Memorial Day Weekend Fun and More

Memorial Day was spent doing very familiar activities. I ran the 5k race and this time Emma biked it! She said it went well and I'll have to take her word because she was up ahead with friends. The race for me seemed really really hard but I still ended up finishing at around 31 minutes. Not sure how. I missed my running partners, two were camping and one was really far ahead of me (I can't keep up with her long legs). The race ran by our house this year so Quinn wrote us a message in the street. It said Go Emma and Laura! Sorry I'm still asleep.  Unfortunately we didn't see it. Emma was going to fast and I was on the sidewalk right then throwing my jacket over the fence. Thanks honey!

After a yummy breakfast the kids tackled the climbing wall. Emma tried several times and almost made it to the top. She did so well. James didn't try very hard and therefore only made it a few feet off my ground. Oh my cautious child - just go for it!

 

Then it was time for some bowling fun with the Lavenders. We all had a great time but we need to say a big thank you to cousin Sarah. She helped Mia bowl her games and was so sweet with her. Sarah didn't want to re-injure her finger so this was perfect. Thanks Sarah!

Courtney will officially be part of our family in Sept. She and Tanner and engaged. Congrats guys!

Knowing our aquarium pass was about to expire we went several times toward the end of May. We have loved going there this past year but we are excite to try something new. 

With Owen, Dylan and Aunt Carly

With friends Kate and Xander

We Love Penguins

Clear back in March, James was given a gift certificate to feed the penguins at the aquarium for his birthday. We finally made the time to do it towards the end of May. Laura got to go with James as he did this because Quinn went with Emma. James had so much fun. First we went to a classroom and got some instruction. Then we got coats and gloves on because it is cold in there - about 40 degrees.  We each got 5 fish - there were 10 of us. The penguins came in and downed the fish. None of them were picky today in how you held the fish out to them like they were with Quinn and Emma. After the fish were gone they just let the come and go into the room we were in. We were there about 30 minutes. It was mostly the babies from last year that stayed. They were so cute playing with the balls and pretending they were eggs. They also played with bubbles. We were just able to watch because penguins don't like to be touched by humans or other penguins. They all like their personal space. Thanks Grandma for a great present!

April

In April the kids were busy with swimming lessons twice a week at the worst time of the day - 5:00 pm. We are not ready to be a sports family yet and do this all the time. So glad they are not interested in soccer or baseball yet. They do enjoy swimming lessons though. Both Emma and James are improving but did not pass their class because they are not able to do the strokes well enough to move up yet. But it's coming!

James

Emma

This is what Mia does during their swim lessons. 

Next time she will be old enough to do it too!

Quinn had an important job to perform this month too. He hosted the Ward Talent Show! If you know Quinn then you know we did a great job and made it very entertaining. Carnac the Magnificent had a few appearances, as did Bat Dad. Also just a few BYU jokes. The kids joined him on stage to help him sing a little song - I'm diving down highway 40. I was going to record it but the kids didn't have a mic and it was really hard to hear. I will have to have them redo it one day because James does a great Tom Brokaw voice.

Carnac the Magnifient

Bat Dad

This girl was cute dancing to the music.

Selfie with the host!

The kids school had a family Art Night where they displayed the quilt blocks they each had made as one big quilt. However James could not remember which quilt block was his. They also had a few crafts ready to be made based on an ocean theme. 

A Jelly Fish

Emma's story quilt block

Crab hats

Spring Break

Wow I really let this get away from me again! Lets catch up. 

The last week of March was spring break so we left Woods Cross in a snow storm and drove to warm St. George. We stayed at Carly's house and the kids had a blast with their cousins.

Here we are at the Children's Museum. We love this place!

Then we hit the pool. Emma loved the big slide and all my kids loved the lazy river. Thanks Uncle Jeff for tossing my kids around and taking Emma down the slide! Uncles are the best!!

My favorite day was spending time in Zion National Park. It was a bit chilly when we first got there (we needed to jackets). It was even snowing just a bit too, even though the sun was out. But it eventually warmed up. The only bummer was they their ice cream machine was broken and we had to postpone our promise to the kids. (Bribery to get them to finish the hike) We hike the lower and middle pools of Emerald falls and the Overlook. Zion was beautiful as always. Thank you Uncle Jeff for getting us there early, it was busy.

We wore them out!

Our last full day we went to two parks (because it was so nice) and had lunch at Red Robin.

Thanks for letting us come crash at your house Carly, Jeff, Owen and Dylan. We love you!