Random iPhone pics December 2012 to May 2013

Christmas in Centerville:

 New Year's morning at The Black Bear Restaurant... an Ekins tradition

 The kids made dog pens in their bedrooms one day.

Four wheeling with cousin Sebrina

 Girls Night Out at Menchie's with my friends

Hanging with cousin Cody as just one of his many basketball games we attended.

One weekend we went to Springdale and stayed at Matt's client's newest hotel. It had bunk beds! The kids were in their own heaven. 

Eating something sweet on a cold and rainy day!

Abby took this picture... I want to frame it someday.

Abby's castle

Love my baby's toes

 Super Bowl with Sue and Kevin Schmidt

 Joy School group: Kinley, Carter, Rett, and Ty

Rett causes Claire to make this face quite often

If you look closely, you can see that Rett attempted his own wax job on Barbie's convertible.

We were two blocks away and he insisted that he couldn't wait any longer.

Instead of a lemonade stand, Abby wanted to do a Toms stand. Unfortunately we only own three pairs between us and I wasn't ready to give any up.

A good friend of ours took Matt and I on a helicopter ride over Zion. AMAZING.

 The night of the baby blessings, Dad took everyone out to Tucanos for dinner. So yummy. And then afterwards the girls went shopping at Anthropologie. 

 

We're building up a collection of all the sleep positions we find Rett in on our bedroom recliner every morning.

Rett got to spend an entire day with his cousin Cohen.

Abby's birthday present to me

My birthday fell on The Cat in the Hat day

My birthday date!

Matt surprised me and took me to Anasazi Grill.

My old friend Tiffany Forsgren from Ricks College came into town and we spent a day together. She has three kids the same ages as mine. She was Mrs. Utah in 2011 and her campaign was on infertility.

You can never start them too young.

"Look, Mom, a polka dot!"

 

Hot tubbing with cousin Izzy when we were up there for a quick day trip.

Abby sitting so tall waiting for her name to be announced.

She was awarded a Horizon Elementary Hero Super Star. "For being an amazing example in our school!!! Always doing your very best school work, following school rules, and being kind and respectful to everyone. Because you are here -- our school is a better place! Thanks for all you do!"

Rett using the job stroller to "mow the lawn"

Abby drew a picture and wanted to giver her teacher Mrs. Key an Easter Lily because she loves her so much! And she thought it would help make her day bright.

Rett riding his "modocyco". If you call it a bike he will correct you immediately.

Out for a ride/walk and the kids all gave up when we got to the hill.

I will forever love babies falling asleep on my chest.

He fell asleep like this one day while I was doing yard work.

My view for a good part of the day.

Easter!

Just hanging out in Grandpa's old Suburban!

She loves to hold her hands.

Love spending time with Grandma and Grandpa whenever they come to visit.

Our traditional conference weekend in Hinckley:

Can't pass up a massage from Grandma

Matt's old bike

And the motorcycle he used to ride. Rett didn't want to get off the old thing!

Picking asparagus in the ditch banks... just one of the many reasons I love Hinckley in the Spring.

The kids were scared at first of the old scarecrow that's supposed to look like Grandpa. Once they figured it out they thought it was pretty funny.

Who doesn't look swings inside??

Rett playing "bad guys" with Claire while I got ready one morning.

Hanging out with Rett's bestie Ty while watching Dad play softball.

Abby became besties with her second cousins Kate and Hailey when they came for a visit.

I got to spend a few hours with Grandpa Ray on his 90th birthday! A few hours I will never forget.

Looks like I officially have a new rollerblading buddy.

The paver walkway Matt and I (and Rett) worked on together.

A Sunday bike ride... one of our favorite pastimes.

The secret to curing Rett's boredom: yard work. He loves it!

Rett's first time at the dentist and he loved it! A little scared at first but now he tells me he wants to go back right now!

Abby and Rett had no cavities! 

This girl can do the splits unlike any of my kids.

Rett woke up one day and told Matt he wanted to go to work with him. So he got dressed up all nice and did just that. When I went to pick him up, all the ladies in the office said he was a great little helper. He even managed to carry Dad's briefcase around.

Rett's first time on a pedal bike was a success! He took off without hesitation.

 

Abby ran in the kids Ironman race the night before the big event. She made this sign for Rett to hold for her as she passed the finish line.

Mickey ears we found at a garage sale one Saturday morning.

Claire loves to sleep in her crib with her blanket bear on one side of her face, tucked into her neck, and her pink blanket from Grandma Joyce on her other side.