Spring Break 2013

 We stayed close to home for Spring Break but got to do lots of fun, simple things this past week.  I enjoyed not having a schedule and I look forward to summer!  The weather was perfect, a little rainy but beautiful most days!  The kids got to sleep over at Grammy's, spend some time at Grandma and Grandpa's, had lots of friends over to play including Carter getting a sleepover, and we had a read-a-thon one morning (above picture)!

 This girl just makes me laugh!  She gathered a bunch of worms and played with them for a good two hours, those pour little worms didn't stand a chance! She would lay them out carefully and then talk to them like they were her friends, then she would gather them up, throw them, then gather them up again and talk to them!  Silly girl!

 We had the opportunity to go up and spend the afternoon and evening up in Logan Canyon with our dear friends Barbara and John.  They have some friends that have a beautiful cabin up there, and they let us spend some time up there!

 It was a little muddy, but the kids didn't mind!

 The sun was right in our eyes, making not such great pictures!  This is a pond close to the cabin that we checked out.  It had lots of fish and the boys wanted so badly to catch some!

 We attempted to get some pictures!  As you can see, the kids were having none of it!   Carter found golf balls and had them either in his eyes, or under his chin!  The Abbott family got to see that our children are not always angels, like they thought ha ha ha!

 Barbara, myself, and little stinker Hailey!

 We had lunch up there, played a game, watched a movie, had a light dinner, and played some tunes!  What a fun night with friends!

 On Sunday, Bryan's brother Russ and his family came for a quick visit.  We took family pictures at the park which I will post once they are edited!  Then we came back to Grammy's and had food, played in the hot tub and hung out!  Last time we saw little Violet was when she was just a wee little baby, so it was fun to see how big she's gotten!  She had fun pinching Hailey's nose, poking her eyes out...

 and picking Mom's nose....good times!

 The girls giving Uncle Russ some love...

Look at sweet little Violet, I wanted to take her home :)

The crazy kids eating dinner....

Easter & Birthdays!

 We had my family over to do an Easter Egg Hunt and to celebrate the many birthday that are this month and next...My Dad, Hailey, Alivya, Eryn, and brother Bryan

We had lunch and then while the easter eggs were being hidden, we made all the kids come in the living room.  I started reading them a story, and Ty asked if he could read.  Him and Daxton made it much more entertaining than I, and had all the kids giggling!

 The big boys were in charge of hiding eggs..

Bryan, Glen and Scott

 The hunt is on...

(Meili)

 Hailey

 Alivya

 Kai and Carter checking their loot...

 Everyone ended up on the trampoline after and pigged out on candy...

 The girls...

 Izzy and Ty ended up in the treehouse throwing candy to everyone on the trampoline...

 Scott's family gave Hailey a pretty fancy makeup kit, and the girls were SOOOOO excited to use it!  It was thee cutest thing ever watching them get into it!

 All the girls dolled up...Hailey, Izzy, Meili, and Alivya

I love these girls!

After my family went home I discovered a letter from the Easter Bunny.

 The kids were surprised to find out that the Easter Bunny had come a day early so that they could focus on Jesus' Resurrection on Sunday.

The Easter Bunny hid baskets in tricky places this year, but once the kids found them, they were happy :)

Sunday

 

 After church we headed to Bryan's moms house for lunch.  Afterwards we just enjoyed the beautiful day!  Hailey enjoyed some hot tub time...

 The cute neighbor boys from next door came over and Carter played with them...

 Love my girl...

 Now that the weather is good, Carter can climb his favorite apple tree in Grammy's yard...

I left my family to play for a couple more hours and met my cousin at the park to take her engagment pictures...

We had a wonderful Easter weekend, and enjoyed being able to reflect on what Christ did for us, and are so greatful for our many many blessings!

Hailey's Princess/Knight Birthday Party

 Hailey had her first "friend" birthday party this year and she wanted a princess theme.  My mother in law made a really cool castle out of boxes last year for the kids, and it worked out perfectly to use for our princess and knight party! The first game we played above is "Jasmine's Magic Carpets"...

 The game didn't last too long because a dragon came out and all the little girls screamed and ran into the castle!  The brave knight (Mark) went to defend his princesses and slay the dragon :)

My mother in law helped us make this cute dragon costume and Carter was so excited to run out and scare the girls.  It worked like a charm, and was actually really cute to see their response!

 Sophie and Natalie peaking out of the castle, watching the dragon...

Hailey being awakened with a kiss...

We played several simple games like "Snow Whites Poison Apple".  Unfortunately one of the kids thought we were really supposed to take a bite out of the apple!  We played music and when the music stops whoever is holding the apple has to pretend to take a bite and fall to the ground.  Then they are given a Hershey "Kiss" to awaken them.

 Opening presents was a little hectic with 10 little ones.  There was paper flying everywhere and all the kids got closer and closer!  As much as I tried to see what everybody gave her, and remind her to say thank you, I couldn't keep up!

 We read "Princess and the Pea" and then had them guess which pillow the "pea" was under...

 Hailey's cake this year...

 Blowing out the candles...

Bryan the Magician showed up to do a few magic tricks for the kids...

 

 This was me trying to get a picture of everyone in front of the castle....as you can see it didn't go so well!

(Left to right: Carter, Hannah, Sophie, Chayce, Mark, Morgan, Natalie, Payge, Gloria, and Hailey)

 Playing "Kiss the Frog"...

All the girls ended up in Hailey's room after the games and had a ball playing with Hailey's new birthday toys...