A CRAZY WEEK!!!

Mark took the scouts to Fort Buenaventura  for a camp out. They had a few mishaps such as a missing camp stove when they went to retrieve it from the scout shed and a forgotten spatula. Grace, Jacob, and I brought them what they needed. They loved the fire and didn't want to leave.

 This is the best looking Scout Master that I have ever seen!

Jacob had surgery on his sinuses. Grandma Margaret and Grandpa Ben made sure that he had some Legos to work on. Good thing Mark thought to bring them to the surgical center. It was a long wait and they kept his mind off of things. Jacob did very well with the surgery. The worst part was taking the tape off from the IV. He was back to school the next day.

Grace had Kindergarten Round-Up. This is her posing outside of the school. I do not know who is more excited for Kindergarten, Grace or me.

I graduated with my Master of Education Degree. Mark talked me into walking so that the kids could see the end result of all the homework I was doing.

This picture was taken before the ceremony.

Being hooded proved to be an awkward experience. They needed a stool or something for the professors to stand on.

Jacob couldn't seem to leave my hood alone.

 I couldn't have done this without Mark. He listened to all of my complaining, read and listened to my proposal and defense, and kept the kids at bay while I tried to produce coherent thoughts.

Here is a future graduate of 2026....

...and a graduate of 2029!!! Cade wouldn't humor me.

SPRING BREAK

Cade may have thought that spring break was a bit lame compared to that of one friend who went on a cruise and another friend who went to Disneyland. However, we did have some fun highlights this week.

Our spring break started off with our neighbor giving us his trampoline. They have one son who is about 19 years old and doesn't use it anymore. We will be lucky if it lasts through the summer because the bottoms of the poles are quite rusted but, the kids couldn't even wait to get dressed to start getting as much use out of it as they could.

Thanks Mr. Pat!!!

Cade tried to get in as many April Fools tricks as he could. Here are the results:

Aunt Jaimee had some passes to Get Air that were about to expire so she invited us to tag along. She is always so generous.

Above: Grace and Libby

Above: Jacob's awesome flip into the pit

Jacob and Jacee

Cade's flip

Cade had to occasionally rescue Grace from the foam pit.

Cade and Libby

Thanks for the great time Aunt Jaimee!!!

The kids spent a lot of time outside. Grace got more exercise this week than she has had in a long time. She relearned how to ride her bike. She learned last summer but she would scream the entire time. After this week, she is no longer screaming. She also learned how to cross the monkey bars. After combining these activities with the trampoline jumping, Grace had sore muscles and had a difficult time walking down the stairs.

Jacob's mad ninja skills

Cade spent the night at the Rich's one night. In the morning the kids had a pancake eating contest. Cade won with 7 pancakes under his belt (I"m such a proud mother). Later, I took Cade and Tyler to Surf-N-Swim because I owed Cade an activity for watching Jacob and Grace for me. I took Jacob and Grace to the mall playground while the boys swam.

You cannot tell by this picture, but they actually liked it.

Then we went to see Krispy Kreme doughnuts being made.

Yummy samples

Cade and Tyler were exhausted after the sleepover and fun in the wave pool.

Grace and Jacob waited patiently.

Thanks for coming Tyler!

Grace and Jacob had fun dying Easter eggs. Cade didn't have any interest in it.

Jacob and Toto started on his pinewood derby car. Results will be posted at a later date.

Easter egg hunts are a painful experience at our house. My children dislike looking for things. To be truthful, finding things is not one of their shared great talents. They always try to give up before they find all of the eggs.

We only hid 12 in all.

Cade just likes to climb on top of the fridge. I don't think he actually believed an egg was up there.

Grace bumped her head on the metal curtain holder.

Handsome Jake and his eggs

They clean up pretty good

Grace loved twirling in her new dress. She talked Jacob into joining in.

After church we had a great time at Grandma Debbie's house. They love visiting with her and playing with cousins. Thanks for the great dinner mom.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRACE!!!!

Happy 5th birthday princess Grace!

I can't believe our baby is five! It seems like moments ago we held all 6 lbs 7 oz of her in our arms. She was nearly bald, only a shimmer of blonde hair. I was also grateful that she was an easy delivery especially because there were no drugs involved (not by choice). That's right-all natural.

Grace wanted an Easter birthday

We hope all of your dreams come true throughout your life.

We love you Grace!