Playing catch-up

 Okay well, I am not sure what I have been doing, but I have definitely been neglecting the blog.  Here are some of the hi-points over the last couple months.  First, Mallory mastered bike-riding. She loves this new freedom and zips all over the neighborhood (okay, her mother is a little too paranoid to let her roam the neighborhood. She zips around the block mostly).

 Libbie completed her final book report of 5th grade.  They had to choose an influential American to research and then did a wax museum.  She decided to do her report on Wilma Rudolph the track star.  Here she is with her 3 gold medals.

Here we are at the second annual Dirty Dash.  This year we convinced the kids to do the Piglet Plunge.  I think they all had a great time getting dirty.

Maybe not everyone...Mallory said she did not enjoy the squishy mud.  At least she smiled for a photo.

Mia all muddy.

Libbie may have got the most dirty.

Mallory turned 7.  Can't believe our little fireball is so old.  We had a low-key day on her actual birthday since Dad was away at scout camp, but we celebrated a bit before he left.  She chose to see a movie (Madagascar 3), have pizza for dinner, and a mouse cake for dessert.  Much to the dismay of Libbie, Mallory received a LaLaLoopsy from Mia (Libbie has a great fear of dolls with button eyes).  Ha ha.

Malsie with her mousie.

This year, the Cardon reunion took place in Victor, Idaho.  We met up in Swan Valley first for some river rafting.  It was a lot of fun.  If only I would have taken some pictures. Marci and Mara were kind enough to stay behind and watch our little terror so we could really enjoy the ride.  Victor  was sure beautiful and our accommodations were ideal.  Grandma was very prepared with all sorts of fun crafts, activities, and treasure hunts for the kids.  Here they are getting started on their first one.

We got up quite early to hit Yellowstone on our second day together.  It was a little more driving than I think we bargained for, but luckily we got to see some beautiful scenery along the way. 

Mia and Macy smiling in front of a hot pot.

Mallory was nice enough to pose in my Old Faithful picture.

Outside a lodge in Yellowstone. 

Jaren was quite fascinated with all the hats that had blown into this hot pot.  He reminded us about "the hats in the water" many, many times that day. 

On our third day we did a little exploring up Darby Canyon.  Rich took us to a slide he remembered from his youth.  The kids had fun on it for about 3 minutes before a mean man came and scared us away.  Apparently we looked quite threatening, and he didn't enjoy us using the facility at the same time as him.  Ha ha. 
Papa teaching Mallory to throw a stick off one side of the bridge and quickly get to the other side to see it come through.  So fun. 

Claire getting her toes wet in the stream.

Papa skipped a rock from one side of the river to the other.  Pretty cool.

Last but not least was our trip to Earley Park for the Smith/Palmer reunion.  Jake and I were in charge this year. It really wasn't too bad a task but I am so relieved it is over.  We think everyone had a fairly good time and the facility was better than I imagined (minus the rocky areas - Jaren insisted he throw every rock in sight or at least suck all the dirt off them - please tell me he will outgrow this fascination so I am not appearing on Strange Addictions with him in the future).  Thank you to everyone for taking the time to come, for preparing great meals, and for planning such fun things that kept us busy!

 The first full day was a bit of a bummer in that it rained the entire day.  We were wet and cold so we spent a lot of time being crazy in the tent.  Here are the kids at the peak of their cabin fever. 

We did sticker facial hair.  Molly.

Annie.

Claire posed like a weirdo over and over again for fun.

And Mals has some pretty intense sticker nose hair.  Unfortunately, I was too preoccupied with keeping Jaren out of the bathrooms, eating garbage off the concrete, or running off to who-knows-where that I never got my camera out again.  Trust me though, fun was had, fun was had. 

Easter Weekend

Easter wouldn't be complete without a trip to Grandma's for an egg hunt.  She didn't disappoint and the kids had a great time eating their treasures. 

 We also had a nice Easter Sunday - complete with some new church clothes.  If I do say so myself, they all looked pretty cute!

 Mia

 Libbie

 Claire

 Mallory

 Jaren

A try at a group shot that left me feeling less than full of the spirit as we were headed out the door for church.  However, as I look at the picture now, it makes me feel quite grateful for the many blessings Heavenly Father has given us!

Visitors!

 Last week Grandma and Papa Cardon and Rachel and our newest niece Tatum paid us a visit.  It's always fun to spend time with them, and we love snuggling our baby cousins so much.  Nearly 1,000,000 rounds of Old Maid were played thanks to a very patient and loving aunt and grandma.  They also endured a crazy conference weekend with us and some very windy soccer games.  Thanks for making the trek across the country to hang with this wild bunch.

