Last Week...

Elle had an end of the year concert for her school. It was so cute. Elle was excited to perform the two songs (including her favorite, “Oh! Susanna”) and she did great. I love seeing her in her school element with her friends. It is also funny to me that she is the shortest in her class—just like her mama.



Elle still had four days left of school, but we decided to start our summer anyway. One can never start too early. We went to the splash park and got wet (although I did not know that it was open until we got there, so the kids got wet in their regular clothes). We also got snow cones—a great summer treat. It was a fun way to start off our summer—even if our summer has not officially started.




Elle ran her first mile-long race. She did great. She ran almost the entire thing. I was very happy and proud of her. She is such a good girl. And she loves to run--again like her mama.




Hudson had his first trip to the emergency room (I don’t know how we have made it so long actually—he has no fear and does dangerous/crazy things on a daily basis—but yet this is our first trip to the ER).

As we were climbing into our car, on our way to Elle’s race, Hudson decided to shut his own door. This is not an unusual occurrence (Hudson is very independent and likes to do things on his own), but this time when he shut the door he failed to remove his other hand from the door jam, and the door closed solidly and completely on his hand. He immediately screamed and I had to open the door in order to get his poor, little hand out. I felt so bad for him, and I knew it hurt, but I was sure it would be better soon. (Hudson has shut his hand in the door two other times, so I figured he was fine—hurt but fine.) But as the day progressed, and Elle’s race was over, he still refused to use his hand or let anyone touch it. He just held it limp in his lap. At this point Johnny and I got worried that he may have broken something, so we decided to get it looked at sooner than later.

So we loaded the kids in the car and headed to the emergency room. Hudson had x-rays and a check-up, and thankfully his hand was ok. But I’d rather not visit the emergency room anytime soon. Maybe Hudson can try and remove his hands prior to shutting the door. Maybe.



Johnny and I decided to get the kids a slip 'n slide for the summer. I think it was a good idea. The kids sure love the idea of it. But when it comes down to actually slipping and sliding, they are not so good. Mostly it is a lot of jumping, walking and splashing—no slipping or sliding. Johnny got on to show them how it is done, but yet they still struggle. It is a good thing they have the whole summer to practice. They need it. But even without the slipping and sliding, they have a lot of fun.



Also, our strawberries are growing great. We love picking them and eating them straight from the garden.



It was a fun and busy week.

Last Week...

Hudson managed to get a perfect circle of dirt on the tip of his nose. (He is very talented.)



We went to Utah, and Johnny and I had the opportunity to go to the Logan Temple. The kids loved it. Johnny and I haven’t been back there in a really long time, so it was fun to get the chance to be there again. It brought back lots of memories from when we were married.








We roasted hot dogs and marshmallows (Hudson wouldn’t eat anything but chips—picky little eater), and we played in dirt, mud and the river. Elle and Hudson just loved getting dirty. And Hudson fully utilized his amazing dirt talent. He was filthy.



Hudson worked on the truck with my dad in his underwear. I don’t really know why he was only in his underwear, but he was. And all in all, it made for a very funny picture.

Favorite Quote

During Sacrament meeting, Hudson belted out Tom Petty Lyrics. The room was completely quiet, and all anyone could hear was, “I won’t back down. No I won’t back down.” It was very comical. A little embarrassing; but all around comical.

This Week...

Hudson rode his bike for hours and hours each day. This kid could spend his entire day outside everyday if I would let him. But unfortunately I am a mother, and for some reason I find it important to eat, sleep, rest, take naps and maybe actually get something done around the house. But fortunately I am a mother, and I love to see my little boy happy, so he gets to spend a LARGE majority of his day outside riding bikes and just being a boy.



Johnny graduated with his second Masters! I am thrilled that the long, hard road of school is officially done. Johnny worked hard, studied endlessly, and got amazing grades. I’m still not sure how he balanced work, school, church callings, family obligations and weekly volleyball nights, but he did it. I also don’t know how I managed being a single mom (or what felt like being a single mom) for so long, but I did it. We are all so proud of Johnny and all that he has accomplished. It is nice to be done. But in all actuality, we are not done. Johnny is now studying for his CPA exam, and so he is once again busy all the time. Will it ever end?



I had a wonderful Mother’s Day. Johnny, Elle and Hudson all spoiled me with gifts and love. And I felt so grateful for my two wonderful children. Being their mother is not always easy, but it is very much worth it. They make me smile, laugh, cry (and every other emotion in-between). Life with them is unpredictable and fun. But most of all, they make me love being a mother.

Johnny’s parents were able to visit us from California for Johnny’s graduation. The kids loved having them here. They swam and played nonstop.

It was a great week.

Favorite Quotes

Whenever Hudson wants to do something, he always tells me, “Four minutes Mommy.” I guess he thinks that if he tells me he will do it for only four minutes, then I will relent and let him.

Hudson likes to add the word butt onto everything he says. “Thank you butt. Sorry butt. Bye butt. People Butt (his favorite).” The list goes on an on. He thinks he is so funny. But I do not find it funny when I am trying to teach him manners, and he shouts out, “Thank you butt!”

This Week...

I have been lacking a little bit in the picture department lately, but rest assured, we have still been having lots of fun.

I can happily report that Hudson is potty trained. I somewhat dreaded doing this detestable task with him, but surprisingly it was not very hard. Hudson figured it out really quickly, and he never complained. Every time I told him it was time to go potty, he would say, “OK Mommy. Whatever Mommy.” I loved his optimistic attitude. He was very willing to try for me, and he has done a great job. I don’t even have to remind him anymore. He just does it on his own. (But he is such a boy, and loves to go outside whenever he can—very embarrassing.)

Johnny and I celebrated our 9th wedding anniversary. It is hard to believe it has been that long, but we have never been happier. It has been a great nine years.

Hudson has been having a little more interest in drawing. (His sister is obsessed, so he sometimes copies her.) But the other day he ran in my room with his Magna Doodle, and excitedly yelled, “Football Mommy! Football!” He then showed me the football he drew. I was very impressed; because this was the first time I could actually somewhat tell what he had drawn. And I loved that it was a football. He loves football just like his daddy.

And Elle and Johnny are both on the final stretch of school. I can hardly believe that Johnny is graduating with his second Masters, and Elle is almost finished with Kindergarten.

It has been a fun and busy week.

Favorite Quote

Hudson now refers to gum as not just bum, but bubble bum. I love it.