May Miscellaneous, 2019

We all totally love Penelope and the kids think its especially fun when she comes to our house to visit.  On this day Luke was having a tough time and lying in his bed being sad.  I brought Penelope in and after he held her and played with her for a bit, he suddenly found his spirit and smile.  

Luckily she's patient with everyone's loving on her

Tim and Luke went to Fathers and Sons and had so much fun, well at least they did until it was time to go to bed and it was freezing cold.  Apparently they didn't sleep much so they got up early Saturday morning and headed to IHOP for breakfast.  If the point of the activity is bonding, I think they got plenty of that.  

After Tim got home and cleaned up, he headed out to Ogden to spend the day with Brycen.  Their definitely always involve food and they said that Texas Roadhouse was delicious.

While Tim went to hang with Brycen, the kids hung out with Grandpa and Grandma Whitesides.  They built marble races, jumped on the trampoline, and made slime.

My cousin Suzi invited me to ride the Frontrunner Century Ride the first weekend in May.  It was a metric century, so 62 miles, but that still seemed like a long way for an early spring ride.  It had rained and been cold most weekends before the race, but somehow we got lucky and had beautiful weather.  We rode with a group of her friends, mostly guys, who were willing to pull for us, so it was fast and fun!  Over the last few years Suzi and I have ridden a lot together and have had a great time.

Tim and Brycen showed up at the end which was a great surprise

The moment when they learned to make fart noises with their arms. 

Ruby loved this fancy hairdo

Hope's Baking School

Cupcakes

This year for Mother's Day, the guys got together and planned and took care of making dinner.  They even had the kids practice a song to sing for us.  Before everyone came for dinner, I had the most enjoyable day resting and hanging out with the kids.  Luke and Ruby both wanted a half hour of alone time with Mama.  Ruby and I had a picnic and Luke and I did sack races.  Even though I'm with them a lot more now, it was still really great to spend the one on one time with each.

Luke and Ruby started swim lessons at Utah Swim Academy.  Their methods are a little different - they really focus on survival swimming and making sure the kids can float and get themselves turned over if they were to fall in.  Luke has picked it up really quickly but Ruby has been a little more of a challenge.  I'm not sure if either will ever really fall in love with swimming, but I definitely feel better just knowing how much their skills have improved. 

Erika stopped by for a few minutes on her way headed south.  We love any chance to see her - Luke and Ruby are especially in love with their big sister!

Luckily Taylor lives close so we are able to see him more often

Tim's reward for a hard ride in the wind. 

Luke started a new season of baseball and was so excited to no longer be playing T-ball.  I had the option of coach pitch or machine pitch and picked machine pitch because I thought it would be easier.  Turns out that hitting from the machine is pretty tough, and I could have probably transitioned him a little better.  But he didn't seem too intimidated by any of it and was just excited to play ball.

Ruby and Tim found plenty of critters at the river trail.

  

And a few crazies!

While Grandma was gone, Brycen and Erika visited Grandpa and took him some soup.

And just like that, the school year was over!!!  Luke had such a great first grade year and learned so much.  He loves school and is always excited to tell me all of the things he has learned.  I knew that he had really grown up but couldn't believe the difference when I put his pictures side by side.  I know I can't stop time, but I sure hope his love for learning and life never dulls. 

These girls gave the cutest performances!

Always dress up, every day!