Tessa - April/May 2014

Oh Tessa girl, the last couple months have been a bit busier now that it is starting to get warmer.  We've gone a couple of times to Hurricane, and I had to get this picture of grandpa H. trying to get you and Logan to settle down for bed.  You guys love it when he reads to you.

This was on our way home from that trip (I think).  I remember grandma had sent me a text asking if you guys had fallen asleep on the way home, and this was my reply.  You guys crack me up.  Lately you have been staying awake in the car on our trips home from grandma's house - even when the boys fall asleep.  We must have worn you out somehow this day.

A random shot of you guys hanging out in your laundry baskets.  I will never understand the fascination.

I can't remember what you and your dad were doing at the table for this picture, but your conversation had something to do about you always liking your dad.  You said that you always would, and he made you pinky promise.  Then he told me that I had to get the camera to document it.  So here's the evidence that we will pull out when you decide to be a punky teenager - once upon a time you pinky promised your dad that you would always like him.

On one of our trips to Hurricane you and Logan took your butterfly nets into the field to catch butterflies.  You ended up with 4 that day, and after you had chased them all out of the field you did this.

We went to the Children's Museum in St. George and had a blast.  You especially liked dressing up - first as a queen...

...and then as a performer on a stage.  You sang and sang on that stage.

Then we walked over to the carousel and rode that a couple times before heading to In 'N' Out for hamburgers, fries, and shakes.  We had a really fun day.

I'm laughing at this picture now because it doesn't look like you are wearing pants - but then again neither is Tyson.  You guys sure do like your TV shows, and this is how I'll find you quite often.

T-ball started again, and you have been so excited.  You've only had 1 game so far, and in Tessa style the first at-bat you had you hit a really great hit, and then started to run to third base!  Oh how I love watching you play t-ball.  You had 3 really good hits and spent your defense time chasing every ball that came even kind of close.  I'm so glad you have fun.

After your games I felt like we deserved lunch, so it was off to Junction for lunch and some bubblegum slushies.

You in your hat and Ty in Logan's.  A couple of goofs for sure.

On our way home from Dog Valley you were the only one who stayed awake the whole time, and I have no idea how.  We'd had a long weekend in Panguitch that ended with a picnic and Easter egg hunt in Dog Valley.  The boys, and even me and dad, were wiped out - but you stayed awake the whole way home.

We went over to Hurricane for Aunt Lisa's baby shower this past weekend, and on Friday night we went over to Aunt Lisa and Uncle Joe's house to see the bunnies they are raising.  They have them in all different stages from 1 week old to these that are a few weeks old, and Uncle Joe got one out for you to hold.  You were in bunny heaven of course.

The next day at the shower you were a big help setting up and getting everything ready and then sitting by Aunt Lisa and helping her unwrap her presents and put them on the gift table.  You sure do love our "girls days."  We just need Aunt Lisa to cooperate and give us another girl to have girls days with. :)

We sure do love you Tessa Sue, and I can't believe next month you will be 5.  You are so excited for your birthday but at the same time you keep telling me you don't want to be 5.  I think your dad has pretty much talked you into not wanting to grow up.  I can see his point - even though we love to see you grow and learn it is hard to see you leave the fun stages you are in right now.  It's okay to grow up though because there are always new fun adventures to come.

Love you sis,
Mom

Tyson - March/April 2014

March and April have been a bit busier as things have started to warm up.  Not only have we done more stuff inside, but you've become as addicted to my phone as I'll let you be, and that has led to you learning how to take pictures of yourself.  These two were while we were in church because holy moly child you can be a terror to try to keep from screaming, "It's time to go HOME!" loud enough for everyone to hear and laugh at.

We've had a few good storms in the last couple months, which of course makes a tempting mud puddle in the dip in our driveway.  What's funny about this is I saw the white shirt in your closet that morning and thought, I don't think he's ever worn that - probably because it's white and he'll ruin it.  Oh well.  And then I let you go outside and play in a mud puddle after telling you not to get muddy.

Sometimes I seriously doubt myself as a mother.

But you guys got to be kids, and it all comes out in the wash.

Except the mud on the white shirt.  That didn't come out.

