June 2011

Another piano recital - Shaylee and Maycee both did great with their songs.  And they played a duet together this year.  They love having their Grama as their piano teacher!

Josh and I were able to go on our stake trek "Live the Legacy" as a Ma and Pa.  We had eleven children plus a baby (doll) that we had to bury along the trail.  It was an amazing experience that we will always remember.  I still laugh at some of the things our children did - those teenage boys kill me!  

My Favorite Day

I just love Mother's Day and feel so blessed to be a mother!  I like to take a picture of me and each of my sweeties every Mother's Day.  Deryk is in the middle of a hugging phase and loves to randomly squeeze me as hard as he can.  (and it is usually a little painful.) 

March 2011

We did a few fun things in March that I wanted to put on the blog.  It seems like I am so tired lately and barely get things done that I would like to, so this will be short and sweet: 

Shaylee had her recorder concert.  She has been practicing a lot at home and in the car.  Yes - the car was a bit confined for recorder songs, so that was quickly banned.  She did a great job and takes her music very seriously.

Shaylee and Maycee played their piano songs at the Music Festival.  They both did really well and came home with Superiors. 

We went to Utah for our spring break.  One stop we made was the Bean Museum at BYU.  Haven't been there for many years and it all looked very similar as the last time I was there.  Deryk kept striking these funny poses and stayed there until I would take his picture.  He also managed to touch every animal he wasn't supposed to.  

We went to a fun park that the kids loved.  Thankfully Utah had some sun for us while we were there.  Still waiting for it here in Twin Falls...........

 Josh had ANOTHER birthday.  He just can't believe how old he is and often forgets when he is asked.  Had a fun little party with another experimental cake that was much yummier than it looked. 

Deryk just loves reading books.  (Shay and Mayc love books, too)  I usually read to Deryk every night, but had to take a phone call.  When I came back up to read - this is what I found.  So adorable and only little for such a short time.  

I had to document this and have proof this actually happened.  It is a rare thing to see Deryk asleep during the day.  Josh - not so much.  He can sleep any time if given the chance.  I thought it was so cute to see my two guys conked out together.  

10 Years!

It doesn't seem like 10 years ago yesterday that we got a call telling us a birthmom had chosen us to be her baby's mom and dad.  And she had already been born that morning!  I cried for 2 whole days from so many different emotions, while we quickly got as many things ready as possible.  We didn't have any clothes, diapers, bottles, or other baby basics.  And we just had to get her in our arms.  It was so exciting and nerve-wracking!  I still cry when I think about it too hard.  :)  We are so blessed to be entrusted with such an amazing spirit that Shaylee has and be able to be parents to her forever.  Happy 10th Birthday, Shay!!!

 The cake - don't look too closely or you might notice it is collapsing.

 The gifts - fun clothes, National Geographic magazine, lots of earrings, and a Young Ambassador concert.

 The candle blowing - everyone helped.

The pierced ears - Shay only cried before they pierced them (from fear), but it actually didn't hurt when it happened.  :)

Christmas 2010

What a fun Christmas we had this year!  The kids were so excited about everything.  And Deryk understood what was going on.  We had Christmas Eve dinner at Mom's (yummy noodle soup) and came home to open pj's, read the real Christmas story in the scriptures, and watch a movie.  We watched Ramona and Beezus - cute movie! 

 New pj's

Pillow pets - thank goodness Santa pulled through with these.  That is all the kids really wanted from Santa.  Those darn commercials are good!

Deryk got a remote control 4-wheeler, so he plopped down in the box and lounged in it while he drove his 4-wheeler around.  Cute little guy!  

Just had to show how great this Harley jacket is.  Else gave it to Deryk and he loves how the leather feels.  He is so cute in it!  He wanted to go outside and ride his motorcycle tricycle, but since it's been sooooo cold - that hasn't happened yet. 

The Before Christmas Fun

Seems like every December is full of extra craziness. But it all seems to be the fun kind. Here are a few pictures of some of the things we (the kids) did before Christmas. (Kath - this is for you!)

Got the Christmas decorations up. Deryk spent a lot of time on the piano looking at the village pieces we have, which were all displayed on the piano. He HAD to get really close to them to see all the details, but did great at not touching them.

Shaylee and Maycee had a school Christmas concert. Shaylee played the recorder with all the 4th graders. Maycee sang 2 songs with the 2nd graders.

The girls also had a concert for their TaVaci singing group they are in. It was all Christmas songs and they all did so great! Shaylee did a little solo (almost died several times the day of from nerves) and it was beautiful!

We always go up the Rock Creek Canyon to see the Christmas lights. Seemed kind of strange without snow this time, but Santa was there and the kids just love that funny camel at the end. Get to feed him carrots and pet him. He is quite cute in an ugly animal way. :)

Halloween 2010

So this year the kids decided to be a vampire, Snow White, and a witch. Deryk is still loving vampires - his jack-o-lantern even had to be a vampire. He went around trying to scare people all night. And laughed at himself when they were scared. Maycee kept telling people that it was really her, Maycee, because she thought nobody would recognize her. And Shaylee ended up not feeling well and is still sick. It was a fun weekend! Thankfully Halloween is only once a year!