Steven & Sarah's Visit

My older brother Steven and his wife Sarah came for a quick visit from west Texas and we loved having them here.  Madelyn has grown so much since we saw them last summer.  Both Max & Madelyn loved getting Lucy's attention through the back door, although once she realized they weren't going to take her on a walk she quickly left. 

 

 

It rained all morning, so we were really happy when there was a break for a couple of hours so we could go swimming.

 

 

 Savannah & Madelyn are the only girls of the LeSueur grandkids, and they love to play together despite the age difference.

 

 

Thanks for the visit LeSueur family!

First Judo Tournament

Jacob's sensei put together a tournament for their judo club that included two other clubs from the area.  Jacob enjoyed the experience and is excited to do it again.  From my point of view judo is a lot like wrestling, just with more clothes and some cool throws. 

 He won his first match and was very happy about it.  His second match was against a blue belt and he lost, but put up a good effort.

 

 

 

 

 

 Jacob won 2nd place in his division.

Jacob with Sensei Alvarez

He is an amazing role model for them and great with the kids.

 

Award Ceremony & Choir Concert

Jacob had an awards ceremony at Ridgeview on Monday, May 20.  He received an award for being on the honor roll with distinction.  I think that means he got all A's and is maybe in the top 5% or 10% of his class, I can't quite remember.  I do know that he had straight A's, and we're very proud of him!

 

Jacob's choir concert was the next day.  They did a bunch of songs and rotated all around the stage.

 

We let Connor bring a snake book to keep him occupied if he needed it.  I looked over during the concert to see him just smiling down at his book.

 

After the first concert of the year we decided that Landon was banned from attending concerts for the rest of the year.  A friend in our neighborhood watched him for every concert for us, so that we could actually enjoy them.  Thanks Julie! 

Wellness Day

Landon and I went to the kids' Wellness Day (a fun outdoor field day) for a couple of hours.  Connor has gone for years to watch his siblings, so he was very excited to finally participate.  When we got there he was playing tennis, but they had to stop early because someone in his class got hit in the head with a racquet or something.

 

 

 

 Tough guy Connor showing his muscles

 

 

 Zach was not too excited to have my with him, so I took one quick picture and went back to the other kids.

 Landon loved the fire truck that was there visiting

Children's Museum

Landon and I went with a couple of friends to the Austin Children's Museum.  She has an annual membership and can bring a couple of friends for free.  I hadn't been in years, so it was Landon's first time.  He loved all the hands-on activities.  I think his favorite was this ball thing.  It had air blowing through it and you could rearrange the tubes however you want.  Then you put a ping pong ball in and it shoots through the tubes.

 We also built our own race car and he could have stayed at this little ramp all day.

 Landon and his buddy Declan

 Landon loved the ball room, but a field trip group came in right after we got there, so we didn't stay long.  His favorite exhibit was this ball "roller coaster."  He loves climbing stairs anyway, but getting to roll a boll down a long track just made it that much better.

Thanks for the fun morning Elizabeth & Declan!

Mother's Day

It was a nice Mother's Day with lots of love.  Most of the kids made me homemade things at school and church and I got flowers and chocolate from Dallin.  He also gave me the entire Harry Potter movie collection on Blu-Ray to be able to watch with the kids as they get older.  (We had to get rid of all of our VHS tapes not long ago, so we're lacking in some of our favorite movies.)

It was so nice to have my mom here for the 2nd year in a row, this time totally by coincidence.  She didn't even realize she'd be here for Mother's Day until after she'd booked her flight.

Since we were taking pictures, here is one of Dallin and I.

My mom made dinner for me this year, so I actually got to relax all afternoon.  Thanks Mom!

We did have a pretty rough afternoon with one child, but luckily Dallin gave me a break and took care of it for the most part.  That was a gift in itself...thanks Dallin!

Jacob's Field Trips

Jacob has a whole weekend of field trips, and loved every minute of it.  On Friday, May 10 he went on his orchestra reward field trip to Main Event.  Since Grandma was in town I was able to go with him.  I am very lucky that Jacob still loves to have his parents near him and likes to do stuff with us.  I asked him if he wanted me to just hang out with the other mom and he said "No, I wanted you to come so you can hang out with me!"  We did Neon Bowling, rock climbing, glow-in-the-dark miniature golfing, laser tag, arcades, and had lunch.  Jacob loved the refillable drink, and spent the day going back for more Sprite.  I'm so happy I was able to go have fun with him, because I'm sure the days of him wanting me along will not last forever.

 

 Jacob is really scared of heights and only made it about halfway up the rock wall each time.  But he went back a couple of weeks later with the deacons for an activity and made it up to the very top.

 

 Fruit Ninja on the big screen

 On the way home our bus broke down and we had to sit for 30 min. or so waiting for the replacement.  Luckily there was a breeze, but the Texas humidity is pretty brutal.

 On Saturday, May 11 Jacob got to go to the temple for the first time to do baptisms.  Dallin was able to go with him and I know they both enjoyed the trip to and from San Antonio.  We're so proud of Jacob for the faithful young man he is.  He always tries so hard to do what is right.

Monday was the 6th grade reward field trip but Jacob didn't want to go (it was at a ranch in Georgetown, outside, and it was hot).  I let him stay home and hang out with Grandma instead since she was leaving that evening.  He got to go to lunch with Grandma alone, which to him was better than a school field trip.

Tuesday was his choir field trip to Austin Parks and Pizza.  I wasn't able to go on that one, but he had a great time doing the arcades, bumper boats, laser tag, miniature golf, and the all-you-can-eat buffet.

Grandma's Visit

We loved having Grandma come and visit!  She was able to attend many events for the kids, which they all loved.  But we had some fun just hanging out at home as well.

I got Connor this snake at a yard sale, and he quickly informed me that it was missing one of its sewn-on "pits."  That is the hole on some snakes that they use for heat-sensing (yes, I just had to ask Connor that to make sure I had it right).  I kept putting it off and when Grandma got here she was happy to sew it for me one night while Connor was sleeping.  

 Landon loved all the attention he got from Grandma while the kids were at school.

 

 On Thursday, May 9 Jacob had his last orchestra concert.  He will not be playing viola next year because he wants to take technology classes instead.  But he had a fun time learning the viola, and was happy to have Grandma there to watch him play.

 

 Just Dance Disney is our new favorite activity after dinner.  

 

 Jacob was in the ward talent show with his deacon's quorum at church.  They did a skit.  We couldn't hear it very well, but he had fun doing it.  I'm thankful for the friendships he's making and how comfortable he feels with all the boys.  He loves going to scouts every week.

 Grandma, Lauree & Savannah getting a pedicure.

Here's a little video of Jacob warming up with his orchestra before the concert and Grandma dancing with the kids.