Luke, my music man

Luke started learning how to play the Viola this year. After a few months his teacher put him in the orchestra and he was able to be in a special group performance at the end of the year. Since this is my blog, I can brag about my own kids; his teacher told me Luke had some major natural talent and we better get him some private lessons quick! (That's him, in the orange shirt.) Way to go Luke!! We are so proud of you!!!

Adventures in Eating

Thanks to being on a feeding tube for the first half of her life, Evelyn developed a problem being able to eat solid foods. The muscles used to push the food back in her mouth were not developed correctly. Therapy was suggested, and well... I will just let the pictures do the talking :)!!

 

 Yes, that is pizza, don't judge me.

 So far, Spaghetti is her favorite food.

I am SO thankful for the amazing progress she has made! She still has some texture issues, but most kids her age are picky anyways. I just can't believe that she is finally eating table food, it makes meal times SO MUCH more enjoyable for everyone!!! (and a lot less time consuming for me!!)

Spring Break

During this year's Spring Break we got to go to a friends farm. The kids fed ducks, held the baby ducks, played on a tractor, took a ride in the mountains and hiked around. They had a blast!!

 The kids were so cute sitting in this little line waiting for the ducks to come to shore so they could feed them :).

 Lily was a little timid with the baby ducks. She was afraid she would hurt one.

 Gabby was not afraid at all. She loved this!

 Luke was so cute! The baby was squawking and Luke was bouncing it up and down saying "sh, sh, sh...." Can you tell he is an amazing big brother?!

 Evie was so happy to be able to be with her dad! He took a few days off, which was nice since it had been a long few months. Residency can't be over soon enough!!!

 I can't remember what this thing was called, but the kids LOVED going on a ride in it :).

 They boys being boys. They didn't know I was watching them explore.

After a really long, cold, gray winter, it was really nice to be able to spend time together and get outside! It was the perfect Spring Break!!

Easter, late as usual

*In an effort to catch up this will be a condensed post about Easter.

 

This year our Spring Break was over Easter, and we decided to take a little trip. Our close friends the Israelsen's and the McLemore's invited us down to spend some time with them before Chisa and Gordon move to Hawaii for residency this month. It was such a fun trip! The only sad thing was that Sunday, Easter, ended up rainy and cold, whereas the days before and after were beautiful. We made due and went over to the Med School/Hospital for our egg hunt. We got a few pictures, but none that I loved. Yes, we love the matching thing ;)!!

The babies were not super happy to be taking pictures, especially outside in the cold.

The kids loved the egg hunt even if it wasn't your traditional one.

 

And it wouldn't be Easter without our annual Egg Wars!!!!

Gabby and "uncle" Stan won, but we all had a blast together!



We have spent most of our holidays with these guys for the past 4 years, and it is sad to think that won't be the case any more. Hawaii is just a little far for a quick weekend visit ;)! Thanks for the memorable Easter McLemore's and Israelsen's!!!

More to come from this awesome trip!!

Miss Independent

Evelyn has been slowly developing her own little personality, and it is so fun! For so long she was just this "sick" baby. There was so much that went along with that, that I wondered if she would ever just be a "normal" baby. The answer is yes, she is turning into a very "normal" baby :). She wants to do everything herself these days. I think she has finally had enough of everyone poking her, prodding her, doing tests on her. Last week at her Neurology appt she refused to do the tests the doctor wanted. Then she did it on her own after he left to write stuff on the computer. He watched her and said, "Wow. She is a pill." She has an attitude, and I LOVE it! ;) (Though I admit there are times I don't. Like when I want to help her not make a mess eating and she refuses my help, making a bigger mess in the process...) It is just great to see that she isn't going to take all her struggles lying down. I knew she had fight in her, but she has more than I thought!!



She loves this rocking chair. And of course she doesn't want help getting into or out of it. The other day she face planted it trying to get out. It gave her a little bloody nose.  But do you think she would let me help her 15 minutes later? NO. She wouldn't. And she has her daddy and siblings completely wrapped around her cute little finger. But I wouldn't have her any other way. It makes me so happy to see her testing herself, determined to do things that others say she shouldn't. She has so much spunk and life in her. She needs it. She is still a little behind, but she is catching up. She is able to eat solids (yay!!!) and she is starting to babble and make sounds!!! Her progress is slow, but it is progress. And with an attitude like she has, it won't be long until I hear the infamous "NO!" that kids her age love so much ;)!!!

Amendment

Remember THIS?? When Lily was a toddler, I often wondered if she would EVER grow out of her defiant, stubborn, ornery, getting into everything stage. It is now hard for me to even remember her being that way!!! Because of weather and spring breaks, Lily has not had preschool most of March. Which means she has been home with Evie and me every day. Now I may not let her go to school in the fall!!!! She has turned into one of the sweetest, most helpful, loving, kind little girls I have ever known!!! Today I was trying to get the down stairs picked up and trying to make lunch. Lily had wanted to help me, but when time came I couldn't find her. I yelled for her, but she never came. So, I just did it all without her. A few minutes later she came down the stairs and before she could say anything I said, "Where have you been?! I was calling for you to come help, but since you didn't come I did it without you!" She looked so sad and in a small voice said, "Well, I was up cleaning the play room for you since you always have to clean everything by yourself." (Oooops mom!)

She does stuff like that all the time. She will see Evelyn crying and run to help her before I can even think to react. She loves to draw pictures for everyone (chances are she has drawn one for you, but I just never have stamps to send them...) She ALWAYS says thank you for the "delicious" food after anything I make for her. (Even if she doesn't like it.) She will notice when you are sad and goes out of her way to make you happy. She is a gem and I just wanted to make sure I wrote that down for her to see in the future :).

Sweethearts Dance

Way back at the beginning of February, the kids school put on a Sweethearts Dance. It was a family affair, but since Luke said he did NOT want to go, and it was during Evelyn's bed time, we made it into a Daddy/Daughter date!!! The girls were so, so, SO excited!!! We had fun picking out their outfits and then making necklaces to go with their dresses so they felt all dressed up. (Please note that I did NOT pick out their shoes. Lily has these lime green shoes and these neon orange shoes-thanks Travis and Oriana!!!- that are her favorite and she insists on wearing them EVERYWHERE!!!)

 

 

 What dance is complete without taking pictures?!

Nate was a good sport about it, he hates dances ;)!!

They had a wonderful time and the girls still talk about this date!!! Best part for me??? I got to stay home and hang out with Luke! We watched a "scary" movie together (Lord of the Rings). Yup, he is my boy!!! :p