William's Math Test Story Problem

William had a math test this week at school. I had to share his awesome story problem he came up with. I hope it makes you laugh like I did!

Sunday Best

Devlin said we were all looking dapper this last Sunday, so he took us out in the front yard for some photos after church before we had a chance to change. Enjoy!

William, Maxson, and Gwen

Our monkey's...William and Maxson

Maxson, William and Gwen

Gwen and Daddy

At the request of Devlin...the kid's
touching the "baby."
I'm sure you can tell I'm thrilled.

 

Labor Day

For Labor Day we went to a nearby park for a picnic and some hoops. I believe my children will most likely end up as NBA stars since they can already dunk it!

William after his "slam"

Maxson after his "slam"

 

Gwen during her "slam"

Devlin catching some air

Unfortunately, there are no pictures of the pregnant woman slamming it because she did not attempt to slam it. Maybe in a couple of months though...

Family Car Wash

So, if you've never washed the car as a family...I highly recommend it. It's a lot more fun than sitting in those boring automatic car washes!

Your car gets a lot cleaner too!

Devlin, William, Gwen and "Harvey"
(Maxson didn't feel like getting in the picture)

First Day of School

William's first day of 2nd Grade

Maxson's first day of Kindergarten

William started school 1 week earlier than Maxson. Both of them were super excited. I think you can tell by Maxson's face that he was so proud to be starting school. Both of them have been loving it. Maxson is so eager to do his homework everyday.

William is cruising a mile a minute. Nothing is difficult for him...so he get's frustrated easily if his homework doesn't take him 2 seconds to do...

Maxson is doing great at his reading and writing as well. He loves school...every day he comes home with a new vowel puppet. Right now they're learning nursery rhymes and they'll be having a nursery rhyme parade soon. Every day he comes home telling me which character he wants to be. So far his 2 favorites are "Little Boy Blue" and "Wee Willie Winkie." I think the latter is more so he can wear his pajamas to school!

Random Grateful Notes

I just had to take a minute to say how grateful I am to be a wife and a mother. Today I spent the whole day with my family. I did laundry, sorted through clothes that my sister, Michelle, so generously gave me for my only daughter. Thanks, again Michelle! You're too kind! I reheated some homemade pizza for the fam for lunch. Devlin ate breakfast, lunch, and dinner with us (a rare occurrence with his travel schedule for work). He and the kids raked all the pine needles in the front and mowed the lawn. They blew all the birch seeds off of the walkways and front porch. It was fun to watch them work together out the window while I did chores inside. My sister, Julie came over to give us a creative invitation to her annual Halloween party which was adorable. She then told Devlin and I to leave for an hour while she watched our kids. Seriously, who does that? My sister Julie...I know she's the best. We stopped by "The Chocolate" dessert cafe and talked uninterrupted while eating delicious food. We came home, Devlin gave the kiddos baths, then we ate dinner and watched a movie together as a family. I think I had more fun watching William choke on his food from laughing so hard at the movie than watching the movie. Gwen fell asleep on my lap as we watched, then we put the kids to bed. Devlin's about to get back from Bajio with take out and now it's our turn to have some more uninterrupted time together. I'm due in 2 months with our 4th kid, Devlin has a job, my kids are healthy and beautiful. I have a husband that loves me...I'm so blessed. I just wanted to write it down so I could remember on the days I forget.

Maxson's started to use the phrase, "Delish!" every time he likes the food we're eating. He says, "This is delish!" Most likely he got that from one of his aunts.

William came up to me randomly today and gave me a big hug and said, "I love you, Mom!" I asked what that was for...and he said, "I love you!"

Gwen kept calling her new shoes, "twinkle toes" and was so proud of them she wore them around the house with her nightgown on after bath time. After brushing her hair this morning, Gwen exclaimed, "I'm beautiful, Mom!" I responded, "Yes you are!"

Today was a good day.

It's a....

Today was my ultrasound. For those of you that know us, you know we're the surprise kind of folks. So if you're reading this hoping to find out if we are having a boy or a girl, you're going to be disappointed.

But our baby has all 4 heart chambers and everything is looking good! Here's some photos.

Neha's Visit

Our good friend Neha came to town to direct a conference she was in charge of at Snowbird. We had a great time catching up...and more importantly, going down the Alpine Slide! It was great to see you Neha! Come visit again soon!

