BouLdeR CitY!

I have always loved Boulder City. The quaint, small town feel that is there is so comforting for me. You actually see kids walking down to the local candy store by themselves and you feel that it is ok. I took the kids out there to day to take a few pictures of Ava for her 2nd birthday.
(Sami had just fallen down, and she was ruined for the day)
After the always fun and non-stressful task of taking pictures of four totally cooperative kids, we headed into the historic part of town to do a little exploring. I had noticed a small candy and ice cream store a while ago and wanted to give it a try. It was so cute. They have a lot of old fashioned candy and they also make hand dipped chocolates, carmel apples and fresh salt water taffy. It is called Grandma Daisys in case any one wants to check it out.

Down the street from the candy store there is an antique store that had a sign for glass blowing demonstrations. We decided to check it out. The store itself is full of antiques and a lot of hand made crafts. A lot of the crafts are made by senior citizens that are "supplementing their social security" as I was told by the sales clerk. The glass blower was a 72 year old man. He showed the kids how he makes the little animals and made each of them a small item to take home.

We then took our picnic to the park for a few hours. We had a great day. I really enjoy the days that we can spend together and I love that my kids are now getting older and it is a little less stressful to take them out in public! (Although Ava did drop her first glass souvenir, but the kind man gave her a new one)

EasTer Egg HunT!

We went to the Easter Egg hunt that our ward playgroup had on Tuesday. The older boys thought they were too cool to be there, but when the candy came out, they soon changed their minds! There was a great turn out and the weather was BEAUTIFUL! I think it was close to the 80's. Spring is the best reason to live here. My mom was here enjoying the warmth and not looking forward to having to go back to the snow!

The kids had a great time. The girls were so cute together. Sami thought that she needed to help Ava, but Ava knew she could handle this task on her own. She is the biggest candy-aholic that there is. She would inspect the candy in the egg before she deemed it worthy to enter her basket. ( I did not get a picture of Austin looking at me, as he was too cool to have his picture taken at a little kid activity)

TrAcK BrEaK

The past 2 and 1/2 weeks have been filled with a lot of wrestling, pleading, and exhaustion, and that's just on the mom front! Who knew track break could be so exhausting for the parents involved? Luckily my mom came in to town for a week to help keep the troops entertained. I had to go spend the day at the dental school with Matt to have a tooth fixed and that is all she needed to justify a visit. I thought that it needed a crown, but the soon to be dentist was able to save it. That was a surreal experience to have my husband drilling in my mouth. I kept looking up at him and questioning his skills and abilities. I am happy to report that all of the time away from us and all of the money spent has apparently paid off. He seems to know what he is doing!


While my mom was here we spend time at the park,eating out a lot, shopping and visiting a few museums. She is great with the kids and they love spending time with her. I love her visits and am grateful for the fact that I did not have to do any of our laundry for a full week! She is way more patient with the non-stop desire to be entertained than I am.


Here are a few pictures from the Natural History Museum. Ava was terrified of the stuffed animals and buried her head in my shoulder with her eyes shut until we left that area. The only part that she was ok with was the aquarium. When we were walking through the dinosaur part she was holding Austins hand with her eyes shut!
(Notice Ava is no where in sight!)


I love being able to spend time with four of my favorite people in the world, but in the back of my mind I keep thinking, only a few more days until school is back in session! Woo Hoo!!

St. PaTty's DaY!

Every year the kids try and catch a leprechaun. And much to their surprise the pesky little things refuse to be caught. This year Easton had to make a leprechaun trap for school. Luckily Matt was off of school for a few days and was home to help. Easton and Matt made a pretty good trap and Easton was sure that he was going to be able to catch something this year. On St. Patricks night we left for scout Pack Meeting and Easton set his trap and placed a money trail through out the house to lure the leprechauns into his"cage of death!" When we came home a few hours later, the house was a wreck! Couches tipped over, chairs on their sides and all of Eastons money had been taken and replaced with shiny candy! Austin walks in and yells, "Mom, Dad hurry call the cops! We've been robbed!" He was sure as anything that some one had broken in and robbed us! Better luck next year boys!

Ava was just thrilled to find that someone had left candy on the floor!

PaRk TiMe!

We have been enjoying the great weather that we have been having lately. This is one of the best perks about living here. We love it from about October through May! The summers we could live with out. I took the girls to the park the other day with some friends. Ava has finally learned that she can release the death grip that she usually has on my leg and go explore and have fun. She fell in love with the slides. Sami was there to help her with everything of course whether she wanted it or not. It has been in the 80's all week. (It was only in the high 60's the morning we went so that explains the jackets) It's been nice to be able to break out the shorts and flip flops again!

This is the best thing about the park. It wears her out completely, which means quiet time for mom!!

NasCaR!

Every year my uncle comes to town with my cousins to enjoy the phenomenon known as Nascar! We usually go out to the racetrack to meet them and walk around and enjoy checking out the fine caliber of people that Nascar attracts. Here is an example...


Notice the mullet and the substantial need for some dental work!
The kids always have a good time looking at the cars and hauling off with bags full of free pencils, stickers, hats and t-shirts! Matt and the boys were fascinated with the Shelby cars and Sami thought she was hot stuff to be with the big boys! Who knew that a redneck sport could be so much FUN!

ST. GeoRgE

I can't believe how big my oldest is getting! For some reason this picture blew me away!

We went to St. George over Presidents Day weekend see some of my family. My grandparents have a house there, so it makes for a quite and easy mini vacation. My mom, dad, sister and brother in law and their cute new baby were there. We took it easy most of the time. Went swimming and went to the Visitors Center at the temple. They have some great movies there that we have not seen. The kids actually sat still and paid attention for a few minutes. We also drove out to Santa Clara to visit a church historical site called the Jacob Hamblin house. Sami thought the best part was the "potty pot" that she saw!