Memorial Day!

Once again we went out to the lake and Matt's parents farm with a group of wonderful friends. The weather was incredible for a day of food, water, and....

naked bums! Tal's buddy Steve was the streaker! He was a cute one though!

We had a fun day.

Here's Steve with his clothes on!

Fill it!

Dump it!
Happy!

The kids loved jumping off of the dock. Emma needed a little help from daddy at first:

But then decided to try it on her own.

Ready...

Jump!
Cannon Ball!!
One with daddy!

Matt became the kid thrower!

Mission accomplished!

Corbin Graduated!!

I have to brag about my brother Corbin for a second here. He just graduated from BYU a couple of weeks ago in the Business and Finance program. He not only graduated but at the top of his class! He is now working at a successful Real Estate investing firm and doing really well. I'm so, so proud of him. I wish I could have been there! Good job Corbin. You ROCK!

What a stud! Hands off girls, he's engaged!!

My family: Tyrel, Lindsay, my mom, the Grad, his cute fiancée Crystal, my dad, and little sweet girl Alex (we're a tall bunch aren't we)!!!

Preschool teachers!

Do you remember your preschool teacher? I do! I loved my preschool teacher. Beth Whatcott. I remember every time I'd see her I would run to her and give her a big hug. Even in high school I would always say hello. She was such a wonderful lady. I always got such a fun feeling inside when I would see her.

Emma's teachers this year were no different. They were incredible. At the begging of the year they do a "home visit" to get to know each of the kids and at the end of the year they do another visit to say good-bye and give the kids their books that they, the teachers, had been working on all year! Emma LOVED her teachers. I LOVED her teachers. They were wonderful. I'm so happy that this was her first experience of school. It was a wonderful one. One I know Emma will always remember!

Mrs. Knickmeyer, Emma, and Mrs. Strubberg

Missouri...Redneck Style!

This 'ere is whut we in Mizzoura like ta call a Mud Run!

Our good friends Robbie and Karen introduced us to this hidden gem! Someone who owns a bunch of property O-U-T in the country decided one day, "Hey! We have a lot of dirt. Why don't we soak it with water and charge people money to come and run their trucks and four-wheelers through it!" The outcome is what is now known as the Mud Run, open every 2nd Saturday and holiday weekends all summer long!

Here's what we brought along:

The Ranger.

And Robbie's super cool orange truck.

This is what you see when you first arrive in this majestic redneck shrine: The Pit!

Matt got to take on The Pit! Can you tell how happy he is!

Then after you've unloaded your Muddin' equipment you drive over to where it all happens. The Runs (That's what I called them anyway. It seemed to fit, if you know what I mean)! There are 3 trenches dug deep into the ground and soaked with water. The challenge: to see who's truck had enough guts to get from one side to the other!

Here were some of the contestants for the day. I won't explain. The pictures tell it all!

This is Robbie's brother-in-law. He made it through no problem!
Who doesn't want one of these?
Look at these goobers! During:
After:

I was really here. Watching. Believe it.

There was even a dirt hill the kids could play on while everyone watched. Something for everybody!

Then there was one more contestant. Can you guess who it was? You'll never get it!

They got stuck though...both times!

Surprise!

After that thrilling ride we rode around on the different trials they had there as well. But unfortunately the day ended on not such a good note for Robbie's brother-in-law.

Matt was very helpful!

This is the unfortunate part of the "sport" they say. "You know sumthin's gunna happen. You just don't know when!" Comforting!

I really can't poke fun, though, because it brought back memories of doing similar things with my family growing up. We didn't do the mud, though. We went to the hill climbs out at the sand dunes. Much better! It was fun to relive some redneck fun. I'm sure it won't be our last!!

Tal's other obsession!

Next to basketball, Tal's bike has become a new favorite. I didn't realize he could open doors yet, but I keep finding him out in the garage riding his bike around (I guess he just needed motivation...).

We had some trucks digging out the ditch across the street from us (finally, I won't be getting water in my basement every time it rains!) and Tal had a pretty good seat!

Time to park!

Rain Drops!

Emma has been begging me for at least a year to get her a rain coat and rain boots, so when I saw this rain coat on clearance at Target it had to be Emma's. Still waiting on the boots!! The second it started raining you better believe she had her new coat on and the door she went!

Mother's Day Tea Party

At preschool, the teachers and kids planned a wonderful night just for us mommies. We were showered with gifts and songs and chocolate covered strawberries!!! It was fun to share this night with Emma. She is the sweetest and I love being her mom!

The kids singing us a few songs they had practiced. Aren't they cute?! They were swaying back and forth!!

Kissy, kissy!

My beautiful corsage. I even wore it to church the next day. I'll keep it forever!!

All of my treasures from this special night.

Soccer's done and Spring is here!

Soccer has been really fun for Emma this year. I didn't think she'd really like it, but she surprised me! She was sure she knew all she needed to know about soccer, but realized there was a little more to it then kicking the ball into the net! On the last day each player got their very own soccer pin. Emma was so proud she wore it to school and everywhere we went for a week!

Tal had fun too...as long as there was an extra ball around!

Spring officially arrived here in MO a few weeks ago, and Emma and Cooper figured out that they didn't need snow to sled!

Here is our first bouquet of spring. All the "flowers" along the walking trial!

Happy Spring!

Elder Beckstrand returns!!

He's home!! After 2 years well spent serving and teaching the farmers in Billings, Montana my youngest brother is home! And because there are smart, technologically savvy people on this earth the kids and I were able to be apart of it with help from Corbin and Skype! I had to take these pictures from my sister's blog. Because even though I was "there" my camera was here... in MO!! I'm really proud to call Tyrel my brother. He's just awesome. Simply put. I just wish I could give him a big hug instead of having to wait until this summer. I'm so proud of him and can't wait to see him. Plus, he has a nephew who is dyeing to meet him and a niece who isn't 3 anymore! We'll be counting down the days!

Here we all are. Waiting... and waiting...! Guess where the kids and I are?!

Here is Ty saying hello to us!!!
All together again (after we logged off!!!!!)!