Welcome Summer!

Finally...I'm getting caught up on our blog after a long break! We are excited for summer to be here and are busy with t-ball, swimming lessons, going places, and playing hard. Here are some pictures from this past month.

Brooklyn is obsessed with animals. She had fun petting the goats at the Tautphaus Park Zoo, where we went for Logan's field trip.



Kids vs. Cats at Hogle Zoo. I think the kids are winning! We went with Grandma and Grandpa Stott, and the aunts and uncles while we were in Salt Lake a few weeks ago.













Congratulations Logan! He says good-bye to Mrs. Gale at his kindergarten graduation. It's hard to believe he's done with kindergarten and onto 1st grade soon!













Caden graduated from preschool, too. It has been fun watching him learn so many things this past year. Mrs. McKellar was a great teacher. He will have one more year of preschool before he starts kindergarten.

Congratulations, Amber & Nate!

My youngest sister, Amber, got married last week in the Salt Lake temple. It was such a beautiful day, and she was a beautiful bride. We're excited to have her husband, Nate, in the family now. They are great for each other. The sealing ceremony took on a whole new meaning to us with the passing of our brother-in-law. It was so touching. I can't imagine not having the promise of being together forever.

The happy couple

The two princesses pose together.

Brooklyn thought this day was all about her and took every opportunity possible to pose for the cameras.

The boys were a little less patient as we waited for pictures to be taken. We did survive the luncheon without any spills or broken glasses, and the kids were good sports at the reception. They ran around and danced like crazy, but what else would you expect at a party with stairs and a dance floor? It brought back memories from our wedding...minus the kids. I wish our day had flown so smoothly. Brandon's chicken pox kind of put a damper on things, but we look back and laugh now. That guy can't do anything the "normal" way, and that's what I love about him.

We Miss You, Big Guy!

As many of you know, my brother-in-law Jason passed away on February 25th. I have taken quite the break from blogging, and it would not be fitting to post anything, without first paying a tribute to him. Jason was Logan and Caden's favorite uncle. They always loved it when he came to visit. As you can see in these pictures, they talked him into leaving an important ball game that he was watching on TV with Brandon, to go downstairs and play with them in "the cave". I was cracking up as I watched "Big Guy", as the boys called him, cram into this little space and spend nearly an hour in there with them, playing Star Wars and super heroes. He was a great man with a big heart.

My sister is doing remarkably well. She spoke at the funeral, and shared with everyone the eternal perspective she has. She said, "Jason and I have known each other for thousands of years. When we were presented with the plan, we knew our time together on earth would be short, but that it would all be worth it." There was not a dry eye in the chapel. Brandon spoke, as well, and as he spoke I thought, "Wow! I am married to a general authority!" He did an amazing job, tying in gospel principles with memories of Jason. He and Jason were best of friends. His death has left a definite void in our lives, but we are so blessed with great memories and with the gospel knowledge that we will see him again.

Life continues on, and now with a greater appreciation for each day, for each interaction we have with loved ones, for prayer, for temples, for a loving Heavenly Father, His Son who makes resurrection possible, and for the Comforter who lifts our burdens. Thanks to all of you who have expressed your love and concern for us during this time. What would we do without you? We truly are blessed.

Basketball Fun

Logan is on a basketball team with some of his friends. I love to watch them play at this age. It cracks me up! This is their first time playing on a team, so they have been learning a lot...and still have a lot to learn! Caden and Brooklyn cheer on big brother and get into mischief, as seen here sitting in a tire on the side of the court.

The funniest thing Logan does is when he guards his guy. He keeps playing against the same kid who shares his passion for defense. While the game is going on all around him, he and this boy stand facing each other and sway back and forth with their hands up, in an attempt to stop each other...like they're dancing. The ball could be at the other end of the court and they will stand there for minutes at a time, doing this same thing.

Creating Some Structure

Since our kids are still fairly young, we are still getting into routines--chores, homework, bedtime, etc. I wish there was a manual that said "This is how you do it" and laid my day out for me. Since we got the Wii for Christmas my latest question is "How much time do I allow for video games?". I've been toying around with a few ideas, but I want to be consistent and reinforce limits that will help my children be balanced in their lives. The video games are a great reward for homework and chores accomplished, and the boys don't play unless they've done these things, but I thought I'd ask all you great moms what works for you. I'd love to hear your ideas.

If I Had My Child to Raise All Over Again

I ran across this poem the other day and I wanted to share. I love it because it inspires me to do the things that are most important and to worry less about the things that don't matter. It summarizes perfectly what my goal is as a mother this year (and always). I'm already realizing how quickly they grow up and I want to be a mother without any regrets. Here's the poem...

If I had my child to raise all over again,
I'd build self-esteem first, and the house later.
I'd finger-paint more, and point the finger less.
I would do less correcting and more connecting.
I'd take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes.
I'd take more hikes and fly more kites.
I'd stop playing serious, and seriously play.
I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars.
I'd do more hugging and less tugging.

~Diane Loomans, from "If I Had My Child to Raise Over Again"

Happy Birthday and Happy New Year!

We went out to lunch with two of my good friends and their families in Salt Lake on New Year's Day. This is becoming an annual event. We took a picture of all our kids in this same spot at Joe's Crab Shack last year. It's amazing to see how they've grown up in one year!














Brooklyn turned 2 on Saturday! What a big girl! We celebrated in Salt Lake with the Stott side of the family on her birthday and tonight with the Taggart family. She is definitely spoiled!











































We love our princess. She cracks us up with her independent spirit and the funny things she says and does. She's such a joy to have in our home.