It's Been A Year

Dear Gracie,A year ago heaven became a better place. Time goes slow here on earth and we miss you every single day. However, your parents and siblings do so much to celebrate your life and your place in their family. You must be really proud to belong with them.

Other people around your family do so much to celebrate your life as well. Look how beautiful your tree looked this morning! Your family woke up to this sweet gesture. See what I mean? So many great people around here.

Your Mom and Dad invited us to the cemetery this evening to let off balloons. They had lots of bright pretty colors. Pink ones too, just for you!

Look at this group. Wasn't it amazing to see how many people's lives you've touched? There's hundreds who aren't in this picture. Your short little 15 months on earth altered the lives of so many people.

We counted down from 10 and let them all float to heaven. I know heaven's a beautiful place but I also know that you're helping to make this earthly existence a beautiful experience for so many of us. I'm amazed everyday at the strength your parents show, how strong your siblings are and how much Heavenly Father send his spirit to our lives when we're in need.

Thank you for a year of true love, humility and Grace. And here's to many, many more!

Love always,

Aunt April

Ella es mia ( She is mine..or she is MIA!!!!)

My little girl is growing up! I took this picture and was suprised to see how much she has changed in the last year. Mia turned 7 on Tuesday Oct 5th....seven! This picture is an indication of the trouble and anxiety that awaits me as she continues to blossom into the most beautiful and sweet ( ok..sassy and bossy on occasion) girl in the world!

Mia, Your daddy loves you and is so blessed to have you . I have said that having one daughter is enough for any family... I don't know how Amber and Gary do it with 5! You are a handful ( figuratively and by stature) at times yet I wouldn't trade you for anything in the world.

Thanks for being you, a person that attracts friends easily and tries to be kind and inviting to all around you, a champion of the downtrodden (those whom you may run over that are a full head shorter than you included here :).

I LOVE YOU SOOOOO MUCH MIA MOOOOO!

Dad

Never Assume......

As I went through Mia's bag after school today, this is what I came upon: Apparently they practiced writing and spelling short words like "Dan" & van. When I saw the comment her teacher wrote I had to ask the same thing. "Hey Mia, what's happening here with Dan?"
She answered proudly, "He's fixing a van."

Clearly.

Back 2 The Grindstone

I've had a sense of panic over school starting next week. I’m sure it will evoke a sigh of relief when the bus pulls away Monday morning. So for that, I’m ready. I figured out however, that my panic is for the early morning tug and pull of getting the offspring out the door, setting the alarm again after a summer full of lazy mornings. I’m selfish and have become quite lazy. Time to kick it in the tooshy and get back in gear.
After attending Back To School Night I’m actually getting more excited. I couldn’t be happier with the teachers the kids have. Bring on the homework. Yuck! I’ve had a large amount of anxiety about helping Mason with his math this year. To put it lightly….math is not my forte. It’s Matt’s. Since he’s not here at homework time I’ve been a little worried. Then I figured it all out: We’d scan in Mason’s homework and email it to Matt then they would have a set time where they could Skype each other and wha-la…homework done with the help of his ingenious Dad. I’m thinking this is brilliant (and it gets me out of looking like the fool that I am ). So with a deep breath and a long sigh I say; bring it on!

On a lighter side, flatulence is the source of many laughs at our house and the other day one of the kids passed gas in the car at the bank. Laughing ensued. Then Mason’s mind starts working up scenarios and he said,
“Hey Mom, what if someone got in our car after I tooted. Then they smell it and say ‘Ewwww! Who died in here?’ And you say, ‘Just Mason’s dignity.’”
I laughed. Because really, I have no dignity left so why should my kids?

No More Hearts

The last day of school I decorated the kids bedroom doors with signs telling them how proud we were of them finishing up this past school year. I also plastered several hearts cut from construction paper all over the doors to go with the sign. They've both left them on their doors since that day.
We had a new visitor over on Sunday. Matt's brother Justin has a son Matthew who is just a few months older then Mason. We've seen him on a few occasions but this was the first time he's been to our home. Matthew and Mason got along well as Matthew directed the conversation to include how many girl friends each had had and what video games they liked the best.
After everyone had left for the evening I went in Mason's room and found him standing in there and the sign and hearts sitting on top of his dresser in a pile.
"You took your stuff off your door, huh?"
"Yeah. I just kind of felt embarrassed when Matthew was here."
"That's OK. I don't want you to feel embarrassed."
"Yeah. Hey Mom? Maybe next time don't put hearts on my door. They're kind of not cool."
"Oh, sorry Mase. I didn't even think that maybe hearts weren't cool. I'll leave them off next time."
"Well don't leave them off.......maybe just next time.....put stars up instead."

