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Sunday, March 11, 2012

A Look Back: April 2011

Here's a picture narration of last April.  Yes, as in the year 2011.  Yes, as in 11 months ago.  That's how I roll.

We got creative with our legos...


...and paper, and found special places to display our creations (like dad and mom's bedroom door).


We took an {unplanned} afternoon nap...

Enjoyed cousin JD for a few days while mom (Heather) and dad (Scott) went to Cabo...

Spent an afternoon (during JD's stay) at Mistlin Park with a football and happy hour Sonic drinks...

And hammed it up for the camera in our new basketball outfit from Grandpa Roy and Grandma Jill.

Sorry, couldn't resist sharing them all.  I just love Ryan's little mannerisms and expressions.

By the way, there is significance behind this outfit. That #32 player you see below on the left is my dad, who not only played basketball in high school, but was one of the most talented and valuable players on South High's team.  Needless to say, when my mom saw this outfit with the 32 on it, she just had to buy it. And when she told me the story behind the outfit, I just had to take a picture. Okay, fourteen pictures.

We went to McDonald's with Heather and JD...


Dressed our little brother up in big sister's clothes...
Hey, at least he's got a car in his hand and not a tiara.

And splashed around, fully clothed, in our 64 degree pool, which quickly led to suits and our first ever dip.
Oh man, he cracks me up and melts my heart all at the same time.
Here's a view of our pool and a portion of our backyard, which still needs plenty of love.

Speaking of backyard, we also installed sprinklers, with the help of Trammy.
The photo above these on the far right (behind the pool) shows another spot in the backyard where drip lines were installed for the garden we are growing this year.  Neil just finished building 2 large beds and we will be ordering dirt to be delivered in the coming days.

We took another {unplanned} afternoon nap...

Snapped some pictures on the front porch, just for fun...
...and got a little silly in the process.
{left to right: Chloe, Gabby, Ryan & Ariana}

We ate some watermelon...

Continued to be a potty trained star...

And took YET ANOTHER {unplanned} afternoon nap.

We played outside with our friends...
{left to right: Ryan, Jaceyln, Gabby, Jordan, Ariana & Chloe}

Spent an afternoon at Scott and Heather's...

Scott, Heather & JD - love them so much.
My little buddy and me.
Boys will be boys.
Heather, me and the kiddos.  JD is 5 weeks older than Ryan.

Went to Gabby's 8th birthday party...
Richie & Christie and Chloe & Gabby

Complete with a bounce house and face painting...


And finally, walked around wearing our bike helmet, mom's slippers and no underwear.  Classic Ryan.

I'd also like to mention that my mom celebrated a birthday on the 30th.
Hot summer afternoon on Temple Square - July 2010
As cliche as it may sound, I really do feel like the luckiest girl alive to have Jill Halliday as my mom.  She is, without a doubt, the most thoughtful and Christ-like woman I know, and sets such an incredible example to me of charitable love and acceptance.  She's an angel on earth, and anyone who knows her well will agree.  I hope she knows how special she is to me.  I value her opinion and insights, and cherish our mother/daughter relationship and friendship. Happy {waaaaay belated} Birthday, Mom!  I love you.

April was a good month.  Now let's see how long it takes me to post May pictures!
signautre

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness! I got here from your post about Chloe's piano recital (which in itself was such a treasure....soooo proud of her, and also so very grateful to David for the wonderful and amazing gift of her tuition, to you and Neil for appreciating it so much, and of course to her very capable and loving teacher. What a joy to Gpa and me that she has such a love for the piano! Loved that post!

Then.....I revisited this one....oh my! what another treasure I found here! ALL THESE PHOTOS OF ALL THESE HAPPENINGS! And your beautiful words interspersed! SO grateful that I got HERE TOO!

So many things....the Christmas program (oh I would love to hear Chloe sing that verse of "Jolly Old Saint Nicholas" and to have experienced the whole thing. Love how all the kids were dressed in red, white and black. Very compelling. Faces oh-so-sweet....and happy! LOVE the photo of Chloe covering hers (her face :)....just cute!

THen all the others.....so much laughter it all gave me....and a few tears too. LOVE how you are documenting your family's life! What sacred treasures are these! First time swimming in your pool (and in clothes too!) - oh the obvious fun! An outing with the football (LOVE that photo of Neil kicking it, one leg still up in the air.....and all the other photos too!). SO glad to see Ryan in his #32 basketball outfit again, AND to see the photo of Gpa! Just so special! And the visit from JD and the precious photos of his family (Jim and Karen are arriving here today to visit :)....and all the neighborhood friends....and all Ryan's naps (so funny his positions when he fell asleep - he'll love to see these through the years!). LOVE the photo of him in your slippers, his helmet, sweet little bottom showing :). And then, surprise, my special birthday tribute (loooove that photo in front of the beautiful flowers on Temple Square. Such a special time and place). Your tribute brought tears.....thank you, honey, more than I can say. I also cherish and am so very grateful for our sweet mother/daughter relationship and friendship. I could never ask for a more wonderful daughter, ever ever ever.

THANK YOU for all of this......and for so much more. What treasures these are......to have for always.
Keep up your wonderful work of documenting your sweet family. It will become even more valuable in times to come. It will certainly contribute to your children "aris(ing) up and call(ing) you blessed."

Love love love you all sooooo much,
Mama/Gma

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness! I got here from your post about Chloe's piano recital (which in itself was such a treasure....soooo proud of her, and also so very grateful to David for the wonderful and amazing gift of her tuition, to you and Neil for appreciating it so much, and of course to her very capable and loving teacher. What a joy to Gpa and me that she has such a love for the piano! Loved that post!

Then.....I revisited this one....oh my! what another treasure I found here! ALL THESE PHOTOS OF ALL THESE HAPPENINGS! And your beautiful words interspersed! SO grateful that I got HERE TOO!

So many things....the Christmas program (oh I would love to hear Chloe sing that verse of "Jolly Old Saint Nicholas" and to have experienced the whole thing. Love how all the kids were dressed in red, white and black. Very compelling. Faces oh-so-sweet....and happy! LOVE the photo of Chloe covering hers (her face :)....just cute!

THen all the others.....so much laughter it all gave me....and a few tears too. LOVE how you are documenting your family's life! What sacred treasures are these! First time swimming in your pool (and in clothes too!) - oh the obvious fun! An outing with the football (LOVE that photo of Neil kicking it, one leg still up in the air.....and all the other photos too!). SO glad to see Ryan in his #32 basketball outfit again, AND to see the photo of Gpa! Just so special! And the visit from JD and the precious photos of his family (Jim and Karen are arriving here today to visit :)....and all the neighborhood friends....and all Ryan's naps (so funny his positions when he fell asleep - he'll love to see these through the years!). LOVE the photo of him in your slippers, his helmet, sweet little bottom showing :). And then, surprise, my special birthday tribute (loooove that photo in front of the beautiful flowers on Temple Square. Such a special time and place). Your tribute brought tears.....thank you, honey, more than I can say. I also cherish and am so very grateful for our sweet mother/daughter relationship and friendship. I could never ask for a more wonderful daughter, ever ever ever.

THANK YOU for all of this......and for so much more. What treasures these are......to have for always.
Keep up your wonderful work of documenting your sweet family. It will become even more valuable in times to come. It will certainly contribute to your children "aris(ing) up and call(ing) you blessed."

Love love love you all sooooo much,
Mama/Gma