April photo dump

Grandma and Grandpa came to visit the beginning of April

Lincoln had a blast at his first pinewood derby race!

Elise helped Trevor learn to rollerblade

Heidi had 4 perfect little kittens

Obligatory awful birthday picture

Our dear friends, the Larsens, stopped by for a quick visit

Another Scout campout--I don't know if they liked rain or snow least...

Mason performed at the regional Music Teacher's Association adjudications. 

Every show needs an audience! This was an especially fun show for all of us--we got to go on stage for one of the last songs.

"Careful the things you say, children will listen.

Careful the things you do,

Children will see and learn.

Children may not obey, but children will listen

Children will look to you for which way to turn

To learn what to be.

Careful before you say 'Listen to me',

Children will listen..."

We dug this ditch to run 220 electrical down to the barn, but since we were moving, the boys got the job of filling it back in.

Ruthie was having a hard time going down for a nap, so a clever brother made her a "bed" on her dresser in the closet...fortunately she didn't fall asleep and fall off!

Sammy got "Most Improved Boy" on his gymnastics team. Jason was the team captain and really pushed Sammy to do his best.

With Rob, the boys' team coach

Ezra turned 1! (back in April...)

How happy we are to have our little Ezra! He is the happiest baby, and we are so glad he is in our family!

He was most interested in the flame...

But eventually discovered that cake is pretty amazing.

On another day, Ezra became fascinated when he discovered he could put pieces of his lunch INTO HIS SIPPY CUP. Oh, what fun!!

March 2018

The biggest news to come out of March is that Stephen accepted a job at the University of Washington-Bothell, so we are moving to just north of Seattle this summer!

March 15, beautiful snow!

My favorite toothless boy

Trevor and Lincoln can really get on each other's nerves sometimes; it's always nice to see them doing things kindly together!

I love all my children so much, but I really, really love them when they are snuggled up, asleep in my arms

Our traditional awful picture of the birthday child with birthday donuts--Sammy is 12!

Camping! The boys are working with their Boy Scout troop on getting their camping merit badge (20 nights of camping) and a camping certificate, which is at least one overnight camping trip for 12 consecutive months. March was campout #5.

My beautiful Ezra

Braces on...

Braces off!! Elise has spent over half of her life with some sort of orthodontia. She is excited to be free!

I've been wearing Ezra often, because he always gets fussy right at dinner time (my mom always called it "the witching hour"). Here Ruthie is wearing her bison, Olivia.

No babies will fall off of the bed with big brothers on the scene!

Try as I might to provide Sable with a sanctuary from the chaos, Ezra still manages to slip in occasionally. Sable is an angel dog!

3 days after Sammy turned 12 he, Elise, Mason, and Stephen met up with Grandma & Grandpa Jones at the Fort Collins temple to do baptisms!

Sammy, learning the proper angle for selfies from a pro.

Sammy also turned 12 just in time to get to go to the Priesthood session of Conference with the big boys. Mason concentrates better when his hands are busy.

We had the house painted, and our painter left his ladder here when he wasn't working. Stephen took advantage of that ladder to get some jobs done...dusting the fan (30' up) & changing lightbulbs were at the top of the list. I'm just glad he wasn't using his other...more creative...ladder extenders.

Trevor, hard at work

My niece, Emmalee (who is camera shy) came for a quick weekend visit from BYU-Idaho

I absolutely love this picture--it captures a side of Ruthie that the camera doesn't often see, but the family does. :)

Twinners!

Elise has her besties over for homemade pizzas and movie night. Leaving these friends is going to be so, so hard.

As Ruthie gets older and is talking more (happy day!!) she and Trevor actually play together. I love seeing them love each other. 

Bath time in the sink!

As a surprise, Sammy cleaned the entire kitchen--it's so wonderful when the kids get old enough to actually be helpful!