May

Have you ever had those awe-inspiring moments where you knew, without a doubt, that God placed someone special in your life because He knew you would need them.  Well, that's my Ella bella.

One of the best ways to show me love is by writing little notes, or doing little acts of kindness.  And though Cam is truly my dream boy, leaving any kind of note for me is as far from his radar as pluto is to our solar system (or, was, rather.)  However, my little freckled red-head is always writing a note or two and doing sweet things for me.  Like this note when she switched the laundry for me.

And these little notes she left the night before mother's day.

With these little goodies under my pillow:

And this cute flag she made for our family's "title of liberty."

Love my little red head.  I also had to include this picture I discovered in her school journal:

Ella kept asking for "flying pixie dust" from the tooth fairy, but the tooth fairy is always out of "flying dust."  So far Ella has received some dust that makes her hair grow faster, and then some dust that makes you a better swimmer.....

Daxton also had a fun note this month, creating, for me, his "wish list:"

What is with these kids and magic dust??

This month in school, Ella's class was asked to dress as their future profession.  Since Ella really wants to be a "Neonatal Nurse," she dressed the part and had baby in tote.

Ella's soccer season finished up this month.  She is learning to be more aggressive, and really seems to like the sport.

We are trying to give Amelie a better grasp on her letters and their sounds, and trying to be more creative in our approach.  Here she is writing some letters in shaving cream.

Turns out our cats are great mousers.  So far they have caught several voles, mice, birds, and even took out a rabbit.  The great thing is, they eat the whole thing so there is very little mess (Except the liver, which they leave every time.)

Kinda disturbing, I agree.

I loved this picture of Joey, sitting on our doorstep, eating his lunch while he waits until Amelie can play.

The kids in the neighborhood all lent a hand in painting the chicken run I built.  It's coming together!  And finally we can put those stinky birds outside!

Here are my two little munchkins trying to stay warm while eating some toast for breakfast.

Grandma Holly had a fun craft for us to take part of at her house.  She's the best!

Here are Ella and her good friend Sam, playing chess together.  Looks like she's deep in thought, considering her next move..... 

Love watching my little kiddos sleep.  Check out how nasty-dirty Daxton's socks are!

Josh's 6th grade class performed "Tall Tales," a little musical about Paul Bunyan, Pecos Bill, and John Henry.  Josh was John Henry, and even sang a solo.  Such a brave kid.  He sounded great!

I am serving as the YoungWomen's Secretary in my LDS Ward.  Because of that, I am able to spend time with the youth in my area, ranging from age 12 to 18.  One night we did a trust exercise, and led them blin

This month we were invited by our good friends, the Child family, to come over for a fire, some songs, good food and great company.  Love these people.

Amelie finished up preschool at Sunshine Circle this month.  Miss Camee is hands down one of the sweetest ladies I have ever met.  She is wonderful and we love and will miss her!

Josh had his end of the year concert this month.  He is really liking the violin, and has such an ear for music.  He can listen to a song and then play the song on the violin (or plunk it out on the piano.)  He definitely has a gift, and I hope he continues learning!

I had to snap a picture of Dax putting his arm around his dad at the concert.  Love that sweet boy.

We also finished up our music class this month.  It was such fun to have our neighbors and friends come over once a week to sing songs, laugh, and have fun together.  We will miss no longer doing singing time (I've done it with all my kids for the past 5 years).  Makes me a little teary.  But we've made some great memories along the way!

Cam installed a basketball hoop this month.  It is quite the monstrosity, but the kids are loving it.  Because it is cemented and bolted down, the kids like to play dunk ball.  Josh even purchased a little exercise tramp at a garage sale to add to the fun.  Here are some neighborhood kids playing a pick up game.

This month we said goodbye to my parents dear sweet little dog, Monty.  Monty has been the family dog since 1998.  He has been my mom's shadow, but he has gone downhill quite a bit the last year, so they finally put him down.  My parents decided to bury him up at their cabin.  We had a little ceremony, each kid told what they loved about Monty, and then we worked together to bury him (tucked away nicely in a tupperware bin, all curled up inside his pineapple bed that he slept in every night.)

And then grandpa tied Josh to the tree.

I sure love these parents of mine.  Two of the hardest working, selfless people I know.

We have had fun playing with the birds as they continue to grow bigger and bigger.  

Daxton also did a class performance this month.  I seriously can't even tell you what this reader's theatre was about (something with African rain, or something??)  But he was excited none the less.