Skiing!

 Jer was going skiing with the Young Men to Brianhead a couple weeks ago and I decided the kids and I should tag along.  Lessons were included with the cost which was so nice for the kids.  Jer and I got to go ski for a couple hours while the kids learned to ski.  Jer and I tried to teach them a few things before the lesson started and quickly decided that instructions might be taken better from someone else.  Turns out I was right because after lunch we were all able to ski together as a family.  It was such a fun time.  Something we have never done but will for sure have to do again.  Tacy wasn't sure she wanted to even try going down the ski slope for the first time but after the first time she had her confidence and she had so much fun.  Truman caught on fast and had no problems going up the big slope to the blue and black slopes.  Made me a little nervous but he did great.  It was a great day spent together as a family.  Sometimes I feel like I have to force myself to do these things because it feels like there is never enough time and it seems so hard to fit it in, but I'm so glad we made it happen.  One of the best days we've had in a long time.

Jer was in charge of lunch for all the Young Men.  We were all starving after a day on the slopes.

Jer teases me because when he fell the first thing I did was pull out my phone to take a picture.

Yes it was such great weather that Truman skied in short sleeves!  Unfortunately we all came home with sunburns.  I felt like a terrible mother because normally I'm really careful about that.  I seriously felt so guilty about it.  I think it taught the kids and I to be much more careful about wearing sunscreen.  Lesson learned.

St. Patrick's Day

I had a lot going St. Patrick's Day and the kids were a little disappointed the leprechaun didn't do a scavenger hunt this year.  We did have lucky charms for breakfast and for dinner Jer's parents were here and I made corned beef, potatoes and carrots (I forgot to put in the cabbage), a rainbow salad and green jello.  I had to clean the basement as well that day so I did what I could but it still turned out to be a fun day.  

Butterflies

The kids were so excited to release the butterflies we had watched turn from caterpillars to butterflies.  Cardon got the butterfly kit for Christmas and we tried to have them ready to release in the spring.  It just happened that that it was time to release them right on his birthday.  The kids were all so excited when we got the caterpillars in the mail and then patiently watched them make a chrysalis and turn into butterflies.  Truman took the lead and took care of everything they needed until they were ready to release.  It was a fun time and it was extra special that Jer happened to come home for a few minutes right when we were taking them out to let them go.   I think everyone would be excited to do it again sometime soon!

Happy 5th Birthday Cardon

We had a pretty low key but very special day with Cardon for his 5th birthday.  In the morning he helped me make his blue birthday cake with sprinkles.  He picked meat and cheese rollups with strawberries for lunch.  If there was anything he didn't want to do he reminded me it was his birthday and he didn't have to.  When Chambers went down for his nap in the afternoon we played games, read books, and talked about the day he was born.  That evening we met everyone at McDonalds for his birthday dinner.  Then we came home and opened presents and had cake.  He is a pretty awesomely stubborn kid who makes us all smile.  He comes up with the funniest statements and he's one of those kids that you just never know what will come out of his mouth.  We are still mastering how to get him to do things that he thinks are his own idea because if he thinks you want him to do something there's a good chance he will not do it.  He definitely has a stubborn streak and wants things to be on his terms.  Sometimes we just know that if he has "dug in" we might as well give in.  He is about as smart as they come and is starting to read already.  He loves preschool and Ms. Dianne and has her and all his class wrapped around his finger.  She often texts me with cute and funny things he has done during the day.  He seems to be a little of a class clown which is different from the rest of us.  He likes to be funny and entertain everyone.  He loves riding his bike, scooter, and skateboard and is a wild man for sure.  We are pretty used to his craziness but sometimes he makes other people nervous.  He always wants to help and enjoys being in the kitchen making things with me.  He is still an affectionate child and will randomly give me hugs and kisses and tell me I look pretty on my least pretty days.  He can truly be so sweet it melts my heart. 

Favorite:
color:  red
book:  "I Like to Read" (he can read this himself)
song:  I Love to See the Temple
friend:  Jace
thing to do:  play games with Tacy
thing to do outside:  jump on the tramp and ride my skateboard
sport:  soccer
treat:  chocolate chips, vanilla ice cream
food:  pizza and tacos
toy:  the toys in your tub
person:  Tacy

What are you good at:  riding my skateboard
What is hard for you:  folding my bed cause the blankies won't fit
Who's your favorite superhero:  Superman and Batman
What's your favorite team:  BYU
What will you do in kindergarten next year:  I don't know
What don't you like to do:  watch movies at night cause I'm tired

Cardon is 39lbs. and 49 in.

Oral Lamb Ballam

I have been putting off this post in hopes that I would come up with the right words to describe the day and feeling surrounding it.  I also knew that doing a post about Grandpa would bring back a lot of hard emotions.  While we were up in Salt Lake a couple weeks ago we were able to go to Grandpas funeral.  He ended up passing away only a short 2 and a half months after his sweetheart.  We knew his health was slowly declining and felt as though we were prepared for his passing.  Of course no one is ever completely prepared for these things.  I did feel a little more peace with his passing because I knew his quality of life had not been good for some time.  And I was really so happy to have him be with Grandma.  What a blessing to have them pass so closely together.  He was able to take care of her to the end, just like he wanted.  It was sad to see his body deteriorate but I took comfort in knowing that soon his body would be restored and he would again be able to to the things he wanted.  He held on for a long time, even without any food or water.  My mom took great care of him and even had him doing exercises with his band when he wasn't even speaking anymore.  He looked perfect as he slowly faded away.  I don't think I have ever read an obituary that is as accomplished as his.  No wonder he felt some frustrations at the end of his life.  He was accustomed to doing amazing things!  I don't know that I've ever known someone who had done so much for his church, community, and family.  I am lucky to have such a great person for a grandfather and example.  He truly was the most amazing person any of us knew.  He will truly be missed but not forgotten.  He was the most selfless and caring person.  He lived a completely charitable life.  He gave of his time and resources his whole life.  I have more pictures I will try and post later.

A few of my favorites of Grandpa this past year.  Grateful we have so many pictures and memories with this extraordinary man!  I'm sure he's doing tons of great work on the other side.