May iPhone Dump

May is a month I really appreciate.

The woes of winter have completely worn away and the stress of June has yet to appear.

May is a month of fresh air.  

In every breath.

Also in May, we celebrate MEEEEE!!! and my motherhood.

 Perks of Allen's Chicago work trip.

 Boys perfecting the art of the grill.  Most specifically, ribs on the grill.

 Cuties celebrating Red Nose Day.

Ryder's first trip to the Manhattan Temple to do baptisms + Allen got to join.

 Dead{ish} trees came down.  Which provided hours of entertainment for all.

May is made of the good days.  

a-MAY-zing Day at the Beach

On Memorial Day we skipped town and headed to the beach for some much needed toes-in-the-sand time.

Beach days are always a good idea.

April iPhone Dump

And now for the April in-betweens:

While the boys are away, the girls with bathe in bubbles. And magic.  Lots of magic.

 Eden will take in the trash.

 And we we will all wear lipstick without chastisement.

 While the children are away at school, Eden will play in her world of makebelieve. Which I am certain is also mixed with much magic.

 Also, caught red-handed. 

Culprit and photographer yet to be identified.  

April showers certainly brought sunshine and rainbows.  

Still no flowers.

Ryder Turns 12!!

My baby boy is officially a young man.  

What? How? Why?

We gifted him a trip to Utah to celebrate this momentous occasion.

Also, to begin "The Great Indoctrination."

Because, BYU.

We picked him up early from school for what he thought was a dentist appointment. 

He didn't understand what was happening until we told him he had to get out of the car at the airport with his father and forced a suitcase into his hands. 

We are so cool.

Salt Lake City highlights:

Provo highlights (the trip was perfectly planned to coincide with Alex's graduation.  Two blinks and it will be my cute boy wearing the cap and gown. Insert sad face emoji.):

 When college friends collide:

 And more BYU buddies!!

 + a night with Amanda at The Pie

 She brought cookies.

 Operation Bleed Blue deemed a royal success.

When they finally returned home to us, we celebrated with cake and kisses.

This obnoxious, obstinate boy is so thrilling to mother.  He's smart and funny and handsome and loyal and fiercely loves God.  And me.  He also fiercely loves me.  The feeling is entirely mutual.

Happy birthday Ryder!!