Spring Break 2

We spent a day at the zoo. 

The sun came out and it was a lovely day.

My kids were really good, I feel bad that I was not as patient with them as I could have been. 

There were a lot of people. 

 Our friends the Miller's came with us. We loved having them there. 

Trinity River Race

A few friends and I got an amazing deal on this race across this beautiful bridge! 

I have always thought it looked so cool and loved seeing it up close. 

 I had an awesome race! The course was modified a bit due to the recent snow and rain and some mud problems on the course so it was not a full 10 K it was 5.75 miles. 

My time was 47:03; 9th in my age group and 56th of females overall and 216th of 979 racers. 

I felt great and the weather was so amazing. I loved being outside running- it beats the treadmill hands down!

A not so awkward selfie with the bridge in the background. 

And a Happy Birthday to me!

Spring Break 1

We did not have any big plans for spring break this year. 

Arabella came up with the great idea of a girl's day and a boy's day.

For girl's day we spent a little time getting pedicures. 

It was really relaxing even if I was stressed that Samantha was going to wake up and scream for Joseph until I got home. But, she slept until just before we made it home.

This was Lily's first time, Arabella's second time, and my third. I think this will have to be something we spoil ourselves with every once in a while (like every other year). It was so fun to hear the girls squeal with delight over each little part of the process. 

I got a pretty fuschia color, Arabella got the same but with glitter, and Lily chose hot pink about like her shirt. The girls also got flowers on their big toes with jewels in the middle. 

Samantha 11 months

It was a few days ago and her 1 year birthday is just too close! 

Stop growing up and yet I love watching you grow! 

 You have so many teeth, 11 including some of your one year molars.

 You are a bit reserved with your smiles but will share them willingly with your family. 

Our favorite is when you are super excited and clench your teeth, put your elbows out, fists together and pull them up tight under your chin. Super silly!

I almost caught that smile but you laughed right after (one of those awkward selfies I was talking about).

 You have learned how to stand up at things and have found it is a great way to play. 

There are so many things you can play with when you stand up and so many more things you

can reach! 

 Petting a goat and not so sure about it.

 She loves to play in those drawers- she pulls all kinds of stuff out of them or just the whole drawer.

If we don't remember to slide her chair over she will drop food into them while she is eating or when she gets bored with eating she will start pulling stuff out of them. Tricky girl!

 While working in the girl's room sorting clothes sizes and seasons, she emptied the whole kleenex box. She was so proud. 

And since she can scoot around, she is able to at times fend for herself. 

We call her Scooter and Scooter Booter. She responds as well if not better to this than to her actual name, especially if it is Peter saying it. 

Selfies

I do not take good selfies.

I am not a part of that generation that was somehow born with that skill set.

I feel I always have weird angles or weird faces or like in the picture below I have my weird neck muscles/tendons sticking out. 

 These two are what I call sister selfies. 

The girls got a hold of my phone and took a bunch of pictures of each other.

They are really cute!

 The above is a good example of me making a weird face- although usually my eyebrows are creased in concentration. 

Behold, a good selfie of me and Samantha. This was with my regular camera and it was a bit slow and so I missed her super cute excited smile. 

Snow Days

I really thought we were going to make it this winter without any snow but I was wrong, more than once. We ended (right, it better be over) with a total of 3 snow days from school- 2 in February and 1 in March. It was really icy the one weekend. 

The kids played in the snow and played with neighbors. 

We used the fireplace a bunch- wonderful!

Peter traveled for a good portion of the one storm but we managed and he was safe.

Lots of hot chocolate was consumed!

Lily did not really want to play in the snow but wanted to play with "snow" inside. She wanted to play with shaving cream. You betcha- let's just keep everybody happy!

 Peter loves the snow and chopping firewood and building fires and I believe shoveling snow. He does not mind being a bit cold. I love that man!

 This was actually on the first snow day. Sure Jon, make some snow angels...

in the middle of the street! 

At least most people are too scared to drive so there was very little traffic. Notice my kids footprints are the only tracks out there. 

They all loved it! I loved the fires and the hot chocolate and even some time at home with my kids with all activities (school, practices, lessons, etc) cancelled due to the weather. 

Snow days are not all bad. Plus, I will always remember the time I drove on slightly icy roads but definitely snowy early in the morning with Amanda Barrett for an hour to receive live training from Sister Rosemary Wixom, General Primary President. The storm would have had to have been much worse to keep me from that meeting. 

Blue and Gold Banquet

Better late than never.

The theme for the Blue and Gold Banquet was super heroes. 

We took it literally-Jon's idea.

Jon is aquaman- covered in waterbottles, canteen, jug on his head, camelbak.

Lily is SuperGirl- covered in super stars and a cape.

Joseph had his own scout meeting so he is just his awesome self.

Peter is the Green Lantern- hence the green shirt with the coleman sign on it and the lantern.

Arabella is Wonder Woman- wonder woman socks and the wonders of the world pinned all over.

Samantha is Cat Woman- cat pajamas, stuffed toy cat and cat ears.

I am Bat Girl- batman shirt, baseball cap, baseball bats.

In wrestling Samantha, I did not get any other pictures. The night was wonderful!

We had good food and Jon earned his wolf award! We are so proud of him. He is a creative young man who loves his family and is always looking for fun!

I hope they call me on a mission

It was 17 years ago today (day and date) that Peter entered the MTC in Provo and began his mission.

I thought I had seen him for the last time the night before but his mom- sweet Lanell- called my apartment where luckily one of my roommates was home and asked if they could find me and have me meet them at the MTC.  I am not sure if Heather was the one that took the call but I remember she was the one that found me in the Benson building where I often studied before and after a class I had there. I hugged her and made sure I was there. 

It was a glorious day and I am glad his family was willing to let me be a part of it. 

Peter taught, preached, played, learned, grew, had adventures, met great people, served, and soaked it all in. I am so thankful for his choice to serve. He would not have had it any other way. I know he loves the people of Peru and more importantly I know he loves the Lord! 

Let's keep making plans for our mission someday!