We be trippin...

April was a fun filled month for us and it has just flown by.  Besides Katelee's baptism and family coming to visit, we have had a couple other big events.  #1-Family trip to Moab

 

 

 

For the kids spring break, we decided to head down to Moab and take a little hiking vacation...really the other outdoor activities there were not options with the littles.  We spent the first night exploring the rim of Canyonlands, which was exceptional and then a terrible dinner at a local grill.  Seriously, most bad restaurant experiences are not worth mentioning but after waiting 1 1/2 hours for food and then getting the gluten free meal wrong, there were people in tears at our table.  The next morning (it was are hard to tell if it was morning, considering I was up all night patting Harrison's back when he would wake up confused...two years away from sleep on vacations-I can do this!) we primped for our adventure in Arches National park.  And yes, I did say primped for the hike...

 

This little diva got all bejeweled and said, "I'm ready for my hike, do I look fancy?"  And off we were to Delicate Arch.  It was fabulous and the kids were troopers.  This is not classified as an easy hike, in fact it is labeled as difficult, so I was a bit concerned.  But, there was no need to worry-it was a blast!

We live in a magnificent state!  The hike was spectacular and entertaining with this crew, for sure.  Brenna approached Grant and said, "Grant, lets hold hands, remember how you like to hold my hand?"  Grant responded that he actually did not recall this, at all, but with some coaxing, he did grab his little sister's hand and help her along. 

Despite Brenna's face in this photo, we were all thrilled to make it to the top!

It was super windy and a narrow ledge, so Dad especially was concerned.  We were so proud of the kiddos.  It helped to have amazing scenery and good snacks.  I handed Brenna a beef stick that she could not get over.  She kept saying how much she loved it.  Finally, I said, "Brenna, I will get you a beef stick for your birthday."  You would think the girl had received the best news of her life.  As we were hiking, probably an hour later, Brenna yells, "Dad, I want beef sticks for my birthday!"  There were strangers cracking up coming down the rocks.  They were saying, 'did you hear that kids wanting beef sticks for their birthday!?  Ha ha!'  Good times.  A little over three hours later, Dave did end up with one kid on his back and one on his shoulders, pretty impressive Daddy-O!

Each night, we spent time at the Rotary Park in Moab. The kids were in heaven...

The next day we hit lots of little hikes to other arches, but it was so windy, we had to keep yelling, "take cover!"  Harrison was a bit of a grump not getting naps, so he would snooze in the car a bit with Dave while I ran with the big kids through the sand storms!!  Katelee is ever our adventurer and was up for everything!  We swam at the hotel, went out to eat, saw the incredible Dead Horse Point and just had the greatest time!  Love getaways with our little familia!  Brenna, however, was not impressed with driving...she doesn't drive on vacations, she informed me, she flies! 

 

The following week, I was invited by these two dears to crash their getaway in Florida.  A few days in Disney and Universal without kids?  Yes, please!!

 My mom and I flew out to meet Shannon and Blake who had arrived a few days before us.  Mom and I enjoyed a fanciful dinner at our amazingly classy hotel (booked by travel agent extraordinaire-Mr David McArthur) and we had a big sleepover where mom broke through the pillow barrier and karate chopped Blake in the night, no wonder he opted for the floor the next night!  Even with no kids, we hit the ground running-we got up early to hit an extra hour at Harry Potter world in Universal.  It really is spectacular!!

 



There is the infamous Gringotts Bank ride that we were determined to get on.  The dragon breathes fire, it is incredible.  While that was fun, it still isn't quite as magical to me as Hogwarts castle itself...

 

This is us after the Jurassic Park water ride where every inch of my body was drenched.  Seriously though, Hogwarts is just transcendent!

We ran from ride to ride, used our express passes, ate pasties and dined at Three Broomsticks, rode the funniest rollercoaster ever because it video tapes you in action.  I sat by Blake as he tried to hold his brain in his head and I had no clue he was looking as though he was going to cry and die until after the film.  We just about peed our pants laughing so hard.  The whole day was a blast!

The next morning we got to meet up with Paige and Jason at the wonderful world of Disney.  We started at Magic Kingdom to see the new Fantasyland-which did not disappoint.  My mom made me go in the bathrooms by Rapunzel's tower because she was enchanted by the decor of the lieu. 

 

It was a hot weekend, but Splash Mountain helped.  Best part of this pic-my mom.  Where is she you ask?  Oh, she is the pile of ponchos behind Jason...not one drop of water on her, please!

