Piano Recital

Way back in May the boys had their very first piano recital.  They have worked so hard this year and have become such great little piano players.  Even though they don't always love to practice, they have really enjoyed learning to play.  They have the most fun teacher out there who is wonderful at making piano playing exciting.

Granny, grandpa, Tierra, Lise and Mike all came to cheer them on.  It was so nice to have such a nice cheering section and made my boys so happy to have so many people there. 

They both did so well playing their songs.  Jacks was so nervous all that week and worried that he wasn't prepared.  He would sit down at the piano every chance he got and make sure everything was perfect.  When he sat down at the piano that night and started playing, I was so nervous for him.  Not because I didn't think he was ready, but because I knew he would beat himself up over any little mistake he made.  I relate so well to this oldest child of mine and it took me back to the days of my own recitals.  He played it perfectly. . . not a single problem.  I was so proud of him and so happy to see how proud he was of himself as he walked back to his seat.

 

Miles couldn't have been more excited for his recital.  In the weeks and days leading up to it, he would get on my phone and make sure he had invited every person he could think of in my contact list.  He was so proud and excited to show off his piano skills.  He worked really hard on his song, but was not at all worried about his performance.  I love how laid back this little guy is. . . he does not waste energy by stressing about things!  His song was a duet with me and he played it so well.  But. . . even if he had made a few mistakes he wouldn't have worried a second about it.  These 2 boys are so different! 

Afterwards they received awards and prizes from their teacher.

We celebrated by going to Fredrico's with granny, grandpa, Tierra, Lise and Mike.  So proud of these little guys who worked so hard and made me so proud!

Lola's Ballet Recital

Clear back in May Lola had her little ballet recital.  She has loved taking ballet this year with her friend Kayte and it really surprised me how graceful she has become in just one year.

I love watching my little girl do these girly things!

4th Of July. . . continued

We had such a fun July 4th.  We went to the Hyrum parade with the Hollands.  This parade is something of a Cache Valley tradition, but one we have never participated in.  It was hot, super crowded, and definitely on the ghetto side, but the kids collected more candy than at Halloween so I think that makes it a success!

After the parade we went swimming at the sports academy.  In my quest to make sure Stella was kept safe, I failed to take even a single picture.  Oh, but here's one from Monday night. . . pretty much the same thing. 

That night we picked up Cafe Rio and met the Hollands at a park for a picnic.  The lack of a BBQ on the 4th of July might be un-American, but it sure was relaxing to not worry about any sort of food prep. 

To end our night we did fireworks in the street and tried to keep the pyro husbands from lighting anyone or thing on fire.  Lola was horrified after one firework tipped over and went shooting down the street and then towards us.  Stella wanted to run everywhere (surprised?).  Miles and Will decided they were old enough to light fireworks with their dads.  Jacks kept me responsible by making sure I had Stella a safe distance from the fireworks at all times and kept wondering if it was safe for Miles to be helping Nate with the pyro stuff.  And I took one picture.

Happy 4th of July! 

HaPPy 4tH oF jULy

We had lots of fun watching the Logan fireworks with Lise and Mike.  There were way too many treats consumed, but it was a good time.  Stella was a bit of a crazy lady, but she had so much fun and the look on her face when those fireworks started was priceless. 


As the first few fireworks lit up the night sky I wondered how it was already July 4th.  Time is moving so fast and these little babes of mine are growing up right before my eyes.

Hawaii

How in the world do you sum up a 15 day dream vacation to the beautiful and exotic island of Hawaii? 

We had such a fun time.  There really aren't words to do it justice. . . it was everything I could have hoped it to be!  My kids had so much fun and experienced so many new things.  Amazing things!


Things like staying in a beautiful condo, with plenty of room to spread out, the hugest lanai to hang out on, and a pool and beach just a few feet away.  Nights were spent with the whole family, relaxing on the lanai as grandpa cooked steaks, chicken, hamburgers and pork chops.  Such fun times!

Things like SUPing.  Jackson, Miles and Lola loved to go out on them.  Jackson was quite the pro after a week trying it out.  Miles loved to search for fish and sea turtles under the water as he cruised on his SUP and Lola loved a smooth ride with Tierra.

Things like visiting beautiful waterfalls and a memorable and anti-climactic trip to the botanical garden.  

Things like the beautiful beaches of Hapuna, Moana Kea, and Moana Lani.

Things like hiking down crazy, steep hills to visit the black sand beach and the beautiful Waipio Valley.  We found out the hard way that keeping Miles and Stella out of the water wasn't really a possibility, and that black sand is WAY messier than white sand!

Things like jeeping down to the secluded and remote Macalevena beach with grandpa.  Who knew grandpa had mad, crazy jeep driving skills?  Once we got there, it was perfect, pristine sand, and waves that we couldn't stay help bobbing around in.

Things like building sand castles with grandpa on every beach.  Kind of a kid at heart that grandpa of ours!

Things like swimming in beautiful Koholo Bay. . . where we saw dozens of turtles and the boys swam out to their very own deserted island!

 
 Things like walking out the condo door to play in the tide pools.  Picking up sea cucumbers, touching sea urchins, checking out the star fish, watching the waves crash against the black lava rocks, and exploring. 

 Things like seeing the beautiful Kona Temple. 

Things like visiting a real volcano!  Miles had been researching the volcanos on the island for months and soaked every single thing in when we went there.  One of the best days of his life!

Things like swimming with dolphins.  Not at a resort, but in the middle of the ocean.  And not just one or two dolphins. . . many, many dolphins.  Right there. 

Things like. . . eating Hawaiian shaved ice, sneaking sips of Diet Coke, collecting souvenirs, checking out banana trees, eating a yummy seafood dinner at Bubba Gumps courtesy of granny and grandpa, buying coconuts on the beach and discovering coconut water, being spoiled by aunts, uncles and grandparents, loving on our cute cousin Asher all day long, and many, many more things!

Thanks so very much mom and dad for making this dream come true!

Stella Kate 18 Months

I am so grateful for this spunky, crazy, busy, happy, smiley, sometimes naughty, little person!  She has such the personality!  It's a good thing she's so dang cute because some days I can hardly keep up with her and her little messes she makes everywhere she goes.  

She's becoming less baby every single day and more and more of a toddler.  She no longer walks anywhere. . . she's converted to full running mode.  She talks quite a bit. . . yeah, no, mama, dad, Lola, hi, down, outside, shoe, more, done, hammy, bye and probably a few more that I'm forgetting.  She stops whatever she's doing and runs to the door when she hears her dad or brothers come home.  She gives great hugs, but is quite selfish with her kisses.  She begs for movies in the car anytime we go anywhere.  She is super spoiled by Jacks, Miles and Lo.  She doesn't throw too many temper tantrums yet.  She started nursery on Sunday and did great.  I rarely go anywhere without someone asking me if she's always so happy.  She loves to sneak sips (ok, giant sips) of diet coke.  She's the pickiest eater I've ever had.  She could play outside all day long and especially loves when her brothers or sister push her in her car up and down the sidewalk.  She loves life and makes everyone around her smile.  

Love our little Stelly Mo!

Grateful. . .

Today I am grateful...

• to be the mother of these 4. . .

• For a perfect mom and granny who continues to amaze me each and every day with her awesomeness. . .

• And for the best mother in law I could have asked for. . .

Happy Mothers Day!