The graduate

Henry graduated from pre-school yesterday.  I was surprised how sweet it was.  The sight of all those little kids walking into the cafeteria with their paper graduation hats made me tear up.  Oh dear.  I’m sorry the pictures aren’t better, but Lizzy had been woken up from her nap to go to the graduation and she needed to be held the whole time which makes for tricky camera work.

The graduates waiting for their diploma

Henry getting his diploma from the principal.  He got the award of “most inquisitive.”  Each kid got an award that the teachers came up with such great ones.  Best Puzzle builder, best helper, even best line leader awards were given out.

Henry with his beloved Mrs. James.  Can’t you just see how much he loves her?!  Really.  He loves loves loves her.  I’m so grateful for him to have had such a wonderful adult in his life.  And one that loves him too.  Thank you Mrs James for being such a great teacher.

log cowboy

Hiking back to the car in Lost Maples State park we had another river crossing.  This crossing had a nice smooth log section floating in it.  And Henry knew right away it was perfect for riding.  Here’s the log cowboy!

Lost Maples- memorial day

We’ve spent too many weekends working on projects so after spending most of Saturday working on the yard we were sure grateful for a holiday on Monday.  We packed up the kids and the camelback and headed for Lost Maples State Park.  It’s my favorite state park.  I love the hills, the cliffs, the trees, the river, and the… river.  Really, the river steals the show sometimes.  And the kids love it too.  Here’s so photographic proof of their love.

Lizzy was not hesitate at all, but walked right in.  It was very shallow where we started her playing.  At first she just wanted to horde rocks, but she soon got the hang of throwing them into the water and threw rocks for 20 minutes straight.  (She really is a Hedengren/Dunn.  Both my family and Dell’s are good rock throwers.)  I’d give her a pile of rocks and when that was gone she’d sign for “more” “please.”  But then that was too slow for her so she sat herself on a large rock and would throw a rock in, reach over and grab it out of the water and throw it again.  She kept throwing the same rock for a long time.  And it was a good rock, the size of a small grapefruit.  It made a very satisfying splash.  Lizzy would grunt her “1,2,3, boom” with most of the throws too.  She’s so funny.

Dell and Henry hiked up the stream a bit until they found this perfect swimming hole.  The water came up to Henry’s chest and he loved jumping and playing in there.  Lizzy and I hiked up when she tired of rock throwing in the shallow part and we introduced her to a little pond that came up to her waist.  She LOVED it.  She splashed and splashed the water and tried to grab rocks to throw in.

By the time we left this part of the river, Lizzy, Henry, and I were soaked.  Dell stayed dry because I was the one carrying LIzzy (and getting splashed by her rock throwing.)

The hike itself was glorious.  The temperature was perfect.  Just hot enough that being wet wasn’t uncomfortable, but cool enough that being dry was comfy too.  And the sky was my favorite shade of bright bright blue.

Henry hiked the whole way, though on the way up he started to run out of interest so we then had to be jedi soliders sneaking up on seperatist troups.  We set traps, cast spells (not sure where that came from, maybe super mario brothers), and snuck along as quietly as we could at times.  We each had a stick.  Mine a small wand, Dell’s large and curved and so was a bow, and Henry’s big thick stick (which he’d brought from home) was his sword/wand.  You can see his stick in the picture of him in the swimming hole.  He lugged that stick the whole hike and we even brought it home again for the next hike.

Lizzy, doesn’t sleep in her carseat very well, but it looks like the backpack is a better place to nap.  Here she is.

going, going….

GONE

When it rains…

A couple of weeks ago I was finishing up preparations for a baby shower I was hosting that morning when I heard the sound of a good Texas rain.  Racing to the front window, this is what I saw.

now the side yard

and finally the back yard

The ironic thing is that we had just refilled the sandbox on Saturday (since the last big rain washed all the sand away.)  bye bye new sand.  We have since landscaped the area on the other side of the fence from the sandbox in a way that should divert the water from the sandbox and onto the grass instead.  Then it’s just like irrigation right?   Or maybe we can convince KB to keep the construction debris picked up so it doesn’t clog the grate on the drainage opening. 

