he's 5

Somebody pinch me. This can't be right. But it is. Ethan is 5. He's so proud of turning 5. I have a feeling time is going to go into hyper drive now, especially once kindergarten starts. So here are some pictures of the first 5 years.

I remember how much fun Ethan had sitting in this hole.

My dad used to wear these boots too. Ethan loved them while they fit. Aw, yes, the beloved pacifier. This was his best friend for 3 years. I think he still misses it sometimes.

I love this picture. I'm so glad my sister in law Sherrie still had a copy of it. Look at those cute buns. :)

And here he is on the morning of his birthday. He woke up to find one of his presents already assembled. He was so excited.

Steve spent 2.5 hours putting together Ethan's starship. Who is this present for really? Steve is so happy to pass on his love of legos to Ethan. He was happy to go gift shopping for Ethan, so many more possibilities now. Ethan now thinks his dad is a genius (actual words used) because he can put together legos. Is that all it takes?

Ethan opened his gifts from mom and dad in the morning and played with them while Sadie napped. Then we headed out to the Long Beach Aquarium. We gave him the option of having a birthday party with friends or going to the Aquarium or Legoland. He chose the Aquarium again. So we spent the day there. Then we took him out to eat at Red Robin. I love how you take kids out to eat and they don't even touch their food, they just drink their soda. Oh well, it was his birthday right? He didn't even touch the hot fudge sundae the restaurant brought to him for his birthday. He was more interested in the arcades. After dinner we came back to our home for cake and presents from cousins and grandparents. Of course, I forgot to assign someone to take pictures of the cake and candle blowing....grrrrr.....our day at the aquarium is documented on video but I don't have much practice with that machine yet so I can't post anything.

List

1. I took this picture with my phone after I picked Ethan up from preschool. They made these awesome hats and he walked out with his on. It was the cutest thing! We still have it hanging in their room, I think I might have to keep this one. I just love Ethan's preschool. Its such an awesome program. We are so lucky to be a part of it.

2. We were quite fortunate to get a visit from the AZ Rasmussens a few weeks ago. We met up at the beach and played for a little while. The previous day we met up at a park and had pizza and hung out with them. Ethan and Luke were thrilled that their cousins Mateo and Porter played with them. I had fun seeing Soffia's reaction to Sadie and vice versa. This was the first introduction of Sadie to Brian and Denice and their family, I think she worked her magic on them....especially Soffia and Stone. In this picture, Sadie is not very happy...I think she's tired.

3. This picture is a little more recent. This last Thursday Ethan's friend from preschool, Brandon, came over to play. I say Ethan's friend because Brandon is in Ethan's class but when Luke is there (Luke goes to the same preschool, different class, only two days a week) they all play together. Anyway, we walked to the park so here they are having a snack. It is so, so, so much easier to stay at home when we have a friend over to play.

4. T-ball has begun. Ethan loves it. He is out there and gung-ho about it. We love watching him. They start off with coach pitch. The coach pitches three balls and if they haven't hit it after the third pitch then they bring out the T to use. They have little mits and its hilarious to watch them try to catch balls. No one gets taken out and there are no fouls. This is my kind of sport. Haha...

Luke on the other hand, we've decided to just let him sit on the sidelines and let us know when he's ready to participate. I want to pull him out completely and not have to worry about going on those days but at the same time I think he should support his team. I also think I should just go and give him the opportunity, without pressure, to participate when he's ready. Maybe he will and maybe he won't. I don't know if I'm doing the right thing but that's what we're doing for now.

