A Whole Bunch of Firsts

This week has been full of firsts. 

On Sunday, the Packards basically ran primary. Cache gave the prayer, Beckett the scripture and Tayden the talk. The older two have participated before, but it was Cache's first time at the mic. He did awesome. It was, however, Taydens first time writing a talk by himself. 

He wrote "The Prophet keep us safe. Our prophet is President Monson. He tell us things to do like food storage and the word of wisdom. (Then he got the really good idea to start drawing pictures to help him remember the words. Which actually made it harder to read, but he didn't mind.) He helps our spirits stay safe too by telling us things like pray and read the Book of Mormon. Next week is conference. We can listen to President Monson."

It was the best talk I have ever heard. They all did so great and my heart just was bursting with pride.

It was also the first week of swimming lessons. Tayden did swimming lessons one summer while we were visiting from Las Vegas, but he was three and didn't love them. This go around is much much much better. Both Tayden and Beckett are loving every second. 

Beckett hurt his toe, seconds before this picture, so he had to use his marsh mellow guns for crutches...naturally.

Fun story. Cache got sick on the way to Tuesdays swimming lessons. So we experienced our first in car vomit. Less than awesome. So he had puke all over his jacket and pants. And since the other boys were so excited to go to their first session, I didn't want to make them miss. So, I striped Cache down to his shirt, unders and socks--put him in the stroller and covered him with a jacket. He sat the whole 30 minutes, then promptly threw up again once we got in the car. 

Turns out we had a stomach bug. Beckett had got sick the Sunday before, but then got better and nobody seemed phased by it, so I thought it was a fluke. Then Saturday, Ky got sick with the throw ups and diarrhea, just as Beckett. Tuesday rolls around and Cache gets the bug. And Tuesday night, Tayden. After talking to a few people around the neighborhood, this lovely bug is going around. So it rolled through all the kids and we are hoping that Mom and Dad steer clear.    

And, probably my favorite first of the week...drum roll....Beckett learned the SW blend. He was fronting SW with F, so he would say "Fimming" or "Featy". Then out of the blue, after weeks and weeks of working on this blend he said, "Feel my head. It's sweaty." I dropped everything I was doing and asked him to say it again. "My head is sweaty!" I screamed for joy and we called Scott and my mom. I like to make a big deal out of these achievements. He was so proud of himself and its one more sound he can add to his sound vocab. 

Last first, Tayden typed up his first report. They wrote it in class and then were assigned to type it up at home. He did the whole thing by himself. I only helped with the underlining and indents. He did awesome. 

Its been a fun week of new things! 

Easter 2016

We did something new this Easter, we dyed eggs! Scott had to work Saturday, so the boys and I dyed the eggs to pass the time. No surprise that they loved it. 

And in the end, we had a basket full of pretty eggs. We actually had more than pictured, but the boys were eating them faster than I could shake a stick at. 

Saturday evening we had a great lesson on the true meaning of  Easter and watched a clip from the Mormon Channel. It really sunk in and the boys walked away with a deeper appreciation for the Resurrection. 

Sunday morning was super exciting. Tayden and Beckett were all smiles, but Cache had a rough start. It was all a little overwhelming and not going the exact the way he thought it should. He warmed up after things got started and ended up loving Easter Morning. 

He had a rough night, hence him sleeping in our bed, and slept through the whole thing.

I'm getting used to these kind of pictures. We were running late for church, but I insisted on snapping one picture. Which turned into quick individuals pictures, hoping they would turn out a little better.  

Kyle refused an alone picture. So, que mommy.

We ended the day with a wonderful dinner with our close friends and neighbors, the Hansens. It was a great day and our house was evidence. 

As I am learning, the older I get the more I appreciative I am. I am so grateful for the Savior and his sacrifice. I know that because he lives again, so can we. I have never been more grateful for that knowledge. What a blessing it is.

Happy Easter! 

Spring Break Part 1

Spring break this week has been pretty fun. We didn't go anywhere or do anything major, but have enjoyed our days off together. On Monday, the kids were begging to go to Taydens school and play on the playground. It had rained most the morning and I knew the toys would be wet, but I decided to be fun, so off we went. It actually wasn't too wet and the kids had a blast playing.

Since Kyle wouldn't mimic my smile, I decided to mimic him,

This boy is a walking machine. He is still learning the art of walking in shoes. so he was actually holding my hand. This never happens, so I had to document it. 

We even let the dog join us.

Taydens new favorite game, GaGa Ball. 

Idahome.

Kyle loved going down the slide with his biggest brother. 