 Jaren loved to lay by Tatum and copy her every move - jerky hand motions, loud crying, and he tried ever so hard to use her binky, but settled for objects that resembled binkies.  It was pretty hilarious, yet slightly disturbing.  Tatum was such a good sport to put up with him wanting to be in her face constantly and wake her from her peaceful sleep.  Isn't she cutie?!

 And here he is with another beautiful cousin...little Olivia who is sure growing up.

Baby Boy

 Two years ago we brought home our precious baby boy.  He is such a light in our little family...even if he does love to eat dirt and body check us regularly.  Can't imagine life without him!

 Here is our 2-year-old on his birthday.  We had a little party with our Cardon cousins and Grandma Jill.  He got lots of cars and a couple bats with a tee.  He is in heaven with all his new gear.

 He also loves choo-choo trains. Here he is with his cake.

 He's a little scary with long, swingable objects, but he just loves them so much. It was a fun day to reflect on his life and our own since he joined it. 

Month of Love

 February has been dreamy...for many reasons. This is our kind of winter, no snow on the ground and jacket temps.  Nearly every day we escape to the back yard for a bit.  Check out this intense light sabre action. 

 We've even blown bubbles, rode bikes, jumped on the tramp, and played with friends - all without the hassle of bulky, messy, annoying, wet snow clothes that send me to the brink of insanity.  Seriously, putting boots and gloves on little kids is pure punishment.

 We loved celebrating Valentine's Day together this month too.  We of course had our heart-shaped pizza that was divine and added a drink called "love potion" to the menu this year.  It was pretty tasty.  Look how cute all my valentines are.

 Over President's weekend, the kids and I headed to St. George for Libbie's soccer tournament.  I was quite nervous/excited to take on this task without my partner in crime but am proud to say we all survived.  Yay!  I found my way around St. George, provided food, lodging, swimming, and made it on time for all of Libbie's games.  And minus the part where I hit a rock with the car, banged it up pretty bad, humiliated myself in front of a crowd by doing so, and heard endless things from my kids ("I hope you don't hit another rock Mom", "Dad is going to be soooo mad Mom", "Be careful Mom","Let's not crash again Mom"), I say the trip was rather successful.  I pretty much want to cry every time I see the car but am slowly healing.  Let's hope I can recover and decide I am a capable driver again someday. :) Enough of that confessional, here's some cute photos from the happy parts of our trip!  The one above is of Mallory in the dental/office chair.  And see the light on the table?  Yep, that's the dentist light.  They had a great time checking out each other's teeth.

 Here is an example of one of our many meals in the hotel room.  We only ventured out for 2 meals...and that was plenty.

 Claire showing me her mad monkey bar skills at the park.

 And Mallory showing me her plain monkey skills. She is quite the climber.

 And our cheese monkey.

 Mia was patient with all the waiting and all the soccer.  Here she is coloring a game away.

 Perfect way for me to enjoy a game.

 The reason for our journey.  She was also a splendid helper for her crazy mother.  Oh, and she played some great games. Her team tied two games and lost two...darn.

 Libbie is such a good defensive player... so tough.

And Mia caught a photo of me and Jaren to finish out our last game and our final moments in St. George.  Loved making memories with my sweeties. Well, mostly. Ha ha.

They Just Keep Doing It...

 These kids of ours won't stop growing up.  Claire turned four last month.  It seems like we just brought her home from the hospital!  This girls is super easy to please on her birthday. All she wanted was to have a pajama party and a giraffe cake. Done and done.  While the big kids were at school, she, Jaren, and I went to the aquarium where we were able to enjoy lots of fun stuff.  Plus, we stopped at McDonalds for a happy meal. 

 For Christmas, Mallory got a house like this full of kitties.  Why wouldn't Claire want one full of puppies?  We certainly need more stuffed animals in this house. 

 Over Jake's and Hannah's anniversary weekend, we were able to have a sleepover with their girls while their parents escaped for an evening.  Her are all the crazies snuggled up for a movie and popcorn.  All of the Oyler girl cousins, minus one...Courtney's baby.  Girl power.

 Let's not forget our little man.  He had fun with the cousins too.

 Little Junie was loving the slipper sock over her footies.

 Last week Courtney came for a few days with her little sweetie pie.  Who couldn't love this face?

 Or this one?  She is smiling and cooing and all that fun stuff.

It's been a while since a snapped a picture of our bunch all together. Here they are before church.  I don't know what it is about that sweater Jaren is wearing. He just drools non-stop when he wears it.  Ha. Don't they all look so grown-up? Stop IT!