Lena is One Year Old

Lena turned 1 on April 23rd and we celebrated with a Zoo Animal Birthday Party.  First we went to the Earth Day Celebration at the zoo then we had dinner and cake and ice cream at our apartment. Grandpa and Grandma Thompson came, and Uncle Colby.  For dinner my Aunt Raedene and Uncle Marv came with 2 of their kids, Dillon and Garret.  It was a fabulous 1st birthday.

Feeding the goats with Daddy.

Her shirt said "My First Earth Day" and we made it say "B earth Day"

At the Zebras with Grandpa and Grandma Thompson

All of us at the zoo

Michelle wasn't sure about the face painting

Time for cake and presents

A singamajig from Grandpa and Grandma

This one is an outfit from Mommy and Daddy

Awesome clothes from Grandma Jackson

And a singing card from Grandma Jackson too

A card from Grandpa Jackson that came with a book and a charm bracelet too

The next day was Easter and both girls had a good time.

Lena's Easter Basket

Michelle found an Easter Egg

Lena tries out Michelle's new toys

Pretty girls in pretty Easter Dresses

Just too cute

Today we went to get Lena's pictures taken and they turned out adorable!

Grandma Jackson Visits For Daddy's Birthday

Jim's Mom came to visit last week, the week of his 31st birthday!  He was in Hawaii still the first half of the week, finishing an Environmental Assessment, but he made it home for his birthday!  We had such a blast with Elaine and were so glad she could come . . . especially since she always comes bearing gifts!  Thanks for everything Grandma (and Uncle Gary too!)

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Michelle wanted to help blow out the candles, and of course, Daddy let her!

Grandma brought lots of new story books, but the favorite seemed to be "The Foot Book."  Michelle even had to take off her shoe so she could read it like Grandma does!

Swimming

The girls and I went swimming with our friends Kelsey and McKade.  Michelle stuck to the stairs, even with her life preserver, but Lena had a BLAST!

Michelle inspects her life vest.

Kelsey watches all 3 while I snap some pictures.

Michelle was difficult if taken off the stairs for any length of time.

Lena was ADORABLE!

Like I said, ADORABLE!!

Kelsey took Micki back to the stairs so she would relax.

Michelle was happier once it was time to leave.

They were so cute in their bathing suits.

This was Lena's first swim, and she was so sweet.

Michelle was cute too, just a little more difficult to handle!

Spring Break in Utah

Jim had to go to Hawaii for work (I know, sad, right?)  So I took the girls to St. George while they were on spring break.  Madison had a couple softball tournaments so we got to see her in all her awesomeness!  Mike came up from Mesa with his 3 cuties and Summer lives nearby in Mesquite so Michelle and Lena got to play with their cousins.  We even got an interesting surprise when Jim had to come back from Hawaii for a few days because of complications with the job.  It was a fun trip and I loved seeing everyone!  Now I just wish Jim would hurry back home because we miss him terribly!  Anyway, here are some good memories from the long trip!

Grandma Moore and Lena watch Grandpa work in the garden.

Michelle helps Grandpa in his garden.

Great Aunt Carol and Uncle Gary and 2nd cousin Jacob were also visiting for Jacob's birthday.

Lena watched Michelle play at the park.  She didn't like it much.

The blue slide in the background and the ADORABLE outfit Jim brought back from Hawaii made Lena's blue eyes POP!

Walking an easy "hiking" trail at Zion's Canyon National Park.

Uncle Travis and Michelle--loving the outdoors.

Michelle says "cheese" for the camera.

Ahhh, my sweetheart and me take a break on the trail.

Michelle plays with Ryan and Maya while Grandpa works on his sprinkler system that seems to have sprung a leak.

Father and son and son.  Andrew, Mike and Grandpa Moore.

Michelle and Maya are new best friends (for now)

Ryan looks out for Micki.

Jim is wearing a Hawaiian shirt!  I NEVER thought I would see that!

Keeping Memories

Memory keeping is an important part of family history.  It can also be a lot of fun.  I never did enjoy traditional scrapbooking much, but I have started to love digital scrapbooking with photoshop!  I even started an enrichment group in my ward.  We get together and talk about ideas for scrapbooking and photo albums, journals and mementos.  Here are a few of the pages I have done so far.

SICK of Valentines???

Happy Valentine's Day!  Well . . . sort of happy.  We all got packages from Grandpa and Grandma Jackson, and that WAS exciting.  Michelle and Lena had fun opening and playing and reading stories.  I made Valentine Cupcakes and delivered some to neighbors.

Unfortunately, both girls were sick.  And Michelle's is getting bad enough that she had to get an iv in her arm because she is so dehydrated.  The cool thing was, we didn't have to go to the hospital!  We went to this cool place where they hooked up the iv and told me what to do to flush it when it is done and now she is sleeping away happily in our bed.

Michelle Reads Scriptures

Michelle has started taking her turn during family scripture study, and it is pretty cute, though it is hard to put on camera because as soon as the camera comes out she thinks it is time to play, detracting from the point, but I had to catch it at least once.