Preschool Graduation

My little sunshine, Mason, graduated from preschool this last week. He has loved every minute of preschool. He was one of only a few who received 100% attendance. His teachers were absolutely wonderful and everyday he came home with some new project they had been working on. He loved singing all the songs and would practice them at home for anyone who would listen.

The Graduation program was adorable. All the kids knew exactly where to stand, what to say, all the words, and when to hold up their special signs. Mason got to hold up the big, fat turkey during the Thanksgiving song and he thought that was quite the honor!

This is Ms. Jacque asking Mason what he wants to be when he grows up. Nice and clear Mason said, "I want to be a ROCK STAR!"

Mason was really lucky to be able to attend preschool with his best friend Hank who lives just down the street. These two are what best buddies should be. They play so cute together and love being with each other. It also was nice that we could carpool to preschool.

Mason, we are so proud of you. You are already a star to us! Thanks for doing such a great job on your program and singing so well. I got a little emotional through some of it because it is hard watching you grow up, but at the same time, I am so excited for you. You will be the best Kindergartner ever and I know you will love every minute of that too. Thanks for lighting up our lives with your sweet, cheerful, loving self! Congratulations little graduate!

My Highest Priorities

Like any busy, working mom, there are 101 things I should be or could be doing every moment of everyday. There is never enough time to do everything I should do, let alone what I want to do. But through it all, it is these four faces that make everything worth it. They are by far my most important asset and investment. They make my life worth living and give me something to look forward to each day. I love these guys!

A Decade Old!

Can this really be true? Can I really be the mother of a ten year old? Where has the time gone? Will Mitchel ever know how he has changed me, made me better, helped me to learn and grow, and given me a reason to wake up everyday? It's been quite the experience for both of us and I am so grateful that Mitchel was willing to come down first and show me the ropes of being a mom. The morning began with presents from Mom and Dad. Mitchel is really fun to find presents for because he loves to build things and anything related to Science. The best place for stuff like that is Hobby Lobby where Mike found him some rockets to launch into space. We also got him a build your own remote control car among a few other little things.
That afternoon, we went out to lunch at The Mayan. Then it was time for the family party that night. We invited everyone in both the Miller and Harker families, and most everyone came. That is a lot of people for my little house, but we all squeezed in tight to celebrate with Mitchel. Grandma Miller made the cake and cupcakes while I made Lemon Bars (Mitchel's favorite dessert).

Mitchel loved all the attention and gifts he received from his cousins, but his biggest surprise was an Ipod from Aunt Tracy and Grandma and Grandpa Miller. Tracy had loaded it up with over 100 songs and Mitchel has been jamming out to it around the house ever since. Max and Mason could not be more jealous and now both want one of their own.

I really can't believe how grown up Mitchel is becoming. He has so many great qualities. I think in honor of his tenth birthday, I will list 10 things that I love about Mitchel.

1) He loves to read and has really gotten into the Percy Jackson series lately along with Greek and Roman Mythology.

2) He is a hard worker, he works quickly, and he doesn't complain about working hard.

3) He is a good big brother and shares everything he has with his younger brothers.

4) He is so dang smart. He soaks up information like a sponge.

5) His laugh when he watches something funny on T.V. or reads a funny part in the book is so genuine and contagious.

6) He is very close to the spirit and can recognize when he feels the Holy Ghost.

7) He has a strong desire to do the right thing, even though it is hard sometimes.

8) He likes to stay up late reading, and yet is able to pop out of bed in the morning. He must be a night and a morning person (a little bit of Mike and a little bit of me)
9) He loves school and loves to learn.

10) He is very particular and has his favorite of everything and knows exactly what he likes and doesn't like. I guess you could say he is stubborn, but I think later in life, this quality might come in handy, even though it drives me crazy sometimes.

Mitchel really is amazing and I just feel like he is destined to be great in this life. Maybe every mother thinks that about her kids, but for some reason, I just know Mitchel is here to do something special. He was sent here, at this time, to our family for a reason and I feel a great responsibility to teach him well and to help him see his potential. I am so blessed to be his mom. I know that sometimes I am a little more hard on him than the others and I expect more out of him, but maybe that is the curse of being the oldest boy. I love him more than my heart could express and he truly has been a blessing to me these past ten years. Happy Birthday Mitchel and I love you!

Easter

Not much to say about this holiday, other than, it happened.

Coloring eggs was good. Getting an easter basket was better.
Putting Easter baskets on our heads while driving to Easter dinner at Aunt Tracy's was even better.

Finding eggs filled with candy was the best!

That's all we have to say about that.

Spring Break 2011-Zion National Park

It is always so hard to choose which pictures to put on here after a vacation. I take A LOT of pictures. This trip was just what we all needed to escape the cold, dreary, rainy spring we have been having here at home. Zion was full of sun and perfect, short sleeve shirt temperatures. We took Aunt Tracy and Grandma and Grandpa Harker along with us too. This was our first chance to test out our tent trailer that we bought in January. It was awesome! We were able to fit all our stuff in it and still have plenty of room for all of us to sleep very comfortably. (G&G Harker slept in a tent)

I love how the side of the trailer pops out with this table. We can all sit and eat breakfast on it out of the cold.
The hikes in Zion are beautiful. Since it is early in the Spring, there are a lot of waterfalls that disappear later in the summer.

These are the "Emerald Pools."

