Goodbye to the Hot Dog Rockets, and Preschool

Things are starting to wrap up!

Camden finished soccer with the Hot Dog Rockets. His team almost always lost by double digits but Camden scored a goal in every game. His breakaways were so fun to watch. He really is a little soccer man. Asher finished his Mighty Kicks time too, and it was fun to watch him really engage with that. I thought he might be intimidated to join in but he really loved it. Then Asher finished his first year of preschool with Mrs. Tolman. What a happy year he had! The beginning: Me chasing him around her upstairs to catch him and carry him down to school. The end: Him walking into the house all by himself with just a wave or two to me, and heading on down to school like a big kid. It's so fun to see your kids grow.

Westin is working hard with his friends to put together a lip sync performance. The tryouts for the school lip sync are soon and they're really hoping to make it. He has a fun group of kids he hangs out with.

We took all the boys to Sheep Detectives this weekend, and Bennett especially loved it. Michael and I had a fun date with the Dimonds Friday night. We're just soaking up the end of routines and May has been really fun even through all the busy days.

A walk at Coyote Ridge for Young Womens.
We saw two rattlesnakes, yikes!

Asher's cute little thank you message.

He sure grew to love preschool this year!

Camden sure loved being in Mason's class this year.
He was so excited to have him over to play after school one day this week.

Kitty is such a cuddly girl.
If we're all busy, she'll find a solution.

Asher has loved Mighty Kicks!

These cute Hot Dog Rockets.
What a team.

The coach's wife made some hot dog cupcakes for their last game,
and they were a big hit.

End of season barbecue for the Hot Dog Rockets

a

Boys Week with Miners

A year ago Jenny kindly watched our kids for a week as our Christmas gift to us when we biked in Portugal. I was not planning on asking her to do this again this year, but Michael's parents invited all their kids and spouses to go bike riding in the Netherlands for tulip season. We did this trip with them right after we got married, and it's one of my favorite places I've ever been. We were so happy that they were feeling up for this type of trip, and we didn't want to miss this with them.

Jenny was SO KIND to bring her kids out for a week so that we could do this. Last time she brought Lydia and this time the whole crew came (minus missionary Jaren who we all miss so much) and I am so grateful to them for doing this huge kindness. My kids were so happy and they loved their week with cousins so much. We're taking them away for a week in May for some Miner time, so I'm also so grateful they didn't have to miss school this week.

They did soccer games, football games, movie nights, puzzles, park trips, walks, picnics, and nonstop cousin playing. We're just so lucky to have such fun cousins in our kids' lives and Jenny said they were sad every day to go to bed because they all just wanted to keep playing with each other.

I won't say they were happy we were leaving but I also won't say they were sad :) Haha they knew they'd be in good shape with this sweet Miner crew around for a week! I tried to get them all set up with some planned meals and a Google Doc that rivals a small novel, and Jenny was just so awesome to step into our life and keep it running. We're so grateful! 

Pushing us out of the garage on the way to the airport.
Asher is much happier than when this happened a year ago!

Go Barracudas!
Westin has really loved playing football with his friends this spring.

If there's a climbable tree, Benny is gonna climb it.

Westin had some good plays!

Picnic between soccer and football games.

Cute Camden, hasn't had a win yet but he does always get a goal in!

Asher's preschool days are the cutest.

Such a hard worker man.

Our FaceTimes with the boys are sweet but sad.
Little Asher is having a great time in pictures, but when we FaceTime him I think he remembers to miss us.

Nap time is rare these days but sometimes life catches up to him!

Puzzle success.
Even Asher and Camden love a good 1,000-piece puzzle.

8 kids and Jenny.
She's amazing.

A random snow day!

Learning one of Julia's childhood dances haha.

Walks home from school.

Many games of Cover Your Assets.

We're back!
I'm so grateful to these kids for playing with my kids all week,
and I wish I got to spend more time with them than I did.
I'm glad we have some family time coming up in May!

Go Camden!