May...you know because it's almost August

Seriously. Four kids has done us in. But recently Cara and I discovered the print version of this blog (which is only published through 2013) and we can't get enough. So we are trying to reinvigorate ourselves and possibly print 2014. We will see.

Luckily we have Instagram and Facebook with Mom's stuff so life IS actually being documented.

But let's start with how how May feels like summer is here and we start spending lots more time in swimsuits!

BUT FIRST....a moment with Sam stuck in our ottoman...

May is the time we hit splash pads because pools aren't open yet, but it's so hot during the day. 

My mom forgot Iva's suit so she had to make due with what was left in the swim bag from last year!

Mom also plays at the splash pads while we are still in school

Sam has begun to figure out the magic of a paddle jumper! 

Back at the end of April, Aunt Angie sold her house and bought a bigger one that has a pool! We OF COURSE spent much time over there, but you will see from the photos...most of the time I was in school. Lame.

Okay at this point Sam wasn't actually sold on the puddle jumper idea

But he LOVES basketballs

Ooo! We snuck in a photo of my mom with Grandma. They teach together sometimes and a selfie is a requirement.

Back to the pool and a very cute naked butt Sam.

Hurray! I'm actually at the pool this time!

Aunt Becca was given this AWESOME float for her birthday!

Back to the splash pad with Mr. Cutie Face

Sam loves a good selfie..

Op! Back to the pool!

SHARK BABY!

Iva and her goggles and no puddle jumper! She's a swimming machine...

One of the twins is trying to help her pull the float...

A visit to a farm!

Another guest post by Mom:

At the end of April, when my big kids were up in SLC with Dad, I had a client from my personal training that was having an engagement party. She invited me and I knew our time training together was done as she was moving so I decided to be brave and attend the party. She told me I could bring my kids because there were animals to see.

I was a little taken back when I got to the property. It was a beautiful and very LARGE house. I felt very under dressed and almost like I shouldn't be there.

This was the playroom for the kids! It was so amazing. The house was clearly new, but it was also very well designed.

My client, Janet, was so generous she actually left the party and took my kids and I on a little tour of the property. I discovered what an animal lover Sam is and that Iva is much more cautious.

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Sam would just reach and touch every animal without hesitation!

Sam thought it was great to be swarmed by the goats!

This was the house and I actually didn't get it all in the photo!

I was so glad I went, but it felt like a crazy experience!

My Kids

Guest post by Mom:

My kids are the best. Going through these photos has made my heart sing.

I upgraded Sam's carseat from his pink flowery one to a newer more boy looking carseat and his favorite part is the cup holders!

Sam and Iva are so sweet to each other most days. They play really well and Sam loves to hug her. She tries to help him up on top of things and make sure to he gets food. They fight too, but mostly because Sam is just trying to BE Iva.

This morning I took the kids for donuts before school. I can't remember why. I probably didn't have a good reason. I just did. Maybe because it was Friday. I don't get a lot of photos with Siena and Cara but they are so good. They are helpful, respectful kids who try their best to be nice. They are a little messy at home, but can you blame them? It's hard to be a kid.

Oh my Iva. She loves to dress up right now. This particular day it was a princess dress with her Supergirl cape. She looked ridiculously spunky and this picture just makes me happy.

My two buddies. I've been trying to ride my bike more and they have to come along for the ride. This day Dad had taken the two big girls up to SLC with him and I was having a party with the littles which of course meant they slept in my bed with me.

Lots of nature time...

Guest post by Mom:

Here's the thing, I have been busy. More busy than usual which is why we get so dreadfully behind on the blog. As I am looking back at our April photos, I'm actually sincerely grateful I played with my kids as much as I did.

The big girls went climbing with Grandpa. I am always so proud of them when they push past their fears.

They were rewarded with getting to eat part of the giant bunny we got at Easter!

I was trying to be a fun Mom and take the two littles to a splash park, but it was a bit windy which made it cold and Iva was quite grumpy with me. It was a bit of a fail.

Although I managed to take some photos that made it LOOK like we had fun! ha!

The next day was a much more successful trip to a non splash park. It was glorious.

We even discovered a NEW park thanks to the suggestion of a friend. We got to see a turtle and lots of ducks.

Summit had a swim party and they took out all their lane lines from the outdoor pool. We made sure to swim because it was so unusual. It was once again a little cold but we played while we could.

We hit the lake again in April, but it was on a Saturday and there was an ATV event happening and it was CROWDED. Dad needed to get in a swim for his Ironman training though so we still went. We had a little tiny corner of beach, but it was enough.

He really loves the wagon!

Easter

Oh before we forget, Mom ran in the Hog & Jog 5k Saturday morning and got her PR! She was pretty happy. And who wouldn't be happy after all the food they served her?!

Easter morning we woke up and of course there were eggs to find! The Easter bunny also brought us Moana and dresses.

Look at how handsome our men are!!

Sam was not interested in photos!

Church was lovely but Sam figured out there were stairs and loved trying to climb up and down them. It was slightly stressful.

After church we had the usual festivities at Grandma's house. There was a grandkid Easter egg hunt and a a grown up Easter egg hunt. We have no photos of the grown up hunt. It was too crazy!