And so it begins...! and the ducks!

May 29th- I can tell Summer is upon us- I was feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the things we have in the upcoming month that I finally wrote them all down together on our calendar. Whew! Let the Summer fun begin!

Happy Birthday to Daddy!

May 26th- Justin is now 29 years old! We celebrated at home with homemade strawberry pie and a whole lot of singing- "Happy Birthday to YOU!" We love you Daddy! We hope you had a wonderful birthday!

In Memory...

May 25th- We spent the day visiting those who have gone before us. I looked up the definition of Memorial Day and was surprised to find it was a day set aside to remember those who died in active military service- which I knew, but I also have always thought it was a day in remembrance of any person- family, friend, or otherwise who has passed away. Well, despite the definition I don't think I have every spent a Memorial Day so focused on fond remembrance of our loved ones who are now watching over us from heaven. It truly was a special day.

At the West Point Cemetery-

My Great Grandparents- Grandma and Grandpa Cook. (My Grandma Patsy's parents.)

My aunt, and also my namesake, Nicole Craythorne, who passed away after only 3 short days here on the earth. (My mom's sister.)

At the Hooper Cemetery-

Aisley's 3rd Great Grandmother, and namesake, Pearl McDonald Zinie. It was so very special visiting Grandma Pearl's gravesite for the first time with our Aisley Pearl. She died at a very young age, only 22 years old, leaving behind her 6 month old daughter, Mildred Zinie, Aisley's Great, Great Grandmother.

Grandma Pearl's parents- Katherine and John McDonald.

My Great Grandparents- Mildred and Ben Craythorne. Mildred passed away several years before I was born, but on Monday we ran into my Grandpa's brother, Kelly (Mildred and Ben are my Grandpa Richard's parents) at the cemetery and he assured us that Grandma Mildred was a very sweet mother and woman who was very loved. Kelly also was able to talk to us a lot about what he knew about Grandma Pearl and shared with us a lot about our family history. It felt like it was meant to be that we would run into him and his wife and it was a very spiritual experience being there with them at the cemetery.

At the Brigham City Cemetery-

At the Honeyville Cemetery-

building, sleeping, and diaper changing...

May 21st-

 Aisley's new favorite past-time- building with blocks!

Keaton has seemed worn out lately. Today sleep won out when Keaton fell asleep on the couch while watching "How it's Made" on the Discovery Channel.

May 22nd-

Aisley practicing her big sister skills- diaper changing- CHECK!

Preschool Graduation

May 20th- Keaton and Ty had a program at preschool on their final day. Can't believe how much these boys have learned and grown since they first started preschool. They have also become such great friends and just love being together. They sang songs and recited nursery rhymes during their program. They both did a great job and it was so fun watching them along with all the other boys in their class. (Yep, they have been in a class with ALL boys, no girls!)

Aisley made herself right at home in the boys classroom.

All the boys. :)

(Keaton had a little breakdown right after the program started and was feeling pretty nervous about performing in front of everyone. He struggled a bit throughout the program and wanted my help during his nursery rhyme, but by the end he was out there by himself again singing and having fun with all the other little boys. We are so proud of our big boy!)