Owen's Preschool Graduation

My sweet Owen is off to Kindergarten!  I can't believe it.  He was very excited for his preschool graduation.  He missed his program last year because his mom decided to have a baby.  The nerve of her.  Seriously it was a pain since his mom is the teacher!!  His program was so great.  All the kids did a great job, and I am so proud of them.  Good luck in Kindergarten Owen!!

 Owen and his friend Lukas.

Awww, Owen with his teacher MOM!!  Isn't he cute

Owen's Preschool Field Trip

Owen was so excited for his end of the year field trip this year.  The class went to visit the Life Flight Helicopter at the new hospital, and then they went to the park for some bug activities since they just finished a unit studying bugs.  Unfortunately the weather was terrible.  It was raining, and cold.  We still went to the park, and it was a short picnic.

 Owen and some of his preschool buddies.

Owen with his spider cookie.

Happy 1st Birthday Ava!

My sweet Miss Ava is 1.  I can hardly believe it.  They grow up way to fast.  Here are her stats:

She weighs 22 pounds (that is only 4 pounds less than Grant!)

She is not walking, but is now constantly walking around furniture and letting go.

She loves her siblings.  Whenever they are around she is always laughing.

She loves her tongue.

She loves to be outside.

She loves to eat.

She is so sweet and will give me kisses when she is sleepy.

She is a great sleeper, and will almost always sleep all night.

She is a joy to have in our family.

 The first bite of cake

 This is good!!

 All gone!  We actually gave her more because she was having so much fun.  She loved it!

Finished, and time for a bath!

Spring Dance Recital

Claire doesn't love soccer but she loves DANCE!!  She is very happy when she is on the stage preforming.  I think it helps that she gets to wear make-up, and be in the spotlight.  She had a great time, and I was so proud of her.

 I seriously don't love this picture of myself, but she has to have a picture with her mom and dad.  Chad was actually working, but was lucky enough to take off a few minutes to see Claire preform her first dance.

 Claire and her friend Elise.

 Our neighbor Ellie is a year younger than Claire.

 Claire is always so happy when Grandma and Grandpa Clayson come to her recitals.

A much better picture of me and my sweet little girl.

Owen's Soccer Season



So, Owen is a completely different story than Claire when it comes to soccer.  The boy loves it!!  He is actually quite good, but I am his mom and I am a little partial.  Mostly he is good because he is not scared of other people and isn't afraid to get in the middle of the action.  We asked for him to be on a team with his friend Isaac, but it didn't happen, but it happened that he got on a team with Julian his friend from preschool, and Julian's dad was the coach.  It was a great experience for Owen, and he learned a lot.  It was so much fun to watch him.

 Owen and his friend Julian.

Claire and Soccer

So Claire played soccer a few years ago, and basically hated it.  I didn't have her do it last year, but I decided that she needed the exercise, and it would be good for her.  She got on a team with her friend Cosette, so she was very excited at least for a few weeks.  The happiness ended after a few games, especially since she got tired of just chasing everyone around.  Envision the soccer ball, and a bunch of players around it, then envision Claire about 2 feet behind them, scared to death of getting kicked.  I tried to explain to her that is what her shin guards were for, but she didn't care.  So basically she did get some exercise, but we won't be making a career in soccer.  You should of seen her face when she heard that after what I thought was her last game wasn't (they had a tournament scheduled which I wasn't aware of).  She decided not to play which was her choice.  I figured that she needed to have that power.  Let's just say that my little girl would much rather be a dancer than a soccer player.

Yes she is posing.  She is supposed to be playing and paying attention.

 Isaac, Owen, Cosette and Claire.  The soccer buddies.

Calling all Super Heroes!!

