Sickness and snow

The boys both had a random fever last Monday. We spent the day at home and rested and slowed down. It was a day we all needed. I'm grateful the boys were back to normal the next day. 

   

Our poor primary chorister got really sick so several Sundays I taught singing time and then sharing time. It was exhausting at times and she when dropped off this gift with a kind note, I was reminded how great it feels when someone shares their gratitude for help and I wanted to do better about doing the same.

 

On Wednesday was our last "Moms and Totes" class for the family history class. The Lees, the couple who has been leading the children's portion of the class, are getting ready to leave for a mission. Oh how we'll miss them. Eli and Austin adore them!

   

Wednesday afternoon we headed to Denver to celebrate Lincoln's 7th birthday!! 

 

Thursday morning we woke up to lots of snow. In May. Hahah Oh Colorado!

   

Friday we met up with friends to jump away our energy and winter blues.

 

And on Saturday evening, Aaron and I attended a wedding reception. It was magical! And I love photo booths. 

   

Learning as we go

Last Monday we woke up and the weather was so nice that we decided to run to the zoo. It was my first time not taking a stroller! The boys did great walking around and admiring all the animals - especially this baby girl giraffe!

   

   

   

   

Photos by Austin and Eli. :)

   

The gorilla terrified Austin and he's a pretty tough kid to scare.

   

   

Eli had a little playdate with Cambelle and then I insisted the boys take car naps.

   

Our neighbors have the cutest baby bunnies we've watched grow over the past 3 weeks. And Aaron got a new tent. He set it up and decided to leave it up for the boys to see the next morning. They were thrilled!

   

Eli had a dr's appointment this week and he got two shots and was so brave. He's growing so much and learning so much. It rained a lot this week so we spent Thursday morning at Monkey Business. 

   

   

   

Friday night Aaron took the boys camping - just the three of them for the Aaronic Priesthood Commemoration camp-out (aka father and sons). They had the best time!! I cried because I missed them so much. And because being a mother is a tough job - but while they were away and as I had time to think about being a mother, I realized that this is a tough job because Aaron and I are striving to raise independent, intelligent, hard-working, faith-filled children.  

  

   

May

We got home from Utah on Monday and all week I kept being off on what day it actually was. On Tuesday we had lunch with dad! Deep down I know that we won't always be living 5 minutes from Aaron's work so when he had a free minute for lunch, we took advantage of it and met up!

We went to the story time at the library this week and the librarians decorate the library for all holidays - including May 4th. 

  

  

We had our friend Audrey over this week and the kids got a kick out of sidewalk chalk balloons they could pretend to be holding. I went to the temple on Thursday and left feeling so refreshed.

  

Friday morning Austin told me he found a delicious snack in the pantry - the sugar. We celebrated Cinco de Mayo with tacos at Taco Bueno! The boys and I ate there more than I'd like to admit while Aaron was deployed so it was fun to go back to our regular taco joint. 

  

And Austin loves wearing his shades. 

  

Saturday we spent all day working around the house. Aaron worked on the lawn (he's planting new grass" while I washed our bedding, paid bills and got us all ready for church. We ended our work day with taking dad to see our favorite slides!

   

And big news! Eli woke up with both his bandaids on his thumbs. He's working so hard to stop his habit of sucking his thumb while he sleeps. I was so proud of him because this past week he's been waking up with one bandaid off. :/

The boys matched at church today so when I wanted to take a picture, they thought it would be hilarious to run away! We love these little boys so much - even when they cry during church. Aaron shared his testimony today and Austin screamed so loud for "Dad" that I had to get up and leave. EVERYONE laughed because a few weeks ago, he screamed so loud for meeeeee while I sang in the choir and Aaron had to get up and leave.

   

Happy May! We're busy with swim lessons and being outside as much as possible over here!