What the?!?!?!?

One of my kids favorite comments to make when something unexpectedly happens is "what the?" and then they have a weird look on their face. For example, on April fools when I sneakily opened bags of chips and fruit roll ups and replaced them with carrots, celery and paper for the roll ups Amanda opened her bag of chips and said, "What the?! That's weird. Their are carrots in my chip bag!" Of course I was giggling and thinking I was so great, wondering how my kids were reacting to their lunches at school. I opened up my blog today to add a post and my comment was, "What the?!" Apparently someone has changed my background. I like it. But, it does surprise me as my husband who is most likely the perpetrator hasn't really taken to blogging. I guess it is nice to know he cares!

Do you know the way to San Jose?

This year we flew down to SJ for spring break. Gramps and Granny (as my kids kept referring to my parents) were very gracious to put up with us even though we were there during the hectic week before tax deadline (thanks Dad!) It was the first time our family has flown anywhere and the kids were oozing with excitement and anticipation.

Aaron helped me get everyone checked in and through security. He was staying-so I guess it wasn't the whole family- and flying down a few days later. We all had our suitcases, snacks and carry-ons.

The officer at security commented (as did the people behind us) at how well the kids were behaved. I really thought I would get some negative comments having all of them with me but I didn't. The plane ride was great and they loved it--except when it was time to descend. Alex and Amanda had a really hard time popping their ears and didn't think that was too fun. Otherwise it was great!

First stop, the temple. I was so glad we were able to go. It was a beautiful day and we walked around the temple grounds and toured the visitor center.

Amanda thought that palm trees were pretty cool and wanted a picture of herself by one. If you look closely, you will see her at the base. By the end of the week she would roll her eyes and say," Uhh, another plam tree!"

Justin really felt a difference being on temple grounds. He really took everything in and had a pretty special experience in the visitors center--the kind every mother wants their kid to have. It was awesome and one of my favorite parts of the trip.

Sat. and Sun we watched conference, played at the playground, swam in the hot tub, and enjoyed the warm 80 degree days.

Darren loved the trampoline and just being outside.

Monday was looking to be really nice and so we decided to head over the mountain to Santa Cruz and hit the beach. It was a gorgeous day. We couldn't have asked for better, really. Darren loved the sand and spent the whole time taking handfuls and letting it run through his fingers. All the kids tried the water but decided to too cold. Amanda was the die hard and played the longest.

Justin hit the water a few times and then would come wrap up and warm up. He fell asleep and we had to cover his ears so they wouldn't get sunburned! There was also a fire close by on a cliff just down the beach. We saw huge flames and watched as 3 fire engines came to put out the fire. It was very exciting.

Grandpa buried Amanda and Justin. They made Amanda a little longer then she normally is. She loved it and thought it so funny.

We had to leave before we were ready so I guess that means it was a success. I have more pics I have tried to upload 3 times and for some reason I can't. I guess this will just have to do.

I picked Aaron up on Wednesday while my mom took the kids over to Dad's office. They got to see where Gramps worked, look at the fish in the pond and then walk across the street to get lunch.

Thursday we headed to the Tech Museum and saw some pretty cool stuff.

The kids got to ride in a bobsled simulator. The video below is Aaron and Brittany with "drunk goggles" on. They put the goggles on and then had to walk on the line. Good stuff. That's it for now, more later.

It goes by so fast

I would like to report that everyone is finally healthy and all are doing well but not so. This month has been hard on our family health-wise. We have all gotten the flu bug and some more than once. Justin is currently on his 2nd round of something and has missed 2 days of school laying on the coach looking like he doesn't have enough energy to lift his head. He perked up a bit tonight so hopefully tomorrow will be better. We are ready to have some spring weather and be healthy!

Darren has been getting brave this week and has taken a few steps. He still prefers crawling but loves the praise he gets when he takes the steps. He is so fun and keeps us smiling all day. Here are some Darren highlights.

Tag, I'm it

My wonderful sister tagged me last week so I guess I better get this done! Rules: open the 6th folder in your pictures folder on your computer and post the 6th picture. Here you go!

This was taken in 2003 and was a pretty awesome double rainbow. We could see the whole thing of both of them! I don't think I have seen one this vibrant or complete since.

I got tagged again but will have to do that one another night. For now, here is my goofy son who looks like a dude in his new coat he won't take off. He even wears it with his PJ's
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One last picture. Justin and Brittany both participated in the county Math Olympiad competition on Saturday. Justin had placed 2nd in District in Individual and his team took 1st. Brittany's team placed 5th in district. For county, although Brittany didn't place at all, Justin's team took 2nd place! He said that he choked on individual but did very well on the team competition. This pic is of his team with each of them sporting their cool trophies. Congrats Justin! That is awesome.

