April Nuts and Bolts

First off, we share with you pictures from our recent photo shoot...you'll enjoy all the faces from our kids!

We had an amazing time at Disneyland. As is the case with most things, watching things through our children’s eyes is truly wonderful. We spent 04.11-04.16 on vacation, leaving right after church, staying at Elizabeth’s brother’s house in Las Vegas, and then pushing through to LA. We then spent four jam-packed, magical days in the Happiest Place on Earth. The girls loved the rides, meeting lots of their Disney friends (Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Goofy, Alice, Tinker Bell, etc), taking in some shows, and just being there. Elizabeth and I felt like children again and loved seeing the girls’ absolute joy. Disneyland is first class and we cannot wait to go back. The best part of it all: being together as a family! Stockton was a little trooper and while the 12-hour days in the park took a toll of the girls, they were cheery and sweet. Nothing better than family vacations!

Stockton continues to be the cutest, sweetest baby boy anyone could ask for. He is starting to sleep much better, waking up only once per night. He has had a lot of firsts this month: solid foods, scooting ever so slightly, and sitting up for a minute or two. He has a smile that melts our hearts and gets so excited when he is picked up or when Daddy comes home. We’re grateful for some good friends who love Stockton and help Elizabeth take care of him during sacrament meetings. We love our adorable baby.

Tayah is a little chatterbox, from the moment she wakes up until she is supposed to go to bed. Just like Kadence, she dazzles us with the things she says. Both girls can listen to a song a few times and then recite the lyrics on the spot. She is very sweet in Nursery and follows her big sister around everywhere and does everything she does. She can also occupy herself for long periods of time reading or playing by herself. No progress in the potty department…just being patient. She is one active red-head and we love her!

Kadence is one smart cookie, doing great with her letters, numbers, and so forth. She looks forward to weekly preschool and has loved Sunbeams. She went to her first Primary activity and become much more social the past few months. She’s still on the shy side, but it’s fun to see her interact with friends and cousins more and more. She dances and dances around the house with Tayah. Both girls were a little under the weather a bit this month, but are excited for the better weather.

Elizabeth and I are as boring as ever.

Other highlights for April:
• We had a little fun with April Fool’s Day, announcing that we were expecting our fourth. Not as creative, but we had a few people believing us.

• Stockton had a great six-month check-up

• General Conference was fantastic. I enjoyed the Priesthood session with Dad and the brothers. The girls did pretty good watching at least part of it.

• BYU-Hawaii President’s Leadership Council meetings in SLC

• Utah/Oklahoma City game, tickets courtesy of the Utah Jazz. 140-139 thrilling overtime win!

• BYU Alumni Association Board meetings, including the BYU Ballroom dance concert with Elizabeth

• Ward baptisms two separate days

• Great visit from Elizabeth’s parents (for a week)and other family members. Scott, our brother-in-law graduated from BYU (the 19th in the Torgesens’ second generation to do so) and we enjoyed the convocation and festivities. Elizabeth’s brother also ran the SLC Marathon. Always wonderful to have family here.

• We all took turns being quite sick with colds and coughs.

• Smith Family dinner up in Woods Cross to celebrate Elizabeth and Darrell’s birthdays.

• BYU Employee luncheon with President Samuelson