Jack's 2nd T-Ball Season

Jack is playing t-ball again this year.  His team is called the Sand Gnats.  They had opening ceremonies and their first game yesterday. 

Running out on the field during opening ceremonies with his team.  Jack is #3.

 Sitting for a long time during the ceremonies...

 Up to bat...right before he hit the ball hard. 

On first base...

Running to third base...

Go Sand Gnats!

Kate's Earrings

Kate has been wishing that she had pierced ears for a long time.  Friday her wish came true and she got her ears pierced.  No more putting stickers on her ears now. 

 And...Ty is always ready to have his picture taken of his silly face.

Ty and the Firetrucks

Ty and I got to go visit a firestation today with some of our friends who have a preschool group.  We missed the inside part of the tour somehow and got there just in time to see the firetrucks up close.  While we were driving Ty was talking about how he was going to drive the firetrucks, but when it was actually time to be able to sit in the firetruck he didn't want to.

So, we took a picture of him by the tire instead.

The firemen brought a firetruck out of the garage and turned on the lights and made the ladder go up and down and all around.  Ty loved that, but whenever I tried to back away to take a picture of him he would come hug my leg.  

 He really did like it....he was just a bit shy.

After the firestation, we went to the demo gardens to look at some plants.  Then Ty wanted to go see the ducks at Ashley Pond.  We didn't have any bread to feed them, so Ty threw them dandelions.  The ducks were not impressed.  Then we had to go see the elephant statue.

 Then we had to slide down the ramps at the skate park. 

 Then Ty had to do it "just one more time" about twenty times. 

Sunday Morning Pictures

Kate was really excited to go to church on Sunday, because they welcomed her as the newest member of the ward.  She got to go up on the stand and stand by the bishop. 

 Can't leave the boys out, even though they're not totally ready for church. 

Grandma and Grandpa Cox Visit

My parents and little sis, Emmalee came to stay with us the Saturday before Kate's baptism.  They overlapped with Grandma and Grandpa Judi's visit for a few days.  The kids were in "Grandma and Grandpa Heaven"!  They loved having so much attention!  There was always someone to play basketball with them or read stories to them. 

My Dad had to go to San Diego for a work conference, so he left Emmalee and my mom here and was gone Monday through Friday. Then they spent one more night and went back home Sunday. 

Jack talked my mom into her giving him his birthday present early. 

A quilt!  Jack wanted to show his crayon roll that I made him a few years ago out of the same fabric. 

 Grandma played Sorry with the kids... She even played basketball with Jack!

 Grandpa played basketball with the boys when he got back from his trip.

 We went on a walk behind our house to the canyon edge.

 Ty LOVED having so many people around to read him stories. 

Jack's Kindergarten Music Program

Today was Jack's kindergarten music program.Jack was pretty nervous about singing in front of a crowd.  He reminded me that he had to "stand like a soldier" during the program -- no scratching or wiggling.  He did a great job!  The kids sang three songs, then did two songs in a big circle with parents and their 3rd grade reading buddies.

 

Song #1.  The Rainbow Song...

Song #1 -- Rainbow Song

 

Song #2 -- Mr. Sir Echo

Song #3 -- Be the Best That I Can Be

Song #4 ta ta tee tee ta -- stick passing song

Song #5 was a monkey see monkey do song, but I don't have any pictures of it...

Kate's Baptism

Today was Kate's baptism day.  She was the only person getting baptized, so we got to plan the whole program ourselves.  She has been looking forward to her baptism day for a very long time.

Kate gave a talk on baptism.  She explained why she decided to get baptized and what baptism is.  Then she and a few of her friends (Annika, Sophi, Kerri, Ada, and Laura) sang Janis Kapp Perry's "My Baptism Day" song.  I gave a talk on the Holy Ghost.  Kate's grandmas did the music.  And the grandpas were the witnesses for the baptism.  Dave baptized and confirmed her.  

Brother Nye (who was conducting) said that Kate changed into her dry clothes in record time.  I think we were so fast because we had the baptism meeting in the chapel and then everyone had to walk downstairs to the primary room where the font is.  There was an amazing amount of people that came to support Kate -- lots of her friends and family came.  

 Ty was a little shy...

 Kate and her school teacher, Mrs. Swadener...

Some of the kids that were there (after all the refreshments disappeared).  I think there were twice this many kids there for the baptism program.

Katie S., Kyra V., Stewart M., Anna M., Sarah T., Kaylie B., Emmy B., Sophi and Naomi M., Kate, Annika N., Carley H., Emily S., Jack, Eddie G., Hannah G., Norah G., Boston H., Deni H., Marcus S. 

 Kate and some of her friends -- Sophi, Carley, Norah, and Hannah

Grandpa and Grandma Cox, Emmalee and Karen, Brad and Brendon (who drove up from ABQ to be there with us).  

 Grandma and Grandpa Judi

After all the eclair cake, texas sheet cake, and rice krispie treats were gone the kids had fun playing.  (Grandpa Cox was super sweet and whipped up some rice krispie treats twenty minutes before we left for the church, so we'd have a little more refreshments.  It's a good thing because all the dessert disappeared.)

 

After the baptism, all the grandmas and grandpas and Karen, Brad and Brendon came back to our house and had brisket and pulled pork dinner with us. The kids have loved having two sets of grandparents staying with us.

Grandpa and the Train

We loved having Grandpa and Grandma Judi stay with us the week of Kate's baptism.  Unfortunately, I didn't take hardly any pictures. 
Vaughn and Dave worked on repairing a part of our hardwood floor.  Marianne did lots of weeding in the grass.  The kids loved having them walk to the bus stop with them.  We also ate lunch at the school with the kids one day.  Grandpa played lots of basketball with Jack.  Grandma and Kate did lots together too.

One day when Kate and Jack were at school, Ty and Grandpa got out the electric train.  They set it up and played with it.  Then not too longer after, Ty wanted to put it away.  So, they did. 

Kate's 8th Birthday

Kate's birthday was the day after we got back from our Spring Break trip to California.  Kate opened her presents before school.

 Kate got some new shoes, and a skirt and shirt for her baptism.

And some books...

I made this Shutterfly book for her about her first seven years of life. 

Kate wanted an "8" shaped cake.  There was a little mishap with the white frosting on top, thus the huge glops of frosting.  And we had to go borrow candles at the last minute from a friend.

Grandma and Grandpa Judi were at our house on Kate's birthday, but I guess I didn't take any pictures of them.  Oops!  We had orange chicken for dinner and then cake and ice cream. 

Kate got to open more presents when Grandma and Grandpa Cox and Emmalee came to visit on Saturday.  They gave Kate scriptures with her name on them.

Emmalee gave Kate this Cowgirl Kate puppet.

A little about eight year old Kate:
She is...

• very sweet and kind.
• wonderful at school.  All her teachers gush about how much they enjoy having her in their class.
• a great friend.  She loves having playdates with her friends.
• loves dance class.
• very sweet to Ty.
• sweet to Jack, especially at school.  They sit together on the bus and stick together.
• loves to read!  When we go to the library Kate checks out at least 10 books and reads them all pretty quickly/
• learning how to cook (she makes some fabulous ranch dressing).
• enjoying playing the piano.  She teaches herself songs in her piano books before they are assigned to her. 
• excited to be able to go to activity days at church.
• quite a jump roper.