Stay-cation

This year...because I am pregnant and still not feeling up to traveling (you know, having to eat every 2 hours so you won't get sick isn't really conducive to traveling...and I would feel super weird visiting someone at their home and asking for food every second) we decided to do a stay-cation. Devlin took the week off and we took it easy. We slept in, watched movies (Kung-Fu Panda 2 and Cars 2), went to the zoo, did the full visit to Temple Square, and ended with baseball games. We had a blast. Most importantly we had some much needed family time and I didn't have to stress about getting everyone ready for a big vacation. It was just what I needed!

Maxson getting sprayed by a robotic dinosaur

On top of the LDS Conference Center

This was at the Church Museum of History and Art at the children's display upstairs. They had a large screen with individuals dressed in native costumes that taught you how to dance, with a mirror behind you so you could see yourself.

Below is where the boys learned about different countries where the missionaries share the gospel and how some families live on farms.

4th of July

For the 4th all the Marcov's (except my parents...we missed you!) came for our water slide party! We had a blast! Here's some of my favorite photos from the weekend!

Family photo on the porch

Cousins after the parade

Gwen at the fireworks

Maxson and William as they would say, "Super light fighter guys"

Maxson

William

Gwen

The awesome pinata I made...I was so proud of myself!

T-Ball and Coach Pitch

Maxson

William

We finished t-ball and coach pitch for Maxson and William last month! They are quite the little players...but you can see that for yourself....

Happy Birthday, Gwen!

Gwen-e had a birthday last month! She's getting so big so fast! We had some of her friends from the "old neighborhood" here for a swim party. It was great to see the Ochoa's again...to bad the Brown's were out of town! Anyhow...her favorite gift was a microphone that Alli gave her. She hasn't stopped singing "Under the Sea" for quite some time. She also loved her sparkle shoes that she had picked out herself a couple of weeks before.

Gwen is so fun to have around. She gives the best hugs and kisses. She does a great job at keeping up with her brothers...but she still knows how to milk it when she needs too. She can put out her pouty lip and look up at you with her puppy dog eyes and say, "Pleeeese" whenever she wants something. She loves to dress up like a princess, cook, and dance. She also loves to kiss my belly and say she's kissing the baby.

Happy Birthday, Gwen!

Go To Bed!

My Mom and Devlin's Mom made some adorable Christmas pillowcases for the kids and by request, we changed their pillowcases to the Christmas pillowcases tonight. Anyhow, I told each of the kids if they got out of bed, or talked, or goofed off, their pillowcase would immediately return to the pillowcase they had on their pillow before the switch.

I put my kids to bed an hour ago. As usual, Maxson and Gwen are off in dream land. They arrive there about 1 minute after their head hits their pillow and I leave the room.

William on the other hand is another story. That kid can never turn his energy off...or shut his brain down. I've been in my room listening to William. He hasn't said a word, but I can hear his mattress squeaking. I keep ignoring it since he's not bothering me and the other kids are asleep. I went in a while ago and he was sitting upright in his bed. I told him to lay down and try to sleep or the next time I came in the pillowcase would be gone. He replied, "I just can't sleep." I said, of course you can't sleep...you need to lay down, not sit up." I still wasn't sure what the squeaking noise was when I left. 15 minutes later...more squeaking. This time, I timed it right and found him doing a handstand with his feet touching the ceiling (he sleeps on the top bunk of the bunk bed). He was caught in the act! So... you guessed it...the pillowcase came off, and he returned to his boring BYU pillowcase. He was heartbroken. But guess what? No more squeaking mattress sounds. However, it has only been 10 minutes....

Happy Birthday, Devlin!

Poor Devlin had to have his birthday the day after Maxson...which unfortunately for him this year, meant that I was pretty worn out from the day before so he didn't get too much attention. I still haven't gotten him a birthday present...I know! I'm horrible! Hopefully I'll get him one soon...anyhow I did want to give a shout out to Devlin to tell him all the cool things I think about him:

• He makes a mean grilled cheese sandwich. The kids actually call them "Dad's Famous Grilled Cheese."
• He does an amazing job at putting the kids to bed. Every night they want to play "Nice knowing ya!" and have Devlin tell one of his "Famous stories." Do you see a pattern here...nothing I do is famous.
• He has an amazing singing voice. I think I'll go so far as to call it famous.
• He is the most patient person I know. I don't know too many people that can patiently help so many people with their computer and never show any sign of irritation. The man is a Saint.
• He is a mutant and thus has a superhuman memory. I think I'd call his memory famous too.
• He's pretty smooth.
• He's the hottest man in the world.
  

Happy Birthday, Maxson!

Maxson turned 5! I can't believe he'll start kindergarten this year.

This is a sad attempt to get a picture of him with his friends.

The birthday cake...he wanted a "Woody cake."

