Put Your Hands Up!

Xavier's Scout group was able to visit the Nazareth police department.  This officer was excellent.  He was great with the kids and he showed us EVERYTHING you could think of that goes on at a police station.

First he talked about all the tools they wear on their belts.  Then he showed us the room they keep all the evidence for all the cases they investigate at their office.

He then showed us the things they wear as a uniform for different situations. These hats were super heavy.

Police men in training.

 Next we took a walk outside to see the police car and some of the other gear they take with them.  This "shield" was super heavy too.  You'd have to be in shape just to carry all the equipment, on top of keeping up with a criminal that wants to get away.

The boys tried to see if they could hold the shield.  We were able to hear the sirens and look inside the police car to see how different it was from a regular person's car.

The officer then showed us how they check a crime scene for fingerprints. 

Each boy was fingerprinted on the site.  Hopefully it's the only time that takes place.  Ha ha!

The officer showed us the cell they have where they detain those they arrest.

Oh no!  What did Gavin do?  $5 bail to get him out!

Oh no...boys scouts gone bad......they look innocent, but they are trouble.  

Having a little fun in the back of the police car.  Hayden's face is classic!  The boys learned so much and definitely had a memorable experience seeing what a cop does day to day.

Easter

The three amigos dyeing their Easter eggs.

The supervisor: MOM

Our ward held a PJ breakfast and Easter Egg Hunt.  There were at least 500 plastic filled eggs.

Reid didn't need any instruction.  As soon as they said go, he was off picking up eggs as fast as he could go and putting them in his basket. I kid you not, the eggs were all picked up within 5 minutes.  It was probably the quickest egg hunt I've ever witnessed.  These kids meant egg business.

Easter morning:

3 happy bunnies

Reid couldn't contain his excitement for all this sugar before breakfast.

Church will be interesting after a breakfast of candy.

Gavin had a car themed basket which he was stoked about.

Before church  vs.

After church.  And the pic after church wins.  I love the contrast between the rough and tough background of the tree with my dapper little lads posing in their Sunday best. 

We hosted Easter this year and invited a few friends to join us.  Travis and Mary Oringdulph along with their awesome bunch of kiddos, Hayden, Cye, Bryce, and Lena.  Henry also came.

The kids ate at the table while the grown ups ate in the living room.

I got to hold the cutest little baby girl a lot that night.  Hey it's not too often I have girls in the house.

The guys!

It was a small intimate group, but a wonderful and relaxing Sunday evening.

We love being outside and now that Spring has Sprung I took the boys on a nature walk to find signs of Spring.

They brought "trail mix" (snacks) and binoculars to seeks clues that Spring is here.

Grass is sprouting.

Flowers are peeking out of the ground.

More blooming here too.

Buds are growing on the tree branches.

More green.

Bird nests.

Daffodils.  More color.

Leave it to Xavier to find the worms and bugs.

Another change in season and new beginnings.  

There's a 9 Year Old in the House

This kid looks forward to his birthday months before it arrives.  So when this special day comes, it's as exciting as Christmas.  This year, being in 3rd grade, his birthday happens to fall during state testing.  Usually we like to go to breakfast or pull him out of school early and we couldn't do that this year so I had to make it as special as possible to make up for that little bump in the road.

He woke up to a chocolate cupcake, strawberries and yogurt with granola for breakfast.  There was also his first clue waiting for him to begin his birthday treasure hunt.  

The second clue required him to go out in the rain to find the third clue.  Oh and Mr. Worm came out to wish him happy birthday too.

Clues four and five were in our cozy house again and led him to some birthday surprises.

I think that was a good start to his day.  After the kids came home from school and daddy got home from work we sat down for a nice family meal.  Xavier's favorites: homemade mac and cheese, grilled chicken and broccoli (mom's healthy addition).  Dinner was followed by a Plants vs. Zombies birthday cake.

Oh and Justin stopped by to surprise Xavier.  They have been great buds at school and in the neighborhood and we loved having him as part of our dinner celebration.

 

Birthday celebrations part II:

We always let our kids pick a place they'd like to go for their birthday.  Xavier chose the DaVinci Science Center.  We brought one of his best buds, Jacob to come along.

They had a blast sifting through dirt to find dino bones, 

Exploring the deep sea in a submarine, 

and learning all about poop in the Grossology exhibit.  (Isn't that a fitting topic for boys to explore? I'd say so.  This is the only time the word poop is aloud other than the bathroom without me shushing them.)

Here they are choosing which character is the grossest.

Reid- our littlest budding scientist.

Ginormous pin art.  The kids spent at least 10 minutes playing with this.......it's the simple things.

Robotic dinosaur.

Following our science fun we came back to the house to open presents, hang out a little more and eat some pizza.

These two love Nexo Knights, Legos, and video games.....two peas in a pod.

I will say that each year when I think to myself, "How is it that Xavier is already another year older?" I think how lucky we are to have this X-man as a part of our family.  He is such a great kid.  He's soo good.  He wants to choose the right.  He is a natural leader.  He is a great example to his brothers.  He is kind, thoughtful, and energetic.  He is interesting to listen to and has so many wonderful things to share and talk about.  He loves trying new things.  His innocence and pure heart teaches me so much each day.  His love of reading and sharing what he's reading makes my heart happy.  His enthusiasm for life and love of people is a joy.  We love him to pieces and I absolutely love watching him grow up and learning so much from being his mom.