Hoping to clear at least the lake in the street (to allow people to park for the shower) I quickly changed my clothes and ran out to the curb where I filled up a bucket with stuff and then the waters magically receded from our yard.  Hmmm, maybe when we sell our house we can list it as an occasional river front property.  :)

Mother's Day Love

After walking over to sit in his seat, Henry had this to say to Anna this morning:
"Wow Mom! You look different from over here...kind of interesting...like a Wolf Mommy!"

A shout out to my brother Mark

My brother Mark is an incredible, talented photographer.  He does a great job with landscapes, but his real specialty is people.  Somehow Mark seems to able to capture who a person is with a camera.  It awes me.  You should see the pictures of my kids he’s taken.  It’s made it impossible for me to go to studios.  His pictures can catch glimpses of the soul.  It’s beautiful.

He’s spent the past 5 years or so travelling around the world interviewing members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (my church yea!)  He’s shot thousands of photos and interviewed so many wonderful people.  The result of these interviews, photos, and travels was recently published into a breathtaking photo book The Mormons.  I love it.  I love it that it is the lives and faith of everyday ordinary people.  People like me. (I’m not in the book.  If you buy it see if you can spot my mom though.)  I love the interview with the Sunday School teacher in Cambodia.  The convert in New York.  The picture of the old man vacuuming in a foyer.  The bishop riding his bike to visit a member.  The missionaries in South America.  The lives, hope, faith, doubt, imperfections, and strivings that all of us who are trying to follow Christ have.  Check it out if you can.

Those of you lucky enough to be in Utah, the BYU bookstore is carrying it.  And talks are going on with Deseret Book (send them an email and ask them to carry please.)  If you don’t have that option you can to to http://www.byubookstore.com/ePOS/form=item.html&item=9786169400011&store=439 to order the book.

Oh and here’s a link to a short bit of the DVD that is based on the book.  http://vimeo.com/7331102

So way to go Mark!  You’ve got such talent and this book you have created is a beautiful masterpiece.  I’m so proud of you!!

(Oh and wouldn’t it make a great mother’s day gift for those of you still trying to figure on out?)

Race Day

This morning was the BYU alumni association (san antonio chapter) 5K race.  And even though I seriously considered chickening out when I found out Dell would be post call that morning, I’m really glad I went. 

Henry was a total trooper.  He had some pre-race jitters, but we talked those out on the drive there.  (He was disappointed it wasn’t an obstacle course sort of race, he was hoping for some little tunnels that only he could fit through so he could save the day.  )

Once we got to the stake center where the race was starting from it was amazing how many people we knew.  I saw an old friend from beginning of residency, lots of people from our ward and people that looked vaguely familiar.  Ahhh, BYU alums. 

Henry did a great job running the race with his friend Samuel.  Henry ran maybe 1.75 miles (run, ride, run, ride style), Samuel ran a little over 2 with only two brief stroller breaks, and Lizzy never complained and seemed very content to ride in the chariot.  The toughest point for me was when I was pushing all three kids in the chariot at mile 2.25.  Henry and Lizzy were in the chariot with Samuel sitting on the handlebars.  I had to use all my upper body strength to hold the chariot up while running.  All in all pretty fun for my first official 5K.  In fact, I’d love to do another.  Especially on without the kids.  While we finished with a pretty respectable time I’d love to do one where I didn't’ have to stop to let kids in or out of the chariot and to be able to run at a pace faster than my 5 year olds.  :)

Henry’s pre-race posing.  Don’t you love the shirt?  It says play to win.  A sentiment I hate, but Henry loves it because it’s green and has a trophy on it.

Lizzy ready to race.

aren’t they cute?!

coming in to the finish line (this is actually a reenactment.  I was too busy running and keeping the kids running to take out my camera, so we redid the finish line in on of the lulls while waiting for the other racers to come in.)

crossing the finish line!

 

Great job everyone!