Easter 2010

We had a really nice and relaxing Easter. Of course, the Easter Bunny came for a visit...



That morning we went to my mom's for breakfast. It was really yummy and a very good start to the day. After breakfast my mom told us that the Easter Bunny had hidden a bunch of eggs and treats for the kids in her basement.




The kids loved finding all the eggs. They found eggs filled with candy and many eggs with $$$ inside. That was especially exciting! Each of them also got their own special bag filled with goodies. Easter Bunny was sure good to them at grandma's!

Here are the kids with their loot:





After the big hunt we hung out and visited and watched conference. Then it was off to Dave's parents' for lunch. We had another good meal and lots of fun visiting. The kids played with cousins and loved it.

In the late afternoon, everyone had left except for Dave and I and our kids. So, Dave and I took the kids downstairs and watched Wall-e. Okay, everyone napped and Easton ended up watching Wall-e. It was so nice and relaxing.

We had a great weekend. We love hanging out with our families. It is just fun. We are so lucky to have all of our family close by. We missed seeing some of our family (dad, Jarom and family, Dan and family). We missed you guys! Can't wait to do it all again next year!!

Coloring Easter Eggs

Last Friday, while I was babysitting my friend's 3 kids, we colored Easter eggs. It ended up being a lot of fun. No dye was spilled, no messes made. Just a fun afternoon. The kids had a great time, especially doing it with their friends. Here are a few pictures:

Spring Break

I know, I know. I am a blog-slacker as of late. I don't know why. Maybe because the weather is so blah and that makes me feel blah. Maybe it is because I haven't taken any pictures and I often feel it isn't a worthy post unless there are pictures. (Although I don't mind reading others' blog posts with no pictures. Mine just seem boring.) Maybe it is because I haven't been feeling well most days. (A whole other post for another time. NO, I am not prego.) Whatever the reason, and I don't know the reason myself, it is definitely time to post SOMETHING.

Unfortunately, last week Dave was sick with a bad pain in his side and GOUT!! What?!?!? I know! Anyway, after a trip to Redicare, our family doctor, and the ER, he is finally feeling better and is back to normal. But, he was home from work for 3 days last week. So, our plans of having him take off a couple days off this week for spring break were ended when he was home sick.

So...now we are at the end of spring break. Sadly, we didn't do much. Monday we hung out with a couple of my friends. Dave can not understand how women sitting around the table with a bunch of recipe books and talking could be fun, but it is. Let me tell you. Any excuse to hang out with other women and talk is good! Monday night, Dave and I went on a spur of the moment planned date. So nice!! We went to dinner and to Target to buy all the Easter things we needed. I love date nights with my hubby.

Tuesday I took the kids to see Alice in Wonderland. It was okay. I wouldn't have picked it, but it is what Easton and Paisley REALLY wanted to see. They liked it and Avery tolerated it well.

Wednesday...Paisley's asthma was HORRIBLE. She couldn't quit coughing and was really miserable. I wasn't feeling well all day, either. I have developed quite a head cold. So, we hung out at home all day. Except, for a quick trip to Wal-mart, which was a necessity.

Thursday, during the afternoon snow storm, my friend and I braved the weather and took the kids to McDonalds for play time and ice cream sundaes. It, again, was nice to just sit and visit while the kids play. Afterwards we braved Sam's Club with 6 kids, and obviously didn't stay long.

So...that brings us to today. Today I babysit my friend's 3 kids. And, since there is no school, they are all here all day. But, it has been going good so far. No big messes or fights. Pretty under control. I am going to feed them lunch and then attempt to dye Easter eggs with them. Should be fun. I will definitely take some pictures for a future post.

Dave and I have enjoyed watching the new Life series on TV with the kids this week. It is a series of nature shows with Oprah Winfrey as the narrator. They are awesome. The kids really enjoy them.

See, life has been a little boring. But, nice to sleep in and be lazy the last few days. I look so forward to summer. We have some fun things planned. I can't wait for some warm weather.

More posts to come, I promise. Also, pictures!

Basketball

For the last many Saturdays, we have been busy going to Easton and Paisley's basketball games. It has been a lot of fun! (Okay, kind of nice to be done with!) :)

Easton played on the same team that he did last year. They are such a good little team. They improved so much over the season! They had competitive games and it was very fun to watch. Easton is a very aggressive boy, which has been so much to his advantage in sports. He just gets out there and goes for it. He was very good and made steals and baskets! We were always proud parents!

(Unfortunately, we did not get any pictures of him playing. We tried, but, the lighting in the gym was so bad that they didn't turn out.)

Paisley played in a 1st grade league with a team of all girls who were mostly in kindergarten. It made for an interesting year! I laughed so hard at the first game. They were about 1 minute into their first game and I believe 3 of the girls were crying! :) But, they also improved a lot over the season. Paisley had a lot of fun. She is also an aggressive player, when she wants to be.





