Memorial day weekend

So our big plans to go camping Memorial day weekend got postponed due to studies. DJ is incessantly studying for his National Board Exam he plans on taking in 2 weeks. So I invited some young women over to spend the night Sunday and play with me on Monday. Jazmine and Javon (sisters) came and I had a ball. We started with a delicious dinner made by my one and only. Then a walk to see the horses. Then a game of trouble. The kids went to bed and we got crazy! The girls taught us how to do some Philly dances. One in particular was 'crank that lion king'. I'm pretty good at it I think. We proceeded into the evening by recording a fashion show. We used my hallway as the runway. I was laughing so hard. We finally ended the night at 11:00. The next day we were lazy in the morning and played some wii. Then we went to visit a YW leader who had her baby the previous day. Then we headed to our cookout where we had delicious burgers, watermelon, juice and chips. I ate 2 hamburgers they were so good. After that we just hung out. I taught Jazmine a hand dance that we hope to do for the camp talent show. We had family home evening and then I took the girls home. I'm glad I had some company so I wouldn't go ballistic on a holiday! Walking up our street toward the agricultural school where the horses are kept.

A nice Sunday stroll with the family.

Our two thumb suckers!

A great thanks to all those who have served our country in the military! It doesn't go unnoticed! Happy Memorial day...yesterday~

preschool graduation

Maelie had her preschool graduation last week. It was so fun to go to. The kids sang some of the songs they learned in preschool and put on a program in which they all took part. Maelie's part "In March we learned about money. Now we will sing our money song." and "I will seek wise people". we practiced her lines a ton, but in the excitement of it all, she forgot them. Oh well, she was cute. Saying her part

Getting capped!

We're proud of our little graduate. she's excited to begin Kindergarten in the Fall.

Maelie and her preschool teacher, Miss Jamie

Maelie with a couple of her classmates.

Garrett's Birthday!

From this hospital picture (6lbs. 3oz)...

...to this...

...to this...

Our little man is now three! Out of all the things he could have chosen for his birthday dinner, he chose pancakes. I even told him he could have pizza, but he wouldn't budge. Oh well, it was easy prep. When he told me he wanted a train cake I was thrilled. My sister did a train cake for Maelie when she turned two so I knew how to make one! I'm not good at fancy cakes so this was perfect. And he loved it. He was king for the day and he knew it. He acted the part well.

He blew out all the candles on the first try!

A baseball bat!!!!!

He had a great birthday. We love celebrating birthdays!

Trip to Hamburg, PA???

Going to Hamburg may not seem like much of a trip, but we loved it. We were able to spend the day as a family driving and talking and playing! We just left for the day, but it was very relaxing and stress free. We had to get our tent replaced so we found the nearest Cabela's (in Hamburg) and took off. The kids loved seeing all the animals and the "real fish"!!! They really thought the fish were cool.

Our tent is fixed and we are ready for summer camping!

We saw this cool mural while we were driving and had to get a picture. It's on the side of a building. and then we saw our name!!!

when it rains it pours

I haven't posted in about a month so now there are 5 new posts! I tell you, when it rains it pours.

White Coat Ceremony

Yesterday DJ had his White Coat Ceremony. It's kind of like a graduation from the academics and a rite of passage into the clinic. He is now a student dentist and can work on patients! It was a nice event.
All the students recited the dentist pledge

WAY TO GO DJ!!!

Sporting his white coat.

A group of some of the LDS students in his year.

The last two years are complete and now we get to look forward to the next two here in Philadelphia.

After the program, so of us were able to celebrate at Hibachi Grill. This is the view from our table.

At Hibachi Grill.

And, of course, our chef. He was such a fun chef and amazing too! He did so many tricks and kept us laughing.

It was a really fun day. Thanks to DJ for all his hard work in school and thanks to those who babysat for us for this special day!

Picnic at the park

We went to a dinner picnic at the park to celebrate those who we've gotten to know and who are moving away this summer. I think there are 10 families from our ward moving out between the months of May and August. It was a ton of fun to visit with everyone. For all those leaving, you will be missed!

Some of the wives

Some of the husbands hanging out on the fence.

Thanks for all those who planned the picnic.

preschool picture day

Maelie had picture day at school.
And of course, if one kid gets dressed up for pictures, then the other wants his picture taken too, so...

Baby #3 is such a happy, happy boy! We are having so much fun playing with him and watching him develop his own personality. He is already 8 months (no teeth)! He is a definite growler, smiler, sleeper, babbler and adventurer. ( is that a word?)

Sweet slumber

Special Olympics

A couple of Saturdays ago we took the youth to special olympics. They taught and played against the special kids paper football. It was a hit. For a while all the special kids were surrounding our tiny table having a 'ball'.
The kids had fun too, even though it was freezing. The news said it was supposed to be 70, but it was a ton colder than that. Thanks to friends and others from our stake our kids were kept warm.

The Group. We had a ton of youth there. I think our ward had the most! Five young men and 8 young women. A great turnout!

And one of the girls saw this sign and we got a picture of him beside it. This girl is just a friend of one of the YW and she absolutely LOVES Sterling.