Today

This morning I'm making banana bread (per Grant's request) while Brett and Camille play together outside.  

We've got to soak up as much of this fair weather as possible before things get hotter here!

Spring Break Wrap-up

We had so much fun during spring break that it took me a whole week to recover and get to this post!

We had something fun to do every day, but where never in a rush.

One day we went swimming with my brothers wife and kids.

 Keith took Thursday and Friday off.

We went to the zoo.

 Taking a break in the shade by the rose garden.

 All set to ride!

 Camille clearly wasn't a fan.  Maybe because that lion was growling at her giraffe?!  :)

 That night the boys had a campout in the backyard.  We read several chapters from our Boxcar Children book and then sang some songs and waited for the boys to fall asleep.  Then we took them to their real beds in the house.

 On Friday we walked over to Keith's parent's house.  Across the street from them, a wounded vet was getting a new house.  It was a pretty big deal.  There's an organization that selects wounded warriors and buys a house for them and remodels it to fit their needs.  This house was completely remodeled and will be VERY comfy for him.

As we were waiting for the Veteran to arrive, Brett kept busy for a while playing with Grandma's watch.  I thought this was so cute.

 After listening to a few speeches we walked back home to get ready to go canoeing at the lake with my dad, "Grandpa Guy".

We even took Camille with us (since we couldn't find a babysitter) and she did super well!

A beautiful bunch of clouds came along and blocked the hot sun from us as soon as we got on the lake.  We couldn't have asked for better weather.

We had fun paddling along the perimeter of the lake checking out caves in the cliffs and watching cliff jumpers.

While we were out we received a text from Keith's sister saying that President Obama had just showed up at the wounded vets house!  We had heard rumors that he might be coming, but really doubted it.  After our canoe trip we stopped by Keith's parent's house again to hear all about how they got to meet the President.  Our cute little 6 year old niece was telling us all about it and said, "it was the best day of my life!"  Grant heard her and came over and said, "Well, I got to see Grandpa Guy!"  Hahaha!

 Grant and Brett had their last soccer game of the season on Saturday.

Brett played almost the whole game and had a smile on his face constantly, even when he fell and ate some dirt!  We were so proud of him.  After the game he kept telling everyone, "And I didn't even cry!"  He was thrilled to also get a trophy of his very own.

This was probably our best spring break yet.  I'd love to have had another week or two added to this one.  Only 9 weeks left though and school will be out for the summer!

Spring Break Day 2

My mom treated my brother's family and us to the train ride at the park yesterday.

The boys rode in this car while we waited for everyone to show up.

 Camille hung out with Grandma.

 The boys were playing on this mini merry-go-round and some teenaged girls saw them and came up and put two quarters in and got it going for them.  How nice is that?!

 Choo choo!

 Then we all came to our house and barbecued some chicken kabobs, played at the park, and had some yummy cake.

Oh, this weather!  I'm so glad we stayed here this week.  It's just so perfect outside!

 Brett fell asleep before we even got to reading our Boxcar Children book.

Grant has a Spring Break Journal that he's supposed to write in every day this week for school.  It's so cute to watch him sound out words and write them on the page and then draw a picture to go with it.

Last night he wrote about going on the train.

And then we read two chapters from our book.
It was a great day!

We're off to a good start

We kicked off spring break with a walk home from a half day of school.

Then Camille took a nap and the boys and I had a picnic lunch in the backyard.

 PB&J, Sun Chips, and Watermelon.

 The boys each had a soccer game.

Brett got out there a little bit more.

 Camille was patient and snacked on carrots.

 So proud to be goalie for part of the game.

 The boys biggest fan!

 Keith's parents and a couple cousins came to watch too.

 We had a pizza party and trophies after Grant's game.

 It was a long warm day for Camille and she took a good nap after it all.

The crew ready for church.  (Sorry Keith, I know it's not the best of you, but the kids look so adorable!)

Camille was crawling all over Brett.  It was so funny!

And Brett asked to wear his bow-tie that day.  It has little penguins on it.  We got it for him for Christmas when he was a baby, but it still fits!

 Glad to be home after church.

I spoke in sacrament meeting and was so relieved to have that behind me.  Phew!

Camille loves her pretty dress that Grandma Jackson gave her.  She likes to pull on the front of it, like she's so happy that it's puffy.  :)

 We got to the library yesterday to get some picture books and a few Boxcar Children books to read with the boys this week.

And Grant had baseball practice last night.  We are so lucky to have practice in our neighborhood and the walk there and back was so beautiful and smelled like citrus blossoms.  I just love this time of year!

We're having a great time and it's only the beginning of the week!

Easter mantle

I picked up these pretty flowers from Hobby Lobby last week.  I wasn't sure what I was going to put them in until I emptied my bottle of lemon juice and realized that the green bottle would be perfect!  They sit next to my framed "I know that my Redeemer lives" print.  You can get a free download of this beautiful print at yellowblissroad.

 And here's the whole mantel.  I got the little green bunny at Hobby Lobby too and I've had the easter egg garland for years.

Spring is my favorite season.  And Easter is my favorite holiday.

And they both get to happen at the same time!

Next week is our spring break.  We are staying here and enjoying the beautiful AZ spring weather.  There will be swimming, BBQ's, playing outside, picnics, and time with friends and cousins.

I'm so looking forward to no homework, practices, or rushing to school in the morning!

Have a happy weekend!

It's raining! And weekend things.

 We went for our jog this morning and got back just before the big dark clouds in the distance quickly blew over to us and started raining.  

This past weekend we celebrated the 90th birthday of Keith's Grandma with a fun dinner party with family and friends.  We also got together for the baby blessing of a beautiful new niece.

Last night we had a yummy dinner in the backyard with Keith's parents and his aunt.  Then the boys set up an ice-cream shop, took our orders, and scooped up our dessert.  After playing a fun drawing game, the boys got in their PJ's and entertained us with their special dances.  They are so silly!