Family Easter Pictures

For various reasons I became obsessed with trying to coordinate our family for Easter this year and then when we did finally all match, I had to document the effort! Other than the pouring rain, it worked great to have friends take our pictures before church (to avoid the matted down "I just survived sacrament meeting" look that we had for the rest of the day). We were hoping for some spring time pictures, but with the rain and then the wind (which kept blowing my white skirt all the way up) we settled for the very spring-like brick building background. In addition, if you are wondering why I am a few shades darker than the rest of my family...details regarding my exotic solo vacation might have to wait till a later post...

Spring Break Fun

We went to Eagle Crest for Spring Break and it was SO much fun. It always amazes me how much more fun I am on vacation. The kids dont' irritate me, there is less fighting and whining and impatience from me. What does that mean? I wonder if I am just too stressed and perfectionistic at home so I am the cause of all the grief we have on a day to day basis. I really wish I could learn to relax and enjoy regular life as much as I relax and enjoy vacation! For me, the appeal of a vacation isn't just the exotic location (which didn't qualify for this vacation, though it is certainly a nice place, we had a hot tub in our house and it held to about 60 degrees and sunny the whole week...quite a step up from 45 and raining at home), but just the shutting off of outside pressure and life! No phone, calling, homework, and who cares if the kids watch more TV than usual? I don't get paranoid when they eat some candy in the afternoon. Wear your swimsuit all day. Sleep in. Don't clean up your room. Who cares if there are a few dishes in the sink? NO GUILT! Ahhh...I love it.

Quick Catch up

My mom and I at the Oregon Culinary Institute after our appy class. We made Louisiana Shrimp, Caviar Torte (yikes), and salmon cakes. It was so fun!!

Kiara came home from school before the night of the school Talent Show and said "Mom I have to make a bug costume for our bug parade" and I with Levi's homework and running kids to everything there was just no way that I could make anything. Meanwhile, she spent hours in the office cutting and gluing away. I let her have at it till I had two minutes to help her. Before that two minutes arrived, out she comes dressed up in her paper bug costume that was probably 10 times better than what I would have made for her. It had sleeves and everything! So fun when they can start to take care of themselves (occasionally). I personally thought she was the cutest bug there...

This weekend we went to see the much publicized "Wicked". I was a little skeptical just b/c of all the hype...but after, thought it was awesome! We went with my parents and Derek and Jaymie and had a great time.

In an effort to win "Dad of the Year" Spencer not only made a Pine wood derby car for Levi (who took 2nd place by like 1/100th of a second or something ridiculous), but to be all-inclusive, made one for the girls too. They only got to race theirs one or two times, but both of their cars won as well. The girls and Levi were thrilled with their derby cars. (Grey car is Emma's, Camo is Levi's, Orange is Kiara's). Such fun.