The Real Day 3 then, 5

In doing the posts I somehow completely skipped a day. So, Day 3 in reality was day 4. I think it was because we were all tired on Tuesday. We didn't really do much in the morning. In the late afternoon we spent the rest of the day at San-Tan mall. It's an outdoor mall that has everything. quite fun on a nice day. probably not so much in the Summer AZ. heat. We did find a husky pup at a pet store we got to play with for awhile. We were tempted until we heard the outrageous price tag. Yikes! We made dinner when we got home and the kids were falling asleep before it was even ready. I was bummed because we planned to see the Easter Pageant at the Mesa Temple that night. I think we all just needed some rest. Which was good because the hike was the next day...

Day 5

I love this day. We finally went to my favorite place! Bahama Bucks. :) The best shaved ice I have ever had! If you are ever in AZ. or some places in Texas and Florida, you have to go there! YUMMY.

After we got our Bahamas we went swimming at my cousins pool. The temps were still pretty low and the water was freezing still! I chose to sit back and watch. It didn't seam to bother Brandon any though. All they wanted to do the whole time we were in AZ. was to go swimming. I made their day.

After swimming I got to see another cousin and finally meet his wife and beautiful daughter. It's so fun to see family you haven't seen in forever. The kids were so excited that they were able to pick a tangelo right off of the tree and eat it. They were so good. I really wore the kids out because they fell asleep on the car ride home. We were supposed to head home in the morning. I was so tired and just wasn't ready to go yet. So, Liz and Heather went out to play and go ice blocking while I took the kids to Bass Pro Shop and a big park to play at. It was 10:00 pm by then. It was kind of fun having a blast together late at night and I didn't care that they were still up.

Spring Break Day 3

On Tuesday we went for a hike in the Superstition Mountains.

Everything was blooming and making me sneeze and my eyes water like crazy.

I was still able to enjoy it.

It's quite the different scenery of hiking for the kids going from mountains to desert.

My little troopers.

Liz, Heather, Hayden and Alyssa.

Brandon was too tired to move from his rock.

We made it out!

I don't remember seeing cardinals in Arizona before.

I always wondered why there was a team called Arizona Cardinals.

They just seem out of place for some reason.

Next, we went to the Goldfield Ghost Town.

The kids found some cards to play a little Go-Fish.

They used the chips for each time they got a match.

There was a shoot out in the middle of the street while we were there.

Of course it was all staged. We had some explaining to do for the kids.

Alyssa and Brandon playing checkers outside the jailhouse.

Even cute when all raggedy and covered in dirt.

Long, Sunny, but Fun day.

Spring Break Day 2

If there was ever a perfect temperature this day had it.

We were up early and headed out to enjoy the morning at a beautiful park.

There were turtles and birds everywhere.

The kids were definitely happy.

Doesn't she look so content? Just kickin back soakin up some rays.

The rest of the day we kind of kicked back at Liz's then;

went to my Aunt and Uncle's for a BBQ with a bunch of my cousins and their kids.

I really don't see everyone enough. The kids change so fast.

It was so good to finally meet a few new additions to the family too, both young and not as young.

I didn't even take my camera. It was good to just chat.

On our very last day (the day we were supposed to be driving home) we packed up the car and headed out for the water.

We spent a long afternoon on the beach, playing in the water and on the raft.

Everyone was happy. It was a really good way to relax and end our week.

It's so good to get away and get your mind off the normal everyday duties etc...

One of these times. We will bring daddy with. Or, maybe I will bring him with and leave the kids behind. :)

Saturday, we had a pretty uneventful 12 hr. ride home. Which is a good thing.

Spring Break Day 1

The kids, Heather and I went to Arizona for Spring break.

It was so nice to be able to get away for a week and have different scenery.

We crammed in so much in the week we were there, and at the same time there didn't seem to be quite enough time for everything.

Our first big stop in Arizona was Page/Lake Powell.

