Michelle's Ballet!

Last summer, Michelle decided she wanted to do ballet. She dances around the house all of the time and moves to music every time she hears it. I went in to sign her up and she missed the cutoff date by one week. The dance instructor talked to Michelle and I and said she would take Michelle on a trial basis. Well, here it is April and Michelle is still in ballet. Every Tuesday morning since July, after dropping Charles at preschool, I have been taking Michelle to ballet. She loves it! Today was picture day. The studio, the parents, and the students are all anxious for the ballet recital the end of May. Here are some of the pictures I took of Michelle in her costume after her dance class.

A Party with Aunt Sherri!

On Wednesday, April 15, we drove to Colorado Springs and met Gabe's sister Sherri and his parents at Chuck E Cheese. Since Sherri could not make it to Charles' birthday parties, we decided to meet to celebrate this sweet boy's birthday again. We had a wonderful time, just as we always do with Sherri, Grammy, and Papa.

The fun thing about Aunt Sherri is she becomes a little kid and simply enjoys time with Charles and Michelle.

This is a picture of the favorite ride for the day. You got in and picked an adventure. Then the screen came alive and you went on a roller coaster type ride. The seats you laid down in moved just like the video was moving.

After we played at Chuck E. Cheese for three hours, Aunt Sherri had gotten the kids kites. We wanted to fly them, but weren't sure where the nearest park was. We walked outside and there was an empty lot right next to Chuck E. Cheese. Sherri and I took the kids over to help them fly their kites.

This was the kids first experience flying kites. They loved it. Both of them did a great job keeping their kites in the air. We were so blessed to share this time with Sherri, Grammy, and Papa. Thank you for taking the time and sharing the time with us!!!

Easter 2009!

Easter is a wonderful time to reflect on our Savior and what the atonement means to each of us. I have really enjoyed Easter this year. We have tried as a family to be more centered around Christ instead of eggs and bunnies. I have been amazed at how much my children understand Easter and what Christ suffered and did for us.

One of my favorite parts of Easter this year was attending an Enrichment meeting centered on the last week of the Savior's life. We also talked about Passover and what takes place during this time. The different food from the Passover was served for refreshments. It was truely a wonderful and spiritual experience.

Every year, Easter brings new outfits for the kids and pictures. Here are this year's Easter pictures. Michelle's hair looks awful, but it was a fight to get her to do anything with it. She was insistant that it be down and not up in pretty bows of any kind. Some days it is easier to let her have her way than fight with her. The sad part, she is only three!!

A Trip to Utah

The first weekend in April was General Conference. We had the opportunity to meet some of my family in Salt Lake for Lena and Jazmin's baptisms. It was fun spending time together.

These are my nieces Lena and Jazmin with their new scriptures!

This is my brother Roy and his wife Angie. Jazmin and Lena belong to them.

Here is my sweet sister Resa and her boyfriend Brad with the kids.

I love this picture!!

My sister-in-law Meghan posed for this picture with Charles. Just as I took the picture, my brother Ryan stuck his head in! Charles thought this was so funny!

I love this picture too. Ryan (Biggie Bones is what the kids call him) and Michelle.

My dad with the in-laws.

Mom's turn with the in-laws.

My wonderful great-aunt Carol, who is always such a wonderful and gracious hostess. She gave a touching talk on baptism. Again, I love this picture.

We were all happy that Grandma Chocolate (on the left) and Aunt Shirley were able to come!

Grandma Chocolate gave a great talk on the Holy Ghost.

Here are my brothers and sister that were able to attend. We missed my brother Rob and sister Ronna. Hopefully we can all get together soon.

Charles Turns 5!!

Tuesday, Charles turned 5. I can't believe how fast the time has flown. It seems like we just found out we were expecting him. The last five years have been a whirlwind of fun, tears, joys, firsts, and more fun. Gabe and I were talking that it took us five years to have Charles join our family and now he is five years old. Him turning five has helped remind me that this time together is precious. Charles turning five has been a little difficult because my baby boy is 5!! But, at the same time, I am excited because I know he is ready to move on to another chapter in his life, Kindergarten!!

Since Charles had his birthday party with his friends on Saturday, we decided to make Tuesday special. He went to preschool and took cupcakes for his class. Gabe took the afternoon off, so when Charles got out of preschool, Gabe, Michelle, and I were waiting to take Charles to lunch. He wanted to go to Subway. That is his favorite place today! After lunch, Jack and Charlene came and we all went bowling for Charles' birthday. It was a lot of fun!

Charles bowled with and without the "track"!

Michelle taking her turn bowling. She doesn't look like she's having fun at all!!

After Gabe beat all of us at bowling, we drove home and ordered pizza. Charles ordered those extra, extra large pepperonis. I don't know why he likes them, but as long as he was happy. Following dinner, Charles opened a few presents. He was excited about his dinosaur race track and his new Star Wars game for the Wii.

This was Charles thank you to Michelle for the legos she got him!

Charles decided since we had a big cake at his party and I was already making cupcakes for his class, that I could just make a few extra cupcakes for his birthday and not make another cake. That was very considerate and made mom's life a little easier this day!!

The past five years have been great. Charles is very sensitive to others. He is especially sensitive to Michelle and they share a great relationship. I love listening to them talk and play with one another. They very seldom fight. Charles has a wonderful laugh. It is just as infectious as Gabe's. Very seldom to you hear Charles crying, he is a very happy child. If I need help, Charles is always willing to help out, no matter if it is with the laundry or cleaning the bathrooms. Charles loves Star Wars, Legos, watching movies, and learning. We are very proud of the young boy he has grown into. I am thankful every day that Heavenly Father answered our prayers to have children come to our home. You are a special boy. Happy Birthday my baby boy!!