We went to the State Basketball finals in Richfield because Panguitch was playing, and Bosten and Quade were there with grandma and grandpa too.  I was hesitant to go in the first place because you honestly are exhausting to me to take anywhere, but your dad convinced me.  We made it through the game without too much of a problem and then went to eat at Taco Time.  You guy were kind of all going crazy and I made an exasperated face and your dad said something about me blowing things out of proportion.  Then a few minutes later when I stood up to refill our drink you hit the edge of the tray that my yummy, amazing, Taco Time food was on and it flew threw the air and onto the floor.  Super.  I looked back at your dad and asked if I was still blowing things out of proportion?

I'm pretty sure this is another one you took of yourself in the messy toy room.

We had a sleepover at grandma Hillier's house one night, and grandma and I couldn't stop laughing at your hair the next morning.  I remember it being a pretty rough night trying to keep you asleep, and you definitely showed it.

One day as I sent Logan in to shower you decided you were getting in with him.  I'm pretty sure the two of you just slid back and forth in there the whole time before I made you get out.  Then Logan turned on the "fire" and you two dorks sat there and got warm for a few minutes.

I cut my hair off in September. It's not my favorite.  Neither are those glasses now that I look at them.  You're cute though.

Speaking of glasses, you found some of Tessa's one day and decided you couldn't live without them.  Don't mind the fact that you are still wearing your pajama shirt.  At least you are wearing pants.  Some days that is my biggest victory.

On another trip to grandma Hillier's house Logan and Tessa caught some butterflies from their field and put them in a jar.  You were obsessed and loved to watch them.

On that trip we also went to the Children's Museum in St. George, and you guys had a blast.

Then we went over to the carousel and found the craziest horse to ride.  Notice that your foot is all wet?  They had an exhibit where you could stand in the middle of a circle and pull a bubble up around you.  We couldn't get it to work, so you just stepped in the bubble solution and called it good.

I was at Tessa's t-ball practice talking with Haven's mom saying that I used to see pictures of kids doing crazy things and wonder why their parents didn't watch their kids and how I know better now.  She agreed, and we exchanged some stories (Haven is about 6 weeks older than you), and she said that just the other day Haven had spilled a gallon of milk on the counter.  That day had been crazy, so when we got home from practice I was in my room talking with dad when I heard someone getting the milk out of the fridge.  I didn't think much of it until I heard splashing, and I KNEW right away what was going on.  I didn't even get mad or yell, just grabbed my phone, took a picture, and went and laid down on the bed for 5 minutes before I got up the desire to clean up the mess.

Here's you just being cute in Logan's coach pitch hat.  This is why you are still alive - you can be so cute when you want to be.

You used to HATE the car wash.  I'm pretty sure I've documented that in these letters at some point.  Well the other day on our way to Panguitch dad took the truck through, and you didn't scream!  You just held on to your siblings' hands and closed your eyes tight.  You were hamming it up more than you were actually scared, but it was still pretty funny.

While we were in Panguitch we got to spend some time with cousin Paizley.  You pretty much adored her and stayed by her side whenever you could.  You also didn't mind riding in her pink jeep.

We went out to Dog Valley on Easter Sunday where Logan caught a lizard.  I thought you would be a little more afraid of it than you were, but you let us put it in your hands.

And you got your share of candy on the Easter egg hunt.  We missed our usual outing out at Kodachrome this year, but Dog Valley was a pretty good substitute.

And you only got a little dirty and tired.

You fell asleep on the way from Dog Valley to Panguitch, but then you woke up as we headed from Panguitch to Kanab.  You were still so tired but not sleeping, so this is the face you made a lot of the way home.  It was cracking us up.

And, yes, the splash pad is back on.  Summer is officially on its way now, and we can no longer go to the park without throwing towels in the back of the car in case someone decides to get in.  For some reason there is no middle ground with you guys - you either stay away or you get completely drenched.  It definitely makes me look forward to summer.

A few weeks ago we were at the park and you told me that the firs weasel was broken.  I was obviously confused and asked you to say it again, and you said, "The firs weasel is broken. It's not going."  I looked to where you were looking and realized you were talking about the big windmill in the park.  Then I realized you were calling it a ferris wheel -  not firs weasel.  I laugh about that one every time we go to the park now.  Everyone comments on how well you talk, but I love the things that aren't quite right more than anything.

You may be a terror, and even grandma Hillier agrees that I have a valid reason for you being our last baby, but we love you so much and wouldn't trade you for the world.

There's still a small chance we may try to find a temporary home while you finish getting your molars though.  Just bite me again and see what happens.

Love you kiddo,
Mom