Visitors!

 The week after spring break we were lucky enough to have Kelsey and Grandma and Kelsey's kids come visit us.  We don't get to see these cousins too often, and they have not visited us since they were babies, so we packed a lot of fun in.  One day we hiked tear drop.  One of our neighbors was nice enough to let us borrow her 4 wheel drive car so we could get our whole crew up there. 

 The cousins were a little nervous about the hieghts and hiking, but they really did great.  Sometimes I wish my kids would feel a little caution.  We climbed into the ruins- well everyone but me, my baby dind't like that plan.

 Benton loved the sand here,  he laid down on it whenever he found a soft patch, it was pretty funny.

 The braver crew went clear up to the top of the rocks using the toe holds and braving more heights.

 These kids were troopers, we packed so much in that we did two hikes on one day, they did awesome.

Spring Break California

For Spring break, which was right after the 2 snow weeks, we left the snow and went to sunny California. I really could not have asked for a better family trip. First we went to San Diego and stayed with Devon's aunt and uncle. Devon and I got to attend a session at the San Diego temple (thanks Traci) and it was so beautiful. We spent a day at the beach, which the kids enjoyed every minute of. Perfect weather. Spencer and James tried out the boogie board.  Carrie decided that since the boys were not wearing shirts she did not need to either, we are going to need to get her a swimsuit that is one piece instead of a rashguard and shorts I guess.

We all had a lot of fun at Tom and Traci's house.  Carrie was especially interested in the chickens, and the boys loved gathering eggs and picking fruit from the orchard.

Then we went to Disneyland.  It was a perfect day, good weather, happy and healthy kids, we got on every ride we wanted to and stayed from when the park opened until when it closed. 

These first few pictures don't look too Disneyish but James still talks about the goats and it was one of the few things Carrie wasn't afraid of trying after riding Pirates of the Caribean.

Carrie also loved the carousel, no scary dark rooms here.

Devon's favorite fantasy land ride- MR. Toad's wild ride.  I think we did it 3 times.

We got perfect seats for the parade because Carrie fell asleep right about the time people started setting up camp, so i just chose ad spot and the boys got to keep on riding until the parade started.

The boys waiting for Autotopia.  It worked out perfect because Devon got to ride the crazy rides with the boys, but Carrie was too short and I am too with child, so we got to hang out together while they rode.

We went on Pirates of the Caribbean as our second ride of the day, and Carrie was absolutely terrified.  She would not take her hands off her eyes for anything.  From then on she was a little wary of any ride, especially one that started in a boat and entered a dark building- which even includes Small World.

James and Spencer were two sided about the roller coaster type rides.  They both talk about them now ans say how fun they were, so I think they enjoyed the scare.

Everyone's favorite ride was Astro Blasters.  They boys even bought Astro Blaster guns with their "good bucks" and after that Carrie "shot the bad guys" while waiting for the boys to get off the crazy rides.  I have never seen my kids be so happy all day, I guess it really is the happiest place on earth!

Snow

One of the last Sunday's in February we woke up to snow- and it just didn't stop snowing.  It usually doesn't snow much here- my previous sledding and snowman pictures attest to that.  I hoped for a snow day and was cursed.  We had snow days for 2 weeks!
This is the first day.  Devon helped the boys make a fort.  Carrie lasted outside for about 2 minutes.

 The snow was literally waist high on the boys.  Spencer asked my mom in Idaho if we stole their snow, and I think we did.  This was crazy.

 Unfortunately Devon still had to take a few students to Washington DC for a week because they had won a stock market game.  So the kids and I did a lot of stuff that we found on Pinterest and tried to stay sane

 

We built a fort, colored the snow, made playdough, painted, made cookies and yes watched a lot of tv.

We were very glad to have Daddy home for the second snow week, even though he had to go into work at least I saw an adult in the evening.  I am lucky to have such good kids though- I was actually sad to see them go back to school- I love spending time with them.

Are you sure this is Monument Valley?

Carrie is 2!

 Carrie turned 2 on February 21st.  I can't believe she's not a baby anymore.

 She loved the baby she got from one grandma and the baby clothes she got from the other, they must have coordinated.

 She also got a bike which she loves and rides all of the time.  Happy birthday Carrie Boo, you bring so much joy to our family. 

February

 James really wanted a picture in front of the Cougar- he and Spencer are going through a wild cat stage- thanks Wild Krats

 Carrie loves her brothers.  She is always following one of them around.  When Spencer is home he is the only one she wants to read books to her.  They are great big brothers for her- usually

 Thanks to all the people who sent us Valentine stuff.  Grandma sent these cool balloons that you hit and then they fill up with air, the boys were amazed by them

 And other news in case you didn't know.

January

 Just a random picture of Carrie being her cute and crazy self.

 Spencer made a desert diorama for school.  He was very careful with each animal and plant and how they would work together.

 For a few days in January we got to have 2 extra siblings while their parents went on a trip.  Carrie absolutely loved having AJ for an older sister.  She followed her around everywhere and now sits with her every Sunday at church.

 Spencer and James loved having another brother, and it was actually less work for me to have these 2 extra kids because my kids were having so much fun.

 We built some snowmen because i figured this was the last snowstorm of the season.  I was very wrong!