Mother's Day Weekend, a special Missionary Couple, and a Belated Cinco de Mayo

Mother's Day weekend was wonderful! I spent much of Saturday with my mom, shopping. No pics... Me and sweet Emri before our church meetings Sunday! 

 On Sunday afternoon we had my mom and the boys (except Kade who was out of town) over for dinner... and a nerf war! 

 Emri trying to protect herself! 

 Grateful for this wonderful Momma Max! 

 That weekend we also got to witness the setting apart of this amazing couple to be missionaries. It was so beautiful! They shared their testimonies and told us that as bad as they'd miss all of us, they knew that this is what they are supposed to be doing, serving the people of Portugal, and serving the Lord. What great examples for all of us! 

 They did a week of training at the MTC in Provo, then a few days in Salt Lake, but the neat thing about missionary training is they get to still come home for part of the time before leaving... So one night we went up for a "goodbye visit." The kids begged g-ma to play the marble game. It's their favorite with her! 

 We tried not to say "good-bye"... more of just a "see ya soon!" Then I ugly-cried most of the way home. We will miss them dearly! 

 Normally we have a cinco-de-mayo dinner, but this year it ended up being a week or so later with so much stuff going on. The mustaches completed the look for sure! Jet didn't want to be a part of it....

 ...cute babies Ike and Thea! 

Ike @ 20 Months

Handsome little stink!

He loves to sit in a "big boy" chair at soccer... although this one has Tinkerbell all over it! He doesn't mind!  

 This pic looks like Brett's toddler pics! 

 Happily making messes wherever he goes... this at least keeps him busy while I cook dinner. 

He's really into dipping his ears in the water lately... I'm wondering if it helps them feel better when they are infected? Seems weird. 

 Yucky virus caused several hives on his lower back, rear, and legs. 

 Warm enough to be outside and sharing popsicles! 

 His 1st sprinkler experience! LOVED IT! 

At 20 Months, Ike:

• got his 9th tooth (#K)
• loves to be outside
• finally tried his first fruit (that wasn't baby food)--a BLUEBERRY, and loved them! But of course, then next day.... wouldn't touch them again! 
• has been under the weather lately more than he hasn't! Weird viruses causing welts/hives, ear infections, fevers. Poor guy can't catch a break! 

A Soggy Baby Animal Days

Hitting up Baby Animal Days has been a fun thing we look forward to each Spring.... this year our St.George cousins were driving into town that day and we talked them into coming with us, even though dark clouds were looming and a (very high) chance of rain was in the forecast! We thought maybe the rain would scare the crowds away. We were wrong. Still a ton of people, and rain to go with it! I think our husbands were cursing us as we stood in line for horse rides in the downpour! haha! At least it was memorable. :)

Horserides, facepaint...

 ...and lots of baby farm animals to hold! 

...or squeeze to death! Those poor chicks! 

 Besides being a little chilly, the kids still had fun with eachother! 

 The bunnies are always the favorite, and as cute and fluffy as they are we're always tempted to buy one and bring it home with us. Then we wise up! 

Yay for another (memorable) year!! We came back to our house after for a pizza dinner and some play time with cousins! We love spending time with our fam! 

Fun Run, a Special Cousin and Mother's Tea Party

I was part of the "Fun Run" PTA fundraising committee at the elementary school this year. All the funds raised helped go towards the school's technology department. We started planning back in February and the race was the beginning of May. I was in charge of the bulletin board and the weekly fliers that went home with the students. We challenged the students to start preparing for the race (5k and Kids K), by being active at home a month or so prior to the race. We kept track of kids hours and moved our cute runners along the road depending on the hours completed. The goal was to reach 1,000 hours and then the principal would dress-up at the race. The kids reached their goal and the principal came dressed up as a cowboy. 

 I worked side-by-side w/ a girl who became a great friend throughout the process! She made all the cute people to go on the board! 

Emri and some of her cute friends, ready to run! 

I was busy at the late registration table when the Kids K started. I guess Emri took off like a shot and didn't stick with the boys... so I must have missed her crossing the finish line, but here's cute Jet with Brett pushing Ike behind him. I don't care how long a race is, it's always so inspiring to stand at the finish line and see people complete a goal! I was so proud of the kids finishing their first race! Hopefully there's many more to come! 

 These 2 ladies beside me are SO AMAZING! Jackie (me) McKenna. They did SO much to pull the event off! I was glad to work with them! 

 My cute litte fam! It was a fun event but I was definitely glad to see it be done!! 

 This is my amazing cousin Tyler. He just graduated from Utah Valley University, where he served as the Student Body President this past school year. He is quite the inspiring kid! Ike and I stopped by an openhouse to wish him luck on his next adventure... 3 months of traveling through Asia, and possibly onto the Peace Corps after that! Congrats Ty! 

 One of my favorite days in pre-k is the Mother's Day Tea Party. Seriously the cutest! The kids have all been working on manners, special songs, and gifts! They do a little singing program, serve the mom's juice and cookies and Miss Jackie reads a little questionnaire the kids previously answered about their moms. 

Love this sweet boy (especially because he thinks I'm 16)!