2-wheels for Jack...

I know I just posted last night about Easter, but I wanted to share Jack's latest accomplishment before it gets brushed under the rug. Jack learned how to ride his bike WITHOUT the training wheels last Saturday!!! GO JACK! He was so proud of himself. We thought this would be a stressful process, but he got it within 10 minutes. Never fell down once. I think he's been ready, we just didn't get around to taking his wheels off early enough. Now, all he wants to do is ride around...only problem is that it's been cold and wet ever since. Here's hoping for warmer weather and no skinned knees.

I think Jack is getting too big for this bike, but it works for now!

Beautiful Easter Sunday...

Although we woke up to a layer of white snow (which didn't make me very happy) our Easter Sunday ended up being a perfectly beautiful day. We had an Easter breakfast, talked to the kids about the real reason for this Easter Holiday while they snacked on all the goodies from the Easter Bunny. Then we went to church which really was my favorite highlight of the day! I can't imagine the holiday passing without being spiritually fed and showing my gratitude to the Savior. Refilling my spiritual tank was exactly what I needed today. The children and youth sang, and we heard some beautiful talks. I feel like my life would have so much less meaning and depth if I didn't have the gospel to rely on, as my strength...my rock. Coley and Jason both came with us today. It's such a great gift to have them there with my family. ALL 3 kids fought over who got to sit on their laps. They obviously love having them come too! I am grateful for the Savior, His life, His example, the Atonement and most of all the Resurrection. What an amazing event in History. What an amazing gift.

We came home and had a fabulous Easter feast!! We dyed eggs, had an Easter Egg hunt and as usual just enjoyed each other's company!

These are the four people I love more than anything else in the world!!

I read this quote tonight and loved it. I just thought I'd share.

“Each of us will have our own Fridays—those days when the universe itself seems shattered and the shards of our world lie littered about us in pieces. We all will experience those broken times when it seems we can never be put together again. We will all have our Fridays.

“But I testify to you in the name of the One who conquered death—Sunday will come. In the darkness of our sorrow, Sunday will come.

“No matter our desperation, no matter our grief, in this life or the next, Sunday will come.”

~Joseph B. Wirthlin

Hope you all had a great Easter as well and I especially hope you all had the opportunity to be with those you love.

The day I was a corncob.

*This post is written by Keaton. He wanted to take a crack at writing his own blog post about his school play. He chose the pictures and all the words. Enjoy!

Hi my name is Keaton Howard. I did a play on April 12, 2011. The teacher's classes who performed the play are Mrs. Walker, Mrs. Sward, and Mrs. Mannon. They are all 2nd grade teachers. The part that I spoke at the play that was my favorite was "lets hear a song from the flowers. They love to swoon and croon. They usually sing right in tune." The play was about about a garden with lots of vegetables, fruits and flowers and weeds. There were lots of songs that we sang. There were about 6 songs. The weeds were rapper weeds. I got to choose what vegetable I wanted to be. I wanted to be a corncob. My mom made my costume for me and I liked it. I wasn't scared up on the stage but I was glad when it was finished. After my play when I got home, I got a present because I did really good. It was a lego Harry Potter Quiddich set. I built it in about 10 minutes.

The End.

This is my brother and sister with me after the play was done.

I am not doing my part. It looks like I am, but I'm not. My mom took this picture after the play but the microphone was already gone.

That is what I meant about the Harry Potter Lego set.

*And just to let you know...I was very proud of KJ!! He did great and didn't miss any of his lines as he was one of the main speakers!

Denver Bound...

Dan and I were given a WONDERFUL gift a few weeks ago from my cute little Sister and her handsome hubby! They gave us a weekend get-away! 'Away' was only 64 miles, to Denver, but it was just far enough to feel like we were on a mini vacation! They watched the kids, and we had a much needed kid-free weekend. When I was thinking back to the last time Dan and I went away with no kids I realized that it's been close to 5 years. We went to Mexico when I was very pregnant with little Olivia. Does that count as kid-free?!? Kind of, I guess. We've had trips here and there, but none with just him and I for far too long. And it was, shall I say, Heavenly. We stayed out late, slept in, ate at restaurants without kiddie menus, went country line dancing, and just enjoyed each other's company. The hotel they got us was right in the heart of downtown which was nice because we were able to walk everywhere. We were especially lucky to have fabulous weather which made walking around very enjoyable! I can't wait to do this again!

I think it should be mandatory for all couples with children.

So a HUGE thank you to Coley and Jason! We owe you big time...

Here are some pictures we snapped to remember our 'relaxing' weekend.

The Warwick Hotel - Denver

Dan was trying to be George from Seinfeld...little did he know I was going to post this!!

We found this super cute and little dessert place downtown call D bar. Had the best desserts. We shared Creme Brulee and it was divine.

