"Preschool" Graduation

Ayden with his certificate
Ayden starting his new Kindergarten book For the past year and a half, Ayden has been working on a preschool workbook. He has learned his letters, numbers, colors, shapes, and most of the letter's sounds. We are very proud of all of his hard work and the dedication he had for finishing the book. At the end of the book there was a certificate that he has had his eyes on since we started. I filled it out and gave it to him. His eyes lit up when he saw it! I left the room and returned minutes later to find that he had cut it into tiny pieces. So much for the excitement. He has already started his Kindergarten book and is working hard and loving it.

Happy Birthday Ggma!

The Birthday Girl

Great Uncle Jim (Grandpa's Brother)
Great Aunt Peggy
Lydia (Nick's New Fiance), Nick, Kristy, Andy, and Toni
Mark and Ashley
Grammy and Anderson

Papa

Ayden "I'm sitting and I can't get up" Grandma re-inacting getting stuck in her chair
AJ and Mommy Today, we went to a surprise party for Great Grandma Betenson. We had fun visiting with the family while we waited for Ggma to be brought home to the party. She was only half surprised because she was told it was an engagement party for Nick and Lydia when it was actually for her birthday instead. The boys had fun playing with their cousins. They played cars and hide and go seek. AJ took a nap on Ggma's bedroom floor. We had lots of fun and I think Grandma did too.

Happy Birthday Gavin!

Pop the Dinosaur Egg Game

Ayden, Nicholas, Adam Ann, Ashten, and Hannah

Waiting for the pinata

Isabel, Hannah, Nicholas, Ayden, Grayson, Ashten, Ada

Gavin busted open the pinata, with a little help from his Grandpa. I don't know what happened but this is the only picture of Gavin...oops
Today, was Gavin's third birthday party. Cassi put in tons of work, there was yummy build your own pizzas for dinner and tons of food. The kids played a couple of games, Ayden and Ashten had a blast. Ashten had told me before the party that he was gonna be the one to break that pinata open and he did a pretty good job at it. AJ had the best time eating but after that he got repeatedly beat up by a girl so he was pretty cranky the whole time. We will miss Cassi and Gavin as they are moving to Rexburg next week. I just told the kids about their upcoming move yesterday and they were pretty bummed! I know we'll see them again and we wish them luck with their new adventure.

Buzzzzz....

The look on Anderson's face is priceless. Ayden was my little photographer
Ayden and Ashten wanted to get in there so bad but they are too wild in the tub to go in with little brother.
He looks so fresh and so clean!
AJ was looking a little bit scrappy lately with his long hair (as seen in the post before this). This morning, I decided that I had enough time to buzz him. He wasn't too sure about it, but at this point he is an old pro and did not cry. He's had to have many haircuts since birth.

Quiet Time With Anderson

I love alone time with AJ. We have never really had that because the big boys don't nap the way they used to. Today, Ayden was playing in his room quietly for a long time and Ashten was napping. It was funny to watch him do his own thing. He walked around with one of my purses and put little toys in it. At first, I tried to fold laundry during this time but he kept coming to me to cuddle. So I just sat with him on my lap and played and hugged and kissed him and read him stories. He is so sweet. He loves to hear me read "Mimi's Toes" which I change to AJ's toes. As soon as I finish reading it he takes it from me and hands it right back speaking a bunch of gibberish which must translate to: "This book is so funny, can you read it over and over." I love this big guy, he was the perfect addition to our family.

"Kid's Cones"

Ayden smile nice for the camera Ayden that wasn't nice that was scary...try again
Please Ayden just one good one!
Thank you!
Ashten wanted a cookie but "they were all out ;)"
Anderson loved his cone and finished the whole thing We had to make a trailer delivery tonight to Gig Harbor. While we waited for Armand to take care of business we went into the McDonald's play area. It was some sort of ball game where lights went on and you had 20 seconds or so to hit the ball and knock them all out. Well, the game was old and only two of the lights worked so we made up our own game. If they could make a certain basket they could get an ice cream cone. I had Armand go up and he asked for the smallest kid's cone they had. Luckily for us the guy gave us three free "kid's cone" aka courtesy cones. All three boys thought that was pretty fun because they were so little. I thought it was fun because it was free.

My Little Runaways

Today, something happened that at first I did not even consider posting for many reasons, mostly having to do with my feelings of shame or embarrassment because I inadvertently let it happen. Then, I started to think about the day and what were the major events that I should put in my "journal" (blog). Although it is fun that our family and friends who live away from us get to see into our daily lives, this is our families way to keep a journal and if I want to keep it real and honest I should not leave things out. So please don't judge me just imagine how you would feel if it happened to you.

The kids have made some new friends with our next door neighbors. At first, we didn't let them go anywhere but the driveway. But they started venturing out so as a family we had agreed that this was okay and that they could play with them in the cul-de-sac or right across the street in the grass. They have been doing really well sticking to the rules and I check on them every few minutes. Today, my Visiting Teacher stopped by, as she was leaving I called to the boys to make sure and stay out of the way. They said they were being good and that they were okay. I went back in the house as I was making dinner, Anderson was waking up and wanted milk and a diaper change, I had to go to the bathroom, and I was switching over the laundry. Five minutes after my VT left I got a phone call on my cell phone. It was Cassi. She asked where I was and I told her I was at home. She told me that she found Ayden and Ashten holding hands, walking down the street. They had decided to walk to Grammy's house and they told Cassi that I was there waiting for them. I don't even know what I thought next but, I ran down the street and looked because I didn't really believe it. As Cassi was driving by she saw a car stop to talk to them. Cassi had just happened to decide at the last minute to take the long way to her destination. I am truly blessed for this, what would I have done if someone else had picked them up. I am so thankful that she followed the spirit. I love my boys so much, I could not live without them. I have definitely learned a few lessons today. My kids can't be trusted alone for even a minute, they have no fear, five minutes is longer than I think, dinner laundry and bathroom can wait until later, and Mommy can only put on a brave face for so long before she breaks.