Yard Workin'

We have spent quite a bit of time trying to fix up our yard.  Thankfully it has already been landscaped, but while it was foreclosed (a year before we bought it) the yard went to pot.  The people we bought from tried to get it nice again, but many of their plants didn't survive the winter....... and we just wanted to add our own taste to some things.

First we built 3 planter boxes for the garden.  Our garden is growing fairly nicely, despite all the grass growing up through our boxes and the RELENTLESS wind up here.
Under those weird white things are tomatoes and peppers.
                                    
On Arbor day we bought a beautiful shade tree.  We were surprised to see it blossom the past couple of weeks with gorgeous pink drapey blossoms.  In the fall the leaves should turn dark purple--- can't wait to see it!

We have tried to revamp and improve our flower beds.  Lucky for us we have a never ending supply of rocks just laying around to make borders!

Now several weeks later, things are looking pretty great! 

  Gorgeous, no?!

Now if only my lawn would mow itself and the wind would blow less.........

Juvenile Arthritis Walk

On May 5th we participated in our first Juvenile Arthritis Walk at Sugarhouse Park in SLC in honor our our sweet Tianna.  When I first heard about it I asked her if she wanted to go and meet other kids who have arthritis too.  I was shocked when her reaction was to look at me HORRIFIED and shake her head no.  I asked her, "why not?" and she burst into tears. "I don't want to have arthritis!" 

Of course, then MOM started crying and I just had to bawl with her because I don't want her to either.  But once I recovered I explained that whether she wants it or not, she does have it and it would be good for her to see she isn't the only one who does.

For days before she dreaded it.  Sad, huh?! I kept telling her it would be fun and once I mentioned the ice cream party after the walk, she got excited.

When the time finally came, she LOOOOOOOOOOVED IT! It was way fun and more importantly, she got to meet all sorts of kids who suffer with the exact same things she does. I think it was very helpful for her.  With that being said, we are still so very very grateful that she is currently not showing any symptoms (that we know of) and is pain free.  

She even walked the whole 5K by herself which is a lot more than a lot of the kids could do.  We are so very proud of her! She is such a light and a joy and everyone who knows her just loves her to pieces---- especially us! 

 After the walk we stopped at the Trafalga in Lehi to get some more use out of our Pass of All Passes.

Hair Cuts, Half-Marathons, and Happy little Kindergartener

Back at the end of April I decided the girl's both needed haircuts.  I tried my best to give Tianna a decent trim and since it's long and straight, it will do.  I trimmed up Adelia's locks and knew right away she needed a professional.

BEFORE

 AFTER

 BEFORE: (notice how charming she is?!)

 It doesn't look too bad in this picture below, but once she moved her head it was in definite need of layering.

AFTER

DURING (AGAIN)

The picture won't cooperate, so turn your head and see how cute it is........when I take the time to curl it and before she messes it up with dress ups and being a normal 2 year old

On April 28th we had a big day. It started quite early when we drove up to Lehi BRIGHT and early to watch some of Luke's family compete in a half marathon.  We sorta forgot how long it takes to run 13 miles and therefore got there RIGHT after it started. Which of course gave us a couple hours to chill. And i mean CHILL. It was quite cold that day-- perfect for the runners, not so great for the people standing around for 2 hours.  

Luckily they provided bounce houses and a cute little train for the kiddos. 

 Luke's Grandma is completely awesome! She is in better shape that pretty much every one I know!

 Luke's Mom also ran and the kids ran the last few hundred feet with her. .............

 which also means the officials awarded my kids with medals for doing the "Kids's Mile Run" which they didn't. Oh well, they got medals anyway! :)

 SO proud of you Grandma Lake, Belinda, and Luke's lil sis, Courtney!

As soon as the race was over we dashed back to Santaquin for Tianna's family Kindergarten day.  She counts the minutes until she can be a Kindergartner! 

Gone Fishin'

After discovering Maple Lake the girl's wanted to go fishing.  So for Family Home Evening (is it really HOME evening when you are out and about?!) we went fishing at Maple Lake. Its only like 10 minutes from Payson and soooo perfect.
We couldn't keep our poles in the water! As soon as we'd cast our lines, we had a bite! It was perfect to entertain the wee ones.

By the time our hamburgers were finished cooking we had already caught several fish.  Then we ate, fished some more, and got home just in time to throw those dirty children in the tub before bed. It was PERFECT!

Checking out the Local Sights

Lately we have been trying to enjoy the local sights and here.

Exhibit A: Tianna's preschool group went out to a country store in Nephi to see baby chickies and take some rides in tractors.  It helped that the store manager was one of the daddy's. :)

FYI- Combine Harvesters are ENORMOUS! 

Exhibit B:  One day, to beat the boredom that sometimes sets in, we went out to discover what the nearby Young Living Lavender Farm in Mona was like.  It was cool....but it will be REALLY cool during the Lavender Day Festival this summer. 

 Exhibit C:  The Grotto, Payson Cayon, Maple Lake, and other perdy places

 We didn't know what to expect at the Grotto.  It was pretty muddy, with really full river which made the crossings a bit unnerving with our little ones, and there was too much snow right around the water fall itself, so we really really look forward to going back in a month or two.

 But we still had a great time, and a fun little picnic.

 Preggo Lilly:  at 13 weeks

 Maple Lake

Exhibit D:  By Goshen. We don't know what this is...but we went on a little walk to see it closer.  Still couldn't tell. Must be some sort of mine.

 We were actually trying to go see where the Church is filming some movies in Goshen.  It was closed by the time we got there.

Our beautiful little angels! 

Payton's Baptism

April 14th was our niece (and cousin) Payton Elizabeth Hopes' Baptism.  

 It just so happened to be her sister, Harley's, birthday too. 

It was a very nice day. :)