Kaitlyn's Graduation!!!

So my sweet baby graduated from Kindergarten! How sad is that? I don't want my little ones to grow up. I have told Kaitlyn she is not allowed to turn 6 years old. She tells me "mommy, but I have to. It will be okay." The few practices leading up to the graduation her teacher told me that she was not doing the actions that go with the songs. She actually refused to. I know she does not get her stubborn attitude from me (Haha). Anyway I had to bribe her to do it right for the graduation and she did. She was the most beautiful girl on the stage! And when they held up their artwork, hers was the best by far. I am not only saying this as her mother, it is just the simple truth! One small problem with one of the songs they sang. While they were singing a counting by fives song and opening up their hands over and over, she flicked her fingers on the heads of the little kids in front of her each time. What a bully! It was pretty funny though.

I got her some flowers for her big day. Her reaction at getting them was pretty funny. She wasn't sure why I was giving her flowers. "Thank you mommy, you can keep them." After I explained that flowers were a special gift and reminded her of the times daddy has given them to me she was delighted. We are now hanging them up to dry so she can have them forever.
Kaitlyn had an awesome teacher this year. She really cared about each student and made them feel loved. Kaitlyn cried a couple of times that day when she realized she would have a different teacher next year.

Mason and Aurie

Avery at the kiddie pool

Sophie eating a snack.

Vegas!

Living in Las Vegas has been good so far. We have been able to see our families a lot more since we are so close to home. We were lucky to have my brother Troy and his family come down to Vegas over Spring Break. They stayed at a nice condo just off the strip with an awesome pool. The weather was perfect for hanging out and getting some sun.

Disneyland

Belle is Avery's favorite Princess.

Sophie loved meeting the princesses. She gave each of them loves.

Small world was probably the favorite ride for all the girls. Avery was thrilled to see all the princesses throughout the different rooms. She was especially thrilled to see Jesse and Woody from Toy Story included. Kaitlyn seemed to have it all figured out. When we went into the room with the barn she was sure it was Texas and when we came to the end room where everyone is in white she said it was Utah.

Sleeping Beauty is Kaitlyn's favorite princess.

Kaitlyn driving!

We were able to visit magical Disneyland a couple of weeks ago with my brother and his family. It was so much fun! Disneyland is doing this promotion called "Support the Troops" where they let any service member get a three day parkhopper pass for free. In addition you can get up to 5 three day park hopper passes for only 94$. What an awesome deal! The girls had so much fun and because Tony and Tyra went Tom and I were able to enjoy the rides as well. What awesome memories we made together!

Bunnies!!!

Last Monday while Tom was watering in the backyard he discovered a nest of little bunnies. Apparently the mommy thought we had a great layout for her to give birth. Sooooo cute! We had so much fun watching them grow and eventually open their eyes and hop about. Unfortunately they decided to find another home by the end of the week. The height of excitement was when they hopped from the backyard to the front under the swing. Kaitlyn decided we needed to feed them lettuce (the mommy had already eaten all of our peas and carrotts from the garden). To lure them out from under the swing Kaitlyn wrote messages on a series of rocks. Four rocks said "love food go -> " with the arrow pointing to me with the bag of lettuce. I am amazed by each of my girls. They do things each day that just blow me away. I am so blessed to be their mommy!

Reasons I love my girls...

We were driving home from church today and I asked Kaitlyn and Avery what they learned about. Kaitlyn told me she did not like the lesson she had in primary. She says she learned about faith again! She said that she learned about faith already and did not need to hear about it anymore. WOW, right? I told her that we learn most by being taught the same things over and over. And that we will be taught the lessons that are really important lots and lots of times. What a sweet 5 year old I have! Do you think I will be able to keep up with her?
Avery told me she learned about the Holy Ghost. She said that the Holy Ghost is Heavenly Father and Jesus' helper. I thought that was a pretty good concept for a 3 year old to learn. She is a smarty pants!
Sophie discovered her shadow on the wall tonight while I was rocking her. It was so cute to watch her wave her hand and realize she was in control of the shapes it was making. She has such a happy, patient personality. I love watching her learn new things.
And about my man...
He recently became quite the handy man. He got out the table saw we bought for him nearly 3 years ago and and a new saw my daddy gave him for Christmas and made us some shelves for our garage and storage closet. Now we are actually able to park a car in the garage! I think he is proud of his accomplishments (I know I am) and is now motivated to being several new woodworking projects. It is amazing how much fun it can be to create things with your own hands. I know I enjoy it. I am glad he found happiness in this as well.

Children's Museum

Sophie in the area for babies
Kaitlyn and Avery at the water table

Avery and Kaitlyn on the performance stage

Kaitlyn did not have school on Friday so I wanted to do something really fun with the girls. My friend Becky told me about the Children's Museum here in Vegas, so we went. It was great! The girls had so much fun playing at a water table, on a performing stage, a Clifford exhibit, and all kinds of other things. We decided to buy a pass so we can go as much as we want. The only bad thing is that it is just north of the Stratosphere on the Strip, not the best part of town. Attatched to the museum is a public library, which apparently is a magnet to all the bums in town. You may have guessed Vegas is a huge town for bums! So after navigating through the scary looking crowd in the front area of the building (there is even a movie room for the bums to sit down, relax, and take in a show believe it or not) we had a very educational morning and afternoon.

Pee Pee in the Potty Party!!!

We deciced to throw a party for Avery because she went about 8 days without any accidents! She really has been awesome through the whole process. So we made cupcakes and frosted them with several different colors. Unfortunately, shortly after the party she did have an accident. Gurr.

No One Can Take Your Place

I recently got a quote from church that I really like. What better way to remember it than to put it on my blog? That way I also get to share it will anyone that reads my ramblings.

No one can take your place in your family or with your friends, in your ward or extended family, in your neighborhood or company where you work. No one can have the influence you have been prepared to have on all who come within your sphere of influence. Without question, no one can fulfill your foreordained mission. No one can do what you were sent here to do. You are unique. You are needed.
~Sheri Dew

This reminded me of a Mormon-ad my mom hung on the wall when I was a teenager that had a picture of Christ and the words "You are never alone". Isn't this awesome?! What peace and comfort come from this realization.