I have to start off by saying the most important part of this month was Gwen's 10th birthday, and it is so bittersweet how fast that time went!
Jake also celebrated his birthday! We started his day off going to the gym and then I'm certain we got his favorite lunch, Firehouse Subs. He got a fresh haircut and we ended the day seeing Dune 2.
Jake's birthday favorites: Color- purple. Food-BBQ ribs and brisket and steak. Activity-Basketball. Friends-Gwen, Emily, Wade, and Mom. And Fred. And Linda. Topic to learn about- History.
Gwen's birthday favorites: Color- Red. Food- Potstickers and crab Rangoons. Sport-basketball and kickball. Game-Cover your Assets. Friends-Glory, Alpha, LaRee, Masyn, Mom, Dad, Sis (Emily), Wadey, and Daniel. Treat-Mochi. Drink-Sprite and sherbet mixed. Show-The Hollow, Fuller House, and Survivor. Movie-The School for Good and Evil. Outfit-Red Macarthur shirt with black pants. Book- Babysitter's Club graphic novels and The Ickabog. Instrument- clarinet. Person-LaRee. Subject-math. Flower-Daffodils.
I took the kids to have an orthodontic consult at a nearby office. Gwen and Emily got full workups with images and x-rays, and they determined the best course of action was to wait and reassess. They both have great spacing and won't need many years in braces. We were happy to have a plan, but Gwen was really bummed because she wanted braces right then and there. :)
We all went to the Aloha Festival in Tempe. It was surprisingly warm and sunny, and not surprisingly packed. We got some food and treats, watched a few dances and went back home. It was something to do with our time, but based on the crowds alone we likely wouldn't go again for at least a few years.
Daniel, Gwen, Emily, Wade and I went to an Easter egg hunt at Grandma Uchytil's home. They were so prepared for us! There were tons of eggs to find and after the hunt, they had some people with cool animals talking to us. We saw and fed the capybaras, Daniel and I held cockroaches, Gwen held a python on her neck, and Emily held a bearded dragon. Even Grandma held the roaches! It was really great. Grandma's home and caretakers really put on good events for family.
Gwen was able to do a special basketball practice with her teacher, Mr. Hunter-Patt. At a school carnival, he was auctioning off several days worth of basketball practice to any students who wanted, and we signed Gwen up. She loved it. She has thrived in basketball and we are proud to watch her play and learn.
We got a basketball hoop!!! Jake has been wanting one for several years, and this was the year we made the plunge. It's been a nightly addition to our routine to go out and play.
THEN, we got 5 more chicks. Oops. One brown star, two Easter Eggers, and two Brahmas. One of our chickens, Frazzle aka Mrs. Clucky, is very broody so some sweet friends of ours have given us 5 fertilized eggs for her to lay on. We have a problem--this family has a big chicken habit. Oops.
We spent Easter at home with our family Bret and Lena and their children. It was simple, easy, and fun.
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| Family picture after our church Easter egg hunt and brunch. This was a FABULOUS event. |
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| Big boy Wade. |
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| Wade walks. |
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| Wade plays. |
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| This guys plays for the cardinals and came to the girls school and a random day that Jake and I went to lunch with them! |
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| Loving their American Girl dolls. |
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| Gwen and Samantha. G got a new one for her birthday! |
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| She was standing up. Big news. |
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| Emily and Mary Ellen. |
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| Gwen's basketball team. |
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| At Lehi Days, the girls held that goat! |
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| Scheels is so fun. |
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| Birthday Boi Jake. I said, let me take a birthday pic, he pulled up his shirt to show his belly, and here we are. |
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| Boy cuddles. Wade is such a cuddly man. |
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| G playing clarinet. One of my favorite things |
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| A new candy store in downtown Mesa opened! Gwen has always wanted to own a candy store, so we went to support and get ideas for her own store. |
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| Wade has been pulling hair. And now faces. This is how the youngest survive big siblings. |
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| Wade and mom in the hammock. |
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| Our neighbor was getting a tree cut down. We three went and watched. Wade watched and sat in my lap for a solid 30 minutes. |
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| He loved to see the guys up in the tree. |
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| Any time a branch fell, he was watchful. |
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| I love him. |
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| Another person came and sat across the street to watch the guys chop the tree down, and Wade was talking to her and telling her everything that had happened up until now. |
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| While the tree was chopped, these cute girls sold lemonade. They offered it for free for the tree guys and the mailman. I love their generosity and grit. |
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| Emily feeding the capybara. |
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| Gwen feeding the capybara. |
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| G and the python. |
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| My crew. |
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| Emily on the bronco in the sunset. |
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| G's party invite! She wore a shirt that said "In my double digits era" |
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| Daniel, Gwen, and Emily before the party. |
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| Shauni and Milo |
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| It's Party Time! |
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| Balloon Arch. |
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| Cutest 10 year old I know! |
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| Gwen, Sofia, and Malaya |
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| Wade and his hand in the knife drawer. We had to move all the knives to the counter. |
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| HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GOOSE! |
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| A few of the eras tour attendants. |
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| Emery came dressed to the nines. |
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| Gwen forever. |
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| Emily is zero. |
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| We went to watch Daniel play some pickup football. We had fun at the stadium. |
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| Easter morning in the rain. |
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| I can't handle this boy looking so big. Shoes make little babies look old. No thank you. |
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| Beautiful rainbow on an evening walk. |
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| So pretty. |
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| Cute. |
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| Cuter. |
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| Cutest. We are reading The Ickabog by JK Rowling. |
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| Candlelight park is the best. |
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