Spring Break!

Finally a break! We decided to spend our spring break "home away from home". We left for a few days but actually never left the great state of Utah! We were hoping to visit family in Texas but since plans changed we decided to make the best of it! We stayed in down town Salt Lake for a few days. The girls insisted that we find a place to stay that had a pool. I have to say the pool was absolutely wonderful! The girls had a blast! Any spare moment we had, we went to the pool. At one point we were the only ones at the pool. Maybe that was because it was 9:00 a.m.! We took the girls to the Clark Planetarium to see the 3D Under the Sea Adventure. I highly recommend it! It was soooo neat! You even get to wear some really stylish glasses! I have to say that was the best 3D show I have ever been to and it was very educational! The girls and Adam thought it was quite funny when I screamed out loud at one point! We also took a lovely stroll through Temple Square. The flowers were breath taking! I have yet to see a weed or wilted flower. I wish I could make my flower beds look like that! After Temple Square we took a tour through the Conference Center. Kourtney and Kaitlyn thought it was exciting to see were Prophet and Apostles speak from. We were able to experience the view of the city from the top of the Conference Center. The view was incredible! Adam and I took this tour several years ago and at that time no one was allowed up top. You could see pretty much all of down town. I was expecting to see beautiful flowers every where but instead it was more of a natural Utah landscape with trees, grasses, and wild flowers. I learned that the only reason they have landscape on top was to be good neighbors to all the high rise apartment buildings. They didn't want anyone to lose their view. Wow, can you say accommodating! On our way home Adam and I were discussing how it really felt like a vacation without all the expense and travel. Definitely another vacation like that in the future plans!

Celebrating with Friends!

This was the year for Kaitlyn to have a friend birthday party! She has been looking forward to this for months! We had planned on playing a few games outside but had to change plans do to all the rain (pouring rain)! Kaitlyn chose some of her favorite games. They played Red Light/Green Light. A little difficult to play in doors but they managed! I loved to hear all their laughs and giggles! After that, they played the game "What or Who Am I"? You write a word on a card and the person in the middle holds a card with a word on it against her forehead without looking at it. The others give the person hints on what the object or person is. Once everyone gives a guess the person in the middle tries to guess what word is on their forehead. All the girls seemed to really enjoy it! For the third game Kaitlyn wanted to play "musical fingernails". Just like musical chairs except no one is eliminated. When the music stops the girls had to pick one fingernail to paint with the color they stopped in front of. At the end they had ten different colors of fingernail polish. They actually looked really cute! Kaitlyn is definitely a girly girl! Anything with polish or make up is right up her alley! Each girl decorated her own cupcake and ate ice cream cones while Kaitlyn opened presents. She was really spoiled! She has such great friend! I love the fact that we live in a neighborhood with so many wonderful friends for our children to play with!

Kaitlyn's B-Day Continued

Kaitlyn celebrated her birthday with a surprise visit to Build-A- Bear! She had been wanting to go for such a long time. She had a great time! Kourtney and Makell were ecstatic as well because they were able to pick and accessorize a bear with Kaitlyn for being part of her party! We celebrated Kaitlyn's birthday with family a few days prior with cake and ice cream. She was so excited to get new sandals and summer clothes that she hopes to wear soon if the snow would stop falling:)! She can't wait to buy some roller skates with the money she received! She was so sweet! She kept telling Adam and I thank you for the fun day she had. She said, "This was the best day ever"! I love her so much!!

Happy Birthday Kaitlyn!

Happy Birthday Kaitlyn! Seven years ago today this special little girl entered this world and became part of our family! Yes, she is our official tax baby! Adam had fun telling people we were naming her IRiS! Kaitlyn brings so much happiness and joy to our lives! I feel so blessed to have the privilege of raising her and being her earthly mother! Since Kaitlyn is celebrating her seventh birthday today I thought I would share seven special things about her.
1- Kaitlyn has an infectious smile/(cackle)laugh. You can't help but smile and laugh yourself when you hear it!
2- She is very caring toward others. She is always worried about others feelings!
3- I love the way she will come and gives me a hug and kiss for no reason. Just because:)!
4- She loves to snuggle. She was our only baby that enjoyed it and I hope she never stops!
5- At times she has a fiestiness about her. She definitely doesn't let others take advantage and knows how to stand up for herself. (that's a good thing!)
6- I love Kaitlyn's prayers! They are so heart felt. She remembers everyone and everything! She has such a special spirit!
7- Kaitlyn loves to be tickled! There are many times when she will ask her daddy to tickle her(Adam loves this!). She loves doing it to others as well!

