May 16th

May 16th was a very fun day for our family this year.

We started out the morning with Andie's Graduation from Pre-k.  Here she is, waiting for the ceremony to start.

Mrs. Converse was her teacher this year and we absolutely LOVED her.  She did a fantastic job at helping Andie grow and develop educationally.  Because Andie was so ahead in her class, she quickly became her little assistant and the two of them had a special bond.  Ali is SO excited to be in Pre-k next year and have Mrs. Converse as her teacher.  The last few times we visited Andie's class before school got out, Ali would also run up to Mrs. Converse and say, "I love you Mrs. Converse!  I'm going to be in Pre-K next year!"  It was great.

This is Ms. Danielle.  She was the literature coach for the class and anytime we saw her, Andie's face would light up!  I was often told that no matter where she was, if Andie saw Ms. Danielle, she would run up and give her a big hug!  I'm so thankful for good educators and people that really care about my children!!

This is Andie's little friend Amy.  She reminds me so much of Andie's cousin, Emma.  I even think they have similar facial features!  Hopefully Amy and Andie will be in the same class again next year!

Way to go Andie for completing your first year of school!  We hope you continue to look forward to many (many) more!  :)

It was also Shawn's birthday on the 16th.  The girls were very excited and loved celebrating it with him. 

Andie and Ali made him cards.  Andie colored and numbered 33 balloons on her card - so cute!

Dad had plenty of helpers to open his gifts. 

The girls picked out a red "G" hat for Dad.  It didn't fit, so we ended up exchanging it for a black one.  All the girls think Dad looks good in a hat, but he doesn't like to wear them.  Hopefully he'll get some good use out of this one.

We had a great day.  Shawn and I were able to go out to Olive Garden for dinner and I made him cherry cheesecake for dessert.  Just yesterday, the girls asked about "Dad's Cake" that they never got any.  I said, "Sorry, I never got any too!"  I never remembered during the day to get them a taste - and Shawn enjoyed it for the week at night, when they were in bed.  Oh well.  Adalyn's birthday is just around the corner - so we'll have plenty of more cake to eat!

Field Day

Andie had a fun field day on May 11th. It was a perfect morning to take the girls out and get some energy out. This is Ali and Amelia. Amelia was in Andie's class but LOVES Ali and claims they are best friends. I love it!

Ali and Adalyn running to get a rubber duck and then race back to their team.

Ali on the parachute.

Adalyn and Andie LOVED playing with the parachute.  It was fun to watch them be so excited!

Andie running the obstacle course.

Ali running with Mrs. Converse.  She is so excited to be in her class next year!

Adalyn just running to get a ball - forget the obstacles.

Time for the hula-hoop!

Good Job Andie - she didn't quiet comprehend the hip action.

Ali on the other hand, was quiet impressive.  Although this picture doesn't show it - I think we found Ali's hidden talent!  See the video below.

They also play tug of war - Andie's team won both times.  Fun was had by all!

UGA Spring Game

We FINALLY made it to Stanford Stadium! This stadium is HUGE, holding 93,000 people. We've never been to a football game - mainly because Shawn doesn't seem to have much interest. I would love to go, but he's the one that can get tickets. We were able to make it to the spring game where they play each other.  It was good enough for us!

As you can tell - we're not in the the game as everyone else that lives here....we didn't even put red on.  But hey - pink is a shade of red, right?

Andie and Ali with the field in the back.

Family Picture

This is our friend Dallin.  Adalyn and Anders took a liking to him and sat on his lap/played with him a lot of the time.  Sorry Anders - I guess you weren't ready for the picture!

Walking back to the car. 

This is where we usually found Ali - picking the leaves. 

We had a good time and I'm glad to say I've finally been inside the stadium!  :)

Empty Nested

Do you remember this picture from April 7th?  Ali's Birthday.  That was the day that we first saw our bird's nest, with 5 cute little eggs.  Here is their story.

A friend was over the following Tuesday, April 10th.  I was telling her how cool it was that we had 5 little eggs.  She peeked in and said, "Um....their little birds now!"  WHAT?  That was quick.  Meet our 5 little birds.  I know, it's kind of hard to see - but it's amazing how fast they grow up!

Here is 2 Days later, April 12....they're starting to look a little more furry.

This is 4 days later, April 16th.  We lost 2 today.  I think because every time we opened the door, the mom would have to fly away and I think her little feet snagged two of  them by accident.  We found one in between the wreath and the door and the other one, I could tell was dead in the nest - but the birds disposed of him.

This is the same day.  It's kind of a gross picture - but these parents were so dedicated.  The dad would always fly around "watching for predators" (aka The Broderick Family.) and the mom would swoop back into the nest as soon as it was clear.  Although the picture doesn't show the "cuteness" it was fun to watch the little birds poke their heads up looking for food and then slowly lowering them down as we opened the door.

