April

Not sure if it's just me and the women in my family, or if all women get the wintertime blues.  It hit the females in my family around February, yet I was still feeling great.  In fact, I almost made it through the entire winter thinking to myself, "Midway must be my wintertime cure!" But then April hit, and it was STILL snowing outside and frigid, and I began to despair.  You look out the window and see the sun shining, and feel the warmth streaming through the windows, and think to yourself, "What a glorious day!"  Yet one step outside and the 30 degree weather plus icy-wind subtly remind you that yes, you are living in the mountains, and yes, it is freezing!  It is nearing the end of April and we finally hit 70 degrees last weekend.  Let's hope Spring is here to stay!!  (Note to self: head to St. George next year in March to up your spirits and Vitamin D levels.)

We were able to get away one weekend this month and head to Moab.  It was a quick, and fun trip.  The boys and I biked the Slick Rock Practice loop together.  It was so great to see how brave and tough my boys are!

Ella hiking on the slick rock above our campground

Love this outfit!!

Hiking to Landscape arch, with Amelie riding on top!

Hooray for cousins! Jack and Kenny along for some fun!

My little Dax-man

Exploring the caves and hills

On our drive out, breathtaking!

Ella and Amelie built a little "camp" of their own

 

Morning sun rises, time to play in the water and mud!!

Biking slick rock with the boys.  Love it! 

Me and my boys!!

 

Landscape Arch.

Coming to a Christmas Card near you......

Joshua

Josh has taken it upon himself to exercise every day.  He first put together his own exericse regiment consisting of 50 sit ups, 10 push ups, and 50 jumping jacks; then repeat.  After a few days of that, he wanted to try Cam's exercising videos entitled "The Asylum."  If you've heard of P90X, this is the same company.  To summarize, it's killer, but Josh is giving it his all.  He realizes that when he exercises not only does he feel better, but he also doesn't bug his siblings while he's doing it, and therefore doesn't get in trouble.  It's a fantastic remedy. 

Here they are doing Josh's workout regime

 

Then they upgraded to the "Asylum" videos.  Love it!

Daxton

Daxton had his first grade program this month.  It made my heart swell with pride for the great city that we live in.  It was all about Midway and it's Swiss heritage.  Not only was Dax dressed in Lederhosen, but they also had a May pole, Marionnette dolls, and played the bells while singing "Edelweiss."  Tear jerker!

Below is Daxton with his friend, and neighbor, Gracie.

Nana and Grandpa came up for the event!

Ella

Something that has surprised me with our move to Midway is the amount of birthday parties up here.  I will occasionally throw a birthday party for my kids, they can invite a few of their friends, very low key.  For example, Ella's birthday consisted of a few of her neighborhood friends coming over for a "dance party," dressing up in costumes, turning on some music and shaking our groove thing.  Well both Dax and Ella have been invited to mulitipe parties thrown by classmates.  Meaning the birthday boy or girl invites the ENTIRE class to some spectacular event.  Ella even went to one that had bounce houses, face painting, and a clown making balloon animals.  Talk about overkill!  I'm gonna stick to my low-key party attempts and pray my kids won't know the difference.

Her party face.  Meow!

She's getting so big!

Ella and Amelie with friends Semry and Max

We went to Cherry Hill for a birthday party for our beloved Aunt Evelyn.  The girls were SO excited to see her again and spend some time with her.  Evelyn turned 95!! That's right, 95, and she still lives on her own and is up and atem!  She is such a great lady.  To know her is such a huge blessing!

Amelie

Amelie is becoming more and more independent each day.  Washing her hands on her own, putting on her own shoes, dressing herself, and giving it her best attempt at wiping her own behind (make sure the cleaner and wipes are handy).
She dresses herself and picks out her own outifts.  Even Ella's bus driver took note of this and upon seeing Amelie's outift, commented, "She must have dressed herself."  HA HA!  Love my little dimpled-beauty!

Picked out a tutu this day.  She was running through the hill-covered wild flowers above our house.

Ella and Amelie at the Mini-Golf in Cherry Hill.

Kendall and Kelli got a new puppy, Leo.  The girls just LOVE him.

Hole in one!!!

Cameron

Cameron is great.  He recently took an eye exam, and much to his chagrin, found out he needed new specatacles.  Though you may call him "hipster" upon seeing them, I call him "Professor Handsome."  Those babies instantly bumped his I.Q. and sexy meter a few notches up.

Here is Cam with his beautiful sister Megan, and her new baby, Lincoln!

Cindy

I am doing well.  Need some sunshine and warm weather, but doing well.  It's amazing how much good a little "outside" time does me.  Even if it's freezing cold, as long as I can spend some time outdoors, it soothes my soul.

I'm getting into the "project groove" again.  I decided to try and build a porch swing this month. 

 

 

Step 1: Buy wood

Step 2: cut wood and make a base

Step 3: cut more wood and have Josh drill them together.

Step 4: Bench is done and it weighs a ton!

 

Step  5: Enlist paint helpers (including the neighbor kid)

 

Step 6: Wait for paint to dry, then drill holes and ask Cam to please, please, pretty please help you hang it.

 

Step 7:  One month later, hang the swing and pray that it doesn't cause anyone physical harm.  HA!

My favorite place to "hang "with the girls. (pun intended)

 

I also had some of my favorite gals up for lunch this month! 5 adults and 18 kids between us!! Wow!