Spring Break 2013

 1200 mile trip...Crazy?  Maybe, but I wanted to do something with the kids, now that we live closer to my family.  My parents own a cabin near Payson, AZ and we've only been a few times.  So I decided to "Just Do It!"  Rian flew out to Georgia to visit friends (Christmas Present) for the week and Trent had to work, so we had two extra seats...that I again, decided to be crazy and fill with...bikes.  Yep, I stashed 4 bikes (5 originally, but Ammon's was broken) and minimal stuff for the week.

Here are the maps I made for each of the kids (front/back).  Each star indicated when they would get their next round of snack (one healthy, then one junk food).  On the way down, we left at 4am and made it to Kanab, by 8am for breakfast.  Easy drive...because they slept.

 After Kanab, we crossed over into Arizona, and had to drive through Fredonia since the 89 Hwy was closed south of Page.  It was definitely longer...  But we made it to Flagstaff by lunch.  Since we gained an hour, I thought it would be fun to hike a little trail after lunch.  It was a cool trail, but the kids were anxious to get the drive over.  Thank goodness for RedBox...pick up in one city and drop off in the next.  For the record, the 260 is a pain to drive but pretty going through Pine and Strawberry.

Finally, we arrived in Payson around 4pm and did our grocery shopping...then headed the last 30 miles to the cabin.  My brother Dan came up that evening to hang out with us as well.  It was nice to be in the pines and have fun things planned.

Next morning, we just hung out and relaxed.  Dan took the kids on a hike around the area and found moose tracks and other animal tracks.  Perfect time for me to get a shower in.

We started a puzzle.  I love spending the week to finish puzzles.  I thought I would start off with a decent but not too hard one, 750 pieces.  Next time it will be hard ;o)

My sisters were able to make it up by lunch and hang out until the evening.  Kicking myself that I didn't get a picture of us altogether.  But oh it was sooo nice to hang out with them.  I miss them and really needed that time.  Shanda brought Rusty and Traci brought her daughters Jordin and McKenzie.  Ammon and the kids loved taking Rusty for walks and Ammon and Jordin also loved seeing each other again.

Next day, by mid day we drove up to the Mogollon Rim (highlight of the trip I think) and biked the pathway that lines the rim.  It was amazing!  The view doesn't manifest very well in my phone pictures, but it was awesome!  They liked looking over the edge at the sheer drop...The Rim road was closed to traffic so that was nice with biking, but that also meant the Lake was closed too.  I really wanted to go hike it and paddle boat...next time.

 

Dan and the kids.

Yep, my brother Tim was gracious enough to allow Ammon to use Ashton's Barbie bike...luckily ahead of time I cleared the pink bike options with Ammon, and it wasn't an issue.  Thanks Tim and Dan for bringing it up.  Seriously, this was the best day (aside that Ammon was the complainer, but still made the 4+ mile round trip).  The smell of pine warming in sun is one of my favorite smells growing up....heavenly.

When we stopped for our snack, there were still patches of snow, so Dan started a snowball fight. 

By the end of the biking adventure the kids were spent, but I can tell they really liked it and would love to do that again.

Yes we all had our share in chores...I was impressed how well everyone took charge and took care of things.

 Thursday morning, Dan had to leave early to make it back to the valley for work.  Luckily he only had a 1 1/2 hour drive.  Too bad the cabin wasn't that close to us...  But our last full day we spent finishing the puzzle, and wanted to check out the local fish hatchery there in Tonto National Forest.  Sadly, not a whole lot of activity, but we did see our share of fish in the big tanks.

After the hatchery, we started hiking Horton Trail.  Raegan wasn't too thrilled, so we didn't make it too far, but one day, we will finish it.  It ends at some springs, by the Rim so we will put that on our list.

Yes, we finished the puzzle!  It was a lot of work but we did it.  Tarin and I painted the glue on it and let it dry while we cleaned the cabin to leave the next morning.

Finished puzzle hung up...looking small and lonely up there, but maybe more will join it soon.

Next morning, we got up super early, so I could winterize the cabin and we could take off while the kids slept through some of the drive.  But oh, these views are why I absolutely love to drive.  Again, my phone pics don't do justice to the beauty and majestic textures and colors.

And yes, back up toward Fredonia it took us back over the Colorado River over the Navajo Bridge.  Thought we stop and stretch and check it out.

Seriously, this was breath taking...yes, very deserty, but gorgeous!

 Jarom can proudly say he made his mark on the Colorado River...Ammon too.

Oh and then back across the state line to Utah.  We made it home by around 4:30pm and were glad to see dad, Rian and the cat.  Home Sweet Home.  Proud of my kids for bearing with me and my crazy adventures.  I hope they learn to love traveling as much as I do.

Happy Easter

This picture is my absolute favorite.  After Christ was risen he visited the American Continent.  We celebrate that he still lives and that he loves us as Children of our Heavenly Father.  I'm thankful for his sacrifice for us and that because of his Resurrection we too will have the chance to be resurrected and live with our Father in Heaven.  This gospel of Jesus Christ is my core and will always be the center of my life.  I stand as a witness of Jesus Christ always and forever.

