Decoration (Memorial) Day

 This morning we made the trek down to Payson.  We stopped by Wilson Elementary School, so the boys could see the school that was named after Melvin Wilson - their great-great-grandfather.  They thought it was pretty cool.

 I love this picture of Wilson and Holden - too bad Josef was asleep in the car!

 We went to the Payson City Cemetery to see the Wilson and Nebeker families.

 We put flowers by Gordon, Aurora, Melvin, and Dale B.'s headstones.  I am so grateful for my ancestors, and all that I can learn from their lives.

 The boys by my grandpa's headstone - oh, how I love that man!

We stopped by the "big" house.  There were some people working out front.  It was obvious that no one is living there currently, so with some prodding from Ken, and a little self-talk that I could be a "Diann", I walked up and talked to them.

They bought the house and are planning to restore it.  They are first going to add a basement - that is why the foundation looks like it does.  I am so happy someone is going to restore the home to what it used to be.  The bush out front is a lilac that came from Joseph Smith Sr home in Kirtland - the Dixon family owned it after the Smith's left Kirtland.  The lady I spoke with, at the home, is interested in the story, so I told her I would find out all I can and get back with her.

Wilson's First Grade Program

Wilson said, "We have learned many songs about plants that we will sing for you today!"

Wilson had a speaking part in his program.  The program was in the afternoon, and Josef had fallen asleep on the way to the school.  I got there 25 minutes early, but I still didn't get a very good seat.  I had intended to go up to the front, and video Wilson, but like I said, Josef was asleep on my lap!  This video was taken from about 15 rows back, by a woman 8 months pregnant, and a sleeping 2 1/2 year old on her lap...there is only so much a woman can do!  Wilson did a great job though!

Projects...

 I saw these fabric buckets on a friends blog, she found them here http://www.themotherhuddle.com/hanging-fabric-storage-baskets/ . I have so much cute fabric left from the quilt that my mom made, and the valance I have been working on, so I thought I would give them a try.  I will hang them on the wall with diapers and wipes...

 

I have seen so many cute things for Aurora's room, and now I am trying to get a few of them completed...I think I am a little crazy...but it is such a good feeling when they are completed!

I still need to finish up a ruffle valance I made, and when I do I will post more pictures.

I am going to start working on the banner for Aurora's room too!  I just got it back from the quilters, and I will be adding rick rack, ruffles, pom poms and more...

It really is quite strange to be working on all of these girlie projects, I love when the boys see me working on them and ask what I am doing.  They are so excited to see them when I finish - it is like my own little cheer leading squad:)

Gary Hogg visits Wilson's Class

Gary Hogg (my cousin Emily's husband) spoke to Wilson's class today.  He is write children's books, and travels all over talking to students about writting. 

 He started out tell an exerpt of his book about Beautiful Beuhla, costume and all!

 Wilson, Luke, and another boy got to help him act out the story by being a lion, gorilla, and elephant at the zoo.

 Gary then spoke to the children about writting, and using descriptive words to tell a story.  The children listened and participated intently.

 Wilson got to give each of his classmates one of Gary's books, and then Gary wrote in each book for each child.  It was fun to see the kids read what Gary had written to them!

Now we are off to watch Wilson's first grade program!

Holden's Preschool Graduation

Holden had his Preschool Graduation this morning.  I didn't realize how out numbered the little boys were - 4 boys and 11 girls!  He was really excited, I was surprised that he didn't get into the actions to the songs more - I guess he is already too cool for that kind of stuff!

I was only able to catch the last bit of The Pledge of Allegiance.

Holden popped up so quick I couldn't catch him!

 Luke - Holden's best buddy and their teachers!

 Miss Denise, Holden, and Miss Angela

The graduates!

