Violet Turns 4

This little cuddle-bug turned 4 over the weekend!

Since it was a Saturday, we had the whole day to celebrate! Travis wanted to take her on a special daddy-daughter date to the Loveland Aquarium. I knew it would be a big hit as she is such an animal lover. They had so much fun, I'm going to have to make a separate post about it.

After their busy day, we enjoyed her birthday dinner (pizza, melon, and crystal light :)) and we had funfetti cupcakes and neapolitan ice cream cones (she's was very specific in her choices this year).

We then opened presents. Jaxon really seemed to win this year with his homemade presents. Violet's favorite was a "recipe" Jaxon wrote for her for "blackberry soup" (aka water, dirt, wood chips from the backyard- they play this all the time).  Anyway, she adored it.

She definitely had a blast. We are so grateful for this little beauty with her mountain of hair and a big soft heart to match.

Lake Yuba

For Memorial Day, our good friends the Ascua's invited us to go to Lake Yuba with them. We had a blast! We packed up our kayaks and they had their canoe and we had a great time on the lake, even if the weather was at times temperamental!

Travis and Jaxon in the kayak, Ascuas in the canoe

We had never been to Lake Yuba before, though we we were pleasantly surprised how nice it was!

Unsuccessfully attempting to put on his life jacket

Taking the Ascua girls for a run

Maria and I

We wrapped up the evening with delicious, gooey smores.

It was such a fun day, we'll definitely have to come again. Mil gracias to the familia Ascua for inviting us!

Graduation Bowling

When I asked Jaxon what he wanted to do to celebrate his graduation, he said he wanted to go bowling. So that's what we did!

Can I just say, I've been loving the old-man gummy smile! He's lost a bunch of front teeth since January, and now one is just barely starting to grow back in. Had us worried there for a while that nothing was going to grow back!

Violet shows lots of excitement when she bowls.

Jaxon Graduates Kindergarten

Jaxon graduated from kindergarten this past week. He was very... ready to be done.

Granted, kindergarten was pretty dull for Jaxon academically, which in turn did cause behavior problems throughout the year. But he greatly needed the social interaction with peers as he is a bit behind socially.

Just check out his excitement at his school dance festival-

Yup, that's my kid in the front, having the time of his life. When I asked him why he didn't want to dance he said, "No me interesa." (It doesn't interest me.) *Heavy sigh* Well he still looks cute in the getup anyway!

And I am grateful that he had a great teacher whom he greeted most days with a hug.

Congratulations, Jaxon! Can't wait for the new adventures that await you in first grade!

Spring Activities

It's definitely been a fun spring. We've still had to adjust our activities as per the wet/dry days, but that didn't stop us from having fun!

One particular wet day we went to the Eyring Center and tested out their scientific toys.

Followed of course by doughnuts and BYU's famous chocolate milk.

We enjoyed as much time outside as possible on the sunny days.

Violet helped me plant some flowers.

We invited cousins over another day and made smoothies and built forts.

No Girls. Britain and Jaxon are allowed. Do not get in our secret fort! 

Dangerous! (Skull and Crossbones)

And of course the kids have taken turns getting over colds/ear infections. When Jaxon sleeps in till 10:30 it's never a good sign.

I'm sad for the cool weather to go, but excited for the fun activities we have planned this summer!

Fluctuating Temperature

The weather has really thrown us a curve ball the last couple of months, which means our activities have been all over the place as well.

When it was cold, the kids loved spending hours in this castle/maze Travis made for them. It was actually pretty incredible. The kids loved it and used it for weeks till it was in a very sorry state and had to be dismantled and recycled.

Then it got unusually warm, so we took many family walks around our new neighborhood and up the canyon.

Trying to spot our house and other familiar buildings

We then got another couple of storms and who knew we'd be sledding into March?

 

Then it got warm and we spent time at the park. (Ginger loves slides!)

Hopefully it continues to stay warm!

Flag Football

With our kids, it seems the athletic gene seemed to pass over Jaxon and fall on Violet instead. So I looked up what classes were being offered for her age and flag football it was! She was the only girl in the class but she barely noticed it.

She loved it, and did very well!

And she was definitely the cutest player on the team!