We are so blessed to have Kaitlyn in our family! We love her so much! She brightens our days! I hope her day is as special as she is! We love you Kaitlyn! Happy 7th Birthday!

Easter Sunday with Family!

Sunday afternoon the family got together at Grandma Great's house for dinner and a visit(we missed Megan and Will). Matt and Janette once again put together a Easter Egg Hunt for the nieces and nephews. Matt & Janette are those aunts and uncles that every kid dreams of having! Each child was able to gather fifteen eggs . Two of those had to be BIG eggs to be able to redeem for prizes. When the eggs had been gathered everyone went in the house to admire and check out the loot. They found candy and two pieces of paper with writing on them. The first one read: "Surprise! You are a winner, please go see Aunt Janette ". When they turned their paper into Janette they received a bag/purse full of lip gloss, crayons, coloring books, and all sorts of different stuff. Well, when they found the second red paper it said: "Surprise! You are NOT a winner. You are a Loser, please go see Uncle Matt and surrender your entire Easter basket "! Soooo typical of Matt! Kaitlyn was heart broken! Lots of disappointed faces:(. The funny thing was every kid handed their entire basket over except Kaylee that had hidden her bag hoping Matt wouldn't notice! After Matt got his chuckles he gave everyone their baskets back and explained he was kidding! Before everyone arrived the girls had a ball playing kick-the-can with Aunt Janette. It's now a favorite game! Thanks for everything Matt & Janette!

Easter Morning!

Adam and I had flash backs from Christmas morning. Bright an early Sunday morning (6:00 a.m.) we hear little whispering voices wondering where their Easter baskets were. When the big floppy eared bunny delivers treats he ends up hiding every ones baskets! Adam still wonders why he has to do this and I remind him every year that it's make it exciting and it has become a tradition for us!
Makell found her basket hidden underneath the desk. This is her favorite hiding place. When Adam comes home for lunch this is were he finds Makell hiding(every time). Her idea is to scare him but it is always the other way around:)! (wow, I think I will be dusting today)
Kaitlyn found her basket hidden in the bath tub! She had to search for a while. Kaitlyn's response: " Why would he put it in the bathtub:)"? The Easter bunny does silly things!
Kourtney's basket took the longest to find. The Easter bunny left a few hints to help out if needed. The OVEN! Kourt's our little baker so it fit. Adam wondered what bunny puts baskets in the oven?

Happy Easter!

Since I use my blog as a "journal", I like to document special events, experiences, things/people that mean the most to me, and what brings me true joy! I think Easter is one of my favorite holiday's! I absolutely love the spring season! I love how the grass, flowers, and tree blossoms come alive with vibrant beautiful colors. I love that I can step outside and breath fresh spring air. When I stop and think about the creation of this magnificent earth, my mind is drawn to the Savior. How grateful I am for his life and example to me. I am grateful for the resurrection and atonement of Jesus Christ. I am grateful that I like Christ can be resurrected and through the atonement live with him and my Heavenly Father again. I have loved the experience in teaching and helping my children understand the real meaning of Easter. I love my family so much and am so blessed to have them in my life. Happy Easter!

Hunting & Coloring Eggs!

Saturday morning we decided to attend the annual city Easter Egg Hunt. This year we experience the egg hunt in the lovely rain. Makell was freezing by the time it was over. Kourtney and Kaitlyn didn't mind it at all. I really wish the sunshine would make an appearance and decide to stay for a while. Later Saturday night the kids colored eggs. This is one of the favorite Easter activities. They became creative with their designs. They found out that if you wrap an rubber band around your egg it makes a cool design.

Kourt's New Smile!

Before
After

Kourtney is one happy girl! Her braces are OFF! YEA!!!! Good bye to sore teeth, poking wires, and food restrictions! She is sooo excited to be able to chew gum again! She knew the time was coming but didn't expect it today! We were in for her last adjustment and the Dr. said, "How about we take those things off today"! He told her she was ahead of schedule and things looked great! I wished I would have had my camera to snap a picture of her face when she heard the great news! She has had a permagrin (sp?) all evening long! Wow, I can't believe the difference in just eight months! Now the only thing will be getting used to the permanent retainer:). I hope that smile stays! It makes my day!! Love you Kourt!!!