1st grade field trip

I got to go with Luke and his class to the Hee Haw Farms. 

 Fortunately, this was a field trip the younger boys could tag along too and had a blast as well.  The first thing we got to do was hang out with goats and pigs and cows and Luke was happy to stay outside the fence...

Sam and Nate were all over the petting zoo..  We finally convinced Luke to just come inside and as you can see by the picture.. was still very hesitant.  But he did it, and the animals behaved well for him.

 They had a corn pit which was very fun to dig and roll around in.

 They taught the kids about dairy cows and gave the all frozen go-gurts.  They taught them about planting seeds and sent us home with 3 sunflowers in a cup of dirt to plant.

 Free time was great because there were a couple sweet slides built up on the hay stacks.

 Great day at the farms! so glad the weather held out... it is currently pouring rain now!

Back to the CITY... NYC

Taylor had a conference and so I took the chance to go and see our old stompin' grounds.  We started the morning is a easy jog through battery park city.  The tiny statue in the back is Ms. Liberty herself.  It looked bigger in person, we really weren't that far away. 

 Actually, our hotel overlooked ground zero which was king of neat to see each morning.

 We really aren't sight see-ers, we just wanted to see the things we loved about new york... eating and central park!  So we spent most the day on Friday hanging out at the park and walking through our old neighborhood on Central Park West.

 This picture is of me and Taylor in front of our old door... And that is Taylor on our street on 95th.  Isn't is so clean and neighborhoodie for NYC?  I just LOVE the upper west side.

 We also wanted to see a few shows, because when we have kids in the city... it's not something you can do.  You have to take advantage of the nights out when you can.  We saw Cinderella and Wicked.  Below is a picture of one of the actors in Cinderella.  We actually met him in Switzerland while we visited Taylor's parents on their mission.  He was a missionary too.  He was very talented and so sweet to visit with for a few minutes.

 It makes you feel like you are important when you can wait by the stage door and talk to the actors. At first security wouldn't let us in, but then when Peter came out he was very nice and seemed thrilled to have well wishes from Taylor's parents.   I wanted to say to the guard, "I told you so."  But I didn't.

 

I had to get one shot of the subway.  It is still the same, however we did notice one upgrade. Now they have digital signs that let you know when the next train is arriving.  It is way easier to travel that way knowing if you should wait for the express or just take the local etc.  I don't mind waiting, but it's so nice to have some sort of expectation. Oh yeah, and the street performers where always great.  I love that about New York.  We got to visit with some friends and just relax for the weekend.  SO FUN!  I don't know if I can take my family to live there... but I'm thinking about it. :)

Hershey Track Meet

Jake has looked forward to this day ALL year.  The best part of 3rd grade so far has been preparing and participating in the Hershey Track meet.

 Here is Jake with his buddy Max..  This was the start of the day and spirits were very high.

 The soft ball throw was okay, but not Jake's strong point.  :)

 Above Jake is getting ready for the 400 meter. One time around the track.  He did awesome in this race.  He was neck and neck with the kid in the Orange and barely came in second.  he ran it in 1:20 which was 8 seconds faster than he'd ever run it before.  He pushed hard. The winner only got 1:19.  So if they would have had finals, he would for sure have ran in those.  They don't tell you everyone's times, so we don't know his overall placement.  But for sure in the top 5 or 6.

 You can see Jake in Lane 1... This was the 200 meter race and he also got 2nd in this one. 

Our all-star!  Next year he wants to sign up for the 100 so he can try to make it to the finals.  2 Races just wasn't enough for our little endurance boy! We were proud of him and he had a great time in the sun... running..... and eating snacks all day instead of doing school work.  Of course.. the best day of the year!

Nate is 3! How can that be??

 Can't have a birthday without Breakfast in bed... Little Natie was so excited he got out and then ran and got back in when we were ready to bring it in to him.

 He enjoyed all the nice things we took turns saying while he ate all his yummy food.

 Iron man was the party of choice for Nate.  So we bought a suit and headed to Chuck E. Cheese.  What more could a super hero want. :)

 The big gift was (wait for it...)  A NEW CAR!!!  he and all the boys are thrilled.  he can actually drive it pretty well for a 3 year old. :)

 Of course, it's not really a party without a cake and since I was buying, I chose the perfect one for Nate... an ice cream cake.  Kind of selfish, I know.  But all the kids liked it too.

 

Oh how we love you Natie.  I didn't have a babysitter to take Nate to today, so I brought him with me to help in Luke's class.  He fell asleep on the drive there and the nice office ladies let me borrow a cushion from the office couch to lay him on.  He slept for 2 hours. Even with noisy chinese speaking kids!  I had to document this and it's so cute that it was on his birthday!

Nate -- we sure love you and are happy that you are growing up so big and strong.  We are proud of you for giving all you baby bottles to Elliet (Katie's new baby) and you don't need them anymore.  You are a champ. I'm so lucky to be your mom Natie!!

Spring Break Fun!

 I always love to take the kids to the Sand Dunes when we go visit in the spring.  It gets too hot in the summer, but it was PERFECT for spring break.  The kids were thoroughly covered in sand by the time we were done.  It was great!

 Jake in the jumping contest....

 Ellie and Laura playing in the sand.. Nate got buried and thought it was great!

 My dead boys.. They really look like they were so exhausted they just gave up and died on the sand dunes.. :)

 Steve's company bought a new ranch for the trouble teens he works with in Cedar.  They boys got to go fishing and they were in heaven. :)

 I love this picture of Nate all wrapped up in his blankie asleep.

 Grandma only had a super woman suit, so we had to make it do.  He's a fierce one, that Nate.

Lucky for the boys they all got their first sewing lesson from Grandma.  She even bought a sewing machine just for the grandkids.  They made little bags for their kindles and loved it.  They were pretty good too.  Of course, we swam at Grammie and Grandpa Nadauld's pool and one night while Taylor and I went to the temple, they took the boys to the baseball game.  My boys get spoiled in St. George. NO WONDER they love it so much!!

Easter fun..

I am so bad with pictures lately!!  I am taking a lot of video and forget to snap some still shots.. but here the boys are decorating eggs for family night.  We had a "smashing" egg-bust the next day and made egg salad sandwiches.  Me and Jake were in Heaven... YUM

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You can probably guess which one Taylor decorated!!  Jake's is on the left and says 'BYU' of course.  and Lukes says, "I love my mom" in the back.   awe.. so sweet my boys are. :)

 We went to Heber on Sat and had a great egg hunt at the Deer Pastures.  I only took video there too... what is my deal???  Then, on Sunday they each woke up to find a few eggs and candy and little Easter Basket.  FUN TIMES!! it was the PERFECT Easter day.  I wish I took pictures of them all.  They were HANDSOME HANDSOME in their new suits and ties. :)