Our Southern Side

 This Easter/Spring Break we got to spend our holiday in Dave's hometown of Pensacola, FL.  It had been three years since the kids were there for a visit and we figured it was time.  We are so glad we did because it was awesome!!!  Grandma had lots of fun Easter activities planned...a kids primary activity/Easter Egg hunt was being held, so our three joined in the fun. 



There were crafts and treats and every child was transformed into a bunny.  I think Grant's tail was especially fetching. 



We colored eggs, hunted for them in Grandma and Grandpa's back yard, found Easter baskets, went to church and had a declicous Easter dinner. 



We were in town for a very momentous occasion-Grandpa's 75th birthday!  It was great to join in the celebration. 



We even made a special birthday annoucment to him in the sand at the beach. 



Speaking of the beach...it doesn't get better than this soft white sand and clear water.  It is paradise there!  The kids could have spent all week there. 



Brenna was a little hesitant and cried at first.  She said she loved the beach, except for the sand and the water!!  Grandma took her searching for seashells,



and Dave made her a little Lagoon where she decided it was her own little pool.  Aunt Anna was a invited in the exclusive Brenna resort!



There was plenty of frolicking, building and buring- it couldn't have been better!


Dave and I also left town and left the kiddos over night.  We drove over to experience New Orleans.  And that place is quite an experience.  We stopped by a cemetery- they are fascinating there.  It's all above ground since New Orleans is below sea level.  Plus, we got to see a voodoo queen's burial site.  we etched our three 'x's' spun around, knocked on her grave and she spoke to us.  Okay, she didn't but that is the ritual.  We passed on that, but watched others seek her assitance. 



Mostly my favorite part is was just eating beignets at Cafe Du Monde.  Okay, lets discuss my hair for a brief moment.  It became a mop of kinky curls, very similar to a man's mullet.  The humidity always makes things unpredictable, but this was out of control. 



When we got back to Pensacola, we took the kids to the Naval Air Museum, home of the Blue Angels.  It is an amazing place. 



Everyone loves climbing in the jets, looking at the helicopters,



and of course, riding a missile. 



There is a replica of a air craft carrier that Dave's granddooy was on during World War II while in the Battle of Leyte Gulf.  We have a lot of family who served (or are serving) in the military and it is an honor to learn from them. 

Across from the museum, is the lighthouse, still in working order.  We climbed all nearly 200 stairs (without Brenna)  and it was fabulous. 



We spent lots of time with family, family we don't get to see very often.  Dave's grandpa lives by a bunch of goats and donkeys.  The kids loved feeding those stinky animals. 



Grandpa Church always had a bag of veggies cut and ready to go out for the kids to take.  We also saw Dave's uncles JP and Jimmy.  Because Dave's siblings (and parents) are spread out all over the country, sometimes it is years between visits.  We loved seeing Anna and Curt (and Droopie)

 and Dean. 

 

Grandma and Grandpa are the best hosts-they even gave up their bedroom for the 5 of us.  It was a fantastic vacation, full of family and fun!  Dave loves reconnecting with his southern roots and I love hearing my kids pick up a southern drawl by the end of the week!!

 

Miss St. Patty

 

 Katelee always seems to think her birthday takes forever to come!  That would probably be because she is at the end of our family birthday clump.  Mine in January, and her two siblings in February.  So she was thrilled when the much anticipated day finally arrived!!  This is the first year she chose a friend party.  Brenna had recently gone to a party at McDonald's and with a little suggestion, Katelee thought that would be a happening spot for 6 year olds too!   Here are some of the party people: Breanna, Katelee, Hailey, Christine, Emily, Capri and Pyper.  The boys (Grant and Collin) needed their own table, of course!


 I was not complaining.  Yes I know it is isn't the five star cuisine most moms must make for parties, but the kids were ecstatic, the playland didn't disappoint and the golden arches crew provided everything.  It was a stress free party and everyone toasted to its success! 

 On St Patrick's Day, Katelee's actual day of birth, we had family over for dinner  and cake and ice cream.  She chose a little purse cake.

It was supposed to stand up, but the crumbliness of gluten free cakes was getting the best of me.  So, this hand bag decided to lay flat.  I was so worried it wouldn't turn out, but phew....it did!  After presents

 and fun, we honored her with the happy birthday song.  Katelee is my biggest helper and such a goof ball.  She loves to laugh and has such a good attitude.  We are so happy she is part of our family!!

