Kade and Matt's Car

Kade likes to build a car out of the cushions of the couch. This time he let Matt in on the action. Rachel is trying to peek in the window of the car. I think they thought they were at the drive-in.

Mother's Day

This year for Mother's Day I asked for family portraits.

Actually, last year for my birthday I asked for a membership to Penneys' portrait studio. I got it but never activated it until this year for Mother's Day.

So, we went and had pictures taken. It was quite the experience. Matt and Ray are a little young to understand the whole sit-still-and-smile thing that goes into taking a picture. Still, I think we got some really nice pictures. We also started a new family tradition. Every year for Mother's Day we will get new family pictures done. I'm really excited about it. Nathan is too because now he always knows what to get me.

Playing Outside

The kids love to play outside. We've been taking advantage of the weather (since in a few short months it will be too hot to even think about going outside) and playing on the swing set almost every day.

Rachel's favorite thing to do is swing. She runs to the swings and just hangs there.

Sometimes, Coleton and Ashlynn come over to play.

Hailey (and Kade, too) loves to jump out of the swing and fly.

Kade likes to climb and swing on the glider. He really likes to wind the glider up and spin.

The slide is always popular.

And, of course, there is always ring around the rosie.

a la Kade:

Ring around the rosies
Pocket for your tosies
Ashlynn, Ashlynn
We all fall down!

Field Day

Hailey had field day at school. I wish we had gone down to see what it was all about since she wasn't very forthcoming with information. I don't think it was anything like field day when I was in school. Oh well, she looked really sporty for it.

Wildlife World Zoo

Today we went to the Wildlife World Zoo. We got a pretty good discount and invited Aunt Heidi and Preston to come along. I'd like to say that the kids had a great time, but the truth is they probably only had a good time. They were begging to eat lunch by 9:30am. And were tired of walking about the same time (I think we got there at 9:00).

We made them stick it out and look at the animals. We got to see a baby gibbon and an albino alligator amongst other animals. There were a ton of peacocks roaming all around the zoo. We discovered that Kade is afraid of peacocks (add that to sea weed and Uncle Ben's girlfriend Danielle). He couldn't even relax long enough to eat his lunch because there was a peacock nearby. 

Preston raced a baby kangaroo that the kids were sure was named Joey.

Toward the end of our visit, Hailey, Kade, Matt and I rode the log ride. We rode through part of the aquarium and then up the climb to the top. I thought the kids were going to be scared, but they weren't really. It was hard for me, but I had to be brave for the kids, right? Then, as we rode over the edge of the drop, right when your stomach lurches, I though Matt was going to jump out of the log. Hailey screamed (and not because she was enjoying herself). Kade screamed. I screamed. And then it was over and the kids were laughing and enjoying themselves again. They didn't want to ride again, though.
 

Doesn't she look happy?

Easter

This year Easter and General Conference were on the same Sunday (yay!) This year, however, Conference was not broadcast on "normal" television (at least in AZ). So we spent the night at Nathan's parents' house so we could be up early enough for conference without having to get up early enough to drive to his parents' house (make sense?). Luckily, the Easter Bunny was able to find us at their house. The kids were a little worried, but since Santa has been able to find us there they weren't overly concerned.

Matthew got a big yellow kick ball.

Hailey got a watch and some Littlest Pet Shops

Kade got a watch and Yahtzee! Jr.

(He sure looks happy!)

Rachel got an Elmo remote control.

Synonyms

This morning I was going through Hailey's school folder pulling all of her old papers out. I was thumbing through them to make sure I didn't miss anything important and I saw that she is working on synonyms. I pulled out her paper and started looking over it asking her what synonyms are. Then I got to number 8 and had a good laugh.

Easter--2010

We had my family over for an Easter FHE. We had a yummy pancake breakfast and then an egg hunt for the kids. We had so much fun we forgot to have a lesson (as if we could have with the kids all on a huge sugar high!).

Release the Hounds!

Some Stuff I've Made

I made this for Valentine's Day after seeing it here. Then, I decided that I liked it too much to put it away after February. So, I decided to change out the ribbon for each holiday. Today Nathan suggested putting colored cardstock behind it. He thought it was too plain being all brown and white with a little color in the ribbon. Now it looks like this.

I also made this after seeing it here.

Next up is this framed St. Patrick's Day thing I made after seeing this:

I'm still trying to decide if I want to take the time to distress and stain it.


Last is an Easter project. After 2 bags of jelly beans and about 15 mini hot-glue sticks I have this to show:

I originally saw this here.

Matthew Took My Advice