Out with the old...in with the new

We had our first family pet die this week - Taya's beloved Purple fish (yes - his name was purple). We had been prepping the kids for Dawson's fish to die for a couple months now - but every time he looks dead - he comes back to life. So, we were all surprised when Taya's fish was the one to bite the dust. The kids were pretty unaffected by it until I said we had to flush it down the toilet - they then blocked the stairs so I couldn't do it. After explaining that he would return to his home in the ocean, just like Nemo, Taya was on board. This explanation caused MANY more questions from Dawson, such as why does poop go to the ocean.....nice. Taya scooped purple fish into the toilet happily, Dawson proceeded to flush and cheer and then Taya's tears started....which lead to the promise of a new fish. So, Taya is a proud owner of her new fish, which she named Tuna Jacken (why???!!!)

The first of many...

We had our first of many pool parties of the season. It has been gorgeous weather and my parents threw us a pool party - hamburgers (a gardenburger for me of course), corn on the cob and homemade potato salad - Yum!!! Holden loved his first experience in the pool / hot tub. We have a happy water baby.

Where a kid can be a kid

Dawson had his birthday party tonight at his favorite place - Chuck E Cheese. We had to reschedule it since he was sick last week. He had a great time tonight. We started friend birthday parties last year when he turned 5 and said he would be able to invite as many friends as his age. So, he had a party with his 6 great friends.

Toby, Kyle, Dawson, Lia, Evan, Tony (Taya and Joshua K were M.I.A - Taya wouldn't come within 30 feet of the mouse)

Silly Dawson!

Best Buddies and Neighbors - Kyle and Dawson

Tony and Dawson - cool presents!

Dawson and his "girlfriend" Lia. These two just love each other - it is so cute. Last year Lia's aunts were getting married and she decided she would marry Dawson. He even got an invitation/letter about it. He's a ladies man!

Easter

We enjoyed a nice Easter Sunday remembering the Savior and what his atonement and resurrection means to us. Holden was sick, so he and I stayed home from church.

Taya's funny Easter quote:
Taya laughing - "Mom, look at dad" (Ha, Ha, Ha)
Me - "What's so funny Taya?"
Taya - "Daddy's wearing pink. That's so silly! Why are you doing that daddy?"

I then proceeded to give Taya a lesson in the color "salmon" and the spring color palette. It must not have worked since the minute she saw Grandma she told her how funny it was that daddy is wearing pink :)

We had a wonderful Easter dinner at my parent's house with a little egg hunt for the kids to follow. My dad was nice enough to get me salmon since I don't like ham - isn't that thoughtful!

The whole way to Grandma and Grandpa's house Taya kept saying - "I love Holden and Jesus, I love Holden and Jesus, I love Holden and Jesus...." too cute.

My Happy Baby

Holden is 8 months now and the last few weeks he has started laughing at nothing. He just thinks life is funny. It is so cute! He is smiling and laughing a lot more lately. He is rolling all over the place to get to his toys. I am sure we will have a crawler on our hands pretty soon. We love our happy baby boy!

Dawson's Birthday

Dawson's Birthday was last week, April 9th. The poor guy spent his entire birthday week / spring break week sick. We rescheduled his party, but decided to take him to Red Robin, his favorite restaurant, for a little celebration.

10 Things we love about Dawson:

1. He is so generous and LOVES to share his treats.

2. He is a really good sport. He loves to play and doesn't get his feelings hurt too easily.

3. He is a very thoughtful boy and loves to give compliments. He always tells me how beautiful I am, what a good cook I am, how nice I am - I love it!

4. He is very polite. He always raises his hands and says "excuse me" - it makes people laugh to hear that from a kids his age. He always says please and thank you.

5. He is very social and loves to make friends. He will walk up to kids at the park or the store and introduce himself and want to play.

6. Dawson always volunteers to say the prayer and he says great prayers - always blessing family members, missionaries, family and friends who are sick, etc.

7. He loves to do chores as long as there is money involved.

8. He always surprises us with his great memory and funny stories.

9. He is a great brother and loves to play with Taya and visit with Holden. He often tells Taya "Best Friends" and gives her a hug.

10. He still loves to cuddle - I hope that lasts for many more years.

Just for the record, I ordered this (below) instead of my favorite fries on the planet (Red Robin fries are yummy!). Lots of will power was in force that night. My weight loss contest is still going strong and I have lost 9 pounds so far. Yay!!!

Time to party yet?

Dawson turns six on Thursday, so we celebrated his birthday with the family last night. He kept asking all day during General Conference if it was time to celebrate his birthday yet. He was so happy to finally get his birthday dinner and cake last night.

Dawson was so cute - he asked if anyone wanted to help him open his presents and blow out the candles. Taya was excited to be wanted. So sweet.

Skateboard, rocket blaster and Star Wars video stuff - Awesome!

I think Jason was just as excited to get the Star Wars ships as Dawson was. I have heard him tell the store a million times of how he never had a Star Wars ship as a kid, so he got a piece of styrofoam and stuck toothpicks in it for guns and flew it around with his Star Wars figures in it. Poor Jason....But, now he gets to live his childhood through his son. Jason and Pat Cannon were enthralled in putting the ships together.

Daddy's Naptime

We went shopping for Dawson's birthday yesterday and when we got home, Jason was ready for a nap. He laid on the floor with a pillow and started to fall asleep. Taya was so cute - she went and got her blanky to share and got them each a friendy to sleep with and cuddled up by Daddy to take a rest. She is such a Daddy's girl. So adorable!

Cruisin'

My friend Annette posted some great advice on teaching a kid to ride without training wheels, so we decided to give it a try on Saturday. Sure enough, Dawson was cruisin' within 20 minutes. Awesome! We started him on his smaller bike, which he has outgrown, just so he could control it better. Then he moved right up to his regular bike. It was so cool.

Dawson cruisin' on his old bike.

Here is Dawson on his regular bike. We are so proud of him and can't wait to go on a family bike ride!

Here is a video of Dawson riding hid old bike. I can't believe how fast he was going. This was his second time trying!

A day at the ranch

My mom and my sister took the kids to Gibson Ranch on Friday while I was working. It was a VERY windy day - but they still had a great time. They kept laughing saying they were in a mini hurricane with Gale Force Winds!

They were all so scared of the hissing geese, they jumped up on the table and left poor Holden in the stroller to fend for himself.

Holden survived though!

Look at that WIND!

Taya's Easter Egg Hunt

Taya had tons of fun at her preschool Easter egg hunt. I asked her if she wanted me to take her and she said, no, she wanted Aunt Jesi to take her. Funny Girl - she loves her Aunt Jesi. They had fun and Holden thought the whole thing was pretty amusing!

Dawson's Easter Party

Dawson and Taya were having a countdown to their Easter egg hunts at school. So exciting, even though they only last a few minutes! I helped at Dawson's school. I laughed with my friend that you can tell whose parents where there to help with the crafts based on the perfect end product.

I guess I am a bit too hands on :)

Crafts + egg hunt + snacks = good time!