Easter joy

Fun activities, warm temps and sunny skies, and moments to reflect on our Savior's atoning sacrifice and resurrection pretty much sum up our Easter.

We had fun dyeing eggs and having peeps. Well, the children had the peeps. I can't stand them.

We had a fun Easter egg hunt with a bunch of friends. Mason was hilarious. Found his first egg, broke it open, and inhaled all the contents - including a bunch of grass - in about 5 seconds.

Easter morning was a bit crazed. Mason woke up at 4:45, and in my sleep-deprived state I watched the children discover and enjoy their baskets in a semi-fogged state. I didn't even remember to take pictures. And I had to teach Relief Society. So we managed to get everyone ready for church, although later I noticed boys were missing ties and a belt. But church was wonderful and my lesson went well. Then we snapped some basket pictures after church, although baskets had been fairly well disassembled by then. Connor loved a Lego Star Wars set, Lucas loved an R2D2 figure thing, Isabel loved new jewelry and Mason loved his new Elmo DVD. And they all loved the sweets. Duh.

I hosted Brian's parents and aunt and uncle for dinner. I made a brown sugar-and-orange glazed ham, au gratin potatoes, rolls, chocolate coconut oatmeal no bake nest cookies and a lemon berry tart - all from scratch, all scrumptious.

Hope you all had a beautiful Easter!

Spring Break

Spring Break started with a bang, as my new little nephew made his dramatic entrance a wee bit early. My brother Nate and SIL Alli became new parents with the birth of sweet little Aidan James, thus making me an aunt for the 9th time (7 on my side, twice on Brian's). This is the first time I've had a niece or nephew born in the same state as me, and it was so fun to get to go to the hospital and meet little Aidan, who was 5 pounds 13 ounces. Mason and Connor were 6-6 and 6-8, respectively, so not much bigger, but it is so difficult to remember that they were even close to this small. So fun to see my "baby" brother became a (very proud and doting) daddy!

With such warm weather (the warmest spring break here I can remember), we were able to do a lot of outside activities, including just hanging out and playing in the backyard, having a water slide/pool party with friends, and more outside playdates.

We also went on a fun hike near Lyons. Mason did most of the hour-long hike completely on his own, refusing even a hand to help him over the rock-strewn inclining trail. He'd fall, get up, fall, get up, and keep on going. Rock star. He was in heaven. Pretty good for not quite 22 months old. We all just love to hike.

We spent a great afternoon swimming at our local fabulous Rec Center.

We visited a photography exhibit at the Firehouse Art Center, an old firehouse converted into an art studio and classroom.

Then we headed outside and I let the kids practice taking pictures with my camera. We also found an area where there are a ton of bald eagle nests, and we even saw a couple of eagles. Very cool.

We ended the week enjoying and being uplifted by General Conference. It was a fun week, just enough play, just enough rest, just enough time together before that final school push. It kinda got me excited for summer! I'm already planning our Learning Adventures of the Week, and our Olympic country studies.

St. Patrick's Day

We had a fun little family pre-St. Patty's Day celebration when we went to see The Kilted Man, a great Celtic musician who has an amazing story, and also happens to be a member of our stake, something I learned when I did a STORY on him for a local magazine. The kids loved the performance, and talked about his jokes, his stories and his music after it was over. I am so happy that they appreciated it!

Here's us, with The Kilted Man-

St. Patrick's Day started kind of busy, with Connor's first Pinewood Derby, but we did manage to get a visit from Lucky the Leprechaun, who did tricky and green tricks around the house for the kids to awaken to. This never fails to delight and impress. Breakfast was quick, just Lucky Charms this year.

Later in the day we listened to Irish music, read some St. Patty's Day books, went on our traditional treasure hunt for the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow-

I have cute leprechauns, indeed (but only managed to photograph two of them; it was an insanely busy weekend)

I had a fun dinner out with girlfriends that evening, a fun tradition. St. Patty's Day is always fun, esp. since Brian and I are both really Irish.

And some Kilted Man video, for my mother in law.

Talent Show

Sometime at the end of January the kids brought home information about the school talent show. Connor has refused in the past, and I knew it wasn't something he would even consider, but I thought Isabel might like to participate. So I asked her. She immediately said no. I asked again, a few days later. No again. A few more asks, a few more subsequent and emphatic negative responses. I gave it one more push (because she loves to sing and perform). This time I threw in some enticement.

"Isabel," I told her, "I'll give you a whole candy bar if you do the talent show (imagine that, one whole candy bar! We roll with the big boys, I'm telling you)." Anther no. I told her that's fine, I'm dropping it.

Maybe 30 minutes later she came to me and said, "so... I've decided to be in the talent show, but it's not because of the candy. It's because I realized I have a talent to share with others." Sold! And for a mere 75 cents or thereabouts! How 'bout them apples?

She decided to sing "You're a Grand Old Flag," because she loves patriotic songs. She rehearsed with a few motions that she made up on her own, got a cute outfit, auditioned, made it through the dress rehearsal, and did a fabulous job in the talent show on Friday night. She even had a few teachers comment on her amazing pitch and timing! I do think she has a decent voice, although she battled some nerves during the actual show. But seriously, it takes decent confidence for a kindergartner to get up and sing a solo in front of hundreds of people! We are so very proud of her.

Afterward, I asked her how she felt when she saw how many people were there. "Well," said said, "I was nervous, but I also knew I could do it." Major life lesson: check!

Ready for the show:

With her good friend Bryn, who was in a rock band for the show:
Hallelujah for the iPhone/earbuds/Elmo video to help Mason stay quiet during the show-


In addition to our little family, Isabel was fortunate to have Brian's parents, her two uncles and an aunt there to support her. She was thrilled with the balloons and candy from Uncle Nate and Aunt Alli!

The show went really late, so we saved our celebratory banana split party for the next day (I upgraded from a candy bar). A well-earned reward!

Mason is clearly yummier than any treat ever could be-

And the performance! Sorry for the sideways video, I keep rotating it but it still uploads sideways. FYI, every time they changed the mic setup they did a sound check. She performed in the middle of the show.