Gyozas

We worked up quite an appetite today! After vacuuming, washing, and waxing our two vehicles (and a family water fight, of course) we were all starving. Our Dad treated us to a special dinner tonight...one of his Japanese specialties: gyoza and rice. He got out his old chop sticks that he brought back from his mission to Japan and taught the kids how to use them. They were thrilled and felt pretty authentic! A couple phrases I overheard them say were just too funny!

"I'm getting really good at using these pork chops, huh Dad?"

"Yogas are my favorite!"

We had a delicious, entertaining dinner and we are all full.

School's Out!

Today was the last day of school. I sat on the porch with our youngest two boys waiting to welcome our oldest trio home and see how their last day went. While we were waiting one neighborhood boy came running/screaming down the road yelling, "School's out!!" He shouted it over and over with true summer-time excitement. I just can't believe that this school year is over already. It has gone by so quickly. It seems like it was just the other day that we were out in the front yard taking pictures on the first day of school...



We have some fun summer activities planned. However, one thing I do know...if the school year went by quickly, summer will fly by even faster!!

Spring Cleaning

I have been doing some cleaning. You know how it hits you all of a sudden that you are surrounded by stuff....and some of that stuff needs to go??? I have spent the last two days sorting through our stuff and I have a fairly significant pile to take to D. I. (goodwill). I think I am finally done! Wheww!! It has been a lot of work, but it definitely has been worth it.

While going through a box in the garage, I found a collection of squirt guns. My two youngest spent an hour this morning in the tub having the mother of all water fights. They had so much fun and came out all wrinkly... I don't know how they didn't get any water on the floor, but with the shower curtain closed somehow the water was contained!!

Summer Haircut

Our daughter has been begging to get her hair cut. And now that dance is finally done for awhile (and we won't need anymore long curly hair) she got her wish.

She loves it and it really does look cute...it will be long again before we know it!

Our Memorial Day

We had a fantastic Memorial Day this year, as we do every year!


We gathered together at the cemetery with our family;


enjoyed the day with fun cousins;



took a moment to stop and remember our servicemen and women;



remembered happy times;


blew on a pinwheel;



and another;



listened to Grandpa tell stories about loved ones only he remembers;



our daughter heard some fun stories about her namesake;



we walked and talked and visited;



and when we were finally too tired to go on...



it was time for a picnic at Aunt C's house;



where we enjoyed the sun and the tramp;



and a good climbing tree!

Proud

Last night we attended our daughter's last dance performance of the year. We are so proud of the progress that she has made in dance this year.






Our second oldest received the Eagle Award for Learning. We are also so proud of him and the good student that he is!

Preschool Grad

Today our preschooler had his end-of-year program!

We got to hear some great songs and crazy dances.

This year has been a fun one...

with great friends,

and awesome teachers.

Tuckered Out

Our youngest has really been enjoying his new birthday toys. The other night he fell asleep on the table while he was playing with them. I couldn't help but take a picture!

Too cute!

Let The Season Begin

We just got the call today and the water truck season has officially started!! Yipee!!!!



Notice the new hose reel on the back...I helped put that on! Aren't you impressed??

Our Baby is Three

In just a few short years our little baby has grown up!

Today we celebrated his third birthday.

He received a pile of presents.

After a few quick minutes of unwrapping,

he had a bunch of new toys,

and a big smile!

Timber!

Yesterday our neighbor's house had reason to fear. We decided to take on a little project that involved a chain saw and a fairly big dead tree.





Thanks to the help of some great neighbors and some strategic cutting, the tree successfully landed in the right direction and we spent the afternoon cutting and hauling away the pieces.








The end result looks great!







Even though my husband really enjoyed using a loud, manly power-tool, I think the funnest part for him was being able to haul away a trailer full of scrap wood with his truck.

Seventeen

When I was sixteen my youngest sister was born. (Gotta love the bangs!!)





I was in college just a year and a half later and it was hard to leave home because I thought that she would forget me.




She didn't forget! And now she is all grown up! I love her so much and want to wish her a very Happy Seventeenth Birthday!

Legos Guys and a Motor Scooter

A glimpse into our day....

This afternoon I spent some time helping our youngest sort through all the legos. We were searching for body parts...of legos guys. Once we found all of them we started assembling our guys: heads, torso, legs, arms, heads, hats. He now has sailors, pirates, race car drivers, soldiers, star wars characters, and many more.... I have to admit, it was kind of fun!

For the older kids the excitement this afternoon has been the motorized scooter...a hand-me- down from some cousins. Our boys have been so anxious to ride it and Dad finally got the right oil/gasoline mixture today so they would have a full tank to burn.

Off they go!

Good News/ Bad News

I am happy and sad all at once. A little confusing, I must admit.

First the good news: I started running again this week! Yay!!!! After six weeks off my injury seems to be completely healed! I am having to start slowly and I will have to rebuild my endurance, but at least I can run again! I really missed it.

And the bad news: Lottery results for the St. George Marathon were posted on Monday evening and I didn't make it in... so depressing!!! I know that the odds (7200 out of 10,510) are getting harder as more people join in the fun, but I still thought I would make it in! Big Bummer!! I have had a couple of days for it to sink in now.... I guess that this is not a marathon year for me...I am looking at a couple of half marathons instead.

I know that sometimes the unexpected turns out to be a blessing in disguise! I am hoping!!

Mother's Day Gift

Here is what I gave my Mom and Grandma for Mother's Day.



It's a picture I "touched up" of my maternal grandparents. My Grandpa passed away last November and we all really miss him. I really enjoy having his picture on my wall. I like being able to see him every time I walk past.

Fast!

Today was the Hershey Track Meet for our fifth grader.


We came ready to cheer.

He ran a great 800m race, winning his heat... and taking fourth overall.





He also ran the 100m, was called back for the semifinal and also made it into the final...




taking sixth place overall.






He also ran on his school's relay team in the 4x100m.





He ran a fast third leg and helped his team to an awesome finish!






Our little cheerleaders got in on the running action too!






They ran in the lollipop run and were happy with their prizes!