Mailbox Surprise

It was a great day today!

When I stopped to check the mail, I found this little guy sitting right by the mailbox.  Grant was thrilled!  He couldn't wait to show his brothers the turtle!  

The kids had a fun couple of days with this guy and then we decided to just let him roam our backyard.  He soon found a way out and back into nature!

Grant said it was, "the best mailbox surprise EVER!"

I'd have to agree.........heck he was even FREE :)

Besties

After Grant's Bike Birthday party Lexi stayed a little longer then the other kids.

These two are best buddies at preschool.  We love Lexi!

After the party Grant let Lexi paint his fingernails....

Then Grant painted Lexi's.  It was quite the scene!

Of course Grant didn't do it quite perfect enough for Lexi's standards so we had to redo her nails.  

It was so fun to watch these to giggle together!  They sure are fun kids!

Best Buddies

This is Grant with his best buddy, Lexi Walter's.  They are two peas in a pod!

They love being in the same preschool class again this year!

Together they had enough personality for 10 kids!  They really are two characters and just make you giggle when you are around them!

When I first asked Grant who he wanted to invite to his birthday party this year, his response was, "Well I think I'll have a party with just Lexi and me!"

Yep, she is his best friend!

Happy Birthday Grant

Thanks to Mrs. Verdugo, Logan's school teacher this year, we have had some awesome cakes for our kids birthdays.  She made this bike cake for Mr. Grant's bike party and it was perfect!

Happy Birthday Grant

Grant was super excited about his party.  He wanted to have friends over to race on a race track.  So because he has an awesome daddy and we have great neighbors.  Justin made a little track in the Smith's side yard for Grant's party.  Of course Grant enjoyed being on the tractor "helping" Justin make the track.  That was a birthday present in and of itself!

Looks like he is excited for his party to start I'd say!

Graham Saline, Grant and Lexi Walters

Mr. Grant is all ready to race!

Here is the bicycle crew.....The Davis boys, Shupe Kids, Smith Kids, Allen kids, Lexi, Graham Saline and of course our crazy group.   Some of the kids were a little late so they aren't all in this picture.

Grant and Graham taking to the course first!

Grant smoked him...

Look at the smile on his face!!!

Victory!

Kirsten did a fabulous job as the race starter!

Logan and Jaten ready to race....

...neck and neck...

Logan is able to pull ahead for the win!

Justin even got involved in the racing!  I can't tell from this picture who looks happier, Justin or Hunter!

Ryker and Logan taking to the track!

There were a few tears from Grant when his bike wrecked going up on of the small hills.  But it's his party and he can cry if he wants to........that kind of our birthday moto.

His tears were short lived and it was on to more fun!

The kids then rode their bikes through a little cone race path.

Next it was cake time!!  Woot Woot!

Grant really loved his cake!  He said it was "pafict"!

It's say the bike party was a huge success!

After cake is was present time!

Hope you enjoyed your bike party Mr. Grant and that you had a wonderful birthday party!

Happy Birthday to Our 5 Year Old

Happy 5th Birthday Mr. Grant!

We let him open a couple of presents on his actual birthday since his party was a few days after.

 He thought that was only fair!

I think Ella Jane loved Grant's present as much as he did!

Grant got these huge pop up tents!  They make a fabulous tent and Ella love crawling through them following Grant.

5 Things I love about Mr. Grant!

1.  I love listening to his reasoning........he is super smart and clever!

2.  I love that he wants to give me hugs and kisses overtime we leave each other.  I treasure it!  And heaven forbid I leave the house and didn't give Grant hugs and kisses he lets me know about when I get back.

3.  I love seeing how much he loves his brothers and sisters.  He is such a great big brother to Ella!

4.  I love his humor.........some of the things he says just makes he die laughing!

5.  I love his sweet personality and that if he can tell I am having a hard day he asks if I need my feet rubbed.  He rubs my feet better than Justin does!!!

Happy birthday Grant!

We LOVE You!

I Can See Why!

Hunter is obviously my first son.  So this is my only experience the raising an 11 year old son.  I have seen big leaps in Hunter's maturity level in the past 6 month or so.  Not that he doesn't still act like a kid or still need correction and direction on how to behave.  But I have witnessed an increased ability to control this actions, tongue and desires.  I am beginning to understand as to why boys receive the priesthood at 12.  

This picture was taken when we were hiking at Upper Arcadia on Mt Graham.  Hunter was super concerned about Grant being on the side of the trail where the cliffs were.  So he always made sure to switch sides with Grant so that he would be safe.  We had a wonderful talk on our hike.  We talked about how beautiful the mountains are and how much our Heavenly Father and Jesus must love us to create such details things for us to explore.  It was wonderful to hear Hunters insight

I am so grateful to know that I belong to Heavenly Father's church and it is his plan.  He knows at what age our spirits are ready to accept additional responsibilities.  I am grateful for the lessons I am learning by being a mother!

Put Myself to Sleep!

Poor 5th child.......... no one even pays enough attention to her so she has to bounce herself to sleep!

Actually it's a pretty darn cute process to watch Ella bounce herself to sleep and we are ALL paying attention to her when she does it!

She does this so much I am starting to think maybe we should just put her in the bouncer at night.  When she starts to wake up a little she just starts bouncing and in an instant she is right back asleep!

Oh what fun she is!