April Happenings, A busy life

Oh man, I just cannot keep up with this blog. I am taking plenty of pictures and living our lives but for some reason I can't seem to blog about it.

Anyways here is what happened this month:

-Jackson turned 5

-Christian turned 6 months

-we planted a garden
-Elizabeth is finally fully potty trained (night and day)
-family trips to the zoo

-swimming at Great Grandpa's pool

-a trip to Goldfield Ghost town. Elizabeth asked,"mom if this is a ghost town where are all the ghosts?" Good question Liz. Other than it being really windy outside we had a great time exploring the cowboy living.

-feeding the ducks at Papago park

-Enjoying the Mesa Art Festival. The kids partook in the festivities. Dressing up like the animals. Adding to the toliet paper roll city, and even wading in the water fountains. There were street characters dressed in all the same color and painted in that color as well. They looked like statues but when the kids got close the performers would move. Scared Liz half to death.

-Playing in the splash pads around the city. Perfect activity for warm weather.

-Mostly just spending time together as a family. I love how close my kids have become through this move. Elizabeth and Jackson are best friends and they have adopted Christian into their daily lives. Elizabeth loves being a big sister. She is always offering to help with Christian. The other day I went to get Jack from preschool and Elizabeth told me she would stay in the car and babysit Christian for me while I ran into the house. Jackson is very helpful as well. Singing and talking to Christian. He loves being around the kids and I can see it in his face how much he wants to get up and play with them.

 One of their favorite activities is pretend play. They love dressing up still but have evolved into actually coming up with things to do while they are dresses up. The other day they played Doc McStuffins. Jackson gave Elizabeth a full check up. I even let them use some ace bandages to make the visit seem more real. The whole time he was singing the Doc McStuffin theme song and reassuring Elizabeth that everything would be okay.

Liz is sure going to miss him when he goes to school next year. However she can't wait for fall to come because she gets to go to preschool and start dance classes. She reminds me about this nearly every day.

Life is busy but it is wonderful!

Spring Time in Mesa

March was a wonderful month. Christian has changed so much this month. He now has 2 front teeth (on the bottom), he can sit up all by himself (well), and he has started solid foods. He rolls all over our house and has even started rolling over in his bed and sleeping on his tummy. He is a mover, always wiggling and moving around. He is one busy little baby.

 

The weather has been so beautiful that we have been spending a lot of time outside.  I often find myself looking for Elizabeth, only to look no further than the backyard. She is always out there running around, playing in the sandbox, gathering orange blossoms, or practicing her mini golf skills so she can, "kick Missy's butt on the golf course," when she gets home. I made her a simple skirt last week, she loves when I make her clothes. Her favorite part is the little pom poms along the bottom.

This week we planted some seeds. The kids tended the soil, planted the seeds, and watered the pots. They have been watering their plants nearly every day. We even have some tomato sprouts already sprouting up.

Spring time in Mesa is a wonderful place.

Easter 2013

What a wonderful month we had. Sunshine, getting together with old friends, and spending time with our family. I was especially excited about Easter this year because the kids are finally old enough to understand why we really celebrate Easter, not just a yearly visit from the fictitious Easter bunny.

We spent 3 family home evenings discussing the Savior and the events during the last week of his life. We even went to the Easter pageant and both of the kids were interested. Elizabeth loved the dancing, especially Mary's lullaby. Jackson loved the intense scenes like the mob and the crucifixion. It is a beautiful activity to take to your family and will become a family tradition for many years to come. I felt so moved this year by the fact that the Lord knew those who were closest to him would turn away from him, and the heartbreak he must have felt. But he still went forward with his mission knowing his purpose was to atone for our sins. I am so grateful for him and his sacrifice. Even though he had to brave his death alone I will never have to experience anything in my life alone, he will always be with me.

But it wasn't all spiritual we had some fun as well. Brandon's mom and I stuffed about 60 plastic eggs and Brandon and his dad hid them for the kids and other adults to find. They are getting so big, we had to hide some eggs well. Elizabeth said, "the Easter bunny is one tricky little fella." We dyed hard boiled eggs too and other than having dye all over their fingers, I was proud that was the only place the dye got.

 

 Dad, supervising from the pool chair.

 Even Christian got in on the egg hunt.

 Justin and Jackson, ninja egg hunters.

Lizzy had an assistant because her basket was too big. Thanks Grandpa.