a beautiful day

Easter is a great Holiday. Not only does it represent the most self-less act of all time, it is just a great time of year. Things are green and budding. It makes me feel a little more renewed and excited to continue on with the year, after a long winter. I sort of feel like I'm waking up (with the rest of nature) from a long winter nap, energized and ready to enjoy life again. Not to mention I am mother to two of the cutest boys that walk the planet (see above for proof.... and below). We had such a fun weekend. It was FULL to the brim with activities and fun events.

Friday, I enjoyed a date with the hubby. We went bowling with my sister and brother in-law and another couple from the ward. I had a strike, followed by a spare my first two frames! Oh ya, I was kicking it. Unfortunately for me however, it just went down hill from then on...... it's okay though, a strike on my first bowl! Give me some credit, I can be pretty awesome at times.

Then Saturday morning, we did our commercialized, traditional Easter egg hunt and Easter baskets. I always try to get a little something spiritual in the baskets. This year it was some books from Deseret book, for the kids of course. However, the most exciting thing pulled out of the boy's Easter bag (baskets are in storage) were their new crocs. The ultimate sign of warm weather! They were both so excited and funny about it. Eli had to wear his over his footed PJ's most of the morning. When I was little, I used to get Jellies, and I loved it. They were totally trashed by the end of summer, but those new jellies were the ultimate exciting way to begin the warm season!
Okay, the other really exciting thing in the Easter bag were gumball eggs. Eli just ate them without even chewing, and begged and begged for more.
Showing off the new Crocs. They were seriously a hit. I think I'll have to make this a tradition.

Will also got a Star Wars book in his Easter bag. Have I mentioned this kids obsession with Star Wars? Well, that is another post for another day. It's pretty fun though, what a great boy thing to love. I'm learning lots of interesting Star Wars information these days. And (below) Eli digging around for more gum.....
We had to line up the kiddies before they took off to find their eggs. I love this picture. It just shows the chaos that ensues here at my sisters while we've taken up residence here. Kayla, who's 10, then a bunch of kids 6 and younger. I especially love that Will is holding Eli back for the picture and that Eli is just laughing. That is pretty common, us trying to control Eli and Eli just laughing at us like "It's never gonna happen guys!"
Run Will! Each kid had a different type of egg. Will's were camouflaged. Which was fun because they were really hard to find. He was loving it though. Eli's were basket balls. It worked out great because each kid could only find theirs and they all found the same number.
Eli found his first "egg" and got so excited that it was a ball that he chucked it as hard as he could. He thought that was great. Then he just kept chucking it and chucking it. I tried to show him that he could find a whole bunch but he didn't care. One time he threw his egg on the cement and it broke open, revealing all the jelly beans inside! Then he went around finding his eggs, and trying to throw them on the cement to get the candy.



Then, Eli wanted to take a break from finding eggs and take a little ride on the swing. He thought Easter was awesome. And Will was proud that he found all his eggs, good job Will!

Krista's yard is looking so pretty and spring-like. We had to stand the boys in front of the blossoms. They are so funny, and so darn cute, I think I could just squish them all the time.
I love how Eli is looking to see what Will is doing, he's always got something really important, or funny to show or say to Will. They are true brothers. They help each other, they wrestle and play and laugh tirelessly, and they are best buds. Will has taught Eli some great Star Wars fighting moves, and Eli just loves to imitate Will.
After our egg hunt, we dyed eggs. That is always fun, and messy. Luckily, Eli had no interest. :)
On Saturday night, we had round 2 of Will's birthday. We did 2 parties this year, one in Logan and one here. We had to do them before his actual birthday because my parents, as well as my sister leave for Israel on his birthday, and I'm the designated babysitter for two weeks. So we thought it best to do our celebrating early. Mark and Steph were so gracious to offer their home to the homeless, for the hosting of the party. It was great, I'll try to get more pictures of our food and decorations up later. We had galactic pizza, Obe-wan kabobs (fruit kabobs), Ewok food (popcorn, pretzel mix), Jedi salad, Yoda Soda, and Darth malts. Plus lots of other crazy Star Wars inspired things. It was a lot of fun. We played Star Wars bingo, and did a Star Wars crossword puzzle that Scott and Will made together.

