Spring 2012

No, that is not a green screen behind us. We really were on a beach with white sands and coconut trees. I know I can't believe it either!

Lena was sitting on the swing with Powell having her lunch, and I was inside visiting with Grandma. The next time I looked out to check on them there was Grandpa right in the middle.  They don't know how lucky they are to know him.

Touring the ruins in Mexico. Thanks to Martine (the driver) and Erik (the guide).

Swimming in a cenote. Those are tree roots hanging down.  Jack asked me if you could swing on them like vines. I wish I would have tried.

It's not spring without strawberries.  Lena wanted to take a picture of this particular one for the blog. She said it was the biggest.Yum!

Lena Mae

Happy Birthday Lenie!

Six. Six fun years. What a roller coaster ride little girls are. I can't imagine life without her. There were times when Lena was a baby that I would leave her with a babysitter or even just Darin, and it never failed that I would get this ache in my heart from missing her. It is always hard to be away. She is my sweet Lena.

Halloween Boo Ha Ha

Happy Halloween!

How do you fall asleep?

Two weeks ago Powell learned how to climb out of his crib, so to avoid any major injury we turned his crib into a bed. We've had a ton of fun finding him after he's finally fallen asleep.

It's General Conference time again. For the past few years we've been going to the cabin on Cedar Mountain to watch and relax. The kid's do a good job watching and listening to the talks when we're there, and I always get a nap or two in. But I didn't nap through all of it, and if you didn't get a chance to listen to Sister Dalton's talk on Fathers and daughters I recommend it.

Anyway, this was Powell's first time to really enjoy the mountains. We walked to aspen mirror lake, enjoyed the changing leaves, ate yummy food, drank some hot chocolate, and the kids played together.

I love the picture of Darin and Powell's profiles. I think they look so much alike.

Hope is not lost!!!

Can you guess what Darin is posing next to? If you guessed my audi wagon you are correct! Sad but true story is: I was pulling out of Costco about a month ago and suddenly the engine died. I coasted to the side of the road and that's where I stayed until a nice man pushed me backward through an intersection to a safer parking spot. Darin and his dad towed it back to Hurricane that night. (Chuck is always willing to help us with late night truck and trailer adventures!) The diagnosis was not good. The timing belt was definitely broken, and that could only mean one thing...so was the engine. Darin and I have been making plans for the car's demise and a replacement for me. He has also been taking apart the whole front end of the car. (Does anyone know a boy who doesn't like to disassemble things?) But hope is not lost!!! Darin found the heads of the engine this week and they look perfect. Yay!!! It looks as if we have a few more years together. (The audi and I that is.)

book review

So we've started a new tradition this year of me reading a little to the kids from a chapter book every night after scriptures. I consider it a success since we've had far less children dozing off during scriptures, and I haven't had to read a barbie book to Lena in probably two weeks.
Anyway just finished our second book, Bullies in the Headlights, by Matthew Buckley. We all loved this book! It had us laughing out loud more than a few times. It's written from an eight year old boy's point of view. So funny! So much to relate to if you grew up in a large mormon family. It also has a great message to it that doesn't come across cheesy. My kids were glued every night!