Ekins Express: May to June 2013

My blog break has been due to Instagram - an app on a Smartphone that allows you to post snapshots in your life with a few descriptive words/hashtags. It's an awesome, easy way to keep my family and friends up to date with our lives. However, there is something about a blog that has brought me back. A way of saying more that just a few words. The story behind the picture. Most of the pics added in this post and in future posts will probably be from Instagram, plus some, minus some. Grateful for pictures. They are the best way to sum up my life in the moment!

Abby and I loved watching "So You Think You Can Dance" this past season. And she could never stop dancing once the music came on!

We were in Target one day when this sweet lady noticed Rett eyeing her wheelchair. She was so kind to stop in the middle of her shopping, recognize this small individual staring at her, slowly get up out of her chair, and ask him if he'd like to take her wheelchair for a ride. He just stared at her, smiled, and nodded his head yes. This lady inspired me to be just like her someday! Wheelchair or not.

We picked up an old sectional from a friend. The kids love every chance they get to pull all the cushions off and make piles for tv viewing, forts, etc.

Abby found Rett's suspenders and decided to play "nerd"

A friend and I took the kids and friends to St. George's "zoo". Or so we call it. It's actually a museum filled with taxidermy from all over the world.

Claire can never escape the countless kisses of her brother.

All ready to go for a morning walk!

I sometimes live vicariously through my children. Under this blanket is an electric atv I bought for Rett at a garage sale. He felt the need to cover it every night for bedtime.

Blanket fort just for girls

Mushroom head

Father's Day!

His choice for dinner: steak, sweet potatoes, brussel spouts, rice pudding, and Guarana!

Our pic for his breakfast in bed

Playing at the park with cousin Aubrey

Claire's first haircut

This kid wants to be as close to me as he can while he falls asleep. He's lucky his room is right by the tv room.

He loves to help me with anything and everything in the kitchen, but ESPECIALLY making the popcorn.

Other than his pb sandwich, he requested everything you see: cucumber slices, watermelon, and an apple. Hope his healthy choices never stop!

She did not like rice cereal!

Playing dress-up with Claire's pink headband

Now that's more like it. My handsome boys!

Quick summer trip up North to Grandma's house. We packed a lot in just a few short days.

Snuggling with Siggy one night.

Tom took the girls to see the movie "Epic."

Liam and Claire are just three months apart, yet they weigh the same!

Lunch at City Creek's Blue Lemon with Natalie and Brooke, Jen and Izzy.

If we ever wondered where Rett was, he could always be found on Grandpa's boat parked in the driveway.

Shopping at the new H&M in Farmington after lunch with all the girls at Zuppa's. And then swimming at their city pool.

Grandpa found this cute pink tutu swimsuit at a garage sale.

Rett found this hat at the dollar store and remote control car with no remote from the DI - both gifts from Grandpa. A fun tradition every time we come to town.

Sunday Best

One Saturday we attempted to go hiking as a family in Snow Canyon only to find the trailhead was closed. So instead, we went to Kneader's for all-you-can-eat French toast.

He LOVES to help me vacuum and mop. How can I say no to that?

Happy Birthday, Matt! We were fortunate to have the Anderson and Critchfield families in town the same weekend so we had them over for cake and ice cream.

Lunch at Olive Garden with some of the Ekins family.

Joy School end-of-year party. Rett and I had a great experience doing this with three amazing women and their sweet kids. L to R: Ty and Lou (and Blake), Sarah and Carter, Rett and me, and Rachel and Kinley. We would each take one week (Tues and Thurs 10 to noon) and then rotate throughout the school year. Each week had a different letter/theme. The kids all got along really well and each home was a good, clean learning environment. And the craziest part was that all four of us women were pregnant at the same time! Two baby boys and two baby girls were all born within thee months of each other during the school year! So everyone was great to work around new baby births/schedules.

End of year swim party at our friends mom's house. Sophie and her sisters had their friends over and Lynette invited the kids and I to come along.

Abby's Kindergarten teacher Mrs. Key top left and Sophie and Abby right, just after their last day assembly.

Rett's organizing project one day

Abby thought she was putting on her own shorts, but soon found out they were actually Claire's! Crazy to think this almost seven-year-old could squeeze in to 9 month shorts.