Point made. I'm holding on to the idea that maybe he's too old for hearts but somewhere in his handsome head, he still wants me to decorate his door. In the back of my mind I've always hoped I'd be the Mom that would stay cool and my kids wouldn't get embarrassed by me or what I do. I was wrong. I guess I didn't expect the tiny sting when he outgrew my heart(s).

Happy Birthday Mattie. I Love You!

What a way to spend a birthday. We kept busy celebrating the big day. The kids and I made him a cake and decorated the kitchen early this morning. Mason made him a breakfast of bacon and cereal and delivered it to him in bed. We gave him his gifts and cards and sang to him to get the day started.
We took the kids to the Aquatic Center to swim. We got there about 20 minutes before it opened and I still had to race another mom to get a spot in the shade. It was about 100 degrees today so the place was packed. We stayed until about 3:30 but I think the kids could have stayed a few more hours without any problem.
Later this evening we left the kids in the capable hands of our nephew and got our grub on at Goodwood. YUM!! Good food, good company and an appetizer on the house....what more could either of us ask for?
Then it was off to the movie, the late show if you can believe it! We're OLD and we still made it through the late show. We've still got it in us Babe! ;)

We had a long and FUN day celebrating your birthday, Matt. Thank you for being such a wonderful husband, father, friend...etc. I love you more today than on the day I married you. Good thing I'm signed up for FOREVER!!

Happy Birthday Mattie! I LOVE YOU!

Happy Birthday Gracie!

Today is Gracie's 2nd birthday.Amber and Gary were gracious enough to invite us to celebrate with them and their girls. We spent the day swimming at the aquatic center with most of the cousins. The kids played long and hard in the sun and when the clouds rolled in we were ready to pack up and head home.

The Hill's went miniature golfing and afterwords we met at their house for a BBQ and ice cream and cake.

After our stomachs were full we all loaded up and headed down to the cemetery. Her grave marker was put in a few weeks ago. It's AMAZING!! I love how it turned out. Amber and Gary did a great job designing something that reminds us perfectly of her. A cute little toy box with pictures of everything that says Grace.

I love the shoes. Gracie loved shoes and these are exactly the ones I picture her in.

Letter blocks with her initials.

The front has an elephant, a bear,a lion and a lamb. It's so sweet. What better to remember a child than with a toy box? It's a happy, sweet and sacred spot. I LOVE IT!

Thank you Hill's for inviting us all to celebrate Gracie. We miss her and love her so much. We love you too.

Happy Birthday Grace!

Memorial Day

We had a busy Memorial Day that started on Sunday. We went to visit Grace's grave that evening. We were lucky enough to run into Kirsten & Matt and Landon there too. Kirsten was sweet and made Muddy Buddies for Grace. That was one of her favorite treats. I remember how much she use love them.

The kids got to play with Landon. My kids LOVE HIM!!!! And for the record, so do Matt and I ;)

Madden had a great time running around and trying to name all the letters on the headstones. He's really into saying and recognizing letters and asking how to spell different words.

On Monday we made a trip up to Garland to visit Justin's grave. It's hard to believe he's been gone for 3 years.

The kids had fun running around this cemetery too and all of them tried to climb the trees.

On the way home from Garland we stopped in Willard to see Matt's grandparents' grave. Madden had to use the bathroom so our visit to this cemetery was short lived.

Then it was home to a bbq at Celeste and Shaun's neighbors. They're nice enough to ask us to join them now and again when they smoke some kind of yummy meat. This time it was turkey. It was really good.

After that we headed to my parents with the plan to visit my grandparents graves. We ended up staying to play at Mom and Dad's and helping pick up LOTS of branches in the yard from Dad and Russ cutting limbs down. Boy were there a ton of branches and twigs but there were a lot of us too so it made for a fairly quick job.

