What a Day, What a Week, What a Month!!

I have NO idea why I thought May would be a carefree month. I feel like I have been on some reality show where the idea is to film mothers running at full speed until they collapse.

But since yesterday was the last day of school I'm hoping that life calms down just a bit.

Don't get me wrong. I'm all prepared to hear:

"I'm bored, There's Nothing to Do, What! It's our summer vacation, why do we have to clean the house today!"

Yep, mentally I'm ready. (At least I'm telling myself that), but I won't deny that I'm SO glad to be taking a break from: the morning mayhem, the who sits where on the ride to school smack-down, the last minute remembering that I'm supposed to help for the class party today, the waking up of a sleeping toddler to go and pick kids up from school, the homework! . . . . I think you get my point.

Not only did the month of May bring me close to collapse, but it also means I get to do a whole lotta posts about what transpired during those weeks. It might take me all of today, it might take me a week, it might even take a month, but my goal is to post them all. So starting with this past Thursday and working my way back--here I go.

Our Janie graduated from preschool Thursday night! It was fun watching her sit up there-TRYING her very best to NOT talk. She looked so grown up. As my kids are getting older I'm starting to realize how very short my time with them is. I can't believe she will be starting Kindergarten in just a couple of months!

Janie is one smart cookie! I can't get over some of the things her little mind thinks up. She's a little on the sassy side and I'm pretty sure that her high school Drama Department is going to LOVE her!

Her graduation ceremony was very short (THANK YOU Mrs. Heather!)

They did a few little songs for the parents-here's a little sample:

the teacher handed out some very cute books she made for each child showing what they did for the year, and of course they got their diplomas.

It ended with a slide show of pictures showing the kids in the classroom playing, making their projects, and on all their many field trips. All I can say is I have one very DARLING and very photogenic child!

Congrats my Janie girl! We are so proud of all the hard work you put into school this year!

Chloe's New Do!

What can I say-it had to be done!

The 'bob' seems to be a right of passage for these Girls!

Chloe was so good while getting it cut. She sat (yes SHE sat! Very still I might add) and acted like nothing was happening. Afterwards she kept looking in the mirror and smiling.

I'm loving it and apparently so is she!

Spring has Sprung

No your eyes aren't deceiving you. It's my blog. I've just been playing around a bit. Not sure if I'll keep it or not--it's a little too busy. I'm not into busy. BUT I do love the new feature that just lets me click on my kids pictures to take me to their blogs!

Just a quick little update to let everyone know we are still here! I've taken a little break from the blogging life, but I've recommitted to doing better.

I have so much to catch up on, but right now I'll just post a few pictures of the kids in their new Easter duds. The kids were fairly cooperative this year in letting me take their Easter pictures.

LOVE this picture of Logan. It's a rare thing to get a genuine smile out of this kid.

Totally diggin' Mad's dress this year. Yellow is her favorite color and she was so excited about this dress.

Meg's Easter dress looks darling on her! The picture doesn't do it justice. It has the cutest flair out at the bottom.

FINALLY we found a dress for Janie that she doesn't complain about it itching her all Sunday long! Her only complaint is that is was green and not blue- her favorite color. I mean after all Maddie got a dress in her favorite color, why can't she have a dress in her favorite color. Life's NEVER fair for our Janie girl (or so she reminds us on a daily basis).

And finally here is my little Chloe, who is not so little anymore. All I can say is that a white dress on Chloe doesn't stay white for too long!

King of the Klondike

This weekend Jared and Logan headed up to the hills for the Klondike (the scout camp out in the SNOW!) Since Logan turned 11 and officially became a Boy Scout this was his very first overnight camp out.

And I cannot put into words the energy that was bouncing off Logan as he waited for Jared to get home so they could leave!

Father and Son (Love this one):

Logan in his element!:

Some of the boys in the ward. Doesn't Logan look like he's having a good time!!:

Getting ready to test out their sled. Can you see Logan?:

It hasn't snowed too much in the past few weeks, but during the night it did snow and it continued into the morning. They both said it wasn't too cold though and I was informed I sent way too many blankets with them.

Jared doesn't have fond memories of snow camping as a boy scout. So I was really hoping this time he'd have a better experience! I think he did!

Here's what they had to say:

Logan said, "It was fun to do the sledding and all the activities. It was good food!

Jared said, "Good food, fun activities, great scenery. and good company."

Better Late than Never!

Get ready! Here they come! I'm finally posting all about my November and December! For some reason I can justify doing it in January, but February seems too late! I wasn't going to do anything and just move forward, but if I ever make my blog into a book those posts need to be there!

I really condensed it down, but there were just a few things that needed to be posted like 3 of my children's birthdays or Janie's first piano recital.

So if your ready to do some reading continue scrolling down!

Miss Madeline is Ten!

I don't think ANYONE enjoys their birthday more than our Maddie Kate!
Madeline lives for her birthday. Months before the big day she was planning it out with me.

This year she wanted a big formal dinner with her mom and dad, siblings, and grandparents.

She was too cute planning everything. She made the place cards and wanted everything just so!

She wanted the dinner to be at my parents house and for my mom to make her a yellow cake with sprinkles and wanted everyone to come dressed in their Sunday best!

Here she is giving instructions to everyone on how the meal is to proceed:
Here she is again documenting the event with her camera she got for Christmas:
And here she is with the entire group (minus me who was obviously taking the picture!):

I think this smile says it all. She just REALLY, REALLY ENJOYED her day!
Last year on her birthday she got Abigail, her African Elephant from Build a Bear. So this year she wanted Ashes, the Asian Elephant from Build a Bear.

Even though she just turned 10 and is growing up-I LOVE it that a part of her is still a little girl who likes stuffed animals!

Don't grow up too fast Maddie Girl! Happy Birthday!!

Have a Holly Jolly Christmas!

Here's just a quick recap of the holidays!

Christmas Eve is always filled with the traditional fun. Dinner, songs, presents, and of course the kids acting out the nativity. This year the little girls had fun dressing up Grandpa as an angel too. Logan played Joseph once again, although he informed me that next year he was passing the torch over to his cousin Nate. One of the highlights of the night was a special gift my mom had given to ALL of her grandchildren. She had written EACH of them their very own song all about them. That is no small task when you consider she has 29 grandchildren!

Christmas morning was a hit! Santa actually put smiles on EVERYONE's face! Maddie and Meg had fun documenting the entire morning with their new cameras, Janie was in heaven with her new doll house, and Chloe had fun with her new baby (that is when she wasn't trying to play with Janie's new stuff!)

Logan got a new basketball hoop. But because of all the snow he couldn't play it too much. Good thing he had Jared there to play video games with!!

Later on that night Jared's family came over for dinner and fun. I really need to hand the camera over to Jared when his family comes over because I'm usually in the kitchen getting things ready and it's only after the fact that I realize we never got any pictures!

Hopefully Maddie and Meg got some with the cameras Santa brought them for Christmas!

We had such a great holiday. Celebrating the Savior's birth with our family. We couldn't ask for more!