April

 April started out with a bang when the girls had district speech competition. Lizzie ended up getting first place in retold, Natalie got first in dramatic interpretation, and James got first in his category too. It was an Atkin sweep! We were so proud. I got to go watch the girls do those categories but sadly missed them competing in their other ones.

I had a fun birthday. Joe and the younger kids brought me breakfast in bed while the girls were at districts. We also got to go out with Marsha, Tom, Shari, their kids, Chris, Regina, and our girls to Rock Creek to celebrate Shari's 50th birthday. That was super fun. 

We gathered for Conference Sunday, too, and Eve wanted to wear all the clips that Regina and her girls gave her for her birthday:

That night we got invited to the Doughty's for a fun Palm Sunday activity complete with acting it out on a makeshift donkey outside in the rain:

It was a lot of fun, as always.

I got to bring in George to Eve's preschool for their unit on pets and animals:

He did pretty good with all the attention.

Eve and I got to go watch Eli's recorder concert. He had worked so hard to earn his "black belt" which meant he learned every song in the book. He and only a couple other kids in his grade played that hardest song together at the end--Ode to Joy. 

Here's just an average day of Eve playing inside the bathroom with me: :)

We got to go to a fun Easter egg hunt at the Higley's house. They had so many eggs and fun prizes out for the kids to get and Eve loved it:

We also took Eve out to see her first movie which was her gift from my parents. We saw The Mario Movie and she loved it!

We all laughed a lot. Sadly, Natalie had to miss it.

Easter was a fun day. We did our devotional on the trampoline. I loved this shot of the girls leading Eve on a chase for the Easter bunny and ending at the baskets:

Our dyed eggs:

I just loved this picture of Eve playing her maraca:

I loved to see Nate out working with Eli on his pitching and being so encouraging:

The girls had state speech up in Coeur d'Alene. We were sad to miss it but it was fun getting updates. We were eating at a Mexican restaurant with friends when we got the texts that they'd both made it to finals along with James! Lizzie ended up getting 5th in state, Natalie got 6th and James got 2nd! Not only that, but Jerome was back on top again for their division.

Natalie with the Merritts, who were preparing to move but got 2nd in their last year here.

We were so proud of them for doing so well with such tough competition.

Sometimes I have to wake Eve up and she looks so small and peaceful in her big girl bed:

Another sleeping shot, in the car this time:

We got a late snow in April:

Nate went with Natalie to see Merchant of Venice at CSI:

Eve and I posing:

On the day of Prom, Lizzie and Chase went on a fun day date to buy thrift store clothes:

Then it was time for the dance! 

I loved that Lizzie, Natalie, James and Sam all got to be in the same big group:

They got to take carriage rides at the Arringtons and had a nice dinner in their barn there.

We showed up for pictures. Eve really wanted to wear her pink dress to match Natalie:

I love these girls (and these pictures) so much:

Natalie and her date Jeremy:

At the end of April, all of the girls' hard work on the musical paid off and we got to go see Newsies. It was SO good! We were all blown away. They did a great job as Daivy and Katherine:

Of course the funny part was watching Lizzie have to cheer when Natalie and Chase kissed at the end. Definitely her best acting! :)

So many friends and family came to see the show including Jon & Jaime, Richard & Toni, and Matt. I don't have pictures of that, sadly, but I do have some friend pictures:

April went out with a bang!