We never did make it to the other cemetery's. We'll make that a priority to get over there very soon.

School's Out!

Our neighbors behind us have a tradition of hosting a "Meet the Bus" party on the last day of school. It's such a fun tradition that we've loved being a part of. As the bus comes down the street it's led by a police car with it's siren on then the bus drives through a big paper banner welcoming the start of summer vacation! They have balloons, popcorn, cotton candy, cookies and drinks.
All the kids from the neighborhood are invited along with their parents. Madden & Eliza had a blast (not to mention they got a REALLY BIG sugar rush!).

Here's Mia with Britton and Megan. YAY!!! School's out!!

Mason in line for the popcorn. My kids take after me in their love for popcorn. It's a staple around our place.

Here's Amber, Annie and Livie enjoying another one of my favorite treats....cotton candy!! YUM!

After we got our fill we walked to Amber's to let the kids play in the pool & sprinklers. They had a neighbor give them a tent for their trampoline. It's awesome and the kids had a blast playing in it with the sprinklers on.

Welcome summer. Oh how we love thee...

County Report & School Programs

Both of the kids had programs to end the school year. Mason's program was all about the great state of Utah. Before the program started we got to walk through all the 4th grade rooms and see the kids county reports, shoebox floats and maps. Mason was assigned Iron County and his float depicts Zion's National Park. He did a great job on all of it! Way to go Mase!
The program was darling. They had it outside on the front steps so all the families could watch from the front lawn. You could tell the kids had worked really hard on it.
Here's Mason & Annie getting ready to perform. It's fun to have the Hill's to enjoy all these fun times with. Annie did a great job on her duet and Mason did awesome dancing the Virginia Reel (is that how you spell it?). I was so proud of these guys!!!

I think the speed must have been off on the camera for Mia's program. Sorry. Anyway, Mia's program was a week before Mason's and they had theirs in the auditorium. We got to see and hear all the things they learned this year. They've worked hard too. It was so cute!!!

I think this picture shows exactly how it must be to teach kindergarten. Everyone doing their own thing. hehe. :)

Mia you did a wonderful job!

Now bring on 5th and 1st grade

4 Years Already?

Today you turned 4. As soon as you were born it was as if you'd always been here. I think heaven sends babies this way. Each one a perfect match for the family they enter. You certainly are a perfect fit in ours.

Things about You:

You've always been very pleasant and easy going

You love to rough-house and be tickled

You're observant and smart

You're 100% BOY!!

You love bacon and ketchup although not necessarily together

You call grated parmesan cheese "shaky cheese"

You like shaky cheese on almost anything

You love your bedtime and it's not unusual for you to go to bed on your own if you're tired

You're usually the first one awake each morning

You have amazing dimples when you smile, which you do often

You give very frequent, random and unsolicited "I love you, Mom"s or "I love you, Dad"s.

You create a huge soft spot in my heart. I can't soak you into my soul enough. I get a little selfish but I love the time I get to have with you around. I'll be a bit lonely when you start preschool this fall. It makes our house feel alive when you're chunky, solid feet are running around. Oh those feet! You're solid from head to toe but honestly it's those big, chunky, yummy feet that I can't get enough of.

I love to see you sleeping. How you're still small enough that your comfy bed swallows you up. But I know very soon you'll fill up the whole thing and your feet will hang over the edge. Time goes by way too fast.

You're an amazing and essential part to our family. It's hard to believe it's been 4 years already. Happy Birthday Madden!

WIGGIN OUT!

Madden and Cooper in one of the wigs from Grandma's dress-ups.
Lookin good boys!

Mason's Cardiology Appt

I was all prepared to post about Mason's most recent stop at the cardiology department at Primary's. I had a couple of great pictures of him all hooked up for his EKG and a few more of him kicking back watching a movie during his echo cardiogram. One with him and our favorite cardiologist Dr. Ethridge...you get the point. However, someone (who I believe is the youngest of my three children) has been playing with the camera and those pictures have all disappeared. POOP! The only one left from our visit is this picture of him playing Mario Kart in the waiting room. So we move forward picture less.

