"Wahoo," it's summer!

I just have to give a big "wahoo" shout out to my kids.  (That's from my mom and it has been a very useful tool to use these past few days).

"Wahoo" to Ethan for learning to ride a bike, thanks to Tiffany, without training wheels and "Wahoo"
                that he has successfully completed 2 1/2 years of preschool.  He's a pro!
"Wahoo" to Alex who is a big boy and goes potty on the big boy potty.
"Wahoo" to Kedzie for completing 1st grade in a remarkable fashion.
"Wahoo" to all three kids who are back to riding horses and loving it.
"Wahoo" that we are doing well and that school will be over with for summer in 29 hours!

Thanks mom for the word!  It has gotten us through this week.  Wahoo!

So, for your enjoyment, some pictures of our latest adventures as we begin the season of summer...

Our first day back to the zoo! We are excited to head there frequently this summer!

Kedzie's second dance recital with Premier Dance is next weekend.  This is her jazz costume...

And this is her tap costume with her teacher Ms. Michelle.  This summer, Kedzie and Ethan will be taking a hip-hop class together.  Should be fun!

Back in the saddle!  Alex rides Dixie, Ethan rides Navajo and Kedzie has ridden both Atlantis and Jake.  I even got to ride for a bit for the first time in years and years!  It is awesome.  

Ethan learned to ride his bike thanks to our "bike teacher" and friend Tiffany!  

This is Alex on his bike, riding down the hill as fast as he can go with no pedals, breaks or training wheels.  Can't wait until he breaks something!  

This is a "Wahoo" moment for sure!  Self explanatory!  

Kedzie's field day with her teacher, Mrs. Arambula in the background and a few of her  classmates.  

Ethan practicing for mutton busting at the rodeo this year.  We shall see, we shall see!

Alex fell asleep while plant shopping at Lowe's!  He's tired dude, so busy in his life between bowling, peeing, running, biking, riding horses and everything else, he was beat!  

We have a lot of fun things planned for the summer.  We are going to Utah and Lagoon, the family reunion and we'll see my mom's house when she doesn't own it!  We are going camping, drama camp, horse camp, taking tennis lessons, and participating in our SOS club (summer of service).  It's going to be awesome.  Can't wait.  It's right around the corner!

"Mother"

Well, today is mothers day and what a wonderful gift I have been given by my Father in Heaven to be a mother to the three craziest, happiest, most wonderful kids in the entire world!  I'm serious!  Although it is the hardest job that I've ever had and I often wonder if I'm doing it "right," I'm grateful to my core for the honorable responsibility I have to raise these three in righteousness.  I'm grateful to be around them for hours a day.  I'm grateful to be able to provide them with love and care.  I'm grateful to give them opportunities for growth and learning.  I'm grateful to be able to show them the world around them.  

What a blessing Kedzie, Ethan and Alex are in my life.  I can't imagine my life without them.  They are "practically perfect" in every way.  I love you my three little munchkins!  You are the absolute best!

And, on this mother's day, I have to honor my mother who was the greatest example and friend a girl could ever desire.  I miss her terribly every single day.  However, I see her hand in my life.  Her influence and her giving continues even beyond the grave.  I'm so grateful for that. 

Because of my mom and her example of love and passion, I am the mom that I am today.  Thank you mom!  My kids thank you, I think!!!  

Thank you for your love, your kindness, your example, your antics, your passion and drive for life. 

I love you and I miss you dearly.  I still don't understand why you had to go so soon, but I'll deal!  "It is what it is!" Right?!  Right. 

To all of those mothers out there, thank you for you example of love and spirit.  Your drive for life and your love of your children keep me going every day.  

Here's to mothers...on this beautiful mother's day!  

"Ka-chow!"

Happy birthday to our baby boy Alex who is now 3, yet claims he is not a big boy yet! Ugh.  I haven't even started potty training and he doesn't care!  For that matter, neither do I!  I guess I should start caring.  

Anyway, Alex had a wonderful birthday filled with Grandma and Grandpa and Reggie, Thelma, Matthew, Colton and his family!  He was so happy and expected to be sung to on more than one occasion!  It was awesome.  

We had a Cars theme, per request!  He loves Cars II and McQueen, so Travis made an awesome McQueen cake and most of his gifts from us were cars related!  

As you can see, he was loving having everyone sing happy birthday! 

Fortunately it rained so he could use his new boots and umbrella!  Perfect weather!

Happy Birthday on Tuesday morning!  He got a donut per request and then opened all his presents.  He loved it.  

Later that morning, we went bowling with his besties!  Colton and Matthew!  They rocked the alley!  It was so fun to watch.  

One of Alex's signature moves!

Yet another rendition of Happy Birthday!

The party ended with lunch at Chipotle!  He had a great day!

Alex, we are so grateful that you are in our family and so happy that you are three!  You are an amazing kid that we couldn't live without!  Thanks for blessing our lives!

Favorites: McQueen, his "goggy and bankie," tormenting the cats, playing with cars, playing with Matthew, riding his bike without pedals or training wheels, eating every hour and drinking strawberry milk! He loves to laugh and tease his brother.  He loves to say no and to do things independently.  He even makes his own toast!  He likes to sleep on the floor and still finds comfort in my hair! 

We love you Alex!  Hope your year is as awesome as you are!

Paris!

I can happily say we have conquered Paris!  We did everything we wanted to do, saw everything we wanted to see and ate everything we wanted to eat!  We had a fabulous trip!  The kids were awesome with the Ravsten's as well.  No complaints on either end.

I'll let the pictures speak for themselves...it was super busy with European vacationers and two Coloradans!

ready, set, go....

crepes with nutella and bananas=joy!

Versailles and I aren't really friends.  Can I say that?  I think so. 

T's new car!

French Macaroons are delish

Disneyland Paris! Travis's dream come true!

Haunted Mansion

Travis has now been to England through Heathrow!

Ugg, our 21 hour trip home.  

It was a fantastic trip and for Vickie and Garth, It's a Small World was in English and French!  

We loved our hotel, the metro's, the coca-cola light in a bottle, the pastries and the crepes.  We loved watching all the beautiful people in beautiful places.  We loved seeing the Eiffel tower both day and night.  We loved seeing Princess Aurora's tower and walking and walking and walking.  It was the trip of a lifetime.  Thanks to Grandma Mary who helped "sponsor" the trip...half was our Christmas present from her.  And, a big thanks to Grandma and Grandpa Ravsten and Reggie.  We couldn't have done it without the love of our family!  Bon Jour!