Highlights of Easter Weekend

I Spring break 2014 has been jammed packed with  a staycation, park dates, swimming, movies, egg hunts and so much more.  I am not as good about taking my camera with me where ever we go so no pictures from the last few days, but I did have my camera ready for Easter.  

We held a special FHE in which we played my Easter Minute to Win and had a lesson on the true meaning of Easter on Saturday night.  It was a great way to start off Easter.  

Don't let this smile fool ya...when it wasn't his turn, he was crying like a baby.  But his brief moments of happy were priceless.  

Chase was up for every challenge, which is not usually like him.  He spent the whole night laughing. 

In fact, these three spent the whole night laughing.  Logan put on a good show!!!

All the games were Easter themed.  Although the kids loved every game . . . .

the games that included Peeps were the most popular. 

Here is another picture of this goof ball putting on a show!!!

The next morning the kids couldn't wait to see what the Easter Bunny brought.  I love how they are all lined up checking out their baskets.  

While the kids looked for their eggs, Logan moved his basket to the chair so he could spread it out.  He needed a better few of all his candy!!!

I have to say that for once I enjoyed 1:00 church because it allowed us to just enjoy the morning.  After the Easter Bunny hype was over, we turned on YouTube and watched a few of the churches Easter movies.  It was a great way to set the mood for church.  

After dinner, it was time for the egg roll, one of the funniest things we do all year.  

After every roll, Logan threw his hand up and yelled "winner".  Dallin was the champ this year!!! Sorry Logan, maybe next year when you can learn to roll the egg instead of throw it!!!

We finished off the evening with ice cream sundaes. The day had cooled off just enough for the kids to enjoy their desserts outside.  

A few days ago, I was wishing Easter away.  I am so glad my wish didn't come true because despite all the crying, whining and ruckus the kiddos were able to produce, it was a very happy and enjoyable day.  Happy Easter 2014!!! 

Finally 4

Chase has been waiting to be 4 forever because according to him, when you are 4 you get to go to swim lessons, play baseball, go to school, color with markers and go to primary.  So as you can see, turning 4 is a big deal.  

I love this birthday kid's face!!!

Abby had softball tryouts early this morning so Chase had to wait to open his presents. He was very patient about the wait, but as soon as Abby and D walked in, it was go time.

He was very excited about all his gifts, but his most favorites were Cars and Planes toys.

After lunch we took him to spend his birthday at Toys R Us.  He was so excited to buy even more Planes stuff.

We then went to the Lego Movie - everyone loved it.

We ended his day with his birthday dinner and Steak and Shake for dinner.  Just what the birthday boy asked for ice cream with no cake.

Chase is a one of a kind. He tells me most days that I make him special.  Well, I think that I am the lucky one to be his mom.  He makes me laugh and smile everyday with his cute little sense of humor and his very technical thinking mind.  Happy Birthday Chase - Mommy LOVES you!!!

Logan Turns 2

Happy Birthday to Logan.  I can't believe he turned 2 today!

He woke up feeling a bit under the weather today, but overall I think he had a great day. 

 It was hard to get him to smile and look at the camera at the same time so here are a bunch of pictures with him and his new toys.  

The best toy of the day was the train set and to think that last night I wasn't even going to give it to him because I didn't think he would like it.  Thanks to D, I ended up setting it up - phew!!!

The bowling set was also a fun gift.  When learning how to hold the ball the right way became too much...

he decided to kick the ball instead.  He is a much better bowler when he kick-bowls.

His new scooter wasn't as well received as I thought it would be, maybe when he goes outside to ride it with Chase he will appreciate it more.

I can't believe I even caught a moment when all 3 boys played nice together with one toy!!!  Most of the day was spent in arguments about who should be able to play and how.

 Birthday are rough for siblings and I think that Abby proves it!!!

Even with all the new toys, he still needed some iPad time today!

He finally got his ice cream.  That is all he wanted for his birthday celebration.  He would say "no cupcake...just ice cream."  And that is all he ate, when the ice cream was gone, he pushed his plate towards me and said, "done mommy!" leaving the cookie and cupcake for me to eat - thanks buddy!!!

What a cutie this 2 year old is.  I feel bad that he was under the weather.  He still might not understand how awesome a birthday really is, but he knew that today was his day for some reason.