2 days later, April 18th!!!  Look at how CUTE they are.  I couldn't believe how many more feathers they got in just 2 days!  "They sure do grow up quick" applies not only to human babies, but baby birds as well!  Also - there is a significant amount of poop gathering around our door - looks gross, but oh well.

April 20th, they are still getting bigger and changing.  I haven't seen the mom come around and often and I was beginning to wonder if they were abandoned.  Poor little birdies. 

April 22nd....Again - Just 2 days and look at the difference?  Their feathers are almost all in - well, it seems to me.  Crazy!

April 24 - cute little guys...starting to be a little more observant.  It looks like a tight fit with just the 3 birds - could you imagine if all 5 had survived?

April 25th.  It was fun to watch them yesterday.  They were definitely more perched and dad was back giving them flying lessons!  The girls and I were out playing and the dad and mom bird would come to the nest and then fly the same path over and over making the same rhythmic song as they would fly up to the lamp post.  I was just imagining them saying, "Just keep flapping, just keep flapping."

This is still the same day.  This little dude was ready to fly and we just kept waiting!  I was so worried we were going to miss it!

Oh - two of them are getting ready to go.  You can do it little birds - you can do it!  Well, shortly after this, I left to take the van and drop it off for Shawn at campus.  He has been in Philadelphia for the last two days at a conference and was getting in around mid-night.  So, thanks to our great neighbors, one came to watch the girls, while the other followed me to give me a ride home.  Guess what happened!

At 11:30 that night - when I decided to go to bed, I was surprised to find this little guy in my closet!  AHH!!  He took flight alright - right into the house.  He must have come in sometime when I was gone.  At least I knew he could fly.  Shawn wasn't home yet and didn't answer his phone, so I didn't know how close he was - so naturally I called my sister for reinforcements.  She's in St. George, you know 36 hours away, but provided emotional support.  haha - She just laughed at me and said, "Good Luck!  He'll probably poop on your hand when you try to catch him."  I called Shawn and he was just getting to campus - so another 15 minutes to wait it out. 

Shawn to the rescue.  Good thing he's tall.  It was definitely to our advantage the little bird was just learning how to fly!  Poor little guy - he was so scared.  And, like Jill said, he pooped everywhere he landed, out of fear.  That was fun going back through the closet to check on everything.

This morning - April 26th, our little birds had all flown the coop!  They were gone - probably from the traumatic experience of their brother being lost for a few hours inside, but at least they survived while in our care!  It was so fun to watch them grown - but man, I need some tips.  20 days to grow up and leave the nest?  It takes humans 20 years.....or longer!

That is the story of our birds....thanks for reading along!

Happy Easter

We had back-to-back celebrations with Ali's Birthday and Easter. It was fun! Here the girls are, with their "baskets." I loved it, Andie was the first one down and said, "MOM! The Easter Bunny came.....oh, and thanks for the new church shirt!"

These masks came in a 3 pack for $1 and I had to get them....so funny!  Ali wore her's all day, except at church.  It was great!

Adalyn wasn't too sure of them.

Andie was so excited to find eggs.

I was skyping with my mom the Friday before Easter and she asked if the girls had new Easter dresses.  I said, "No."  Then I felt bad.  So I quickly came up with this idea.  The skirts are from their Christmas outfits and I had all the other material and iron on stuff.  Let's just say, I think I'll use Iron on for everything now!  It was SO simple and easy. 

The girls loved their shirts.  (Don't worry, they didn't wear the flip flops to church!)

Super Al!

This is such a cute picture.  We had our some friends over with the 4 elders in our ward for dinner.  Everything was so yummy.  My friend serves in Primary and told me how they were asking all the kids if the Easter Bunny came.  I guess Andie said, "Yes - he came and we got fun things in our basket.  My mom also makes us a new outfit for every holiday, this is my new shirt!"  Haha - now I guess it's going to be a tradition!

Little Adalyn did not want to take pictures - or look at the camera.

I love all the "takes!"

"Just give me some candy and put me to bed!!"

We had a great Easter.  I was very proud of my kids because although the Easter Bunny is fun, they would say things throughout the day of, "Mom, do you know why Easter is special?"  I would say, "Why?" and they would say, "Because of Jesus."  I loved it.  With church at 11:30, we had time to watch Finding Faith in Christ before church and then we watched The Testaments after church. 

I am so grateful for our Savior, Jesus Christ.  He is such an example to me and I know is always there for me.  In Relief Society last week, we talked about eternity, and how it's not something that we will one day arrive at, but it's something that we are part of RIGHT NOW!  We are on that path.  As someone said, "Baptism was the gate and since baptism we've entered into our journey."  I grateful for my knowledge of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  I'm grateful for the temple and the knowledge that families can be together forever.  I'm grateful to know that we will return to live with Heavenly Father again.  Again - meaning, we've already lived with Him before!  It's awesome to know my eternal goals, which is what leads and guides the way I live each and every day!  I love my family.  My little family unit, but my extended family as well!  They are each a strength to me and I'm grateful for the examples set before me!  I hope you all had a wonderful Easter Season!