Thunderbirds

There are a few events that we go to every year here that I would really miss if we moved away.  Watching the Thunderbirds fly is one of them.  We love going every year, eating a picnic lunch, and watching the Thunderbirds perform their stunts.  It's always a good show!

We had to wait a little longer than usual this year because the President came to speak at the AF Graduation.  The show does not start until he is secured and on his way. (John thinks one of these years, the President should get in Air Force One and buzz the AF stadium!!)  When we saw the presidential helicopter:

we knew it was getting close to showtime.  Sure enough a little while later about 7 motorcycle cops went by, followed by several SUV cops, followed by several secret service cars (we were close enough that through my lens I could see them through the open back door holding their guns) followed by this:

The two "beasts".  Obama was in one of those limos, and I have to admit it was exciting to watch his motorcade go by.  Even if you don't like the President, you do have to admit he rides in style!

Then it was on to the show.  These guys never disappoint, and even though we watch them every year, it is still AWESOME!!

Can't wait for next year!

End of the Year is Here!

School is almost out and that means Field Day!!  This year was awesome because I only had 2 kids participating and they were on different days so I didn't feel like I was running between events trying to see two kids at the same time.  It's so much fun to go to these and watch the kiddos have fun.  I was laughing so hard when I went through these pictures because some of the facial expressions are just hilarious!!  Here are some pics:

I can't believe this year is almost over.  Summer, here we come!!

Mother's Day

Mother's Day this year was good.  John and the kids treated me to breakfast in bed (waffles, bacon, orange juice, hot chocolate) and they showered me with all the presents they had bought and made.  I got a coupon book good for chores around the house, a cook book, exercise clothes, new dishes, and various chocolate candy that they all know I love.  I had my 2 year old say "Happy Mother's Day" to me about a hundred times during the day because her little voice is just too cute for words!!

My family also grilled for me that night and did all the dishes so it was nice to relax all day long.  After dinner I gave John the camera and said "Get some pictures of me with the kids".  This is what he got pictures of:



At least we managed to get a picture with me and all the kids.  I love my family!

At church that day J got to pass the sacrament for the first time so that was pretty special too. 

2 Birthdays! Ole!

On Cinco De Mayo, two of my kiddos celebrated birthdays.  J turned 12 and Lil Sis turned 2.  We do famly parties on even years so it was really low key this year for us.  The kiddos got whatever they wanted for breakfast, lunch, and dinner...which consisted of pancakes, Taco Bell, and Chili's.  John's family ate dinner with us and came over for cake and ice cream afterwards.

Anytime I asked Lil Sis what she wanted for her birthday she said either "Dora" or "Nermaids (mermaids)"  So, she got a couple mermaids, and 2 Dora mermaid dolls.  She was loving it!!

J only wanted 2 things for his birthday, a Kindle and a Minecraft account.  We got him a Kindle and his favorite Aunt and Uncle, Kurt and Sandy, :) got him a Minecraft account (it was cleverly disguised in a little lego box which was entertaining for the rest of us to watch him open). He was a happy camper and he takes that Kindle with him everywhere.

They both wanted chocolate cake (no donut cake for them this year!).

We bought trick candles for J so he kept blowing, 

and blowing,

and blowing.

I can't believe I have a 12 year old and that my baby is 2!!  Happy Birthday kiddos!!  I love you to pieces!

Pinewood Derby

A while back we had our annual pack meeting/ pinewood derby.  I swear my kiddos look forward to this every year.  They love to make the car with their Dad, and they love to race it down the track.  Can you believe I only got 2 pictures from the whole event??  I guess that is what happens when you have to be a judge!

T placed 4th this year.  Actually I think our kids place 4th every year.  We just can't seem to break into the top 3.  I guess if John built more of the car than the boys did we could place higher, but that would be no fun for the boys...so we'll stick with 4th place and a happy kiddo.  I wanted to get a picture of T with his car, but he was racing it across the floor with his friends in the gym and totally thrashed it.  Oh well, his the black and white one in the above picture.

Today



I have a Pinewood Derby to blog about and also two birthdays,  but today I wanted to blog about this young man:

Last weekend he turned 12 and received the Priesthood.  It was an emotional weekend for me and I pretty much bawled all the way through church last Sunday.  I don't know why sometimes it is hard to watch them grow up.  I am so very proud of the young man he is and becoming, I guess sometimes it just feels like he takes another step away from me with each milestone he hits.

Today he passed the sacrament for the first time. I was probably the only person in the whole ward who was acutely aware of each detail of the Sacrament today.  I was watching him.  I could tell by the way he held his head and walked a little faster than normal that he was nervous.  He looked so very nice in his suit and my eyes swelled with tears as I watched him performing his first Priesthood ordinance.  The Sacrament was much more meaningful to me today - not only because of my son - but because I truly listened and paid attention to each detail. I feel like this is one of those tender mercies from our Heavenly Father, that we get to experience things not only for ourself but also through our children.  Sometimes this is a much more poignant way for me to learn and I realized that though he will eventually grow up and leave home, these milestones that he is reaching are not bringing us farther apart but knitting us closer together in the eternal bonds of love. I am grateful for the eternal nature of families, and for a wonderful young man who I get to call my son - and that is the best Mother's Day present I could have received today. 



Blog Much??

Well, it's been over a month since I last posted (shame on me).  Here are some things that have kept us busy this last little while (the things I have pictures of anyway).

J got his 1st class rank in scouts and three more merit badges.  He will get his Star rank in another month.

Lil Sis discovered static electricity.

Over Spring Break we took a trip up to the Aquarium.  Everyone had a great time.  The girls got to see the mermaid show so their life is complete, and I got to watch jellyfish so everyone was happy!

 We went to Texas for my brother's wedding (pictures will be posted on my photo blog shortly).  We stayed at my other brother's house.  There were 8 kids total and they all had a blast together.  It was also Easter weekend so we celebrated Easter in between wedding stuff.

We had to do an egg hunt inside because it was pouring rain outside.  The kids didn't mind.

 Lil Sis got a hold of her brother's lollipop and threw a fit when she had to give it back.  She also discovered that she absolutely loves bubbles and has to buy some every time we go to the store. 

Things are busy with the end of the school year stuff.  We are looking forward to summer time!