Finishing up April

Wednesday April 22nd

Youth Temple Trip for Mutual

Lydia and her friend Taylor--it was Taylor's first time going to the temple.

Lydia's silhouette against the temple which we thought was cool.

Thursday April 23rd

Garrett brought home two sets of boxing gloves that he got free from Intel and the kids had lots of boxing matches.

Friday April 24th

Maggie's 15th Birthday

Birthday signs for when Maggie comes home from school

Lydia made this one

She chose to eat at Chevy's for her birthday dinner.  She's opening a card from her grandma and grandpa.

Back at home and opening presents

showing off her new muscles from her strength training class.  She's so proud! :)

She got a dress, a skirt, a Maroon 5 t-shirt, a driver's ed manual and Imagine Dragons concert tickets.

She asked for cheesecake for her birthday, so we went the easy way and bought it from the store.

Saturday April 25th

Today, there was a Youth Conference that Maggie went to all day with her friends where Corbin Allred (an LDS actor who was in Saints and Soldiers and the Saratov Approach) was the main speaker.  I don't have any pictures, but she said it was a great Youth Conference.

Paige had a birthday party at the local pool so after Garrett dropped her off at her party, he let Bella and Noah play at the new park.  

After everyone got home from their various activities, we went and bought flowers for our backyard and planted them.  I love the color it adds to our backyard. 

Beautiful sky that evening

Tuesday April 28th

4th graders have a ton of field trips and Paige begged me to go on at least one.  So, I finally arranged for someone to watch Noah and went on the field trip to the State Capitol.  Riding the bus for the hour and a half ride--it was loud and a little squishy.  My legs were smashed into the back of the seat in front of us.  Good times!

On top of the state capitol--we got to go up and look at the tall statue on top of the building.  This is Paige and Ella.

The view of Salem.

The Golden Man statue

Listening to the tour guide

In the Governor's office

Cool pictures on the wall of Lewis and Clark

Outside the Capitol Building.  We ate our lunch at a park across the street.

Thursday April 30th

Garrett's 41st birthday

Bella's 7th birthday

When Bella came home from school, I had a sign on the door to tell her to come in and stop right in front of the streamers for a birthday surprise.  As soon as she came in, Noah and I dumped balloons and confetti on to her and yelled out "Happy Birthday!"  I think she was surprised and seemed to like it.  We all then did the same thing to Garrett when he got home that evening!

I can't believe she's 7!!

While she was opening presents, her grandpa and grandma Hansen called from Utah to wish her a happy birthday.

She got some money, legos, a new swim suit, and some art things.  We saved the rest of her presents so that she could open them up later at her other family party that we were having on Saturday.  

Paige wrapped some of her old jewelry and little toys to give to Bella.  It was a nice thought, but Bella was being silly and making the funniest faces about it.  

Garrett opening his cards and gifts

I made a Texas Sheet cake for them because Bella wanted a chocolate cake.  I think this is the cutest picture of them!

When they were blowing out the candles, Garrett blew in Bella's face and I love her face when he did it.  She is so cute and I love how silly Garrett is with the kids.  He is a fun dad!

Wrapping up June

June 15th

Father's Day

We invited Jim and Georgia over for dinner after church to celebrate Father's Day.  After dinner, we opened cards and gifts.  

 I think this picture is so cute of Noah showing his card to grandpa.

 And this one is so cute too!  

 Grandpa laughing at the cute card that Paige created.  

Garrett opening his presents.  

June 20th and 21st

Maggie was able to go to a Youth Conference this weekend with some of her friends.  It was Friday evening and all day Saturday.  Hank Smith was the main speaker for the event.  (He's an LDS speaker/author and is really funny--according to Maggie.)  I've never heard him speak, but I really want to.  They also had a service project and maybe a dance?  I can't remember.  Supposedly there were people there taking pictures, but I still haven't been able to access the pictures.  I hope I can one day, but for now there are no pictures.  She had a great time!

Also on those two days, we had a garage sale.  We sold lots of old bikes and outside toys and all of our strollers.  Our garage never looked so empty now that we got rid of those things.  We sold a few other things too, but getting rid of all my strollers was hard for some reason.  I kept thinking we should keep one, just in case we went some where and Noah would need a ride.  I've had strollers for 14 years, so its weird to not have one.  Moving on to a new stage in life, I guess.  

June 24th

The day after Noah's birthday party, Maggie left for Girls Camp.  This was her first year going.  Technically, it should've been her third year.  But, they had trek during the first year,  and then last year we were in Yellowstone.  She was able to be in the same cabin with her friend Emma, so she was really happy about that.  They went from Tuesday to Saturday.  

 This was the morning that they were leaving.  Emma, Maggie and Rebecca.  

 all the girls loading their stuff into the truck--as I was leaving.

She took this at camp.  I love pictures and so I told her that she better take a lot of pictures for me so I could see all that she did.  Well, she didn't listen to me and took about 5 total for the whole week.  So, we have no pictures from that either, unless I can get some from some of the other leaders that went.  I'm still working on that.  

This is one that someone had posted on facebook. Cute friends--Emma, Maggie and Shay.

That was 3 weekends in a row that Maggie was busy with church things.  I love it though.  All of those activities are so good and uplifting.  I wouldn't want her any place else.  Well, except maybe at home with me.  :)

June 30

Noah got a birthday package from grandma and grandpa Hansen in the mail that day.  

 He got this awesome plush Spider man toy that he loves to sleep with.  

 And he also got these cool Super hero figures.  He's just getting into super heroes.  He thinks they are pretty awesome, though. 

That evening, we took Noah out for his birthday dinner, since we would be on a plane the next day.  We took him to Red Robins. These are the waitresses that are about to sing to him.  We told them to not sing too loudly because last year, they were pretty loud and it freaked him out quite a bit.  He was pretty bashful about it.  

Finally, onto July and our Sabbatical!!