Trevor and Hallie's birthdays

Trevor celebrated his 33rd birthday in March and Hallie turned 10 this year. She had a swimming party and those pictures are on a different camera so I will post them soon.

Turning the Principal into an ice cream sundae

Hallie and Meg's school had a fundraiser where the kids made money for the school by running laps. Since the school reached their $$$ goal the 2 kids in every class that ran the most laps got to "turn the principal into and ice cream sundae". Hallie got to go for her class."On his head!!" all the kids were chanting.
I remember doing this kind of stuff when I was a kid.
Why is it so fun to torture your principal?!

First Day of School

The first day of school started with smiles and butterflies in the tummies.

Unfortunately, the first day of school ended in panic and tears since the girls got on the wrong bus to get home but as soon as they were safe at home and lots of hugs were had they both informed us that they had had a great day (minus the bus ride).

Several weeks into school now they are still very happy and enjoying their new teachers and friends. YAY!

What a relief.

This has definitely been my biggest worry with the move so I am so very grateful.

Also, I am enjoying school starting an hour later than in Kentucky. ;)

Pictures of our life

This sweet little giant makes me smile every day. He recently learned how to say, "hold you" and loves to rest his head on your shoulder. He is such a lover.

We closed on our house in KY and so now I am busy packing. I'm trying to get excited about the move (what can I say, I'm happy here) so I've been sketching some plans for the new house. It is fun to dream.

Campbell insisted on a mayo and honey sandwich the other day. I would have never made it for him (because of course he wouldn't eat it, YUCK) but Trevor is nicer than me and made the sandwich for him and surprisingly Campbell scarfed it down. That boy always keeps me guessing. ;)

Hallie is loving Harry Potter these days.

Campbell insisted on sitting like this and reading one of "Hallie's books". He is always watching his big sister.

Trying on mommy's boots. I don't think Trev will appreciate this picture... it's okay honey, he is a normal 3 year old boy... I think.

We had a few chilly days last week and I kept seeing the girls going out the back door with blankets so I thought I'd investigate and this is what I found.

I love moments like these. :)

Stomp

Earlier this school year Megan got to participate in STOMP and in the spring the older grades got a chance so Hallie signed up and started the 4 months of practices.
I teased Hallie that we were going to yell her name and bring posters and really embarrass her at her performance. She asked us to "please don't" (she is getting all grown up on us) and so we didn't but it was pretty funny when Campbell saw Hallie at first on the stage and yelled, "Hi Hallie!" over and over again while waving his hands to get her attention. He got some laughs and Hallie went a little red.

It was such a fun performance! They surprised us at the end when they turned off all the lights and turned on black lights. Davis and Avery didn't love that part but the rest of us did. Campbell kept trying to join in as he stomped (loudly) on the bleachers to his own beat.

Hallie and all the kids did such a great job!

Day of Service

April 24th was "A Day of Service" and our ward had a great project.

We gathered at a local nature preserve and did a whole lot of planting, mulching, painting, weeding, and so on. The forecast was severe thunderstorms and the day started out rainy, yucky, and cold but then the sun came out. At one point one of the ladies that worked at the nature preserve came out and announced that "The radar says we have thunderstorms over us right now." We all looked up at the blue skies and I told them we had been praying for good weather so we could do this for them and our prayers were answered.

I was asked to be "the official picture taker" and we had a few articles in the local papers about our service which was fun.

Hallie and Megan worked hard planting flowers and spreading mulch... and chasing toads and newts.

It was so fun for me to walk around to each project and take pictures of the those giving service and see the transformations take place. It really was such a neat day and such a great reminder of what a blessing serving others is to our own lives.

A note for Megan

Megan had a few falls and some bloody knees and elbows over the last 2 days.

Yesterday Hallie found a 4-leaf-clover. She was so excited.

Later that night (after another fall and more bloody knees and elbows for Meg) I found this note: "Dear Megan,

I hope that your knee will feel better! I wish that you never got hurt. I love you and I want you to have this rare 4 leaf clover I found. I hope you have some good luck!

Love, Hallie

Happy 9th Birthday Hallie

Hallie woke up very tired on her birthday last Saturday.

Apparently she was so excited she couldn't sleep half the night! ;) Her big surprise was a Plasma Car. Unfortunately no one would let her ride it for more then 2 seconds before is was their "turn". I guess we need to invest in a few more of these puppies, they are just too much fun.

I caught Hallie and Meg laying on the backyard swing chatting... love these moments.

Every other year the kids get to do a big "friends party". Hallie decided to have a Pajama Party late-over. This age is so fun. No need to plan a bunch of games because the girls just want to hang out and be silly and just have fun with each other.

Made it really easy for me.

Above: Waiting for all the girls to arrive.

Eating Pizza

Making beaded bracelets

Then we opened presents, ate pie and ice cream, and the girls watched "The Frog and the Princess".

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HALLIE!!

Battle of the Books

Hallie was in "The Battle of the Books" at her school this year. The kids are given a list of 10 books to read and then there is a competition where they are quizzed on those books. Hallie loves to read and so this challenge fit her perfectly. She was so excited she could hardly sleep the night before.

She came home from school beaming with a 2nd Place ribbon around her neck.

Way to go Hallie!!!

Snow

Enjoying the snow this morning... I'm hoping it will be gone by Monday.

What is wrong with me?

I used to love the snow but now it just complicates things! ;0

We don't own a snow shovel so we are sweeping the snow off the driveway.

Doesn't make much sense to buy a shovel now since it doesn't snow much in Richland.

I didn't get any pictures of Hallie in the snow but here is one of her enjoying some hot cocoa afterwards to warm up.

Hope you are enjoying the weather today... wherever you may be. :)

This week at our house

Campbell found a new hiding place and invited Davis to join him inside.
Today he said to me, "Let's go to space mommy! But... but, where is my rocket ship??"
Megan decided she wanted a haircut and insisted on "bangs". I was nervous about cutting bangs on her but in the end I think she made a good choice... she looks so cute with bangs. :)



Hallie is learning how to play the recorder and loves it. She practices faithfully and learns so quickly. She also started "STOMP" this week.

Campbell is always doing something to keep himself (and me) busy. He is a sweet boy and LOVES to be funny. He will do something silly and then ask, "I funny Mommy??" and of course I say, "YES, you ARE funny!" and he grins from ear to ear.

The other day I was working out and he walked in the room with a little cup of water and asked, "You firsty mommy? You need a drink?" What a sweet boy. :)

I just love this little... er... big guy.

Davis loves to eat and to talk on the cell phone. If I am on the phone he grunts and moans and cries until I give in and let him have it then he holds it up to his ear and kisses it (i.e. sucks on it).

Oh, he also loves purses. ;0

Trevor has had a great month of elective and his schedule has been more flexible in January. He is studying ultrasound and has to do 100-300 ultrasounds this month which is a lot but he is getting them done.

Davis likes to jump on daddy when he is studying... daddy just loves it. ;)