Although we don't do the whole "Easter Bunny" thing, we still do egg hunts and treats...  We drove up to my brother Jeff and his family's house in Centerville (north of SLC) and met up with my sister Tana and her family for a little Brunch and egg hunt.  It was good to get together and hang out.

Don't be alarmed for the "spirit" of this holiday...our kids love to dress up in their cousins dress up stuff.  Crazy, but I can tell they absolutely loved it.  This is before we let them loose to hunt the eggs. 

Tarin my cowgirl...

Bronson and Jack as duo Batman's

Raegan decided decided to be a pirate hippy, doing the sprinkler move...

And they are off...
Ammon is a wizard, I think... and Roxy is just so sweet.

Carter is just a glowing angel...he thought he found the golden egg, but sadly I had to tell him to keep looking.  This was his look before I told him...

Coleman, oh sweet Coleman...you are a darling.  So eager to master the joys of Easter candy.

Ammon and Tanner were also checking out their loot...

After all the damage was made, they decided to jump a few calories off...

Finally, Easter morning, most were dressed up.  Rian is out of town in Georgia for Spring Break, so we missed out on a little family photo shoot.  They are all growing up!

Journaling

Activity Days 

Journaling was the theme to our Learning to Live the Gospel. With General Conference, I also thought to add these tabs that I found on sugardoodle. Little did I know that this project would take a lot more time then I had planned for. But overall the girls had fun and were excited to decorate their composition notebooks with fun paper and embellishments.  I hope to find them using their conference tabs and take good notes.

Pary Time

Ammon had (I think) his first party ever.  I think I would remember if I had thrown one for him, but life is a blur right now.  He loved having friends over and making his cake.  I'm no cake maker, and this really didn't turn out as I planned, but he liked it and that is all that matters.

It snowed this morning, so I had to change a few plans with games. There were a few games but this one by far was memorable.  They had to race each other by dressing up from a pile of clothes, and with big gloves on, they had to throw an Easter egg through the hoop.  Such a cute bunch of kids.  Ammon was racing Celeste.  She was so funny because her big shorts kept falling down...

After games, they made their own pizzas...smashed dough, put sauce, cheese and pepperoni's on.  Here they are devouring them.  Some are not in this picture, but :  Issac on the left, then Jayce, Ammon, Titus, Celeste, Eli and Thomas ...Stratton and Preston aren't at the table.  Ammon loved being with his buddies.

Elementary School Play -- Wizard Of Oz

Tarin had the choice to do basketball season or be in the school play... Although she wanted to try basketball, she also wanted to try the play.  She became a MuNcHkiN...  She wasn't too much of a fan of dressing up and make up and crazy hair (weird I know, I'd love an excuse to be more crazy) but overall she has loved being apart of it.

The play went on for 4 evening (tonight being the last night) and one matinee performance for the school students.

The directors did a fabulous job with all 130 kids participating.  Tarin loved hanging out and playing her DS between her scenes.  The stage, sound, lighting...all of it was amazing.  It was exciting.

You can see the tired in her eyes...2 hour play every evening starts to wear on her.

The set was pretty cool!  She has told me she was really glad she did this play, because she's had a blast.

Big Boy 5

Our big boy, Ammon, is finally 5!  This kid has been counting down since last year!  But 2 months ago is when he got real intense.  To him 60+ days didn't cut it for logic, so I told him how many more Sundays...that was more feasible.  3 more Sundays...then 2...finally 1 more Sunday and he grew more and more excited!  He woke up to a giant ballon to start his day.

We made cupcakes for the family (party on Saturday), went to lunch and shopped for treats for his preschool class to share.

For dinner, he requested pizza.  As you can see on his face he was the luckiest kid alive!

After blowing out the candles, he couldn't wait to open his gift from the family.  We asked him random times what he wanted...rollerblades was the answer we always got.  So why not!  This kid is a machine and when he puts his mind to it...there is no stopping.

Oh the joy on this kids' face!  Such a fun guy!  Took a few spins around the neighborhood...still needs some practice, but I know he will get it soon enough.

Love you baby! Happy Big Birthday to you!

Track Season

Rian decided to try her hand in track.  She has the long legs and, in my opinion, is a great runner.  She was a little taken back by how much distance they run in practice, but I think she likes it.  Mostly I think she likes being part of a team and with her friends, but this will give her a chance to try new things.  Her first meet was today, against their rival school American Fork Jr. High.  I think it opened her eyes to the running competition and that it can be rough.  She participated in two events.  The 1600m (mile) and the 800m (1/2 mile).  I think she learned quickly about pacing or at least that she needs to figure it out, because she wore out quickly.  But this was a great way to learn.  Very proud of her for all of her effort.

Chore Chart

For many years I have wanted to do this. The kids are starting to age out of this concept, but it still works to keep the chores flowing and me remembering who has what. 

                                             Weekly Chores                                                          Saturday Chores 

Yes, I'm cheap, but they seem to respond to it.  5 cents extra if they make their beds.  Jarom has been my best one at this...Ammon follows because big brother does it.  Others are hit and miss.  25 cents if they pass off stuff like times tables or for Ammon his sight words...