April 2014 - Easter at Jake and Katie's

After brunch at my mom's, we headed to Rigby for a huge Easter egg hunt and dinner. There were a few sparkly eggs hidden that you would get a prize if you found rather than just candy. They hid the eggs in a huge area with lots of trees, so it was much more fun than in a plain backyard! I wish I would have gotten more pictures. Cole and Connor both had fun!

 After dinner, we went out to the barn where this tire swing was. It had a really long rope, so you could swing far without going too high. We also went to see all the horses and played with the really friendly cats. The orange one sat with Connor for a long time, and when he would stop petting it, it would reach up and stroke his face with its paw. It was sooo cute! He stayed there for a long time with it.

April 2014 - Cole's Hospital Stay

This was a rough month for us all to get the stomach bug. It started out with a serious lack of appetite for my boys, and they were both extra tired. Cole went to school, and threw up on the bus. They called me as soon as he got to school, but my car was in the shop getting new struts, so I had no way to pick him up. I didn't want to call anyone with kids since I wasn't sure what he had. Luckily, Jenni was able to leave work, pick him up, and bring him home. We set up a sick bed for him; a big blanket covered with towels and a bucket right next to it. He threw up a few times, and then Connor started too. It worked out well that my mom, Suzanne, and Andrea had stopped by to see us right when Connor started throwing up. It took some work to get them both cleaned up and keep them distracted from how bad they felt. My mom also took all of the stuff they had thrown up on since my washer had been broken. Throughout the time it was broke, she probably did about twelve loads of laundry for us. They all came back sorted and folded. It was pretty awesome! We really appreciate all of her help. 

 I took Cole into the doctor the next morning because he was still not able to keep anything down. I packed an overnight bag for us because I figured we would wind up in the hospital, which we did for two nights. Chris met us at the hospital in time to help keep Cole happy for the IV, and I sat in the hospital chair and tried my hardest not to cry. Cole did much better than I did. After a couple of hours, my family came to pick up Connor and take him home. They were supposed to be in Provo, but Spencer was sick so they stayed home. I'm glad they did! 

 They came back to see us the next day and took Cole to the play room and gave him several rides around the floor with him standing on his IV stand, and brought him a couple new dinosaur toys. Grandpa PA came and took him to the playroom, too, and gave him rides in the wagon. He brought him a huge blue icee too. Cole was so happy to see him! We love that he will take the time to stay involved with Cole. We really are lucky to have so many supportive people in our lives.

After we got released from the hospital, I got some sort of stomach bug. After throwing up five times in under an hour, I called my mom to see if they would be able to pick up the kids just in case. They were at my house within the hour, and Suzanne volunteered to sleep on my bedroom floor just in case I needed anything. I forgot how weak the stomach flu makes you! She brought my frozen root beer cubes, apple juice, and made me toast. I'm glad she was there! I don't think I was fully recovered by the time I went to the hospital to be induced.  

April 2014 -- Grandma's House

Between Grandma's birthday, Easter, and Cole having to go to the hospital, we spent quite a bit of time with Grandma this month! Even though it was Grandma's birthday, Cole and Connor blew out the candles. 

 We did a small indoor Easter egg hunt and brunch on Easter morning. 

April 2014 - Theresa's and Andrea's Visits

Theresa came for her shortest visit yet. I think she only stayed maybe three nights, which is a big difference from the 2ish weeks that she is normally here. While she was here, we went to all the thrift stores in Idaho Falls, Shelley, and Blackfoot. I don't think we found anything overly exciting this time, though. I seem to have had quite a bit of bad luck at them. This year, the only thing I have found was a pair of Nike cleats in perfect condition in the perfect size for Cole this summer for fifty cents. Not too bad!

Jessica asked me to watch her girls while she went to an interview. They worked on homework, played games, and Veta made some dessert that she had made from a project at school. It was a little messy, but delicious! 

 Theresa helped me paint Connor's new bed and nightstand, which was so helpful since I was so pregnant. I was sore the next day from all the squatting and getting up. I'm glad I only had to do part of it! Connor loves his new bed, and I love that I don't have to go get him out of his crib when he wakes up in the morning. While we were painting, Connor poured Taylie a couple bowls of cereal and they moved the cereal back and forth between the two bowls. He was really sweet and liked to help her!

 Andrea is always so much fun for the boys when she comes. They wrestle, get tickled, and get lots and lots of rides with lots of laughing while she is here. I'm sure they appreciated it a little more than usual this time since I haven't been very active in playing with them. We always miss my sisters when they leave! When Andrea stopped by on her way to Blackfoot, she cooked us mac and cheese and swept/mopped my floor. And cleaned up a little. It was very sweet of her. 

April 2014 - Random Pictures

 Connor loves opening packages. When one comes, he is usually the one to bring it inside and will have it mostly open before I realize one even came. 

 They really like to dip their food in things. Cole is always trying something new and convincing Connor to try it. Grapes in marinara sauce, crackers in milk, cookies in water... all a little gross! They seem to like it, though.

 Cole had asked me to take these pictures of him and send them to grandma.

Cole's spring portrait from his last year of preschool. He is really excited for kindergarten next year, and got released from the special education program since he is ahead academically and moved to a 504 plan.

Connor and Cat in the Hat both laid down and took a nap on me.

Cole's gymnastics picture from his first full year. He loves it!

While we were eating dinner, I told Connor to "Eat up, buttercup." He then told me to "Eat up, butterplate." Such a nerd! After I'm done eating, I generally on the couch while my stomach settles. After eating, Connor has been saying things like, "Ohh, my legs are sore. I need to rest." Or "I need to sit down so my pee can settle into my penis." He cracks me up! He brought me a flosser and asked me if he could 'crunch my teeth' with it. His little personality always keeps me entertained, and it's so funny to listen to the things he has to say.