5. I made some cupcakes for Easter and got a little creative with my icing techniques. I searched the house all day to find a particular icing tip I wanted. I couldn't find it ANYWHERE. I emptied out both utensil drawers, nothing. I did it again, nothing. I searched all my cupboards, nothing. I had consigned myself to going crazy. And then I began blaming it on my kids. I know, I'm horrible. But you don't know how many times they come and just go through things then I find stuff laying around the house that I've been looking for. I actually asked Luke and Ethan about it. Luke admitted to playing with it. In my head I'm thinking, great - its gone. I start walking around the house with him as if he's going to find it and return it to me miraculously. All the while Ethan is rummaging through one of my utensil drawers. I didn't know why he was doing that because I had already been through those drawers...twice. Then I hear him. Ethan says I found it. I didn't believe him. He walks over to me and shows me one of my measuring cups and sure enough, there is the missing icing tip. What?! I REALLY am crazy. I told Ethan he saved the day and thanked both of them for helping me look for and find my tip.

6. I'm thinking there was something else I wanted to put in this list but now I can't remember what it was. Hmmmm....

Sadie 5 months

Sadie is still not so sure about her baths. She has started sitting up so I started using the mini tub for her baths but she doesn't seem to like that any more than laying on her back. Maybe its because both her brothers were trying to cram into the tub with her....hmmm.... I think she's adorable when she's all wrapped up in her towel though.

Whenever I lay her down on her changing table, even if its just to change her diaper, at some point she crosses her legs and clasps her hangs together and streches. I was trying to capture it in this picture but I guess I cut off the ankles. Here she is practicing her sitting. I didn't dare move her so sorry about all the light your looking at. Isn't she sweet? I just love her.

She loves eating her food. I've given her butternut squash and sweet potatoes, she LOVES it. She's such a good chomper. No sign of teeth still but I'm not in a hurry. She is quite chatty and still hates to be left in a room alone. Slow down, Sadie, you're growing up too fast.

Someone(s) got a hold of my camera

I grabbed my camera to upload my pics and I thought I was losing my mind when it said I had over 100 pics to upload. I didn't take that many pictures. So who did?

Its hard to fit an entire face in the frame.

The view from the floor looking up at the shelves.

Ethan, you've got great legs. Close up....wonder what he was thinking when he decided to take this picture.

Cake, cake...who wants cake?

One of my birthday presents was three cake decorating classes by Anniece Barker. The picture here is one of her cakes. If any of you remember, I've wanted to take cake deco classes for a long time but I've never just done it. I guess my sisters got tired of me trying to talk them into doing it with me because they gave me this gift. Its been so fun! I've had two classes and next week will be my third and final class. I have learned how to make a delicious marshmallow fondant (WAY better than regular fondant) and my favorite buttercream recipe to date. I've learned how to stack cakes. And last week we practiced some simple decorations styles like basketweave, beeding (or is it beading?), and star flowers. Next week she's going to teach me how to make sugar flowers. I'm so excited. I want to make this cake in the picture. I just want to see if I can do it. I don't think I even minutely comprehend what it means to make this cake but I want to do it. But I don't want to have it sitting around to eat. Maybe I should just make it and send it to work with Steve....haha. I offered to make my niece, Ellie's birthday cake but that's not until the end of May. I need to practice though. Anyway....a whole lot of cake is going to be going on pretty soon. Thanks Ev and Mae!

List

1. My friend Kelli and I packed up our kiddos plus one Waldron kiddo and headed off to the Great Park for one of their big balloon rides. We got there and walked right on after getting our "tickets." This is a picture of the entire gang after our balloon ride - Max (1), Jake (7, I think), Ethan, Chloe (3), Luke and Maxwell (4).

The balloon went up about 400 ft. We stood and watched our world get smaller and smaller as we got higher and higher. It was a perfect day for it too, so clear. 2. The boys, well actually Ethan and then Luke by default, have been invited to three birthday parties within the past week. Here they are at one extremely fun party at Pump It Up. Thank you, Lauren, for such a fun time! We have another one to go to in a couple weeks and then it will be Ethan's birthday. I wish I could find a group like my friend Jessica found here. I could not believe everything she got for her little Miah's birthday party. I would NEVER find that here in SoCal.