Before the guests arrived.

A couple cool things about Maxson:

• He's the most obedient kid in the world. Whenever I ask him to do something 99% of the time he'll say, "Yes, Mama!" and quickly obey. He's the best.
• He's always cheerful.
• He is kind-hearted and always a good friend to his little sister. Too bad she takes advantage of him and picks on him too much.
• He likes to make up songs and tunes. You'll frequently find him humming something he's made up.
• He likes to run with his tongue hanging out....I'm not sure why...but he does.

Cousins

My sister Michelle came a couple of months ago to move her now "Elder Tolson" son out of BYU. She brought her daughter Julia with her and we snapped a couple photos of her and Gwen after they had their nails painted and hair done up the same way.

Happy Belated Birthday, William

I never posted about William's birthday...he's 7 now! We had a great time having a "How to Train Your Dragon" party with all his friends. We had a great time making Viking shields and masks! William also got some space pajamas that he had been wanting for several weeks and had been quite disappointed when they didn't show up under the Christmas tree. The picture in his pajamas is not staged.



Some fun things about William:

• He has amazing handwriting for a 7-year old. I think he could give some adults a run for their money.
• He is a very talented artist. He loves to draw pictures and write stories to go along with his pictures. I won't be surprised if his future career involves him creating/designing something.
• He has a sense of humor. He's always trying to make us laugh and he usually succeeds. Some of his favorite jokes right now are:

1. What do you call a bear with no teeth? A gummy bear.
2. Knock knock. Who's there? Interrupting man. Interrupting man (KNOCK KNOCK!!) who?
3. Knock knock. Who's there? Interrupting cow. Interrupting cow (MOOOOO!!!) who?
4. (My personal favorite) What has a bottom at the top? Legs.
   

• He's a good kid. He's very good at playing with his brother and sister and helping me around the house.
  

Dorothy's Going to the Temple

Three days before we moved into my parents, Gwen came into the kitchen dressed up in her "Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz" dress exclaiming she was going somewhere...to sweet.

Flying Kids

Devlin took these pictures back in January (before the move...don't worry Mom and Dad, they were using our bed)!

I thought I'd share...

Random

We moved into my parents house a month ago to take care of it while they're on their mission. Things I enjoy most about being here (in no specific order):

1. A garage. I literally squealed with delight the first time it snowed here after we moved and I didn't have to scrape off the car to take William to school.
2. Everything in it's place. It's so great to have room to have everything neatly tucked away in a cupboard or a closet. I realized I'm a much cleaner person than I thought! More space=not as much stuff looming in your face.
3. The kids play together more. With it being winter and having the change of scene from an apartment to a house, not as many kids are out. So my kids haven't gotten to know too many of the neighbors... yet. So...they play with each other a lot more. I love it.
4. It's so much quieter. I "thought" I wanted a home with an open floor plan. I think I don't want that anymore. I like that I can be in my bedroom and sleep in a little on a Saturday morning while the kids play downstairs and me not hear them. Lovely.

Today when we were driving back from the doctor's office (Gwen has an ear infection--of course she, nor I slept more than an hour last night), Maxson exclaimed, "Mom...won't you be so happy when I'm resurrected and we can go eat at Chuck E. Cheeses!" (He's allergic to peanuts, milk, and eggs...so yeah, we don't eat out much).

When we got back home from the doctor, Gwen left her partially drunk Capri Sun on the table and headed downstairs to watch some TV. Before she left, standing with her hands on her hips, she said, "Mom...don't throw my juice box in the garbage, okay? Do you understand?" I really have no idea where she got that from ;-)

When I pick up William from school, he has to walk across the playground, and a large grassy area. Sometimes, when we come to pick him up...he'll do something unusual or crazy to try and make us laugh. This last time, he leapt, twirled, formed his arms in a circle above his head, and danced like a ballerina all the way to the car. Maxson, Gwen and I were laughing hysterically by the time William made it to the car. That kid cracks me up.

When we arrived home today, William noticed I had done Gwen's hair up in pigtails. He turned to her, tilted his head, and in a high pitched voice, said, "Gwen-e...! Your hair looks so cuuuute! Ahhh! What a cute girl!"

Instructure Press

As most of you know, Devlin and his friend Brian started a company, Instructure, that makes web software for colleges and universities. They've been featured in the news a bit since they released their source code on February 1st. Anyhow...here's some fun stuff about it. I wanted to share!

Go here to read a Salt Lake Tribune Article about them.

Watch below for the report by CNBC:


And here's the "Instructure commercial!"


So, needless to say...I'm beaming and super proud :-).