Viva Vienna, the much anticipated event of the year.  I used to love Viva Vienna!  Not that I don’t love it anymore, BUT even better….my kids now love it more than me!

They are at an age now where they can pretty much ride all the big kid rides, though they still chose not to go on some of the scarier ones.  I don’t blame them. 

Avery was actually scared to go on the ferris wheel.  She said she would go on it if I went.  Despite my fear of heights, I said yes!

All three wanted wristbands this year, which meant they could ride as many rides during the day as they wanted.  While Justin and I knew monetarily it made more sense to purchase tickets for Avery and Harper, they felt strongly that the wristband was the way to go and it wasn’t worth the bickering. 

We met up with the Workmans and the O’Neills and the girls had a great time going on the rides with each other and their friends.

We stayed for five hours, the longest we have ever stayed at Viva Vienna! The girls got sunburned and by the end of the five hours were exhausted and felt accomplished.

Harper made the decision to be baptized.  She approached Justin and I with it on her own a few months back. VPC was great working with us to make it happen since it was atypical in the sense that Harper made the decision on her own vs. Justin and I making the decision for her. 

She can officially become a member of the church around age 12 or 13 and until then she has accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior and to obey His word and show His love.

Harper Paige – We support you and are so proud of you! 

Another wonderful month of my sister, Gabriel, Noah, and Elias visiting Virginia.  They came for my cousin Katy’s wedding and were here for so much more.  They were here to celebrate my dad’s 72^nd birthday in a private room at Pazzo Pamadoro.  They were here to celebrate Passover and hear the four questions read by the girls.  They were here to celebrate Easter and join in on some fierce Easter Egg Hunts.  They were here to cheer on Emerson at her softball game, Harper at her soccer game, Avery at her dance recital, and Emerson playing the clarinet.  We spent time riding scooters and bikes; watching a movie, shows, and eating ice cream; going out to eat; going for walks, playing on the neighbor’s swing set, reading books, and playing made up games like Smelly and Monster. We spent time smiling, laughing, and loving.

Noah spent the night at least six times and Elias spent the night three times.  It was wonderful every time. My heart is full.  I feel complete bliss around those boys.

A friend who saw me at Emerson’s band concert in late April texted me a few weeks afterwards asking what face cream I used.  She said for weeks, she couldn’t stop thinking about how great I looked.  While I gave her my skincare regimen, I told her the true reason I looked so great was likely that Noah was with us that night.  He sat on my lap; I was beaming ear to ear and I felt pure bliss as my whole family, including my “four kids for the night” enjoyed the impressive performance.

She receives all the hand me downs, plus often gets her own.  Her drawers barely close and when closed, they often have some clothes peeping out through them.  But with all the options, she routinely selects a nightgown every night!

She did it!  Despite not being able to actually dance due to her foot injury, she got on stage.  She was a great tree, took a wonderful bow, and showed some great acting skills in her parts of the Sleeping Beauty Spring Ballet. 

I am so proud of her showing up weekly to class and rehearsals, and her commitment despite her injury and having to do a lot of watching.

The performance was impressive.  The best part was seeing Avery’s confidence, commitment, and witnessing the friendships that are blossoming as a result of dance.