May Madness

This past week has been "May Madness" around our house but it has all been FUN! We are counting down the days until summer vacation...Here is a recap:


Dan and I had a quick getaway last weekend in St. George. We had a blast and loved the warm weather.


Julia and I shared a birthday and Mother's Day together. The "friends party" happens tomorrow. Fifteen plus 9 year olds altogether--can't wait!


Hilary and Hannah on their birthday--more cake and a batch of brownies for Hannah.


Hannah finally got her braces off--yay!


AND... the Hershey Track Meet for Julia today... I'm tired!

Happy Birthday Hilary & Hannah!

The birthday madness continues around our house with Hilary and Hannah turning 14 years old today! I really can't believe that they are old enough now for church dances, EFY, high school and the likes. Seriously, where does the time go? It doesn't seem that long ago we finally had all three girls together at our home in California (after Hannah's stay in NICU).



Life would simply be dull without these girls!
We all love you so much! Happy Birthday!

Love,
Mom, Dad, Emily & Julia
xoxoxoxoxoxo

Emi- thanks for letting me use your photograph without permission!

Happy Birthday Julia!

Nine years ago today Julia Josephine was born in Provo, Utah nearly a month early. She was the calmest, sweetest baby from the get go. Despite her heels being poked numerous times a day to check her blood and being hooked up to IV and having a blindfold over her eyes, she rarely cried.

Her pleasant disposition continued after we were able to bring her home from the hospital and she has been a joy ever since!

Her big brown rootbeer eyes and deep dimpled cheeks always melt our hearts! We love you so much JJ. Happy 9th Birthday baby girl!

Love,

Mom, Dad, Emily, Hilary & Hannah

Mother's Day

I have the good fortune and wonderful blessing of having the world's greatest mother. She is the perfect mom for me and for this I am so grateful! There are simply too many reasons to list why I love and admire her so much. But here are three:

She sits prominently in my cheering section, listens patiently all the time, and has been my rescuer many of times.

For instance, I've lost track of how many times she has hopped on an airplane, sometimes at a moment's notice, to be with me when I needed her. Fourteen Mother's Days ago, my mom was making preparations to head to California to be with me after the births of Hilary and Hannah. As I prepared to bring one baby home from the hospital and continued to worry about the other baby an hour away in the NICU, my mom was there to help me that first difficult week at home.

If I were in Arizona with her today, I would be eating dinner with her and the family and watching her laugh and love on everyone around her. Because I'm not there, I'm sending lots of love her way today. Happy Mother's Day Mom!

Choir Concert

Tonight was Hilary's final Choir Concert of middle school. It really isn't her favorite thing to do but I absolutely love listening to her and watching her perform.

You made my day Hilary!

5 Years From Now...

Monday night after Family Home Evening, our family's conversation turned toward the changes that were heading our way in the coming months and years. For example, this fall 3 of my 4 children will be in high school. I am still trying to grasp this inevitable change. Our thoughts turned toward Emily who is preparing for college and in the midst of making major decisions about higher education. This child officially receives more mail that her parents and they are from colleges all over place. Yesterday's mail included a letter from MIT. Of course, the thought of Emily leaving Provo for college literally brings us all to tears. However, there is enthusiasm and excitement for her as well no matter where she ends up.


I couldn't help but think that in five short years, Hilary and Hannah will be finished with high school, attending college and maybe not living at home either! They are definitely the comic relief around the house and the source of non stop chatter at the dinner table. I love it all--the constant texting and the middle school dilemmas and drama.

As the conversation winded down, Julia realized that her days of playing her favorite games of Monopoly and Life with her sisters was also winding down and then the flood gates opened. Huge crocodile tears rolled down her cheeks and in that moment I sensed that Dan and I weren't as fun as we thought! We all quickly consoled and reassured her and the tears dried up.

As I headed to bed that night, I sensed a renewed desire in all of us to use this precious family time in the best, most positive way possible. While I certainly don't dwell on these coming changes, it definitely makes me appreciate the here and now more.

3rd Grade = Projects Galore

What is it with third grade and projects? It has been awhile (5 years to be exact) since I've had one and I guess I've forgotten how much stuff they get to do. Last week's project was the 3rd Grade Science Fair. Julia's project dealt with how the temperature of colored water affects the absorption of water in flowers. I have to admit it was actually quite interesting to watch.


This photo was taken almost immediately after placing the white carnation in warm water. You can see a hint of red coming through the flower's center. Not surpising, the carnation absorbed the warmer water faster and Julia's hypothesis was correct.


This week's project = rainforest animal/insect report. Julia was thrilled to find a rainforest insect with her name in it--the Julia Butterfly of South America.