Littlest Nursery Goer

          This little one is officially in nursery, and has been for about a month. He is beginning to be more verbal and will repeat what I ask him too, "say duck.." Captain is still good to entertain himself but is a BIG distraction at Book of Mormon or Family Home Evening time when he is running around playing with the ball and all the other children just want to watch him and laugh. It is fun to watch him though, especially when he hears us sing and conducts the music. He is still the best baby hugger ever and doesn't get upset very often unless you take something away from him. He likes jumping on the trampoline, playing in the sandbox and being read to. He wakes up happy and has at least three dimples- two in the regular spots and one higher up on his cheek. This is my only blond-blue eyed child and it suites him well. Love you Lincoln!

Feel asleep looking at a book-  hard to be 1 1/2 yr old

Visit From the East Coast

Grandpa Ogarek came out for a visit last week to ring in the summer and brought along two stowaways in his suitcase. Two of my sister's children- Scarlett (5yr) and Owen (8yr)- came to enjoy some cousin time. With a house of ten people we were pretty full but also full of fun. Grandpa graced us with his magic disappearing foot trick during the talent portion of Family Home Evening and even won the trust of Dimples enough to have him sit on Grandpa's lap for books. Among other things we made trips to the children's museum, playground, library, and church gym to get out some energy but Aunt Alana also put them to work pulling rocks out of the garden. Hopefully it was worth it. Grandpa pitched in too and now at least that job is complete. We look forward to my dad joining us in Fort Collins permanently in about a year or so after he sells his house in North Carolina. 

Oh the Fun you can have with a Box!

Gabe is Nine

     This handsome man is nine now. He's finished up wolves with his Cub Scout den and the third grade at school so he's moving on up in the world. He's still my little bookworm, but also loves to spend time outside with his siblings, play board games, and enjoy whatever time he's allowed on the ipad. This was the first year he's ever asked for a "grown up" cake instead of something like Pokemon or a dragon. I was happy to oblige with this homemade cheesecake that we enjoyed with raspberry puree. Yummm.. I hope this is a tradition he continues from now on. We love you firstborn! Thanks for being our experimental child.

LDS Facebook Picture

Brag moment: The LDS church used one of my photos I submitted on their facebook home page yesterday. Sort of made my day. They added a caption by Brigham Young about patience, check it out.

https://www.facebook.com/LDS/photos/a.333341641549.197242.18523396549/10153249437561550/?type=1

Update: Now it is on the main page at LDS.org if you scroll down to inspirational messages!

 This is our crazy little home-preschool group from this year. Two ambitious mamas and a handful of energetic children. Next week is our last week before we officially go on summer break. Preparing to teach five preschoolers each Monday night gave me a taste of what home schooling would be like and I now have even more respect for the women who attempt it. My amazing co-teacher Natalie is moving with her children this summer and Mac will be in kindergarten in the fall so our group is unfortunately breaking up. I'm glad we had this year together to sing songs, learn, play, build, create, and try. Favorite moments include the ivory soap cloud, homemade pizzas, baking soda volcanoes, fruit loop necklaces, and perhaps even the fake snow fight- although that was a big mess to clean up. Of course I had plenty of ideas that didn't go over so well but I'm keeping my preschool notebook just in case I decide to do this again. 

Good Job class preschool 

class of 2015!

Baby in the Rain

 I think I shall never tire of taking pictures of "the baby," whoever the current baby happens to be.There is just something adorable about the first time they want to tromp out in the puddles like the big kids and wear the coat that is three sizes too big. Lincon loves to be outside rain or shine to play in the sandbox or jump on the trampoline.I love this age. Up next- nursery!

(I've got to stop calling him Baby though or he is going to be mighty confused in about 4 1/2 months when I start calling someone else baby too!)

Bed and Breakfast

David was meant for extreme sports. Heaven help me when he is a teenager!

 We enjoyed a fly-by visit from Naomi and her friend Lauren a few weeks ago, as they made their cross country trip back east. It may have been for only one afternoon, but the kids milked her for all she was worth. I think the helmet was a smart move on Naomi's part. That night we were joined by the Schenewark crowd- Jarrod, Hunter, and Porter- so we had a right sized Hutchins' pow-wow before bed time. The children were already off to sleep by that time the Schenewark's showed up though so they did not get the pleasure of playing with their older male cousins unfortunately. The whole troop was out by 6:30 AM on their separate journeys so we didn't even get to enjoy a proper breakfast with them. Hopefully we will get another chance. Come back and visit any time!

Lauren preferred the smaller, quieter sort to the crazies

One more time folks!