This was the view on the way down from the Emerald Pools. It was amazingly gorgeous and this picture does not do it justice.

We saw some petroglyphs. Zions is really secretive about their petroglyphs and don't advertise how to get to them. This is the only one the ranger would tell us about.

As always, the boys earned their "Junior Ranger" badges.

Another cool hike was "Weeping Rock." The water right now is just pouring down through all the sandstone and it makes these green hanging gardens. Again, the view was so much more amazing than what a picture can show.

What would a camping trip be without a little sword fighting? (and yelling, and getting in trouble, and bugging each other, and getting dirty, and jumping off rocks, and just being crazy boys!)

Mike and I took one hike by ourselves. It was a short one that I can't even remember the name of, but the view from the top was awesome.

On the way home on Friday, we took a few side trips. One was to the ghost town of Grafton, UT. Mason keeled over and died so we put him with the rest of the dead people.

Our last stop was to Kolob Canyon where we took another short hike to the overlook. Look at those white, puffy clouds and blue sky. It felt great! Once again I am so grateful that Mike taught me how to love and appreciate camping and hiking. It is such a great time for my family to be together. I love everything about it, except for the smelly laundry when we get home. We already know we will have to return to Zion in the future because there was a lot we were not able to see. Mike and I are dying to do the Angel's Landing hike, but couldn't because it is too dangerous for our kids. Hopefully in a few years, we'll all be able to do that one together. It was a great trip and I'm glad we were able to get away for a few days.

My Favorite Weekend

I LOVE conference weekend. Obviously it is great because we get to sit around in our PJ's all day and snack on whatever we want. But I also love it for the "recharge" I get from listening to all the uplifting and inspiring messages from true prophets and apostles of God. I'll be the first to admit that being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is time consuming, demanding, and a lot of work. There are times that I think to myself, "Is this all worth it?" Then I watch conference and I am again reminded that YES! It is all worth it and I can totally do it! Conference makes me want to be a better wife, mother, friend, sister, daughter, teacher, YW president, neighbor, and everything else. It puts life back into perspective. It focuses me again on the eternal perspective of things. This conference in particular reminded me again that I am here for a purpose and there is work for me to perform. Will it always be easy? No. But the scripture "Where much is given, much is required" always comes to mind. I am so blessed and I know that Heavenly Father will make it possible for me to do all that he wants me to do. So, I loved watching General Conference. I wish it would last longer. (Which is really funny, because as a kid, I thought it lasted forever!)

So here are some things that kept my kids busy over Conference weekend. Friday the weather was so absolutely gorgeous that the kids went out to build a "fort" in our tree. On Sunday morning, the tree looked like this. Quite a change!

During the Saturday morning session the boys got busy making blanket forts. It got really frustrating when Miles kept tearing it all apart. They also worked on their conference books from Primary.

We have a tradition of letting the boys bring up their big tub of Legos during the Sunday session so they can quietly build while listening.

I'm always amazed at the things these guys build. I don't understand how they can piece everything together and actually make something out of it. These were the cool ships they made during conference.

I am so thankful to have a testimony of the Church. I know that by living and following the things I have been taught, and that I know are true, my life has been blessed. I know that true happiness and joy comes from doing what the Lord has asked us to do. I am so grateful for our living prophet and for all who lead and guide our church. I am thankful that I can raise my boys in the gospel and look forward to them serving as missionaries and becoming amazing husbands and fathers. I know that it really is all worth it!

Time Together

Mitchel's Date Night

Max had his date with mom last week, so this week it was Mitchel's turn. Mitchel got a date with both of his parents. We started the evening at Wingers, both mine and Mitchel's favorite restaurant. What can we say, we LOVE the Winger's creamy amazing sauce! Yum!

Next, it was off to Kingsbury Hall for a production of "The Boxcar Children." Mitchel has read almost every single one of these books and loves them. The play was based around the first novel where the kids run away and make their home in a railway boxcar.

These were the actors. It was performed by kids who take acting classes at the U after school. I've always thought that Mitchel would love the theater and acting. When he was in second grade, his class did a performance of the "Frog Prince" where Mitchel was the frog, and he was really good! Since then, I've tried to talk him into trying acting. After seeing this play, I think he might be interested. He absolutely loved every minute of it. His smile went from ear to ear all night and he leaned over to me several times saying, "This is so exciting," or "I love this Mom."

When the play was over, he said, "I want to see more plays Mom." I asked him if he thought he might want to be in one and he said that he would. Taylorsville Rec Center has a drama club called "Up With Kids" so I might try to get him involved in that. It was a wonderful date night and we all had a fabulous time.

Going Green

Thought I might as well put in the St. Patrick's Day pictures I took.

Grandpa and Grandma came to visit that night bringing us a huge tub of popcorn. Notice how Grandpa wasn't wearing any green. He got pinched several times!

Afternoon Mess

One day after school this week, I was trying to clean up the kitchen. It was cold and snowy outside, so Mason and Miles were a little bored. I had the brilliant idea to get out paint for them to play with. If my goal was to clean the kitchen, then I failed miserably! It just got a whole lot messier.

(Look at Miles' amazing eyelashes! They are so long)

Miles tried really hard at first to keep the paint on the paper, but after a while, painting himself was much more fun. After this little art project it was off to the tub. Needless to say, I didn't do much house cleaning that day, but no worries, there is always tomorrow!