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