Graduation

I don't have a single photo of the day Kelly graduated from Western. It was an nice event but so busy I forgot my camera in the hotel. As you know I am proud of his accomplishments. He gets and deserves multitudes of praise. We have met some wonderful people along the way and have had many wonderful experiences. We miss the Evans, Draneys and Wards so much. Not to forget our friends in California and Oregon.

Disneyland

Margaret's first time to Disneyland was a success. Clara was able to go on big rides so she had an great time. The photo of her going on Splash Mountain is incredible. John felt pain of being left behind. However he did get an awesome Buzz Lightyear balloon and lots of cotton candy. I enjoyed going on my favorite ride, Big Thunder Mountain, with Anita. Both sets of grandparents came dispite my Dad's broken ankle. Kelly was the happiest and only fitting since he worked hard for four years to earn it. He loved the new 3D Star Tours.

Blessing Dress

 We blessed Margaret on Mothers Day. Kelly gave her a beautiful blessing. The priesthood is amazing and Margaret is an angel baby.

John & Margaret

 John is a kind and loving brother. I LOVE the way he says Margaret.

Octahedron Mobile

I was a little disappointed with the Munari Mobile. I enjoy watching it when I was nursing but I didn't even see Margaret glance at it. The octahedron mobile is different. She didn't see it at first so I turned her head and I saw her eyes go wide. She watched it for a while and it made me happy.

San Fancisco Lamp Post

Two Braid Buns

Tulip Festival

Monday we went up to Woodburn for the Tulip Festival. It was hot and beautiful.

Munari Mobile

I have been doing some reading about Montessori during the past year. I like a lot of the ideas and practices. I wish I would have known about it when I first started parenting but I am trying to incorperate some of the ideas. The Munari mobile is suppost to stimulate and develop infants vision and concentration. Clara and John both like watching Margaret watch herself in the mirror. I love seeing how she is drooling because she is so engaged.

Johnny

He can recite Amilia Mixed the Mustard, Jabberwocky, Daddy Fell into the Pond, and A Peanut sat. He loves Margaret and kisses her 20 times a day. He loves to wrestle with Clara. He clears his dishes. He loves to shoot guns. He is kind and loving.

Ode to Spring by Walter R Brooks

O spring, O spring,
You wondering thing!
O spring, O spring, O spring!
O spring, O spring,
When the birdies sing
I feel like a king,
O spring!

More Margaret

I think the last two are kind of oppisites. Back, front. Asleep, awake. Cluttered, space.

Sisters

My sister Lauren once crossed-stitched a little sampler for me that read "A Sister is a Special Friend." I have two sisters and they are both irreplaceable in my life. I feel fortunate that I was able to help Heavenly Father in giving the gift of a sister to my little girls.

My Beautiful Margaret

Margaret is here!!

We welcomed Baby Margaret into our home March 29. She was 6 pounds 11 ounces. 18 3/4 inches long. She is beautiful and we love her!

I have seen this view for approaching two years and have wanted to photograph it the entire time. The photo is sub par but I will try again.

Fluke Storm

Tuesday we woke up to a ton of snow (for Oregon.) Just about every other home on our street had a snowman and we contrubuted. What was fun too was that the snow stayed for about two days. It was wet and slushy but fun and different for spring.

Tulips

In our ward we have a tulip farmer. It is so nice to go to church every sunday and see beautiful bouquets up on the stand. One week Sister Iverson gave me the bouquet she brought. They were the most unusal tulips I had ever seen. Wild and fun.

Mo Willems is awesome in my book. We got hooked on his books when Tara read us We are in a Book. I highly recommend it. Clara loves reading them to John and John loves hearing them. It sure does make a parent pleased to see them sitting together sharing a book. Clara gets better at reading every day. She still guesses and misses words on occasion.
We have also been reading a lot of Berenstain Bear Books at the suggestion of Lauren. They have made a big difference in our home too. Ghost of the Forest is referred to at least 25 times a day and we read New Baby at the perfect time for Clara it be prepared for Margaret. All of them are good. We were sad to hear about Jan Berenstain passing away. Glad for her wonder influence in children's literature.

Bean Bag Fights

The toppled chairs are protection for Clara and John. Kelly is exposed so it is fun to see him get pelted by Clara's more acurate throwing. and John and Kelly are looking through there binoculars.