Spring break with some Cardons

We also had the fun of having Grandma and Papa Cardon come to Utah during spring break. Rachel and Tatum came too. It was our first time meeting Tatum, and she is sure cute. Unfortunately when we were around, I am not sure she got as much rest as she would have liked. Wyatt and Jaren kept trying to wake her up, or sometimes just running around being themselves and coming close to disturbing her sleep then too. Hopefully she will forgive us.

I was also very bad about remembering the camera when we got together, and only took it with me one night. Here are a few fun shots from our fun.

Jaren and Wyatt spent most of their time trying to get Papa to wrestle with them or just generally rough house and be crazy. He was a great participant for them and hopefully he didn't end up too beat up in the process.

Grandma and Rachel played plenty of games with the kids and of course set up the regular Grandma treasure hunts that the boys always look forward to.

Wyatt and Papa having some puppy chow after a crazy wrestling match.

There was also a super fun glow-in-the-dark Easter egg hunt one night and Papa and Grandma came to babysit at our house while Caleb and I were both working one night. I didn't get any great shots of either of these, because I was either at work, or hadn't remembered the camera. Apparently I need to get refocused on capturing out photo memories, but I am always grateful for the fun we have together and the memories the kids are making with their cousins and all of the extended family. It was fun spring break.

Spring Break with the Turleys

For the first weekend of spring break, the Turleys came up from Las Vegas to hang out with us. We had a lot of fun playing and hanging out. They even enjoy a nice spring snow storm on Sunday. Monday we headed out to Temple Square. It was actually quite freezing that day, even though it looked beautiful.

A group of smiley cousins. These four were good enough to pose for me. (This obviously wasn't everyone that came, but I wasn't the best about remembering the camera for most things.)

We spent most of our morning at the Church Art and History Museum. There was plenty to see and when Wyatt started to get too crazy for other people to enjoy themselves, we headed to the awesome Children's Exhibit.

Cheyenne, Morgan and Miran with an Angel Moroni statue that used to be at the Washington DC visitors center. (Miran wasn't actually unhappy to be there, she just tries her best to look that way when a camera comes out.)

Henry and Wyatt driving off their cargo.

Miran trying out the cultural dance scene in the childrens exhibit.

Looks like it would be rough for these 3 to get the handcart across the plains alone. Especially considering that these bags were only full of fluff and not actual cargo.

The little kids in the ship bunk beds, Miran has on her sad pioneer stuck on a boat face.

We had a really fun visit and hope that even though it was chilly, the Turleys now realize that they won't freeze to death when they come to visit us.

Spring Time

We have been having lots of spring time fun around here.

Gavin's grass-head man from school. I was pretty impressed with the detail of his face, and the awesome hair do certainly helps out. Things are starting to grow. Hooray.

We have been spending plenty of time outside, which is easily Wyatt's favorite place to be. Nothing like spreading out a blanket and having a crunchy apple.

This guy is just getting so big, it is crazy to watch.

And speaking of growing, my belly seems to be doing quite a bit of it too. Just a couple of shots of everyone looking good before church last week.

What a great looking bunch.

Gavin's Birthday Party

Last weekend, we had a great celebration for Gavin's Birthday party. He decided at the last minute that he wanted something with the theme of "Where's My Water?" a game that all of the kids really like to play right now. Since he doesn't really like cake, I decided to make a giant cookie and decorate it with the alligator in the shower, from the game. It didn't turn out too bad, and Gav really loved it. Though the first thing he did was claim the piece without any frosting.

Gavin had been talking for months about wanting to go to Fats Cats the bowling and fun center that also includes a pizza place and bowl and have dinner with his cousins. At first I just considered this an idea and not a plan, but he just kept telling everyone that was what he was doing and he even wrote an essay about it a month before in school. So despite the craziness of taking 8 kids and 4 adults bowling, we all went. Nathan and Stacy were great to go along with all of our plans and the slightly hectic atmosphere.

Needless to say, Gavin loved it and had a great time, as did all of the kids.

Here is what they did when I said, "All of you get together for a picture." Very chummy... hands at sides and lined up by height. They sure are cute. I believe Henry was bowling and Claire was getting her dinner.

Everyone gathered around our lanes just watching the bowling. Stacy was such a sports chasing Jaren off the lanes and still managing to majorly beat me at bowling.

Gavin blowing out the #7 candle... or pretending, since we couldn't light it in the bowling alley.

These two toddlers were pretty nuts about the party. They both really love anything to do with balls, so you can imagine the craziness of heavy bright colored ones everywhere. They each got a turn to bowl for someone, we'll pretend like Wyatt's bowling is what affected my score. Luckily, the food and drink kept them busy some of the time. It can be a crazy life to be the little brother and be dragged around on all of the big kid fun.

Gavin is 7!

It seems impossible that 7 years ago we spent today at the hospital watching basketball and waiting for our first little bundle of energy to arrive. What a roller coaster of emotion and unknowns he has been for us. We really had no idea what we were getting into when we decided to become parents. Luckily, Gavin is a loving and determined soul who seems to have done alright putting up with his novice parents. He has taught us so much.

Being the middle child that I am, I always imagine that being the first would be a daunting and hectic experience. Gavin has proven that he is up to any job we have asked of him. He is an amazing big brother and tries to supply all of the information to his brothers that they could ever need. Last weekend, he and Henry headed out to the yard for Gavin to give him karate lessons. Caleb made the comment, "Such a good Cardon. Always ready to teach someone else something that you have no idea how to do yourself." :-)

Gavin loves to be outside running, riding, jumping and setting up the next action adventure. He can be a Ninja or Galactic Hero or even any animal you choose at the drop of a hat. His imagination knows no bounds. He is also my budding little artist. He would choose sketching in a notebook or doing and art project over almost anything, and he is growing those talents everyday.

