Kiana's end of year assembly

Kiana's teacher, Mrs. Harms, is very cute with her class.  She helps them prepare an assembly for the holidays and this end of the year program. 
The kids had memorized poems, sang songs, and played bazookas.  Kiana had to introduce herself and they had to say something they liked that started with the first initial of their name.  Kiana chose kittens and kites.  She has really enjoyed her teacher and the friends she made this year in school.  She plays a lot with Kelty, Morgan, Andrew, and sometimes Abby.  I have seen Kiana progress so much this year.  She has developed into a fun young lady who likes to read, does well in school, and easily makes friends.  Goodbye to first grade!

Such a pretty girl with a gorgeous smile!

Jonas would not be good during the program.  This just about sums up his mood.

Eli's baby blessing

Now that my baby boy is seven months old, maybe I should recap his baby blessing. 
Elijah was blessed by his father on May 5, 2013.  Steve gave him a really sweet blessing from our Heavenly Father.  He was blessed to look to his siblings and parents as an example, to find comfort in them.  He was blessed to have the desire to serve as a missionary and to return to the temple with his future spouse.  He was blessed also to seek knowledge and wisdom.
We had so many wonderful family members here to support us.  If I can accurately recall, the priesthood holders that stood in the circle were: Steve, Grandpa Keith, Grandpa Craig, Grandpa Bill, Uncle KC, and Uncle Dave.  The McCoy's, Chavez's, Schenck's, Lewis', Mullins', Beaumont's, Niesporek, and Aunt Diana all came home to celebrate with us.  We are so blessed to have many loving friends and family!

Tia Chani and Eli!

Thanks mom for the blessing outfit! He sure is a handsome guy!

My handsome men, and Keeley!

This was honestly the best family photo of the day, and we took a few.  With this many kids, it is hard to get a decent picture!

The girl cousins: Keeley, Maile, and Kiana!

Grandpa Craig and Eli pie!

Eli chillin' with Daddy!

Spring Recital 2013

My girls are doing so well in ballet.  I just love watching their recitals! Miss Melissa does an awesome job with all the girls.

Swan Studios Presents

Let Me Dance With You!

a collection of

Broadway Babies

and

Little Ballerinas

Choreographed by Melissa and Jenessa Swan

May 3, 2013

Maile first danced to I Won't Grow Up from Peter Pan.  She did amazing.  I love watching the video.  Peter Pan (Janessa Swan) would dance and the neverland kids would follow the lead.  It was fun!

Kiana danced to Singing In The Rain. It was such a cute dance.  Kiana was all smiles with her umbrella.

Maile's second dance was Little Music Box Ballerina. She always knows her dances really well and tries to help the other girls and puts them in the particular positions!  I love watching her, it fits her personality well.

Kiana's second dance was A Perfect Prima B.  This dance was very pretty.  Kiana is becoming quite the ballerina and knows her positions.

I love this look on Kiana!

The umbrella will definitely be fought over.

Maile is always posing!

It is hard to get a good family picture of everyone!

 G&G Mullins got the girls pretty roses.  It always makes the girls feel so special!  And the binkie boy had to get a shot also!

Feeling Blessed

As I lay each child in bed tonight, I had an overwhelming feeling of love come upon me.  Heavenly Father loves me so much.  He has blessed me with four beautiful, kind, loving children.  He has entrusted to me four wonderful kids.
I tucked Maile in, gave her a kiss, and told her I loved her.  I thanked her for the pretty box she drew on for me today.  She loves me so much she even tied ribbons on it.  I thanked her for obeying quickly today.  She smiled ear to ear.
I then went into Kiana's room.  I followed the same pattern of giving her a kiss and told her I loved her.  She told me how excited she is to read some new books I bought for her at Costco.  She wants to read them to her sister.  She picked out a purple book about fairies sleeping over.  I looked at her.  She is so beautiful.  She is such a good example for her sister and brothers.  She loves to read to them and is the best tickler to the boys!
I had already tucked Jonas in, but I wanted to see him on more time.  I went in and told him I loved him.  "You too!" He said.  He smiled big and said, "non non mom", translated night night, and blew me a kiss.  The he picked up his Ernie doll and said, "yeddo", and pointed to a stripe of his favorite color yellow!  He is the sweetest boy and he has the funniest facial expressions.
Then I held my beautiful baby boy Elijah, as I nursed him to sleep.  I just had to sit and stare at him for a minute.  He is growing way too fast, I feel like I am missing it.  I didn't want to put him in his bed.  He is laughing these big belly laughs.  He is a perfect baby, never crying and always so happy to see me.  I love his big smile.
And as I sit here, listening to my husband softly snoring away, I feel so blessed.  My family is not perfect.  We, like everyone, have problems, but I know Heavenly Father loves me.  He gave me such sweet, loving kids.  They are beautiful, and happy, and healthy, and He gave me a glimpse of heaven tonight as I watched them sleep. 
Every night I quickly rush through our night time routine.  Potty, teeth, jammies, scriptures, prayers, bed.  I never take the time to enjoy.  It was nice to chill, to talk to each child, and feel love!  I needed to be reminded of this.

Eli's first weeks - just photos

He looks so cute and little, that didn't last long, he is huge now!

Kiana loves holding her brother and it looks like he is smiling here =)

Jonas loves to say "cheese"!

4 munchkins

It is hard to catch one of Eli smiling, but he sure is a happy boy.  I was worried the first week or two.  He started out seeming like my hardest.  He had a constant scowl and cried a lot and never slept. After two weeks, we fell into a routine.  He was feeling better, I was feeling better, and he is such a happy guy.  He has to be to put up with our crazy, loud house.  We sure love this guy!