Memorial Beach Day

 We went with some friends to Surf Side Beach.  As you can see, it isn't the best beach in the whole world...but we had a blast!

 Nice guns Mark. :)

 Addison was just pummeled by a wave.  As you can see, we aren't in very deep, but a wave came and took her feet out from under her.  She came up spitting and sputtering, trying to blow the salt out of her nose...It was pretty funny.

 Last time we went to the beach, Reilynn wouldn't put her feet in the sand or the water.  She hated it!!!  But she finally warmed up to the sand and would put her toes in the water without anyone holding her hand by the end of the day. 

 We wore everyone completely out...

 Even Zoe fell asleep next to Parker on the way home.

 Addison fought hard, but finally fell asleep about 10 minutes after we left.

Kas was the only one who stayed awake on the trip home...she is a die hard.

Piano Recital

 

We haven't been the greatest at practicing and doing lessons this year, but we are slowly progressing.   

Addison refused to play, but we will work on it and get her up there next year.

I'm a little behind...

 It is already Parker and Kasidee's birthday and I haven't blogged Mark's yet.

 I say this every year...but, poor Mark has a birthday squished in the middle of 3 of our kids, and he gets the bum end of the deal every year.

 This year, I threw together a quick BBQ with some friends, Mark picked up his own Dairy Queen ice cream cake, and we had a fun night. 

Sorry homie for the party, but I hope you know how much you are loved.  Your children idolize you!

How did we get so lucky, or was it luck?

 2 1/2 years ago, when "Santa" brought Zoe to our house (only a couple weeks after Reilynn was born), some people thought we were crazy.  But this little pooch has been the best thing ever!

Is it weird that I felt inspired when I looked at her that she was the right fit for our family?  Can you be inspired about a dog?  :)  Well, she is the most patient, loving little thing ever! 

Our only complaint is that she is a little racist, no really.  She doesn't like Asians or African Americans.  She also barks at anything walking across the levy in our backyard...but other than that, she is AMAZING!!!  We love you Zoe.

Birthday Girl

 Bailey turned 4 today. 

 We had a fun little Barbie party with Hot Barbie (hot potato)...

 Barbie Barbie Ken (Duck Duck Goose)...

 Heart sandwiches for lunch...

 Dress-up relay races...

 Opening presents...

 And yummy cake.

We love you Bailey!  You are a light in our family!

Happy Mom's Day!

Mark and the kids were so great for Mother's Day!

 They brought me breakfast in bed...cinnamon rolls and orange juice.

 They picked out candy and made me a poster candy bar letter...very cute!

 Mark spoke in sacrament meeting and I taught Relief Society...which we were both very glad to have over with.

 And then I came home and the kids set the table and set out all the sushi they had purchased the day before.  (Which, in case you were wondering, sushi isn't great the next day, but it was a great thought!)

And then the kids gave me their gifts of homeade cards and letters, Sonic gift cards, IOU back rubs, and back scratches...my favorite! 

I hope you all had a very happy mother's day, and you were spoiled rotten like I was.

First Attempt...Failed

 Reilynn decided she wanted to wear big-girl-panties...at the most inopportune time.  But I thought, if she was going to initiate it, we better run with it.

After a couple successes and many accidents, and a schedule too crazy to allow us to stay home and figure it out, we decided that summer is going to be a better time.  Right mom?!?...you don't mind if we potty train at your house do you? :)

Cousins

My cute little nephew and sister-in-law came to visit us for a couple days.  We dragged them around to all our crazy activities, and I'm sure they were ready to have a vacation from their vacation by the time they were done...but we had so much fun seeing them!

Payden took a liking to Bailey, and he didn't let her out of his sight.  It was pretty cute, "Where's Baiwey?"  "Baiwey go?"  I love cousins!!!