Jack Loves to ride his Bike

Although it's still been rather cold around here, it hasn't stopped Jack from riding his bike everyday!

The kids love having a big sidewalk going around the little park that is behind all of the backyards in our new neighborhood. It's just perfect for riding your bike or scooter.

Plus I don't have to worry about then getting hit by a car.

There is nothing he loves more then being outside!

We are looking forward to summer!

He's pretty good too!

He's faster then Ella!

Since he has become a pro on his little bike, he's been asking to have the training wheels taken off.

More on that later.....................

Last day of T Ball

Before we knew it, it was the last day of bitty ball.

Even after going several times it still took Jack the first fifteen minutes to warm up to being around people he doesn't know.

He spends that fifteen minutes standing there, doing nothing, watching everyone else.

Ryan and I kept calling out, come on Jack! You can do it! Even going up to him and trying to help him, but he wouldn't budge! At least he wasn't the other kid on his team who cried and wouldn't let go of his Mommy's leg for the whole first half! Every time!

I hope he doesn't feel this way when he starts pre-school in the fall! He is still so little.

His favorite part.... running! Shocker!

My cute boy!!!

They did several new fun activities for their last day

Jack had a TOTAL blast! He was running, smiling and laughing the whole time!

Shock and horror!

At the very end, since it's the last day Lenny the lion came to say goodbye!

(I guess he's the mascot for the gym!)

Ryan and I looked at each other and knew what was going to happen.

That poor boy is so scared of people in large headed costumes.

He's never been able to get over the cow from that one trip to Chick fil a!

His teacher told all of the kids "wave the Lenny"

As soon as Lenny had his back turned Jack sprinted over to Ryan and I

"I scared of that lion mommy!"

We are so proud of Jack! He's growing up and getting bigger.

Something that makes me so sad.

My only boy.....

He is loving being bigger and able to do all of the fun things he's watched Ella get to do over the years.

We signed him up for another bitty ball session, this time soccer!!

He can't wait!!

(We also signed Ella up for Cheer! She's so excited!!)

Lisa's Birthday!

I was so excited that THIS year I was able to be here for Lisa's birthday!

(See what they have done in my absence in years past here!)

Lisa, me, Kim and Tiff ditched (most) of our kids with our husbands and drove up to Park City for a girl's night at a hotel!

It took us a little while to get there, due to some of my stupid crap, but we finally made it!

We settled into the room before heading out for a Cafe Rio dinner.

That night we hung out, watched a movie and ate WAY to much candy!

Even though we are.... approaching... 30.... we still know how to have fun and stayed up until the wee hours of the morning joking and laughing!

You ladies are CRAZY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We all slept in late and took our time getting dressed in the morning.

Lisa opened her gifts, these lovely ear rings were from Tiff!

I hope you liked your presents Lis ;)

Before heading out the door for a day filled with shopping we took a picture of all of us together

Can you tell I've already gained 20 pounds! Yikes....

What a fun night! Another one to remember for sure!

Monday was Lisa's official birthday! We all got together again, this time including Lisa's mother in law Nancy, for a lunch at one of Lisa's favorites, Los Hermanos!

Happy Birthday Lisa!!!!!!

I am so happy that I was here to help celebrate with you!!

Itty Bitty Ball

Soon after we moved back to Utah I started looking into some fun activities for the children to do. Get them out of the house and meeting new friends, especially Jack.

Our local rec center was offering a little pre-t ball class that I thought Jack would like.

His first day he was SO nervous! He has never done anything like this, other then primary.

Our little guy, growing up!

He is playing on the Clubs team!

Each little group went around to different stations for fun activities.

Jack's favorite was one where the ball was tied to a rope from the rafters that he got to hit with a big bat!

I was so impressed with how well Jack followed direction! He listened to his coach and did exactly what she said.

He was so good about patiently waiting his turn and when done going to the back of the line

First time up to bat!

He already had a glove at home, so he was able to get it on just fine and scoop up the ball

Jack loved to run the bases and the little race they had at the end. He's a speedy little thing

Of course he was thrilled when they handed out a treat at the end!!

Ella's hair cut

This weekend Ella and I planned to go over to Lisa's for her to get a little hair trim

Before leaving Ella expressed that she might want to go rather short

Ryan did not like that idea

He thinks that little girls should have long hair

I didn't think that it was a terrible idea

So we left it up to her. Telling her that she's almost 8, the point where she is more accountable for her actions and choices

The whole ride over she contemplated what to do

She sat down and told Lisa, go short!

It's slightly shorter then she had even wanted to go

But when she found out that she could donate her hair to cancer patients she said take it all off!

Ryan was much happier with her shorter hair knowing she donated it

We think she looks pretty cute and oh so grown up!

She couldn't wait to get to school this morning to show off her new hair to her classmates!

I had to include this video of Jack! He's obsessed right now with playing the boxing game on Wii sports! My favorite part is when the fight is over and starts taking deep breaths!

(p.s. when he says he's cold.. he means he's hot! Hehehehe!)

Easter Sunday

I love Easter. It's one of my most favorite holidays.

Easter Sunday is my most favorite Sunday of any Sunday.

I love the music and the talks and the feeling I get thinking of my savior and his Resurrection

*

Before church, the children all dressed up in their Easter clothes

I was surprised at how many children weren't dressed up this year

I always loved getting all gussied up for Easter when I was a kid and now love it even more to do for my own children

Off to church

The Easter bunny didn't come to our house until later in the afternoon

I think the Easter bunny had to use a bigger basket for all of the treats and things Ella got this year!

Then we had a little egg hunt here at home!

It was a little too chilly and windy outside this year, so the eggs were left indoors this year

I don't think the Easter bunny realized just how many eggs he had this year!

There were TONS!

Yum, chocolate bunny!

After all of the chocolate maddness I took each child outside for a couple of pictures

Ella's hair looked so cute with all of her curls!

Sweet Jack

Such a good little man

After a quick clean up and clothes change we headed back down to Mapleton to Lisa's parents house!

The Shepherds are always so nice to include us in their family and holiday events

They are our surrogate family while living so far away from our own families

All of the kids got ready for yet another Easter egg hunt

(this made it 4 hunts that my children have gone on this year!)

Paige and Ella

We all sat outside eating lunch and chatting while the kids jumped on the trampoline

and ran in the field

It was a perfect Easter!

Thank you again Shepherd family!!

Happy Easter everyone!!