Mother's Day 2013

Came home sometime last week to this:

What can I say? Brownie points for John? You bet!

 On the other hand, this is what I look like to him according to his Mother's Day card he drew at school:

Wow.

For fun the teacher has them do some estimations about their moms. The good news is that John thinks I only weigh 80 pounds. Which is fine if he's talking about the left half of my body:)

The bad news is that he thinks I'm 50 years old. 

Nothing against 50-year-olds, but you know.

I spent the first half of Mother's Day weekend in St. George with Amber where we did lots of shopping. I should say more looking than buying but it was lots of fun. We went for walks, ate at the Pasta Factory, and Will and I took a few dips in the hot tub.

Funny story: Noticed some squeaking along the drive home-- thought oh, no, not another squeaky car to fix. After the car was parked at home and the squeaking continued we thought there was a bird stuck under the car. Rebecca put her head under and ran away screaming, "A rat! A rat!!"

I didn't want it dead and wreaking under the car in a week so I had the man of the house come out to see if he could get it out of there. The whole neighborhood was probably wondering why the whole Mitchell house was outside peering under the car. 

After positioning a mirror just so it turned out to be a really mad squirrel. All we could see was its face bearing its teeth. It was enough to give us all the willies. Peter pulled back some metal and I said lets just give it some privacy to find the opening and sometime later Peter saw it take off.

It was the most entertainment we had in a while.

Behold: Mother's Day morning. 
When I see these things it gets me both excited and stressed--what could it be and how much did he spend. It was a Blend Tec blender. Peter said it was a late birthday/Mother's Day gift. I really like it. Actually, we all really like it. Smoothies are an everyday affair now.
Peter, you did good.

My heart.

 Almost ten months ago.

 And now.

Can't take enough pictures. Wish I could bottle some of this and save it for later. 

Or just freeze him in time. So in love with this boy. So blessed to be a mom.

I tell the kids not to worry. I felt this way about them too. 

I love them all to bursting, just like all moms do. 

Sometimes it is hard not to be partial to the kids that don't talk back.

I told Rebecca I'm a little sad she's getting older. I said she will shortly be a teenager and then she will temporarily lose her mind and act like her older siblings.  I just thought before she became insane and not recognizable to me I wanted her to know how much I love her. She says that won't happen to her. 

Can I get that in writing?

Lily's 22nd Birthday

 Don't you love my face as I sing? 
As Lily would say I'm "gettin' into it."

 What could be in this awfully large and heavy present?

Some rocks to make her think there was something heavy inside. 

(I think I'm so funny.)

And an iPad from mom and dad:)

Lily went shopping in Salt Lake, then came home for a BBQ of some delish shish kabobs, wicked mac and cheese, and some of her favorite cookie dough ice cream. 
Then, she did some more shopping. 

Happy Birthday, my fashionista sister.

Elementary School Play 2013

I looked forever for a dress but didn't like the prices or the quality. Here she is in the dress I designed and made. (It was very straightforward-- trust me.) One of the fun things about the elementary plays is that all the kids come up with their own costumes so some are very elaborate and some are very simple. 

 This year was "The Emperor's New Clothes." 

The super skinny king was a crack-up in his long underwear.

 Sarah, Lily, Rebecca and friend Alicia

Lily

 Lily's here!

She hasn't seen Will since he was 10 days old. 

He has been missing her but she's a college graduate now! We got to watch her walk the stage at BYU Hawaii on a livestream.

Here's the fuzzy picture I took of us at Women's Conference with my phone.

We got to see President Eyring!

But I seriously think the best part for Lily is when she made this bag in one of the humanitarian project rooms:

She is sure she can be quite the seamstress now. She was a little beside herself she didn't get to finish the sides. I think she actually lost sleep over it.

Baby proofing

 Watch out . . .

 He's coming!!

Kite flying

Bought these kites a few months ago and they have been so much fun! We've taken them out several times. Lily, John and I were out flying them on this day.