Pre-Birthday Celebration!

How is it that my baby is turning 1-year-old already?  This is so cliche to say, but it really just seems like  yesterday that Merek graced us with his presence.  Our lives have been so blessed having him in our family.  He is such a sweet, happy-go-lucky, chill baby boy.  When I had my ultrasound and found out that we would be having a boy, we were ecstatic! Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine having a little boy {following 2 sweet girls} would be as much fun as it is.  Feeling so blessed.  Happy birthday to my handsome lover dover doo doo!

We celebrated his birthday a little early today with some of our friends.  

Cutest little 1-year-old! 

 Merek had some really good helpers to help him open his presents.

  Tyler & Wynnie

 McCall & Mia...besties

 Cute little Lyv & Ryn

 The Stolks

 Kaitlyn & Mia

 The Stinson's

 Debbie Deb & Parker Face

Happy 6th Birthday Kate!!

My heart is so full today as I reflect upon this special day.  Six years ago, our lives changed forever.  I often think about what our lives would be like if Kate was still with us.  Would we be preparing to send her to kindergarten?  What would she look like?  Would she still have a lot of health issues? I miss her more now than the day we said goodbye.  Although the sting of missing her is not as intense, there is not a day that goes by that I don't long to snuggle with her, kiss her and love on her.  I have no doubt in my mind where she is; that she is doing marvelous work.  She is ours.  We will see her again.  I am so grateful for this knowledge of the Plan of Salvation.  Having Kate has made me a better {imperfect} person.  I desire to be a better mother, a better wife, daughter and friend.  I am grateful to be a mom.  There truly is no greater calling.  I look forward to seeing Kate again, but until then.....we will celebrate! 

Every year on Kate's birthday, we make a cake.  This year Mia made the request to make a "castle" cake.  I have to laugh because she LOVES watching YouTube clips of baking shows {she's a girl after her mother's heart}.  She found a tutorial on how to make a castle cake and so we gave it a whirl.

Cute little Mia Stewart!!

The finished product!!

My cute little family

Every year we let off balloons; 1 balloon for each year she would be.  We were unable to let off balloons this year due to a worldwide helium shortage.  I know....it sounds silly, but it's true.  We went to who knows how many places to see if we could get some helium balloons with no such luck.

Strawberry Pickin'

We feel so spoiled to have such yummy produce fields right in our back yard.  Today we spent the day with some friends at the strawberry fields picking out our very own strawberries.  I'm so intrigued by the technique they use to harvest the berries.  They actually use a unique and inventive Hydroponic system that makes it easy and fun for picking.  The kids were each given a pair of scissors and a bucket and were let loose.  They (we) all had a ball.

{Mia and Mason}

{Mia & Mallory}

{Mason & Mia showing off their strawberries}

{Bethanie, Mason & Cole}

{Sherry & Mallory}

{Merek reaping the rewards of all the hard labor}

{Monkey Mason}

Preschool Swim Party

Mia's last day of preschool was spent at a pool party at Miss Michelle's house.  What a fun way to end the school year.

{Hannah, Bailee & Mia}

{London, Mia & Hannah}

Summer Has Begun

Mia began her first session of swim lessons this summer.  Her teacher, Miss Cheryl, is fabulous. I am amazed at the progress she has made from last year.  She absolutely loves the water and can now swim on her own.  Here's to LOTS of pool time this summer!

Shining Stars Preschool Program

 Tonight was Mia's preschool program and I am sitting here thinking, "where in the world did this year go?"  Before we moved from Oceanside, I had Mia signed up for a preschool there.  Having moved 2 months into the school year, I was afraid that I wouldn't get Mia into a class.  As I asked around for recommendations, Miss Michelle came highly recommended but she was all full.  I ended up calling her just to see if she happened to have a wait list I could get Mia on and she told me she just had a student move and had an opening.  Mia had such a great experience and we are looking forward to coming back next school year!

{The kids were able to bring 2 things that most represented them. Mia chose to display her Rapunzel dress and her soccer ball.}

 {The program was darling; filled with singing and dancing and following a patriotic theme.}

 {Mia, Ian, Hannah, London, Bryce, Bailee, Cade, Whitney}

 {The square-dancing was, by far, my favorite. Aren't these kiddos adorable?}

 {Mia was given the "Cinderella Award!" Surprise, Surprise :)}

 {Mia and Miss Michelle}

Memorial Day

One thing I've really learned about myself over the last couple of years is that I am a fly-by-the-seat kind of gal.  I like the idea of planning and having a schedule but quite frankly, it just isn't me.  I think being spontaneous keeps life interesting and if things don't work out, there's no disappointment because no expectations were set.  That being said, we decided to take a last-minute trip to Utah for the Memorial Day Holiday.  Bryan had to work all week and so the kids and I took off on Wednesday.  I'm so grateful I have such good little travelers.  During the 8-hour car ride we only had to make 2 stops. 

I love being in Fillmore for Memorial Day.  Fillmore holds a special place in my heart; not because it's where I was born and raised, but because that's where our sweet little Kate is laid to rest.  I love being there to decorate her grave site.  I also love being with my family and seeing our friends.  The hardest part about coming home is never having enough time to see and visit all of our friends and family that we'd like to.  When moving away I never realized what a challenge it would be.

We had such a great time and it just seems like the time flies when we are there.  We picked Bryan up from the airport in Salt Lake late Friday night and then Saturday morning I participated in my very first Triathlon (which was a total spur-of-the-moment decision.....see explanation above).  Having not swam or ridden a bike in over 2 years, at least I was prepared for the running portion.  Honestly, it was so much fun with absolutely no pressure.  I can say that it probably won't be my last one.

Since my Grandpa Roper's birthday lands a week before Memorial Day, it's been a tradition to have a big family get-together with the Roper side of the family, even after he passed away.  I truly have the best family and it's always a big party when we all get together.  Saturday afternoon we BBQ at the barn, played games and then danced the night away (a Roper party is never a party without a live band).

My day is such a party animal.  He is always coming up with fun, exciting things for the kids.  This year he did a "money chase."  He scattered 100 $1.00 bills all over the floor of the barn.  All the kids lined up from youngest to oldest and then tried to pick up as many bills as they could.  He also scattered 4 $5.00 bills and the 4 kids who got a $5 bill got to play "Let's Make A Deal."  Seriously, it was a riot. 

{All the kids lined up to catch the loot}

 {Mia loves her cousin Gavin}

 {Mia's favorite part about coming to the farm is the horses.  She's such a natural.}

 {Mia and Grandpa Roper}

 {Mia and her cousins getting their "dance" on.}

  {Merek & Gram....just 7 weeks apart}

 While in Utah we got to go visit my Grandpa Christensen's grave site in Spanish Fork.}

 {Sweet Kate}