Haydn's 12th Birthday / Ordination

This birthday marks an important step in Haydn's life. I'm so grateful for who he is and wanting to do what's right. It was pretty great to be there when he received the Priesthood, and since that day I have seen little changes in his attitude and countenance.

His birthday was simple....cake and gifts. And at his request, The Avengers movie with the boys.

 Homemade b-day cake

 We're a goofy bunch around here...

 Crazy kids

 He needed a little help this time

 Lots of clothes and jerseys ....

 New "kicks"

 B-day boy with Mom and Dad

 He looks so handsome and grown up.

 G&G Hillesheim

 Grandpa Mortimer

The boys...Riley had already changed out of his church clothes, hence Delon's jacket and Riley's "flasher" look.

G&G Hillesheim and Grandpa Mortimer (grandma wasn't feeling well) came for Haydn's ordination. It was a great day for everyone. I'm glad Haydn was able to have his grandparents there and I'm grateful for the experience and for the Priesthood in our lives and hope that as Haydn grows older he will remember what a wonderful gift and duty it is. We love you Haydn :)

May Dance Review

 Gracie getting ready back stage

 After the show...she did so good!

 Backstage...

 Great job Emilee :)

With cousins Ramsi and Raegan

May is the busiest time of year for dance. Since both Emilee and Gracie did dance this year, it was a little crazy at times, but the girls really enjoyed it...and Emilee made the performance group! Thanks to G&G Hillesheim and Diana's family who came and joined us that evening. Emilee had worked extra hard this year and it really paid off. Gracie has loved dance ever since I can remember...it showed on stage. I love to watch my kids do the things they really enjoy. Until next year...which is sounding very familiar to an episode of Dance Mom's...wish me luck.

Loves to read...

They enter the gym running around all the students to celebrate.

Receiving their awards

Gracie and her classmates...love her.

Gracie has always been pretty competitive...especially in school. She has done a lot of reading to be a part of the AR reading points assembly. She finally made it, even after having to postpone because of strep throat.  I am really proud of her.

Easter

I love Easter colors...

Getting ready to hide the eggs

The Egg hunters.....

Out searching by the barn

Hmmm...

Looks like we'll be having hard boiled eggs for the next few days :)

Easter Day was beautiful...we enjoyed amazing weather, touching lessons in church confirming our love for the Savior, and a somewhat unsuccessful egg hunt.  Emilee and Haydn hid some of the eggs so well, we are still missing three. Good thing they're all outside....I am so grateful for my family and for the resurrection of my Savior. I know how lucky I am to have the gospel in my life, a healthy family, and a beautiful place to live.  

Oh Jake...

I asked Jake to go and lay out his clothes the other day...this is what he came up with :) He thought he was funny, I thought he was pretty creative. Love that kid.

Teenager!

Trying on shoes...I wanted those brown booties!

Blowing out her Birthday candle

Cheesecake...of course!

double stack sandwich ....mmmm

Lunch time...crazy with this many teen and pre-teen girls!

Is it just me, or is Emilee's mouth always open?

Zaidie, Chloe, Lindsay, Emilee and Annie

Blowing out her candles

Jake, my little poser...um, notice Emilee's mouth...uh huh, open.

Happy Birthday Emilee

Homemade yellow cake with Chocolate frosting...

I know...I look wayyyy to young to have a 13 yr old, right? That's exactly what I was thinking. Ok, maybe I "look" like I could have a 13 yr old easily, but I definitely don't feel like it.

I remember when Emilee was born, how little she was, how friendly and funny she was. And now, well, she's not so little, she's friendly when her hormones don't interfere, and the only thing funny apparently is me, funny-looking that is. I can't dance, I can't sing...the list goes on and on. It's so weird how your cool factor goes out the window as soon as you have a teenager.

This year I wanted to do something special for Emilee. She was able to invite 4 of her closest friends to go down to the Cheesecake Factory for lunch, hang out at the Gateway Mall (which was torture for me, I'm not a mall person or much of a shopper), then headed home with a dessert stop along the way.

I'm grateful Emilee has such good friends. I know I don't have to worry about Emilee too much. She does very well in school, she loves Young Women's, she has a lot of good friends, and I know she wants to do what's right. I just hope that these teenage years will prove to be a time where we grow closer and not apart. Emilee and I have some similarities, but the truth is, she is very different than I am and I hope I can understand and learn to accept some of the things she may want or not want. Starting to let go a little bit is killing me...because I know everything of course. :) But we all love Emilee and know that our family is better off and laughs more often because of her. Happy Birthday Emilee, we love you!

Riley

Riley...with buddy Jake

My Riley turned 9 January 22nd. Time flies when you have 5 kids! Each year for the kids' b-days, Delon and I let them choose where to eat and what to do. Riley usually always chooses some kind of sports bar...and then we go hunting for basketball jerseys. He is so obsessed with Basketball right now. Delon loves it...I find it somewhat charming, especially when he says, "Mom, you have to see this dunk!" or " Can you imagine being 7 and 1/2 feet tall?" No, no I can't...I would settle for 5' 10 though :)

Anyway, I never got pics of his b-day. I'm a little sad. It was very simple and low-key. We had a cake for him, and then all he wanted to do was play ball in his new jerseys. I love the passion that Riley has for life, which is only confirmed by the fact that he still tries to play even though he's wearing a boot because he broke 2 toes and pulled the ligaments in his foot pretty bad. That's another story...let's just say Delon feels really bad. But we are grateful for Riley and hope that one day he can be 7 and 1/2 feet tall and play in the NBA...I know, wishful thinking. :)

Happy Birthday little man!