I made the deadline

I had to say that I blogged at least one time in May. I barely made it by a sliver of a hair.

May came and went so fast. Plus the weather has been so crummy that we haven't been out much.

Here is a quick recap of our month.....



This a Allie and Kiera, Claire's BEST friends. I swear they all have some telepathic ability to alert them when one of them is outside. They want to play together EVERY day. They have spent HOURS together this month. They fight more than they get along but they still love each other and can't bear to be apart.



May is turkey hunting month. Randy, Todd, Wally and Brad went out several times to attempt a turkey. No success this year but they all had a blast and some pretty funny stories to tell.




Randy and I celebrated our 31st birthdays this month. Brad made me this awesome card that we hung in the window for a couple of days. It took him days to construct. He wouldn't let me in his room for a couple of days. I would catch him sneaking the stapler, tape, and paper in. He wouldn't let me tuck him to bed at night for fear that I would see it. He even covered it up with a blanket during the day just in case I went into his room. I loved it.



Richmond held it's annual Black and White days celebration. Tim and Kamie came for the weekend to see the horse pulls and hang out. They ended up canceling the horse pulls due to a horse virus going around. The weather was kind of crummy but the sun did shine on Saturday long enough for Brad to be in the black and white days parade and perform jump-rope on the stage.



We didn't get a picture of Brad jumping because we are lame...but this is the picture that was featured the Herold Journal. Randy I couldn't believe how good Brad was and jump-roping. He has been going to school early Friday mornings to be in the jump-rope club at school. He was especially good at double dutch. He of course acted like a ham on stage. We were so proud.


After his performance Brad wanted to do the pie eating contest. Not a big surprise to me....but he totally won. The girls that were next to him were totally grossed out because he was licking the crumbs off the stage. Such a proud mom moment.



I love this kids face.



The day before was crazy hair day at school. We painted Brad's hair green so he begged to paint his hair again the next day. He said he needed to "look cool" to be in the parade. Hence the blue hair.


My friend Leisa was in charge of the Richmond Royalty. Before they put the float back into storage the stopped by our house and asked if the kids wanted to go on a float ride. The loved it. Claire even used her princess wave on anyone who would look at her.




My mom bought brad this huge inflatable human ball for his birthday in March. May was the first time the weather cooperated enough to get it out to play.

It was so funny to watch them bounce around inside of the ball and push each other around. When I was little I used to have to climb into the dryer to get this kid of thrill.



Brad finished up his last soccer game. This was first year playing. He loved it and wants to play again next year. When he scored his first goal I made a fool out of myself yelling and screaming. I was one proud mama.



Baseball practice started this week and I am thrilled. Baseball season has MUCH better weather. I am a fair weather sport fan.

We were going to go camping over Memorial Day but the rivers were too scary and full and it rained all weekend. We ended up staying home and organizing the kids bedrooms. It was nice to be home for the weekend.

Well... that was a really quick cliff note version of our month. I am so glad Brad only has 1 1/2 days left of school. We have major camping fever and are ready for some warm weather.

Easter Morning

Sunday morning the sun was shining and it was a beautiful day. I gave the kids an Easter Lesson. I was so impressed that Brad knew almost ALL of the questions I was asking.

We gave them their Easter baskets then let them hunt for candy and money eggs.



Brad was running from egg to egg so fast I could barely get a picture of him.









And this video is for Grandmas and Grandpas.

Dying Easter eggs

After the Easter Egg hunt we dyed Easter eggs in the back yard. It was great. The mess was contained outside.
Our fingers were all different colors but the kids had a good time. One of my favorite Easter traditions growing up was eating hard boiled eggs and toast for breakfast. It is a tradition I have kept. It is not as fun as the mom because I have to peel a ton of eggs but my kids love it.

Richmond City Easter Egg Hunt

The easter egg hunt was one of our first memories of Richmond City. Right after we bought our house we came up on the weekends to paint and get the house ready to move in. The first night we spent the night we took the kids to the hunt in the morning. We fell in love with our community.

(SPRING 2009)


I can't believe how much my kids have changed in 2 years.

This year I was so excited the weather cooperated so we wouldn't be hunting in the snow or rain.


