Recipe For a Great Mother's Day Weekend

1. Have fun sister visit, give daughters cute haircuts, go out to eat, go shopping (buy most comfortable lounge pants ever for only $5 with sister's Gap discount)

2. Enjoy sons' soccer games with sunny, warm weather (a first this season!). Dallin made his first goal (actually the first time one of our kids has made a goal in a game...after over probably 50 games among our 4 kids...I know, they get their athleticism from me...) Lindsay and I were so excited, unfortunately Mark was on call and missed the momentous occasion!

3. Spend Sunday doing anything you want, including taking a three hour nap, wearing previously mentioned lounge pants, catching up on blogs, talking to BFF on phone, reading romance novel ("Austenland" by Shannon Hale, fun quick read), eating dinner made by hubby and kids, listening to everyone else clean the house, and hopefully watching chick flick ("Bride Wars") with husband if he's not at the hospital all night.

Not a bad day to be a mom. Happy Mother's Day to all moms and future moms, and especially my wonderful mom (who doesn't read this since she's not very computer savvy, but I love her anyway!)

Going to the zoo...

Yesterday was Brady's first field trip to the zoo and boy was he excited! We had been counting down the days for a week beforehand. I was afraid it was going to be too cold (it was only in the 40's when we left), but it turned out to be a beautiful day. Here's our group of fun boys (the two hugging each other on the left are Brady's best friends, Jackson and Camden.)

The lions were right next to the viewing windows so we got to see them
really close up.

The leopard was also really close to the windows but he wasn't too happy about the boys being there. He kept jumping up and scaring them (I wish you could see Brady's face and hear his scream!)

There was this cute little goose family just wandering around the zoo.

But the cutest thing to be seen that day was this one-of-a-kind animal:

It was a really fun day and I'm glad I was there. Now guess where I get to go tomorrow? Back to the zoo for Dallin's 2nd grade field trip. I know, best mom ever.

Busy Weekend

The past few days have been crazy busy but lots of fun. McKenzie had a few of her closest friends over for a little birthday party Friday night. Such cute, fun girls. She's found some great friends up here.

Saturday was the big regional dance festival at Boise State. They do it every four years and it includes the six stakes in the Meridian/Eagle area. The kids have been working for months on their routines and they did such a great job! The only problem with having 1300 kids all dancing in one arena is trying to find your daughter...when she's dressed like everyone else...and doing the exact same movements...and you're sitting about 15 rows back. I spent the whole time trying to spot Kenzie during our stake's number so I feel like I missed the whole thing and I forgot to take any pictures. These are some random ones Mark took towards the end of the night and after zooming in I see he actually got Kenzie in one pic! She looked so cute with her hair pulled back and (gasp!) makeup on.

This was the closing number with all 6 stakes (there's still one more to the left you can't see...that's a lot of kids!) It was really inspiring to see so many enthusiastic youth in our area that are choosing the right and trying to make a difference. Kenzie loved it, even though she fought me about doing it in the first place.

Our Saturdays are also filled with the boys' soccer games and plenty of yard work now that the weather is warmer. We're loving Idaho in the Spring!

Sunday Mark and I had to speak in church. Halfway through Mark's talk the fire alarm went off! A little boy had pulled it out in the hall. We all filed outside for a few minutes while they got it turned off. Mark did a great job of laughing it off, summarizing his talk and finishing up. Definitely a Sunday to remember!

Happy Birthday Kenz!

It's really hard to believe my first baby is actually 14 today. (You know what that means...stake dances!) It's been so fun watching her grow up into the beautiful, self-assured person she is. She has such a kind heart and a fabulous sense of humor and we can't imagine our family without her. Love you, Kenzie Bob!

America's Next Top Models?

This will teach me to be a little more suspicious when the kids are playing quietly downstairs on a boring Saturday afternoon. Kenzie may have outgrown Barbies a long time ago, but apparently she still likes playing dress-up. I give you Dallin and Brady's first photo shoot (and no, their Dad is not pleased.)

These photos are going to come in handy when they're teenagers!

Farewell Stars Hollow

After months and months and countless hours I tearfully watched the last episode of "Gilmore Girls" yesterday. I started renting the DVDs in the fall, and have watched every single episode in order. Needless to say, I loved it. I feel like these people have become part of my life! (A little pathetic, I know.) So now I'm feeling lost and need a new series to workout to (and occasionally hide from my family with.) Any suggestions?

Happy Easter!

We are enjoying a beautiful sunny day up here. Spring has been amazing so far, with the fields turning green almost overnight and the trees blossoming. This is one of the maples in our front yard. I'm excited to see how everything we planted in the fall will bloom.

Yesterday was a busy day filled with soccer games and Easter preparations.

Of course the Easter Bunny made a stop, bringing plenty of candy and some outdoor toys. McKenzie gave a great talk on the Savior's love during sacrament meeting this morning and now we're looking forward to dinner with friends tonight. I hope you're all enjoying this wonderful holiday!