My Top Reader

Big D earned the Top Reader Award at the last awards assembly for the year. We are so proud of him. Along with the award he got a $10 gift card to Borders. I took this picture while we were on our Memorial day campout, just proof that he loves to read! What a smart cookie!

Memorial Day

For Memorial Day we went camping in Calaveras Big Trees.

We left Friday morning after Big D's awards assembly and headed to Moaning Caverns. O-dog was a little freaked out when the tour guide mentioned that a ginormous pile of human bones had been found at the bottom of the cave when they first discoved it. From then on he was very nervous about the whole thing. Miss P did great and hiked the stairs up and down nearly the whole way. Big D did great, but did admit he was trembling at the 1/2 way stop, when he looked over the edge. Our biggest regret was that we didn't take the camera in!

After the tour we headed to our campground and picked out the perfect campsite. We set up camp and it was nice to have Big D be able to help Ryan set up the tent for once. We then drove around looking for a good spot for the boys to go fishing. We eventually found a great little spot next to the creek. They were unsuccessful at the fishing part, but we had a relaxing time there. The water was so nice, I wished I had a good book and my lawn chair to sit down in the middle of the creek and soothe my tired prego feet.





Good times were had for the rest of the weekend:


We went on a hike of the big trees in the main campground





We saw the dance floor tree




We ate yummy food

We attended the Junior Ranger program

The kids explored our campsite and chased squirrels.

We chilled around the campfire

If camping weren't so hard when your 7 months pregnant, we would be camping a lot more this summer. This weekend is the ward campout and then I'm done. Until next year..., unless Arnold closes all the State Parks. Boo!

Life Lesson

What would you do with a "yellow ball"?

She stuck it up her nose.

And then she cried.

And then mommy finally got it out.

Mommy: Miss P, do we put things up our nose?

Miss P: No, dat not good.

My Little Nerd

Last week Big D participated in a mental math bowl with several schools from the area. He didn't win, but did walk away with some amazing parting gifts: a participant ribbon, 2 pencils and a chip clip/magnet (both labeled Chapman University, the sponsor) Whoot Whoot!

He's already got his eye on next years "Gold" Medal.

Amatuer Photo Shoot

Oops! We totally forgot to get our mom's anything for Mother's Day, so the next day we took the kids out to the fields around our house and snapped a few dozen pictures. We were literally out there 5 minutes. Our next stop was Costco. Crossed our fingers we actually got something we could use. (If not, then we would have made a stop at the mall -bleck!) Luckily we got a few that were usable. We blew up a few of the shots to 8X10's and ran over to Aaron Brother's for a frame. An hour later we were at Ryan's mom's doorstep with a fabulous Mother's Day gift.

Mom, if you're reading this, I'll send you a picture of the whole family. I know that's what you really want!

Here are a few of my favorites:

Mother's Day

I had the BEST Mother's day. See for yourself:

Breakfast in bed: check (This isn't really my breakfast... I ate it too fast to take a picture!)

Cute homemade cards from loving children: check

Handmade gift from school-age child: check

A long-stemmed rose from church: check

An afternoon catnap: check (no picture necessary)

I get to go pick out a new purse, guilt free! (thanks, Ry!)

And I get to pick something out from here. (thanks, Cathy and Paul!)

Graduation

O-Dog graduated from his Joy School group last week. The boys were all so adorable in their cap and gown.

He's come a long way! When we started he was not quite 3, still not potty trained and the youngest of the group. Thanks to all our Joy School Mama's for your patience! I can't believe he's starting Kindergarten in the fall!

Miss P can't wait to go to Joy School too!