Note to Self:

Never, I repeat, NEVER allow Emory on a tire swing again; because if you do, she will appear to have fun, squealing with joy, wanting more spinning and higher pushes until she tells you, "Your making my mouth sad, Mom," and "My throat is . . ." and is all of the sudden projectile vomiting all over herself, her new friend and the tire. Then after you clean everyone up, as best you can, and start heading home, she'll tell you that, "It's never going to stop . . ." and starts at it again, this time till she's dry heaving.
Sorry to Corvallis for subjecting you to our sick way of christening, sorry to the kids who wanted to swing after us, sorry to Jaden who got caught in the crossfire, sorry to the people who'll find a fair amount of "strange-looking-granola-goo" on their driveway, and sorry to Emory for letting her swing on the tire swing, when I know that I ALWAYS got sick on them too as a child!

The trip South and Graduation

One thing after another, I know, that's what it felt like for us!
Graduation
Cory was lucky that so much of our family was able to come down to Glendale, AZ for Graduation. We had a ton of fun together!
Our time in AZ was short lived, we were there less than 24 hours, but we got the most important thing done = the Graduating. It was such an AWESOME achievement, and I think we were all a little weepy, remembering where we've come from and looking now, to where we're headed. We had our fill of Buffalo Wild Wings and were off, again. We spent the next day boating with Cory's Uncle Mike on Sand Hollow Reservoir. It was a blast! Other than and unfortunate fall for me (I can't even begin to tell you about the magnitude and pain of the enema I received . . .) it was a super fun, super hot day. That night, Tessa had a scary heat episode, with I crazy high temperature and vomiting. I think she had a little too much sun, and not enough to drink. All in all, it was a fun filled trip, and we finally got to call our guy, Dr. Maughan DO.
On our way down, we stopped at the Vegas Outlets to shop and give the kids a break from the car.Trying to keep the kids entertained during Graduation was actually a breeze.

Cory and Kelley, good studying pals. Kelley is doing an Orthopedic Surgery Residency in Oklahoma.
A wicked accident outside of Mesquite had us at a stand still on I-15. Not everyday you get to play on the freeway!The boating!
Kayla and Em, Savanna and Tess
Cory impressed us with his slalom skills.

Of course, a sleeping child.
And my favorite, zoom in close - it's a riot how scared too big guys' faces can look, when they're about to get thrown off!

Silly Girls

The girls were so patient and good while Cory and I stressed about packing up the house etc. They are so funny and make me giggle daily.
Here's Tessa, holding her hair back so it wouldn't get in her cereal or face. I didn't realize how long it was getting until she held it back like this. My sister, Amanda, cut her hair in the classic "2 year-old, Maughan Bob" the next day.
Not to be left out of the picture taking, Emory in all her morning glory! I don't think I ever wrote this down, but awhile ago Emory was arguing with me about brushing her teeth. Usually, all I have to do is threaten the "teeth buggies" and "injections at the dentist" and she comes running, but this day she was on one. In response to her complaints I said, "Do you think I'm telling you to come brush your teeth because it makes me feel good? No, it's to help you." She turns and scream/growled, "IT'S ALL ABOUT YOU!!!" Luckily, my mom was at the top of the stairs and heard the whole amazing thing!

Preschool Graduation

Our "Smarty-Pants McGee" also graduated from her second year of preschool in May. She excelled in all areas of learning. She been reading for a year and a half, has started basic arithmetic, geography, science and human anatomy. She learned the Pledge of Allegiance, the days of the week and a million other things! Her teacher told me it's so easy to teach her, because she LOVES to learn. She's so excited to be starting Kindergarten in the fall and has almost finished the workbook her Grandma gave her to work on this summer. (She's also filled her quota for reading this week, in one day!)

Up With Kids

I was bamboozled into joining Up With Kids, at the beginning of the school year, by a lady in my ward who wanted our girls to do something together and so we could carpool as well. They bailed on us two weeks into it. I'm glad we kept going because, in the end, it helped Emory in a lot of different ways. They teach stage presence, singing, and dancing but most of all confidence. They did the play The Wonderfully Wicked Witches of Oz. Emory was Wittle Wiskers the Munchkin and a Wizomaniac of the Emerald City; she had three speaking parts and was in 3 dancing numbers. She did so great at both of her performances, and had a huge turnout from her supporters, my family, the Messervy's and some of Cory's family from Logan. She got this trophy and her dad gave her flowers, which she loved!

My Day

Mother's Day was fun and low key. We talked to my brother, who is in Finland. We then proceeded to hear nothing but "Adam talk" from his best friend Emory for the next week. Cory made breakfast and helped the girls with a super cute poem and candy combo. My mom and I got each other cookbooks (hers: The Pioneer Woman Cooks, mine: Freezer Meals). We finished off with a chilly BBQ with the Radfords and my Grandma and Les.
Emory and cousin Hannah loved this spinner of death. Tessa looks smashing in her mismatched jacket and tennis shoes; what can I say, she's her own little person?

Spring Piano Recital

If you couldn't tell, I was a wee bit busy the month of May; hence the lack of postage.
The first week in May, I had a final Spring Recital for piano. Teaching this last year was such a blessing and I absolutely adored my students. There was a whopping 10, all from the ward, and it was such a pleasure to work with them and their families.

And we're OFF!

Watch out Oregon, here comes Dr. Maughan with the rest of his Maughans in tow!