She was not afraid to steal the ball or go after it in any way. There were definitely times when she was just not in the game and would walk around like this:



At least once every game we were yelling out to her to get her arms out of her jersey! :)

I am so grateful for their coaches. Both coaches are in our ward. Actually, Easton's was the bishop and his wife and Paisley's was a counselor in the bishopric. I am so grateful for the time that they put into practices and games. Both teams had an end of the season party. The whole family went to Paisley's and so I was able to take a few pictures of her team.




My daughter, the ham!

Now we have a little break from sports. But, coming soon...soccer and flag football!

Avery is 3!!!

Happy Birthday, baby girl! I guess that you are not technically my baby anymore, but in my heart you still are.




What a bright shining light you are in our home. You are constantly making us laugh at your funny actions and comments! You make our lives very happy.





You are the biggest girly-girl. You don't like to watch "boy" movies, just "girl" movies. Anything with a princess, a care bear, or Strawberry Shortcake. You love to play dress up. Especially, the beautiful dresses and high heels.




You are OBSESSED with babies. And, unfortunately, any of my friends or family with babies will back me up on that! You love your dolls and play with them every day, possibly every hour. I have watched you watch moms with their babies and then imitate their actions with your dolls. You are going to be the best little mother!





You love being with the big kids so much, especially Easton and Paisley. You love to play with them and do what they do. You copy their actions all the time. (good and bad) You love to hang out with their friends, too. Especially Rece, Riley, and our cousin, Stockton. You just think they are the coolest people! :)




You are my little buddy. I love hanging out with you while Easton and Paisley are at school. You are usually a good shopper and enjoy it. (A girl after my own heart!) I am so glad that I have you to keep me from being lonely.





You are very concerned about people and their feelings. You always notice when I am sad, and when I am happy for that matter. You know when I need a hug, kiss, or a smile. You are the first to bring someone a blanket or anything else that you sense they may need. You show very real concern for us. I love that about you.





You truly are my sunshine! You brighten each and every day. I love that you wake up happy 99% of the time. Always with a smile!




The past 3 years with you in our life have been wonderful! I hope that you enjoy each moment of the next year. I love you so much! Happy Birthday, sweet girl!

Easton's Baptism

Wow! I really can't believe I am about to post about Easton's baptism. Crazy! Do I REALLY have an 8-year old already? How did that happen? Where has the time gone?!?!

But, yes. That is what this blog is about. And, what a great day it was!

We bought Easton a suit for the special day. He looked so so handsome! What a little man!





Of course, Avery needed in on the action!

He was really excited about his new suit and it was very obvious that he felt very "cool" in it! :)

We had so many family members come to support Easton. Dave's parents and all 4 siblings and their families were there. My parents, grandparents, aunt and uncle and family, cousin and family, and my brothers and their families were there. It was awesome to have everyone there in one place! We felt very loved!




We had the program and then they released our ward to go to the baptismal font. There were 3 children being baptized from our ward. About half the audience got up for our ward! There was no way that we could have all fit in that room. So, our family all stayed in the hall and waited for the other 2 baptisms. It was kind of nice to just have our family in there for his baptism. We almost filled the room!

When Dave pulled Easton out of the water, Easton wiped his face and said, "Not cool!" I was a little surprised at that response! :) But, he told me later that he didn't think his dad was going to hold him under water for so long. He really was only under for a second or so, but to him it felt much longer, I guess! Silly boy.

While we were waiting in the room for the confirmation, Avery, Paisley, and my cute little niece, Addison, pretended to give talks at the podium.




It was all fun and cute until Addison fell off and got hurt. Then the game ended! :)

Thank you to all our family for supporting us. I know that with so many little ones in the family, it is not the easiest thing to get the family all dressed up and to the church on a Saturday morning. But, I was so grateful for each person who came. I am so thankful for a big close family. I love you all very much!!



I am so proud of my little boy! I am so proud of his choice to be baptized and for his small but honest and pure testimony. He has the biggest heart. I just know that he is going to do a lot of good in his life. I love you, Easton, so much!

Avery, my girly-girl

I haven't posted much about Avery lately with everything else that has been going on. But, since she is turning 3 next week, I am sure there will be a few posts dedicated to our sweet little girl.

But, I just wanted to post a conversation I had with her, for my memory's sake.

I was doing her hair curly a couple days ago, so, I was adding a bunch of gel to her wet hair.

Avery: I don't like gel.

Me: Why? Gel makes your hair pretty!

Avery: Ooohhhh! (giggling, obviously very happy!) I like gel!

My little girl is SUCH a girl! I love it! :) She already loves to be "pretty"!