More Family Pics

Dean's List Smarty Pants

Matt was recognized in an award ceremony today for the UNLV College of Urban Affairs (communications) for getting a 4.0 last semester and being on the Dean's List. His parents came as well - I am really proud of him, he's working really hard on his studies, and is on track to graduate in December - yeah :) Then, it's on to...we're not quite sure yet.

Sneak Peek - Family Pics

We had family pictures taken with the Hillers over Easter - I can't wait to see all of them, but here are the few we have so far. The photos were a gift for Betty's birthday, so I was really happy that we got a lot of photos with the grandkids and Betty and Phil.

The Park

This is "THE Park" for us right now - Claire calls it the park behind our house, which isn't exactly true, but it is very close by. It's designed with an old west theme, complete with windmill and covered wagon picnic tables. I just love Miles' face in these pictures - he has what I can best describe as an impish smile. His eyes look full of mischief even when he has a big smile on his face.



We were lucky enough to time our last visit with the sprinklers - Miles cried the second he got a drop on him, while Claire cried when the sprinklers turned off. Sorry Claire, it's not the water park - I have no control over the sprinklers.

Birthday Season - Cousin Noah's Turn

We are in full birthday season with the Hillers - April and May being two very popular birth months around here. Plus Matt gets to celebrate our anniversary, my birthday and Mother's Day all in May - lucky me :)


Noah just celebrated his ninth birthday and I think my favorite part of the day was the light saber battles outside. Miles was initiated into the club and he loved it.





Other activities included soccer and baseball and any other ball they could play with in the backyard. The kids were worn out by the end of the day - every parent's goal for bedtime, right? Noah - Thanks for letting us come over and play, and for having a birthday.

????Questions and More Questions????

Claire is constantly asking me questions - constantly!! Lately she has been asking me to sing her a new song every night at bedtime. The old standbys aren't good enough anymore - no more Edelweiss, Somewhere Over the Rainbow, Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam, or A Spoonful of Sugar. I am running out of songs! Last night I sang The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow - every third word, Claire had a question. "Mom, what's a bottom dollar?" "What's lonely?" "What's a cobweb?" I am glad she is curious, but bedtime already takes long enough without a 2 minute song turning into 10 minutes.


We are watching Sleeping Beauty this morning - in the first 9 minutes of the movie, she has already asked me at least 10 questions. "What's reason?" "Why is there wind?" "Why are they on horses?" "Where are they going all in black?" "Is it to see the princess?"

How do I encourage her to learn and ask about new things without going crazy answering her all day? I guess that is just being a mom - we just have to be patient and expect her to be super smart with all those answers filling up her mind:)

Party Crasher

Miles wants to be in Claire's gymnastics class so badly - he snuck in today, stole a star from the floor and started running for his life. Two minutes later, he was asked to leave. He was heartbroken - he did a sad, low little cry while stretching one arm out towards the door til I distracted him with a video on my phone. The photos are a bit blurry because I was clear across the gym.

Pre-Easter Egg Hunt

We got a head start on the holiday this morning with our ward Easter party, complete with Easter egg hunt and cold french toast (that's what we get for being there 15 minutes late I guess). It was the fastest ward party ever - I think the whole thing was done in less than 45 minutes. We were off to ballet afterward, so we couldn't have stayed longer anyway. It was a really nice day - and as Claire would say, it stopped "wind-ing" (it makes sense really - rain-ing, snow-ing, why not wind too?)so we could enjoy the warmer weather without a dust storm.

Miles was very intense while picking up eggs - I don't think he smiled once, but with that dang pacifier, who could tell? Claire took off on her own and didn't look back once. When did she get so big? Pretty soon she won't need me at all...sigh.




The kids had chocolate and lollipops for breakfast and had fun at the park, though they kept getting lured back to their baskets for more candy.

Signs of Summer

In Vegas, Summer is typically in full swing by May, and this year it seems to be no different. We are well on our way to high 80s, low 90s. For those of you still getting snow, just know we will be wishing to trade places with you in a month or so when our temps hit 100.

One of my favorite parts of Summer is fresh fruit - finally the hard, sour fruit is gone and we have good berries that don't cost a fortune. We had a visit from Avery and we decided to make chocolate covered strawberries. They were a hit - the photos can attest to their deliciousness.