The Only Thing Sweeter Than New Spring Life...

is watching these little ones hold and care for it.

Spring Break

Today is day 9, the last one, of M & J's Spring Break. We've enjoyed almost every minute of it (just keepin' it real), and i really am not looking forward to tomorrow, when they leave and i return to my former position of taxi driver. Luckily, summer vacation is just around the corner!

We kicked the break off with a pizza lunch after picking J up from school last Friday. Then we enjoyed a wonderful Conference weekend, when we squeezed in some gardening, planted 6 fruit trees and invited ourselves over to my SIL Monica's house to watch the Sunday afternoon session on their TV. (We cut off our cable a couple of months ago after getting fed up with the disgusting commercials.)

Monday was spent at home, inside as well as out. Spring is finally here, and we were blessed with some wonderfully sunny weather! J, M & A built a teepee in the garden spot, made of metal t-posts and sheets. J took out his pocket knife to cut some branches just right, then tied them together to form a smaller teepee for Creamie (our cat.) Later that afternoon, Gabe called for me. i found him on the stairs, where he was pointing with a ladle (he loves carrying a kitchen utensil around the house.) The late afternoon sun was shining through our entryway window, illuminating the glorious dust which i love to nourish and cultivate in my home. My efforts were not wasted on Gabriel, and he just sat in awe for five or ten minutes...long enough to grab the camera!



Tuesday the children held a much-anticipated "Wii Day," and spent their afternoon hours video gaming.

On Wednesday, we headed to the SLC zoo. It was the first time Gabe's really been interested in the animals, and i just loved watching him notice each one. He found the monkeys especially wonderful and hilarious.



On Thursday, we met up with Aunt Monica and cousins Kadin and Natalie for bowling. Everyone had a great time, but keeping Gabe off the lanes kept me from taking any picture.

Friday was spent running here and there, relaxing at home in the afternoon and waiting for Grandma & Grandpa's visit. They were so kind to watch the kids while Clint and i went out for his birthday. We had a delicious dinner at our favorite local Indian restaurant (where i vowed that we will not buy lamb or chicken tikki masala again until i try to cook it here...maybe it will be a disastrous failure, but we love it sooo much, i have to see if i can do it!) If anyone has a great recipe, please send it my way. Anyway, then we went to the temple. It was so peaceful, so serene...we lingered.

Saturday was Clint's actual birthday, and we threw in a soccer practice, a primary activity, a fishing trip and our first outdoor easter egg hunt...in very windy and somewhat rainy weather. We may move back indoors next year!


here Gabe is doing all the work (w/ a little help from me). The plan was for the children to all decorate eggs, but a fishing trip with Daddy and the neighbor girls lured them away. Oh well... more dunking for Gaby.


the lists. a little short on baskets, but the toy tool box worked just fine. ;)



Yesterday, we headed to Grandma & Grandpa's after church, ate way too much food and candy, and loved on little baby Eleanor.




And today was "Friend Day". The kids invited 3 siblings that match up perfectly with their ages (and genders), and had fun playing for what was not nearly long enough for them!! (In fact, they just headed next door, to find some replacements.) All that's left is ballet, dinner, soccer & family night. i guess we're easing back into the madness!

I love the Springtime!!

Doesn't that just make you happy?? I love pulling up to our house, especially this time of year when my favorite flowers are in bloom.


Thank you to some previous owners who planted lovely red tulips in our front yard.

Not realizing we had tulips already, I planted these our first Autumn here. I love the orange and yellow combination of this variety, though. (Sorry...don't know what it's called!)

Happy Spring everybody!! (And we'll let you know what the doctor reveals on the big day, this Wednesday...it's nearly unanimous here that this will be a little boy. Anyone else want to place a bet??)

Picnic Season!!

One of my favorite things about spring/summer is that my kids can have unlimited picnic lunches outside. I don't know if it's because they seem to enjoy it so much or because it seriously reduces clean-up time afterwards, but we all seem to agree that we're glad it's warm enough for picnics on the lawn again!