Fun Fourth of July!

What a Fourth of July! The fun started the night before as Eric and I helped Abby and Will decorate a bike, scooter, and stroller for the neighborhood parade. They did a great job, and Eric had a lot of creative ideas.

The morning of the Fourth, we attended a flag ceremony at our ward building, had a yummy breakfast with the neighborhood, and entered the parade with the kids (joined by Kerri's family and Bill, Rachelle, and Alicia). Will had a blast motoring through the parade. I'm so thankful to Josh who was able to keep up with him! At the end of the parade, the kids were able to get cotton candy, snowcones, popcorn, and play some fun games.

After the parade we went home, rested, and then went swimming with the Greens at their club. We only had an hour, but we all had a blast. Will absolutely loved going off the diving board, and Abby gave it a try, too.

When our hour was up, we rushed home to all get ready for Stadium of Fire down in Provo. The headliners for the show were The Blue Man Group and Miley Cyrus. Before these performers came out, we were treated to a very patriotic performance by skydivers, a fly by from the Air Force, a salute to our Armed Forces and much more. It was a great evening--very warm, too! We had to leave during the fireworks as Ezra was AFRAID of the loud noises, but we were able to enjoy them as we walked to our car. It was a very long day but we all had fun. If only there were a cure for the day after behavior of children on not enough sleep. . . :-)

Some Summer Sanity

I've really been looking forward to summertime. I have not, however, been looking forward to children getting bored and getting into trouble--sometimes constantly! So, I decided to brave Toys 'r Us (bad idea with Ezra) and buy something else for Abby, Will, and Ezra to enjoy. Turns out this relatively inexpensive pool has been doing the "trick" this week. After Ezzie's nap, we head out to the backyard, fill up the pool with icy cold water, and let the kids go wild. I sit in the shade and watch their fun slowly over time turn into whining and complaining just as it's time for dinner! Before their behavior takes a turn for a hungry worse, I snap tons of colorful pictures. Here are a few. The one of Will in the chair, so forlorn looking, is what a timeout looks like!

First Family Bees Game

On Monday we spent Family Night together at our first Bees game. I was a little apprehensive about how I was going to keep the kids happy, but I have to say they were pretty good (and it was fun to watch the Bees play the Sacramento Rivercats)! We sat WAY out in left field, in the first row, in front of some clean-mouthed college guys who got a kick out of Ezra and his excitement with the Bees shuttle that looks like a yellow train. It also helped that we bought popcorn and snowcones to keep everyone quiet and happy! A humorous moment for Eric and me (not Ezra) was when the Bees mascot eventually drove on his bright yellow four-wheeler over to where we were sitting. The Bee gave Will a high five and gave Ezra quite the fright (see picture)! We left at the start of the 7th inning and promised to come back again!

Red Butte Garden Pictures

Something Funny

I found these pictures on someone's blog, and they made me chuckle.

Happy Birthday Chad!

Will shares his birthday with his Uncle Chad. We hope Chad had a great birthday in Iraq, and we can't wait to see him in July at the Paullin reunion!

Will Turns Five!

Will has had a great time turning five! Last Saturday he had a friend party that included "Pin the Tail on the Triceratops," a pinata (no injuries!), pizza, and a wonderful dino caked designed by Eric. (It's such a fun tradition in our family that Eric decorates the kids' cakes!) Also, thank you to Sophie for helping at the party!

Before the family party last night, the kids and I went to the library so Will could get his own library card. He quickly chose his allowed five books--three of which were science books! At the family dinner and in his honor and by his request, we dined on tri trip and watermelon plus Funeral Potatoes and salad. For dessert we all stuffed ourselves on Costco cheesecake and fresh berries. Yum! Will enjoyed opening his presents and spending time with Kerri, Kurt and Ashleigh, Blake, and his cousins.

Perhaps his best birthday gift was learning today at Dr. Cox's office that he would not need to get any shots this year. We also learned that Will is 50th percentile for weight and 90th percentile for height. It's fun having such a string bean! Love that kid! I also love his current interests: cars, dinosaurs, books, Transformers, facts, sea creatures, and Legos.

Monkey Business

After posting for Will and Abby, I came across these photos of Ezra (taken right before we moved) with his beloved Monkey that Aunt Kerri gave to him when he was a newborn, and I had to add these pics as well. I LOVE how he adores Monkey. Ezra carries him all over the house and constantly chews on him and kisses him. I also love his love of the book Five Little Monkeys. And for a while, he was my little monkey (think Curious George) as he would grunt and chatter for what he needed.

Abby's Dance Recital

I'm embarassed to say that I'm glad dance is finally done for the summer! I think the rehearsal and performance nights (a total of five hours for me with the boys) just about did me in. Of course it was well worth it watching Abby dance with her jazz class. (The girls wore referee themed costumes for their ESPN inspired dance that went along with the "AED T.V." theme.) All the girls were darling, the costumes were fun, and the night was perfect. (Her recital was held at the Sandy Amphitheatre. I loved the waterfalls and landscaping there.) Also, I have really liked her dance studio, AED (American Expression of Dance), and both Abby and I will miss it and her teacher, Miss Charae, as we look for a studio closer to our new home. For now, I will revel in the fact that summer is coming and we can slow down and enjoy not being in the car driving to and from Sandy each day!

Will's Preschool Graduation

Last Thursday was a big day for Will as he graduated from preschool. It was an emotional day for me as my little boy is getting so big and as this would be my last child to go through Super Kid Preschool. We have loved Chris Wixom who is the teacher at this preschool. Abby and Will both learned wonderful social skills in her loving environment. I just love wonderful teachers!

Will had a big smile on during his patriotic-themed peformance. He did a great job--especially leading the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance, and I am very proud of him. Now on to Kindergarten with cousin Kate!

Heartbeat

This morning the whole family went with me to my doctor's office in hopes of hearing a heartbeat for the first time. Since I'm only 13 weeks, the doctor said there was still a good chance that we wouldn't be able to hear it. But, luckily for us, he was able to pickup the heartbeat almost right away! What a blessing to hear that strong heartbeat!