Only 2 Months Behind!!!

Ok...so as a general rule of thumb...from now on...even though I will always have the best of intentions...my blog is probably going to be behind! Life is just too crazy...but like I said...I'll try to keep up...or not to get too far behind!

So...here we go with the recap! The first Friday of the month is usually Pack Meeting for our Cub Scouts. Parker is still fairly new, but he has been working really hard...and he loves it! Every time boys move up in rank, they get to pin their mom:). Parker received his Bobcat at our last meeting! He was so excited! The Space Derby is coming up soon...he has been working really hard on his spaceship...and it is going to be FAST!!!

This year the Second Grade Classes at Chapman Heights went to The Living Desert for their field trip. Parker was really excited, not only because it was his field trip day, but because Shane got to go with us! (His office is right by the Living Desert!)
Here is Parker with his wonderful teacher, who we LOVE, Mrs. Martin...and his buddies Brody and Kenny!
Here we are waiting for the live show to begin! Even though it was in February, it was a warm day in the desert!
Our school had it's second annual Family Valentine's Dance the Friday before Valentine's Day! Rylie loved every second of it! Mason and Parker complained, but they loved getting chased by all the girls!
Parker and Brody
Susie is on the PTSA Board with me at school. We joke quite often that we are the other half of each other's brain...which in my case is probably true more often than not! Here she is with Brody and Sammi!
Rylie and Lauren with their dates! I had to post this picture...for the simple fact that, only Lauren, Tim's 5 year old, could get him to a dance!
As you can see...Rylie and Lauren were all over it!
Earlier that day was Rylie's Valentine Party in Kindergarten! Julie and I helped at the cookie table...and loved munching on all the candy hearts and m&m's! (Kindergarten parties are the best!)
For Valentine's Day, Rylie gave one of our favorite things...Chocolate Covered Strawberries!

Here is Shane with his little Valentine's!

...and me with mine!

Mason did his first science project at the end of February! He came up with his topic all by himself! He wanted to know what kind of water made plants grow best! He worked really hard on his project! He did a great job!!! Of course, he told me that he and his dad had it all worked out when I tried to help him, so I considered that all the encouragement I needed to step back and let Shane help him with this one!

This is my friend Raye! She lives in Denver. She and I met when Parker was 5 weeks old. He was admitted to Denver Children's Hospital...and Raye was our nurse. We have been friends ever since! I haven't seen her since just after Rylie was born.

At the end of February, my dad's best friend passed away. I was able to fly up to Denver to attend the funeral with him, and to spend some time with Kelsey and her family! It also gave me time to see old friends! This is Raye's baby girl, Tessa. She was born in December! She is absolutely beautiful...and her hair is to die for!

My dad with Kelsey's kids! Yes...there are two sets of twins!!!

So, with this trip, I finally got the chance to meet my new nephews!!! I must say, I fell in love with them from the moment I saw them...and I still miss them!!! This is Carter and Taylor. When I was there, believe it or not, I could tell them apart...I should have been able to...these two are not identical! But now, looking at the picture...I can't tell who is who!

These two on the other hand...are identical! But...I can tell you that Gavin is on the right in blue, and Kaden is on the left in red! (Right Kels?!) They are almost 5...and they are awesome! Total boys through and through! They kept me on my toes, and they taught me (well, actually reminded me...it had been a REALLY long time) how to play Super Mario Bros!!!

This is Kelsey's little princess, Samantha! She and I were roomies while I was there! Sam is almost 7 and she is such an awesome helper to her mom! She and Rylie are buddies...I just wish they got to spend more time together! We live way too far away!

This is Kelsey's hubby, Mike. We were laughing at how he completely dwarfs me! (I know...it seems like everyone does, I don't know why it always shocks me when I see pictures!)

And here I am with my sister, Kelsey...the superwoman! I don't know how she does it...but I can tell you this...she so didn't need my help! Not that I thought she would...so I just gave her a brake so she could go to Target ALONE! She also got in a few dates with Mike while dad and I were there! She is a pro at the multiples! She's also a great cook! We had a great time together! Just wish it could have been longer!

So, for the past two weeks, the kids were on spring break...I know...it was soooo early this year! We didn't get to go away or anything like that, since sports completely rule our lives in the spring! But, we did get a few days at the beach last week! The weather was perfect...and it wasn't even crowded! I absolutely love the beach...for lots of reasons! The above picture sums up why I love taking my kids there...their faces say it all!!! There is no such thing as a bad day with the kids, when we spend the day at the beach!

Rylie is the boogie boarding queen! The first thing she does after getting her sunscreen on is hit the waves!!!

Tuesday we went with Adrienne, Carter, and Sam. Carter is so funny! Adrienne is going to have her baby any day now. When they were talking about going to the beach, he said, "I think we should take another responsible adult with us"...I guess he didn't think his 39 week pregnant mom was going to be able to rescue him in the event of an emergency! I'm not sure I was what he had in mind, but all was well and we had a great time! He and Parker are buddies and have so much fun together!

Adrienne and Sam...she still builds sandcastles at 39 weeks! I can tell you this...I wouldn't have been able to get back up if that had been me! Even more amazing, when Rylie tripped while crossing the street, and her shake went flying, Adrienne bent down and grabbed it before any of it spilled!!! She did yell, "Save the Shake" as she dove for it - but I think any pregnant woman would have!!!! It was one of those you had to be there moments! We all laughed about it the whole way home! Rylie was very grateful to her for saving it...and so was I! (Because if Ry had lost hers, she would have gotten mine!)

LOVE IT!

We went back again on Friday with Lauren and Shane!

Both Mason and Parker are playing Club Soccer this year. They are on the Spartans - I think...they just changed their club name! Parker plays all over the place, but usually spends half of the game as the goalie! He is amazing!

They changed their colors when they changed their name, so these are just loaner jerseys...but the green does make for a nice picture!!!

So, Saturday morning, we headed out to the soccer field first thing in the morning. Then we rushed home for Baseball Opening day! Shane is one of Parker's coaches again this year!

After opening ceremonies, it was back to soccer! Here is Mason. He is in his second year with the club team. He chose to focus on soccer this year, so he isn't playing baseball.

This actually panned out to be a nice header!!!
Some of the other things that have been going on...Mason is an 11 year old scout this year. He has been doing lots of different things to earn merit badges. One of the things I think he has enjoyed the most is the fact that as an 11 year old, your dad has to be with you for campouts. He and Shane have gotten to freeze to death camping out together at the end of January, hike together, and a few other things!
Since Easter falls on Conference weekend for church, the kids got all decked out for church yesterday! Rylie can't wait for the Easter Bunny to come this weekend!