.first day.

Wed., August 10 Wyatt started his first day of 1st grade...I was sort of dreading this day all summer. I couldn't believe he would be gone ALL DAY LONG!

It was a crazy morning.

The night before we had a birthday gathering at our house for my sister and everyone stayed late. When I woke the boys up at 7 they were still really tired. The night before we had laid their clothes out (including Luke, who doesn't actually start until the next Mon.)

Wyatt's after school snack! (my first attempt at rainbow cupcakes)

Mon., August 15 Luke started his first day of preschool...

He acted like such a big boy and didn't like me there taking pictures.

I felt much better about leaving my little Luke at preschool with his cousin Elizabeth!

.mother's day.

Mother's Day 2011

Jared and the boys treated me like a queen today! Before church they made up a scavenger hunt with my hidden gifts. The final gift was in the garage and I was surprised! Jared got me a mac laptop...he must've been tired of hearing me talk about how badly I wanted one! I had to be patient and wait to open it until after church. Jared made us some really yummy treats and dinner too. I'm pretty sure I even took a nap! Perfection. After playing around on the computer and taking silly pictures we packed up and visited with some family to end the night. Happy Mother's Day to me!

I am grateful to be a mother...of 3 beautiful, healthy children!...AND I am eternally grateful for a mother who loved me. She was (and still is) such an example to me. I often think of her and her life and wonder how I can be more like her. She was a beautiful person.

My kids are beautiful and perfect. I'd be lying if I said I recognized that everyday. It's so easy to get caught up with unimportant things. I want to take advantage of every second with them. I want to take advantage of every teaching opportunity that presents itself. I want to love them by teaching them true principles. I don't ever want them to grow up!

.Easter 2011.

Cookie decorating with cousins

Dying eggs

Annual Easter egg hunt at the Francoms

Easter brunch and hunt with Williams cousins

Easter desserts with the Webb family

New Easter shirts

Easter Sunday

Easter bunny

Easter baskets

Easter was very eventful!

.cabin.

Another fun conference cabin trip. Jared's parents left on another 6 month mission to Wyoming, but before we bid them farewell we were able to enjoy a couple days with them at the cabin. It's always a fun time at the cabin with lots of family, motorcycle rides, candy store trip, exploring outside, great weather, conference, omelets, visiting, and great food.

At the candy store

The chaos at the candy store...

Taking a walk

.Dos.

Showing me his stickers!

Going swimming

Opening up his birthday from G&G Williams (who are on a misson)

Levi turned 2 June 8! What a big boy with lots of personality!! Before Jared left for work we had Levi open up his presents. He got a motorcycle, a couple books, balls, and a Wii! What? The truth is the Wii is for the big boys, but we couldn't give it to Luke (whose birthday is a week later) because then Wyatt would think that was unfair...and then we didn't want to wait until Wyatt's birthday (at the end of August) because, well, that's just too long to wait!...so we decided that to be fair we would give it to Levi (since he didn't know what is was anyway)! Wyatt and Luke were really excited!

That day we grabbed some lunch and headed to the pool with some friends and cousins, and then that evening we had family over for some cake and ice cream.

Levi at 2 years old:

tells me "no mom!"

sometimes doesn't like to be tickled ("no tickle!")

gets into his messy diaper and gets it all over the place (so gross!)

points out every "arpane" and "hecopter" in the sky

at bedtime wants to "rock rock" and have me sing all the songs I know until he says, "bed"

loves his "bandet" and his thumb

is really mean to me most days (yells, pushes, tells me no, scratches). But, I still love him

has thrown a really good tantrum, biting, screaming, squirming out of my arms. Yes, there were lots of stares, and yes I did walk out of the store leaving my cart full of things in the isle.

gives great big kisses

pats my back and gives me hugs

loves his brothers

sometimes says, "otay mom!"

has gone potty in the toilet

still takes a 2 hr nap

loves to take baths ("tub")

loves to eat...especially sweets

always wants a "snack" (emphasis on the "ck" part)

will repeat numbers and letters

loves juice

when he burps he says, "Excuse me"

loves his aunts, uncles, and cousins

WE LOVE YOU, LEVI JOHN!