This week:

* The boys' new favorite place to go is Aspen Grove up the AF canyon. Perhaps because they have an old Fire truck the boys can climb and play on. It's such a fun place with a little western town, animal statues to climb on, playgrounds, sand, a huge field, etc. We love to go there to relax while the kids play. 

We had a fun family day yesterday where we first drove to Cascade Springs to walk around and see the fish. We then played at Aspen Grove. Then we ended up at Zermatt in Midway. Ate pizza, gelato, saw fish, goats, and marmotts, rode the carousel, and ate gelato. The resort has a giant chess/ checker board that boys played with for nearly two hours. We're going back next weekend.

* The biggest achievement is that Mr. James is turning into a little Fish. My new nickname for him is NEMO because overnight he has decided that he enjoys putting his face in the water. We spent about 9 hours at the pool this week and thanks to his new Cars2 goggles he puts his face in, blows bubbles, floats/ swims in place underwater, jumps of the side, and even begs me to throw him in. His favorite game is "around we go" when I spin him then chuck him in the air at the end. It's so exciting to see him so comfortable in the water and to be enjoying himself so much!

* We discovered Mormon Messages on YouTube and they are the best little videos ever! The first night I showed them to the boys, they were out within ten minutes! They're teaching my boys, entertaining them, making me cry, and putting them to sleep. I LOVE it! At nap time today we were watching one on stars and James said, "Jesus made those."

* James' quote of the week has been: "I like You." He's probably said it over 100 times this week alone. "I like you, Mommy. I like Daddy. Danel, I like you. etc"

Makes me smile every time I hear it. 

James is such a sweetheart and it seems like just these last few weeks he's starting to outgrow the Terrible Two's-- or maybe I'm just comparing him to Daniel who is a full on two year old. 

Regardless, James has been so fun to be around. I just delight in my time with him and in his fun and blossoming personality.  

* Most recent update on Farm Ball:

We got rid of the chickens!!! YAY! Ya, they were kind of a pain and good news is, that even though I expected them to get butchered within the month, they were fortunate enough to end up at a "Chicken Sanctuary" in Herriman. Those lucky birds ended up with bird hugger who takes them in and loves them. We're just glad to have them gone, along with the coop and all the supplies. We even broke even so we didn't end up losing anything on them. 

Of course, with boys, we had to have some kind of replacement to distract them, which happened to be two little tiny toads we found in our neighborhood. We named them Herbert and Freddy and had them for 48 hours before letting them go. They entertained the boys, especially James, all morning long on the first day. He'd pull one out, watch it hop all around the counter, pick it up, hold it, let it hop into its cage, pull it out, etc. We also have Kitty for three months, who we all love.

*My new addiction: Book of Mormon Golf. It's an app on the phone that I've spent a couple of hours on. Of course, I don't feel too guilty about it, because I've considered it my scripture study. Stretching it? Yes, but at least it's not plants vs. Zombies.

* James starts preschool in one week. Cornbelly's comes to TP next month. And even though 

Cinco de Mayo is NINE months away, we are looking forward to celebrating as a family of FIVE.

Have a Wonderful Week!