Easter 2010

Is it just me, or is it really weird having Easter on Conference Sunday? It really through me off for a bit. But we did manage to pull off some fun Easter festivities in between sessions. Saturday morning came with snow and freezing temps and I was ready to call off the annual Easter egg hunt at Ucon Park. But Josh felt the show must go on so he took the kids...solo. The kids came back freezing, grumpy and Riley declared as she came back in the house crying, "I hate Easter!" We were off to a great start. Later that day family came over for lunch and a more weather appropriate egg hunt...in the basement. Far more less tears this way.

Then Sunday we had so much fun playing Conference Bingo with the kids during General Conference. They all had out their Bingo sheets and if they heard a speaker say one of the words, they colored it in, and got a small piece of candy (tootsie roll, Hershey kiss, Starburst etc.). And when they got a Bingo they got a bigger piece of candy (Ring Pop, mini candy bar etc.) The kids were so into it and were shhhing each other the whole way through. Mason said he wishes it were Conference every Sunday. Now that you mention it, lounging in pj's on the couch, candy, yummy breakfast and food, all while listening to our prophet and apostles speak to us...sounds like a plan to me.

This is the Sunday BEFORE Easter...

Notice Riley's expression. She was not going to participate in any picture taking. That is, until we promised she could sit by Josh during sacrament meeting. That perked her up. Thus the next picture....

Spring Break 2010

This year for Spring Break, instead of going somewhere warm and sunny, we did something a little different....we headed north. Instead of leaving the cold and snow behind, we headed toward even more cold and more snow....Island Park. I've learned that it really doesn't matter where you go, as long as you get out of the house, you're together, and you're having fun. And that's just what we did. We stayed in Josh's parent's condo and we had a great time. Josh's sisters came up as well, so the kids had so much fun playing with their cousins. Here are a few things that kept us busy....

Staying up late with movies and treats and camping out on family room floor in sleeping bags...

Card games that went late into the night...

We had sooooo much fun on the grandpa's 4-wheeler....

And you HAVE to have hot cocoa after playing in the snow....

The kids spent endless hours swimming...

And we even managed to squeeze in making some Easter cupcakes, sugar cookies and decorated Easter eggs....

We had such a great time and it was a much needed break for all of us!

Good Job Katelyn!

A painting that Katelyn made at school was selected to be put on display here at a local art museum. Wow! Our family went on the opening day to check it out. She did a great job!

Typical Riley...

This is what happens when I ask Riley to clean her room. A whole lot of nothin'.

Disney Give-a-Day Get a Disney Day!

Recently our family, and all of Josh's family, decided to be a part of the Disney Give-a-Day Get a Disney Day. It's where you donate your time to a charity and in return you get free tickets to Disneyland! The charity that we donated to was Project Linus. Where every member of our family, 6 and up, made a blanket for children that are seriously ill. We took the kids to pick out their own fabric and they all really got into it and enjoyed making it themselves. It was a really great experience and the kids had a blast. So looks like we're headed to Disneyland this summer! The kids can hardly wait!

Out of this World!

For Science class Katelyn had to make a 3-D Solar System. She was so excited, and so was I! I love this kind of stuff! Josh may be better with helping with math homework and such, but projects are right up my alley. In fact the other day Katelyn asked me to help her with her math homework. To which I said, "Go ask you dad, he's better at this kind of stuff." To which she replied very innocently, "Mom, you can do this, you don't have to be smart for this." Hmmmm....should I be offended? Anyway, it was a lot of fun to work together on this project.

Happy Birthday Mason!

This past weekend Mason turned 6! It was a busy weekend for our family, but we managed to squeeze in a Super Hero Party. All of the kids came dressed up as their favorite Super Hero. Mason was Batman and I made him a Batman cake. Not one of my better ones, but hey, Mason was thrilled with it. I'm so happy kids are so easy to please. Mason also ended up getting some roller blades. Emma got some for Christmas, and was sick of Mason taking off with them constantly. Now I've got TWO kids rolling up and down my hallway!! What was I thinking? The snow outside can't melt quick enough!



At the party we helped the kids make swords. A Super Hero isn't complete without his sword! It was a very last minute idea. Josh and I literally made a Home Depot run just before 10 p.m. the night before to pick up the PVC pipe, and then spent a good couple of hours the day of looking for some of those darn swim noodles. February isn't the best month to find those! But we did! Thank you Target! They were a hit for sure!!

Mason also had a combined birthday party with his cousins Morgan and McKinley. We celebrated at Leo's with with the whole family. So with a family and friend party, Mason is one lucky kid for sure!