Hat's off to Parker!!

Parker graduated from preschool tonight! We are so proud of him! He is very excited to be moving on to Kindergarten. He keeps asking me if kindergarten will start tomorrow.

Here are the boys ready to start the program. Parker is folding his arms and doing exactly what his teacher asked. I wish he was like this at home.

Parker shared the picture he drew. He said that his favorite part about preschool was the singing. He always came home singing a new tune that he had learned. He even taught us some of them.

Here is a little clip of the kids singing their class cheer!

Parker recieving his diploma and getting a handshake.

I loved the grin on his face after he got his diploma. You can tell that he is so proud of himself.

Parker enjoyed tossing his hat off at the end of the program.

Parker with his cute teacher Miss Marci!

Celebrating nine years!!!

We had our ninth anniversary this last week. It has been an exciting nine years and we have a lot to celebrate. It is crazy to think that ten years will be just around the corner. We went to eat at The roof for dinner.

Here is a picture of my handsome husband! It was his first time eating there. He told me on the way there that he was going to eat his money's worth of food and he did. We were there eating at the buffet for over an hour. His favorite part was all the choices you have for dessert.

One of my favorite things is the all you can eat shrimp. I also really enjoy their soft Lion house rolls with honey butter. It was nice to just have a peaceful dinner together. The view of the temple doesn't get any better. We also enjoyed the piano music in the background. Kev requested one of my favorite songs from Pride and Prejudice.

Here is the view of the temple we enjoyed all through dinner. We then walked downstairs to watch the Joseph Smith movie. It was the first time both of us had seen it. It is a powerful testimony of the prophet Joseph and all he did to bring about the restoration of the gospel. It was cool to see the parts about Nauvoo because we are going there in a couple of weeks. I am excited for all the good things to come this next year of our marriage.

Kid paradise!!

We bought the kids a playground for the backyard. Kev has been working hard to put it all together. The instructions said to plan on at least twenty hours of work. I am sure glad that my husband is handy and enjoys a good project. He had some help along the way from just about every kid in the neighborhood. They always wanted to know what step he was on and help bring the wood out from the basement. It was a lot of hard work and some frustration. One night we got an eighty mile hour wind that blew the whole thing over. It went down hard and some of the wood was damaged. We ordered more parts and it was back to work again.

Saturday was the big day when it all came together! Kev's hard work has paid off.

Hayden tried out the swing for the first time and loved it!




I got this fun picture of Mckenna peeking out the bubble window!

Kenna had fun with her friends playing under the swing set. I heard them pretending that it was their pirate ship.

Parker was shouting for joy as he went down the slide over and over again!

It was great seeing all four of our kiddos having so much fun together!

We even set up our trampoline. Mckenna took this cool picture of Hayden and I jumping together. I love how blue the sky is. It was the perfect day to finish the playground!

Mother's day!!

I had a really great Mother's day! I was spoiled all day long by my kids and my sweet husband. Kev bought me some patio furniture that I really wanted. The kids surprised me with flowers and cute cards that they made.

On Saturday the kids and I made cookie flower arrangements for all the Grandma's.

On Sunday we were able to visit all six of our Grandma's. Mckenna made cards for all of them as well. We are so blessed to have so many wonderful examples in our lives.

I can't let this Mother's day go by without reflecting on the life of my beautiful mother. I love the quote by Abraham Lincoln that says; "All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother." These words capture the tender feelings I have for my own mother. I was so blessed for the sixteen years I had with her. She taught me so much through her christlike example. Happy Mother's day Mom!

Tulip Festival!!

We went to the tulip festival last weekend. I always enjoy looking at all the tulips. I wish I knew their secrets for such beautiful flowers. My tulips at home are just starting to open up.

We met my best friend Kathleen and her family there. We have been good friends since high school and still have fun together.

The kids had fun in the discovery garden. They got in the maze and ran until they were tired. I was in there chasing after them and got some good action pictures.

They had a great time climbing on the rocks! All of our kids are close in age and have fun when we get together.

Mckenna was a little dizzy after rolling down the grass hill. She actually ended up rolling right into the tulips.

We got some cute pictures of our kids minus Hayden who was sleeping in his stroller most of the time. I don't know what it is but when Moms see beautiful flowers they want to have pictures of their kids with them. Towards the end both the kids and husbands were tired of taking pictures.

I got this cute picture of Drake and Halle at the scent garden. They were having a conversation with just the two of them. I wonder what they were talking about??

We saw some of our Grant cousins as we stopped at the amphitheatre. Kev had a good time catching up with Scott.

Cousin Jen was talking with the girls. It was fun seeing them there. We found out later that several of our neighbor's where there at the same time as well. It was a great day to get out and everyone else had the same idea.

Hayden decided to wake up and join the party. He was happy to sit on the grass next to his big sister. I hope we have many more sunny days like this soon. I woke up to snow again this morning and I am really ready for good weather.