Easter

Easter was full of the usual activities this year. Coloring eggs is always a favorite for the kids.

Maddie was especially loving it. She is talking so much now and saying new words all the time. She was learning to say her colors, but her favorite color she told us over and over again was "puuurple."

We had Easter dinner at the Johnson's. Grandma and Kara had an egg hunt for the kids. I miss the days of the Linda Circle Easter egg hunt that my mom did every year. There was always over 50 kids at it. She was still doing it when Nicole was a baby but the kids never got to experience it when they were old enough to remember.

Maddie showing Grandma her find. She loved finding eggs. At first she didn't want to but once she discovered the prize inside she was so excited. She loves the candy.

Joey and his chocolate bunny.

The girls in their Easter dresses.

The Easter bunny hides the kids baskets. They love waking up and looking for their baskets. It never takes them long. The Easter bunny needs to find some better hiding places.

Maddie loves her little bunny.

Joey finds his basket.

Conference Weekend

We decided to make a last minute trip to the cabin for conference weekend. We had no problem getting there this time. No snow! Yea! That is until later that night. It started to snow around bedtime and in the morning snow was covering everything. I think it caused a little anxiety for Geoff. Bad memories of the last cabin trip. It was very cold and windy the next day but no more snow and it did all melt before we left.

I didn't have warm enough clothes for Maddie. She has out grown all her winter clothes and I didn't want to buy her more for a few days. Plus, I had no idea it would be that cold. We kept her wrapped in blankets and scarfs.

Maddie getting a little kiss from Coco.

Joey trying to stay warm in the wind.

We went fishing but didn't last too long. Except for Nicole. She was not willing to leave until she had caught something, no matter how frozen she was. I don't know where she gets her love for fishing and all things outdoors.

Katie going for a little ride. (not really)

Nicole can drive the quad now. She took Katie for little rides around the cabin.

Joey holding his capture.

We did watch conference too, and it was wonderful. I am so grateful to have prophets and get the guidance we so need. I loved it.

Ward Campout

We spent friday night in the desert for our ward camp out. Our ward decided to try and do it close to home so it was nice not to have to drive far but it didn't feel like real camping. Although I was awake all night and that is real camping.

It was so windy and FREEZING cold. SO SO COLD!

We had our version of "Ward Idol". Nicole and her best friend Haylie preformed.
They got to dress up. That was their favorite part.


Singing "The Lion Sleeps tonight"
A weem a way, a weem a way...

They finally got to have a sleep over. They shared a tiny two man tent, but they loved it.

We hardly saw Joey at all. He was off playing with friends out in the desert. The trees were very easy to climb. I did find him hidden here when it was time to go.

I did try to get some pictures of the pretty scenery. We were up bright and early for the sunrise.
Katie loved all the flowers.

Field Day

Last Friday the kids had the annual field day at school! This is a favorite day every year. I went to cheer them on for part of the day. Nicole was so good at the hula hoop.

The limbo was were she really shocked me. She came in 3rd overall and was the tallest winner by far. These pictures completely crack me up. She is so long and skinny but obviously bendable.

Joey having a "snow"ball fight.

Nicole and her friend Mikaela.

Handsome Joey

So much catching up...

We have a friend that lives in our new neighborhood and I got an email that other day saying that big things were happening at our new home. It is getting close to the finish, we have paint and....

We have cabinets! They are all dusty and were just installed so they still have some more work to do on them but this was exciting to see this week. We also found a renter for our home we are in now. That is such a huge blessing and relief. I wish we could have sold our house but it didn't seem possible right now. I am just happy things seem to be coming together.

Spring Break Fun

Our Spring break was pretty low key. We didn't do a lot but that is how I wanted it. One afternoon Geoff came home early and we took the kids to the Phoenix Childrens Museum. It was so fun. The whole museum is all about play. My kids loved it. We will have to go back soon. I took a ton of pictures but hardley any of them turned out. I have been playing around with my camera a lot and was trying out the manuel mode. Maybe I am not ready for that yet.

We rode the light rail to Phoenix to go to the museum. It was an adventure. My kids were excited to ride the "train". They thought it was fun for about 5 minutes and then kept asking the usual, "are we almost there"? I was surprised how packed it was. There were so may people on it. It was so hot and it took about 50 minutes to get downtown. The way back wasn't as crowded and didn't take as long. At least we can say we have been on the light rail. But I think we will be driving around from now on.

Nicole looks very happy to be riding the rail.

I felt bad for the people around us. My kids were not being quiet. But it was a fun day.

Pinewood Derby

Joey had his first pinewood derby race this week. His car was a police car. We learned a lot about making and racing the cars. Hopefully that will help us next year.

He also earned his bobcat that night. He got a blue paw print from the bobcat on his cheek.

He had fun racing his friends. His wheel did fall off on the first race and I thought we would see some tears but luckily one of the moms there had some super glue and we didn't have any problems after that.

He raced his friend Sevey.

He did win one race and that was exciting.

This is what Maddie was doing during the races. Not exciting enough for her. It was past her bedtime.



Katie had fun because her best friend McCray was there. They loved the doughnuts that were served.