Patriotic Program

Last week, Wilson was in the 2nd grade Patriotic Program at school. He is in a 1st/2nd grade split this year, and has been able to do all things with the 1st and 2nd grade - that has meant lots of field trips, activities, and parties - he has had a great year.
Wilson was so excited for Ken and I to go to his program.  He was especially excited because he told Ken that he was going to get to stand at one part.  They invited all active military and veterans to stand and be recognized.
I am so grateful to live here, and to have my children raised in a area where patriotism is encouraged and celebrated.  The children used each letter in the alphabet to talk about our country, "G" was for God, in whom we trust - I love that we live in a place where it is OK to talk about God.
The last song was "I'm Proud to be an American", Wilson has been singing this song for weeks in the shower.  This song always makes me a little teary.  It reminds me of the time that Ken spent in Iraq.  I sat there, in the program, watching my nephew and son sing there little hearts out, and I was completely overwhelmed with gratitude.  Gratitude for the country that I love in, grateful for being able to raise my family in Farmington (which all traces back to that difficult time that Ken served in Iraq), grateful for all of my many, many blessings.  I hate it when I cry, but I could not control it (it is nice to have pregnancy hormones to explain part of it!)

 Wilson with his buddy Luke

 Keaton grinning from ear to ear:)

I am so disappointed because I recorded part of the song, but I recorded it on the tape in the camera, so I can't download it on to the computer!

Next week we get to go to the 1st grade program - Wilson has a speaking part, so I will try and get it on video...

Wrought Iron Furniture

Last year my brother brought up the wrought iron furniture from my parents home.  The paint was coming off, and they were pretty rusted (I should have taken a before picture!)  I wanted to get them refinished last year, but that did not happen:)  It was again on the list of projects to get done for Spring this year, and it is done!!!!

Thanks to Bart, who took them to work and sandblasted them!  Ken spray painted them, and made new cushions!  He did a great job, and now I can sit on my perch and watch the boys play in the front yard. happy days!

It is almost SUMMER!

It feels like Summer - except the boys aren't out of school yet!  After dinner, Ken went out to mow the lawn, and the boys wanted to enjoy an ice cream sandwich!

Mowing the Lawn

Josef was so excited to help Ken mow the lawn.  I was really surprised how long he lasted - he did the whole front lawn, and half of the backyard with Ken!

The Ranch

 We went, with Bart and Shell, to Shell's families ranch in Ruby Valley Nevada.  It was time to round up the cows and calves, and get the calves branded and vaccinated.  Bart, Ben, Ethan, Ken, and Wilson helped Paul (Shell's uncle) and Brian (Shell's cousin's husband) get it done!  Paul and Brian live at the ranch year round.

 Wilson, Ethan, and Ben resting after working hard!

 Shell and Taft checking out the cows

 Ken getting a calf ready to be branded

 There were lots of old trucks and tractors for the boys to climb on - and boy did they love it!

 Shell showing Holden and Wilson the old cowboy outhouse!  The blacksmith shop next to it was built in about 1906.

 Josef loving playing on a tractor!

 Holden watching the calves!

 Boys checking out the horses, and loving climbing on the railings!

My three little cowboys:)

It was an experience we will never forget!  The are definitely city folk - but it was great to enjoy a quieter life for a couple of days!

Holden's Tooth

Last week the boys were playing (wrestling), and they knocked out part of Holden's front tooth.  The tooth turned gray about 2 weeks ago, and was loose - we were hoping it would tighten back up - but instead it came out. 
I took him to the dentist, and they had to put him under, and pull it out.  While the dentist was doing that, he filled a couple little cavities, and sealed some teeth. 
Holden was SO loopy!  He couldn't walk on his own without falling over, and had some interesting hallucinations - I had two heads, and four eyes!

Cousins

Our "Michigan" cousins have been here for a couple of days.  Thanks Allison and Ben for having a wedding reception:)  My boys have so much fun with them.  We can't wait for next July, when they will all return home from their mission (except Blake - he will be in the London South Mission)!

Brothers

Wilson has decided he likes to sleep with Holden and Josef.  Josef is snuggled on the right side of the bed under the blanket.  I wonder how long this is going to last.  It has already been a couple of weeks!  I am so grateful that my boys are so close:)