April Showers

April brought torrential rains. Our trees grew and sagged and our backyard looked like a gigantic muddy lake for weeks on end. Five baseball games were cancelled in April because of rain.  And then, of course, rescheduled at inconvenient times (like after bedtime and during piano lessons and birthday parties). Besides a lot of rain though, April also brought General Conference, Lydia's birthday, Easter, Scout Camp for Clayton, more swimming lessons and gymnastics for the girls, baseball triumphs for Brigham and Isaac, and a new teaching job for me!

Nate and Clayton flew out to Salt Lake City for the priesthood session and Sunday morning session of Conference this year.  They also visited grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins - making the most of a very quick trip.

The rest of us back home watched Conference on TV, hoping for glimpses of Clayton and Daddy on the screen.  We think we spotted Clayton itching his nose during the intermediate hymn.  Easter candy Bingo kept the girls attention and I was inspired as always to be better and try harder.  I love hearing from our prophet and church leaders.

Did I mention it rained all month?

Rain meant more time for reading and practicing inside!

And picnics inside.

I snapped some pictures of these three girls during violin lessons one day.  And look what joy I captured!

Lydia's dream came true when Cassie brought her baby over and let Lydia hold her.

Prettiest baby ever!

The girls are in dress-ups constantly.  No matter if we're racing out the door and they just have to come as they are - I've learned to just roll with it.  My new motto is (and it's what I tell people when my girls show up at the baseball fields, band practice, or a court of honor dressed like this) Hey, we hang with royalty!

Of course it's Lydia's outfits that amuse us the most.  This elegant pink polk-a-dot ensemble is complete with a butterfly on her shoulder and a puppy at her side. Such style!

All that rain made the flowers and leaves grow in our yard and Eliza could not be happier!  She loves picking flowers and leaves and arranging them in cute little dishes and cups. She tapes and glues them on paper to make pictures and designs. She'll place them artistically on pillows and then tell me to take pictures.  This girl has always had an eye for beauty!

Here are a few of her creations.

Eliza is also queen of crafts and cute notes.  She made this rabbit mask for Lydia.

She used every spare minute in April to cut, glue, paint, draw, write, and create. . . mostly things for other people. She brightens up our whole family.

We enjoyed (and endured) many many late night baseball games in April.  There is a certain thrill that can only be had playing under the lights.  Getting home with all the children after 10:00 p.m. night after night though took it's toll.

Brig fielding the ball.

Here are the girls playing as usual on the gigantic ant hill.

This is a very telling picture - Isaac (always Mr. Social) talking to his friend from school and Brigham. . . well, doing what he typically does in the dugout as well.

More of the anthill. . . and more kids.

Isaac as catcher.  He was awesome this year playing this position.

Another victory for the Rangers!

More of the anthill.

The kids took a funny mustache picture with their coach and his wife, who was also the team mom. Both incredible people.

Eliza did the morning announcements at school in April.

And I got a new job!  Watch out world, I'll be dustin' off the ole strings next year and back in the teaching arena as the new kindergarten music teacher (Eliza's grade) and after-school orchestra director (Brigham and Isaac's grades) at Bush Elementary. I didn't even have to apply for the job, interview, or update my resume.  I was personally recruited by the principal and hired on the spot. How's that for landing my dream job? All my classroom volunteering at the school paid off I guess! I have been busy going through orchestra forms, music, and instruments.  My brain is bursting with ideas and I am so excited!

Hooray for an amazing April.  And here's to a happy, and hopefully drier May!