June

Somehow I let three months pass without a single blog post.  I am trying to rectify that by posting condensed versions of what we have been up to for the last several months.

We went on a ward campout the first weekend of June.  I really had high hopes for this trip.  We got to use our new camp stove and our mostly new giant tent.  Friends were going to be there.  Brad bought giant marshmallows to roast.  It was actually quite fun except for two things: 1) It was fairly hot and humid that day so we opted to leave the rainfly off when we went to sleep since it was a clear, starry night.  We quickly regretted that decision when we were awoken by a brief rain shower.  Especially since the rainfly was in the car about 100 yards away.  By the time we got it on the rain had stopped and the tent just got hot. 2) The great thing about ward campouts is that our kids have lots of other kids to play with.  The bad thing about ward campouts is that even if your kids miraculously sleep well all the other crying kids around you will keep you up all night.  It has me seriously considering if I will ever do that again. 

 



The Mister had his last soccer game.  All the kids got a trophy and I FINALLY got a picture of all three boys together.

We went to the Columbia zoo with my college roommate and her kids.  It's sad how close we live to each other and how seldom we actually see each other.  I vow to do better.  I haven't been to that zoo since before I had kids.  It's a really great zoo and even more fun to watch them have fun.  I think my favorite part was feeding the giraffes.  Their favorite part was the pony rides and the slushies.

May

Our beach vacation...it was the best of times, it was the worst of times.  The first weekend of May we went to Edisto Island.  Our idea was to go early in the season before the crowds (although I don't think it is ever really crowded there) and the summer prices on beach condos.  We knew the weather might not be perfect but that area is known for its sea shells so we figured we could still have fun playing on the beach even if it wasn't swimming weather.  We arrived on Friday night just in time to settle in and have dinner.  On Saturday morning we woke up and it was a little rainy and very, very windy.  Also the surf was very rough. I think it was the tail end of some hurricane that I have now forgotten about.  We still went for a walk on the beach and found a spot near a cement wall where we could be protected from the wind and the sand flying into our eyes.  We weren't the only crazy one's out there.  The first day and a half was pretty windy and rainy and we tried to busy ourselves with as many rainy day activities as we could find on the tiny island.  For about an hour an a half the power was out in our condo, so that was super great :)

On day two it cleared up and we spent a beautiful evening on the beach.  Our last day there was perfect beach weather - of course, that's how it always happens for us.  We spent several hours soaking it all in and then headed home.  Both kids fell asleep on the way home.  It was a glorious and peaceful drive.

 



The Mister had a Mother's Day program at school and he graduated from pre-school.  They put on such a cute program.  His teacher's were amazing this year and I am really going to miss this school.  They put together a book for us of his work throughout the year and some pictures, plus they made a hand-print painting for us.  I just love them and am so happy he had this experience.  He is so excited to go to kindergarten, or as he calls it "five year old school".

 

 

On Memorial Day Brad took the Mister to see a movie and Baby Sister and I spent the afternoon playing in the sprinklers.  It was a perfect way to kick-off summer!

 





April

The day after Easter Grandma and Granddad arrived for a visit.  As always, I didn't take enough pictures but we had lots of fun while they were here!

 

Aidan started his first season of soccer this year.  Two of his best buddies were on his team.  One on purpose and one by total accident.  We were so happy to have them there!  The night before his first practice he got really sick...like puke sick.  I was up most of the night with him and told him he was going to have to miss his first practice.  He finally fell asleep around 6am and when he woke up at 9am he was feeling all better and ready to go.  I wasn't about to take him after he had just been so sick but luckily for us it rained and practice was cancelled.  His excitement about soccer drained throughout each game and the season in general.  I guess that is pretty typical at this age.  I just hope I can talk him into playing again this fall.  I think he will love it, but it may take some time.

March

I went to the Little Mister's class and read Cat in the Hat to them for Dr. Seuss's birthday.  Thing 1 and Thing 2 also made an appearance.  Some of the kids may have thought I was the actual Cat in the Hat.

For St. Patty's Day my friend and I put on a party for the Mister's preschool class.  I made rainbow fruit skewers and dip.  She made rainbow cupcakes and these adorable skittles treat bags and the kids made leprechaun masks.  A leprechaun visited our house on St. Patrick's day.  He left some footprints and treats.  Luckily for him, the place was already a wreck due to some prior fort-building, so he didn't have to waste any time on his typical hijinks.  He must have liked our house because he still lives here somewhere, according to the kids, and has been known to take some of their "artwork" to decorate his own little house.

 

 

Baby Sister was invited to a pre-Easter, Easter egg hunt with some friends from church.  The hunt was followed by lunch.  She had a great time.  On Easter Sunday the kids woke up to new umbrellas in their Easter baskets plus a few other small toys and candy.  Then we donned our Sunday best and headed to church.  Brad & the Mister got matching ties. After church and a nap we headed to our good friend's house for our annual Easter Egg Hunt and dinner.  Some of my favorite memories are these annual get togethers!