EVEN THE DARKEST NIGHT WILL END AND THE SUN WILL RISE

I am truly grateful as I reflect on the sacrifice many of our American heroes have made.  And as we set aside today to honor and thank them, we should be mindful to thank them every day of the year and not just one.  Both of my grandparents served during WWII in the navy.  Their love of this country and their service is a great heritage for myself and my daughters.  Thank you, Grandma T and Grandad!  I love you!  I miss you!  I can't wait to see you again!

My grandparents!

(Grandma T was an officer and had to leave the service when she married Grandad.)

Grandma T is my personal role model!

I want to grow up to be just as kind, honest and beautiful as she is!

In honor of the upcoming patriotic holidays, we painted last night.  We enjoy painting together.  And we keep getting better... I think.

Scott is soooo good at painting!

He says he comes by it honestly because his grandma DeGooyer was also a painter.
And Dad DeGooyer is also good at painting.

I tried using brighter colors than I usually do.

I like how it all turned out.

Cody's ghost ship (I'm claiming it is in honor of Grandad) is truly beautiful!

Kiara's different take (using trees and an eagle) on the flag was so creative!

Kiara and Cody took their small family to Salato Wildlife Preserve this week.  I got to enjoy the pictures from the excursion and I wanted to share them....  

Skittles is as big as a fish!

And he barely fits in the eagle's nest.

My boys are checking out their wing sizes.

Papa Bear

Mama Bear

Baby Bear

(who was a bit nervous to be standing so close to a stuffed bear)

And I can't end a post without a lot of other adorable pictures of Skittles:

Learning to hit a baseball.  He is extremely gentle.  It's as though he doesn't want to hurt the ball.

Cuddling Ice-cream!  She won't melt...

I love this little girl!

Walking with Daddy!

Skittles loved eating Chinese noodles.

Yummmmm!

Is it even delicious if it doesn't COVER your face?

"Look at my noodle!"

Crazy boys!

My happy place: between Skittles and Ice-cream!

Skittles loves his Groot.

In fact, the only way to get him to bed happily is to remind him that Groot needs help falling asleep.

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!

TWO CUTE!

My adorable grandson is two!  He and his BFF are the cutest two-year-olds around.  (Starburst turned two 10 days after Skittles!)  One could say they are TWO - TWO TOO CUTE!  Check out our birthday celebrations:

The Birthday Boy

He adores balloons!
(He calls them "daloons!")

He wanted to make his own birthday dinner: mac and cheese!.

Balls and a trike!

Blowing out the candle!

Celebrating with his bestie!

New books!  His favorite!

Scott outdid himself again.

The car cake was perfect for these two-year-olds who LOVE cars!

And after partying hard - he needed a bath....

And then... I have the most wonderful music students!  I'm blessed beyond belief!  They all performed beautifully for our spring recital!  And I love them all!

Some of my favorite musicians!

And... I kidnapped a couple of kids to watch movies and pig out!  We had a blast!  I love these two!

Watching "Onward!"

Jelly Bean, Raisin and Skittles - I can't tell you how much I love these kids!

Since it's spring (my favorite time of the year) I've enjoyed a lot of out door time with Skittles.  Check out more adorable pictures of this two-year-old:

I had to add a picture of my mailbox.

Every year I take a picture, because I LOVE my purple flowers!

Digging in the dirt with a stick!

Look at those flowers!

Yup, he has stolen my heart!

I love this boy!

Being a grandma is the best thing in the world!

TAKE TIME TO SMELL THE FLOWERS

A forgotten tradition... But not so forgotten...  I remember my grandmother creating May Day baskets full of flowers (and goodies) and delivering them to us on the first of May.  As I grew older, I got to help create and deliver the gifts.  So, naturally, I shared this practice with my daughters.  They love it!

Imagine my joy (and surprise) when Kiara and I sent Katia flowers at BYUI and she sent flowers to us!

Katia took the original pic.

We all recreated it.

Who did it best?  JK

May Day Flower

Ready to deliver our May Day flowers...

We love this holiday!

Our joy didn't just stop with our family.  Kiara and I delivered roses to some of the people we love most dearly!  

Happy May Day!

And guess what?!  That wasn't the only excitement on May 1st this year.  Medina Spirit won the Kentucky Derby.  Skittles love watching the "horsies!"  He was also in awe as he observed mommy, grandma and grandpa yelling "RUN!  GO!" at the TV for 2 minutes.  We drank virgin mint julips, thanks to Kiara.

Scott and I went to the movies with our YSAs.

We watched Secretariat.  How appropriate!

Katia is thriving at school!  She loves learning.  I'm so proud of her.

Coed Nutrition

Coed Aviators

And I have to add some adorable miscellaneous pics:

This boy LOVES black beans!

Passing the torch!

Learning to pop popcorn like Grandpa Mac!

Only Raisin can pull off this look!

colorful rain boots

unicorn dress

fedora

We all are wearing my favorite color!

Rejoicing in the little things this Sabbath Day!