Our Easter Best

I love Spring. What a wonderful time to celebrate the resurrection of the Savior as the flowers and plants come back to life after a long winter. I am so grateful for Him, His love, His charity toward me and my family. I am so grateful he allows and encourages me to repent so I can have His peace with me daily. I'm so grateful to know that because of His plan my family and I can be one with him on earth and return Home to Him and our Father in Heaven. I'm grateful for the little reminders of His plan I get each day through my husband and children. I feel so blessed and want my daily life to show this gratitude.

Just About Us

Scott had a work conference the end of March in Las Vegas. He would be gone for almost a full week. We thought it would be fun to make a couples weekend out of it so I booked a flight, made arrangements for Watson, and packed my suitcase. Thanks to Challey and Spencer, Scott and I had a little trip all to ourselves for a couple of days. We did a little shopping, a little eating, a lot of walking around, and a lot of laughing while being entertained by The Blue Man Group.

By the Volcano

Bumble and My Honey

Super yummy Carrot Cupcake

Inside the Bellagio Atrium (My favorite!)

The Famous m&m store

Serendipity's Frozen Hot Chocolate

A Blue Man and me

The Blue Man Band and Scott

'Tis that Time of Year

Spring is springing and so footballs are flying around here. Chandler asked to do flag football again this year, in hopes of participating in tackle this fall. I'm still not sure how that will work out...we shall see. So, Scott is his coach and this is really a good experience for all. The team is full of excited, somewhat distractable, boys who are eager to learn. Chandler scored a touchdown in the first game. Scott has been working on plays and ways to keep the boys focused. It is a good time. If you want to join the fun plan on coming to a game on a Thursday night or Saturday afternoon. All games are held at the Dimple Dell Rec Center on 10600 S. and 1000 E. The remaining dates are:
4/30  12 pm
5/5    6:30 pm
5/7    1:00 pm
5/12  6:30 pm
5/14  12 pm
Bring a chair and enjoy the game!

Almost Done with Scouts, Boy Scouts That Is!

Yes, it's true, Cub Scouts is almost at an end around here. At least for seven more years. Chandler is moving on to Boy Scouts in less than two weeks. I guess that's what happens when boys will not stop growing. Chandler has had some really great Cub Scout leaders the past four years. I really appreciate all that they have taught him, all the time they spend preparing and spending with the scouts, and their endless amount of patience and love for the boys. With encouragement from many Chandler did earn his Arrow of Light. It is an award that takes some work to get. He completed eight activity badges, memorized the Scout Oath of Promise, motto, slogan, sign, salute, and handshake. He did this along with a few other requirements. I'm really proud of him. I look forward to his continuing to grow into a great Scout as he moves forward. Great job Kiddo!

We Did It!

We have been reading the Book of Mormon together for a few years, trying to fit it in each night. It started when Chandler was in 2nd grade, we would each read a little at a time. As Chandler has gotten older, we have read more, to the point of a chapter a day. Yes, our reading together was a little spotty. It seemed difficult to really get into a routine together, especially with the every other week interruption of Chandler not being home. About six months ago, though, I really felt a strong impression to change our routine with reading. From that time on we set a plan to read every weekday morning at 8 am. It worked! We did just that, practically every morning. It really blessed our family to make the day go well and allow us to feel the spirit more fully. We set a goal the beginning of this year to finish our reading by Chandler's birthday--which is May 9th. We met our goal ahead of time by reading the last two chapters in Moroni on Easter. This was Chandler's idea and he was excited and insistent on reading the last verse of Moroni 10. It really has been a great experience for our little family. We often had great discussions about what we read and what we believe. Chandler knows a lot about the gospel and is so interested in learning more. He is such a good example to me of how I can truly be "like a child." When I send Chandler back to his other house on Mondays I always feel he is a little more prepared because we read the scriptures together as family. This often speaks peace to my heart. We did take President Hinckley's challenge seriously way back when, we did the best we could, and feel very blessed because of it. We are excited to start our study again!

Minnie, Mickey, and Us

We decided to surprise Chandler with a trip to Disneyland over Spring Break. Thanks to Scott's hard work we were able to make the little week long trip. We drove straight to the airport with Chandler after picking him up on Monday, bags were packed and in the trunk. We were wearing our Mickey Mouse tees and hat and his mouse ears were waiting for him in the car. Our flight was full but on time and Watson was a rock star during the short trip. Chandler was the perfect big brother in letting Watson take over the window seat to stay entertained. We headed to the hotel Monday night and got everything ready for our first day in Disneyland the next morning.

Chandler's deal for the trip was to smile for every  picture! He was smiling anyway so it was a small price to pay.

First day of Disneyland, we were all excited!

I had a flash forward of seeing this same look on his face in five short years...behind the wheel of a real car.

Watson was great at napping the stroller when he tuckered out. Perfect little traveler for The Happiest Place on Earth.

It's a Small World was fun for everyone--well, Chandler was a good sport about the kiddie rides.

On the Choo-Choo, one of Watson's favorites.

Watson was so excited when he saw the train, he couldn't contain himself.

We rode the Winnie the Pooh ride at least a dozen times, maybe more.

After three days of Disneyland, we ended our vacation with a relaxing day at Newport Beach. The weather was nice, around mid 70's. Scott and Chandler braved the water while Watson and I hung out on the beach. Scott did take the boys looking for crabs in the tide pools among the rock barriers. Now when Watson sees crabs at The Living Planet Aquarium he points and says "dad, dada, dad." Watson loved the sand and found sticks and shells to dig with. I relaxed and got a funny little sunburn, from the rolled up pant shins to my toes. I'm still sporting the tan lines. This was a great little trip for our family. It was so nice to be away from the norm and relax with just each other. I loved to watch Chandler and Watson and Scott get so excited as we went from ride to ride. I'm so grateful we had this time together.