April 2012 Update

The kids are enjoying the warmer weather.  Here they are enjoying the swings before bedtime.

They have been begging for a bubble party every since it warmed up, so here they are having fun blowing bubbles.  We really don't know why Maddy is wearing a helmet.

We finally got our wedding pictures up above our bed this month.

A new dishwasher may not seem like a big deal to the rest of you, but for the last 3 1/2 years I've been living with a semi-broken, half way functioning dishwasher.  So needless to say, I was very excited when Jared picked up this nice dishwasher off of Craig's list.  It is very well designed and works like a dream!  

I celebrated by 33rd birthday this month.  After Abby's big birthday cake I didn't feel like having more sweets for my birthday so Jared bought me a case of mangoes (my favorite fruit) from Costco instead.  The kids were a little disappointed about it being a boring adult birthday, so we blew up a few balloons and had some ice cream with candles to make them happy.

The kids were super nice and sweet to me on my birthday.  I think they were more excited than I was about me opening my presents.

As a combined birthday gift, Jared and I got this amazing picture for our dining room from Neal and JoyAnn.  It was beautifully framed by Jared's brother Craig.

The kids visited a ward member with a beautiful garden, and they each picked a tulip for me for my birthday. It was very sweet.

Nathan wanted to be out in the yard while Jared was using loud machinery so Jared gave him some hearing protectors to wear.

Nathan liked them so much he wouldn't take them off, and frequently asks to wear "my ear muffs."

Here's Nathan imitating his daddy.

Jared dethatching our lawn.

Jared also put up our garden shed this month.

The kids had fun helping him.

Here is Jared with a cement mixer getting ready to pour the foundation.  Jared borrowed the truck from a coworker.  Nathan was ecstatic and kept repeating, "Daddy got a new, big, red truck!"  He was very disappointed when Jared took it back, and for days afterward wanted to know where the truck was.

One other event this month that don't have pictures of, since I forgot my camera, was the ward talent show.  Jared impressed everyone by singing "The Elements" which is a song that contains most of the elements in the periodic table.  Abby performed "Scotland Bells" on the piano and everyone said she did a great job.  I unfortunately I had to miss it since Maddy had to urgently go potty right when it was time for Abby to go up.  The kids all painted pictures which were displayed for everyone to see.  Abby is currently obsessed with horses so she did a painting of a mommy horse with her baby.  Maddy painted a purple sunset, and Nathan painted a rainbow (basically little wiggles of various colors).  

Abby's 6th Birthday

On her birthday morning Abby decided to open her present from us and save the rest for her party.  She was excited to get a minature Felicity (American Girl doll) and a set of books about her.
Abby was excited when her Primary teacher came and gave her a crown for her birthday to remind her that she is a daughter of God.  Abby's teacher even gave a purple one to Maddy too.
Abby's birthday dinner choice was German oven pancakes with strawberries and whipped cream.
On Saturday Abby had a Strawberry Shortcake party with the family.  We were excited that Jared's parents were able to come up from Boise to spend the day with her.Here's Grandma Collett playing put the strawberry in the basket.
Here are the kids right before opening presents.  Nathan is sad because we just explained to him that all the presents are for Abby.  I guess he thought it was like Christmas and he would get to open some too.
Abby trying on her a cute Strawberrry Shortcake apron that her Aunt Amy made for her.
She loved her little red-headed Abby doll and lunch box she got from Grandma D.
Abby was excited to get Raspberry Tort (the one doll she was still missing) from Grandma and Grandma Collett.
Abby getting ready for cake.
Blowing out her candle.
We had a wonderful visit with Neal and JoyAnn, and were glad they were able to come up to celebrate Abby's birthday with us.

Easter 2012

Dying Easter eggs. Maddy inherited Jared's attention to detail. She spent about 20 min coloring one egg while Abby and Maddy colored and dyed all of theirs in about 10 min.
We decided to open Easter baskets and do the egg hunt on Saturday so that the kids could focus more of Christ and His resurrection on Easter morning. So here is Nathan on Saturday morning trying on his new hat from Grandma.
Maddy with her Easter basket.
Abby searching for eggs.
A pink one!
Maddy looking for eggs.
Maddy helped Nathan so he could find some too.
Maddy took Easter egg hunting very seriously. She ended up with twice as many eggs as Abby and Nathan.
All our little artists were excited that the Easter bunny left them a new easel for their artwork.
On Easter morning the kids got their new church clothes from Grandma and the prayer pillows I made to remind them to say their personal prayers. Nathan was very excited.
Our sweet Abby
Our darling Maddy
All the kids together
Nathan was very excited about his new suit for church. He kept saying, "I handsome like Dad!" So here's a picture of our two very handsome guys.
Jared with all the kids.
Here are the kids on Easter night wearing their new pajamas. Abby is holding some Easter lilys she made. One day while I was taking a nap she read directions for the craft in her Friend magazine and she decided to make it all on her own. She had Jared hide it and then she gave them to me as a surprise on Easter morning.

March 2012 Update

Abby was very excited about her Kindergarten assignment to build a leprechaun trap. I put Jared in charge of helping her and they had fun working on it together. Of course Nathan and Maddy had to help too.

In Abby's class a "naughty leprechaun" came in while she was at the computer lab and made a mess. Abby must of thought that was a great idea because while Nathan and I were napping she and Maddy decided to be naughty leprechauns and make a HUGE mess--dumping out all the toys, taking all the blankets off their beds, etc. Needless to say I'm not so happy with some of the lessons she is learning at school.

Here are the kids all out "helping" Jared dig a hole so he can pour some cement for our shed.

Nathan feels it is his job to help dad outside. He let me know that he "worked hard."

Abby before running the 1 mile leprechaun dash with her dad.

Nathan and Maddy had fun cheering her on. Maddy kept saying, "Go Abby! You can do it!"

Abby with her green ribbon for finishing her race. We were really proud of her running the whole way. It took her about 14 min. start to finish.

Abby with her finished leprechaun trap. She filled the box with chocolate gold coins and shiny things to attract the leprechaun. When the leprechaun climbed down the rope (attached to the lid) to get the gold, the lid would shut and he would be trapped.

We had a St. Patrick's day party at our house with some friends in the ward. We had a green food potluck followed by a treasure hunt for the kids where they found a pot of chocolate gold coins at the end. Afterwards we put on CARS 2 for the kids while the adults played some games.

Our green potluck.

The Amundsons

Abby, Brittny, and Serenity

At the end of March we took a last minute trip to Boise to see Jared's brother Eric get ordained as a bishop. We are sure he will do a great job. Here is Jared lending his support.

The Collett family

Amy's parents came up from Utah to be there as well.

Unfortunately I picked up the flu in Boise, so I spent the last week of March in bed. Luckily everyone else in the family got flu shots so at least I was the only one infected. I guess I've learned my lesson.