Aunt Kayley and Uncle John

 My little sis needed a place to crash so her and her husband could go to a wedding.  I am always happy when I can help someone out.  Especially since that means I will get even a few minutes of chatting time with them.  Somehow in between all of their running around Callie fell in love with her Uncle John.  She was completely enamored by him.  I have never seen her so comfortable with another person so quickly.  It was adorable.  She sat on his lap almost all of Sacrament meeting and any other possible time. 

 Kayley wanted a family picture of us to show her kids.  They were leaving after Sacrament meeting and so my kids would be a little late to their Sunday School classes.  Annabelle, as you can see, was NOT happy about it.  Normally I would be happy that she loves going to class so much, but this could've been a really cute family picture.  Kayley took at least 5-6 and they all look like this.   Grrrr, sometimes kids are so...childish!

Thanksgiving Point

Years ago we had a Thanksgiving Point pass.  Annabelle was under 2, but she remembers well going to the dinosaur museum all of time.  Ever since that 1 year we have only made it back to the dino museum once a year (it is pricey).  This month a new museum is opening up there, a discovery museum.  So I broke down and bought a pass before the prices go up.  And of course the first place the girls wanted to go was the dinosaur museum.   I am excited for the pass.  I am sure it will provide lots of fun for the next year.

Field Trip with Ryan

 Last field trip of the year was with Ryan's class to the Daughters of Pioneers Museum and to the State Capitol.  I got to drive myself up there which made the ride much more enjoyable, especially since I went with a friend.  I really do enjoy that my kids want me around.  I hope that never changes.  Ryan was excited to have me eat with him and his friends, and he wasn't embarrassed to hold my hand as we walked around (not the whole time).  This kid is amazing!

Easter Week

 We love celebrating Easter. For a whole week.  We talk about Jesus's last week before teh crucifixion and resurrection.  We try to think about Him a little more than we do the rest of the year.  We try to focus on the fact that Jesus did the atonement and did in fact rise from the dead and not so much about the crucifixion, but it is good to remember that part, too.

 Decorating eggs is always fun.  We never seem to do enough eggs.  My kids LOVE hard boiled eggs and every year I am reminded how I need to make them for snack more often.  Greg always makes a cool egg.  This year he didn't dissappoint with a Mario Bro egg.

 Getting pictures on Easter is always tricky.  The sun is out and right in their faces.  I need to try out in the back yard one of these years.  Maybe I will remember that next year.

 I love these 4 kiddos.  They are the light of my life.  I wouldn't be who I am without them.  They teach me SO much.  They help me grow and learn and become better every day.  I LOVE teaching them about the Savior and how much He loves them as well.  I hope they will always cherish Him as I do.

 We had a few family members over for dinner, lamb of course.  We got to eat on my new table with my china and pretty place mats.   Then we all relaxed and played games.  I didn't even make dessert and we just ate candy.  It was nice to make things a little easier for myself.

PIano Recital

 I am so proud of my piano playing children.  They are far more dedicated and talented than I ever was.  They each started in 1st grade and I am so glad that they enjoy it.  I'm saying they always love practicing, but when we talk about how I didn't practice and therefore can't play well they assure me that they don't want to be like me.  I am so thankful to their wonderful teacher and one of my great friends, Tomie.  She makes piano fun, exciting, and introduces my children to a wonderful array of music.

 Nathan played Sonatina and Campells are Coming.  The second song he memorized and would play it SO fast at home, all of the time.  I loved how it had loud parts and softer ones.

Ryan memorized BOTH of his songs, Minuet in F and If I Were A Rich Man.  We rented Fiddler on the Roof and look forward to watching it together this weekend.

 

Our newest pianist played Brahms Lullaby and She'll Be Coming Around the Mountain.  She memorized the lullaby song and when she was done whispered to me, "Did you fall asleep?"  At first I didn't get it and of course told her no, of course not.  Then I got it:) Cute girl

 These are the students.  This was the best pic of my kids.  I remember when Annabelle and her friend Hattie were just little girls at the recitals.  And now they play beautiful music.  Time flies.

Kitchen: Before and After

It is done!! Finally done.  I can leave my kitchen alone for awhile.  I love the cabinets, the back splash, the new picture and after today my brand new table.  Yeah for change!

Before:

 After the cabinets and banisters were done:

 Then the back splash went in:

 And finally a new picture, table and we refinished the stools. I allowed the kids to each take a stool and paint the top.  They love having their own stool and I love that they helped decorate our home.  I Am so thankful that Greg supported me in all this change.  I needed something new and didn't want the hassle of a new home.  My table even has a leaf so let the parties begin!

 

 

 

 

The Great Egg Drop

 What a fun afternoon!  I found this idea that I had ripped out of a FAmily Fun magazine years ago and filed away.  When I saw it I knew that it was finally time to do it.  At first I was just going to invite a family or two to join us.  Then I decided to make it bigger and invited the neighborhood.  We had just under 40 people show up.  I'm glad that Annabelle had asked to decorate that morning.  She and Callie did the sign and the eggs on the table.  I asked everyone to bring a snack to share but I was worried there wouldn't be enough so I "cracked" my egg sugar cookies.  Turns out that we had PLENTY of snacks!

 I had been collecting lots of recycling stuff and this is what the big pile of building materials looked like before everyone dug in.   I really didn't give any instructions, I just let the kids be creative and go for it.

 I was so proud watching everyone use their brains and try their best.  No two ideas were the same.

 

  My kids and some cousins that came:)

 The kids got to climb as high as they felt comfortable and drop their contraption.  We had a tarp at the bottom and only 1 egg exploded off of it.

 

 This is our neighbor but I took a picture because this design was so unique and it worked great, once he secured the egg in.

 I am pretty sure we have started a Spring Break tradition.  The kids were disappointed when I said we couldn't do it for a whole year.  But definitely again, it was so much fun and I was so glad that we had such a great turn out.