Logan - April/May 2014

Holy cow it's been a while.  I may have to just start saying I'm going to do these quarterly so I don't feel so bad about not getting them done every month.  You've heard the excuses already, so I'll just start into the letter for the last 3-ish months.

You've had a lot of fun with your brother and sister lately.  Sometimes I swear you guys don't stop fighting and then the next day you'll spend the whole day in the toy room playing so well that I don't dare interrupt you all to ask if you are hungry.  Church can sometimes be a different story, but one day Ty had my phone in an attempt to keep him from screaming and saying "Amen!' before the speaker had finished, and he ended up taking pictures of the three of us.  It was pretty funny.  One day at church a few months ago he grabbed a hold of my skirt and pulled it WAY up.  I was pretty embarrassed even though I don't think anyone else really noticed since we were sitting on our bench, but you were so funny later when I was telling your dad about it when you said, "Don't worry mom, when I was in kindergarten I accidentally took off my shirt when I was taking off my sweatshirt."  That DID make me feel better, mostly because I think you are sweet for trying to help me not feel embarrassed.

You and Tess and Ty LOVE laundry day because apparently laundry baskets are the BEST place to be.  Oh and an Oriental Trading catalog in the mail is a definite reason for celebration.  You guys love to flip through them and mark the things you want (which is almost everything).

For a while there the only way I could get Tyson clean was to bribe him by jumping in the shower with you.  Actually, I'm not entirely sure much cleaning got done, but I know Logan did help wash your hair and then after you were done slipping and sliding around he'd help you get out and you'd both sit by the "fire" to get warm before it was time to get dressed.

We were at grandma and grandpa Hillier's house one day when we noticed there were tons of butterflies out in their pasture.  You and Tess caught 4 butterflies, and then when you had chased the rest of them away we looked out and saw you two sitting like this.  We have no idea what you were doing, but it was pretty funny.

Either that same weekend or another time when we were in Hurricane we went to downtown St. George where they have a splash pad, carousel, and children's museum.  You guys had a blast.

Sir Logan the Lucky (We recently had a discussion about how nothing "super hero-y" starts with the letter L.  Then one day you said LUCKY!  LUCKY starts with L!)

In the recording studio with Ty, still wearing your Indian costume.

And on the carousel....

Coach pitch has already come and gone.  You were too young to be on the machine pitch team (which was fine with me), and you didn't complain about it once.  It was so fun to see you be one of the older kids on the team, and you really improved a lot in both your fielding and batting skills.  Your dad and grandmas and grandpas were all impressed with how much you improved and can't wait to see how you do next year.

The day of your first games (Tessa's too) you also had pictures and dad wasn't home.  By the time our crazy morning running around was done I needed a reward for surviving, so we headed to Junction for lunch and slushies.

I'm not sure what this is from - but I've got a picture of all 3 of you in the back seat from this day.  You guys must have asked for a picture.

On Easter this year we went to Dog Valley in honor of Uncle Wally.  We had a fun time eating and visiting with family, and you and the other kids had fun chasing lizards and playing on the ziplines.

Before we left you guys were able to do an Easter egg hunt too.

The First Grade Program was at the end of April, and you did a good job with your speaking part and on your "Teddy Bear Dance."  We got to hear you sing songs about all the things you'd learned, and then they showed a slideshow at the end with a cute picture of you.  I definitely learned that I need to form my own opinions about teachers before I judge them.  I wasn't very happy initially that you were in Mr. Willardson's class, but by the end of the year I had come to realize just how good of a fit it really was for you.  You excelled in reading and even got a trophy at the end of the year assembly for being one of the top 6 readers.  You reached 600% of your accelerated reading goal with over 240 points and are reading at a 4th-5th grade reading level.  You started learning how to type, kept up and did well with your math, your handwriting is getting better, and not once did I ever have to help you with a spelling word and you always got 100% on your tests.  You are such an amazing kid, and I am stoked to see what 2nd grade has to bring.

At the end of the year Mr. Willardson invited all the kids who hit a certain number on "Arthur's Reading Race" to come to his house for a horse ride.  You had such a fun time riding that horse and even let your brother and sister have a turn while we were there.  I thought it was great to see how much time Mr. Willardson put into letting his class come and enjoy something that he enjoys so much.

I forgot more than I remembered, but from time to time I tried to put a note in your lunchbox.  I sent one towards the end of school that said I <3 afternoon="" altered="" and="" cleaning="" d="" for="" hen="" i="" it="" left="" lunchbox="" me="" nbsp="" out="" p="" said:="" saw="" that="" u="" was="" you="" your="">

I posted a picture of it on Instagram and a more than one of my friends commented that most adults didn't know how to use to/too correctly, but my kid did!  Not only are you sweet to leave me notes but you use the correct spelling!  You melt this mom's heart.

One on of our recent trips to Panguitch you guys begged grandpa to go out in the tractor.  There wasn't any farming to be done that day, but he did take you out and let you all climb in.

Then you hopped in grandpa Ralph's John Deere for a few trips around the house.

A couple weekends ago we went camping with Uncle Dusty and Aunt Sylv for their annual Memorial Day camping trip.  Dad had planned to go but ended up going out on a fire, so grandma and grandpa Veater were nice enough to come down and get our trailer and pull it out for us.  It was snowing when we got to camp on Friday, but it warmed up from there, and we had a really nice time.  Poor grandpa and Uncle Dusty and Uncle Boo spent almost the entire weekend fixing the fourwheelers we'd brought, but you showed them how thankful you were by riding them around with Quade any chance you got.  When you weren't riding the fourwheeler you were off exploring and shooting BB guns with Quade or trying to cut down trees or saw them in half with a hand saw someone had brought.

And finally with school out of course we turned around and the day after we got home from our camping trip we went to the pool and bought our season pass.  We've been there 5 times already with no plans of slowing down.  I've got you on the list for swimming lessons in Fredonia later this summer, but you do pretty well getting from one side of the pool to the other already, even if you do splash a LOT in the process.

And finally last weekend was the Relay for Life.  We signed up with Brandon and Shannon Allen's team again this year, and we went and walked a bit Friday night while the booths and games were set up before dad got home that night.  I asked you if you wanted to get up early and come walk with me at 5:30 the next morning because you'd done it last year with dad.  You said, "With dad?"  I said no because he had to get up and go to work so he'd want to sleep as long as he could.  You thought about that for a minute and decided that even though it wasn't dad going that you'd still come.  I was pretty shocked because normally if something involves me and not dad you aren't interested, but the next morning you toughed it out and we had a fun walk around the track for an hour in the early morning.

I may not get these letters done as often as I'd like, but I hope I do them often enough that the things I write will help you (and me) remember what these days are like.  One of the things I feel like I've been blessed with lately is the ability to see that THIS, right here, is the greatest time of my life.  That's not to say that I don't have stress or bills or bad days or things I don't want to do, but it does mean that I am able to see the good and the fun and what an incredible opportunity it is for me to be able to be home with you guys and spends these sometimes LONG days with YOU.  I hope you'll be able to have this blessing too as you grow - that you'll recognize the good in what you have and always be able to feel like you are currently living in the BEST time of your life no matter what comes.

You are an amazing kid bud, and we love you.
Mom

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