April 2016

Bring on the spring fever!  About this time of year we are really anxious for warm summer days.  We have cabin fever and want to be outside but of course the weather in Utah is totally unpredictable!  Here are some of the things we did this month:

Asher

Asher is my one kid who likes to hang out at home without a shirt.  If it isn't cold this is how he prefers to be.  JJ on the other hand wouldn't be caught dead without a shirt on.

Asher has truly unique likes and dislikes.  He would rather have a bamboo plant than a toy or even a treat of some kind.  He loves living plants and has wanted a "lucky bamboo" for a long time.  We happened to see some for cheap at Ikea and he used his money to get one.

The glasses Asher is wearing in the above photo have given us nothing but fits.  They constantly break at the area near his temple.  The place we got them from replaces the frame each time it breaks for free - which is great but it is a pain in the butt to have to go and get it replaced every other month.  We used our insurance to get them the first time but decided that we would go to Costco and pay for another pair out of pocket.  The pair he is wearing in the picture below is the pair we purchased.  He has never wanted glasses that are metal and have the nose pads but this pair was comfortable with smaller nose pads that didn't bother him.  We got transitions lenses so that he would have sunglasses.  So far they have held up really well and been great for soccer.

Because Asher love science so much we decided to sign him up for the Mad Scientists class at the Legacy Center.  He had fun but I think he was a little disappointed that it wasn't more challenging.  He doesn't really realize that most kids aren't on his level in science.  He did enjoy some of the fun experiments.  He came home with this "fart bomb" thing and we tried to make it work but either we did it wrong or it was a dud. It did stink a lot though.

Ballroom

The last few year Hannah has been participating in the ballroom class at our elementary school.  We've been so grateful that two of the teachers at our school have dance backgrounds and have been willing to offer this extra curricular activity.  It has been such a good opportunity!  We loved watching their final performance this month. The boy she is dancing with is named Hayden George.  He was a bit of a goof off and shorter than Hannah but she made it work.

Band Concert

Most of Hannah's best friends have been in Band with her the last two years.  She has really loved learning the flute.  We are grateful to Vangie Jones for creating this band program and being such a great teacher.

? Bagley, Kaesha Madsen, Abbie Price, Hannah, Erin Roberts, RegAnn Zeller, Rena Gonzalez

This year our school band was asked to perform at an multi school exhibition.  It was fun to see our tiny band do their best.

Spring has Sprung

In the spring we start thinking about what we want to plant in the yard.  I love my herb barrel.  I have garlic chives, regular chives and basil.

This year we decided to revamp the garden and make it raised.  Lance put in tons of work and the kids helped shovel the dirt. Asher and I planted the garden.  We planted onions, tomatoes, peppers, carrots, and squash.

Hannah

Hannah wanted to get her hair permed so we asked Nicole Dunn in our ward to do it.  Hannah's hair is very fine but she has tons of it and it was really long.  Nicole had to perm it twice and layer it in order to get the perm to stay in.  

In addition to Hannah's nose surgery last month we had another trip to the ER after Hannah's eye got scratched while playing night games.  We still aren't sure if she scratched herself with her wicked long nails or if a branch scratched her in the dark backyard.  Either way it hurt and looked awful but there was nothing the doctor could do so we pretty much paid for an ER visit for nothing.

Pack Meeting

This month's pack meeting was all about music. They boys got to make musical instruments.

Park

The kids and I went for a little walk to get some exercise and enjoy the warming weather.  It was all fine and dandy until somebody got mad and somebody got even.  Hey at least I got photos of them looking happy right?

Pets

Jax has to chew his bones with his butt up in the air like he is doing the downward dog yoga move.

This crazy cat likes to climb trees and scratch his claws on the limbs while balanced precariously.  

Pool Time

It's not quite warm enough to set up the pool at our house so we went to the Legacy Center to have some water fun.  The kids played really well together this time.  JJ carried Asher around on his back in the really deep water.

Spring Soccer

As I've mentioned before this year of soccer has been a tough one.  I am proud that Asher toughed it out.  There were many times when I really wanted him to quit but he stuck it out.  

The expression on his face in this photo kind of says it all for me.  He as on the verge of tears and so ready to go home.  Soccer should be a fun experience not demoralizing.  

And his glasses get broken AGAIN!

JJ on the other hand has enjoyed his soccer year a lot.  I didn't love how his soccer coach did things but JJ really liked him and enjoyed playing this year.

Game Time

One of JJ's most favorite things to do is play board games.  If he can talk his friends and siblings into playing monopoly then so much the better.  He has a competitive streak a mile wide.  He did not get that from me.  Must be a Madigan trait!

 Secretary's Day

This half of the school year I have been working as a front office secretary part time in the afternoons.  I got quite a haul on secretary's day!  I really have enjoyed working in the office.  It has been eye opening in many ways and I love learning new things.  It also been difficult because the kids get home from school before I do.  I feel like I miss out on those valuable minutes right as the kids get home when they tell me all about their day.  

 Zoo Field Trip

I was able to take a day off and go on Asher's field trip to Hogle Zoo.  We had a great little group of kids and I really enjoyed the trip. I think Asher did too!

Asher and his buddy Teddy Worthington

 Spring Munch and Mingle

Because I was working during the Munch and Mingle Lance took off work and came and hung out with the kids.

 Lance

It's been nearly a year since Lance was offered a job and Intermountain Healthcare as a Media Relations Manager in the corporate offices in City Creek downtown SLC.  He was thrilled to accept and has started a new chapter of his career. We are grateful for his ability to provide for our family.  We appreciate all that he does to keep our family going.

 6th Grade Dads and Donuts

Hannah's last Dads and Donuts!  I can't believe how quick the kids are growing up.  It makes me excited for the future but sad that it's gone by so fast.

 Priesthood Encampment 2016

JJ went to this year's stake priesthood encampment at Willowpark.  This is the only photo I got. I think they are doing some sort of old fashioned game.  

 LDS Conference Memes

I enjoyed LDS conference this month.  While listening I made a couple of meme's using my photos to share on facebook.  

 Recent Digital Scrapbooking Pages

I'm still so behind in scrapbooking but I just keep plugging along.  I am currently working on 2005.

 JJ

Speaking of kid growing up too fast. Here is a photo of JJ going to his first stake dance with one his best friends Kynlee Zeller.  She is the only person on the planet who could have talked him into going.  He had a great time and danced with lots of girls.  Now he can't wait for his friend Josh to turn 14 so that he can come too.