Running through the Sprinkler/Joshua's K-Garten Graduation

So on Saturday we pulled out the sprinkler and Joshua, Abigail and Wyatt ran through it. Jacob was at a birthday party. I was so suprised that Wyatt ran through the sprinkler. He loved it! He was laughing and giggling.






Then today was Joshua's graduation. They made and unusal puppet and then they sang some songs for us. I ran out of room on my memory stick to record very much. Sorry.

Andre Rieu Concert

So for Mother's Day John got me tickets to see Andre Rieu in concert at the USANA Ampitheather. The concert was last night. It was wonderful. If you don't know who Andre Rieu is he is a violin player and he gives wonderful concerts. He is on PBS a lot during their pledge times. It was the best concert I think I have ever been too. We got there and the wind was blowing so we had to wait 20 minutes for the wind to die down. Finally the concert got underway. It was the best two hours. He plays such happy music. If ever you are down and need a pick-me-up, listen to his music and you can't help but smile. The audience kept encoring him. He did about four encores. Then they finally shooed us away. It was amazing. Here is a picture of John and I waiting to the concert to begin. Here are a few video clips of the concert. I just loved it. Thank you John for a wonderful evening.

Neighborhood Carnival

Our YW/YM's put on a carnival for the primary children. There was a balloon toss, fishing pond, face painting, ball toss cake walk, and more. My kids had fun. Here are some pictures.
Here is Abigail getting her face painted.



Here's Jacob doing the cake walk.



Here's Joshua having fun.

Abigail's Preschool Graduation

So Abigial is now done with preschool and onto Kindergarten. Here is some video of her preschool graduation.

My Dad

I need to express a few thoughts about my Dad. He is has had alzheimers for the past 5 years. He had a stroke a couple of days ago. He is now bed ridden and can't speak and in a lot of pain. I think the end is nearing for him. John went up tonight and gave him a blessing. John said, he thinks that he has aged 50 years in the last three months since he has seen him last. So here goes the thoughts that have been rolling around in my head.

My dad is the greatest man I know.

My dad is the nicest man, he would give his shirt off his back if someone needed it. He was always willing to help no matter who or what it was. If someone needed help, he was there helping.

He could talk to anyone. He was never afraid to go and talk to anyone. I remember driving on vacations or something and coming across road construction and having to stop in the long line of cars waiting for the flagman to let the cars go and being stuck and dad would get out of the car and walk up to the cars in front or behind us and talk to them. He would always make a friend.

He could fix anything. He was so handy. I remember the handle on mom's vacum broke and instead of buying a new vacum he made a new handle to fit it and kept it working. He was always fixing things or building parts to fix something. Very inginuitive.

He could fix any car. I remember as a child many times going to the garage and sitting there and watching dad fix the car. It was some of my most fond times. Helping dad fix the car. He always had the engine out of one car or another fixing on it.

My dad is a very smart man. He has been in many situations and he has a great mind. He could always weave a story out of his many many experiences. I always loved hearing about his childhood and teenage years. He had many experiences. Some of the stories I remember are, I remember is on a snowmobile trip, and how he flew off of a cliff and broke all his ribs and how he had wrap duct tape around his ribs to get home. Then when he got home and got better how badly it hurt to rip that duct tape off. I remember giggling at that image. I loved to hear of all my dads chasings in the car. The one I remember the most is the one he tells of my Mom and Dad driving in the pickup and they were speeding along and came across a dip and the truck jumped the dip and flew through the air. And how my dad had to push on the accelrator so the wheels would be going as fast as the truck when they hit the ground. They landed safely and I think my mom was pregnant at that time.

Most of all when I think of my dad I think of cars and driving fast. When I learned to drive my dad taught me how to drive fast. He taught my how to run red lights and how to control the car going at high speeds. I guess this is why I have had such a need for speed when driving. It was always great fun when it would snow and my dad would spin cookies in the church parking lot and we would all be screaming.

I think my dad is the most fun loving, great jovial man. I love you Dad. I will miss you. Thanks for all that you have done for me. I will miss your words of advice and most of all your laughter and twinkle in your eye. I love you Dad.

Not Much Happening

So we have been really busy with life, but nothing that is blog worthy. So I thought maybe I would refer you to oquirrhsisters.blogspot.com and check out the links on that blog for money saving tips.

Memorial Day Weekend

This weekend we had a good time. On Friday we had a BBQ with my sister and her family. It was fun. Then on Saturday we went to Kamas and visited the graves. John's grandpa was in WWII. It is cool to hear some of his stories. Monday we just hung out hear and did the never-ending yard work!! IT was a fun weekend.

Piano Recital and Happy Birthday Abigail

Yesterday was my piano recital for my piano students. Jacob and Joshua are also learning the piano. The music store recorded our piano recital and gave us a DVD, so I did not video it. I got home and put the DVD in and the sound is missing from the DVD so alas I have no video. Here are pictures of Jacob and Joshua.





Today is Abigail's birthday. She got her presents this morning and she got a new bike. She has been riding it all day. She loves it. She has had a good birthday.

Here are some pictures.

Abigail is Turning 5!!!

Today we had Abigail's birthday party. Her birthday really isn't for a few more days, but this was the day that worked. She had an all girl party and was spoiled by all her friends. She had a puppy party because she loves being a dog. We decorated the "dog house" and played dog, dog, cat and a few other fun games. Including eating "puppy chow". It was a great night. Thanks to all who came.

Mother's Day

So another Mother's Day has come and gone. I don't know if you all don't like Mother's Day as much as I do, but I wish we could skip it all together. I don't like going to church hearing all the stories of these perfect mothers and feeling like I am failing in everyway.

