Goblin Valley- Spring Break

2nd year in a row of nice weather in the desert!

Daddy brought a pellet gun and N. bought some new air soft guns to share. The first afternoon we didn't have any camping "neighbors" so the kids were free to run all over and shoot at each other and target practice. 

This year we didn't have to camp and explore on our own. Aunt Andrea and Uncle Derek brought their family too. We spent some time in Goblin Valley State Park. Running, Climbing, Yelling, Taking pictures. It was windy up top but not as bad down in the Valley.

N. photobomb! 

Day two we let Uncle Derek guide us on a trail into some narrows. So cool! Harley had a great time too. It was hard to not pick up every special looking rock we ran across. Our pockets just couldn't hold them all.

N. had been looking forward to camping because of the fire pit. He had a Jr.High Math book that needed burning. Hope he feels better now!

Andrea directed an Egg Hunt in camp for the kids. They had a blast hiding(the older kids) and finding their candy filled eggs in the cracks and crevices of the sand goblins.

Day two in the park. No one holds still long enough to get a good picture! Lots more running and exploring!

Hiking full speed up and down the hills. Always on the lookout for something taller and steeper.

Derek and lil Ollie. He seemed to like the park although he had been fighting sickness.

Cave scouting. Cooler in there. And a little dangerous. But fun!

The Desert is so beautiful and warm and sunny. I love it. It seems like the kids are coming to love it too. I like how close we are to red rocks and sand. We are very blessed! And blessed to have family brave the elements to share it with us! Next year I'd love to do it again. Wanna come along? Anyone is invited!

April Fools

Z. waited an entire year to tape the sink sprayer handle down to soak the innocent victim who turns on the water unsuspectingly. My favorite part was to later learn about when she was trying it out to see if it actually would work. She got the water off of the floor quick enough mom didn't even suspect anything. A few minutes after school started mom got a great soaking! Surprise! Im sure she wishes she could have seen it instead of sit in class and imagine it. 

T. got in on the spirit and tried to catch his big brother in a tape trap. Not sure it was as invisible as he was hoping but it was fun to watch him come up with and attempt a funny joke of his own.

 Some less funny parts of April: Arguing, Fighting, Irritating siblings. They both wanted the chair. Not unusual. This time mom was especially tired of reminding them to work it out. I had to shoot them. With a camera fortunately. The ironic part to me is that they are sitting down to read Scriptures. Seriously?! Do they learn nothing? Maybe we should hurry thru the war years, either that or slow way down and focus specifically on the negative aspects of war a.k.a. Arguing/Fighting. *sigh*

 Happy times for Daddy finally arrived. In the form of new bike tires. Now if the weather will just agree to stay clear for the next, oh say, 6 months? Too much to ask, I know.

Cutie cousin P. turned 1!

His smash cake was so entertaining. And probably left a mess to clean up that was bigger than he is!

S. wanted to get in on the fun. 

 His party was "Cars" themed. Adorable. I'm so glad we get to live close to this little cutie and his parents!

Moms "Time-Out"

My Best Friend, Auntie J. lives with her family in Santa Rosa California. She let me stay with them for an entire week in March. Its such a beautiful place! I got to pick an orange right off of her tree to eat! March in Utah definitely doesn't produce ripe oranges.

 Checking out the local scenery. Wine country is so beautiful!

 J. and I at my early "Birthday" lunch. Fantastic Tai food. I could eat it forever!

I have never been on a trip on my own. It was so relaxing and so renewing. Im grateful to my family who stayed back at home(in the snow) and kept the house in one piece. I actually started to miss them. Next time I think we all need to go. What do you think J.? You up for the 6 of us?!

Leprechaun trap

T. and daddy came up with a mouse trap powered contraption. T. didn't ever catch a whole leprechaun but ended up snaring a "wee" hat and ripped up shirt belonging to one. How exciting!

Aaronic Priesthood- Office of Teacher

14 and Awesome means an Ordination for N. 

Congratulation on the new responsibilities! 

And thanks to all the righteous men in his life who are a great example to him of how to live!

His Grandpas and his dad are just a few we got a picture of that day.

Birthday, Birthday, Birthday.

14!! Its hard to believe but its true. N. is hilarious. He decided the worlds largest gummy bear was a great birthday gift. An entire ear was devoured straight out of the box. 

 And being a teen means you can be happy with candy but an expensive electronic device is also required.

 Lets see, 14 snickers bars lasted about a day and a half. New record for him I think.

 

Dinner with mom isn't too embarrassing yet I guess, as long as its Cafe Rio.

 
Z. is getting much too close to those teen years herself! She celebrated 11 years with a disgusting experiment she adores.  Birthday Goo?!

 She loved her new cruiser bike all weekend long. She has since realized it isn't perfect until she has a basket up front.

 Aunt Andrea baked her the delicious cheesecake she requested, moms would have come out of a box. Delicious!!

Her birthday was complete after a trip to Texas Roadhouse and a stop by the mall for cute new jewelry and  yummy smelling hand sanitizer. 

S. could hardly wait for her own birthday after seeing 2 siblings celebrate theirs. She had a countdown chart to help with the days but an hourly chart would have been better. That's how often she asked when her birthday was.
Finally the morning arrived! She is now 6! Wow!

 She thought mom was a serious weirdo for putting a lit candle in her oatmeal.

 Speaking of weirdos, she found the perfect spot for the cake pan packaging. The cake turned out great but unfortunately the adhesive on the cardboard turned out too sticky. She lost a little skin off of her face getting it off!

 Party time with some cousins and grandparents. Happy Day!