Sara Marie's Blessing

I finally got a pic of little Sara Marie Nelson, Norm and Ariel's daughter born April 26th. She was blessed this past Sunday (May 22).

Me getting my baby fix...

 Averi and Ella love babies...

 I think Avi's leaning in for a kiss here...

That's Ariel's mother holding Sara.

Can't Stop Telling These Stories

If Taylor doesn't arise by 7:30, I have to help him along. Today, he was quite diligent about getting dressed in a hurry and then going downstairs to get his breakfast.

When I went downstairs a bit later, I noticed that his cereal bowl hadn't been touched yet. It wasn't a huge deal because he still had a bit of time left before we had to leave for school, but I wondered why he hadn't eaten yet.

He had been UNLOADING the dishwasher!!! My stars (I've never used that one before...)!! He stated that he hadn't been able to do the "high up" stuff but that didn't matter in the least, of course!!

*sigh* Could a "little" 5-year-old boy be more perfect?? ;)

Day Out With Thomas

I've been wanting to take Taylor to Day Out With Thomas since he first showed interest in trains! The day finally arrived... Shawn said I could take our boy!!!

We went with my friend and neighbor, Stefanie, and her son, Seth.

Taylor was quite content to play with all the Thomas toy train tracks that were around...

...while I stood in line for face-painting...

Taylor chose to have his face painted as Thomas before I even read the options to him.

They did such an amazing job!!!

(That bandana around his neck is one that Stef bought to scrapbook but she let Taylor wear it because Seth had a shirt and he didn't... So sweet!)

They had Sir Topham Hat around for photos but, just like with Santa Claus, Taylor was too scared to go through with it. So I got his photo with the backdrop later on.

And then, of course, there was THOMAS!!!

I forgot to mention that this whole thing was a SURPRISE for Taylor! I kind of expected a little more enthusiasm but I guess he's getting kind of old for Thomas. Though he's never stopped asking to ride Thomas... Perhaps he had a different idea of the whole experience. We have, after all, ridden the train at Heritage Park quite a bit.

After getting teeny, tiny ice cream cones, there was a little maze that Taylor and I went through...

This may be just a new addition to Heritage Park rather than associated with Thomas the Train...

Regardless, we had a fabulous little time!!

Mother's Day

Taylor made me a wonderful Mother's Day present at school: a water-drop necklace. It came with a little bucket card that said "You fill my bucket."

This stems from a story the class read about everyone having "buckets" with water in them. Some people fill them with more water and some people take water out of our buckets. It was, of course, a metaphor for self-esteem so it was really a special card and present.

Taylor was very diligent about helping me to tidy up on Mother's day as well.

Today, Taylor said the kindest words about how much work I do around the house. When I thanked him, he said that he liked to make people happy! How sweet is that!

Squeeeeeee!!!!

For the first time ever, Ella went pee on the potty!!!

She has quite often sat on the potty, but had yet to produce anything.

Yippee!!!!

Blog Design Giveaway

LeeLou Blogs is giving away a free custom blog design package at the Green Jello with Carrots blog! (Is that a totally LDS name or what!?) A custom blog is something I've been dreaming of for my papercrafting blog and so I had to participate in this contest!! ;)

Ariel's Baby!

Ariel had her baby just after lunch today. Sara Marie Nelson, 7lbs 3oz! Can't wait to visit the little tyke!

Congrats, guys!!!

Easter Revisited

I found a few things today that I'd forgotten to pull out for Easter...

Love the "ears!!"

Taylor loves his puzzles...

Noodle Face

 Guess she wasn't full after dinner after all!

Cousin Becca

Cousin Becca, Uncle Norm and Aunt Ariel (still awaiting baby #2!) came over for Easter supper. Nothing fancy, just what I had on hand... ;)

After dinner, I threw my two girls in the tub. Cousin Becca kept trying to get in but I kept reminding her that she had her clothes on. Didn't seem to make a difference to her, though, for as soon as I had taken Avi to her room to get her PJs on, *SPLASH!!*

Ella didn't know what to think!

Easter!

Decorating eggs at Stefanie's house... Thanks, Stef!

A Big Walk

We went to visit the ducks and geese and then to a playground... It's so wonderful having nice weather!

Taylor the Clown

Creative Taylor

Taylor had a magnificent idea and designed/constructed this himself!

 "I-am-a-ro-bot..."

Now Do You Believe Me?

Ella's the worst monkey of my bunch!

Li'l stinker!!