Goodbye Jaylen

The week before we went to Utah we found out that our friends, the Edgley's,

were moving to Seattle.

We also found out that they would be moving while we were in Utah.

Yeah, they moved really fast.

I knew Lexi would be so sad to see Jaylen go. He's her best friend. We saw him everyday.

...

Everyday at noon we get together with several women from church and eat lunch.

The school district does free lunch for all kids 1-18 years old.

So we all get together, the kids eat lunch and we hang out. It's awesome!

Here are all the kids in our group. I should have got a picture of us five moms too.

This was our last "picnic lunch" with Jaylen, his little brother Gavin and their mom Cera.

The night before we left for Utah, we hung out with the Edgley's and said goodbye.

And of course, took pictures...

Cera really was one of my best friends here in Albuquerque.

She lived in the apartment complex next to mine.

We would take our kids on walks together several times a week.

If I ever needed someone to watch my girls she was there and I would watch her boys for her.

We worked in the Young Women's program together at church.

And our husbands Sean and Aaron worked in the Young Men's program together.

We did picnic lunch together and swim lessons for our kids.

Saying goodbye to Cera felt like being in Rexburg all over again,

where our friends were always moving.

But unlike many my Rexburg friends, I know I will see Cera again because

every time we go back to Washington to visit our parents we will be able to go see them.

The night we went to say goodbye, Lexi and Jaylen cuddled in bed together.

They really do like each other but perhaps it's best we spilt them up before they are teenagers.

Haha.
Since Jaylen has left Lexi has referred to him as her best friend and even been quoting him.

Video's From Lexi's First Swim Lesson

Here's Lexi learning to blow bubbles...

Lexi when I first tried to get her to jump into the pool.

She did not want to let go of my hands.

Jumping in the pool was her favorite.

She want to do it again and again.

And eventually she let go of my hands and just jumped in.

You can hear Avery crying in the background for me. She was not enjoying just watching.

And FYI this is my 6th post today. Yeah, it's been a busy blogging morning. Enjoy!

Lexi's First Swim Lesson

I decided to sign both of the girls up for swim lessons.

They both love taking a bath but scared in the pool, well the big pool that is.

They both LOVE the kiddie pool where they can stand and touch the bottom.

Anyway, yesterday was Lexi's first swim lesson.

She was so excited!

Here's some pictures of her before we left for the pool...

I love this picture of Lexi even though her head is cut out.

She caught me off guard when she jumped with joy and excitement.

Lexi was so excited to see her friend Jaylen at the pool.

He is already 3 so he was in the preschool class.

I signed Lexi up just weeks before she turned 3 so she was in the Mommy and Me class.

Which I think is better for her because she is so uncomfortable in the big pool.

Lexi learned to blow bubbles in the water, worked on her kicking, even went under the water for the first time and jumped into the pool.

I do realize that these are all things that I could do with Lexi by myself outside of class but

I think it's nice to have a time set a part just for swim lesson and

it's good for her to see other kids learning to swim too.

I was so proud of Lexi.

She faced some fears and has already improved.

I hope that continues again tonight.

24... Hours

Last Friday and Saturday, the young men and young women at church had a...

24 Hour Book of Mormon Marathon!

They got together Friday afternoon at our Bishop's house and

read the Book of Mormon in 24 hours!

Since Sean and I both teach the youth we decided to participate.

Sean worked last Friday, so I walked over to the Bishop's with the girls.

Kind of random, but on the way there I saw my initials painted on the sidewalk.

The girls love going on walks.

The youth all got shirt that they signed for each other.

Getting ready to start reading.

During the 24 hours they had to keep moving around to help them stay focused.

Some youth did end up falling asleep a little bit but

some of them did stay awake for the entire time!

Not the best picture but this is our bishop, Bishop Harrison.

(This picture is for you Brandon.)

We didn't stay the entire time.

But I was there to help at all four meals.

Sean and I took turns going and reading with the youth.

They girls enjoying going and eating and playing in the bishop's yard.

The picture above is of Lexi with a flower her friend Jaylen picked for her.

(Jaylen's mom Cera also teaches the Young Women.)

Jaylen didn't want to be in the picture, he's 3, that's how it goes.

This picture is of Lexi and Morgan who is 7 and our Young Women's President's daughter.

Lexi loves Morgan!

Avery really enjoy the flower pots, dirt and apple tree at the Harrison's house.

We may never be invited back again!

As the sun set the youth stayed up and read.

I was so proud of them.

We were exhausted and went home and slept Friday night while the youth read on.

After a good 6 hours of sleep I headed back to the Bishop's house Saturday morning at 6 am.

I was so tired, the young men and women were exhausted!

Sean and I both love working with the youth.
They are so fun and teach us so much.

It's Been a Year!

June 1st was our year mark in Albuquerque.

A year has past since our AWFUL, HORRIBLE, TERRIBLE MOVE.

A lot has happened since then.

My girls have changed so much!

Just look at pictures of them from a year ago,

they are totally different kids!

Living in New Mexico has been really good for us.

We have faced some big challenges and been forced to grow and rely on the Lord.

Sean and I have become an even better team.

We have made so many amazing friends and meet people we will never forget.

And we have loved the warm sunshine.

We don't plan on staying here in the Duke City forever, just a few years.

So we are excited to make the most of our time in the Land of Enchantment.

I'm excited to see what exciting things this next year has in store for us...

(Sorry no pictures. But if you click on the links there are pictures.)

Summer is Here!

Memorial Day weekend kicked off the summer season.

Pools everywhere here finally opened and

we took full advantage of them in the hot 90 degree plus weather.

Here are some pictures from our fun four day weekend...

Avery HATES being in this little boat thing. She just wants to be held.

We got Lexi this little life jacket thingy which she will wear but

you still have to hold onto her or she gets scared.

Avery isn't too excited about the pool. She would just rather sit outside and eat on my lap.

One of the local pools (the Montgomery pool)

which is less than 30 minute walk from our house aka just under 2 miles,

has a kiddie pool.

Which is wear Lexi always wants to be.

Lexi loves to make finger prints and hand prints on the pavement.

Here are the girls all ready for church.

Close up a Avery. I love those big dark eyes!

For memorial day we went to the park and had yummy summer food.

Avery loves the freedom that walking gives her.

Lexi LOVES, LOVES, LOVES playing in the sand.

Sean also loves playing in the sand. In fact, he found this soccer ball 2 feet under the sand.

Avery even wanted to play in the sand. So Sean put her in the hole he dug.

Another afternoon at the Montgomery pool.

Remember that sunburn I got? Well it's all gone now, leaving awkward tan lines in it's place.