Table Top!

Every year we try to visit our favorite picnic site--Table Top Mtn. This year we didn't make it up there until the end of April due to all of the rain. However, it was definitely worth it--the wildflowers were amazing.

Our family loves throwing down a blanket, bringing a picnic lunch, and flying kites--it's so much easier attached to a fishing pole.

It's also a great place for pictures!

Marine World

Our Family took our annual after tax season trip this year to Six Flags/Marine World/Discovery Kingdom! We were only gone 2 days and 2 nights, but we packed in as much fun as we could.







There were sooo many things to do. We were there when the gates opened in the morning and left when the gates closed at night. Rides, animals, shopping, activities, & food filled our day!



The kids not only love going to fun places, but they also love staying in hotels and enjoying a heated swimming pool. After playing and exploring Marine world during the day they continued the fun in the heated pool and sauna at night.



Seth was fearless! He wanted to ride every crazy and daring ride that was available. I admit I also love the thrill and joined him on most of the rides while Aaron and the girls opted to stay on the sidelines. It didn't bother him to have me screaming beside him on the roller coasters or to ride by himself when I couldn't find the courage to join him.



The only negative thing during the trip was the endless walking! (I actually didn't mind it because it helped to counter all of the junk food that I ate during the trip!)

Baby Shower

My baby sister is having a BABY!

I was able to give my sister Leanne a baby shower. It was a lot fun planning the food, decorations, games, etc. Of course my other sisters and sister-in-laws helped too.

Lots of family & friends came to enjoy her special day. My sister Kate and her daughter Karley were able to come out for the occasion.

Leanne is due with a healthy baby ________? She and her husband want to wait until its born to find out. She is Due on May 6th. We'll let you know the exciting news as soon as it happens!

Easter 2010

It's Easter time again!

It doesn't matter how old the kids get, they still love decorating cookies, dyeing eggs and of course going on an Easter egg hunt.

The Saturday before Easter we had a BIG egg hunt at Grandma Leila's house. We enjoyed the day by visiting with family, eating great food, and some of us continued into the evening trying to find the last couple of eggs that were still hidden. (Our Easter Bunny has some great hiding spots!)

Lilacs

I know I probably say this every year, but I absolutely love my lilac bushes. For about 2 weeks toward the end of March they bloom. I am so lucky to have these amazing flowers that decorate my yard and give off a heavenly scent.

I wish I could take credit for these wonderful flowers, but I can't. They were here when we bought our home and I often times forget to water or trim them. However, every year they continue to come back and amaze me with their beauty.

Girl's Getaway!

This year I was able to get away with "my girls" and visit Monterey!

The weather was perfect so we spent most of our time outdoors! We took a drive along the coast, enjoyed some yummy food, watched the sunset, and even rode a 4 person bike. We had Sooo much fun and made some great memories.

I am so lucky to have these 3 amazing ladies in my life!

Spring Break!

Since Chico had their spring break the middle of March we were able to be enjoy St. Patty's day in style. Besides the leprechauns messing up the house and leaving gold coins, green milk, and Lucky Charms cereal, and of course having a green dinner (green beans, green jello, green grapes, green kool-aid, etc.) the kids thought it would be fun to paint up "leprechaun style"


It's amazing what you can do with a little face paint.


Aren't my leprechauns cute?


Since the day was beautiful we biked down to the channel for some water exploring. Now this is my kind of spring break. No school, sunny weather & happy kiddos.


(A big thanks to our talented face painter--Miss Andrea Brooke)

New Baby Cousin

The long wait is finally over. Our new baby cousin has arrived! It's a girl! Two weeks prior Kiana started counting down the days. It was if it was Christmas in March! We were so lucky to be able to visit the new family in the hospital and to be able to hold a NEWborn baby. The miracle of life is so amazing. Welcome to earth little one!

Haircuts & Missing Teeth!

Kiana has been asking for quite a while to have her hair cut. I've been putting it off because I knew she wanted it cut shorter than I wanted. Well, I finally gave in. She has VERY think hair and so I think she was ready to just have an easy style. It actually turned out very cute. The same day she lost a tooth at school; it had been wiggly for a while--hence the picture of the open mouth shot.

Daffodils

I love March because of the . . . . .

DAFFODILS!



"Daffodils"

I Wander'D lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the Milky Way,
They stretch'd in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced; but they
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:
A poet could not but be gay,
In such a jocund company:
I gazed -- and gazed -- but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.

By William Wordsworth

Youth Temple Trip

I was lucky enough to go with the kids on the youth temple trip to the Sacramento Temple. Aaron was busy at work (it's tax season for any of you who aren't close with an accountant) and Kiana was able to spend the day with her grandparents. It was wonderful to share this experience with my kids and enjoy being in the temple together. It is wonderful to know that we are an eternal family and that we'll all be together in the temple someday.



Aren't road trips fun???

Sisterly Love

Look quickly because this doesn't happen everyday. Lots of days there are disagreements between the two, but that's normal for sisters right? I'm hoping someday they'll enjoy each other's company a lot more. For right now we'll take the sharing smiles when we can get them.

Happenings of January

A lot can happen in a month when you're not paying attention. Where did January go? and February? and March? . . . I need to quickly update before the months take over the entire year!

We decided to buy Seth a new queen size bed. He's been using a twin water bed that Aaron used as a kid and it was acquiring way to many holes for our comfort. He now has a much bigger bed to rest his growing body. And now we have a guest bed to use when "guests" come and stay with us.



Seth received a gun for Christmas and was able to finally go out and give it a try--looks like a natural eh?



Nothing beats ATVing with Gramps!



A wind storm came through Chico and it had a huge disagreement with our trampoline. Our fence stayed intact while the tramp did not fair as well.





Fun pics of rainy days and promising rainbows.

Happy 60th!

My Dad turned 60!

We decided to surprise him and bring all of his 7 kids together and celebrate his birthday. It was so much fun keeping it a surprise. My brother and sister came out from Utah and another sister came from Texas. The rest of us are from the Paradise/Chico area. We decided to all meet at Italian Cottage. My dad thought he was just meeting Aaron and I for dinner, but SURPRISE! We were ALL there! Yes, he was a bit emotional at first and then he completely enjoyed himself. It was a great way to give my dad a memorable 60th birthday. (Cute birthday crown!)



Ma & Pa



So, what do you give a man who turns 60? Well, one gift was a skycam so that he can now see his grandkids several states away. Family is what life is all about for my dad!

Make a wish!


The 5 sisters!



It was so much fun having all the kids together again. We've all grown up a bit, gotten married, had some kids, but it's wonderful to come home again and be together; even if it's only for a couple of days!

SNOW!

Before winter break was over the kids wanted to go and spend a day in the snow. It wasn't too hard to find. We just headed up past Paradise until we found some. The day was beautiful and the snow was cold. We even brought along a knee board to give us some fun on the ice. Seth even tried to build a snow cave. The kids had a great time! I'm not much of a snow lover, but I loved watching the kids and taking their pictures. We missed having Andrea with us, but she was at home nursing a cold that she had gotten during the break. Before we left the kids had to finish off their experience with an ice slushie! Brrr, where's the hot chocolate!