What happens in Vegas

We spent the weekend in Vegas with Aaron's parents and siblings (all but one) to enjoy upscale living at a really awesome timeshare. It was a whirlwind of a trip but tons of fun. We left the 4 older kids with friends and jumped on the plane.

Highlights of the trip:

• leaving from Bellingham Airport, so close to the house was awesome!
• Incredibly nice apartment/hotel/room
• Family
• Hoover Dam
• Geocaching
• Spending time with Aaron
• Sleeping in
• Steaks

Darren loved turning the water on and off all weekend.

Lake Mead is in the background. We didn't find one of the caches that brought us to this place but the view made it totally worth it.

Driving to Hoover Dam met us with the view when we turned the corner. I laughed when Aaron and his Dad both reacted with a robust "WOW! Look at that!" This bridge is being built and is pretty incredible to see. The new road will bypass the Dam and allow traffic to move more smoothly.

Inside the Dam. Enough electricity is being made behind us to light 1 million homes (and I am pretty sure that Megatron was being held in the next room).

My Dam boys. Come on, you knew it was coming. The Dam tour was awesome and even the dam tour guide made jokes about the dam elevator, the dam stairs and even the dam camera policy! I could go on and on with a bunch of dam jokes but I don't want to bore you any more.

I would post a picture of the group but you know what they say, "what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas". That is the only explanation of my camera not making it back. It is on it's way (thank you Budget and Asian lady and Fed Ex). We had put most of the pics on the laptop before we left and that is why I even have any--in case you were wondering.

Next trip to look forward to is 10 days in SJ! Just over a month away we are pretty excited.

So close I could almost smell it, but then...

We have had some pretty nice weather lately. I have really been looking forward to spring. Lots of sunshine, hardly any rain and even some warmth! Last week we had days in the 50's and it felt awesome. A few daffodils in my yard have even sprung out of the ground. I'd take a picture but the only thing around tonight is snow. Yup, 5-6 inches of it. It was raining pretty good today and then it started snowing, the temperature dropped and the snow kept falling.

Poor Justin had to deliver papers this afternoon. Luckily he had an early start since the kids got out of school early today. He was cold and tired when he got home but really likes earning the money.


Alex and Amanda spent ALL afternoon outside. I love how they love to play in the snow. Brittany did join them post picture. I am pretty confident that there will be at least a 2 hour delay and probably yet another snow day tomorrow. Oh well, we love going to school til the end of June! (That makes 4 days we have to make up so far- 3 snow and 1 flood). Oh, and the white thing in AJ's mouth? Snow.

10 years in the making...

I have to confess that the memory card to the camera was found a week ago. I had put it in the Wii so Amanda could choose a picture and doodle. When she asked if she could doodle I realized the card was probalby still there. She ran down to check and came up and confirmed that indeed, the memory card was in the Wii. Her comment, "I didn't know that was one of the fairies hiding spots!" So, here we go again.


10 years ago we bought a card to collect the state coins. When Aaron was in Montana last month he received the last one of the collection. Hard to believe we got it 10 years ago, before we left Utah! Much has happened since then and most of it good.

This will be a short post but wanted to include this pic of Amanda and her friend Jared. They are good buddies and love to play. This particular day they wanted to have a picnic downstairs so I let them set it all up. They brought their lunch downstairs and voila, here you go. Lots of imagination and fun when they get together.

hmmm, fairies

Some of my children are more mischievous than others but I think Amanda has them all beat. Things have gone missing lately and Amanda seems to always know where they are. Last week the Wii remote was on the desk and later that day it was gone. After looking and looking, I asked if she knew where it was since she had been playing computer. She got a sly smile on her face and "found" it under the desk in the back corner. Hmm. Apparently I am a slow learner because all last week I didn't know where my nintendo DS was. Saturday I pulled the couch out, was cleaning behind it and under cushions all in hopes of finding it. Amanda asked what I was doing and I told her I was cleaning but also looking for my DS. I was a bit frustrated that I couldn't find it. She came running in a moment later with my DS wrapped in a bandana. She told me that the fairies had taken it and she found it. Well, after I finished my last blog post, I had left the memory card in the computer because I hadn't finished transferring pictures. When I sat down later to do it, the card was gone. I couldn't find it in the camera or computer and I NEVER leave it out. Today I asked if anyone had seen the memory card for the camera and again my sly little girl told me that she thought the fairies had taken it. I told her the fairies better get it or they will get a spanking on there behinds. "But the fairies are invisible, Mom, so you can't give them spankings but I will help them find it for you." Great. Only this time, the fairies seem to have misplaced the memory card and it hasn't turned up. SO, to make a long story shorter, if any of you fairies are reading this blog, I NEED MY MEMORY CARD! Please return it as soon as possible so I can finish what I started! I promise not to spank. I just want my card back.....and anything else you may have 'borrowed' from me.