you look at these pictures...

On Thursday Cord, the little boys and I headed over to the HS to watch the Hershey track meet.  It is a track meet where all the 6th graders in the city compete.  The kids love it because they get to hang out outside all day and run, jump & throw a softball.  (I have pictures of Lily on her 3rd grade day but they are on Cord's phone so I'll put them on later.)

Here is cole running the 200...

WHOOOO HOOOO!

At least that's what all the 6th grade girls were saying... and saying...

We love you too Cole!!

Will's moving on to 1st grade

Will had his kindergarden graduation Thursday night.  He was so dang cute in his cap.  Here he is walking down the aisle to the stage.

He was so funny that night. He was very worried as we got him dressed that other kids would not be in their "Sunday clothes" and I assured him that they would be.  After graduation we went to Cole's baseball game and all he kept saying is that he hated being in those clothes.  Apparently you really can only wear those clothes on Sunday.

The kids sang songs and they all had a part.  Will said his part perfectly.

The kindergarden graduates all got their diplomas with a picture to take home.  Here Will is with his "Wonder Twin" Regan.  I am so glad they were in the same class and that she lives right down the street so they can play all summer.

The next day at school his class had a carnival complete with games, cotton candy and snow cones to celebrate.  I helped out with one of the booths - it was a fun afternoon.

Barry tagged along and had such a great time - he can't wit for kindergarden next year.  I had to remind him that there isn't a carnival everyday :)

Here are WIll & Regan with their teacher Mrs. Bergera.  I can't believe how fast this year has flown by. It seems like I was just taking pictures of the first day of school.

Now we are on to all the fun activities of summer

and a house full of kids.

Camera Strap Cover

I have seen so many people out in blog land with such great camera strap covers that I decided to make one for myself.

(mine)

I looked a few places online and found this great tutorial from one of my favorite blogs.  I stuck to her directions only I added several straight stitches along the length of the strap to help it keep it's shape. I did this before hemmed the short sides.

(Robyn's)

I made two. One for me and one for my friend Robyn for her birthday.  I think I might make another so I can mix it up when the mood strikes - cause that's the kinda girl I am! (ha!)

A quilt for Jude

Cord's sister Symonie and her husband Matt welcomed baby Jude to the family on April 19th.

A few weeks before he was born Sym picked out some fabric and I made him this quilt.  I got the idea here (incase you want to make one too)

Isn't he the cutest thing ever?  I love newborns!

Kite Flying for FHE

Alli

About a month ago Cord bought two kites for us to fly but we haven't gotten out to fly them.  That is until tonight.  We were afraid that is was going to start raining again but it stopped just for us I think.  We had a nice window of clear sky and there was a great breeze for the kites.

Lily & Cole   

The kids had so much fun and I had a great time watching them.

Lily & Cole

I have the hardest time picking which pictures I want to post.  I took about 80 pictures tonight (really) so this is what i have weeded them down to which is still probably a lot for most of you but they it's my blog :) ha! ha!

Barry

Cord, Cole & Barry

Alli & Cole

Cord & kids

Oops! Barry had a hard time steering.

Cole & Will

Will

And I leave you with this great shot of me because my kids say I never put pictures of myself on here.

Happy Birthday Barry!!

Barry turned five on April 27th!

I can hardly believe it.  I was 9 months pregnant with Bear when we moved into this house - that seems unbelievable as well.

He is such a great kid.  I mean really. He is so generous with his hugs.  There have been so many times when he has crawled onto my lap and given me a hug and said "I love you".  Each time he does my heart swells (even though he says he loves Dad just a little bit more. Ha!)

He also is the biggest crack up.  He makes so many funny faces and talks in such funny voices that I am laughing on a regular basis.  Oh how I love my Little Bear!

It just so happened that on his birthday his pre-school was having a pirate party so he got to dress up (one of his favorite things to do).

He especially love to dress up in anything that involves weaponry.

What pirate doesn't love a trampoline I ask you?

When he go home we had his favorite dinner - chicken stroganoff and had a family party. He opened all of his presents and loved every one of them!

He also loved his goatee so much he had it on until bath time.   You know, just incase you thought he was a very mature 5 year old with 5:00 shadow or that I don't own a washcloth.

The last present he opened was a ninja costume - I did tell you that he likes to dress up.  We got Will the same thing.

It came complete with stuffed nunchucks which I use on Cord all the time.

Happy Birthday to my youngest.  It makes me a little teary to know that he will be heading off to kindergarden next year.  He is a fun kid and I love him a lot!!

Happy Mother's Day!!

The kids and Cord made me this wonderful steak dinner for Mother's Day!  mmmmmm

Being a mother is something that makes me unbelievably happy.  I love these kids so much.  Really, just thinking about all the times I have held their hands and wiped their tears makes me a little teary myself.

They are silly and funny and keep our house busy - that's for sure!

Being part of a family is my greatest joy.  Will wanted to take a picture (above).  Which led to Barry wanting to take a picture (below)

Seriously these kids are crazy... and I love their guts!

Oh & I love him too

A LOT

Then the tides turned in the Udall house

A dark cloud fell over our bliss

It was a happy Mother's Day indeed!

I hope you had an equally wonderful day.

I also want to say Happy Mother's Day to my mama.  The most amazing woman I know.

You can read more about her here.

I love you mom!