Tulips and Tantrums

For years I have wanted to go to the Tulip Festival at Thanksgiving Point, but we've never been in town at the right time.  So now that we are here I made it a priority this spring to go.  And I was so excited.  The rest of my family was not (at least all the boys ages 6-34.)  I got so sick of the complaining that I finally told these boys ages 6-34 that if they would stop whining and at least pretend like they were enjoying it that this could count as my mother's day present and they wold not have to do anything else.  This got their attention, and I had mild cooperation for the rest of the evening.  Yay!  I even managed to take a few pictures.  

The best smiles I could get, but I'll take it!

I heart this.

I guess I really was asking a lot of Connor by making him come here with me.......

I have always been obsessed with flower pictures.  

Yep I think I've put them through enough!

These guys too!  Thanks for the great mother's day gift :)

May the fourth be with you

I gave myself permission to take a break from blogging, and it felt good I gotta say.  But now I think I might want to post a few things for the (maybe 2?) people who might still read this.  And it is a good way for me to record things so I don't forget.  So here it goes.....


Connor turned 7 on Wednesday. We had a family party that night and also the missionaries came over for dinner (it ticked him off for some reason, maybe because they were sister missionaries?  Who wants girls over for dinner when it's your birthday anyway??)  On Friday the 4th of May, Connor had his friend Alton and brother Everett over for pizza and a movie.   Alton and Everett are friends of Cameron and Connor's from Wisconsin who happen to live less than 10 minutes away from us now.  How cool is that??  I still remember how sad it was for my boys to say good bye to them almost two years ago when we moved from Wisconsin to Indiana.  I never would have imagined things turning out like this, with all of us ending up in Utah.  It makes me so happy!!  

Pizza party!

Ha ha! Caught him before he could make a face for the camera.

At least Kate will pose for me!

He's even cute eating pizza.

Opening presents :)

So Keith apparently works with some pretty nerdy guys (of "The Big Bang Theory" variety, for anyone who watches that show.)  One of these guys happens to have a replica of a Storm Trooper costume that he has spent hundreds of dollars putting together to make it as authentic as in the movies. So he offered to show up for Connor's party.  We were outside talking with friends when all of a sudden this storm trooper comes walking down the street (neighbors weren't sure what to think about that one!)  The best part was bringing him into the house - as the boys are watching Star Wars - and seeing the looks on their faces as he walked into the room.  Pure awesomeness.  I bet this is a birthday Connor wont forget!

Happy birthday Connor!

With some friends and neighbors

Thanks random storm trooper!!