Random

We had a picnic on Memorial Day with our best friends, the Vocanas. I'd totally forgotten that I took some pictures of the kids that evening. I love these candid shots of them talking on the picnic bench.

 Addy gets so picky about what she wears..even if it doesn't match. But my Mom had gotten her this dress back in the winter and she hasn't worn it yet. I love it, but it's not pink and summery enough for her. I got her to wear it a few weeks ago, and I think she looked so grown up and cute.

 Kinley playing peek-a-boo in the curtains

 Addy and I like to take pictures together:) This was before Chris took me out for my birthday.

 Our little ladybug:)..that's what we call her now that we're convinced her hair is staying red. I don't know why I can't ever get pictures of her while her hair is in pigtails and cute:) She is cruising, very vocal about what she wants and has teeth coming in all over the place. She has grown up so much in the past couple months.

 Kinley's hair in this bottom is awesome! One pigtail in and one pulled out.

Mason's surgery

Mason finally had his ears tubed last Tuesday, the 12th. I had to have him to the Surgery Center by 6am, so Chris had to take the day off to stay home with the girls. It went really well. I didn't realize that I wouldn't be able to go back with him, so that was definitely the hardest part of it all. Watching him being wheeled off almost had me in tears, but I knew it was only a 15 minute procedure. He was so adorable in his little robe and socks. They had a little puppy for him that he never let go of, and I brought his favorite blanket that he held onto as well. We can notice a small improvement with his speech, but nothing major. I'm just so happy that he'll have relief from ear infections, colds, and constant head congestion. I loved getting to rock him and have that 1 on 1 time while we waited before and after the surgery. He handled it like a champ and had all the nurses wrapped around his finger:)

Before

After

Daddy's Day

We love your hugs

and the way you kill bugs.

We love playing ball

and that you catch us when we fall.

We love to help you work and play,

and that for us, you work so hard each day.

We love you more than there are stars in the sky,

you make us feel like we have wings and could fly.

We couldn't be more blessed and glad,

that you were meant to be OUR Dad.

Here's a video the kids made for Chris:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0oYV-uCejU

fyi

I added a live traffic feed a couple weeks ago for fun. It's on the right side of the blog halfway down. But I'm kind of creeped out by how many visitors look at the blog from so many random places where I don't know anyone. So for fun, if you're real, and enjoy reading my family's journal and I don't know you..please leave a comment telling me who you are. Or if I do know you, but didn't know you follow us..still leave a comment. There are just A LOT of visitors from out of the country and it's creepy.

Dance Recital

I was a little bummed that their Spring Recital is just a casual performance with no costumes etc. But at the same time, I like not paying for an outfit she'll never wear again. This actually turned out a lot better than we expected. It was fun to carpool with her friends, and I was grateful for that when the class changed and was then during Mason/Kinley's naps. She was moved to an older class halfway through the season..and everytime I would go, they would be working on technique a lot and not so much a routine. I didn't know if Addy was getting bored or what..but overall I was really happy with her class and teacher and this recital was so cute. No one knew what to expect or what was going on, so it was cute to watch how they are on stage when it wasn't rehearsed. I thought it was so cute when Addy would just start talking and telling me something up on stage as if we're just home in our living room:)  She definitely doesn't have stage fright:)

Splash Pad

We were lucky enough to find my mom a roundtrip ticket from Allegiant for $90 a couple months back. It was the perfect timing. Chris had overtime the weekend before, so I was ready to have some help and fun while he started the new work week. We picked her up Sunday afternoon and went straight to Mason's best friend, Karson's birthday party. During the week we just relaxed. We got to walk through and show her the house we have an offer on, on Monday night. We went to the Splash Pad on Tuesday, and Addy's dance recital on Wednesday. Here's the pictures from the splash pad.

my girls

I always have the camera. So as I look through our pictures, I'm never in them. So this weekend we took matters into our own hands:) I LOVE LOVE LOVE my girls. There are just no words..

Lucky Me!

For the first time since having kids and being married....so almost 5 years - I'm getting a break. MY FIRST BREAK! I've been watching all of your blogs, secretly hating all of you for your vacations and girls weekends and husbands who work from home so you can leave whenever you want!! :) haha..just kidding!!
 Our kids are old enough to be left, and I just feel pushed to my limit. It's been too long, and I can't think of a better time, and place to get it. We have our Anderson Reunion the second weekend in July, and Chris will fly home from that and I'll stay another 2 weeks in IF with the kids. We'll play with family and friends and I'll have some help with these little rug rats each day. I need to stay 2 weeks because I want to attend Educations Week at BYU-Idaho. I've never been able to attend the whole thing before..but this year I'm going to stay up on campus with my mom and get 3 days of being on a spiritual high..hearing and learning things that are going to help me in every aspect of my life. Some might think I'm being selfish and it's not fair to leave Chris alone for a couple weeks, and why should I want to leave the kids..blah blah blah!  But I will come back a much better Mom and Wife after this.Seriously.can't.wait!

What is Education Week?
Education Week provides an opportunity to expand your knowledge and understanding of gospel-related topics such as ancient scriptures, doctrines of the Church, self-improvement, preparedness, homemaking, family relationships, financial preparedness and many many more. You can select from over 300 classes taught by more than 40 different presenters from BYU-Idaho, CES, BYU, and others.

Education Week gives us a chance to learn of Him who brings peace and joy to the world. We invite all to attend to recommit and replenish your souls

I love that last line..."recommit and replenish your souls."
This description does not even do it justice.

I can't wait. I still need to find people to watch them each day, and I know everyone is going to jump at the chance to have Mason come color their house ;)... but all I can think about is 3 days and 2 nights of sanity and peace.
:):) Thank You Babe!