Gavin is such a good student and I love watching him learn and grow in school. This has been a year of bigger social developments and he learns to deal with all the little things that 1st grade bring, from a kid pushing you down in line, to someone stealing your cheese stick at lunch. He is certainly not the most aggressive kid, and I am grateful that he tries to find the peaceful alternatives to his problems and then just blows off the things that don't matter much in the long run. I know these traits will take him a long way in life.

I am so grateful for Gavin in our lives. He is such a good soul, and while I hope that maybe he will slow down this growing up business just a little bit. It is exciting to watch him head out on new adventures and return a little stronger and a little smarter in the end.

A Fun Weekend

We had a nice 3 day weekend. The boys were out of school Friday, and I am really starting to appreciate the slower pace of a morning without school. We started our weekend with a sleepover with the Cardon girls. The night was spent with an exclusive screening of the first Star Wars movie. It was fun and enjoyable for all, though there were a few comments about how they would have liked a little more light saber fighting.

Mallory and Claire weren't quite as into the movie, but they did love snuggling up with a lot of stuffed animals.

There was a lot of giggling and chatting until the late hours of the night, but the boys were so excited to have spent a fun night and morning with their cousins. We really love living so close to these great girls. (And their little brother, tho he stayed home with his mom. Maybe next time, Jaren.)

After the end of the week snow, we had a could of super nice days to melt most of the white away. It wasn't quite 60 degrees, but my boys will take any chance to wear shorts. Hence the fact that we found them out building snowballs and sculptures in their shorts.

Gavin and Wyatt were sculpting something nice.

Henry and his giant snowball.

It has been so nice to be outside and feel warm in the last couple of days, I am officially longing for spring.

Occupy Cafeteria- 1st grade play

Last week, Gavin had his school program. He has spent the last couple of months working with his class to memorize lines and songs and even dances. That is one thing that I love about Wasatch Elementary, the kids in all grades get a chance to not only go to music class, but also drama and dance. They put on the best programs. It is always really impressive.

Gavin's class did a play about the members of the cafeteria going on strike because the kids were not treating them properly and acting the way they should at lunch. It was pretty funny. Gavin played a hungry student who was also a germ-o-phobe.

Here he is looking handsome for the big day.

One of his speaking parts with a few friends from class.

Doing a spin with his friend, Ruby.

One of the dance sections.

Four is the Perfect Number

It seems that 4 is the perfect number of little boys for our family. We had our ultrasound and our active little guy gave a shout out that he is also a HE. Ready to join "the brothers." I laughed out loud when the technician took a picture and asked me if I could tell what the baby was... the same thing I have seen 4 times now. Pretty obvious.

Gavin and Henry came to the appt and while Henry was interested in watching until he found out the gender, Gavin was really into picking out the body parts and watching all of the movements. The Technician was great and talked a lot about all of the things she was seeing and measuring, which I really enjoyed.

We are all very excited about our new addition and looking forward to his arrival. Now to spend the next 4 months searching for another boy now...

A Star Wars Birthday

Henry had a great day and a great celebration. He couldn't seem to think of anything he wanted for his birthday and his main response was, "Maybe Star Wars stuff, like a movie or a poster." So that is what he got, Star Wars stuff, and even some legos and a couple super heros from his friends. He kept looking at his presents and saying, "Best Birthday Ever." It was quite hilarious.

It is safe to say that I don't have a lot of cake decorating skills, but when we went to get decorations, Henry chose a white cake and white frosting. He did agree that it should probably have sprinkles. I added the transformer to spice things up just a little.

We had dinner as a family at Red Robin. We were laughing about taking Henry there with a bunch of friends and family for his first birthday. And now that he is five, he chooses it as his favorite place to eat. Perhaps we brainwashed him at an early age, but he eats a lot of food without complaining about anything, so that must means he likes it.

All three boys were hamming it up for the restaurant photos.

Happy 5th Birthday Henry!

I can not believe that it has been 5 years since we had our little Henry. He is such a grown up man now. He pretty much keeps things jumping around here. He manages to handle the role of middle child with quite a bit of ease.

A few things that I know we will want to remember about Henry today-

He loves to eat candy and more candy and will ask for a "lunch dessert" as soon as he tells you what he wants for lunch.

His friends and brother like to say that he is "addicted" to playing Super Mario on the Wii. As his mother, I have a hate-hate relationship with this game now, but am still convinced to let him play it and pass more and more levels on a regular basis.

When we ask Henry what he did at school or what he learned at school, he always says, "Not much." or "I can't remember." Even if we just walked out of the classroom. Luckily, he gives a more thorough answer when asked about his class at church, so we can be grateful he is willing to talk about his spiritual education.

He is well known among his peers for two appearance attributes- "his dimples and his swirl on his forehead" (otherwise known as cow-lick).

When we ask Henry to get ready to go somewhere, whether it be getting dressed or putting on shoes and a jacket, he takes that as his cue to move slowly and distractedly and sometimes just pretends that he can't hear us at all... He has even gone as far as pretending to read a copy of "The Economist." Keeping in mind that he has no interested in world politics and also that he can't read.

This guy is really such a ball of energy and love. He is so open with compliments and such a caring a cuddly fellow. He was the first one to teach me the all important parenting lesson that even though a child of the same gender comes to the same parents, it doesn't mean he will be anything at all like the ones who come before or after him. He is only himself, and I love that about him.