He's 4!

Things got started the night before with a sibling sleep over on the loft bed.

(getting Bub down to go potty was quite a feat but Darin and I did it while laughing hysterically....he doesn't wake up at night so we sleep walk him to the potty...he seriously never even remembers in the next morning)

I put 4 balloons (1 blue, 1 red, 1 green, and 1 orange as requested) tied to a new Superman shirt (didn't get around to making his birthday shirt) in the room for him to wake up to.

Miriam made him raspberry pancakes with whipped cream for breakfast.

Soren goes to a cute toddler music class so we took punch balloons to give out to his music friends.

Then we had his friend party at the park across from our elementary school. It's perfect because Miriam could miss recess and lunch to join us, and then Bub runs over for afternoon kindergarten.

It was a tad cold, but doable with a jacket.

Cupcakes made by one of my cute Young Women, Riley.  She put an oreo in the bottom of the chocolate cupcakes with heavenly buttercream frosting.  I left everything up to her and she did a perfect job! I am still dreaming of those cupcakes, kinda wishing I hadn't been so generous with them.

Our party guests.  A few of Bub's kindergarten friends and one of Miriam's friends in the mix.

Soren watched The Incredibles and then took a glorious birthday nap.

(He didn't feel like it was glorious but I did)

Even Superman needs naps...

(took Byron to soccer practice, Miriam to piano)

Okay, on to the most important part of the day.  Soren has been wanting to eat at Hot Dog on a Stick since October! This has been his birthday wish for months.

Corn Dog, sizzling hot fries, and green lemonade.

Alicia met us there so we all enjoyed the mall food court together.

Then on to the Lego store.  The workers there were so cute with Soren! When they found out it was his birthday they gave him a superman figure and a t-shirt in a bag that said "Happy Birthday Superman"

He picked out some gifts from us and Alicia.

He walked around the mall like a boss with his Lego bags totally satisfied with his purchase.

At 10:00 pm I think he and Byron finally settled down from the fun and and fell asleep.

Easter Repeat

The morning of our annual Flashlight Easter Egg Hunt (held the weekend AFTER Easter to take advantage of 50% off candy) was so wet and rainy! Byron played a soggy game of soccer (Soren and I were soggy spectators) while Miriam and Darin helped Alicia move in the rain.  We were all soaked so I packed winter coats and snow boots for the egg hunt.

We ran into a bit of snow in the canyon but by the time we got to Price it was blue skies! 

The farm wasn't even that muddy.

Photo op with Grandpa's old truck...this is the car my mom learned to drive with

(minus the steer horns..I think those were added later).

Byron and Soren (all the kids really) were so excited! 

When they had found a certain number they got a golden egg from Grandpa filled with a $5 bill!!

With Miriam's birthday she now gets to hunt in the back pasture with the 10 + crowd.  

My cute mom and Grandpa.

The hunters with Damon and Gwen...this event wouldn't ever happen without them!

Easter Morning

Cousin Bunny Party

A few cousins grew out of the hunt but we added a few who were visiting. 

Morning soccer games pushed the party back to an evening affair,

but we had time to fit in all the activities...

hunt to hearts content, and play with cousins for a few hours.

Scenes from Conference Weekend

Some of this...

A bit of this...

and that...

Throw in some food, a few really great naps, one soccer game, a bike ride.

There you have it.

Conference weekend April 2014

Spring Break 2014 Arches

Arches is one of the best places to hike with little ones.  It's busy for sure but the hikes are very manageable.  The kids were amazed by Gobblin Valley, so I was a little worried that Arches might disappoint but they loved it!  

The family picture below may tell a different story but really they all did love it.

Soren unfortunately, got a sliver on the trail up to the overlook to Delicate Arch and was a grump until he got a fruit by the foot from the car.

Darin is the sliver master...seriously he is so good with detail work, he should be removing cancer and tumors for a living. 

Sand Arch is my new favorite.

I am slightly obsessed with the feeling of sand in my toes so this was delightful.

I overheard a little girl say to her parents "I can't stop enjoying myself!" That is how I felt exactly.

Byron's teacher collects sand from her travels so we snuck some sand in a ziplock bag (notice Bub's hood).  She probably has sand from Arches but I like to encourage any thoughtfulness my kids come up with.  B is suppose to give her the sand today but he is really nervous about it.  He says it will be "awkward" (which is what he says about EVERYTHING) but I hope he goes through with it.

We went down to the visitors center for a really windy picnic while the winds kept getting worse and worse.  My parents loaded up Marcus and Wyler and said "we are out of here" but I didn't want to be done impressing my kids with nature!

So we braved the winds to see Double Arch.

On our way up the trail a family coming down warned us that the winds were getting scary and dangerous.

The winds were strong and we took shelter a couple of times but it was more of an adventure than dangerous. Byron won the quote of the trip award for saying out of the blue "The only dangerous thing about this wind is that it is stirring my toots around!"

It started to rain a bit, and as we looked down towards Moab it was a red dusty mess so we decided to head out as well.  So nice to know that we can stop in Price after a long day of adventure. One of the beauties of that place is that it is 2 hours from everything!  When we got there we met Sandi, the competitive skier from France, Westminister graduate and hitchhiker in my parents kitchen. My parents had picked up on their way home.  Classic parents, and one of the most impactful parts of the weekend for Miriam. She has been talking about the girl from France ever since. 

Spring Break 2014 - Gobblin Valley

My parents were watching my nephews for the weekend (it's dance season and the boys are boycotting) so we came up with an escape plan.  At first they were all going to stay up here...then we switched to the dessert...then we were watching the weather to decide...very last minute we decided on Gobblin Valley and then very very last minute I decided to get a hotel in Moab and very very very last minute my mom said to get one for them too.  I think we got the 2 last hotel rooms there.

I think we made the best decision.  

How have I not introduced my children to this place sooner??

We couldn't totally let the big kids roam because the littles would follow so I promised Miriam we would go back when Soren was older.  We will bring walkie talkies and they can play hide and seek and explore to their hearts content.

Of course it was windy by lunchtime.  I think all my memories of springtime playing in the dessert include a little sand in my sandwich. Spring winds and sunburned cheeks...good times.

Then on to Moab for swimming and pizza....