Will is such a sweet boy, he told me about 10 times "Mom, thank you so much for my Star Wars parties, they are so great." He is so tender and such a good kid. Even though it was a ton of work for mom, he deserves it. He's a great kid. He loved his gifts from everybody, both in Logan and here. Everyone was so kind to give to Will, we have great family and who love my boys and always support them, and us.
On Sunday morning, it was nice and sunny. Even though we were late for church, we ran outside to snap a couple pictures. I knew if we waited until after, things would be crazy, not to mention, Eli only keeps his clothes clean for about .5 seconds. I think they look so handsome in their new Easter clothes. There is just something so sweet and fun about boys dressed up in their ties for church. Especially when they match!

How can I resist that cheesy grin of Eli's? I can't. It gets me every time. I love that kid so much it is crazy. These little men are so special to me, I love seeing them grow and learn new things and love seeing them develop love and friendship together. It's not easy to be a full-time parent, but it is worth it, at the end of every day I am grateful to have had the day with my boys.

This is how Eli chooses to go down slides. And don't you dare try to help him. He is a dare-devil. Completely opposite from Will! He has no fear, of anything.
Sunday was also Krista's birthday. So we made a yummy dinner (I just realized the pretty glasses weren't on the table for my picture??) for her and had the table set so fun for Easter. We had ham, deviled eggs, mini Spinach bread bowls, salad, orange creamy jello, and home squeezed (am I saying that right?) lemonade. With some awesome bar cookies and ice cream for dessert. It was so yummy, I stuffed myself.

It was such a pretty day, we took a little walk and just relaxed. It was a fun, busy, and wonderful weekend, full of my family. That's what I love most!! Happy Easter everyone!

a project and an outing

I haven't really done any crafting in a really, really, long time. So, above is my latest project! I didn't really do any of it, except spray paint them. I saw these cute cake stands on a blog and roped my dad into making me some. He's a master wood worker, and was happy to make his daughter happy. :) So, he got to work and had them done in just a couple of days. A few weeks later, I had them painted and I love how they turned out! The pea green is my new favorite color. I'm thinking of all sorts of ways I can incorporate it into my house.... that I will have again someday......
About a month ago, we met up with some friends at the Children's Museum at the Gateway. It was so fun! Crowded. But fun. Unfortunately, these are the only two pictures I took. :( They had a ball playing and climbing and burning lots of energy. Plus it was so fun to hang out with Jaci, who I haven't seen in years. Her little Ikester is a handsome little devil. I think he and Eli could be great friends! I also like looking at these pictures because it reminds me of when Eli had hair! Awww so cute. We'll have to try that again once summer is over.

Just tidbit of some recent happenings.....

this is the place heritage park

Our first day of Spring break, we took advantage of the sunshine and headed to SLC to This Is the Place Heritage Park. It was a lot of fun. Before we went, we checked on the internet to make sure it was open during "winter" and it said open year round...... well, that was totally DECEIVING! I hate that. Sure, it was "open" but none of the houses were open. We are excited to go back, because I hear that you get to do all sorts of fun stuff, like pan for gold, exchange your "gold" for candy at the bank, sit in the school house and get a real life pioneer education, see and pet animals, eat at the hotel where I hear that have great fried and ice cream, etc. So we already have plans to go back, it was fun just walking around, but I can't wait to visit it in the summer.
This is Will and cousin Kayla in front of the Brigham Young Monument. We were pretty proud, since we are related and all. Great, great, great, Grandpa Brigham!