When my kids turn 5 they get to have their very first birthday party with friends.  Owen had been planning his for months.  We went with a super hero theme, and most of the activities were planned for outside but . . . it rained a lot!!  So I made some quick adjustments, and the party took place inside.  We invited a ton of kids because Owen goes to two preschool classes, and had some friends from church he wanted to come.  I never thought they would all come, but all buy 2 came.  We ended up with 20 kids.  The kids decorated their own super hero cape, and then we played "Don't Eat the Superheros."  Basically it was Don't Eat Pete but with super heroes.  The kids loved that because they got to eat lots of M&M's.  Then we had a super hero obstacle course where they got to super hero dive at the end onto a mattress.  We had pizza and fruit, a pinata, and then presents and cake.  the kids were very good considering there were so many of them and they were stuck inside.  Owen had a great time, and thanked me many times for giving him a party.  It was fun to do, and I'm glad I don't have to throw him another one for 2 years.  

 Playing Don't Eat the Superheros

 The pool table turned into a party table.  Isn't the amount of gifts sickening!!

 All of Owen's friends.  He really does love everyone!

My happy little birthday guy!  Happy Birthday Owen!

Owen's Night Out

When the kids turn 5 Grandma and Grandpa Clayson start taking them out for their birthdays.  The kids get to choose where they go for dinner and then Grandma and Grandpa take them to the store to pick out their birthday present.  Owen picked hmmm, oh year McDonalds.  I have a feeling that Grandma and Grandpa have been there a lot lately.  Then they took him to Wal-Mart where he picked out his present a blue car that makes a lot of noise, and will go by itself when you push a button.  Owen had a great time, thank you Grandma and Grandpa!

Welcome Baby Sarah

My good friend Emma had her newest baby girl on Owen's birthday.  The craziest part is that her boy who is Owen's age, has his birthday on the 17th and Emma's is the 16th, so they will be celebrating many birthdays in May.  I was excited to go and visit her because they just opened up the new hospital, and I wanted to check it out, and see the baby.  I have to say that the hospital is gorgeous, and if we decide to have another baby I might not want to leave the hospital as soon as possible.

 I'm not sure why I am making that face.

 Jodi with baby Sarah

The proud parents, Rob and Emma

Happy 5th Birthday Owen!

I can't believe that my little man is 5.  Time sure does fly by.  He is such a wonderful addition to our family.  I fully intended to decorate the kitchen the night before, but I was tired, so I figured I would have time in the morning.  Not the case.  As I was in the shower at 6:30 I hear Owen outside telling me that he has gotten out all of his decorations and was ready to decorate.  It was hilarious.  So, we decorated the kitchen and started in on his birthday breakfast, pancakes, eggs and a poopy seed muffin (I tried to get rid of the last thing, but he insisted).  He also had strawberry syrup and was very happy.  After preschool I got to take him to McDonalds with some friends for lunch while Chad watched the younger kids.  That evening for dinner he picked ribs (isn'that awesome!), with noodles and beans.  We had a great day, and he was thrilled with his present - A Batcave.  He has been asking for it since Christmas so I figured it was still wanted.  I think Grant was more excited than Owen.   

All the kids ready for cake 

 So thrilled with his gift.

We are so lucky to have Owen in our home.  He is such a great addition.  He is ready for Kindergarten, and can't wait to begin his next journey.  He loves Superheros, blue, and ribs.  He is such a great big brother and will help me with Ava or Grant whenever I ask.  He can often be found downstairs helping Grant set up a new train track.  He loves his dad, and especially loves to wrestle with him.  He has decided that showers are much better than baths because they feel good on his back.  He loves preschool, and is very smart.  There isn't much that gets past him.  He enjoys going to church, and is always happy to share what he has learned with me.  I know that one day he will be a great missionary.  We are so lucky to have him in our family.  Happy Birthday Owen!

Timber

We have lived in our house over 5 years and still haven't done much to the backyard.  The front yard is looking fantastic, but the backyard has been put off for home improvement projects.  I have always hated this big pine tree in our backyard.  The grass wouldn't grow under it, and it really didn't provide much shade.  Plus as Claire would put it, it just made "pookies."  I was happy to finally see it cut down, and hauled away.  With the trampoline we really didn't have room for the tree.  Our next step is to dig the stump out and dig a hole for the trampoline.  I can't wait till we get this project moving along.

  My handsome lumberjack.

Let the work begin!!