Badge complete

Tonight we finished our junior Girl Scout geocaching badge.

It was a little drizzly out, but when it stopped it was buggy so we were happy for it.

It was a little thorny traipsing thru the forest following the girls as they "read" the compass.

We successfully found two boxes and traded items and had fun.

Now the girls want to earn the fishing badge, thanks to our geocache expert who brought a fishing pole along.

Last day of spring break

I really wanted to go see the cherry blossoms at the tidal basin today. But they haven't bloomed yet. 

Instead we had a random day. Hannah helped Grace with her hair. Which was so sweet. Then the girls and I went to Old Navy and got some shorts. Then we went to Kohls and Teariffic. Grace had enough at that point and Han was just warming up:) 

When we got home Grace and I dragged a blanket into the backyard and read chapters of The Secret Garden together. That's her novel for school right now.

The wind is perfect for kite flying. We got all the kites up except the tie fighter was hard and didn't quite get the altitude we wanted.  Anyway the kids had fun and E was bummed when he had to leave for soccer.

Grace is making 1234 cake for FHE treat. She learned the recipe at the maple syrup bush last weekend. 

Tomorrow it's back to normal. It was a good break.

Easter

We had a really great Easter. I love having general conference on Easter Sunday. Between the first and second session the Buxtons and the missionaries came over. We had dinner together and then watched the last session.

Conference  was so powerful. Every talk was hard-hitting and timely. It's time to put a lot of action into play for our lives. We need to be strong disciples. 

Someday I hope that someone says I have unusual faith. I have a lot of bad habits to get rid of and a lot of good habits to cultivate before that will happen:) Good thing we have the best example, advocate, cheerleader, enabler ever to help us.

Found this cute picture of Grace when she was just one and enjoying her first Easter bunny. 

Saturday Afternoon and Night

Dani sent these cute pictures today.  Look how big little Marshall is getting!!

These two pictures were taken by our neighbor Gabriel.  They are from his porch looking into our backyard.  Sighs of spring are every where, deer are plenty, the turtles are getting very friendly with each other.  

We watched the afternoon and Priesthood sessions of conference.  They were so great.  So many talks about the sanctity of the family.   So many words of warning and good counsel.  I loved Elder Cookes talk.  It was so inspiring.  I also loved Pres. Monson's talk in priesthood.  His story of the first time he gave a blessing was so sweet and touching.  I hope my boy listened closely and heard how special it is that he holds the priesthood and is entitled to the ministering of angels. 

Tomorrow is Easter.  The baskets are ready, Hannah and I did some preparing tonight.  It will be a special day. 

Morning session

So many awesome talks, such life changing counsel.  We are so blessed to recieve guidance and direction as we live our lives, love our families, serve our fellow men and follow the Savior.

this happy girl is going to spend the time between sessions were her dad on the water.

spring break, the casual side

Our past few days have been, much to the children's delight, uneventful.  Every morning Ethan asks me "what is the plan for the day" and when I answer nothing he cheers.  Silly boy, such a homebody. He did spend two whole days out and about in the neighborhood playing with other boys.  Which is good.   He's spent a good deal of time playing video games, which I hate and he loves. He's also read a couple of books, done all the chores I have assigned him and stayed up late each night.

Grace has played with Arden a lot.  Tried her hand at some cooking, read some, played with her tablet and her pets and has been researching hedgehogs, which she is not getting.  She has some homework which we will get to today.

Hannah is pet sitting and baby sitting and sitting in her room doing her hair and watching teen wolf.

Thursday evening Debbie and Becky and Jamie and I went to the temple.  We had a lovely evening.  We drove up together and then went to eat after.

Rob has been working working since we got back.  It's been busy and stressful for him.  He coached soccer one night, took his bike for a spin another and took his fishing pole to work (but I'm not sure if he got to go fishing or not?)

Friday Ziva had a spa day.  Her groomer reported that she was fat and spoiled. One at drop off and one at pick up.  I think we'll find a new groomer.
Rob and I went on a date.  I was looking forward to it as it's been awhile since we have.  We went to see Insurgent and had Cafe Rio.  It was a trio date, me, he and his phone.
I liked the movie but found the 3D distracting.  I love 4, he's a cutie.  Cafe Rio was awesome, of course.

This is general conference weekend! Finally.  I'm very excited.  It's also Easter weekend, which is wonderful.  We haven't been super eastery around here this year.  I didn't break out the easter decor or buy new easter clothes. We did paint eggs and go to an egg hunt but that's it.  We will make sure to mark the occation tomorrow, but really what better way to celebrate the ressurection of our Lord than to hear His words and remember His sacrafice.

April Fools

I don't actually like fooling people but we did do something silly, albeit not too too uncommon, we had breakfast for dinner.

Grace and Arden really wanted to cook dinner for out two families and this was a convienent night. They planned the whole menu and did almost all the work.

They dyed eggs for hard boiled eggs. Made hashbrowns, fruit salad, muffins, bacon, and juice and for dessert smoothies.

They did an excellent job and had a lot of fun.

Grace asked me after "mom when you cook a big dinner does it take you all day??"