Claire's friend Lily

Spring Cleaning

Randy has been working hard trying to get the yard ready for spring and summer. He has spent hours power raking, aerating, and mowing the lawn. He also planted by fruit trees. I know it will be several years before we reap the rewards of the trees but I am excited. We planted 2 apple trees, 2 peach trees, an apricot tree and a cherry tree.







Randy's brothers teased and said they wouldn't come and visit until the trees were planted. It is now safe to visit. Randy wont make you plant trees anymore.

Spring Break

I decided to take the kids to Salt Lake for spring Break. My mom came and picked us up in Cache Valley so we could try to go to Baby Animal Days. The weather was horrible so we only stayed for a LITTLE bit. We hurried and rode the ponies pet a few animals and huddled under umbrellas. It was too cold for most of the baby animals so it was a bit of a disappointment. We didn't even get to hold chicks, bunnies or ducks. Oh well hopefully the weather will be better for next year.



Brad was a little nervous on the pony the rain was starting up and there was some thunder.

Claire didn't care at all. She wanted to go again.

Trying to stay dry.


When we got to Salt Lake we settled in to sleep in my parents trailer. The kids loved it. It was just like camping.

Thursday night we went to a movie with all the cousins. I love it when they see each other for the first time... Big group hugs, screaming, jumping around. It is like they have not seen each other in years. We went and saw HOP. It was cute and fun for Easter.



On Friday morning I dragged my mom to a consignment sale. She hates stuff like that. I think she was gagging the whole time. I LOVE second hand stuff. I did find several pair of jeans for the kids so for me it was well worth it. Thanks mom for being such a good sport.

After the sale Brad had his 7 year old check up with Dr. Shakula. Brad is still off the charts for height. He loves being so tall. Brad is healthy as can be. We have been lucky.

I met up with my girlfriends Annie Palmer and Katie McKea. We went to Cafe Rio. It was fun catching up with them. I am kicking myself for not taking a picture. I was too busy feeding my face. Claire loved Katie's son Matthew. I don't know that Matthew shared the same affection.

That night my parents took me and the kids to the Mayan Restaurant. I have not been there in a while. The kids absolutely loved it. We had full bellies and were thoroughly entertained.

Julie and Claire in the lobby waiting to be seated.

Claire wanted her picture taken with everyone. The camera kept her entertained while we waited. I had about 150 pictures to sort though taken by Claire in the lobby.

Brad watching the show. Brad told me he wanted to be a professional Mayan diver when he grows up. I am so proud.....

Claire LOVING it.
The entertainment there is so much better than in the past. They have a bunch of new acts that were pretty fun.



My mom ordered the flaming deserts along with a really good flan that I couldn't keep Brad's little paws off. Even stabbing his hand with my fork couldn't keep him away. I think he ate 3/4ths of MY flan.

Then Claire entertained us with her tricks.



Brad followed suit. He couldn't be out shined by his little sister.

Saturday morning we made a big yummy breakfast then went shopping. We found Claire's Easter dress at Burlington. It is so cute. It even has a little matching doll dress to go with it.

That afternoon Nanny and Papa offered to take the kids for a couple of hours. My mom and I went to see Jane Eyre. Kari wanted to come and we dragged Steven along with. I loved it. But I love all old movies. I am easy to please.

Saturday night Randy joined us in Salt Lake. We went to dinner at the Spaghetti Factory with a BUNCH of people. It was a laughing riot. The waitress didn't get all the boys humor but she went along with most of it. We had to tip her really good. Poor girl.

Sunday my mom had our Easter Dinner with the Family. I don't know why but I LOVE ham and potato dinner for Holidays. It hit the spot. Plus she made her famous rolls so it makes everything better.

While all the cousins played outside Jake had his little face plastered to the window to watch. He didn't move from this spot all day.



After church Uncle Aaron let Brad play with his bottle rocket. Seriously kept the boys entertained. I don't know who was having more fun, Brad or Aaron.

After dinner the kids got to hunt Easter Eggs. The boys were in charge of hiding the eggs so some of them were pretty tricky to find.













My mom gave Jake this strange toy that all the boys were playing with. Isn't it lovely???



Thanks mom and dad for the great Spring Break weekend. We had a lot of fun and were completely worn out by the end.