FIVE

 Soren turned 5!

We celebrated with a "classic birthday party" theme.

The theme was picked by me, when I ran to the store the weekend before and grabbed what I could find to entertain 5/6 year olds.

Soren received an EZRoller for his birthday (vehicle in orange) so Miriam invented the "rent a vehicle" station...for sure the hit of the party. Especially once the bubble machines were handed out and the kids would zoom through zillions of bubbles!

Monkey-Toe marble game,

Face-painting,

(The older kids got to miss school for the party. I think it's important to cultivate sibling connections through fun activities and service, and also I didn't want to be alone with that many 5/6 year olds.)

Lots of bubble machines.

Not pictured: sidewalk paint, piñata, scavenger hunt and bean bag toss.

Then on to the Ace of Cakes tie-dye cupcakes (Lovingly and painstakingly made by Miriam).

Cute party guests.

 It's tradition to celebrate Soren's birthday at the Zoo

 (perhaps a tradition that will change as he gets older but for now I LOVE IT!)

We picked up Darin from work and got in right before they closed the gate.

They have an impressive dinosaur display throughout the grounds right now. 

The baby orangutan is as cute as ever.

The kiddos took a birthday ride on the carousel.

Soren picked out all the meals for the day.

Nutella on toast with apples for breakfast (strawberries for the rest of us). 

Cake and ice cream with SPRINKLES for lunch.

Cheetos, watermelon, ham sandwiches and Sprite dinner picnic.

(not one vegetable the whole day)

 We enjoyed the animals and dinosaurs so much we missed out on the flavor burst ice cream cones, but it was all good because we did have cake and ice cream at our house.

(Miriam out did herself!)

So he blew out candles again...this time with Dad around.

Love this kid.

 Love his quick wit, his enthusiasm, his silky blond hair and striking green eyes.

Every once and awhile, around 2:00, in the afternoon sunshine, we snuggle on my bed...Soren smells his blankie and makes soft sucking noises while his eyelashes flutter as he drifts off to sleep.  Then I fall asleep.  The kids wake us up when they get home from school around 3:40.  Aside from snuggling with Darin it's just about my favorite thing ever! 

Flashlight Egg Hunt

The much anticipated flashlight egg hunt at Great Grandpa's house. We had plans to hit Byron's soccer game, and get down to Emery County to hike around the San Rafael Swell.

Unfortunately, as we were getting ready to leave Soren came down with the stomach flu. 

The older two and I ran down leaving Soren and Darin home.

We were small in numbers this year because of a dance competition....and Grandpa is recovering from a really scary burn accident (notice the reclined seated position) but the party must go on! 

Roasting Peeps by the fire....Gwen and Damon make everything so fun.

My kids love this event....I love that they are getting to know their Great Grandpa and spend time in the area my mom was raised in.  

When we came home Miriam put on a flashlight hunt for Soren with candy and toys they had gathered for him....not the same as being there but he was happy.

Some more March

3.19.15

Literacy night.

School scavenger hunt, art gallery stroll, and ballroom dance performance.

3.21.15

Shamrock Shuffle

Byron was determined to run the 5K this year, but Miriam and I had try-outs for The King and I at the same time so I couldn't run with him.  Darin was running the 1K with Soren so we decided to let Bub and his friend Kaden run the course by themselves.  I ran the course with him and Miriam the Saturday before so he would know what to expect.  

Byron and Kaden ran it in half the time we did! 

So proud of all my running boys!

Bonus...Soren won a basket of breads from Great Harvest!

Although M and I didn't make the play, I am also proud of how BRAVE we were! 

3.30.15 - 4.5.15

Spring Break stay-cation

2 Swimming trips.

2 Zoo trips.

One bike ride to Artic Circle and the park...a trip to FIZZ.

Antelope Island

Buffalo Point Hike

Walking through "the bone yard" (our name for it) to the lake.

(must remember to wear shoes past the soft sand because it's tenderfoot torture to get to the water)

That one time last winter....

This was that one time last winter when Darin and a friend biked their kids to Bountiful Pond to have hot chocolate.  Darin had the boys in the back of the Madsen but Miriam road the 10 miles one her own.  I had a stake choir practice for the Messiah.

 There was this one time last winter when I was working a holiday party for Ruby Red Productions that Darin walked the kids down to Tony Burger (free kids meal coupons from school) and then on to Target so they could buy Christmas gifts.

But THIS photo is from that one time I took a weekend girls trip to St. George and Darin walked the kids down for dinner at Tony Burger (again free kids meals! Love our school).

The next day took them to a friends baptism and then Miriam's piano recital, recording the recital so I could watch it later.

 He's cool like that....

Cousin Spring Party 2015