Baptism Day!

How grown up (and yet adorable!)  is this little man?!  Grant was recently baptized and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  He worked really hard to prepare for his baptism and learn about what it would mean for him.  He has a great desire to understand spiritual matters.  He has a drive to be righteous and helpful and we are so proud of him!!!

 Dave was able to perform the baptism and confirmation and that was something he really looked forward to and treasured.  Grateful to have these two boys in our family!  Grant actually got to be baptized twice because the first time his knee popped up!  So, to make sure he was completely immersed, he got to do it again.  Same thing happened to me when I was 8!  After he was finished, Brenna touched his shoulder and exclaimed, "You did a great job in that pool, Buddy!"  Indeed he did!!

Grant requested a purple tie, so he and his dad were matchy matchy.  He wanted us all to wear purple...not sure why, but only Katelee had the needed color option!  It was a momentous day.   Dave's parents were able to fly in for the occasion and we had lots of family over for a breakfast after.  Should have got some pictures of that, pretty sure I say that all the time!!

Love is in the Air

 Tis the season for love.  On Valentines Day, my kids' doors were heart attacked.  That blue marker decor was later added by dear sweet Brenna.  Thankfully, we only have washable markers at this time and it was fixed in a jiffy.  Appropriate to the sentiments of the month, we also got to celebrate Paige and Jason's marriage!!

We have been honoring the happy couple at showers (this spread is at my house, thanks to my lovely and talented neighbor!)  I didn't get a good pic of the banner and tissue balls she made, but my  house looked so festive and fun!  Paige had a freezing and stinky (literally smelly-it was at Wheeler Farm) bridal photography session.  All her pictures turned out stunning!  We had a fun family shower, a little dinner, just lots of fun in anticipation for the big event.  Last Wednesday was the reception.  It turned out perfectly.  All the grandkids in their orange...

 The siblings and mom and pop...

 There was a Leatherby's ice cream bar (delish), mingling and dancing. 

I busted some moves my momma would be proud of, or at least entertained by.  I hope the videographer captured some good moments.  My kids will be proud (embarrassed!).

 We all partied and ate and had a great time. 

The next day was the wedding ceremony at the Draper temple.  It was beautiful.  It is winter, however, so when we came out for pics, we were human popsicles.  We hurried through our pictures before the happy couple had some alone photos and I didn't take any with my camera.  I know their photographer got some good ones, so I will copy those.  We are so happy to welcome Jason into our family and look forward to watching this happy couple grow-literally...we'd like more cousins ;)!

 

Thrilling Threes

 

Because the 'twos' have been linked to the word, 'terrible,'  I am going to go out on an optimistic limb here and prematurely call the threes for Brenna 'thrilling!'  I don't think that is a stretch as Brenna has brought excitement and thrills to us from day one.  She keeps us on our toes and I don't think that her year of being three will be any different!  We sure love this red headed lady! 


Brenna chose to go to Jungle Jim's playland so she could ride the horses.  She is obsessed.  She also has a bit of an issue smiling like a regular child.  We tell her to smile and we get something like this...

or this...


Well, it makes us smile (or shake our heads), at least.  After Jungle Jim's, her restaurant of choice was "Old McDonalds."  We figured we had had enough germy play and opted to take the happy meals home for a blanket picnic and movie.  The next day was her actual birthday and she was so happy.  She got to go to church and tell everyone to sing to her.  We had a delightful pancake dinner with family and she couldn't wait to open her gifts.  As soon as she opened her Minnie Mouse dress up she said, " I need to wear it, " and thus began to disrobe. 

Brenna's favorite thing to do is dress up and dance.  Some moves are a bit risque and other times she closes her eyes and lets the music take her someplace new as her arms are thrown to the sides.  She is a crack up.  Unfortunately this week, she has picked up her old habit of running away.  I do not enjoy chasing her down the street in the snow with no shoes on.  Thank heavens for our neighbor (especially their dog) who alerts us to Brenna's escapades.  I love this age and the things she says.  She fakes laughs and will say, "Ha Ha.  I'm laughing."  She recently watched Beyonce's Super Bowl half time show and turned to my dad while explaining, "I wear panties on my bum.  But, Deyonce, she doesn't wear panties on her BIG bum."  Love her logic.
 
Here is to our super spunky 3 year old who loved her birthday and loves M&M's and 'shlockate.'  (chocolate)...We hope this day met her expectations because she always surpasses ours!!