Family Pictures 2018

I can share from experience that the worst time to get your hair cut is 2 weeks before you're scheduled for family pictures. Because when that hairdresser cuts your hair an inch too short, there's not a prenatal I've ever heard of that can do that kind of damage control. So you're left with pictures that will forever immortalize one poorly timed decision. 

Luckily the boys' hairs were spot on. Every last one of 'em. 

I call this one "the claw." The cute thing about this picture is we had our family pictures done by the same photographer at the same park also on a bench back when we only had Eli and Carson, so it was fun to see how much our family has grown.

The main reason we got family pictures in the summer instead of in the fall was so we could catch a few shots of this guy for his upcoming baptism. But more on that later!

End of School

You may remember as soon as Jonah learned how to sit, Carson eagerly plopped him in various items and obsessively pushed him around the house. The fruits of his labors became apparent quickly after Jonah figured out how to take his first steps. 

When you get four boys sitting still long enough to successfully relay a story for Family Home Evening, you take a picture. 

Mother's Day happened! I kept saying all I wanted was one of those forms kids fill out about their moms. I finally got my first one and it was everything I wanted it to be. 

You guessed it. I figured the one day I could get away with making my boys don flowers was on Mother's Day. Not a one put up a fight about it.

Eli earned a prize at school and picked this Canadian bear because it reminded him of Grandma and Grandpa Excell. 

The Clintonites gathered one more time before we temporarily scattered. I say temporarily because I know we'll find a way back to each other!

Lincoln was quite proud of his first mustache.

My sister asked Jeff and me who is currently our hardest child. Jeff calmly and without question replied, "Lincoln is public enemy #1." It's been my favorite summary of life with a 3-year-old Lincoln.

Jeff and Carson fixed up a few damaged basement ceiling tiles. Hard hats mandatory. 

On the first day of school I accidentally signed up to help with field day when I was actually trying to sign up to help with a field trip. Big difference. I realized what I had done just as I was looping the last "l" of my name, but what was I going to do? Scribble it out?

Nah. Instead I was just going to casually ignore all the phone calls I would receive about field day. Luck appeared to be in my favor when I found myself lounging in bed the day before field day without a single text, phone call, or note home reminding me of my responsibilities. I had escaped my accidental obligation without so much as a hint of confrontation.

Then I got the text. The text saying why hadn't I responded to any of the emails and they really needed my help and how could I let all the children of the school down and who was going to spray them with a hose on the second to last day of school if I wasn't there? One text is all it took for this people-pleaser to throw all my plans (of laying in bed all day) out the window, find a babysitter (thanks, Becky) and go melt all morning at field day.

I knew Carson wasn't going to be there because he had afternoon kindergarten and was...with me, but I thought he would enjoy coming with me to help. What I didn't know was that Eli didn't have field day until the afternoon...so I went to help with field day at the time when neither of my kids were even there. Like a gosh darn fool. I really gotta switch around some numbers on the school forms this year when I fill out my phone number. I mean yeah, my kids might be stuck puking in the office with no one to pick them up, but if it gets me out of volunteering at field day again, it might be worth it.

Last day of kindergarten!

Last day of 2nd grade!

This is not a triple stroller. 

Cookies for our last day of school celebration!

And a quick run to the store while our older kids were at an end of year party. We survived another school year! But will we survive another summer...??? DUN DUN DUUUUNN!!

Friends and Fa-May-ly

A lot of things have happened, folks. A lot of things I now remember little about. Like that time we toured the Jordan River Temple with Abe and Klarissa's family and Becky and Dallas's family. 

Then the cousin fun commenced.

Jonah took his first steps shortly after his first birthday!

One day Madison came over and Lincoln said, "This one's mine," while pointing to her.

Many children = much bribery with ice cream to get them to clean up after an afternoon of fun.

Carson mastered a training wheel-less bike in approximately 2.34 minutes.

"Mr. Huggy Man" aka Jacob dropped by for a few "business trips" aka playing Minecraft with Brooke.

Oh yes! One of my favorite school papers Eli has ever brought home.

I particularly loved "I used to be funny" and "I do not like to die." Who said he's not funny?!? Ha!

Jonah and the Wells met up at the new Bountiful park.

And look at that. We're one month closer to being caught up.

Fun for Carson

I blame the 4-month blogging gap on girls camp. Also my book. Yeah I wrote a book. So read that if you're feeling neglected. I feel neglected you haven't read it yet. Who's the bad friend now? 

Not Carson. (Bad segue. Forgive me I'm out of practice.) It was Carson's birthday!!!! ...four months ago...yaaaaayyyy! Still celebrating. 

I don't really remember the series of events so let's guess what happened together. 

Notice the scissors of anticipation. 

Jonah! What are you doing here?! This was Jonah's thank you card for his birthday presents from three days earlier. Jonah's forever trying to steal Carson's birthday thunder. 

Carson got to take this poster to school. 

We went to Boondocks where we learned if it's your birthday you get access to everything for free. Unless you're not tall enough to ride the race cars but your older brother is so on your birthday you have to hopelessly watch your brother race around a speed track 5 million times through a dream denying fence. Some birthday!

 Nachos cure all injustice. And any general male irritability.

Let the records show Carson is the first dude to reject a homemade-by-mom birthday cake creation. When he spotted this honker at Costco, he immediately began trying to convince the world he liked sports just so he could have a reason to bring home the biggest cake he's ever laid his eyes on. 

Carson's birthday was fun (probably, I don't remember)! Cake! Presents! Bowling! 

What I do remember is Carson is such a fun-loving kid. He's surprisingly sensitive in the sweetest ways. He's also unforgivingly physical which is what makes the sensitivity surprising. He adores Jonah and babies in general. He's a natural with them. He's a stellar reader. He's got more sass than the rest of 'em put together (though Lincoln is working on changing the sass stats). He's Eli's best bud. He's got a great sense of humor. He is obsessed with Jeff and constantly reminds me of Jeff. He's 100% meant to be in our family and we love the little guy!