Last day of school and first signs of summer

baby steps

There's something in the Young family genetic code that prevents early walkers.  13 mo, 14 mo and Maddox topping out at 15 1/2 months.  So I'm still not holding my breath that Ryder will be an official walker anytime soon, but these pictures give me hope.  He took his first official step during the prayer at a church meeting.  It's a good thing I was doing the one-eyed peek otherwise I would have missed it (Kylie also rolled over for the first time during a church meeting, the spirit works in mysterious ways).  A couple of days later he was showing off and standing by himself for the first time so I wanted to take a picture for Jason who was out of town.  I had him all posed with Veggie Straws to keep him balanced, because it's scientifically proven that he can't stand without something in his hand and Veggie Straws just somehow make the whole world come into balance.  So there I was snapping away...

when lo and behold...hey, hey, hey with a shimmy and a shake he was off and took NINE steps!  Just count them...

(And there's Ninja Maddox in the background.  Yeah, 5AM yesteday found me in the garage digging out that Halloween costume because 3 year olds have no concept of time, or holidays, and when that boy gets something in his head there's just no changing his mind.  And then he wore it for 2 days straight until I got tired of untying it everytime he had to go potty)

Would you just look at the smile on that boys face? That is 100% pure unfiltered pride and joy.  Which could only be outdone by the look on my own face (and shrills, shrieks, clapping, hugs, kisses and minor mauling).  So glad I captured this huge milestone on camera. I think he loves to bask in the lime light and knew exactly what he was doing.  Little showoff. Do I dare say that face makes me want to have a hundred more babies?

and then there was that time when I got uninvited

Whenever we go to the lake I see people with tents set up on the shore and I think how fun that would be to go camping at the lake (maybe we shouldn't have been so eager to part ways with the Dutchman pop-up). I planted the idea in Jason's head and I think he missed the part about it being a family camping trip and was focused entirely on the idea of wakeboarding on virgin water as smooth as glass, untouched by any boat at the break of dawn.  Before I knew it he and Shawn planned a camping trip without me.  He said it was in the name of the baby and had something to do with him eating dirt last time and coming down with hand, foot, mouth disease the next day.  Whateves. I really am not that much of a buzz kill, am I?  Okay, maybe I wouldn't have let them pose for pictures holding the dead fish bones, and maybe I wouldn't have let Maddox hold that snake that bit him (nothing but a flesh wound), and maybe I would have put sunscreen on Maddox's entire body, not just on the half that was exposed while he was sleeping.  But the kids had an awesome time and Jason did promise to take me and the babes back next time.  Besides, having a weekend with just me and baldy wasn't a bad gig.  I should have watched all 7 of the Grey's Anatomy episodes on my DVR and eaten atleast 5 snack size pringles, but instead I tackled painting the entertainment center and end tables.  I had a small window of opportunity before Jason changed his mind.  In a moment of weakness he agreed to it, even though we both know my track record when it comes to painting furniture.  But I promised to do it right and you best believe I did just that. 48 hrs of priming, painting, polyurethaning and bribing Ryder with illegal amounts of frozen gogurts to stay put in the high chair. It was an exhausting weekend, thankgoodness I had Uchtdorf, Jay Z and gobs of ice-cream to get me through it. It turned out like the breath of fresh air I was hoping for and once I get my new couches in I'll post pictures.

Mother's day  Queen for a day

Oh these people of mine never fail to dissapoint when it comes to my favorite day of the year.  When they start easing off on the foot massages I am quick to remind them of the 21 hours of labor that I endured.  I do leave out the 4th degree tear part, but it's my secret weapon if I hear any complaints about doing the dishes.  No really, these kids and that cute husband always make me feel so special on Mother's day. Three home cooked meals, a clean house, back and foot massages, naps, cards, compliments, hugs and kisses galore and homemade gifts that brighten my day.  Oh, and those cinnamon rolls we dined on during Relief Society were definately something to write home about. I told Jason not to worry about the obligatory flowers, I'm not a fan, I prefer some good old fashioned shopping on his dime, which I did with the ladies this past weekend. Not to worry, I was sufficiently spoiled.  I made the comment to my sister that I wish every day was Mother's day and because she's much wiser and much less self absorbed, she was quick to respond "yeah, but it's nice to feel needed." Of course she is right and I'm so grateful for each one of my babies who need me and for Heavenly Father who trusts me enough to let them call me their mom.  And not a day goes by when I'm up to my eyeballs in laundry, diapers and crying kids that thoughts of my own mother cross my mind and I am in awe that she raised 10 amazing kids (not to toot my own horn) and lived to tell about it.  She is one incredible lady and I'm so lucky for her amazing example that I can attempt to follow.  So this was my view from the chair for most of the day.  Jason looking sexy as ever navigating his way around the kitchen and the kids creating all sorts of gifts for me...

I can't help but smile when I pass by the fridge and see these magnets they made

They discovered they struck gold when they created these "fuzzy buddies" and decided it was their new business venture.  $4.50 later and every kid in Jayden's first grade class is sporting one on their pencil. Lucky for me I got mine comped since it was Mother's day afterall.

Oh and then come the letters. Oh how I love these letters. Dearest Kylie, I will try not to fart so much, and I did not realize polygamy was a fear of yours.

I love the little game Jayden made for me at the bottom, in case I get bored while I'm kicking back all day.

And Nana, I loved when you sang "blossoms of blue" in church and you guys always make my heart feel happy!  (PS-I really want to stay at Mother's day too, but thanks to everyone for making me feel special every most days).