Early Easter

We celebrated Easter early with the Salmon's because Ross and Karen had a trip planned to England over Easter to visit Jordan and Annie. The weather was great and we had a wonderful time.

The next day was General Conference and in between sessions we went outside and Brandon taught Ava how to ride a bike. She picked it up so quickly! Her cute pink bike has a flat tire and so I was very grateful I had gotten this bike from my friend Sarah. She couldn't find the training wheels for it which worked out perfectly.

Monday was the first official day of Spring Break. The kids and I started out going down to the lake and riding scooters to the sand park. We had such a great time.

After that I headed to lunch for my neighbor Michelle's birthday and Brandon took the kids to Wendy's for lunch.

Had my last follow up with my doctor that afternoon and then later we rode bikes to pick up Ava and Tyler from Hudson and Harper's house. Ava rode her bike all the way there! It's a pretty long ride!

Jackson fell asleep on the way home, of course!

Tuesday was supposed to be rainy and cold so we planned a day of inside activities. We spent the morning at Airborne. My friend Shannon Cluff came with me and we chatted for two hours while the kids played. It was great!

That afternoon the kids all had friends over for a movie.

That evening these three got to to go a Jazz game with Brandon and I went to the Church with Ava and Jackson to play on a bounce house Megan had rented. We had pizza and hung out there with Megan, Lincoln, Emmy, and Ryder.

 

The Rest of March

Mckinley got to go on two more baptism trips, thanks to both sets of her grandparents. I was able to be baptized too with Brandon baptizing us. It was a really fun experience. Bryce was there with Mark and Emily too, and of course my parents.

Tyler got to go on a fun adventure with Hudson to Tooele.

Only a few days later Mckinley went to the Provo Temple for the first time with all of her Salmon cousins and Ross and Karen. They had a great time and ate at the BYU Creamery afterwards.

Another lake walk with Ava and Jackson while the big kids were at school.

Hudson's little sister Harper has become one of Ava's best friends. Love these cute kids and the time they get to spend together!

 

March

I don't even know who took this picture but I saw it and thought it was adorable so it's going here.

Enjoyed a perfect spring weather day outside.

Aww....

Sure do love our baby boy. Who isn't much of a baby anymore.

Mckinley got paired up with Kennedy for the Renaissance Fair at school and it was so fun to see the two of the together again since they haven't spoken all year. Getting put in a different class this year for the first time since 2nd grade really distanced them this year. We will see what happens next year in junior high.

These guys got to go to a volleyball game with Brandon while I was gone at an at home youth conference.

And Mckinley was off with some of her young women friends at a Jazz game siting in a Suite.

I had a great time at Youth Conference but it really wore me out!

We got a grill and had a great time using it for the first time.

On a random day off of school my parents came over and we ventured down by Utah Lake and ended up walking to the sand park, which I have now done again with the kids several times. It's one of my favorite things to do!

This was an especially good sleeping position.

 

February - Part 2

Brandon and the oldest 4 kids were able to go to Soldier Hollow with Agents United. I was more than happy to stay home behind with Jackson. 

Jackson is continuing on with his refusal to take naps, which always results in him crashing sometime throughout the day, and then late nights. Sigh. One day this phase will be over.

Sophie and Kallie love to do spas for Ava. So cute!

We got a Nintendo Switch for Christmas. We have a couple Mario games. Jackson always asks to play Mario, and he always wants the blue controller. He doesn't actually play, but he thinks he does. 

Love playing games as a family!

Tyler had another good basketball season. His amazing teacher Mrs. Schulte came to see him play when he played against Hudson, one of his best friends.

Oh how we love our Jackson!

February

My Mom loves celebrating Chinese New Year. Every year we have a dinner with the yummiest Chinese food and all the kids get money in red envelopes. It's one of our favorite traditions.

My favorite dish is beef and broccoli and this year they didn't make that one so the next day I made it for the first time ever and it was absolutely delicious!!

Cute little Ava practicing writing everyone's names at Church

On February 2nd I had a very long awaited surgery and got a breast reduction and a tummy tuck. My recover was incredible, much better than I imagined. I'm so happy I was able to get this done! My family and neighborhood was amazing at helping take care of things for the first week or two before I was back at it again.

Tyler got to go to a Jazz game with Brandon!

These silly girls were playing family and they put on Jackson's 2T pajamas. Oh my goodness they were stretched so tight!

Valentine boxes are my favorite! I was still living in my recliner at this point so we kept it simple this year and I helped the kids make these from my chair ha ha. Still so fun!

So cute seeing these two boys play together. I'm so happy Tyler got his long awaited brother.

Mckinley was kind enough to use her box from two years ago. Doesn't get easier than that!

Love this. Ava fell asleep doing her preschool on the laptop.

Ava blew me away with her independence during my surgery recovery. She changed Jackson's diaper a few times (I had no idea she could do that, no one ever taught her) and his clothes. And one day while I was vacuuming the kitchen I asked her what she wanted for lunch and she said "since you're busy vacuuming I'll just make lunch for me and Jackson." And then she did. She is so freaking amazing.