Yard Work

Our family time today was spent shopping for mulch and flowers and doing some yardwork.

Our backyard was nothing but weeds and stickers when we moved in and we have slowly been improving it.

This was our latest project.

We are also trying to get some more grass.

It is so hard to get a nice yard here! The wind is always blowing which means a LOT of weeds. We also have a pretty big backyard but no sprinkling system. We'll probably get it nice just in time to move.

                              

Author's Tea

                                               

Brooke's class had an author's tea. Each student read an animal report they had written. 

Brooke's report was on hummingbirds.

After the readings we had lemonade and cookies. Austin and Emma were happy to join Brooke at her desk. All of Brooke's friends love Emma.

The next day Brooke's class won the school recycling contest. The reward was playing with miniature horses. They got to bush, pet, and take them for a walk around the school.

Austin's Preschool Program

Thursday was Austin's last day of Shadow Hills preschool. It was done by two ladies in the ward and it was fabulous! Austin wasn't so sure. He never wanted to go. I had to force him pretty much everytime. He was always happy to show me what he did at school so I think he liked it even if he said otherwise.

They did a cute program on the last day with songs, poems the kids memorized throughout the year and each kid picked something they learned they wanted to share. 

Austin talked about colors and rainbows.

My favorite song was the Hat song complete with actions and hats.

Austin recited the Santa poem. I was so busy prompting him with actions to help him remember the poem that I ended up cutting off his head in most of the video. 

Little Things

 Just some every day things....

The kids love to go for "horse rides".  Emma didn't want to wait her turn so she found her own spot.

Emma loves to color and lately has been coloring on herself. "Look, I color!"

Here she looks like a tatooed biker chick. 

We went to our friend Josh's birthday party last Saturday at Chuck E Cheese. This is the first time Austin was old enough to really enjoy it.

Brooke even liked the little kid rides.

The kids are always wanting to have a picnic. It is SO WINDY here almost every day in the spring that picnics are difficult.

Kaylee made a Sunday "Jebrady" game for family home evening. She did a really good job!

Emma's style.... She loves boots. She's always wearing her sister's' boots and a tutu. 

I was dancing with Emma and she ran off and came back with a skirt (AKA slip) for me to wear. Apparently you can't dance without a skirt around here. 

Date night

Friday was our monthly PFP date night. We hosted but the Paynes planned it all. We grilled burgers for dinner and then had a movie night. The plan was to watch it outside but it was way too windy so we had an inside showing instead. Jennie always sets everything up so cute. We always have a lot of fun with this group. The Paynes and Dormans both just got jobs and will be moving soon. I'm happy for them but sad to see them go.

Brooke had been running a fever and saying her throat hurt so she stayed home with the adults while the other kids went to date group. The Dahl family was watching the kids and when I told my them about Brooke they said they had a kit to test her for strep throat. When I picked up the kids after our date I brought Brooke along to be tested and sure enough- strep! Luckily Steve was able to call in a prescription for her so we didn't even have to go into the doctor! Our friends are great.

Rain

We don't get much rain around here but when we do the kids love it!

Ranch Day and Birthday Parties

Last Saturday was Ranch Day at the National Ranching Heritage Center. We love Ranch day! It's a free event to learn about the history and activities of frontier life.

The kids all made rope which is what they were most exited about. Each kid got a card to earn stamps by learning history, science, or completing an activity. When their card is full they turn it in for their pay and then go to the mercantile to spend their hard earned cash.

Kaylee and Brooke loved riding horses. Austin would not get on a horse.

We went in the old frontier homes and people were dressed up in time period clothes to tell about the history of the building.

Austin's favorite part was riding the hand car. (Jake stayed home with Emma. She wanders too much to be in large crowds.)

We had to leave Ranch Day before doing all the activities because Kaylee had a birthday party to go to. She was excited to go. She has been wanting to do the ropes course and rock wall at Bodyworks for a long time.

She was up on the ropes course almost the entire party.

Brooke also had a birthday party at the new trampoline park in town.

Brooke lost another tooth. Now all she wants for Christmas is her two front teeth. Kaylee warned Brooke I was going to start singing that song after she lost her tooth.

Emma loves shoes. She will put on any shoes she can find to go outside. Her favorites are Brooke and Kaylee's boots. 

Another day of dress up. Emma went as Cinderella to Austin's sports class.

April Fools

On April fools day we had our annual mixed up dinner where the kids order from a menu and have no idea what they will end up with. Kaylee and Brooke love it. Austin and Emma don't quite get the concept yet.

They had four courses so eventually they all got their actual dinner although the girls didn't get any utensils until the very end.

I made "plants" for dessert. It was our night to watch all the kids for our babysitting co-op so I made plants for everyone.

Emma spent the evening wearing Brooke's Elsa dress and watching "let it go" multiple times. She's really liked dressing up lately.