Memorial Day 2023

We started off Memorial Day with a parade this year.  The parade basically consisted of the marching band, but it was fun supporting Tanner and hearing them all play one last time for the school year.  Once the parade was done we headed to the annual Ward Picnic at Two-Mile Run Park.  There were fewer people than usual, but we made the most of it anyway.  The boys caught crawdads in the stream and we ate plenty of yummy food.  After getting back home the boys enjoyed the pool and we spent some time in the hammocks in the backyard.  It was a full day of family fun and got us excited for summer every day.

AT THE PARADE:

AT THE PARK:

AT HOME:

Chinese at the Park

Friday night called for Chinese takeout at the park with the whole, crazy, crew! We just have a couple days of school left and summer is so close we can taste it!

A Crazy Saturday

A Ward Temple trip was planned for Saturday, May 20th at the DC Temple.  I obviously couldn't pull that off with Keaton, so we decided Dean would take Tanner and Landon, and I would hold down the fort at home with the three youngest for the day.  Bridger had a soccer game that morning and they took home their first win of the season!  It was also pouring rain, but we came prepared with umbrellas and Bridger thought it was super fun to play in those conditions.    

Dean, Tanner, and Landon did great on the long drive to the Temple and back.  It was a great experience to be in the Temple together and they even got to stop at Cafe Rio on the way home.  Dean saved his salad to eat with me when they got back.  He is ever the gentleman and man did I enjoy that salad.

Bridger threw the ball in perfectly to a teammate that resulted in a GOAL!  He's really catching on to the game this season and is one of the best on his team.

Life with a newborn and four big brothers is tiring!  Keaton and I came home and conked out on the couch.

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner

Landon not only got to participate in the Regional Science Fair at the Science Center in Pittsburgh but he won 2nd place which meant a whopping $75 award.  Pretty proud of this guy.  He even qualified to go on to the National Science Fair in DC, but opted not to bother.  He's one cool kid.

Hula Baby

This cute boy had his end of year musical program at school.  It was his first real one thanks to Covid, and he was lucky enough to have a speaking part.  He worked hard to memorize it and he did an awesome job.  The whole program was Hawaiian themed and they sang a bunch of cute songs about Hawaii.  He's my little "Hula Baby." (The title of one of their songs). Keaton and I were thrilled we actually got to go watch him in person this time, and he was pretty excited to see us there to cheer him on.

Bath Baby

There's nothing much sweeter than a fresh, clean, baby straight out of the tub.  Shout out to Grandma Hilton for his cute baby towel.  It's one of the softest we own and he loves wrapping up in it.

First Hair Cut

Keaton was born with a decent amount of hair, but as the weeks passed he started losing everything on top until he had a bald, old man hair do.  I decided one afternoon as everyone was at school that I should maybe even things out a bit.  I grabbed Dean's beard trimmer and buzzed the sides and back until everything was the same as the top.  Keaton didn't seem to mind one bit and even offered some smiles after.  And then he snuggled up and went to sleep in my arms.  We're soaking up these quiet days while school's still in session because we don't have many more of them.

Mother's Day 2023

Mother's Day turned out to be pretty great.  I was spoiled with a delicious breakfast before church and the boys were nice enough to do pictures with me when we got home.  Dean got me a card and giftcard to Marshalls (he knows me well!) and made sure I was well loved.  It's still hard to believe I have FIVE boys, but man am I grateful for each one! Happy Mother’s Day! I feel so lucky that Heavenly Father has trusted me with these crazy boys. Here’s hoping I don’t mess them up too much. 🤣

Bridger is the cutest big brother.  Before long Keaton will be too big for him to handle.  

Not everyone was thrilled about a kissing picture.  Guess I know who my favorite kids are now! 😉

The Grandma and PapPap Park

School got out early for everyone but Tanner and Dean so we took advantage of the nice weather and hit up what we have dubbed as "The Grandma and PapPap Park" because they used to go there with them when they were little.  We haven't been there since before covid (it was closed for years as a result of the pandemic) and sadly it's become kind of dilapidated since then, but it's full of so many fond memories and the boys loved reminiscing and showing Keaton around.  Bridger took advantage of the nice, flat parking lot to practice his biking skills.  We even brought popsicles to help with the heat and we had a lot of fun together.  Now if we could just get Keaton to like being outside a little more we'd be golden.

A little nursing break in the van while his brothers played.

Not sure why they'd choose the top of the van to eat their popsicles.  I guess because they can.

Keaton got to feel the sand with his little toes.  He was indifferent to it all.  Haha!

Bridger's really starting to get the hang of biking FINALLY!