Garrick Turns 4

We had been looking forward to this birthday for a LONG time.  He had literally been on the countdown since January.  Gah, it seemed like it would never get here.

Garrick insisted on having pancakes just like his brothers. 

Grandma Rita took him for ice cream, and picked up this fun costume for him.  He likes to dress up in capes.  Add a shield and a mask, and can we say nirvana? 

A mom and her birthday boy!  Garrick is still very affectionate.  He loves to sit on Mom’s lap and give hugs and kisses.  He is also very stubborn, which makes things a little interesting around here, but then he makes up for it when he randomly tells me he loves me.  Melt your heart.

Running with the Grizzlies 5k 2013

We were excited to get back to running this spring.  We actually signed both Connor and Haden up for the 5k.  (We even signed up Garrick, but that was so he could have a shirt.  He got to ride in the stroller with Dad pushing).

I was so proud of Connor and Haden.  They both ran the ENTIRE thing.  In fact, Connor came in only about 5 seconds after Dan.  The funny thing was that Dan had no idea that Connor was that close to him.  We were letting them go their own pace, and Connor decided to catch up to Dad.

Name	Time
Dan	31:16
Alicia	35:53
Connor	31:20
Haden	39:19
Garrick	31:23

So proud of my little family doing something that was “hard”. 

Some More Random Cuteness of Z

Why yes, my Mom did just do this to my hair.  Pathetic isn’t it?

The one time he will actually wear a hat.

When a little boy gets up on his own, and thinks he can crawl.  And then realizes that he is not quite sure how to get moving.

And mom and dad sit there and laugh and take pictures.  Can’t give a little guy a break can you?

Spring General Conference

Just a quick note on General Conference this past spring.  I am just like all the other mom’s trying to figure out how to keep my kids engaged during conference.  I feel like I have tried almost everything.  This year the one thing that worked was the biggest surprise.  We made conference crowns.

Did not see that one coming.  They LOVED coloring and cutting out the crown.  The nice thing was since it took awhile for them to do them, they still had plenty of worksheets to get through the rest of the session and then the next session.  I am debating of whether to do it again in October, or to wait until next year so it doesn’t get old too fast!

Dan Turns 36

At least I hope that’s right.  I keep on forgetting.  He will be forever 30 in my book!

The kids were a little obsessed with getting him super soakers this year.  It worked out though, because we have had tons of water fights this summer!

Yes, Alicia did only make a small pan of brownies for Dan’s cake.  It was at his request.  Dan was training for a 1/2 marathon and was trying to be good with his food.  Oh, and we had some yummy ice cream to put on top, so that made up for it!

Happy Birthday Dan…you are my life!

Easter Sunday 2013

The kids woke up early for Easter…of course.  We hid their baskets a little bit better this year, so they actually had to look around.

The school ended up scheduling their book fair for after Easter, so instead of books the boys got some movies and watches.  They loved it…and Mom got sick of the movies pretty quick!

For dinner we went over to celebrate Easter and Birthdays with the Preece’s.  The boys got their Easter Bags from Grandma Rita, and ripped into them quick.  I’m still finding the whirly-gun parts all over my house.

My cute boys.

Easter Egg Hunt 2013

Due to crazy schedules this year we ended up scheduling the big Easter Egg Hunt for Saturday night over at Grandma Staci’s.  All I can say is A. MAZE. ING. 
It was so fun watching the kids run all over the neighborhood with Easter Baskets and flashlights.  I had tried to paint some of the eggs glow in the dark, but that was a complete bust.  But the kids didn’t care.  We broke out the boy’s camping headlamps, and they were in heaven.
 
Zander was not sure about what was going on.  Oh well, he had to be initiated.

Came home with WAY too much candy.  Connor ended up finding almost all the cash eggs.  I don’t know how he does it.  The boys put in the request to do it the same next year.  They loved it!

Random FHE

So one Monday in March I had picked up some doughnuts  while grocery shopping and for FHE we were awesome parents and did the doughnuts on a string.  We shake things up every once in a while to keep the kids on their toes.

Yep, for one night we were “cool” parents.  Unfortunately, 3 months later we are still being asked when we get to do it again.

He Can Sit on His Own

Finally at 6.5 months Zander started to sit.  He seemed a little slow about it, but once he caught on, it took 1 night to figure it all out.

Distraction is the key.

And of course his brothers can’t leave him alone.  It is tough stuff being the 4th boy.

You’re the Write One for Me

This year we did “homemade” valentines for the boy’s school classes.  I am trying to use my Silhouette more, and this seemed like an easy way to put it to use.  I found a cute heart pattern and cut out TONS of hearts.  I used up a lot of my spare scrapbook paper scraps, and had the boys fill out names and throw a pencil on them.


The boys were tired of writing by the end, but I’m a mean mom that thinks it is good that they write all the names of their classmates.  If anything, they need to practice their handwriting. 

Zander loved just sitting in his highchair watching the excitement. 

I did my traditional Valentines for my boys and actually printed it up this time.

Not much, but hey the boys like it, and it is something I don’t have to stress over.

Tubing

Our ward has a tradition of going tubing at Soldier Hollow for youth conference in Jan/Feb.  This year they invited anyone in the ward to attend.  We were really excited to take the boys to try it out. 

I totally want to make this a tradition!!  It was a blast!!  I HATE the cold, and didn’t want to leave.

So glad I still had snowpants for all the boys.  I just wished I had some for myself by the end of the morning.  Thank you 2nd ward.  It was a great winter activity!  The doughnuts and hot chocolate just topped off the morning!