Memorial Day

 My whole life memorial weekend we always went to the cemetery to my brother and Grandpa's graves.  As a little kid I loved it.  I loved hearing stories about these two people that I never got to meet here on earth.  Now as an adult I am taking my kids to there Grandma's grave to tell them stories of someone they never met on earth.   I told Chad yesterday that I thought that as time passed it would get easier to go to the cemetery with my kids.  Yesterday was hard for me.  They don't know her and it breaks my heart.  Gretchen kept asking who we were there for.  I know that I am the only way they will get to know her, but it is hard sometimes.  Some days I just want to talk to my mom.  I am truly grateful for the knowledge I have that I can see her again.  I am so grateful there is a day to remember all those who have gone before.

Chores

On Monday we had our family home evening lesson on the importance of work.  Lately my kids complain and whine when I ask them to help me with things around the house.  In the lesson we talked about how sometimes work isn't fun but it is important to have a clean house and to take care of things.  It is also important to learn how to work.  I made this super simple chore jars.  Each morning they have to draw 5 chores and put in there jar.  When they are done with the chore they put the stick back in the chore jar.  So far so good.  We are only two days in.  I think I need to think of a few more chores to add to the jar, so there is more variety.

Do you have any chore ideas for ages 5-7?



Haircut

Gretchen has been asking to get her haircut for months.  I decided that once preschool and dance were done we would cut it.  She wanted it really really short and I wanted it to her chin and Chad wanted us to let it keep growing.  So we compromised.

 Before we went into to get it cut.  I am not sure what is up with the smile.  She kind of looks like a chipmunk.

Here is a picture after.  It isn't styled but she looks super cute with the shorter hair.

T-Ball Practice

At Easton's T-ball practice I gave Gretchen the camera and this is what she took.

 Easton is number 7

 Kinslee

 Mom

Her first self portrait.

Pre-School Program and Dance Recital

Gretchen had a big day yesterday.  She had her pre-school program and her dance recital.  She had a lot of fun people come support her.

 Kinslee, Aunt Andrea, Kendall, Noelle, Charly, and Easton

 Gretchen waiting for her program to start.

 This year they learned about different countries and cultures.  In there program they sung songs from each country.  Gretchen got to be Gretchen while the kids sang about Gretchen and Hans.

 Charly, Noelle, Aunt Andrea, Gretchen, Kendall, and Easton being weird.

 Easton, Grandma, and Gretchen  

 Our family after her program.  I love how all three kids look like they are in pain.  Aunt Melinda was there also but somehow I didn't get any pictures of her. 
Then at 7pm Gretchen had her dance recital.  She did so good I was so happy to actually see her dancing and singing.  Kinslee was a brat and we left at intermission.  I was a little bummed because I wanted to see Charly, Noelle, and Kendall dance a little more.  We went to dinner afterwards with Grandma, Aunt Melinda and Uncle Wally.  Kinslee wouldn't stop crying so I took her to the car and we just chilled until everyone finished dinner. 

 You would never know she was being a brat from this picture of her while we were waiting. 
When we got  home I realized I didn't get a picture of Gretchen in her dance stuff.  She was tired and had to go to the bathroom so this is all I got. 

Aunt Fran gave her these pretty flowers.  

Mother's Day

I am not a huge fan of mother's day.  My mom was great and I love her so very much.  I love being a mom, but sometimes mother's day is hard.  This year I didn't really have very high expectations and it was a fine day.  While I was in the shower Easton and Gretchen got me breakfast.(Chad was getting ready for meetings so they did it all by themselves)

Easton also wrote me a note that said;  all year you have been the best.

The hand you see in the picture is Kinslee, she totally ate one of my pieces of toast. 

River Rail Relay

Chad and I have been training for the River Rail Relay for a few months now.  Saturday was the big day.  I was on a team with three other amazing women.  We decided to get matching shirts, so when we came in from running we could find each other.  So we were all very visible in our bright green shirts. It was so much fun!  The relay was from Gardner Village to Roy, it was 50 miles. 

 Marissa, Kelli, Whitnie, and Nicolle

 A friend was recently diagnosed with cancer, and these bracelets are for her. 

This was our team name.

 Chad was on an all boys team but we both ran the same legs. This is before the race started. It was freezing cold.

 Marissa at the end of her first leg.  6 miles. 

 Whitnie at the end of her first leg.  6 miles.  Whitnie is amazing she ran a marathon a month ago and is running the Ogden marathon this Saturday and she is 16 weeks pregnant. 

Kelli at the end of her first leg. 6.1 miles.   

 This is me starting my second leg, it was the longest 6.6 miles of my life.  I thought I was never going to finish.  While running I saw this guy on a bike that looked exactly like President Uchtdorf, come to find out it was him. 

 We all joined Kelli the last 200 yards to finish the race together. 

 Marissa, Whitnie, Kelli, Nicolle

I was only able to get one picture of Chad because there team was a little bit ahead of us.

Chad starting his 2nd leg. 

I was able to get a picture of the boys team after they had finished.

 Adam, Kevin, Jed, and Chad

This was a lot of fun and I hope to do it again.  I am sore today, but it was still worth it.