  I love this kid so much.  He brings a lot of excitement good and bad to our family.  He is so loving and polite, a day doesn't go by that he doesn't thank me for helping him.  He is smart and can count to 10 but most of the time will stop at 5.  He makes us all laugh and he is really good at laughing at himself.  He thinks he is hilarious,  I couldn't imaging life without this trouble make.  

Happy Birthday Logan!!!

New Years Eve 2013

A few years ago we started a tradition of New Years Eve Game Night.

This little played the iPad most of the night - he was in heaven and so were we.

We played about 6 different games.  D was the overall winner, but we all had a chance to win at least one game.

Nothing bets the excitement of a 3 year old - nothing!!!

Between each game, we had an outside activity to help ring in the new year.  The night's favorites were silly string fight and pop it war.

This little stayed during the wars.  He was either afraid of the noise or loosing the iPad or maybe it was both.

We had a great night with the kids.  We tucked them in at 9:30 and not a moment too soon - they were exhausted.  Happy 2014 everyone!!!

Let's Go Bowling

We needed an activity that got us all out of the house so we went bowling.  

Abby goes bowling the most out of all of us and it looks like it by her form.



She started off the night with a STRIKE . . .



but was never able to repeat one.  This is how she looked most of the night - frustrated.

Lex also started off his game with a STRIKE and was amazed that he got one.  He had a great time, but just wished the lights were on.  He is not a fan of cosmic bowling.

Chase was had the best time and wanted to bowl all by himself.  He looked like such a big kid when it was his turn.  The bowling ramp was perfect for him and . . .



even helped him get a STRIKE!!!  He was so excited  - can't ya tell!!!

AND this little loved bowling for about the first 5 rounds and the remaining 15 were a little iffy.  But when you see a smile like this, all the bad moments seem to fade away.

As we walked out to the car I whispered to D - note to parents, one round of bowling is plenty long for the kids!!!

Bikes and A Moped

Abby, Lex and Chase have really been enjoying their new bikes.  When Logan goes down for a nap, we head outside to ride our bikes. 

I convinced Lex to take his training wheels off today and he took off like a pro.  Too bad is confidence level was left behind in the dust.  He was so afraid of falling he couldn't focus on how good he was doing.  It took him only seconds to learn to ride, but about 30 minutes to find his confidence.  Once my little pep talk kicked in, he took off and had a great afternoon.

Abs LOVES riding her bike up and down our street.  She had a bad fall today, but I think she was being a bit too fancy.

While I was practicing with Lex, Abby and D raced each other.  I am sure out neighbors thought we were crazy racing our kids with a Moped.

Chase learned how to pedal yesterday and had a decent time on his riding around but was getting awful tired and thirsty.



When I told him that riding his bike would help him earn his Wii time, he took off and starting racing with D Abby and Lex.

Lex's afternoon of biking was "so totally awesome" and he can't wait to go back out tomorrow.

Christmas Day

Christmas Day was full of fun.

Logan LOVED his cozy coupe!

Chase seemed to like all of his presents - expect his new shirt.

Lex was so excited about his new magic trick set.

And Abby was a little over dramatic about all her presents and everything was SOOOO CUTE!!!

After breakfast, the kids went off and did their own thing.  Logan wanted a blankie and and iPad.  All the new toys and he wanted the iPad.

Abs got right to work on her Lego set.

Lex took over the office and started learning his new magic tricks.  His set came with an instructional DVD.  He has learned 4 tricks and only has 96 more to go.

Chase spent hours playing with is drill set.

Later the kids started to play together.  All this kids love the teeter totter Grandma Linda gave.

There were more fights about the cozy coupe than any other toy. I loved it when they found a way to play together.

When Logan went down for his nap, the big kids got to try out their new bikes

Overall, we had  great Christmas Day opening presents, playing with new toys, watching our new movies and just plain relaxing.

Lex asked me what my favorite part of the day was and I told him seeing the reaction on their faces while opening up their presents. Kids truly do make Christmas magical and I am so thankfully I was able to spend the day with mine.  They helped me to see that all the stress and hard work that goes into Christmas is so worth it.

Merry Christmas to all our family and friends.