A Little Bit about March

The weather warmed up sooner than we all expected and we LOVED it. Mike has people training to open snow cone stands right by his office building, so we try to sneak in a free one every now and then. 

Jace's travel basketball team won their division championship! Pretty exciting!

We had very busy Saturdays with more games than you can imagine. Sometimes the night ended like this.

We painted the front part of our house and they boys played a lot of indoor basketball.

One sunny day, we had a fantastic play date with Lorenzo at Sugar House park. There is nothing better than sunshine and blue sky after the winter! Hooray for spring!

 These boys had their piano recital. My unmusical heart was so proud! They each played 2 songs and played them so well. We have seen so much growth. I can't wait for them to continue their musical journey.

We are always wrestling a lot. These boys are so amazing to Pierce. I love watching their interactions and the love they all have for each other.

 We had a great day with old friends sledding down the Park City slopes. It is so great to be with old friends!

Jace and Tommy...Mike and Tim years ago.

This brave baby loved careening down the hill.

 My parents returned from Israel just in time for my dad's birthday! He is definitely worth celebrating. We love him so much!

We have a pond right by our house that has tons of ducks. Pierce is obsessed with feeding them, so every chance he gets he asks to "go see the ducks." On this particular sunny day, the whole crew came with us. We love where we live.

 One of the most exciting things all month was Jace's opportunity to compete in the Constitution Bowl. He worked SO hard and he (and I) now know more about the Constitution than you may have ever thought possible. It was such a great experience to study and learn with him. He had every question down. Unfortunately, his team did not. They did not end up winning, but had a great experience.

 Jace was awesome. I was so proud of him!

 Jace's basketball team ended up winning their winter division. Pretty exciting!

 

The school had an art night where Jace and Parker had some great things displayed. If I take a minute to reflect, I am always amazed by these boys of mine. They are so smart and well-rounded, with so many interests and things they enjoy.  I am so lucky to be their mom.

Happy 11th Jace!

 We love celebrating our birthday boys around here! There is something about your oldest getting so big that makes life feel like it is moving at warp speed. Jace turned 11 this year and he loves to be celebrated. We decorated his room and with balloons and the 11 reasons we love him. His favorite? "He is so handsome."

Off to school after a birthday breakfast at Sill's with dad. We love this tradition. 

Subway for lunch with me and Piercey! It is fun to see him fitting in with new friends. 

Since it was not a "friend party" year, Jace chose to take the family to Get Air. A very favorite spot around here. It really is the best place for these boys to play and they loved every minute. I could not be happier with the way the love and support each other. They have the best time together. 

 For dessert that night, he requested a DQ ice cream cake. A man after my own heart! Love it and loved taking a day to celebrate our darling 11 year old! 

Spotlight on Jace at 11!

My favorite food is:  egg burritos

My favorite sport is: basketball

The best show on TV is: Ben 10

The coolest person in the world is: mom

My best subject in school is: reading

I'm really awesome at: basketball

If I could change my name, it would be: Jace

My favorite color is: black

When I grow up I want to be: a professional singer

My parents are too strict about: everything (no sleepovers)

My favorite song is: Stereo heart, Light em up, Monster (the song I made up)

My favorite book is: The Hunger Games

When we stop for a treat, I get this: frozen yogurt

4 words that describe me are: handsome, singer, writer, reader

When I was little, I used to: run around naked in grandma's house

My favorite scripture story is:  3rd Nephi

My favorite primary/church song is: A Child's Prayer

My favorite season is: fall

The best snack ever is: strawberries

My favorite superhero is: Black Panther

The food that makes me want to barf is: broccoli

The car I would love to drive when I turn 16 is: lambourgini

My best friends are: Dominic Rossi, Jeremy Fullmer, Jake Thomas

The cutest girl I know is: Sadie

The most memorable day this year was: gave Mylee my first Valentine rose

If I had one wish it would be: That I was Ben 10

The best thing that has happened to me this year is: I got on a travel basketball team

One thing I want to learn to do this year is:  better math

One thing I need to work on is: getting my homework in on time

The most important lesson I've learned this year is: if you want something you have to work hard to get it

Jace, this has been a really great/crazy year. I know I say this every year, but you have just grown up so much, I can hardly believe it. It was a big year with lots of changes. We moved to Utah and it was both exciting and hard at the same time. You had just gotten used to a new school in Saline and then you had to start over again. I am really proud of how well you have done. I know there have been times that have been hard, and it is never fun to be the "new kid," but it is almost the end of the year now and it seems like things have gotten better and better. Every time I have been at the school you are surrounded by both girls and boys who want to be your friend. The girls seem to especially like you :). You are kind to those who need friends and you are likable, interesting, and confident. You have become much more self-aware this year in a good way. You are being more honest, more self-reflective, more kind and more helpful. Watching you grow and change has been a source of a lot of joy for both me and dad. You have become so fun and easy to talk to. We love that you keep us informed and want us in on all the details of your life. I love that you can turn to me when you are feeling worried or life is getting you down. I love our special relationship. You influence our family so much when you are kind, respectful and helpful. It is amazing to see how much your little brothers look up to you and admire you. You are great to them...a really awesome big brother and I am so glad that you guys have such a good time together. You have excelled in so many ways this year. School has been great and I am happy with the effort you are putting into things...especially fun to watch was your preparation for the Constitution Bowl and the Geography Bee. You are naturally so smart and I loved studying with you and watching your mind work. It was awesome! It was great to see you get your Arrow of Light, you worked so hard for that too. I have also loved watching you push yourself on your travel basketball team. It has been fun to see you do things that are really hard. The rewards have been fantastic! I hope you continue to push yourself. You have been blessed with so many talents. You are so well rounded...your piano recital was awesome, your singing voice is fantastic and I love that you are still happy to be a kid and play in an imaginary world. We love being your parents and are so excited to continue to watch you learn, grow and become. Love you more than anything!

Thank you, thank you Grandma and Grandpa!

Of course our trips would be impossible without Grandma and Grandpa's help. It was so great of them to watch the boys for us. When they are in charge, I know everything will be taken care of and everything will happen as it is supposed to. They are amazing. We left them with a crazy amount of things to accomplish, especially on Saturday and all was well (and documented!)

Only grandma and grandpa buy them treats during games ;).

They must have done lots of chocolate fruit dipping because they basically expected it when we got back. Love that grams!

My mom had a chance to take Pierce to his music class. I heard he was less than perfect, but still loved being there and showing off!

My mom said she loved spending the nice days outside playing with Piercey. They just had the best time, and I'm not sure he missed me one bit. He is such a joy to hang around with! 

It was especially nice of them to watch the boys since they were leaving for Isreal just 2 days after we arrived home. Because of that, they celebrated Jace's birthday early and gave him a new set of golf clubs! Lucky boy this year :)! 

Thanks Grandma and Grandpa for keeping our boys loved and safe so we could have a great time. Couldn't have done it without you!!