April: Scattered Showers

Another piano festival; another smoothie date.
This was the first festival where his courage conquered his shyness and he played one of his pieces on the
grand piano in the lobby. My part was to take a picture and not embarrass him with tears.

Nathan felt pretty important with his own designated parking spot.
"N for Nathan.  They knew I was coming."


Spring Has Sprung!
We consider it spring when the snow has melted enough that we can get to Mesa Falls.
We still had to rev our way through a couple of snow banks and there was still snow at the falls but it was worth it.

Yep, that is Justin with his arm around Daymia sending a little picture jealousy to Levi while he works and we play.


How to Be Adorable by Vivien and Gabor

That dimpled smile; those beautiful eyes! She looks so happy! 

And I miss her!

Walking the Plank Stage

Bret didn't want to walk the stage for graduation but with gentle persuasion from his wife, mother and 

mother-in-law he gave in and let us celebrate for him.

It was a wonderful day! Erika earned a picture with the diploma considering the many hours of homework that 

she put in for it. They make a great team! 

What will they do next? 

Bret has an internship over the summer and then their tentative plan is to move to Colorado for work.  

What's Cookin'?

It might be a little manipulative of me but when I miss my older kids I tend to make some of their favorite foods,
send out a picture text and wait for their homecoming.

The responses of
I can almost smell it. You're torturing me. 
I'll be there in 20.
Heaven is what that is!
Oh my freaking gosh! There's no way I'm missing that!
are always followed with a visit from at least two of them.

Poor Derek just responds with,
That's so not nice.  Why torture me?

Stressed? Who me?

It was suggested to me to print off some mandala pictures and try coloring for anxiety/stress relief. Once I got over the hassle of picking the "right" color scheme it wasn't too bad. Until I printed off the 2nd picture a couple of days later and suffered the same color selecting fate again. How is this stress freeing? I think I'll stick to rocking back and forth.


Effective Stress Relief

I only had him for about 30 minutes but his smile soothed my heart; his eyes lit up the day and his peaceful trusting nature was therapy from heaven.


It's Erika's Fault

She had me hosting a party for Jamberry nail wraps.  I don't do parties! (See previous picture on stress).
I give her full credit for these pretties.



A thought or two . . . 

Nathan, after running for Presidential Fitness requirements:  "I only got 9:15 because I had to run to the bathroom on the third lap.  I probably would have been under 8:30 if I just wet my pants."

They have to run it in 8:30 to get the award. Back off, Presidential Fitness!  My boy ran a mile in 9:15!

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Hyrum comes running in the house to tell me that Harrison caught and killed a mouse but didn't eat it. I asked if he touched it.

"Yeah, it was nice and fluffy."

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Hyrum: showing his new room to Spencer and explaining that the crown was broken off of his Angry Birds bank because . . .  "Nathan broke it off. Actually, I don't know if he did but I blame him."

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Why I love Primary . . .
Bro Gordon:  Why do we come to primary?
Ellie (age 3): So when we are 4 we can not pick our nose!

Sister Gardner: How can we be like Jesus?
Ellie: When we are 4 we don't hit anymore.

Birthday singing time: Ellie turns 4 in 2 days