What a Week!!

It has been quite a jam packed week for us. Lots of fun and plenty of family time. Thank goodness for good weather!! It all started....

at the Spring Football Game, all dressed in our school apparel. It was really windy and as we walked to the entrance lil' L's new hat blew away without us noticing. We were kind of disappointed in losing his hat. The kids had a great time being at the stadium and seeing the football game. We ended up only staying for about half of the game. As we left, we looked for the missing hat, and found it!! Yeah!

This week we also went to the Museum of Natural History. lil' K's favorite part was laying in the dinosaur footprint. lil' L loved to dig and touch evertything in sight. It was our first time taking the little ones to the museum. Next time we will not go at the end of the school year. The place was packed with school kids. I was going to get a pic of my kids when a whole group of school kids came and thwarted that idea. I almost asked the parent to have the children move for a moment, but we gave up and left. Maybe next time, still had a great time.

To finish off this week, our family met my mom and my sister's kids at the zoo. We spent three hours looking at animals, eating lunch and ice cream cones, riding the train, and playing at the playground. I think I'll take a nap now, all this excitement is making me a little tired. I would like to think this is helping me get prepared for our non-stop, adventure packed vacation coming up. I love to spend time with my family, and love taking the kids to new places (even the zoo is still exciting after about a hundred times!)

General Conference

I know it has been a while since I have last written. So, today is a bit of a rambling. Last General Conference, President Eyring spoke about the Spirit. He challenged everyone to look at each day and how we have been taught be the Spirit. Life can get so busy, it is sometimes hard to recognize the still small voice. But, I can think of a specific, hit over the head day the Spirit spoke to me. I was blow drying my hair, going off in my head about some neighbors and how unreasonably frustrated I was with them. Most of it was because they are sometimes "too" helpful, such as taking out the recycling 24 hours before it needs to be out to the curb. Anyways, as I ranted, I was overcome with the words "Pray for them." I have thought about that scriptures many times, and love it. But the words could not have meant more. Since that day, I have tried and prayed to be a better neighbor and not let little things they do get to me.

Now on to something a little more fun. We have talked with lil' K about Pres. Hinckley quite a bit in the last few months, and tried to explain that Pres. Monson is our Prophet. She has picked it up quite well, so well that one night as she said her prayers, she said, "Please bless President Hinck - Monson." After that day, she has not missed the change and has added Pres. Uchtdorf and Pres. Eyring. Surprisingly, she learned Pres. Uchtdorf's name before Pres. Eyring. As this last Conference approached, we told her about the Solemn Assembly and that she would have the opportunity to stand and sustain our new Church Presidency. Anticipation grew within her as she watched her dad and mom stand, and couldn't wait for her turn. When they called for all church members, lil' K stood in our home as proud as can be and raised her hand. I know that Pres. Monson will become a special Prophet to her and our entire family. We look forward to all that Heavenly Father has in store for us and will teach us through Pres. Monson.

Our Easter Weekend

Every year, family and friends head out to go camping for Easter weekend. We packed up our stuff and headed south for slightly warmer weather. Our days were filled with the roar of four wheelers, the squeals of little girls, and warm sun. The nights were surrounded with campfire smoke and fridged air. We bundle the kids up pretty tight to keep them warm. Both children couldn't get over the four-wheeler or getting dirt everywhere. Saturday is the traditional candy hunt. The kids followed clues around our campsite until the came to their "loot" a great big bag of candy for them to share. After that, we packed up and headed home, and we were all exhausted! Sunday, we got up early. lil' L and lil' K didn't notice their Easter baskets and just went on with any Sunday morning. lil' K was deciding what dress to wear as she ate breakfast, moments later, she discovered their baskets. They were both quite excited. After church, we lounged around taking naps. We headed to Grandparent's house for Sunday dinner and Easter festivities. The children hunted eggs, ate candy and cake, and ran around with a sugar high for what seemed like hours. Ahh, now for mom to get her hands on their candy while they sleep!

Make a scrapbook - it's easy!

Little Minds

We got a new DVD/VCR combo for Christmas. When we set it up, we couldn't record on the VHS, yes, we still do that kind of thing, no tivo for us. Back to the story. We we playing around with it the other day, and F thought it was now working. I was then assigned the task of trying to record from the telly. A few days later, I got a tape out, and prepared. Before I put the tape in, the thought ran through my head, "I better make sure there isn't a tape already in there." Well, most people might chose to press the eject button, but I'm old fashioned. I pushed it open and looked inside. Inside the VCR I saw something bright yellow and definitely out of place. I reached my fingers inside and pulled it out. "Oh, so that is where our little yellow candyland man is that we apparently did not know we were missing. Better check to make sure there aren't more." I looked in again, this time a bit longer, back in there was a disc. This one was more difficult to remove. It was our Monsters Inc. DVD that we haven't watched in a few days. It seems to me that our little man has been busy, and quite perceptive when it comes to the DVD player. Oh, and by the way, it does work. Yeah! We'll have to keep a little bit better eye on lil' L! Maybe he knows where some other missing items are. Now if only he could talk!

lil' K turns 4!

lil' K had her birthday! Where has the time gone? She spent the day riding her new bike, going to Wendy's for lunch, and playing around. We had a birthday party with her grandparents, and had a blast playing with her new toys. She even shared a few with lil' L. She chose to have a Care Bear cake that I spent hours! decorating. All for the birthday girl.

Happy Birthday!! We love you, lil' K!

Make a scrapbook - it's easy!

Where am I??

Today, my family and I decided to enjoy a quiet, sit down lunch at our local Wendy's. After a lovely meal, lil' K's frosty was going to come home with us. I approached the counter to ask for a lid. All of the employees behind the counter scattered like cochroaches except for one lady with the most frightened look on her face. Here is how our dialogue went.

Me: I need to get a lid for a frosty.
Lady: A frosty?
Me: Yes, a lid for the frosty
Lady: A frosty? (Shifty eyes, then pointed to me looking at her manager)
The manager then comes over
Me: I need a lid for a Kid's meal frosty.
Manager: A frosty.
Me: A lid for the frosty.
Manager: Chocolat? (picking up a cup)
Me: No, a lid.
Manager: Oh. (handing me a lid)

Finally! Some service. I could have sworn I was in the U.S., but maybe I forgot to press "1" for English.

More, Please!

Is it a violation of child labor laws when your children ask to help with chores?

lil' L is all about helping. He's learned from the best, his sister. Both of them love to be doing something helpful. It ranges from setting the table, doing the dishes (lil' K), putting laundry into the washer and dryer, and of course taking them out. Lil' K also likes to wash the mirrors and windows. (This is why I have children... well just one reason) The other day, lil' L was squirming out of my arms to walk when we had arrived home from grocery shopping, and then held out his hands to carry a grocery bag. He carried the lightest bag, and it was bouncing on the driveway as he toddled to the door. Later that day, I was able to catch lil' L in the act of asking for more while setting the table. His hands out for something else. Doing these chores keep both children happy, and my hands free to get other things done, too. Needless to say, getting things done one plate at a time, sometimes is the fastest way.