Other April Activities

Carter's band got first place in a competition.

A mega egg from one of our chickens. We we were hoping it would be a double-yolker (only has happened once), but it was just super large.

Trying crawfish for Austin and Bryson's first time. Matt spent 4 hours in the hot sun flipping hamburgers for this stake activity. The rest of us went to Capri's baptism.

Ward father/son campout (which means I got the night to myself!)
Austin with his good buddy, Grant, at the campout.

Matt's jeep has a tent attached to the back. Matt camped outside with Austin and Bryson one night in April at their request. Maybe it's an eyesore, but the boys love doing this on occasion!

Easter Festivities

Neighborhood Easter egg hunt

We did a family service activity for the refugees in the downtown area. Their religious beliefs are different than ours, but we provided an opportunity to get out of their apartment and participate in some fun outdoor activities.

Ariane hosted Easter dinner/egg hunt this year. One of the activities we did for the kids is each kid used peeps to create a story from the scriptures. Bryson did Gethsemane, Caleb did Nephi tied up on the ship, and Carter helped Luman do a scene of King Benjamin preaching on the tower.

Egg hunt afterwards

Carter Turns 12

Birthday buddies

As we did with Caleb, Carter was able to have a big party for his 12th birthday at Altitude Trampoline Park (in lieu of birthday presents). He invited school and baseball friends and had a great time running around with his friends. I woke up in the middle of the night that night with a start realizing I didn't take ANY pictures at his party earlier that day. HUGE Mom fail. :(

I met Carter for lunch on his birthday at school and brought him some Chicken Salad Chick, which is a perfect choice because it's what I would have chosen for my birthday lunch. Later that afternoon, my friends and I got together for dessert and games to celebrate my birthday. It's tricky to share a birthday, but Carter is very mature about it--not expecting all the attention and making sure I feel special too.

Papa came to give Carter his birthday quarters. My parents gave Carter a new book and some freeze-dried strawberries (per Carter's strange request!).

Rodeo

One of our activities over Spring Break was to go to the rodeo. We hadn't been in several years, and it was Austin's last chance to do mutton busting, so it was a must! My boys found it very educational as they got to watch a ewe birth a placenta (baby born an hour earlier). They also got to watch several chicks go through the process of breaking out of an egg. Clayton and Kara went the same day we did with their kids. We met up a few times but mostly did our separate paces.

Petting zoo

This was a new exhibit: walk-in parakeet cage

Farm to Market area where the kids got to see the process of growing corn, vegetables, and milking a cow and then taking the product to the grocery store. 

Austin practicing his mutton busting skills.

Everyone waiting to watch Austin's ride.

Austin did the 4th best in his group of 30 mutton busters. He was real sad (and embarrassed?) that he didn't hold on all the way to the end, but his sheep also rammed him into the side. We all were impressed he held on as long as he did. Most kids get dumped right out of the gate.

Austin and Bryson each got to pick out a [very expensive] ride, and they picked this zero gravity one where you stand up and only have a seat belt holding you in. 

Matt took a half day off work to join us, which was an extra special treat! Austin worships the ground Matt walks on, so he was especially thrilled to have his daddy there with us.

Sea World

Over Christmas break, we took a trip to Sea World since it had been about 8 years since we last went as a family.  Clayton and Kara's family joined us, which was so fun! We splurged and bought some fast passes as we anticipated it would be very busy on New Year's Day.

Probably the favorite ride of the majority

I liked how smooth this ride was.

Christmas decorations

The shows are always a nice chance to sit down.

Matt had connections and we were able to get 3 food passes, which helped a lot! Each food pass could get a meal every 90 minutes, so we just rotated whose turn it was to eat and all stayed well fed. 😀

Fast wooden rollercoaster

It was a full day of fun!

December and Christmas

Austin's Kindergarten field trip

Bryson was assigned to make a historical figure out of a 2 liter bottle. This is the type of project I turn over to Matt! They did a great job! (Let's face it: parents do most of the work.)

Bryson's 3rd grade Christmas party--playing bingo

A note Bryson wrote me that I want to remember. I misplaced my engagement ring in the house and finally gave up looking for it. I think it will turn up one day. In the mean time, I bought myself a cheap ring to wear.

We joined Ariane's family for some rock climbing over Christmas break.

Austin is so stinking cute in this picture.

Christmas Eve celebrated at Kara and Clayton's house.

Christmas morning

Austin's main present, which we learned he loved so much on our Galveston vacation. He is very creative and loves craft projects. He got his dad's artsy side.

Caleb's presents. (He spelled Kari's name at the bottom using his presents because he wanted to text Aunt Kari how he was going to get stronger and beat her next time they arm-wrestled.)

Bryson's presents (including a note from Santa that he gets to pick out a new bike!)

Carter got freeze-dried strawberries, a game, ping pong paddle, and books. Austin got a science kit and a marbling paint kit. The boys also collectively got two experience gifts: Urban Air trampoline park and a movie. I got a new set of pots and pans, winter coat, and silicone placemats.

6th Grade Band: Carter

Carter is trying his hand at percussion this year. Mostly this decision was an out to quit piano. We had the same fights over and over during piano no matter how patient I tried to be. He is one stubborn boy. He got his way and quit piano--it wasn't worth the fighting and how it hurt our relationship. Percussion has been a good replacement as his piano background helped, and he has improved a lot this year. He took lessons all during 5th grade, while I homeschooled him, from his cousin, Drew. Only 5th graders are allowed to tryout for percussion because it is such a popular instrument and only so many spots and the teachers want you to start as early as possible. I emailed the teacher from the start of 5th grade and explained the situation asking for Carter to be allowed an exception and audition in 6th grade instead. Fortunately he agreed and Carter secured his spot for 6th grade. It requires 20 minutes of practicing 5 days a week (which is more than I was making him do on piano) in order to get a weekly 100 for a daily grade assignment. He has been diligent and worked hard to try to catch-up to the other students due to homeschooling for 5th grade. He is really enjoying it!

Also, Carter's team won the championship for his fall baseball team! It was his first time winning. (Matt coached them to victory.)