Cousins

We are so fortunate to date-swap

with my brother and sister-in-law,

and for the kids,

it's a win-win getting in some extra play time!

Only thing is,

when they all get together,

things can get kind of loopy...

Especially when you throw in lots and lots

of marshmallows!

We love you, guys!

Can't wait for you to bring your new baby sister over!

Brooklyn,

are you sure your ready to join this rag-tag bunch?

{smile}

Isabella & The Peanuts Gang

I was grateful to attend this

Charlie Brown production with Isabella and her class!

The show was outstanding

-I'm always blown away by anything "live"-

and it was a great chance to spend some one-on-one time

with my daughter.

She is a beautiful girl,

nearly as tall as me now,

and it blows me away that once

upon a time she ran around in diapers...

Okay...crying now.

I love you, Isabella!

xoxomom

Iris & Grandma Lopez on a Field Trip!

I have the greatest grandma in the world!

While I was on a field trip with Isabella,

Grandma Lopez accompanied Iris on her

field trip to the Sunflower Market.

They had the best time together,

and as much as Grandma looked out for Iris,

Iris looked out for Grandma!

Since this field trip,

Grandma has had a mild stroke,

making it impossible for her to do something like this again.

How grateful I am for time well spent

together as families,

and for captured memories too!

Thank you, Grandma!

You do so much for us!

Dog Days

Welcome to the family, Louella Mae!

And then there were eight!

...

Yes,

once upon a time,

 said I would never.  ever.

ever, ever, ever, ever, ever.

Have a dog.

And yet.

Here. We.  Are.

Sigh.

...

In a nutshell:

It was love at first sight! 

Even for me!

And the kids?

They finally

-FINALLY-

have a dog!

And sometimes they still can't believe it!

And yes, I'm the the one that takes the most care of her!

Sigh.

Blue Goo

With the kids home for Easter break

we did some fun things in the kitchen including

making "Blue Goo".

The recipe came from a

Science Project workbook and was super-simple:

Blue Goo

1 c cornstarch

1/2 c water

blue food coloring (liquid-not gel)

Pour the cornstarch into a large mixing bowl.

Slowly add the water and a few drops of blue. 

Squish with your hands mixing well,

and...

Wa-La!

...

The result?

Craziness!

I think we were all at a loss for words.

Liquidy.

But dry?

Crumbly.

But wet?

You really have to try it for yourself!

And the kids?

Of course,

they loved it!

...

Summer break?

Bring it!

We're ready!

The Li-berry

Easter Morn

Happy Easter!

Things kicked off a bit sluggishly...

can you blame the Easter Bunny for being tired?

But it's always worth it!

Love those early morning smiles!

After a wonderful Sacrament Meeting,

we met up with my family for Easter Brunch,

and later we met up with Samuel's family for Easter Supper!

Talk about a feast!

And last but not least,

a good ol' fashioned egg hunt!

...

Easter, for us,

is a celebration of our Savior, Jesus Christ,

of family,

and of love!

We hope you had a wondeful day too!

Lazy Park Days

Love, love, love

lazy days!

And the piece de resistance?

Playing to the very last coin...

and winning!

Go, mom!

{Sorry, Bella!}

The Classic Easter Egg Hunt

We love visiting the Wyllie Home

for their annual Easter Egg Hunt!

The wide open spaces,

the green grass...

it beckons:

"Hide your eggs here!"

And hide them we do!

The kids go nuts,

the adults relax,

we all puzzle over that last

missing egg...

It's wonderful!

HAPPY EASTER!

It's nearly time...

Anxiously waiting...

And their off!

My beautiful girls!

Owen

Gabriel

Strategizing...

Sometimes things don't go your way...

But we ended on smiles.

Thanks, Dad!

...

And thanks to the Wyllie Family!

A replay of the action...