Monday, May 2, 2011

 The tree out front exploded with blossoms last week - this week all the leaves opened up.  Spring is amazing!
We got to talk with cousin L on Skype tonight - it was kind of bittersweet for me.  This time last year I was enjoying Easter egg hunts with Heather's family, sharing L's birthday in person, taking a road trip w/ Heather & the kids and being rescued by Heather & Ryan when J-boy sliced up his chin at the playground.  It was such a blessing to live near them for that year - it just wasn't nearly long enough!
 I brought the tote of Spring decorations into the house, but K-lady got to it before I did and set out a Spring Party for us.  She made snacks of cuties and fig newtons and flavored water, and decorated the toy room, and set up Easter egg hunts.  It was pretty cute to see her so excited to be the hostess.
 Family Home Evening activity at the Park - we brought the bikes along -- Baby A's pretty reckless w/ her retro red trike - she's always popping wheelies taking the turns too tight. :)
 Conference Sunday - I love conference weekend!  It's so refreshing and energizing to refocus and recommit and be excited about doing good.  There was a huge thunder/hail/high-winds storm tonight, and our power went out for about an hour.  The older kids were already in bed, but our late-napper-Baby A stayed up to play with flashlights and Joseph chatted w/ the local ham radio boys and I lit all the candles I could find.  :)
 Today was General Conference Saturday - Joseph had priesthood meeting at the church, so the kids and I went to 'family movie night' at the theatre downtown - an old Spanish-architecture beauty that was restored a few years ago - we enjoyed explored a little after the movie was over. :)
 K-lady and her friend found this huge cocoon on the bush in the front yard - since they'd already plucked it, we decided to give it a new home in a mason jar w/ grass and leaves and see what happened.
I love it when the shapes and colors and textures in the sky compensate for the flatness of the land here.
 Baby-A 'helped' me measure out the flour for bread.  The floor needed sweeping anyway, might as well enjoy the mess, right?
 J-boy flipped the pancakes for dinner tonight.  :)
 And then it snowed the next day!  Ah, Spring in the midwest!
 We bought a mega-tent w/ our Costco membership cash back rewards. :)  We fit 2 queen air mattresses and a pack-and-play, and still had a 'sitting room' at one end of the tent. The night before we had a terrifying thunderstorm.  Somehow the children slept through it, but Joseph and I laid awake and stared at each other wide eyed as we counted the seconds between the lightening flash and the thunder rumble (which we could feel quite distinctly through the air mattress - just a leetle disconcerting!).  The next morning we woke to cold, grey drizzle.  The kids played on my i-touch and Joseph's phone while Joseph and I packed up camp.
 Spring Break Camping trip to AK -- I had no idea AK was beautiful!  We had a great time - so nice to be together w/o distractions.
 The first little start popping up out of the seed pellets -- the focus isn't fantastic, but I love the little droplets of water on the tip of the 'leaves.'
 Up to the city for a little lesson on Adobe Lightroom from my friends, Ann & Heidi.  Couldn't resist snapping a shot of the baby in the house (just 12 days old, same one we visited in the hospital the 11th) - what an angel!  Babies are a miracle.
 Baby A was invited to her first ever friend birthday party!  I made this little apron and toy oven mit, and wrapped them up w/ a muffin mix for the gift.  I'm in love w/ pom-pom trim!  :)
This is what we do at the end of the day, after dishes are done.  Perfect snuggle up on the couch time.  :)
 Joseph the farmer has started his seeds (these little pellets are amazing!)
Hallelujah!  Spring is COMING!