This Sunday though our Stake President came and taught Relief Society (we had all the primary ladies and YW leaders as well, while the men took care of YW and Primary). He taught a wonderful lesson. He asked what are you thinking, what did you come to church with on your mind. One lady, who is probably the most wise women in our ward, said that she hated mothers day because she didn't feel like she measured up. I think she said what most of us were thinking. Then we went onto discuss how we are all trying and it was very spiritual and wonderful. I came away from that meeting with my cup full.

Later that day we went to John's parents. On the way home, we were driving past a field that had some horses in it. Abigail goes, "Look! There's a milking horse." John and I started laughing and said, what's a milking horse? Joshua pipes up and says,"It a horse with white and black spots." It was pretty funny. We had a good laugh.

Allowances

So, I am trying to figure out an allowance system for my kids. I would like to know what anyone out there does. What works for you? How often do you pay and do you make your kids work for their money. Let me know what you do?

Crazy Weekend

This weekend has been crazy. On Thursday afternoon and Friday afternoon Jacob had to go to the District Science Fair because he won 1st place in our school Science Fair. Here is a picture of him next to his science project. Then today Abigail had her dance competition. She did a very good job. She has come a long way from where she was at the dance competition last year. Good job Abigail.

"Mother Gooney Bird"

Joshua has learned this song from school - "Mother Gooney Bird". He sings it so cute. He was singing it for Wyatt to keep him still while I clipped his nails, and John quietly took a video of it while he was singing.

Yah!! Warm Weathe

I love the warm weather!! My kids have loved it too. On Saturday, Wyatt went outside and got dirty! This is his first time being dirty. Other than food dirty. It was kind of cool. We went on a bike ride this evening and played at the park. Wyatt loves riding in the bike cart. He sits back there and sings. Abigail loves riding bikes. She is ready, anytime anyone wants to ride with her. I am glad the weather has been warm.

Easter/Wyatt's First Haircut

So this weekend has been fun filled. On Friday night we died the Easter Eggs. My kids had fun. Finally my children are old enough to do it without making a mess and it being such an ordeal. Nice for me.



On Saturday, we went to Grandma and Grandpa Atkinson. Grandma gave everyone a haircut. Wyatt had his first haircut. Yah!! He looks so grown up now.




Then we had an Easter Egg hunt.



We had fun and are glad that Grandma and Grandpa are back from St. George.

We are feeling better

Finally, everyone is feelig better. Last Friday night Abigail came down with a high fever and she had the fever for six days. Then on Tuesday, Joshua and Wyatt started in with the fever. I took Wyatt to the doctor on Thursday, because he was just acting horrible and found out he had a double ear infection, croup and the virus that Joshua and Abigail had. Wow! what a virus. Don't came back again. IT was a bad one.

This weekend we went to my parents because my brother needed some electrical work on his house. So John did that on Saturday. It was good to watch conference. I always enjoy listening. My kids didnt do so good with being sick and all. Good thing Grandma's house is big.

Saturday Fun

Today, the boys and John were outside for nearly 3 hours trying to start a fire in the new fire pit John got for Christmas. They were using flint and steel and a bow jack. It was lots of fun for Jacob and Joshua to try and start a fire this way. Once they succeeded we cooked hotdogs over the fire. Abigail was too sick to try. She has a fever.





Also, a few days ago, Jacob came home with this 1st place ribbon. His science fair project had taken first place in his class. Way to go Jacob. His project was testing which plants would grow better, those with electricity running through the soil or those with out it. His conclusion was that fast growing plants grow better with the electricity and slow growing plants do not.

Kaden's 1st Birthday

Today, we went to my nephew's 1st birthday party. Kaden is one years old. Yah! He and Wyatt were so funny to watch interact with each other. When Kaden was opening the presents, he just wanted to play with the 1st present and they kept taking them away to make him open more. It was fun. Thanks for inviting us.

Wyatt is walking

Wyatt did it!! He walked across the living room tonight. He is walking!! Watch out because here comes trouble!! Here is a video of his first steps.

The Scariest Day of My Life

So if any of you neighbors are wondering what all the police cars, fire truck and ambulance were doing at our house today, it was our dear Wyatt. He was crawling up the stairs and I walked over to get him and he stood up on the second step and fell before I got there. He landed on his head and I rushed and picked him up and he was limp and turning purple. His eyes rolled to the back of his head, so I quickly called 911. He very quickly regained concesiousness and the paramedics thought he would be fine. They said we could follow up with our pediatrician. Our peditrician wanted us to take him to Primary Children's so, hours later and $100 bucks later he is fine and dandy. Scariest time. I have never had a child pass out on me before. Itis definatley scary!

Blue and Gold Banquet

Tonight was the Blue and Gold Banquet for Jacob's cub scouts. It was and "All American" theme. It was a great night. Good job, Janalee. Jacob enjoyed himself They had a pinatta which Jacob thought was great. Here is a picture.

St. George Trip

This weekend we went to St. George to visit Grandma and Grandpa Atkinson. They are in St. George for the winter working at the temple. We had a great time. Friday afternoon when we got there we went swimming in the hotel pool. It was just a little to cold for Wyatt and I to get into the pool, but everybody else enjoyed it.




Then we went to the St. George temple and visitor center. We watched the Pinoeer Miracle there. It was a powerful movie. My chidre enjoyed seeing the St. George temple.





The next day, Kim, Zack and Aleese joined us as Paul went to Las Vegas for the Nascaar races. We went up to Dixie rock and hiked around. My kids really like this. We didn't take a backpack for Wyatt so we were lifting him up and down all the rocks in the stroller. He had a blast.











Then we went back to the hotel for more swimming and dinner. We all retired that night early because we were pooped. Today we went to church with Grandma and Grandpa and came home.

Thanks Grandma and Grandpa for letting us invade you with our ruckus group. We love you and had a great weekend!