The appointment went well. He's grown a couple of inches since our last visit and he's thinned out a bit. Dr Ethridge made her usual comments about how great he looks and how well he's doing. The stuff we always like to hear. They checked his pacemaker and it has about 4 more years left on the battery. He's pacer dependant 100% of the time on the atrium side and only about 30% on the ventricle. That's about the same as last time which is good news because it means his heart disease hasn't gotten any worse. We always like to hear that.
There's always a large amount of waiting around during these appointments. At one time we were waiting in an exam room and they had pamphlets all over one wall for various heart conditions. I started reading Mason the pamphlet on pacemakers (just messing around, what horribly boring reading!). One sentence said something about a person with a pacemaker being a "modern marvel". We laughed and laughed about that (don't ask why, I'm sure it's not even funny and probably very true but we found it hilarious). I told him from now on I was going to introduce him to people as "my modern marvel". I'd tell all his teachers from here on out to refer to him as such. I even tried to get him to answer a phone call on my phone from Uncle Dan and say "Hi Dan, I'm a modern marvel". Ok, I'm realizing now how not-funny this is but to Mason and I at the time it was really funny!
I love the chance I get to take him to these appointments. It gives me a chance to spend the day with Mason. I'm so thankful for my little "Modern Marvel"!!! I love you Buddy!
PS: next time you see or talk to him, call him Modern Marvel. I'm dying to see what he does!

Happy 60th Mama!!!!!! oh, and Happy B-day too Ruth!!

May 23rd my amazing Mom turned 60. It also happens to be my sister Ruth's birthday as well. YAY! More cake! We had a big party for friends and family that evening at my parents house.
Of course there was all of us and our kiddies.
As well as a big group of friends and neighbors who stopped by.

And extended family in droves!

We really couldn't believe how many people went out of their way to come celebrate our Mom and her fabulous 60 years. Ok, the reality is, I wasn't at all surprised by the amount of people who came. My Mom is one of the greatest people I know. It was heartwarming to see so many people who feel the same way about her as I do. I'm just luckier because I get to call her Mom!

The kids had a slew of friends to play with. This is the Williams' boys Spencer and Tate. We wish they lived close by so we could see them everyday.

Thank you to all our fabulous friends and family who came to celebrate the birthdays. We love you all and most of all, we love you Mom!!!

Thompson Economic Stimulus

Today Amber's girls were here playing and everyone decided they wanted to color. We discovered Mia had used all but 8 pieces of paper so they were all stressed about not having enough. Until........they came up with an amazing plan to color pictures and go outside and sell them. They informed me that the proceeds earned from the art sale would come to me so I could in turn purchase more paper. Thank heavens...I had no idea where I would come up with the funds for another ream ;) The decision was made to stand outside in the front yard and try to sale the pictures in the traditional "lemonade stand" style. Complete with yelling, "Pictures for sale. Come and get your pictures. Only 25 Cents!!!" Annie decided they would give this a try for 20 minutes at which time if they hadn't sold at least 3 pictures they would try the door to door approach.
After 20 minutes and no sales, the assault on our closest friends and neighbors began. Robert was our first victim (that's what you get for living right across the street).
He was a great sport taking time to thumb though them all and choosing the ones he liked best. Then he handed the girls a handful of coins! They couldn't believe their luck!!!!! I stood inside and took pictures and laughed. Thanks for being such a good sport Robert!
After Robert's they hit the sidewalk and tried every house up and down our street. I found it pretty amusing but those stinkers raised $5.42! Once they saw the numbers they quickly changed their minds about giving it to me for more paper. We divided it evenly among the workers and everyone went home with a little bit of change in their pockets and big dreams for the dollar store.

Mia's Field Trip

This last Thursday Mia went on her first field trip. They went to the Tree House Museum and to say she was excited would be a HUGE understatement! Matt chose to go with her and take charge of a small group of rambunctious kindergartners. Here's his little group. Megan, Mia, Lilly and Kinley. I'm sure he had his hands full with these 4.
They got to learn how to milk a cow. Water actually came out of the udders so they would know when they were doing it right.

They played Indians inside a tee-pee.

And she even got to play the part of a bunny in a rousing rendition of Little Red Ridinghood.

They finished the day off with lunch in the cafeteria at school. What kindergartner wouldn't love that? Mattie survived the chaos and everyone had a fantastic time!!