Zoo Field Trip

On March 28th the 2nd graders had a zoo field trip.  It also just happened to be a VERY cold, wet, snowy day.  But those 2nd graders didn't let that stop their fun.  They were such troopers and it was a really fun day.  Ironically, almost EVERY zoo school field trip I have gone on with my kids, it has been horrible weather.

 

 

 

Such a cute group of 2nd graders-
Emily, Presley, Cami, Lilly, Afton, Reagan.

I don't have very many pictures of Afton since I was in charge of a different group of kids than she was in.
One of the cons of having your twins in different classes.

 

These 3 are such good friends which I am so grateful for.
Lilly, Reagan, Afton

Part of Mrs. Bradshaw's class being bears in front of the bear exhibit.

Lilly is almost the size of an adult female gorilla :)

It was a wet, cold day but look how happy this girl is!

Cute kids!!!

Group shot of some very brave 2nd graders!

Lilly with her mom and teacher. 
I'm sure we just happen to be her two favorite people :)

Afton and her good friend

Heading to the bus with the teacher after a wet, fun day at the zoo.

Easter

Easter 2016
March 27th, 2016

Easter baskets for each of the kids

The new 8 year olds on Easter morning

Beautiful 12 year old Lizzie

So lucky to call these 4 ours

This was also the first year I didn't make Lizzie match dresses with the girls. 
She was quite excited :)

Lizzie trying to teach Lucky how to hunt for egss

Afton egg hunting

Such a beautiful girl

Another beautiful 8 year old

End of the day Easter cuddles with Grandma H.

Hotel Transylvania Party

 

The girls were able to have their friend party on their actual birthday this year which made it extra special.  This year they wanted a Hotel Transylvania 2 themed birthday party.

 

 

Lilly with the 3 eyed monster cupcakes

 

Party favor box-
 each girl got a bubble wand with a Hotel Transylvania necklace attached. 
 Artwork of box by Lizzie.



Putting balloons by our mailbox to help guests find our house :)



Cute group of friends they invited this year- 
So lucky Afton and Lilly have this adorable group of girls to hang out with.
Anna, Emily, Lilly, Charlotte, Hailey, Afton
Brooke, Anya, Miley, Maya, Reagan, Lillia

First we played a game of mummy wrap. 
 The birthday girls were wrapped up by their friends.

The finished mummies

We played a little Hotel Transylvania Bingo, had some cupcakes and ice cream and then sent them outside to the trampoline to try and get rid of some extra energy :)



Finally it was time for the movie- Hotel Transylvania 2

Loud, Crazy and Fun evening with some adorable girls!

It's Great To Be 8!!!

Happy 8th birthday to these cute girls!!!

 

 Each year as their birthday comes, I can't help but reflect and be forever grateful for all the prayers, and acts of service and kindness that happened in our behalf during 3 months of strict bedrest. They are truly here because of tender mercies of our Heavenly Father and the goodness of others. 

Afton- This girl has such a huge heart. She is always ready to help and especially likes to do anything with her hands ( coloring, creating, taking things apart, etc) She still loves to cuddle and give hugs. She wants to help me with dinner almost every night and wants to be a mom when she grows up.

Lilly- Even though she is such a petite thing she makes herself known in our family by being the loudest!!! She loves to talk and ask questions. She also feels things intensely and her emotions change quickly. Most days I can't keep up with her ever changing emotions.  She has a crazy memory, LOVES school and has the best laugh.

 

It's Great To Be 8!!!

Happy Birthday!

The Garden

When each of our kids are close to turning 8, we take them to The Garden restaurant with their grandparents. 

  Today was Afton and Lilly's turn :)

 

They had cute happy birthday signs and balloons waiting for them at their table.

How lucky Afton and Lilly are to call these people Grandma and Grandpa

Waving to grandparents across the way at the Joseph Smith Building

 

 

Other March Happenings

Other happenings from the first part of March-

 

March 5th- Ethan did his first Encore Music Evaluation.  He received a rating of Excellent. 
He played Ballade Op. 100 No. 15 and Elfin Dance Op. 12 No. 4
Way to go Ethan!!

Week of March 6th- Afton realized she REALLY liked the first Harry Potter book and read the whole book in about 5 days!



March 12th- Lizzie set up a little lunch date for Chuckles and Minky

March 12th- Lilly's 2nd grade teacher Ms. Maxfield got married and became Mrs. Bradshaw. We were invited to her reception, which was amazing. 
On the way home Lilly said at least 5 times- "This was the best night of my life!"

 

March 16th- with both Ethan and Lizzie gone on Wednesday nights for Young Men's and Young Women's, Jim and I have taken the girls up to the Curiosity Museum at Thanksgiving Point a few times.  It has been nice to spend some time with just those two.

 

March 17th- St. Patrick's Day fun.  The kids woke up to some Lucky Charms and then a treasure hunt note where they had to use Jim's metal detector in the backyard.  Inside they found some rainbow seeds (Skittles) and Gold at the end of the rainbow (Rolo's)

 

Disney on Ice

Jim and I gave the girls an early birthday present and I took them to Disney on Ice Frozen on March 4th.  I kept debating about buying the tickets ($$$) but realized this may be the last year when things are still so magical to take them to something like this.  I bought the seats last minute so our seats weren't the best but the girls didn't seem to care and loved EVERYTHING about it.  Lilly kept saying "Mom, this is so cool!"  Worth every penny :)

Our selfie from riding TRAXX downtown

Lilly wanted a picture of her pretending to be asleep

Halftime excitement with their flags

Afton chose an Olaf figurine for her souvenir and Lilly chose an Ana and Elsa necklace

Happy Girls as we were leaving!!!