April and May 2016

We started out the month of April heading to Idaho for a spur of the moment trip to Twin Falls.  Chad was coaching the Cougs' at a tournament in Buhl, and cousin Carson was playing too, so we decided to join up with some of our Hill family for a weekend of baseball.  It was a great chance for the kids and I to get out of our ordinary routine, and for me to be actually the fun parent!  I took them to a movie, went shopping at the mall, and just played, and played.  The weather was great, the food amazing, and the company top notch - the only downside came on our way home when we all got hit by the stomach flu!  YUCK!  Usually I am immune to all diseases (hahaha)…but not this time.  I wasn't feeling like driving 5 hours home, but I'd rather be sick in my own house than continue to deal with it in the hotel. So home we went.  

 Shawn was at a podiatry conference while we were in Twin, and so we texted quite a bit - Lyv gave him the best text of the weekend, when she sent him a picture of the goofy face she does that is a favorite of his.  It was too cute not to post, and I'm sure one day, she'll kill me for including this. The person who got most of our attention during the tournament was baby Jax…such a sweet, cute boy!

 We took a detour Saturday morning to Shoshone Falls - a place I had never visited before.  It was beautiful!

 After recovery from all the vomit  - we got back to school and back to the swing of life!  WOW - life was crazy busy!  But not busy enough for me to snap a shot of the beautiful apple blossoms that surround us in Yakima.  It is one of my favorite sights - and it is like the song Popcorn Popping on the Apricot Tree in real life!  So gorgeous.

 After getting back from the break Sam reached his 100 mile in Mileage club.  I am so proud of him.  He has been a mileage champ since we started school in Yakima, and no matter how many times I see him reach this goal, it still brings tears to my eyes and swells my heart when I witness this great accomplishment.  Here he is running through the tunnel..

 After running all day, he played all night…baseball that is.  This year he has been a key factor to his team and has pitched several games.  He is a solid batter and almost always gets a hit.  We love watching him play.  Baseball has taken over our life for the next two months.  I love this time of year.  This year Jack and Lyv had the opportunity to be on the same baseball team with the best coach out there - their dad!  It will be the only time this will probably happen, so it has been such a treat to watch the two of them play together, and learn to together.  Jack has become quite a slugger - and gets on base nearly every at bat.  Lyv has struggled with batting but continues to improve each game.  She is an amazing fielder though!  Love watching these two.

And what of Max?? Well this goofball puts up with the constant ball games and practices only if he has a sucker in one hand and a friend to play with.  With our amazing community, friends are easy to come by!

 We have a 6 year old - Olyvia turned 6 on April 19th and we had a fun filled day and week of birthday celebrations!  She requested eggs and bacon for her breakfast, followed by stroganoff for dinner.  She was at school all day, but we were able to each lunch with her.  I adore this girl!  She is the ray of sunshine in our home.  She plays well with everyone, and is such a kind loving friend. Her laugh is adorable and contagious.  She loves art and is really an amazing colorer.  She likes singing and dancing, and adores animals of all kinds.  We don't know what we'd do without her!

 A Mermaid birthday party was in order for this girlie girl!  She has a great group of friends that came to play and do some fun under the sea crafts! She had a very very happy birthday.

As I was cleaning one morning I came across this gem from Lyv.  Sometimes its hard to be the only girl in a family of crazy boys!

At the end of April I was able to take a jet plane and head out for a sisters weekend in Provo at BYU's Women's Conference…and oh what fun we had!  Even with the power going out in our hotel room, we had the best time laughing, eating, and laughing and eating… Oh I love my sisters!

May 1st brought another crazy week of dance, baseball, school, mutual, and me trying to function without Waffle Love, my sisters, and an afternoon nap I had at women's conference. Jack took this snapshot of Lyv and I working on homework together…I loved having a picture to remember these little moments.  Lyv got to wear her dance costume for pictures and she was thrilled (SO was I)…man she's a cutie.

 Because I have been feeling so busy lately, I have tried to make a conscience effort to get out with Max to do something other than errands and cleaning. We've become fans of the park and he asked me to take a picture of him on our walk home.  How could I say no to this cute face?  He really is the best boy ever and I hope that I always remember to tell him how grateful I am for his patience with me and our hectic schedule.

 We were able to enjoy the musical delights of the Cottonwood Kindergarten class.  Lyv was a STAR with all capital letters.  She knew ever action, hit every note and performed her little heart out.  Love watching her perform…a lot more entertaining than my boys:)

 She also reached the 50 mile club at school May 4th - So proud of her!

 and not to be out done…Jack reached 50 miles on the 18th!  Yay Jack!  If you know Jack, this is a big deal.  I am so proud that he pushed hard to get his t-shirt this year, because running isn't his favorite thing.  Love this kid!