Swimming 2013

Remember this video from our first swim lessons in 2011.

 

I would like to report that this year the only crying at swim lessons was done by Ainsley and it didn't last very long. Here is Esther showing of her skills.

The best swimmers ever.

 

 

 

Preschool Graduation

Esther graduated from Preschool this last May. I can't believe how old she has gotten and will be going to kindergarten this August. The top picture is her BFF's Saige and Addyson. I hope that she loves her kindergarten teacher as much as she has loved and adored Miss Katie.
Congratulations Esther

Our life these past months

As usual life has gotten busy and I have gotten behind on my blogging. Here are a few random pictures from our activities over the past couple of months

This was from Easter fun. Michael's mom sent a piñata for Easter. We filled it with fun stuff instead of candy.

Aviation Day at the airport. Henry got to sit in a Helicopter. Of course he wore his helicopter pilot suit. People thought it was so cute they asked if they could take his picture.

This spring we had many visits from family and cousins; swimming with the Larsen family.

Thanks to all who come and visited us this last spring. We hope you come again.

Hot weather forces us to adventure to inside fun. We went to the aquarium for Henry's birthday. Henry turned 4 on June 7th.

 

At our ward auction we bid on and won a tea party for Esther and her friends. It was really cute. It was put on by 3 of the young women. They had the girls decorated butterfly cupcakes and then played bingo. Yes that is Henry in the background. I made him come because I didn't have time to take him to his cousin to play.

The Trampoline

I never thought we would have bought a trampoline or have it inside the house. But with summer coming, why not. I have forgotten what a workout it is to jump on a trampoline. My calf muscles are going to be sore tomorrow. Here's to happy kids and better calves.

Family Pictures 2013

Decided it was time for new family pictures. It was 75 degrees all week and the one day we had scheduled for pictures the high was 60 and rainy. The kids were great sports even though they were freezing.

Snowing in Mesa?

Yesterday was 72 and today snow. Henry and Esther are now going to expect snow on Christmas.

Ainsley turned 2

Ainsley turned two on January 19th. It is hard to believe that she is already two.

Christmas 2012

We had a wonderful Christmas. All of Michael's family joined us this year. Our Christmas was filled with fun, memories, family, and of course presents.

 

 

On Christmas night we played minute to win it games. Who can pull all the Kleenex's out of the box the fastest and who can unroll the toilet paper roll the fastest. Great games for kids. 

 

 

Happy New Year

 

Gingerbread cookie fun

We made gingerbread cookies this year for Christmas. I have never made gingerbread before so I was a little nervous but they turned out beautiful and very tasty. The kids had a blast doing the decorating. I think we will make this a Christmas tradition.

Did I mention they were tasty.

Children for Sale

One afternoon Ainsley decided to adventure into the linen closet and found a bag of travel size lotion, shampoo, conditioner and toothpaste. She decided to open each bottle in our play room. Henry and Esther saw her doing this and instead of informing Daddy they decided to join in and get more stuff from the linen closet. Our whole upstairs smelt like bad toothpaste for days. We had to rent a carpet cleaner to get the carpet clean. Lesson learned; we have a child lock on the linen closet door and if the kids are playing upstairs I lock the bathroom door. Esther and Henry also learned their lesson, just because Ainsley is doing it does not make it right and you better tell Mommy or Daddy if Ainsley is into something she shouldn't be.

Growing up

Ainlsey decided that she was done with her crib the week before Michael's birthday. We would put her to bed and one minute later she would climb out and come walking down stairs. So the crib went out and a big girl bed went in. She is happier now and stays in her bed.

Michael's birthday and Zoo lights

Michael's birthday was back on Nov 19th and it was a lot of fun and the longest day ever. We started a tradition for Michael's birthday when we moved out to Arizona and that is going out to breakfast for his birthday. Our day started with breakfast at Village Inn. After breakfast we dropped Henry off to preschool and went to look for a twin mattress for Ainsley, who decided she was done with her crib. We found a great deal on a mattress and drove home with it strapped to the top of our minivan. Later that afternoon we took what was supposed to be a quick trip to IKEA, can you say quick and IKEA in the same sentence? We went to IKEA to buy a bed to go with the new mattress that we just bought for Ainsley. Of course it wasn't quick because it never is and that night we also had plans to go to the zoo and see the Christmas lights. It was a little past 7pm when we left IKEA and it was going to take about 20min to get to the zoo. This was the only night we were going to be able to go so even though the kids were falling asleep we dragged them to the zoo. It was so much fun. The lights were amazing and even though most of the animals were sleeping it was worth it just to see all the lights. There was an amazing light show over the lake that was coordinated to music and every time it started Ainsley just had to dance even though she was exhausted. I think this is going to become a yearly tradition too; just not all in the same day. The other 2 flashing lights in the background are Esther and Henry.