Chase turns 3!

First his day started off with the end of the year dance party. He got a certificate. A trophy for completing the year. And Chase got a special trophy for perfect attendance (the one in the middle)

We went to Blast Off for his birthday dinner.


He had lots of fun on the toys. But when his meal came he changed his mind so he had a chicken nuggets meal and also a hamburger meal! You only turn 3 once, right?

We just had the Grandparents over. Chase was so excited to open gifts!

Time for cake!

Uncle Trent lives to far away to visit so him and Aunt Heather and their son Noah who is barely one year younger than Chase Skyped with us on the big screen! It was fun and Chase really enjoyed seeing his cousin.

Dancing! Chase's end of the year recital!

Well I've never put a 2 yr old in dance before (my girls started when they were 3). But Chase was bored when all the older kids went to school so I thought he'd have fun in dance class. I didn't really care if he wanted to perform yet, it was just about the weekly classes, getting out of the hous and having fun. But they do perform them starting in Nov, and about 5 more time throughout the year. At the first performancehe just stood there, even though he did some of it in class, as did the other 2 yr olds. But by the end of the year he was doing all of it in class, and some of it at the performances. It was really cute.

Austin turns 13!

Last month we officially became parents of a teen! Austin just wanted a low key family party.

His favorite gift was his new really nice hiking boots for the 50 miler this summer!

We also got him a coulpe of other things. My favorite was a book called "Do Hard Things" written by teens, for teens to inspire them to greatness while still in their youth. I think even adults should read it!

We are not huge cake fans at our house, so we make Recess Squares instead and they were a hit.

Austin has always been such an amazing kid. We love having him in our home. He is so helpful, kind and hardworking. He is extrememly intelligent too. And he really loves playing with his youngest brothers. He has out grown his love for legos, but I think he'll always be drawn to computers. Who knows, maybe he'll take after his dad when he grows up? That day seems less and less far away.....

Dancing! End of Year recitals for Ashley and Evan!

Ashley and Evan danced with "Extreme Ballroom" this year and had a blast!

"Nintendo Blues"

"Walk Like You"

"Ghostbusters"

"Hip to Be Square"

End of year review on the big screen! Larger than life!

Flowers!

Evan won an extra award for "The Most Improved"!

Mother's Day!

Mother's Day started with eggs benedict and fresh fruit. Yum! We also had dinner at my moms, and dessert at Justin's moms. But my favorite part is my gift. This picture by Simon Dewey entitled "Let Your Light So Shine". It's beautiful and it will be placed in the center of my home to symbolize that Christ is the center of our lives.

Choir concerts and Rare find.

The 6th grade classroom is Egyption themed. So instead of "time outs" they get "tomb outs". Or in this case, istead of "star of the week", they do "Rare find". Ashley told about her family, some of her special items like her crystals, her avatar camp poster, and some of here crafts. Then the kids get to ask questions. She answered that she loves to sing and dance. Her favorite color is purple. Her favorite dessert is cheesecake. And her hero is her mom! :)
Evan enjoying his choir concert.

The overly expressive Miss Emily at her choir concert.

Easter

So we had and egg hunt at Bear World, then went to one at Grandma Harts. The Easter bunny also came to our home with a few eggs and chocolate bunnies for all. And we always get new Easter garb for church! I made the girls and I matching hairbows too.
Too late for this year, but I found a program to do once a day for the 7 days leading up to Easter that focuses on Christ and the true celebration of Easter. I'm excited to do it next year!