22 weeks and Preschool Graduation

Ok so 2 weeks ago I posted and said I was 21 weeks. I was a week off. I get my weeks mixed up all the time because really you are pregnant for 10 months but we go by 9...I'm always confused. So this saturday I will be 22 week, ummm am I a little freaked out that a have a little over 4 months left.......YES. This pregnancy is flying by and I like taking care of my babies in my belly and want him to stay their for awhile longer.

So if you read the picture, it says 22 weeks with baby Irkmel. Let me explain. About a month ago Ryker was asking what we were going to name the name. I told him we didn't know yet and probably wont till he is born. So Ryker got the Magna-doodle out and told me to write down the letters he says. So he would say 6 random letters then tell me to read it...after 5 or 6 tries he spelled out I, R, K, M, E, L... I read him the name and he says Yes that is it.....so ever since then we call baby boy, Irkmel. Hopefully Shaun and I come up with something because right now we have nothing, or we might have to go with Rykers choice =)

Ryker has been doing a few chores each day for awhile now and every Saturday we have a bigger list. This last Saturday he was getting done with his stuff so quickly so I was trying to come up with more things for him to do so I said ok clean the tub. This kid scrubbed the tub for like 20 mins. He cleaned it better than I do. Hopefully his future wife will thank me.

Ryker had his last day of preschool. This has truly been the best thing for him and me. He loved going each day and had some fun little friends that he always talked about.

Amelia and Ryker enjoying their snack at the graduation party.

He had a great teacher. The kids called her Teacher Julie.

We are so proud of all your progress Ryker-man.

Ryker's 5th Birthday!

My little man turned 5 last week and he has been so happy. He says he is faster now, quicker now, a better helper now...all because he is 5. The night before his birthday we went to Chuck E. Cheese with Nana and Pa and the Palmers. We took all the pictures with Pa's camera so I don't have any to show but we had a great time. Then on his real birthday, he had a few neighbor kids come over for an "Ocean Adventure" birthday. His cake looks lame but he wanted cookies instead, so I made sugar cookies, shaped as the #5.

We took our under water pictures.

Made this oh so cute whale craft

And went for a deep sea dive to find buried treasure.

Then when daddy got home we had homemade chicken nuggets, Rykers favorite. Then a big chocolate chip pazzokie for his cake, once again that is what he wanted. He loves cookies.

Ryker recieved so many fun gifts, but the one he was dying to get was the Gorilla Mountian playset.

I hope you had a great birthday Ryker. We love you so much!!!!

2 of my Favorite Peeps and my Ladybug

Ok I didn't think I would be emotional a week later doing this post but I'll blame the pregnancy on my tears. Last Monday I had to say good-bye to 2 of my FAVORITE people in the world and my cute little bug, Miss Briss. Abe (my big little brother) found a temp job in Colorado. They will stay there until Thanksgiving and then head up to Idaho where he will be going to school in Rexburg for 4 years. I know many families don't live by each other but it is going to be hard. I just love them and we are very close. Abe and I have always been the best of friends and Shantay is the best addition to the fam. Of course what can I say about my first niece, she is a doll and not being able to watch her grow during the first years of her life is one of the hardest parts. Abe and Shantay have been the BEST uncle and Aunt to my kids, they loved them as if they were their own....truley. My kids are wild and hard for some to love =) But I know this is what they need to be doing for their own little family. I guess I just need to find ways to make money so I can go visit them more often.

Shannie, Briss Briss and Abeos

The whole Fam-Damly

Cousins!!! My kids LOVE Bristol. They ask about her all the time.

We are all cry babies and took a pictures right before they drove off.

Off they go. I week before, Abe and my dad took some stuff they don't need right now to Rexburg and put it in a storage unit up there.

This is out of order but the night before was Sunday so we had a big BBQ dinner. The boys played a little soccer.

Ryker Bday was in a few days so Auntie SuSu made him a big Oreo cake....The cream stuff was so good.

Thank you Sarah!!

Well I love you guys and know you will do great. We will text and call often and Shantay you have to start a blog so I can see Briss Briss grow!!! Thank you for your great examples and being the bestest brother and sissy-in-law ever.

