Springtime at the Hales House

Twins holding twins.

Sariah told James she wanted to mow the lawn.  He didn't even change out of his white shirt and tie to teach her.  Unfortunately, she's not heavy enough to keep the seat down so the safety engages and the blade stops turning if he gets off.  

Talmage dutifully weeding his row of peas.

Rex loves to hold "Lucky."  He'll say, "it's a nice day to hold a kitty."  

Thought this picture was funny.  Lucky is just lucky that T-Rex is only a screen print.

The kittens are here!

On Tuesday, April 21st, James discovered this on his way out to work.  

5 kittens!

It's amazing to watch Mato's motherly instincts.  

 

BEFORE

On Wednesday, April 22nd, Bryant was "bonded."  He wasn't too happy that day.  In fact I think the direct quote was, "You can have my good attitude back in 2 years."  Now we have two metal mouths.

Just in time for his 12th birthday!

He decided to postpone his birthday mud pie until Sunday when it wasn't so painful to eat.

He woke up on his birthday at Teancum Timbers.  James had taken Talmage, Bryant, and Hyrum up for the annual clean-up. 

Mato is still very protective of the little guys, but allowed Rex and Lyle to hold her kittens this morning. Twins holding twins.

Finally Seeded

We started putting in the solid set the first week of April last year.  Yesterday, the seed went down.  That was after A LOT of prepping for the last 3 weeks.  Raking, and raking, and raking, and raking.  Talmage was out with James ALL DAY yesterday.  He was so exhausted, he fell asleep on the cement floor last night.  Today he is limping around a bit.  He was sitting on the back of the 4-wheeler on a 2X6 that was connected to a chain.  The 2X6 extended a ways out on each side of the 4-wheeler and as James was going past the play set, it caught and flipped Talmage off backwards.  He popped right up and said he was fine, but he's feeling it a little today.

Sunday before naptime. Some things just make me very happy.

Tonight was Bryant's Priesthood Preview.  Talmage is the Deacon's Quorum President that spoke at the Priesthood Preview.  Bryant will turn 12 on Saturday.  It happens to be the annual Teancum Timbers clean-up so James will likely take Talmage and Bryant up the night before to camp since Bryant needs one more camp-out to achieve his next Boy Scout rank.

Spring Break

After living with a yard full of 4 feet tumbleweeds, we knew what we were doing this Spring Break.  The fun part of it was having our sidewalks poured.  Other than that, it was A LOT of weeding, raking, burning, and good wholesome work in the sunshine.

The kids were pretty sure this is not what "Spring Break" was supposed to be about.

So, feeling a little guilty, I took them to three restaurants Friday afternoon to claim all their "freebies" they had earned at school...

...and hiking up Badger Mountain on Saturday morning before General Conference.

It was one of the prettiest Badger Mountain hikes I remember.  Little wild flowers everywhere, hardly any wind, and tiny, little prairie dog creatures we'd never seen up there before.  

On our way down, we saw a young family, mother and father each carrying a little one, and they looked like they were second guessing their decision to hike.  She made a comment like, "So someday they all walk on their own huh?"  I smiled and nodded, but told her we'd been there before, "Hang in there."

April Fool's Day

I don't know how late Talmage was awake putting together his "fools" but this is what we woke up to the first day of April.

Not to mention, we couldn't find him that morning.

Bryant and Sariah caught the spirit and visited the Freeman's house while they were on vacation.

Lyle Style

Lyle announced himself one Sunday morning, "Lyle Style" and took a bow.  

I'm sure someone prompted the words, but no one prompted the grin and the twinkle.

39 Years Old

Another batch of my favorite things.

A priceless gift from Lizza, a few photos with my Grandmas at my birthday party.

I am so proud to be her descendant.  She was 50 years old when I was born, but I'm sure she was buzzing around like a 30-year-old.