Davis Reed @ 5 Years Old

Exploring the tide pools is one of Davis' favorite things to do. He collects all the shells he possibly can and then leaves them scattered all over our house. 

• Davis loves all things Pokemon, SlugTerra, and Agent Oso. He will go on and on about Pokemon characters and scenerios and, cross my heart, I do my best to act interested but I usually have no freaking idea what he's talking about.
• He has a tender heart. He will often mention to me throughout the day, with a little sadness in his voice, that he "misses Maddie." They have a really special relationship. If I'm being completely honest, I think that Davis is drawn to Maddie both because he loves her dearly and because he wants to make Isaac jealous. It usually works. The older boys, on the other hand,  have a much more tumultuous relationship. They can definitely be the best of friends (Davis idolizes Isaac), but also the worst of frenemies (both know how to push the other's buttons and do so all.the.time).
• I have mentioned before that Davis is my little sidekick. Since I didn't put him in preschool this year, we are pretty much together all day every day. While there are occasional moments of frustration, he is such a fun person to be around. If I want him to do anything all I have to say is, "Wanna race?" and he will go wherever I want him to go as long as he can beat me there. The thought of him going off to kindergarten in the fall fills me with the mixed emotions of anticipation of increased freedom and loneliness. But mostly loneliness. 
• He loves animals and science (shout out to Bill Nye the Science Guy!).
• He is talkative and friendly and loves to talk about random facts to anyone who will listen. He often gets attention from adults for using vocabulary words well beyond his age (and sometimes out of context) I think it's pretty adorable.
• He has a huge heart and a great willingness to share with others. He tells me multiple times a week how much he loves our family.
• Davis is a little boy with a lot of faith. We finished reading the Book of Mormon as a family and for weeks afterwards he would ask Heavenly Father every time he said his prayers, "Is the Book of Mormon true?" 
• I can't believe it's been over 5 years since this little man joined our family and in turn saved my life. I love him so very much. 

Making a wish.

Sunny Arizona

 I have a lot of catching up to do on this blog of ours but I'm going to back track later and just give a little ode to our short stint in the beautiful Arizona desert. There was a time a few months back when I didn't think I would ever make close friends there. And then I did. And then the amazing opportunity back east popped up and I had to say goodbye just as the southwest was starting to feel a little like home. I left a little piece of my heart there and I'll always be grateful for the friendships that we made during our few short months.

Our neighborhood was the stuff dreams are made of, I tell ya. I don't expect to ever find one quite like it again. They hardly exist anymore. Here are Maddie and her AZ bestie (and our next door neighbor) playing just hours before our flight.

Davey and his AZ bestie, who lived just a few houses down from us. 

Nater and Dave enjoying an after-school treat before our plane took off.

Our last week in Arizona, my neighbor, Tamara, planned a special snack for the kids for every day after school. She also watched my children, took all these photos so I would have visual reminders, and she drove us to the airport with a bag full of treats for the kids on the plane (which we almost missed because we lingered too long taking photos and saying goodbye). She was the neighbor I prayed I would find. 

Actually, all of these ladies were. Such great women with such great children. I was lucky to rub shoulders with them this past year. 

Monster cookies, just one of the delicious after-school snacks. 

The crazy neighborhood kids all together. We'll sure miss you, beautiful Gilbert, AZ.

Isaac's 8th Birthday Party

A few days before our big cross-country move, Isaac had a birthday party with some of his friends. Confession: it was his first real birthday party in his 8 years of life. Parties are not my forte. And truthfully I'm just glad that no one died on my watch during this party! But Isaac was so so happy, which made me happy, too. 

A Lego Pizza Party at the park.

Maddie loved being a part of it.

So did Davis.

And Nathan.

It was a Lego party with pizza and a treasure hunt. It was during the treasure hunt that the kids all went cray-cray.

My dear friend and neighbor, Banessa, was able to come and bring her two boys, both of whom became some of Davis and Isaac's closest friends.

The treasure hunt treasure was a box of helicopter toys that we played with in the field next to the park.

Isaac with his two AZ besties, Davey (R) and Eduardo (L). My friend Tamara put herself in charge of taking pictures and I am so grateful that she did because we wouldn't have any proof that this event took place if it hadn't been for her. After the party she handed me a flash drive with 70+ photos of the afternoon! I feel fortunate to have lived next door to such a wonderful friend and neighbor.

The besties again.

Play with your food!

Receiving Lego Mixels was a dream come true.

Happy birthday Isaac!