3. Ok, so this is probably the most exciting news I have to share....Sadie got her ears pierced. I took her to the Piercing Pagoda last Friday afternoon. I just couldn't wait any longer. I packed up the boys and left. We got there and I chose her earrings, sat her on my lap so I could hold her arms down, and bang! bang! pierced ears...voila! While I was choosing her earrings the nice lady working there told me "She will cry, Momma." My reply to her was, "I know. I might too so don't worry about us." She did cry. She probably cried for a few minutes. I should have brought a bottle to comfort her with but I didn't. She didn't even want her paci for a couple minutes. I felt like a bad mom but I'm over it. She's fine and I'm glad I did it now. This picture is in the car when we were headed home.

Here she is moments before the earrings went in.

4. Steve and Seegmiller Johnson played soccer this year. They went from being 4th place (I think it was) to winning the tournament in 1st!!! Way to go guys! The kids and I would go to any of the games that were at 7 and cheer our dad and team on. I didn't know how good Steve is at soccer. See what I mean? Another hidden talent Steve chose not to show me. I swear he doesn't want me to know how cool he is....but he's not foolin' me. We can't wait til the next soccer season. I did not take this picture and this is the best I could get the red eye with my VERY limited photoshop skills.

5. I have to say my two cents about Octomom. You may hate me for it. Don't read it if you don't want to know it. I'm so sick of hearing everyone berate her. Come on, people, get over it. Haven't you ever made a stupid mistake? Even a really big stupid mistake? I know I have. Don't get me wrong, I don't agree with it but you know what? Who cares? Those 14 kids deserve all the help her mom can be given. Even if she were married she would still need all the help she could get. Stop sending her hate mail and threatening to kill her, that just doesn't help anyone now does it?

6. Sadie is a green monster. I don't mean anything related to St. Patrick's day. She's got boogers galore. They are coming out her nose and they are coming out her eyes! What is going on?

7. Obama's coming to my town. He'll be right around the block from me. Maybe I should go see what change looks like....or something.

8. I went to Kindergarten orientation last week for Ethan. I still can't believe he's going to be in Kindergarten in the fall. I got to tour the school, meet the principal and PTA president. I wasn't very excited about Ethan attending this school for the longest time but I have to admit my attitude is changing. They have this really cool program called Jump Start that they do a couple weeks before school starts. One parent gets to bring their kindergartner to school for a few hours for 4 days. This way they can meet all the teachers and meet all the new students and make some friends. I think its such a smart idea. I think I might have to join the PTA....there's a thought.

Sadie's four months

I'm a couple weeks late taking this. Yesterday I was going through her closet and looked at the size on this dress. I had thought it was a six month size but its 3-6 month! Phew, what a relief that I caught it before she outgrew it. If she would have outgrown this without wearing it I would be so sad. She has had a fever for a few days but I think she's over it now. She's a good eater. She drinks 5-6 oz. every 3-4 hours. She screams bloody murder when she's hungry. She is becoming gloriously chubby. I think her ears are ready to be pierced (now that she's over her fever).

She's looking up at her dad who is standing behind me. I ordered these shoes for Sade from Aurelia and Annalise and I can't wait for them to get here!

Birthday Bash

I had a spectacular birthday! The day of my birthday Steve took the day off and we played. Sadie got sick so we didn't party too hard but I had fun going out to eat (twice) and seeing the play "Noises Off." Steve wrote a list and gave it to me. Read it and weep (because it made me weep). So I thought that was that and I was happy. Little did I know all the scheming that had been going on. I get this vague note about being taken out on the town for a double date with my sister Ev and her hubby. Ok, sounds innocent right? I call her and tell her she has already given me a gift she doesn't have to do this too. She coyly says she's looking forward to it and needs a date night too. Saturday rolls around and Sadie gets sick. I call Ev and talk about canceling. She tells me its up to me. Then I decide Sadie only has a fever so we're safe. We show up at my sisters house and SURPRISE!!! Its a party....what sneakers. The outdoor decorations were beautiful, especially at night. Coin toss anyone?

Ooooo, she's a hottie.

My parents babysat for us but the kids got to make an appearance at the end of the party. Here they are in their pj's.

