Mr. Sun, where are you?

Who is ready for summer? This is what Q has been prancing around in all afternoon:

Summer cannot come quick enough! We had more snow last night and we are done with it! Lucky for Nate and myself, we are heading to South Carolina this week with some friends to go see the Master's Golf Tournament (well, the guys are doing the golf thing, the gals are shopping!). Forecast: high 70's. Knowing there is sun in my near future is helping me get through these next few cold days.

Five-Months

Today is Max's five-month "birthday," so it's time to post the monthly ball picture (Each month on the 25th I take his picture next to a big stuffed baseball. It's fun to see how much he's grown and changed from month to month.). The kids always make fun of me for calling it a "birthday," but I think each month brings new milestones and new excitement. Max is growing like crazy and is nearing the 18 pound mark. Treyson weighed less than that at one-year, so this is crazy for me to have such a big baby. He doesn't look way chubby, but he's a solid one. He loves his brothers and sister. The crazy things that they do that we find absolutely annoying, he totally laughs at. He's not rolling over yet, and really can't stand "tummy time," so I don't think it will be happening anytime soon. As I've said before, he loves his thumb, his whole fist, or anything else that he can get into his mouth. I'm so grateful that he's a happy, content baby. I love this little man!

This picture just shows how giant he is! Treyson is such a good help with him, but doesn't last long holding him!

Max's first visit from the Easter Bunny. Yea for baby food! By the way, he could care less about sweet potatoes, but who can blame him?

Easter Fun

We had such a great Easter weekend! We were able to spend three days in sunny St. George. It's amazing what a little sunshine can do for my mood. Treyson played in a baseball tournament in St. George and Mesquite and it was so nice to be able to just sit and soak up the sun. (Ok, let me correct myself...I did a lot of chasing after Quincy and standing bouncing Max, so I didn't just sit and soak it all in, but I was at least in the sun!) Nate was at "meetings" in Denver, that just happened to take place at the arena that some March Madness games were being played, so he missed the first three games. Lucky for me, my dad and mom were there with me and were complete lifesavers! I'm so grateful for their help and just as grateful that my kids adore them! Trey's team did great, going 3-1 in regular play, which advanced them to the semi-finals. They lost their semis game, but were thrilled to make it that far.

The kids picked this hat out for Max when we were in Boston last summer. They were so excited that it finally fit him!

You've got to teach them young, right?

Saturday after the game we were able to do a fun easter egg hunt and picnic with all of the Cowan fam. Grandpa and Grandma completely spoil these kids. You would think that it was Chrismas! All of the cousins get along so well and love spending time together. I love that even though they're all getting older, they still hug each other goodbye. Too cute. I'm so grateful for my two brothers, my sister, and each of their spouses. I couldn't ask for a better family! We had a great time just hanging out and catching up. I wish we all lived closer, because I truly love the time we spend together.

All of the Cowan cousins. Don't my parents have the cutest grandkids ever? I love Q's cheeser in this picture.

Happy Birthday To You!

Today is Grandma Esplin's birthday. We're so grateful for her and all of the help she gives to us (she's bailed me out many times when I've needed a last minute baby-sitter!). She's a wonderful grandma and is so good to play with the kids. We hope she had a wonderful birthday and anniversary!

Lucky Me

Lucky me, I have a wonderful husband who loves me unconditionally (despite my many flaws!).

Lucky me, I have four beautiful, healthy children.

Lucky me, I have a testimony of the restored gospel.

Lucky me, Nate has an incredible job that allows me to stay home and be a full-time mom.

Lucky me, I'm surrounded by good friends.

Lucky me, I get to live in the same city as my mom and dad.

Lucky me, my sister and I both have Verizon so we get free minutes.

Lucky me, my baby sleeps through the night.

I could go on and on. I am so incredibly lucky to have the life that I have. I truly feel blessed for everything that I've been given!

We've had a fun St. Patty's Day. When Treyson was just little, we started a few little traditions. We always have green pancakes and then a green dinner. The food always looks absolutely disgusting, but thankfully, food coloring doesn't taste! My cute cousin Karissa is staying with us for a few days, and I'm sure she was terrified to try this nasty looking dinner. She was such a good sport though, and ate it!

Cubed steak, mashed potatoes and gravy, peas, jigglers, grapes, and Sprite. I promise that it tasted better than it looked!

Karissa showing off that lovely meal. I'm sure she's thinking how the heck she could possibly hide all of that food in her napkin!

Q's breakfast

Max just hanging out. His fist is in his mouth, of course.

Life

I found this quote from President Hinckley on my sister's friend's site. It was just what I needed right now.

"Anyone who imagines that bliss is normal is going to waste a lot of time running around shouting that he's been robbed. The fact is that most putts don't drop, most beef is tough, most children grow up to be just people, most successful marriages require a high degree of mutual toleration, most jobs are more often dull than otherwise. Life is like an old time rail journey...delays, side tracks, smoke, dust, cinders, and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas and thrilling bursts of speed. The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride."

Me+Sunshine=Happy

We got a little glimpse of spring the other day and I was in total heaven! I think we're going to live outside once the snow is all gone. I don't know how I could possibly keep Q in with such beautiful weather.

Dress-Ups

We had Quincy's friend Daxton over to play for the day, and in between fighting like brother and sister, this is what they did:
At one point, Daxton only had on a feather boa and underpants, and Quincy had on dress-up princess shoes and her underpants, but this is a family-friendly blog and I didn't think that picture would be appreciated by any one but Daxton's mom and myself.