I finally got to try PINKBERRY!!! It was so de-lish! We actually went twice...in one day.

*On a quick side note. If you are wondering why we had blue ribbons on, it was because it was Autism Awareness day! Just showing our support for these special little kids. All day it struck up conversation about Autism with various people, so we were definitely helping with the 'awareness' part! I am so proud of our little Jackie Boy!

One of our favorite Food Network shows is Diners Drive-ins and Dives. We got to taste test some of their famous dishes. It really was worthy of being featured on the show, their pork was so good. Fun and cheap...my favorite combo!

Dan is a car nut. So when we heard the Denver Auto Show was just down the street, we had to go check it out. They had pretty much every new car you can think of (including a stretch Toyota mini-van complete with hardwood floors and large screen TV's), these were a couple of our favorite 'dream' cars. Well, these and the Range/Land Rovers! The one Dan is in front of was only $274,000. Pocket change, right?!

One of my favorite things was that our hotel had a rooftop pool! And it was heated and felt like a bath-tub. It was perfect weather too! We had a freak 81* day that day which made swimming and catching some sun rays super enjoyable.

Here's Dan on the Widow-Maker. I think he wishes he were a real cowboy.

Line dancing was so much fun. Although I was one of the ones who didn't know what the heck I was doing out there. I used to know them all, but have forgotten everything! Dan and I had a blast here, something we've never done together. We've still got the moves! If you are ever in Denver you've got to try the Grizzly Rose. Fun place.

Now the only question is...When can we go again?

once upon a time...

I'm sitting here tonight taking a break from my usual 'after-the-kids-go-to-bed' cleaning routine. I am looking at a sink full of dishes, and have 3 loads of laundry waiting to be folded on my bed and I am having dreams of where I was a couple of weeks ago and longing to be back!

Once upon a time, my sister Coley and I thought it would be a brilliant idea to spend our Spring Break up in Idaho to see family and to have the chance to be at Britt's baby shower. So we loaded up the car with 2 chatty sisters, 3 wild kids, and 2 furry dogs for a 912 mile drive.

We were off to a magical place where we didn't have to cook, clean, do dishes, fold laundry or really do anything but relax and enjoy life and each other for a whole week! Sometimes I wonder why I ever moved out...it's great to be taken care of, and have a personal chef!

(olivia and ninny making homemade pizza)

Chapter one...

Ninny treated us to a day at the Discovery center. The kids always have a great time here and remembered it well from when we lived there.

Chapter two...

Britt, my baby sister, turned 24...and what's a better birthday night than American Idol and facial masks with the ladies!?!

Chapter three...

Britt's Baby Shower for Lucy! (this 'shower' phrase was tough to try to explain to Jack, who takes words very literal) He didn't understand why Lucy would need a shower inside Britt's tummy. Anyway...we were so glad to make the trip up for this highlight. The food was de-lish and little Lucy got completely spoiled.

Chapter four...

We spent a rainy day at the movie theater. Olivia has a MAJOR crush on a certain little singer named Justin Bieber. Ever heard of him?!? I have...about 97 times a day! She's obsessed with his music and knows exactly where to find it in my ipod. Anyway, we went to see his Never Say Never movie in 3D and she was enthralled with the whole thing. And...I hate to admit it, but I actually got teary a few times, is that pathetic or what? Then we stayed to watch Tangled. SO CUTE. Fun, relaxing day!

The moral...

Bed time stories are always better when Ninny is reading them.

And hanging out with Papa on the couch makes an 8 year old feel cool.

Conclusion...

We loved our week up in Boise, which is no surprise. We are so blessed to be so close and so loved by my parents. On our long drive home, we picked up another passenger (Shawn) and a chirping lovebird. What a sight and what a relief to be OUT of that car!

Now it's back to reality.

*Although I did have a chance to have a fabulous weekend away with Dan the very next weekend after we got home, but the dishes are calling my name, so that story will have to wait til next time.

THE END

*And remember, you can always click on the collages to enlarge! I cram-packed the pictures in!

breaking news...

Breaking news...hot off the press...KJ got glasses today!

I was thinking, "poor guy, he's gonna be so sad to have to wear glasses his whole life." So when I asked him how he felt about having to wear glasses, I was surprised to hear that he was excited because "he will look like Harry Potter". He's obviously going thru a Harry Potter phase.

It's funny because I remember a specific conversation I had with Dan when I was pregnant with Keaton about how our baby boy would have 'awesome' vision because neither Dan or I have to wear glasses!! Much to my surprise 2 out of 3 of our little ones didn't get our good vision!

I'm just hoping KJ will be a bit more responsible with his glasses than his little brother...I already spend way TOO much time trying to track Jack's down.

But he does look pretty cute if I do say so myself. Here's my handsome, 'smarter' looking little man.