Our Yard

Since we are getting ready to move over here, I wanted to take some pictures of our yard. We have loved our yard. There are many things we haven't loved about our house, but the yard- the yard has been great. The swing set was heaven sent. I wish we could have taken it with us on our move. All the kids love it so much. ;( We gave it to our neighbors a couple weekends ago, to allow our grass to recoup before moving.

Jackson was sad about this. We had to talk him through it. Multiple times. And then we soothed it over with allowing him to pick out a special toy at Target after they took it away. That was Troy's idea and it worked really well. Moving, and all its changes, are rough on these 5 year olds. It broke my heart to see him so upset about the swing set. Mostly because I know it's not so much about the swing set as it is about all the changes that are coming.

I hate having to rip him from his world of safety and security and take him to a new house, new school, with new neighbors and trying to find new friends. I wish we didn't have to do this to him so often. My comfort this time around is that we will be near family and our Utah friends. And we won't have to move again for at least 3 more years. That will be the longest we've ever lived in one house. Phew.

Anyway back to our yard, and the purpose for this post. You can see how moving stress distracts me from the task at hand. I captured some pictures of Jackson mowing the lawn with Troy. He started out using the toy mower and then Troy let him try out the real thing. I don't think it will ever get old, my heart warming at the sight of Jackson wanting to do just what Troy is doing. I love it. This spring there was this most amazing lilac bush outside our front window. It smelled amazing, and it made me happy every time I saw it from my favorite spot on our couch. Jackson saw me taking a picture of the bush and so picked some flowers for me. He knows how much I like it when he brings me flowers. This weekend I was trimming our bushes and he came running over to tell me to stop cutting the bush I was working on. "That's where I get your flowers mom! Don't cut it!" So sweet! So naturally I had to stop.

I also captured the view of our street and our house. It's what I see when driving home. It really doesn't do justice to that vibrant green hill behind us. It truly is beautiful here.

May 2014

May. It was busy with month with our Utah visit and buying a house and all that jazz. Troy was on an elective at the beginning of the month, so his schedule was lighter. We tried to make the most of that. 

Jackson wearing sweet outfits as usual. Clara waking up SO angry from her mother's Day, post road trip nap. (She cried all through dinner. How dare I feed her chicken and rice?!). Saying goodbye to Gray's physical therapist, Michelle. We loved her, so that was sad. We're happy Gray is doing so much better though. Troy looking hot in his scout outfit. Jackson thinks Troy is "captain of the scouts" and can't wait until he grows up and is a "scout guy." Ha. Gray pulling his classic "What's that?" expression, arm gesture included, while wearing the cutest spiderman t-shirt. He is looking too grown up these days.

Jackson and Clara being best buddies on the balance beam at gymnastics. (Clara loves to hold Jackson's hand, or anyone's really. It melts my heart.) Clara's gymnastics headstand. :) Jackson playing with his best-buddy-next-door-neighbor Carsen. They have a blast together. We are going to miss her. My BYU boys in their football jerseys. The best! Gray and Clara wishing Troy off to work after he started his month of night shifts.

My visit to the temple. Where the power went out and I was ushered to the veil with a flashlight. The temple workers were prepared, I tell you! It was an interesting experience. And then I went home and the power was still off and stayed off. So eventually I went to the store and purchased batteries for our flashlights. And then I walked into the house and the lights came back on. So we turned the lights back off and used our lantern to eat our melting ice cream on the living room floor.

Our sweet new niece: Ireland Shirley Bushman. Born May 21, 2014. She is so sweet. We can't wait to hold her and love on her.  Jackson and I taking selfies in the car before preschool. Clara and Gray playing in the laundry basket. They love that thing.

Family park day. When Troy, Jackson, Clara, and Gray all rode the swings together. Clara wearing ski goggles. What could be cuter? All three kiddos playing in the dirt. They love our "sandbox." Jackson wearing swimming goggles while watching his show. Clara being super cute on the swing. Me wearing the ski goggles. Ha. Views of home sweet home. Jackson wearing trophies on his ears.