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!!

Cabellas

We were able to take the kids to Cabellas while we were in Utah.  They have actually been there once but were very young.  It was so fun.  We started with the fish which Grant thought was great.  The kids loved all the safari animals.  It took Grant awhile to warm up to them because he thought they were real.  It actually took a lot of convincing for him to decide that they weren't alive.  The kids had a blast seeing all the animals and spending time with their cousins.

Utah Weekend

We were excited to be able to get away for the weekend and go visit Aunt Stacey, Uncle Chad and their kids.  Colton was getting baptised so we were able to spend time with all of Chad's family.  The weather was beautiful!!  We all go a little sunburned from being outside all afternoon.  The kids had a blast playing on the swing set, riding in their car, riding bikes, and just playing with cousins.  Chad watched the kids for a few hours and let me go shopping for a little while.  It always makes me realize that we have no shopping here.  We had a great time and it was nice to be able to celebrate Mother's Day with Chad's mother.

 Grand discovered Popsicles at Aunt Stacey's.  He wanted another one, so he came up and asked me for "a stick."  It was so cute!

 We found Morgan sleeping this way about 4:00.  I think we all felt that way.

When Grandma and Grandpa Come To Visit

We were lucky enough to have Grandma and Grandpa visit us for quite awhile.  Grandpa had to go to the doctor in Salt Lake City so grandma took him there, and then he flew off for the week for business, so grandma came back and spent a week here while she waited for Grandpa to fly back so they could attend Aaron's graduation.  We had so much fun spending time with her.  She helped me watch the kids while I worked, she made my new curtains for my kitchen, she took me shopping because apparently my pants were unacceptable (they were just to big and she didn't like that!).  She spent a lot of time with the kids which they just ate up.  The love spending time with Grandma, although they were very excited when Grandpa came back.  We also got to celebrate with Heather and Aaron for Aaron's graduation.  It was fun to be together with the family.

Grandma and Grandpa gave Owen and Ava their birthday presents a few weeks early while they were here.  Mom asked what Owen wanted, and he really wanted a scooter.  They made his day when he opened it.  Ava wasn't sure what to think of her gift, but they gave her some very cute outfits for the summer.

Planting Time

We have a somewhat random garden.  We have things planted all over our yard, including the front.  Last year we used half of our retaining wall to plant our pumpkins and squash.  They grew great there, and were so easy to pick because you didn't have to bend down at all.  So this year we decided to plan 4 rows of beans there.  I am excited.  I hope that they come up soon because Chad might grow crazy waiting around for them to pop up.  The boys were thrilled to help their dad plant.  Here's hoping that nothing freezes, and you never know with our crazy Idaho weather.

Claire's Dance Pictures