Memorial Day Weekend in St. George

This year for Memorial Day we decided to head to St. George with our friends the Lewis family. We left Friday afternoon and came home on Monday. It was a really fun, relaxing mini-family vacation. Jim found us a beautiful condo at Las Palmas to rent. It was really big so we weren't tripping over each other even with seven kids and four adults. It had a great pool for the kids so we spent quite a bit of time there. Jim, Chris and Andrew went golfing Saturday morning so Stacie and I took the other kids down to the pool.



I didn't know what the pool was going to be like so I bought Ally a life jacket to wear, just in case it was all deep. Thankfully, this pool had a little one foot area for the younger kids. Ally had her life jacket on and stepped off the steps into the three foot area. She could float just fine but she did not like the fact that she couldn't touch the bottom. She started screaming! From then on, she didn't get near the steps. After the guys got back from golfing we all went down to the pool. Jim decided to get Ally into the deeper water. He held onto her the entire time but she just death gripped his neck and screamed for me.





(Here Jim is trying to calm her down and talk her into staying in the deep end with him - didn't work)

From then on, she played in the one foot area. We tried to go to Zion on Sunday but once we got there it was way too crowded. We took a few pictures on the side of the road and then headed back to St. George and the pool. It was a really enjoyable family and friend weekend. We decided that we are going to make it an annual trip.

The Birthday Boy

I can't believe it has been seven years since Andrew joined our little family. It really seems like it was just yesterday. Andrew has always been, and still is a sweet boy. He is a great big brother who takes care of and protects Ally (when they're not fighting of course). He can't wait for his new little sister and I know he will be a great helper and amazing big brother. He is an extremely smart boy. He loves to read and his new favorite thing to do is to read a chapter book (which has about 70 pages) a day. That's along with playing outside with friends, riding his bike, playing Legos and the WII. He loves any sport right now. He is enjoying baseball and can't wait for soccer again in the fall. I am so grateful we have have been blessed by his sweet spirit in our home. Happy Birthday Buddy!!! We love you!

Machine Pitch Baseball

This year Andrew is playing what was supposed to be machine pitch baseball, however, at the first game we were told by the girl from the city that the machines are terrible so the coaches have been pitching. It's been so much fun watching him play and to see the progress he has made since last year. He is constantly begging Jim to practice with him. It's fun to see him so enthusiastic about it.

Ally's 'Neighborhood' Preschool Graduation

This past year a few moms in our neighborhood and I did a little 'Joy School' type preschool. We took turns hosting it at our houses and teaching the kids different topics. Thankfully, Jennifer was a teacher and came up with the curriculum, schedule, and everything else for the rest of us. It was a great year and lots of fun for Ally and the kids. We celebrated their graduation at the farm at Thanksgiving Point. The kids enjoyed seeing all the animals and riding the ponies. Ally has absolutely no fear of animals. I was amazed at how willing she was to feed and touch (try to hug) any animal she could. I had to keep her away from the donkey since he bites. I really didn't want any lost fingers or for her to get a fear of the animals. After visiting the farm we went out and had sack lunches and the graduation. Once again Jennifer was the best and came up with super cute graduation certificates, hats and cupcakes for each of the kids. They all had a lot of fun. Thanks to Jennifer, Erin, Gigi, Ruth and Tami for making this year of preschool one of fun learning!