May is crusin' by

I LOVE this month. Rykers birthday. Summer is almost here. Swimming and BBQ's begin...etc.

May 4th we took a little road trip with Nana and Pa to check out the new Gila Valley Temple. It was great. So beautiful inside and out. We were lame and all so hungry we didn't get our cameras and go back to the front of the Temple to take pictures so here we are by the church that is next to the temple =) Oh and early that day we found out we are having a little brother. Ryker couldn't be happier and he is looks healthy and well. I'm 21 weeks so just past the half way point!! Holy Cow.

The kids did so good, well Amelia was a typical busy 2 year old and I hope Ryker remembers the feelings he felt while in the Temple.

We are on to our 2nd session of swim lessons and the kids are loving it. Millie has to have goggles now and doesn't care if they squish her eyeballs. She sat like this while waiting for her turn again.

So now that summer time is almost here we are having to come up with more things to do to stay busy, so cooking with Nana is always fun.

Projects: Making Mothers Day cards for our Grandmas

I hope all you Moms had a great Mothers Day. I didn't get a picture with my mom....but I love her much!!

So Mothers Day night was game 4 for the Suns and they just swept the Spurs...I think Shaun wet his pants a little. Oh and do you love the jersey!!! So He watch the first part of the game at my parents house then we went over to his folks and he remembered he had an old Suns jersey in his old bedroom closet still.........from when he was 14!!!! Yes he put it on and enjoyed the Victory!

We, I mean the kids have been swimming at Nana and Pa house. I sit and watch them, the water is still a little cold for me but they are having so much fun.

We are playing play-dough everyday.

And of course building forts!! They are getting better at playing together and it is so fun to think back to when I played with my brother all the time!! But if any of you have some more fun summer ideas let us know.

Next Post will be Rykers 5th birthday. He has been waiting for this day for a really long time. I on the other hand have not!!! I want to freeze my children and keep them young (and in my control) forever =)

Getting the word Out!!!!!!

10 Reasons to Vote No on Prop. 100!

1. The Goldwater Institute estimates that this tax will facilitate the loss of 14,000 private jobs or more. Isn't it time we SAVE our own jobs and family budget?

2. In 2004 the State Budget was $6 Billion. Just 6-7 years later the State Budget is at about $10 Billion. In just 6 years State SPENDING has gone up 80%. Isn't time to force government to cut everything in proportion to the recession and balance their budget based on current revenue?

3. Arizona currently ranks 9th in the Nation for average overall Sales Tax which includes city and county taxes as well. If Proposition 100 passes we will jump up to as high as 3rd in the Nation for Sales Taxes.

4. Economic studies indicate that this Tax will only act to SLOW DOWN any recovery from this deep recession. It only makes sense that when you take capital from the private markets at any time, they will have less to spend on their business and employees.

5. Based on the Goldwater Institute, Arizona Schools (K-12) are currently receiving $9,500 per student per year in Tax Dollars. This is higher than just a few years ago and yet graduation and reading rates HAVE NOT GONE UP on average.

6. Every year MANY SCHOOL DISTRICTS go back to the public to receive Budget Override money in Bond Elections which is in addition to the budgeted money from the State.

7. There are about 215 School Districts in Arizona. That number should be cut at least in half to eliminate administration and overhead by combining resources and funnel more money down to the classroom and teachers which is where we all want it.

8. There is currently 1 administrator, or assistant, or support person in various capacities for every 1 teacher in Arizona School Districts. There is no reason why that can't be gradually lowered to a ratio of 1/2 support person per 1 teacher to help eliminate overhead.

9. NO "TEMPORARY TAX" has ever remained temporary once politicians get there hands on it. Write this down, this Tax will not end in 3 years like it's supposed to. You can't say you weren't warned.

10. If Proposition 100 passes, the average family will pay up to $450 more every year just for this TAX. Does your family really need another Tax added to all the other Taxes you currently pay?

VOTE NO ON PROP. 100!

Please go vote May 18th. I just hope you look at the big picture and not just vote in the moment. We are all suffering, not just education.