All the kiddos on the wagon, ready for a ride! Yeehaw!
This is how Eli enjoyed the excursion. It was nice and sunny, and Eli was happy just riding along in the stroller.... for about 2 minutes. Then he had to get out and run around with the other kids.
We DID get to ride the train. That was the highlight of the day, since it was the only thing open. Oh and the candy sticks that Grandma bought for us, that was exciting too! Grandma met us at the park, she has a grandparents pass that got us all in free. That was a big plus, I would have been really mad if we'd paid and nothing was open. It was fun to have Grandma come along with us. After the park, we all drove up to Logan to stay at Grandma and Grandpa's for the rest of the week. It was a fun little vacation!

from my phone

I just uploaded all the pictures from my phone. So, beware of the very long post and over load or pictures! Above: what I get when I say "Eli, smile!" I love it, it is cheesy and always makes me smile in return. He's such a fun kid. Even with the snotty nose and fuzz in his hair.... which by the way we cut! He looks so much older with all his hair gone. I'm missing his full head of hair, but I like it short too, he looks so grown up.
Scott got to take a golf trip St. George/Mesquite. He golfed 36 holes two days in a row and loved every minute. He came home exhausted, and sun tanned. He met lots of new friends and had a great time. He deserves it!

My nephew gave Eli this mini jersey from his bball team. It looks so cute on Eli! We can't wait to go see Denver play and cheer for the "Irish!" I think Eli will be his biggest fan!
We've enjoyed some spontaneous days of sunshine..... although it comes and goes between Spring and Winter. When it is nice and sunny, we try to take advantage and get out there! This day, we went for a walk and Eli and Will were having fun holding hands. They are such cute brothers, they love each other and play together often. Will only gets mildly upset when Eli wrecks his creations or steals his toys, or smacks him in the face. True brothers I guess, and Eli is so good for Will!
I went with my mom, sister in-law, and niece to see Anne Frank, the play up in Salt Lake. It was great, and we had a lot of fun. Note to self, wear a belt with shirt shown above..... or else look pregnant in any and all pictures. I am not pregnant, but apparently, the shirt I'm wearing could be maternity.
The medical group had a conference in SLC and Scott and I were able to go. He had meetings and I played around with my sister (who's hubby also got to go). We had rooms paid for by Intermountain at Little America. It was awesome, we had a blast. Dinner, hotel room, movie, lots of laughing with my sister and brother in-law, funny elevator moments, and lots of rest and relaxation. I even showed my ultra white bod and took a dip in the hot tub. It was a blast.
All the way back to St. Patty's! My little leprechauns, so cute! They hunted for the sneaky little green guys, were surprised with green milk, and ate green jello! Will built a really cool leperchaun house out of a milk carton and put shiny things in it as a trap. He had a total melt down when I broke the news to him that leprechauns were just for pretend and fun. It was really sad.
Will had his first trip to the dentist!! He did GREAT! I was so proud of him. He sat there so nice and opened his mouth so big. They even cleaned his teeth and he didn't even flinch. I was so relieved, I was really nervous about how he was going to be. He did great and even got a prize.



Our yummy Brazilian lemonade we made in St. George. It is so tasty, I love it. Our little Mexican hat straws really complemented the whole ensemble. MMmmmm, my mouth is watering thinking about that meal.
Eli got this frog balloon from our friends Del and Cheryl. He loved it and held it the whole way home in the car. I thought it was so funny because it was almost as big as he is!
Eli LOVES to go outside. He begs by the door almost everyday to spend time outside.

Sometimes I just can't resist. Eli is such a cute sleeper. Check out his cute smooshed lips.
Scott and I at the San Diego BBall game at BYU. It was such a fun game and such a fun night out with my Dad, brothers, sister and brother in -law, and my in-laws. It was great.
All dressed up for church. He is such a handsome little devil. Especially on Sundays, he's handsome, and he is a devil at church. Hahaha, no but seriously, we walk in the doors at church and he goes wild.

I laugh every time I see this picture of Will! Hahaha, he was eating Doritos and fell asleep in the car. He looks like he has lipstick on! What a sweet, funny, boy he is.

Well, that's it! Some bits and pieces of our life the past few months. My sweet boys are so fun, and keep my life so entertaining. I don't know what I'd do without them, all of them, especially my sweet hubby Scott. He's my sweetheart and my support and helper whenever I need it. I'm am so blessed in so many ways.