This week, we had our good friends Jared and Leela on Monday and Wednesday at our house while their mom Kara was at Girls’ Camp. On Wednesday when they came, the weather was supposed to be pretty warm, so we packed a lunch and headed to the fountains at Murase Plaza in Wilsonville. We got there before it got too crowded or too hot, and some other friends from our neighborhood were even there to play with.
The month of May was a busy one, with Sunriver, Landon’s birthday, a trip to Utah for me, father-sons’s campout, Asher’s heart cath, Shane’s Dominican Republic trip, and my trip to Ashland for Memorial Day. We still fit in some other day-to-day fun between all of that.
Looking at the baby ducks while on a walk around the block with friends Ty and Carter, and giving doggy kisses while on a motorcycle ride.
James and Asher enjoying some rides together.
A quick trip to Utah to visit one of my best friends since 5th grade, and the boys had fun making snow cones for a snack.
Davis’s class had an author’s celebration where he got to read me some of the books he has written this year in first grade.
The kids made a neighborhood running club where they would get a punch on their card each time they ran around the block, similar to the Mileage Club they do at school.
iThis past year, James was a Lucky Duck and went to Lucky Ducks Preschool with his teacher Ranell. He loved her school and his friends there. On his last day, they had a “Way to Grow” celebration. His teacher had each kid stand up on a stool and tell some thing about themselves. When it was James’s turn, he told how his favorite time of the preschool day was snack, his favorite thing they learned about was baby chicks, and he wants to be a grandpa when he grows up. I guess he thinks grandpas are pretty great, or maybe he thinks they’re pretty grown up.
James’s favorite preschool buddy was Kadin, eating some snacks with him in the picture below.
My sister Becky, her husband Nate, and their family moved to Luxembourg last fall, so when they announced their plans to come visit in May around Memorial Day, we all tried to make it there to spend some time together before they headed back for another year and a half. I wasn’t for sure if I would be able to go once Asher’s heart cath was scheduled for the Monday before Memorial Day, but by Friday he was recovered enough to go. Shane left that night to go to the Dominican Republic with Kelly, so I drove down by myself. Shane was around in the morning to help load the car and finish helping me get ready, so that was a huge help. Asher, although doing much better, still wasn’t sleeping too great, so I didn’t get much sleep over the few days we were there, but other than that it was a great trip and so fun to be together.
My parents scheduled the temple baptismal font for Friday evening, and they and Camille both found some names for us to do together. We had my mom’s preschool teacher, her daughter, and her friend come and babysit the 14 children age 10 and under, including four in diapers, while we were gone. I’m sure it was no easy babysitting job!
Saturday, my mom rented a bounce house for the kids to play in. They were out there all day! They only came in for breaks to eat lunch and to get a snack in the afternoon. It was also Maggie’s third birthday that day, and the bounce house my mom found just happened to be a Frozen one, so it was perfect to celebrate her special day.
That evening, we went down to our favorite “island” in Lithia Park to roast hot dogs. It’s always one of our favorite activities,and so beautiful down there.
Sunday, we attempted a picture with all the grandkids together. It was not so successful. :)
The kids were especially when Grandpa came home from his Stake President duties and played a little soccer with them in the backyard in his suit.
Other Sunday activities included some legos, puzzles, and of course some delicious food.
Asher kept putting his hand on Avery’s back as they sat at the picnic table, making sure she didn’t fall back.
Monday, we all went to Helman School to play on the playground. The cousins all had fun hanging from the bars together.
Monday was also Jake’s birthday, so we got to celebrate with his favorite tri-tip and some homemade oreos for dessert.
It was a great weekend. It’s always a little crazy with 11 adults (we were missing Shane) and 14 grandkids all staying together, but it’s a crazy kind of fun.
Asher was excited to get his ABC photo album from my mom that she makes for each of the grandkids! Here he is pointing at his D is for doggy picture.
