Madelyn turns 2!

Little Maddie has turned two! She is getting so big and we loved celebrating this day with her.

She loves everything Elmo these days. Her Grammy Jo made this cute cake for her.

She wasn't sure what was going on at this point.

Now she understands what to do.

She got a walking, talking, dancing Elmo and she LOVES it! I thought she might be a little afraid of it, but she was laughing so hard. It was fun to watch her play with it.

Opening present at this age just isn't fun. The older kids did more opening than she did. She seemed to have a fun day. I love these birthday when they are so little and so easy to please.

Sunday Mornings

It doesn't really matter how much I try and prepare for Sundays, I always am running around like crazy getting ready for church. We have 9:00 church so it isn't too early but I can't seem to get it all together in time. I don't really want to be yelling at everyone and ready to lose it at any second and then say, "let's go to church and feel the Spirit." Yea! Last Sunday, I had all the kids dressed and was working on Nicole's hair. We were doing good and on schedule until I turned around and saw this....

At least she had soft hands at church.

My Beautiful Girls!

I know every mother thinks her children are wonderful and beautiful. I am no different. My girls are such beauties on the inside and out. I am so happy to have these girls in my life. They are growing so fast and I just want to enjoy all the ups and downs watching them grow.

I love you girls!

Look what we found

The kids kept coming in telling us that there was something in the bushes in the backyard. I was telling them it was probably the wind blowing the leaves around. Geoff finally went out to check and he said there really was something in there. The mother cat wasn't around that we could see, just three tiny kittens.

Maddie was so excited, she could hardly contain herself. We need to practice touching things softly.

This little one wasn't so friendly and just hissed at us.

After we put the kittens back the kids played all afternoon outside. It is starting to heat up and we won't have too many more of these days outside.

Maddie loves to sing. Old McDonald is her favorite right now.

E-I-E-I-O!

Yea!

The End!

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.