Cornelius Chronicles

John and Rebekah walking home together after the last day of class.  And that's a wrap!  Rebekah officially ended her Senior year of High School and is ready to graduate next week.  John officially completed his Kindergarten year of school.  It is bittersweet to see my oldest daughter and youngest son reach such milestones together.  It feels like just a minute ago Rebekah was beginning Kindergarten.  She has set a wonderful example of hard work and academic excellence for her younger siblings.  I am truly blessed to live in a time when all of my children have access to education and can do whatever their heart and hard work lead.   John and Mrs Peterson, his kindergarten teacher, on the last day of school  Now, let summer fun begin!

It's May and that can only mean one thing for this little boy...MONSTER TRUCKS!! Dustin took Owen, John, and Grandpa Cornelius to Monster Truck Insanity Tour at the fair grounds in Tremonton, Utah.  They all had the best time ever!  Trucks did tricks, got broken, and made lots of loud noises.  They all got to ride in the back of a monster truck and John has since asked, "Why is it taking so long to grow up and become a Monster Truck guy?!?!"  Needless to say, Monster Truck night was a success!  The Monster Truck the boys all got to ride in.  They had to climb a ladder to get inside. 

I came home from running errands to find my girls deep into a fun new project.  Rebekah generously offered to teach Maeve how to sew.  Rebekah helped Maeve make a cool shark shaped bag and then helped Maeve build her dream project - an adorable stuffed dragon, original pattern.   Rebekah is the most kind big sister.  She is patient and helpful and loves to teach and share her talents. Maeve is a very luck little sister and she knows it.  I am the luckiest mama because these spectacular girls are all mine! Happy Sewing! We had a second surprise that day!  A homemade yum box filled with snacks from Kenya from our dear friends the Archers!  What a fun surprise from our favorite people!

I had the best time hanging with my Owen for the 3rd Grade annual Mother's Day tea.  The slideshow his teacher, Mrs Sommers, put together almost made me cry!  No fair!  I am thankful every day I get to be Owen's mama.  He is kind and generous of heart.  He is gentle and thoughtful.  He is intelligent and creative.  He is one of a kind!  I couldn't ask for a more wonderful son. I love being a mama! Loyd and Xavier had their final band concert of the academic year.  Xavier rocked it as the sole trombone in 8h Grade Jazz band!  He's got talent!  Loyd got a special award for his musicianship and for being a fun dude to talk to. :D I love these talented and brave and wonderful boys of mine!

We had the special opportunity to attend the open house for the Layton LDS Temple.  It was a special experience for the kids to walk through a temple and learn a little more about the special work done for ourselves and our ancestors there as we work to build Zion.  The Holy Ghost could be felt everywhere and it was a tender experience.  John left excited to get married there one day.  Diana was moved by the holiness of the place and kept her arms reverently folded for the entire tour.  We love our family and are so grateful for the blessings of the temple that mean we can be an eternal family forever.   After we had a yummy lunch out courtesy of Grandma Phillips. Yum! What a perfect way to spend a Saturday.

Little Miss Diana insists on growing!  I can hardly believe she is 19 months old already!  She is such a delight and so loving and wild and funny.  She loves to have Mommy hold her so she can view the world from the highest vantage point possible.  She doesn't want to miss out on anything.  She lives to play outside.  She wants to spend all day, every day outside exploring and delighting in the beauties of nature.  She loves going to nursery with Mommy every Sunday.  She is kind to her nursery friends and is always watching and learning.  Her favorite part of nursery is pretend kitchen play time.  Diana gives the best belly laughs and loves her brothers more than anything.  She squeals with delight every day when Daddy comes home from work.  Then she smiles and reaches up to Daddy so he can pick her up and give her a good welcome home cuddle.  Diana loves reading.  Lift the flap books, pop-up books, and touch and feel...

I've had lots of fun with my boys this spring and they have had lots of fun adventures.  Owen climbed to the top of the "M" with this church Activity Boys group.  Those are some physically fit leaders! Loyd has been enjoying our campfire weather.   Owen, John and I had fun at the elementary school boys' bash.  It was a glow in the dark party and the boys both loved getting their face painted the best. Owen's 3rd Grade class had a glow-in-the-dark reward party that I got to help with.  We had so much fun playing math pong!  I was voted as best game station of the day.  ;D Diana and I snuck along with John's kindergarten field trip to the Hogle Zoo.  It was a blast to hang with the wildest kindergarteners I know!