Alyssa was last in Arizona when she was 6 months old and I was pregnant with Hayden.

They had no clue what to expect. All they have ever seen are mountains, Utah desert and the lakes, forests and farmland of the Midwest. They were sure in for a treat.

Glen Canyon Dam was so exciting for them. We spent a long time there but it was worth it.

Hayden was so excited to see his name on the building.

Alyssa peered through the binoculars at everything, Brandon was just fascinated and Hayden was pretty scared to get close to the glass to look down.

I had to re post this picture because it was so tiny.

At the visitor center at the Dam the kids earned Junior Ranger badges

after they completed some activities and made an oath to help keep the wilderness clean and take care of it. It was pretty exciting for them.

The rest of the drive down was really good despite a ton of snow through Flagstaff and Sedona.

As we were coming down the mountain into the desert valley the kids saw cactus for the first time.

Alyssa said the Saguaro look like cucumbers with arms and pokies.

A little bit later it was quiet in the car and Hayden gasps really loud and exclaims, "Jungle Trees!!"

It took me a second and realized he had never seen real palm trees before.

It was a completely different world down there for them.

As we arrived at Liz's (only 12 hours after leaving the house)

It was pretty chilly out. I felt like we brought Utah with us.

Thankfully, the next day warmed up nicely and it was a beautiful Sunday.

After church we went to the Temple grounds to walk around.

It was a perfect Spring day.

They sure love their Aunt Liz.

It appears the Heather is MIA. I don't know how she escaped my pictures. I remember taking some of her, but it was with her camera. Don't worry, there is lots more to come....

3rd Grade Field Trip

Brandon's class had a field trip I was able to go on with him.

First they got to see all of the behind the scenes of a grocery store and try samples.

Then, all of the back rooms of the bank and learn new things about money.

Then, after lunch at a park we went bowling.

The school rented out the entire building for the 3rd grade.

It was completely full.

Brandon is pretty good at bowling, especially since he really doesn't try half the time.

Right after one of his strikes.

Now that's a happy face!

I love being able to help out in and out of his classroom so much this year.

We had a lot of fun.

A Little Trip

A few weeks ago we had a three day weekend so just the kids and I jumped in the car after school and headed up to stay with Laura and the kids.

It was a nice little getaway.

I love all of these kids they are all so stinkin cute!

And Shelby too! :)

We mostly just hung around the house out of the cold and snow and played and stayed

up to the wee hours of the morning after kids were asleep.

It was good.

The one night we did get out, we took the kids to play at a fun kids place to do...

well, everything kid like.

It was fun to watch them.

We then went to get pizza at cool little place called Pie Hole.

It was so super yummy!

They all slept well that night.

The bottom left picture is Hayden posing on one of the walls there.

The top right pic is random... We stopped at the outlets on the way home and Hayden had to have his picture with these humongous stuffed bears.

I've missed having little weekends away. It was good to go.

Very fun times!

Valentines Day

My Love.

I wish I had a picture with my other three. I just don't always think of these things.

Happy Birthday Brandon

February was Brandon's month.

My little guy turned 9 this year.

I think once they get in school time just flies by super fast.

I sometimes wouldn't mind if it were to go slower.

Maybe we just need an extra weekend day in the week, that might fix it.

Anyway, my Brandon....

He's growing! He doesn't have much longer before we are the same height.

He just barely caught up to me in shoe size (for guys).

This kid is doing great in school.

He is sensitive. It has its good and bad.

He has tons of friends and will be friends with anyone.

He reads tons. His favorite thing to do is to build Lego's and be creative

with what he has. I am sure he would do this all day if I would let him.

I'm pretty sure he had a great birthday.

It started right as he got up so he could wear new clothes and possibly ride his new scooter to school, until we realized it snowed.

Then, we did other presents throughout the day.

He picked orange chicken for dinner (his favorite).

I love you Brandon!

Hopefully, I will get his long overdue cute, posed pictures taken soon. Maybe...