Poor Beckett needed a partner. Later, Tayden hopped over and I used my foot with Cache. 

Even though I was hesitant to go to the park, it was just what I needed. I had a bout of jealousy this week and a little pity party that my family lacks an extra girl. But as I watched my boys run, laugh, and play together for hours at the playground, my heart was filled with joy and I knew that I have everything I need. These brothers are built in friends and that soothes my heart. 

Later than night we went to Carinos for family night. It was fun to get out and do something different as a family. The boys loved the balloon animals. 

Beckett got a Dragon, which he promptly turned into a hat. 

Cache picked a turtle. 

And Tayden asked for a motorcycle,

We got Ky a straight yellow one that we called a banana. But wouldn't you know it that my camera died before I could snap a picture of him,

The only thing the boys really wanted to do over the break was spend a night at my parents house. And as usual, it did not disappoint. We took them to a fun bouncy house indoor play area, made goo, had waffles for dinner and just enjoyed Grandma and Grandpas company. 

The bounce house was just too much fun. I literally could not get one picture of the boys because they were too busy playing. Every single picture I took ended up blurry. They never slow down.

I actually got a couple of good pictures of Tayden doing the swinging monkey bars. He would stand on the red stool, then jump to the monkey bars. He could make it to the end, turn around and almost get back to the other end. This kid is so self aware of his body and can do some pretty amazing things. I  want to get him into some sort of class to hone his skills. 

 See, blurry. 

I finally made them hold still for a picture and much to my surprise, they were all looking! 

Making goo is always a treat. And my mom is always patient enough to do it with them. I love this picture. All four sat at the table and played. Ky loved being up with his brothers ad having his own little play dough. It was a moment I want to always remember. 

Oh, and one last moment I always want to remember. My youngest two actually enjoying a nice minute together. Cache is a little rough with Ky, so moments like these can be rare.

Its been a good break. I'm hoping for one or two more days of fun, but honestly after the busyness we've had, I'd be happy with some low key days just relaxing. 

Spring break it good! 

Red Head Quirks

All my kids have little quirks, but the red heads have my favorites. At least at the moment.

Kyles latest quirk is how he eats. Besides being a total disaster and eating all of the time, he puts his food on his cup and then tries to either drink it off or picks it off with his hands. Its the funniest thing.

Blueberries and spaghetti! It doesn't get any messier than that. Notice the spaghetti on the cup! 

Becketts quirk might be my favorite. He blames his toots on other people. Every single time. I have sat right next to him and he obviously let one slide and said completely serious, "Tayden farted." You don't have to say it stinks or ask what that was...he toots and immediately blames it on someone else. Even if they are in the other room. He's even blamed it on his monkey. It kills me. The other day I told him to quit it and just take responsibility for it. He took that lesson to heart. We went to target and he had some gas. Every time he tooted, he said, "I farted." Out loud and proud. I told him we don't have to tell everyone when we do, but he replied, "But I'm supposed to say it was me." He got me there! 

I love this picture of Beckett. He is totally handsome. 

Love my redheads! 

Sleep Tight

There has never been a better bigger brother. 

Cache was having a hard time sleeping the other night. 

So Tayden called him in and let him lay with him. 

They were holding hands too. 

So sweet.

Tayden is the best big brother. 

Week of 3/5-3/12

Something worth mentioning, Scott is back in school!  Its so exciting and he is doing great. He will eventually get his degree in Industrial Engineering. And because of that, he has been a little bit of a computer hog at times. Which, obviously, is the most important thing. But even if he didn't hog the computer this week, I probably wouldn't have blogged because not much happened. So, enjoy our week in pictures!

 Scott bought the boys a four wheeler. They are loving it and can't wait to get the second one....yes second one, lucky boys! 

My dad bought the boys a tent...its been in my living room for almost a week. They can't get enough of it. A cute story about Cache: This morning in the car I was singing a primary song and Cache asked how I knew that song. I told him I was in Primary. He laughed and told me I wasn't. I assured him I was. He replied, "No you not. You in the car, silly Mom!!" Oh, this boy.

Scott is insulating the boys room. We're making some serious progress!

My bedroom is getting closer and closer to being finished. 

Tanner had a rough few days last week and we thought he was a goner for sure, but he made it out alive and has been back to his normal crazy self. 

Ky loves to be outside and has started walking this week. Small steps, but steps none the less. 

We experienced our first black eye. Cache and Beckett bonked heads the other day and B walked away with a little shiner.

And that wraps up our week. Not much, but great none the less.