Easter 2017

Levi Turns 2

We had beautiful weather on Levi's birthday, so we chose to start off the birthday celebrations at the park. We purposely went to the park where my water broke with Levi 2 years ago. Levi's birthday was over spring break, so I invited other families in the neighborhood to join us at the park for cupcakes. He was so excited for the cupcakes, and he had no idea that all the fuss and singing was for him. It was pretty cute.

After the park we went to McDonald's for lunch with Grandma Linda and got happy meals with toys!

Grandma and Grandpa Hunsaker joined us for a pizza dinner and  more cupcakes in the evening. What a great day!

Dear Levi,

It is so exciting that you are two years old. Already you are proving to be your own person, and not just miniature versions of your brothers. We are constantly amazed at how advanced your gross motor skills are--probably a result of trying to keep up with the big boys. At 22 months you decided to take over Noah's 3-wheeled scooter and taught yourself how to ride it. At 24 months you decided to move on and take over Jason's 2-wheeled scooter. It is hard to keep up with you.

Your advanced gross motor skills come at the expense of your expressive language skills. That is to say, you are quite behind on your speech. We had you evaluated, and you qualified for help with a speech therapist. The speech therapist comes to our house twice a month, and you love those visits. Since I have yet to record your first words, I will mention that now. Your first words were "woof" and "uh-oh".

You love to follow your brothers around. It breaks your heart when you get left behind. Mostly you love daddy. You have been a daddy's boy for quite some time.

People always comment on how smiley you are. You really are a happy kid, except for when we make you come inside. I think you would live outdoors if you could. I think another good reason for your happy face is that you are sleeping well at night and for naps. May you keep sleeping well for another year at least!

I love you so much!

love,

mom

St Patrick's Day 2017

How many traps does it take to catch a leprechaun? Apparently 9 is not the answer, because that is how many we had set up on our kitchen table. Jason and Noah would have made even more, but I put  a limit on them.

Even though the leprechaun left behind some chocolate coins, Jason was pretty upset that none of the traps caught a leprechaun. I am not really a fan of this trap business. Too many dashed hopes.

Noah's 5th Birthday

 Noah asked for some "Plants vs. zombies" toys for his birthday. He is wearing a birthday crown made by Jason.

Dear Noah,

Happy 5th birthday! It was fun for you to have your first birthday party with friends this year. You chose to have your birthday party at Jungle Jim's Playland. You wanted asked to receive "Plants vs Zombies" toys for your birthday because you love playing that game on the Kindle.

I have loved having you home so much with me. You are easy to have around because you love spending time at home. Given the choice, you usually choose to stay inside instead of go out, so sometimes we have to force you to get some fresh air. But really, I have loved how sweet and easy you are to have around. 

I love that you still want to involve me in your imagination games. You ask me to play things like "baby monster and mommy witch," "baby purple minion," and "baby octopus squid." You are really interested in creating things with legos. You love to do "piggy and babentures" set ups with Jason. And you love your screen time. 

Your artistic skills are fun to see. You love to draw things. You'll come up with a theme, like monsters, aliens, or castles, then draw several pictures in that theme. Then you cut all the drawings up and tape them up around the house. 

Jason is your best friend. You like to do whatever he is doing. You're not really interested in playing with Levi yet because he is still little, but you do help me with him when I need help. You were very nice to Levi and recently let him take over your scooter because he wanted it. I was impressed at how easily you learned how to ride Jason's scooter. Maybe this summer you will learn how to ride a bike with two-wheels and how to swim.

Preschool has been easier this year than it was last year in how willing you are to go. You don't always want to go, but you always have fun there. You are super excited to go to kindergarten in fall because you will be at the same school as Jason. I am glad you'll only be gone for half of the day because I need your help to entertain Levi! Plus I love seeing your cute smile. 

love,

mom

Arizona Trip

My parents invited us to go on a trip with them to Phoenix, Arizona. We joyfully agreed to go along, happy to miss a week of January weather in Utah. The weather was still a bit cool in Phoenix (upper 50s), but we soaked up the sun as much as possible. We even made daily trips to the heated outdoor pool. The best part about the trip was just being together and having some one-on-one time with Grandpa Jesse and Grandma Diane. They were so great to take my older boys around places when Levi was sick and so I was stuck at the condo.

The boys were enthralled with the cactus. I am so glad I don't have to worry about cactus around home with a toddler. 

A highlight of the trip was our first time ever picking lemons, oranges, and grapefruit straight from the tree! We came home with several boxes full of citrus to eat and share.

We had fun visiting with Kyle's brother Quinn, who lives in Arizona while going to dental school. 

 My parents babysat the kids while Kyle and I attended the Gilbert, Arizona temple.

December 2016

We loved having the McClellans in town for the beginning of December. The boys loved meeting Ted.

We enjoyed watching the grandkids do a live nativity skit.

On Christmas Eve my dad took me, Jason, and Kyle skiing at snowbird. Karren, Christian, and the Thatchers joined us too. My sweet mom offered to be babysitter for Levi and Noah.

Christmas morning

 I love the "shoe" phase. Levi tries to walk around in everyone's shoes.

November 2016

Kyle and I were privileged to attend the Celebration of Eagles on Nov. 19, 2016, where my dad, Jesse, was honored with the Distinguished Eagle award. 

Bath time with Levi.

We enjoyed eating Thanksgiving dinner at Melissa's house. She helped the kids make turkeys out of apples.