What happened?

We moved. That's what happened.

Brady's mom came to help us move Memorial day weekend. It was a great help. There were a couple problems with the move... like having to drive 140 miles round trip for a uhaul cause we didn't reserve one in time, and not having it start when we were ready to leave... anyway, it's over with.

Then we had visitors. My friend came from Cali with her 3 kids while waiting to meet up with her husband in Japan.

Then we got sick for 2 weeks.

Then Kortney, Brady's sister, graduated high school and we went to Seattle to celebrate with her. I can't believe it. I met her when she was 11. I love you Kortney!

Then Parker learned how to ride a 2 wheeler! Brady took his training wheels off one afternoon during his lunch hour and tried to help push him along. Parker said "No. Let me do it" and off he went.

Then we had family pictures taken. They're wonderful! Brady's friend took them for us. He did a really good job, and photography is only a hobby. We had a hard time deciding which ones to frame (and which ones to decorate my blog with).

Then Evelyn learned how to crawl AND pull herself up on furniture. I can't believe she's 8 months already.

Then we had a week of Moscow. Man I miss Moscow.

Then we got the flu this last week. Yes, the stomach flu in July.

And finally, Alayna became potty trained. We pushed and pushed and pushed the potty thing. It wasn't until this last week or so when we were sick that Brady and I decided to let the issue go (mostly because we were lying on the ground in pain and agony) that she stopped having accidents!

And that's the last 3 months.

She's figured it out!

Oh my horse!

My children got to ride their first horse this week. Some wonderful people in our ward let our children come and feed them whenever we please. This week they pulled out the kiddie helmet and let our kids ride.

Parker and Alayna had a blast. Alayna has been talking about the horses ever since she got to ride them on Wednesday. "I wan a ride a ho-see!"

Evey at 5 months!

Here's our beauty queen out back enjoying our "spring" weather. I think she's played outside 3 times... poor girl. I'm anxious for the warmth so she can experience the park- our home away from home in the summer.



This week we started some rice cereal... actually, it's oatmeal. She enoyed it at first... now she's not so sure.

Before:

During:

And satisfied:

Easter

Here are some pictures from Easter. The morning was gorgeous for the egg hunt. The easter bunny left lots of eggs for the children to find.

Brady's mother made the girls Easter dresses. They're so adorable. She also bought Parker a polo- he's a little picky as to what he wears, a vest would never do. We got some pictures of them in their outfits before they got too messy.

And below is probably my favorite picture. The kids just love Baby Evelyn.

ARTICLES OF FAITH!

Here are our adorable children before church today.

Sunday is a special day for many reasons. But today was Parker's special day. Today he became the first SUNBEAM in our ward to pass off ALL 13 of the articles of faith!!! We are so proud!

We started reciting the first article of faith at bedtime as part of our family scripture study routine. In 2 days he recited it back to us. This began in the middle of January, 13 weeks ago. He has been able to memorize each article of faith in a week. Brady and I have had to learn them as well. It's been fun to watch him grow. After he memorized the 12th article of faith, which is considerably shorter than the latter ones, he questioned, "Is that ALL?" This experience has showed us that children are sponges and can learn so much.

During this whole experience, Alayna has started to work on the articles of faith herself. She knows 1 & 2 at age 2 1/2. She even showed the deacons in Brady's class her skills. The 12 and 13 yr old boys were indeed impressed, and perhaps even a little inspired to work harder.

And here's little Evelyn. She was so happy to see the sunshine after the cold rain. It seems like it's been so cold and winter has been so long. We're so proud of our little clan. They sure are a joy and a blessing. :) (excuse the wrong date stamp)

Movin' on up!

Yup, that's right, we're moving, again. For the last, almost, 6 years we have moved every 2 years. This will be our 3rd move in our 6th year of marriage. However, not moving father than 40 miles. Needless to say, we're planning this time. Not just sneaking out of town like a theif in the night. Moving day is June 1st.

We found a place just minutes from Brady's work which will allow us to save hundreds (literally) of dollars in gas as well as give us 10 more hours per week as a family. All benefits.

However, I will be sad to leave our ward. I have so greatly enjoyed working with the young women and the awesome families that are here. Many people help and take care of us. Parker absolutely loves primary and his teachers. Alayna loves her nursery leaders too. Brady has really enjoyed working with the scouts, even if he does have 16 active deacons. :) I think we've learned a lot and have grown here.

Once again, it's time to leave. What is fun about moving from Pullman, to Moscow, to Clarkston and back to Pullman is that we've gone from a Pullman student ward, to a Moscow student ward, to a Clarkston family ward, and now back to Pullman but in a family ward and have met LOTS of people. I enjoy my trips to Costco and seeing people from both pullman and moscow, or my trips to the mall in Moscow and seeing people from Pullman and Clarkston. We almost always see someone we know in the Spokane temple as well.

We are also excited for the opportunity to get to meet MORE people and live in Pullman not as a college student, but as a working family. I think I'll look at Pullman differently and find that it's not just a college town, but a great place for a family.

So here we are, anticipating a move, but getting ready for it in the best way possible by gathering BOXES. No trash bags and odds and ends. It's all going in a box. It only took moving to 3 different towns to learn that boxes are better to move and allow everyone to be happy during the painful process.