Last week we were able to go to Big Cedar with Josh's family and my parents for four days. We had a wonderful time. They took us to Dogwood Canyon and we got to ride a tram through it then walk/bike through it. It was a beautiful day and amazing surroundings.

Cousin Kate was having a blast - isn't she adorable!

Kinley working the camera

We got to see Elk, Longhorn, and Buffalo up close and personal on the tram ride. The guide put out food next to our tram and they all came up and ate, we even got to pet them.

Kinley has learned to use her imagination and role play with animals. She has a little cow and pig that she loves to play with. One day she said "pig ride cow's back" and proceeded to make them give each other piggy back rides. Then she said "cow hug pig" and made them hug. The she said "pig cow talking bout meat tacos" and had them facing each other nodding their heads. We all got a good laugh. James heard a little song that he loves "twinkle twinkle little ants I have purple underpants" he and Kinley both laugh hysterically when he sing this. Yesterday in the car Kinley started saying "tickle tickle underpants" and thinks she is so cool like brother.

She just finished her little gymnastics class. She really enjoyed it and got a lot better at all of the stretches and equipment by the end of the class. The bar was definitely her favorite.

This is her saying "tada" with her gymnastics hands after the got off the balance beam.

These are James' best buddies at the moment. Joshua on the left and Ezra on the right. They are both 3 and fully decked in James' hand me downs. Me and their mom's were praising and thanking Gigi, Bop, Nana, and Grandad for all the clothes they have given our children.

This is James holding Bennett Wagner. He and Kinley both love him and are getting good practice for baby Mallory. I was asked one day if I thought Kinley was ready for a baby sister and I said "hell no" (I know not a good thing to say I don't know where my guard went) and Kinley heard me and tried to repeat it but said "El Mo" it was so funny but I really have to watch it! Truthfully, I think bringing home a baby is going to be really hard on her but the best thing for her so I am trying to enjoy my last two months of peace before major training.

We got a tea set last week and the kids are loving it way more than I expected. James at first said I don't really like to play girl things but I convinced him that it was a gender neutral tea set and Josh told him men all over Europe have tea parties and showed him how to drink with his pinkie up. We had real warm tea in the tea pot, James drank it up and Kinley made a disgusted face every time she tried it so she would just pour an overflowing cup for herself then dump it in the grass and pour herself another.

Her new thing is to say "puppy" then pretend to be one. I tried to tell her this isn't acceptable for high tea but she didn't care. We went in the backyard one day and found the kids like this. James was telling her about jets and the sky. She was a captive audience.

April 15 was our planned planting day and was the only available day to do it all of April so rain as it may we were out making our yard beautiful. It was really fun and of course the kids loved the opportunity to get dirty.

This is a new addition to our perennial plant collection - we love it! We kept our last hibiscus alive for five years, hopefully this one will make it even longer!

Kinley working the camera while cooling her feet in the river. We went camping last weekend with our friends the Henslee's. We went to Osage Hills State Park. It is outside Bartlesville. It rained off and on Friday and Saturday and during the nights but it never got too heavy and our tents kept us dry. We did however think it was smart to put the dining fly over the fire pit so we could cook, eat, and relax out of the rain. Miraculously it did not catch on fire but we did all leave the campsite unattended while we went to bath the kids and one of the Henslee's chairs caught on fire and incinerated.

James is an amazing camper. He never complains about anything, thinks helping us is the greatest privilege ever, and always wishes we could stay longer. He loves his hiking backpack and keeps it stocked with water, tweezers, bug box, binoculars, flashlight, his favorite plastic animals, magnifying glass, and all the "treasures" he finds while exploring. He had it on every waking moment - so cute.

Levi was riding on Derrick's shoulders and Kinley wanted to ride like him so we tried it and she insisted on holding my face with all her might. Needless to say the ride did not last long.

I should have cropped this one but it is the boys hiking to the river.

Ezra, James, Levi, Kinley all swinging in the hammock. They actually enjoyed it like this for over five minutes. They must really love each other. Since we will have one more next year Derrick thinks we should take a babysitter. We don't think one in their right mind would take the job!

James enjoying a s'more. Don't those hands look yummy!

We let James drink caffeine free coke when we are camping. He thinks he is so big especially since all the other kids don't have mature enough taste buds to handle the "spiciness".

This is James with his shotgun. He and Ezra spent a lot of their time hunting and killing bears in the woods. Ezra would spot them with the binoculars and James would shoot them. Ezra called the gun "the shooter hot gun" James just rolled his eyes and laughed at him.

Kinley and Levi are five months apart and they were so funny. They would share a banana one minute the sweetest thing you've ever seen then fight over a toy the next minute and they sounded like screeching clawing cats fighting. They were sweet more than they fought and they were so fun to watch toddle around.

• We have decided to name the baby Mallory Ann Morris!! It is growing on us and the kids seem to like it. I can't remember if I put this last time but if we ask Kinley what is in my tummy she says "baby sissy" it is soooo adorable.
• We moved Kinley to her big girl bed after Easter and she has done really well. I'm sure she will figure out how to get out and drive me crazy right when Mallory is born but it is going great for now.
• Last week James said "Somebody has got to watch her, I can't be responsible for her every second." I guess I depend on him too much?!! And he's a little dramatic.