Camping over Memorial Day

We went camping over Memorial Day weekend and we had a good time. The best part was there was a little ravine right behind out campsite. There was an actual vine hanging from a tree and you could swing from it. Mind you, this is not a rope. It is a vine. I thought it was pretty cool and we all had to take a turn on it.
We went fishing and Scott got the prize, 2 turtles. I was upset that I didn't have my camera with me. He was upset that he had to get 2 snapping turtles off his line.
While we were fishing, there was a crane hanging out and Emmy really wanted to go get it.
It was a good time. A little hot but we enjoyed the time we had together. Oh, I almost forgot. I saw fireflies for the first time. It was the coolest thing.

Kennedy's Award Ceremony

Kennedy has worked really hard this year. She did a great job in second grade. At her awards ceremony we got several awards. She got a trophy for practicing 100 consecutive days. She was also one of 3 second graders that got to be part of the performing strings trip to San Antonio. They went to a competition and got 3 trophies: one for superior ratings, one for best in class (all elementary and junior high groups), and one for best in show (all groups, including high schools). She was also got put on the principles honor roll. That means that she got straight A's. Go Kennedy!

My cute Emmy

With Scott in the bishopric, we don't always look our best at church, but we are there. This last Sunday, Emmy actually let me do her hair. I thought that I would try something my mom used to do to my hair when I was little. She was so proud of her special hair-do.

Ian's first haircut

It was time to take Ian down and change him from a baby to a little boy. I had a little bit of a hard time with this one. I have to admit. They are only little for such a short amount of time.
But it was time.
He didn't really like the whole thing either.
But then he got a sucker and it was all worth it. Even if he was still a little mad about it.
I think he got over it. He looks so big. Where did my baby boy go?

Ian

Ian is getting bigger everyday and I think it is fun just to enjoy the new things he can do. He found a new place to sit.He likes to keep moving and he loves to wear Daddy's hats.
He loves to climb. His favorite thing to do is to get into things that he is not supposed to. He loves to climb up on the table and sit in the middle of it.


He loves to play in my messy pantry. I just can't help but love this little guy. Isn't he cute?

Happy Easter

I just wanted to show that we can get the kids cleaned up for those special occasions. Happy Easter!

Hunter's first camping trip - Double Lake

The Hunters went out on their first ever camping trip to Double Lake. The view was beautiful.We had a great night roasting hot dogs and having smores. Aren't they cute campers?

A little view of the campsite.
We tired to fish in the morning only the fish didn't want to cooperate. We had a great time and can't wait to go back there again.

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo comes every year in March. It stays for about 3 weeks and we love it. We weren't able to go last year because Ian was so little but we make it this year.
We parked and rode a charter bus to the rodeo. The girls got to ride in the back seat and they thought that was the best thing in the world.We started with some fun on the farm. They got to walk through life on the farm.
They milked (actually water) cows.Emmy tried her hand at planting.
I think she makes a pretty cute cow.
They got to collect eggs too.
Then came the petting zoo. Have you ever seen little kangaroos in a petting zoo before?
Ian enjoyed the animals.Then came the pig races. You can't beat pigs running for an oreo.
We got to see a cow being milked.
The girls wanted to ride the Ferris wheel. They were very excited to start with. I think Emmy cried and Kennedy got scared when she figured out the chairs moved. It was quite funny.
Morgan and Kennedy finished the day with a "big girl" ride. They had a blast. We love the rodeo. See you next year.

Happy Mother's Day

I know that I haven't posted anything recent in way too long and I am going to catch up later. I wanted to write something tonight. I just read the best blog entry ever. I don't even know the lady who wrote it. She is just the friend of a friend but it really put things into perspective and I thought that I would share it before Mother's Day hit. She talked about how most of us should more appropriately call it Martyr's Day instead of Mother's Day. I put myself into that category. It seems like nothings seems to work out right and I always end up in tears and feel like a horrible mother by the end of the day. That isn't going to happen this year.

She talked about how she would always leave church feeling like she was failing on almost every front. Then she realized that she was the best mother that her kids would ever have, no matter her shortcomings. I have to agree with her. It is important to remember that it is not a competition. We do the best we can and love our kids to the best of our abilities and that is all that is asked of us. I think mothers on a whole get frustrated because our husbands can't read our minds. Poor guys. It is a losing battle for them. We don't know what we want and so we set them up to fail every time. If I were them, I would stop trying.

So this year, I am doing things a little differently. I am taking the hint of a friend of mine and make a list of how I want my Mother's day to go and it is going to include a menu. I am not saying that I want diamonds or jewelry or any gifts, actually. I want to not have to get the kids ready for church. I want to eat quiche for breakfast. I will make it the night before. No one likes it but me but that is okay. I think that is what mother's day is about. I want to not have to chase my 16 month old during sunday school and relief society. I don't want to cook or do any dishes but still have a clean kitchen at the end of the day. I want to sit on the couch and read a book, and rest. I don't think that is a lot to ask for but it would make my day. It isn't that my husband wouldn't have given that to me in the past. I just never asked. I wanted it but never asked for it. That is my fault and not my family's. This mother's day will be different and I expect it will be the best one yet!