So pretty I almost don't want to eat it....almost.

Mmmmm....I'm a kid in a candy store and I can have ANYTHING! Its great to be 30.

It was a carnival theme. We played coin toss, bean bag toss, and jousting. We ate corn dogs, popcorn, buffalo wings, candy, cotton candy, cupcakes and churros (much more). I blew out my candles with candles that never go out. Everyone passed a cupcake around and said something nice about me. I think we will be eating leftover candy until I turn 31. We seriously have grocery bags full of it. Thank you to every one that came, it was SO FUN to see you there. I missed those of you who weren't able to come. Evelyn and Mae, you two are masters of party planning. You also are two of the best sisters, and best friends, a girl could have. Thank you for the party. I love you both.

Looking Back

I'm feeling nostalgic today. Its my last day in my 20s. That's right, tomorrow is my 30th birthday. You're probably assuming I'm feeling old or something like that. I'm not. I'm feeling good. My 20s were good. I experienced so many milestones in my 20s. 1. I met some of my most favorite people in my 20s. We had a blast figuring out what life meant for us. I loved, LOVED my years at BYU and I know they wouldn't have been the same without Regency 43, S.I.N. nights, DT S Hall, and Shar. 2. I got married in my 20s, 22 to be exact. That was the most important day of my life so far. Without that day so many other days would not have happened. I married an incredible man. I can still remember how I felt kneeling across the altar from him in the temple....goosebumps.

3. I got my Bachelor's in my 20s. That was such an accomplishment for me. I couldn't believe I was done. And now I can't believe its been 7 years since then already....what the?!

4. I had three children in my 20s. Each of those days were pivotal, life altering days. Each child that came into my life expanded my heart and made me grow more than all the other achievements I had accomplished on my own.

I don't know what my 30s have in store for me. I don't even know what I'm doing tomorrow (Steve's in charge and I'm so excited to see what he's planned). Looking back, its been a good life. I would never have predicted it the way it happened. It was so much better. I'm excited to become 30. I'm anxious to figure out myself as a mature 30 year old. I think there is so much I'll leave behind (like maybe my phobias that hold me back) and emerge even more aware of what this life is all about. Or.....maybe I won't.....either way, I'm sure it will be one heck of a ride. Happy Birthday to me.

Love letter #4 Steve

Dear Steve, I love you. I love how much fun you bring into my life. I love your goofiness. I love that you can keep a straight face when you're teasing, half the time I have to ask you if you're for real. I love your brilliant brain. You know what to do and how to do it. Even when you don't, you pull it off spectacularly. I am constantly amazed at your abilities. I think sometimes you keep them hidden just so I don't expect too much of you...haha. I love the strong sense of self you have. I love watching you and the boys together. You are a great father. You are a pillar of strength to them and to me. When I struggle you support me and give me strength to see it through. When the boys need a firm hand you don't over do it. I love watching you express your feelings to them afterwards. I love watching you with Sadie. She's such a tiny bundle in your arms. I love that you hold the priesthood. I love trying new things with you. You are the ultimate partner in crime. I remember when you took me to a Philippino restaurant to try balut. I turned green and couldn't do it but it was fun anyway. Then there was the time we drove down to Goblin valley for the day. We had such a fun time exploring and then got caught in an awesome thunderstorm on the way home. I love going out with you.

I love holding your hand. I appreciate your guiding our family. You do so much for our family, for me. I wouldn't be able to stay home with our children without your support. When I ran my first half marathon you brought the boys to cheer me on. You went to three different spots to cheer me on which meant carting the boys to each spot and waiting. It meant so much to me to see you three there. Then you brought me home and made breakfast for me. But all that wouldn't have been possible if you weren't willing to support me during training. You support me whenever I tell you some new thing I want to do. I love you for that.

Thank you for being my husband. Thank you for taking such good care of me and the kids. Thank you for loving me even when I'm a brat. I love making memories for our kids and you are my favorite person to do this with. Thank you for keeping me sane. I love you forever.

Camilla