Karate, Easter and a two year old

Its already the end of April!! Where did April go? I feel bad that I've slacked on the blog for the past few months. Not because I think people are that interested in what's happening over here but its a good way to keep a record of things that happen and stuff the kids say. I'm going to try to update it more often, now that Vern's school semester at UVU is finally OVER!!! YEAH!! And with Vern's new work schedule he is home more or I should say awake at better hours. His work day generally starts around 7:00 a.m. now instead of 12:00 a.m. or 2:00 a.m.

Update on Vern's job- he has two students! They are both brand new to flying helicopters and are working on obtaining their private licenses right now. Vern is loving it but feels a big responsibility because he is teaching these students to fly.

A few weeks ago Riley had his first karate belt test! It was the cutest thing ever. The belt test was at the Dojo that his instructor goes to for her lessons. I was sooo nervous for him. I think I was nervous because I didn't know if he knew what to do or what would happen if he messed up and got embarrassed. He had to go up in front of everyone and the three judges and perform his test. He and one of his classmates were allowed to go together. They were the smallest/youngest ones there. Riley was the smallest of all. But he was one of the cutest!! He did everything and knew exactly what he was doing. I was so shocked and so proud. I wished that everyone could have been there to see him. Unfortunately Vern had to work so he missed it and I couldn't tape it because I was struggling with Mattie (trying to keep her on my lap and quiet- not an easy feet). All the students in his class pasts their belt tests. Riley now has a black loop on his belt. I just can't express how awesome this was!!

All the people that were belt testing that day- Riley is the second one in on the right side

Denver and Riley testing

After the test

Lately Riley's been saying he wants a brother. However, he doesn't just want another sibling, he wants to trade Mattie for a brother. His reasoning is that a brother will be nice to him and not scratch him like Mattie. I told him that a brother would do the same things that Mattie does. He doesn't believe me.

Seriously- how could he want to trade her in? She just wants to be like him and do everything just like him. See how both their shirts are off? She also wants all of his attention and goes about it the wrong way. That's when the trouble starts.

For Easter we went to the lake with Vern's family. It's tradition, they always go camping Easter weekend. This year it was at Roosevelt. We took our trailer~ so glad we have it! Mattie had the time of her life with her cousins. Verlynne's boys just love her. They played whatever she wanted to and held her hand and walked around with her. She is so lucky to have such wonderful cousins. She also got to enjoy the two babies Brighton and Jaylie. Riley loved being outdoors with his cousins. He got to ride on Grandpa's boat and ride motorcycles.

Mattie coloring Easter eggs- that was a mess

Decorating eggs

Riley, Kyson and Ridge before the Easter egg hunt

Riley and Vern riding a motorcycle

Mattie Easter morning with a recess pieces carrot

In case anyone is wondering, Mattie is definitely acting like a two-year old. She is into everything and thinks she's big enough to do whatever she wants. She's not. She also has started throwing herself down on the floor if she doesn't get what she wants. She also hits herself and will bite anything near here such as a table, counter, play cash register etc... when she doesn't get what she wants. Yesterday she got into the pantry and got out the Nutella and pretzels. She also has a fascination/obsession with brushing teeth/toothpaste/dental floss. I found an entire roll of dental floss strung from my bathroom all the way to the hall by the stairs. We have locks on the cabinet doors but have yet to find something for the drawers. Nothing is allowed to be kept in the drawers because she gets into them- hence all our bathroom products are on top of our counter in one big mess. Whenever I catch her with something it goes on top. This drives Vern insane because all the stuff is in one big mess on top. He'll say, "Where's the floss?" I point to the pile on top of the counter and he gives me a dirty look as he searches through it. I say, "Well its either that or Mattie ends up with it".

Mattie and the Nutella

March

In case anyone has been wondering what has happened to us the last month, I'll try to give you the short version.

The day we left for Disneyland Vern had completed and passed the ground part of his Stage 2 check. The Stage 2 check is a two part test, one part is ground where Vern teaches a lesson, answers questions, etc... the second part is flying where he instructs in the helicopter and performs maneuvers. He was nervous before the stage 2 check. After we got back from California he did the flying part of his stage 2 check, which he passed. Now it was on to the check ride with the FAA to try to obtain his CFII license. In order for Vern to get a job with the school his is at now, he not only had to have his CFI rating but his CFII as well. The lady that is basically in charge at Quantum (his school) would be performing his FAA check ride. So not only did he need to pass the first time (it costs $500 every time you take it) but he needed to do it according to her standards/liking so he would look good for hiring. I can't even tell you how stressed he was before the check ride.

The FAA check ride is like the stage 2, broken down into two parts. Vern completed and passed his ground part. Whew, he could kind of breath a sigh of relief but not quite yet he still had his flight part to pass. To get to the point, he couldn't do his flight part the first time because of too much fuel in the helicopter and then a few days later he took it again and passed everything except for one GPS approach. At this point, Missy (the chief flight instructor) said he could just redo that part of the test in a few days and asked him to come in for an interview on Monday. Well, then the pressure was really on because if he didn't pass the next time, would he still get the interview? Vern did pass, bless his heart. And HE GOT THE JOB!!!!! He is now officially a flight instructor at Quantum!!!!!! Can you believe it? He's worked so hard the past five years and now everything he's worked so hard for is here. Neither of us can believe it. It doesn't seem real yet.

So for the month of March, Vern has been studying, stressing and taking tests. The kids and me have been doing our normal stuff and trying to give him some space to study. Riley started T-ball March 12th and loves it! Riley also had a birthday April 4 and turned 5. I can't believe he is 5. We also found out that he got accepted to Ben Franklin for kindergarten next year. We are so excited! Last Saturday was Riley's first T-ball game and birthday party.

Riley running to get the ball- he ran to get every ball even balls that were across the field. Some of the other kids did to. It was really cute.

Riley running to base after he hit the ball

Mattie at the T-ball game

Riley on base

He had the best birthday party! He had so many friends come and they all had a good time. We played a wild game of duck duck goose and the limbo. Then, the kids had snow cones (Grandma and Grandpa Perry brought their snow cone machine)!

I don't know if you can tell but the piñata is Darth Vadar's head. It looked awesome and we kept it since it was still in one piece.

Children scrambling for candy

Riley's cake/cup cakes. The cup cakes had light sabers or clone trooper rings on them

Grandam in one of the Darth Vadar masks we had for the kids