The Boulton Blog: For the First Time in Forever...

I know it's been such a long time since I've written. I started keeping a personal journal again, so this didn't feel as important, but I realize that those of you who still read this might be missing the updates from our tiny corner of the world.

Caleb: He is so much fun right now. He's started talking up a storm and I love watching him try to make the right connections so he can have a conversation with you. He still hates nap times, but will fall asleep if left alone long enough, and his new thing at bedtime is turning on his light so he can stay up and read. On the nights we don't go check on him every ten minutes, we'll go in to turn out his light before going to bed and he'll be lying in bed asleep, with a book in his lap. If he wasn't so frustrating when he's tired from not sleeping enough the night before, it would be a lot cuter.

I think he might have a bit of a crush on Elsa from "Frozen" He can sing a lot of the songs from the movie, and whenever he sees a frozen poster, she's the one he notices. When we get in the car, if I start singing a song from the movie, he'll say "I want to sing!" which is just his way of asking me to turn on the actual soundtrack. Apparently I don't sound as good as they do. ;)

He loves playing with his toy trains and it's such a relief that he and Byron can spend hours arranging the track and running the trains around it while I get time to clean, make dinner, and decompress.

David: He learned how to clap! He was sitting on the floor watching Caleb throw Easter grass all over the main level today (Caleb and I were having a war, it was quite fun) and was giggling his head off while clapping his hands. I love how much he loves his big brother. I literally feel like I'm so happy my heart might just explode when I watch the two of them interact with one another.

He's still using his little bum-scoot to get around for the most part, but if he ends up on his belly on the floor, he'll push himself backwards to get to stuff, and even got up on his hands and knees and did the little baby rock thing a couple of days ago. It was cute, and I was relieved to find that he might not skip the crawling stage after all., it's just a little delayed.

His current favorite past times are: being held, playing in his Johnny Jump Up, trying his hardest to fall out of his Daddy's arms (he actually just likes to fling backwards and swing up and down, but it's scary when he does it and you're not expecting it), eating bananas, and giving me smiles that light up his whole face. I have a hard time catching them on camera though.

Byron: He's hardly working at working hard? I never really know what's going on at work. He tries to explain things to me when he gets home, but since I have no visual idea, they're all just words. I might as well be listening to him speak Hungarian. He loves the nicer weather that lead to daily bike rides to and from work with less prep time than he dealt with when bundling up for snow, and is looking forward to doing lunches together again this summer when we can take Caleb to the park. He's feeling guilty that he hasn't been very active with his scout trip the past few months since the weather wasn't all the welcoming, and is trying to plan some fun things for his troop to do this summer. If anyone has recommendations for where he can take his boys to an archery/shooting range, or trails where they can go horse back riding, you should let us know! He's also thinking about a fishing trip to Possum Creek (they don't require a fishing license) and a canoe/camping trip. Hopefully he can find time for all of that this summer!

Arielle: Things are going alright. I'm ashamed to admit that I wasn't counting calories or exercising consistently for about 2 months while battling the worst allergies I've ever had, and gained back all the weight I had lost, but since I still have most of the muscle tone I had gained, and I'm still accustomed to eating less than I was before, I'm back on track and starting up again was way easier than starting the first time. I went to a zumba class for the first time a couple of weeks ago since I stopped going to LA Fitness and it felt SO good! I was sore....everywhere, but I had a great time and am looking forward to going again. :) My house still hasn't recovered from my remodel project back in January, if anything I think it's just gotten worse, so hopefully I'll manage to get some spring cleaning done. I had hoped to do a major over haul on our landscape this year, but it looks like it's going to have to wait. All I think I'll have the time and energy for this year is getting my trees sprayed and a couple of them re-staked so they'll grow upright again.

In General: Instead of giving you a general update on our week, I'm going to try to hit the high points from the past month or so.

April 11th: I helped my grandmother host a baby shower for my Aunt Liz. It was fun meeting more of her friends, the games seemed to go over well, and the food was awesome. My grandmother put together and impressive display of fruits, vegetables, and chicken salad sandwhiches (on croissants, my favorite!) while I made a dessert table complete with pink lemonade cookies, cupcakes, strawberry shortcake bites, and donut holes. As well as jars filled with hershey kisses, sour patch watermelon candy, and chocolate covered pretzels. We played 4 of the classic baby games, but I think they went over pretty well, and between socializing, games, and getting to eat and see all the beautiful gifts,

Easter: We had a fun Easter Weekend. Friday night Byron had a campout, but he was back in time on Saturday to go to the ward Easter activity. They had a pretty good turn out and Caleb really enjoyed the egg hunt. He's so cute. That evening we had friends over and enjoyed playing some games. Caleb out an abrupt end to the evening when he got sick in his dessert though, so Byron stayed home with him Sunday morning while I took David to church with me so I could be there for primary, and he went to Sacrament meeting with Kettering Ward. He brought Alyssa home with him who had volunteered to stay with Caleb while we went to my grandparent's house for Easter dinner. I had fun hiding Easter eggs with Byron, my Aunt Wendy, Uncle Ben, Mommy, and Uncle Ryan for the teen and young cousins to find. I had a blast watching them all being found too. I just love Easter. For family home evening the week before and the week after Easter Sunday we had lessons about the Resurrection and the atonement. I don't know if Caleb every truly grasped it, but I'm glad he's so willing to learn. He's such a sweet boy.

David's Homecoming!: Thursday, April 24th, my brother David came home from his 2 year mission in Brazil!!! We were part of a large group (my parents and siblings, my aunt Wendy, Uncle Ryan, and 3 of their children, as well as both of our sets of grandparents) were able to make it to the airport, and went out to eat with him afterwards. I enjoyed getting to see him again, and after I got Byron back to work, I got to spend some more time at the house. We went to the church that evening for his being released, then we all met up at the YMCA to go swimming. It was his first time in a pool in 2 years, so he had a good time, and I loved seeing my family all together again. Saturday was his open house and Byron and I headed over to the house a little earlier so I could get in on helping make the cotton candy, and we could be there for anything else that needed to be done. He went on a date that evening, before heading out again Sunday morning for BYUI. He wasn't home for very long, but I'm glad I got to see him, and I'm so glad he's already back in school. :)

Mother's Day: I woke up to a delicious breakfast in bed from my husband, then we had extra time to get ready for church since I had found a sub for my primary class so we could attend church with my parents. Caleb had fun sitting with "Gween" (Granny) and Uncle Charlie, and I enjoyed getting to see my siblings get up and sing with the primary. After church we went to my Grandma Lane's house for a big dinner. Everyone got to stuff themselves on artichokes, rice, and delicious pot roast, and we finished everything off with Angel Food cake with strawberries and whipped cream. As I sat through our church meetings and spent time with my family I realized how grateful I am to be a mother. My children are a huge blessing from God, and I know that they have at least as much to teach me, as I have to teach them. They are such blessed spirits, and I know that through them, great things can come to pass so long as I am a faithful mother and continue to teach them the principles of the gospel. I know Heavenly Father loves them, and I am so grateful that he has entrusted me with such choice spirits.

Last weekend: Alyssa and my cousin Samantha had dates come in from Michigan for the stake Modes Prom, and I had the opportunity to use my flower arranging skills again when I got roses to make corsages and boutonnieres for them and their dates. They each looked amazing all dressed to the nines and from what I heard, had a great time at the dance.

I guess that's all we really have going on around here. We love you all and think of you often.