My sweet boy turned 5 this week. 5! Amazing. Easton gives the best hugs and loves to snuggle with me. He clings to my leg when we’re in a new situation, comes up at random during the day and says, “I need a hug,” and is working hard to be kind to his siblings. On the flip side of this, he can get very sad very quickly and is learning to navigate the often stormy waters of getting what he wants vs. thinking about others. But he’s sure trying and I love him so much for that. He feels deeply, whether that’s happiness or sadness. He loves My Little Pony and Star Wars, running around outside with his buddies and climbing into bed with me in the morning. He’s my sweet Easton and I can’t get enough of him.

Here are his 5-year photos, taken by my friend and wonderful photographer Adam Johnson.

Me: How do feel about turning 5?

Easton: Um, not excited. Well, I just don’t want to turn 5 because I want to stay at 4 so that you will always hug me and love and kiss me.

M: I’ll always love you and kiss you even when you’re 5.

E: Okay.

M: What do you want to be when you grow up?

E: Um, I think I want to be a man, like a policeman, that helps people go the other ways.

M: That directs traffic?

E: Yeah.

M: What’s your favorite color?

E: Um, I have loads of favorite colors. Light orange and pink and light blue. Also magenta and pink.

M: What do you like at school?

E: Nothing.

M: Nothing?

E: Yeah, well, only when I get to do the sand work.

M: If you could go any place right now, where would you go?

E: Um, probably to China so I could get some minifigures. (LEGO minifigures)

M: What’s your favorite toy to place with?

E: Um, probably my space alien pillow and my LEGO set.

M: Where do you want to live when you grow up?

E: I don’t want to leave this place.

M: You want to stay here? In this house?

E: Yeah. And, Mommy, am I going to be a grandpa when I grow up?

M: Maybe when you get older.

E: Okay.

M: If you could have one super power, what would it be?

E: Um, probably super speed and laser eyes.

M: What is your favorite food to eat?

E: Um, pizza and cake and also mac and cheese.

Happy birthday, Easton! So very very happy to be your mom.

Because this blog has been neglected.

We have a backsplash and it makes me so happy!

Easton and Liam crack me up in this picture.

Day at the farm.

Riding a pony.

Amelie decided to play around with oil paints.

We went for a ride on the Heber Creeper to celebrate our April birthday boys.

You can always count on Calder and Easton to pose nicely.

See what I mean?

Amelie’s latest project from art class. She was copying the Rembrandt on the left using colored pencils and charcoal.

They both came out in the same night!

In March of this year, a new Girl Scout troop started up in our area and Amelie became an official Girl Scout! In Girl Scouts, you are grouped according to grade (not age), so she was a Brownie. She only had half a year as a Brownie because once you start 4th grade you become a Junior. It’s been a lot of fun! Working on badges and skills, going to troop meetings, and attending awesome camps–it’s been a great experience for Amelie.

This summer, she attended Horse Camp. She got to stay the night at Trefoil Ranch up in Provo Canyon and learn all about taking care of horses. She spent several hours riding, too, and told us that she loved it and can’t wait to do it again next year. In September, she stayed the night at Camp Cloud Rim in Park City. This camp was an arts and crafts camp, so totally up her ally. She sewed a little toy, made a piece of pottery, made paper crafts, and had so much fun. The locations of the Girl Scout properties are stunning! Really gorgeous. I’m so glad she gets to have these enriching experiences out in beautiful surroundings.

This past weekend, Amelie and Bryce got to spend the night together at the Natural History Museum! They packed up their sleeping bags and pj’s and headed out on their little adventure. The museum led science experiments and fun activities for the girls. Amelie came home with a pet worm, electronic contraptions, a gumdrop tower, a painted cast of dinosaur skin, and a baggie of little bones from some owl pellets that they dissected (not scrapbooking those!).

Best Daddy/Daughter Date ever!

She called this The Leaning Tower of Gumdrops.

Cute Girl Scout.

Lots of cool stuff at the museum!

Girl Scouts is such a fun and enriching program and we’re very glad to be a part of it!

This poor blog has been a bit neglected lately. Oh well! Here’s a bit about what’s been going on in our house lately.

We went to visit a local farm. The kids had a blast and it was great to show them a real working farm.

Farm fun.

Every summer, Bryce’s company pays for everyone to go to Lagoon. It was so fun!

The kids love the carnival style rides, but the older two also really enjoyed the real roller coasters!

Amelie had her end-of-the-year jump rope club showcase. This picture doesn’t quite capture the excitement of the event.

Calder graduated from kindergarten! One of those moments when the fact that your child is standing one stair above the rest makes for a great photo-op.

Love this boy.

Calder’s Reflections entry made it all the way to the top of the state-wide competition. It’s now part of an exhibit at The Leonardo, a very cool museum in SLC.

Because his art is part of the exhibit, he got a free summer pass to the museum. We got a family pass and have really enjoyed going there. Lots of hands-on science, math, art, and engineering activities.

Love this picture of 8 cute cousins! Thanks, Brett and Christy, for tending our kiddos during part of our April cruise.

We took Bryce on an Amazing Race-inspired birthday scavenger hunt around Salt Lake.

Amelie’s been having fun as a Brownie. We’re working on badges over the summer and then in the fall she’ll be a Junior!

Cute little Brownie.