Papa is 59!

Happy Birthday Papa!

My dad came in town for his birthday.  Actually, it just happened to be his birthday and he was bringing us a car.  We are now a 2 car family.  First time ever!  We really needed another car.  This past year was absolutely crazy with dance, soccer, basketball, piano, activity days, meetings, Paul's school schedule, YMCA work, preschool, etc.
 
We were so excited to have Papa come to Indiana!  We had a great weekend, full of soccer games, Silver Dipper ice cream, swimming, park, zoo, Olive Garden and hanging out.

 My dad is a wonderful grandpa.  He is so great with the kids and so helpful! I am getting cranky with age but he gets sweeter and more patient.  It's incredible.  Seeing my children with their grandparents is one of my favorite things.  I am so blessed to have such a wonderful family!

 We love you Papa.   Thank you for making the sacrifice to come and visit us.

Paul builds a slide

Paul found this green slide on the side of the road earlier this year.  One Saturday last month, we went to Menard's (his favorite home improvement store) and made the ladder and platform.  Viola!  Paul has always dreamed of making things for his kids, just like his dad did.  It makes him happy to see them play on it. 

David & Eden play soccer

 David played soccer again this spring.  He was on the Buffalo's team. 

 He did really well.  The coach complimented his ball handling skills.   

 Eden played soccer for the first time this spring.  She is a great hustler and could hold her own.

I love soccer.  It reminds me of my childhood in Alabama.  I love Saturday mornings sitting on the sidelines cheering for the kids.  However, this season we spent 90% of their games chasing the twins around.  Trying to keep them off the field, away from dangerous dogs, out of parking lots, or wondering into a ditch.  

Ruth graduates

 Ruth graduated one year of preschool from the YMCA.  She still has another year...so we'll be doing this again next year.  She had a great year.  She loves all the friends she made.  She loves to follow the preschool rules and follow the teacher.

This 4 year old is truly sweet and sour.  When she is sweet; she is the sweetest, cutest, most lovable angel on the earth.  When she is sour, she is the most...well, I'll just say sour :).  We love her and appreciate her in our family.  Don't you just love that face?! 

9 years of marriage

Lisa's wedding update

Since I didn't take any pictures myself, here are some from the photographer.  Beth & Vanessa did and amazing job.  These are some of my favorites. 

My parents.  I love them so much.  

 The whole Jay Garlock posterity

 The nieces who greeted everyone with songs, smiles and present instructions.

Josie, Avery, Eden

Sam stealing chocolate

Grandpa Bateman

Grandpa & Grandma Bateman

The luncheon

Now all my sister's are married.  It is a fun time.  My mom raised us well and we are best friends.  What a happy day a wedding is. 

Dance recital 2014

This year the YWCA had their 10th anniversary show.  The theme was: Still shining after all these
years.  All performances were picked from favorites of years past.

Without even realizing it, I have become a dance mom.  This semester has been so fun to have both girls in dance.  Eden loves the technique and obsesses over her routine.  Ruth is all about the social aspect.  She loves the friends and her teacher.  It was a busy weekend with dress rehearsal, pictures and 2 performances on Saturday.  The girls did great.  They had so much fun.  They were well prepared, neither were even nervous!  I was impressed, I would have been terrified to perform in front of 400+ people. 

 

MARTIAN HOP

GIRLS JUST WANNA HAVE FUN

 (I missed the beginning because the camera was blurry)

After the performance, they were greeted by David (who suffered through the 2 1/2 hour recital) and a very proud mom and dad with flowers.  These girls are best of friends.  I love them.    

Easter 2014

 

Easter morning

 This year we decided to skip all community egg hunts and do our own in the backyard.  

I snapped a few pictures before piling in the car for stake conference.  It didn't last long because the twins were off...

Oh the hectic life of children.  I love them.  They are all so darling and special.  It is always hectic though.  Is it the twins?  Or the ages?  Or the number of children that determines the amount of craziness?  No matter how much I try to prep for Sunday, it is always a hectic mess of scrambling on Sunday morning.Actually, anything that requires us to have socks, shoes, and seat belts buckled seems to be a mountain to climb :).   

Trapped a squirrel

A couple days ago David got the animal trap out of the garage.  He wants to catch a bunny.  Paul showed him how to set it up.  The past 2 days he has caught squirrels.  Yesterday I looked outside and saw a squirrel going CRAZY in the cage. I let it go before David got home from school.   I couldn't believe he caught something!

When David came home from school I told him about the squirrel. He was sad I had let it go.  Paul asked, "David, what kind of animal did you want to catch?"  David responded, "any kind of animal".  He immediately went outside and placed 2 carrots in the trap and set it again.  This afternoon he let the second squirrel go.  What a boy.

Speaking of being a boy.  One day during spring break I let David play lego computer games pretty much all day.  He won't even stop for a minute to drink his smoothie.  Oh brother.   

Very long road trip, very short visit

Did I tell you we went to Utah?  Well, we did.  For 3 days.  We traveled in the car longer than our actual stay in Utah.  My younger sister got married.  I don't have any pictures of her.  That's what the photographer is for, right?  She looked beautiful.  It was a wonderful sealing.  I am so happy for her.  She choose a good man.  I still can't believe I didn't take any pictures.  Well, actually I can because I was chasing around 2 toddlers the whole time!   

Sam

Ben

Richard is 72!  We love Mountain Green.  Everyone went to my nephews soccer game and I stayed at the house and put the babies to bed.  I sat outside for an hour, looking at the mountains.  Listening to the stream and smelling...just smelling.  The fresh air!  If I ever live by mountains again I will not take them for granted.  I miss mountains.

Back to Richard.  I love being around my father in law.  He is so positive and complimentary.  He loves me and our children.  He is a happy person.  He is the protector of his family.  He came to the hospital when David was injured last summer in the middle of the night.  He sat with us and was concerned.  He gave David a blessing in the church office building when we said good bye that summer.  He is a man who stands for truth and righteousness.  I love him.  I miss him and hope soon we can live closer.  Happy Birthday Dad! 


Even though it was a short trip, we got to see lots of family.  Families are the best!

 The kids had spring break at the end of March.  We had a fun week.  Everyday I tried to do something fun.  I did pull out the camera when we went bowling.  Kids love bowling.  I didn't quite think about the repercussions of taking twin toddlers to a bowling alley.  A place with heavy balls (which smash little fingers) and slick floors.  Needless to say, I chased the twins around the whole time trying to distract them from the 'balls' which was very tiring.

                       The kids love the tunnels at Purdue.  They love to scream and hear their echoes. 

 Sister love.  Eden came back and carried Ruth.  Apparently Ruth was too tired to walk (aka having a tantrum and screaming because we won't all stop and give her attention).