11 Year Anniversary

After juggling two baseball practices, we went out for a late dinner to one of our favorite restaurants Taste of Texas. Though the steaks weren't as good as we remembered, we enjoyed the salad and bread bar + the free snickers cheesecake. It was nice to have a longer date night together.

End of Fourth Grade

Caleb finished up 4th grade by playing Linus and Lucy at his school talent show. At his graduation ceremony, he was one of eight 4th graders awarded the P.E. award. It's awarded for best sportsmanship as well as athletic ability. He also received an award for all A's all year. In each class, two students are selected for the Principal's Award, which means they had the highest grade averages in the class. Caleb was also awarded this one.

P.E. Award

Caleb enjoyed having these church friends in his homeroom class this year.

Walking out on the last day of school

This is such a fun stage as a parent--basking in the glory of your children's accomplishments. Another proud momma moment was Caleb's guild competition. For guild you have to play 10 memorized songs and their scales in front of a judge. Intimidating circumstances, but just like last year, Caleb rocked it. He worked hard and played confidently making few errors. Last year he received a score of 30 Cs (commendable). This year he improved and received 36 Cs and 1 A (area needing attention). His A was for his pedaling in one of his numbers, which wasn't as clean as it should have been. The net 35 Cs earned him a Superior Plus rating. The judge wrote such comments as "Bach smiled." "Wow! Only 9 years old? Mucho potential and talent here! Bravo!"

I was so proud of him!

Caleb finished off his baseball season with great consistency. He only struck out once the entire season and was very dependable in the outfield. He made the All Star team and is enjoying practicing with his team.

End of First Grade

Carter finished up first grade and received the following awards from his teacher:

Marvelous Math award (highest math grade in the class)

Glorious Good Conduct

Team Player award

All A's for the year

We are so proud of him! He is a hard worker and very respectful. He got the team player award because he was a peacemaker in the class.

Carter also had huge strides in baseball this season. He started out in the middle of the pack of his team and constantly asked his dad to work with him. He was 10th in his battling line up at the start of the season. By the end of his season, he was batting 4th in his line up and was selected to be on the All Star team. He is in the midst of practices for the All Star team and has his first game tomorrow; he will be the lead-off hitter!

Carter also played the piano in his 1st grade talent show and did very well.

Other April Pictures

For the last couple of months, Bryson has asked to sit in a booster seat like his big brothers. He didn't quite weigh enough, but if I was ever running errands in the neighborhood, I would let him sit in the back. One day, I had to make 4 stops in the neighborhood, and by the end of the stops, Bryson fell asleep like this!

 On a colder April morning, the boys asked for some hot chocolate. Carter ended up sharing his with Austin. 

(Speaking of weather, we had a beautiful spring this year that extended through most of the month of May!)

Capes that my mom made for Bryson and Carter, but Austin wanted to wear one this time.

Time Out For Women

This is my 2nd TOFW. While I love the chance to escape and listen to uplifting speakers, I felt horrible leaving Matt alone to do our crazy baseball life. Matt had to do 3 baseball games with all the kids (1 Friday night and 2 on Saturday). As soon as I got home from TOFW on Saturday around 5pm, I rushed over to the baseball fields to relieve him of the extra kids during the last baseball game of the day.

Friday afternoon, we hit some shopping and dinner before heading into TOFW. It was fun to shop with someone (Kari) who has a sense of fashion, which I desperately lack!

This picture makes me laugh because I obviously need to work on my knee pop and standing up straight. 

Friday night with Kara

David Archuleta--love his voice

Sisters-in-law with our friend C'Anne. 

(Ariane was there but sitting with friends from her ward.) 

Saturday

There were so many great talks. Some of my take-aways:

Tim Ballard (helps save children from human trafficking)
When darkness comes knocking, I will be ready.
Covenant makers are miracle chasers.

Calee Reed (Saturday's singer)
There are things to learn as you wander, lessons to learn while you wait
Peace isn't the absence of conflict, but the presence of God
Sometimes trials are His mercy in disguise

Alissa Parker (daughter died in Sandy Hook Elem. shooting)
Let it go and rise above it
Choose to let the light in
(I ugly cried in this one as she talked about all the miracles and presence of her daughter to comfort those that were grieving for her loss.)

Easter 2017

We went to the neighborhood Easter Egg hunt. Austin didn't catch on very well, but Bryson had a great time!

Austin's very first wagon ride! 

[And we've been going daily ever since per his request.]

Family gathering and egg hunt

 

Birthday Bunch

Carter's favorite presents: 

Life was a present from my parents. He also got a Chick Fil A lunch on his birthday.

At a service auction I attended, I won a free cake. So a friend made this amazing cake for Carter's birthday, and I enjoyed not making a cake!

Matt got me those flowers for my birthday.

Matt with a steak dinner for his 35th birthday.

I was completely humbled by the fact that some good friends decided to throw me a surprise luncheon for my birthday this year and invited quite a few friends! Who throws a party for #34? It was so generous and kind and meant so much to me more so for the fact that I knew my time as Primary president was drawing to a close. I felt that the party was more about thanking me for all that I have done for their children for the last 3 years. I was so touched. It made for the best birthday in conjunction with all the other well-wishes from family and friends. 

We spent Matt's birthday watching General Conference and all of us took turns giving him back scratches throughout the day, which are his favorite. :)