We ate at the funnest restaurant-the Sci-Fi Diner and I also partook of a little piece of heaven called a Pineapple Dole Whip Float.  I will never be the same again.  We went on the Star Tours ride a lot so I could break my streak of always getting a 'Wookie' World.  We got stuck on the Tower of Terror  and it literally was TERRIFYING.  It was pitch black, crazy Australian ladies on our ride cackling like witches, I had a minor panic attack, I bonded with a man on the single rider line of Rock-n-Rollercoaster where he told me he stopped breathing.  So much fun!!! 

Our last day was at Epcot, to see the World and the Garden Festival, or whatever it is called...

 It was really cool to see all the topiaries and garden sculptures.  We tried to pose as a few.  My goal for Epcot was to eat something from every land...I failed miserably.  I got way too full and ate too much in France, but I did had some delicious delights.  The other goal during our Disney time was to constantly use the cast members names as much as we could.  When else am I going to get to say the name Bertha? 

 

 Dave thinks I can't be serious in pictures, which is 85% true, so to show him that I can, I thought I would post a couple...

 We watched the fantastic Epcot fireworks and got to finish up with the Teacups where we spun the fastest in history of teacup spinning...okay, it wasn't documented, but it felt like it. 

Great trip with my mom and sibs!  (And Jason too, of course!)  And serious shout out to my mom...I mean she did just turn 70, and she was on her feet walking and riding every ride for 14 hours just one day alone.  She totally could have outlasted some people (ahem...Blake!).  It was a blast and I am so glad Dave was here at home to hold down the fort.  Thanks peeps!

 

 

Days that Matter

 

Every year there are those holidays and special events that you look forward to, whether they are reoccurring or a one time deal. Some days are more significant than others...like, Christmas is a bigger deal to us than, say, Arbor Day! Easter is always a really important date to set apart. This year we had Dave's friend Jon in town, so he got to spend the weekend doing some of our Easter traditions. We went to the city Easter Egg Hunt, which is more like Easter Prizes Mass Chaos Scramble. The thousands of kids separate into age groups and when that fire truck siren goes, it is every man for himself. It's a slightly frightening and yet thrilling experience!  It was general conference weekend, so we got to listen to apostles speak as we colored eggs.  It was lovely. 

Sunday, we had a little lesson about the Atonement and Resurrection, watched the last two sessions of conference, had an Easter dinner with Evan, Amy, Mark, Brandon, Malia, Malia's sister and Jack.  Good food and good times.  It was a neat day to spend with family as we thought about its eternal significance and listened to testimonies. 

 Another very special event happened on Saturday-it was Katelee's baptism. 

Katelee has been looking forward to this day for quite sometime and kept saying, "I can't believe its really here!"  She was just glowing, cliche, yes, but true. 

She had a lot of family come to support her-all the locals and Uncle Brian flew in, Grandma and Grandpa McArthur came from Florida, Uncle Brent, Aunt Kimber and Max and Karly drove from Phoenix to spend just the one day here.  That was a lot of driving and we were so happy to have them!  Katelee and Karly (and Grant and Max) have the best time together and want to use up every minute to play together...at the expense of sleep.  It catches up to ya, or should I say them, when the tears and tempers surface after the sleep deprivation!

 

Katelee baptism service was combined with two other kids from our ward-Landon and Breanna.  The program was so sweet and really spiritual.  Grandma Carolyn did a great talk on the Holy Ghost and the highlight was all the kids from the three families singing "I Know that My Savior Loves Me." 

 





Breanna is one of Katelee's closest friends, so it was nice to share the day with her. 

Dave performed the baptism and confirmation.  It is so wonderful to have him honor the priesthood and be there for Katelee.  As she was baptized and received the gift of the Holy Ghost, of course I was moved to tears, (but just small ones), because I felt the significance of those ordinances for her and for myself.  What a beautiful plan the Lord has set out for us.  Here Katelee is in her baptism dress ready for church the next day.  Shannon was so nice and did her hair in braids for the baptism, we kept them in all night and she was Miss Curly Q.   



 These momentous days are so amazing, it is hard to capture the feelings we experienced.  But, while I can't write it down, I know I can draw on those emotions throughout my life. I know the spirit will bring to my heart and memory those feelings.  I am overwhelmed at the love Heavenly Father and our Savior have for me and my family.  Those incredible days, that Easter long ago, the baptism of my dear sweet daughter make all of our days matter.  Every week may not have a big event, but because of the Atonement, what I choose to do with each day can bring me closer to my Father.  Because of one incredible day Katelee chose to become a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and receive the Holy Ghost, her every day can be filled with His influence.  How amazing it is that those big days make all the other days matter more! 

Loving our Leprechaun

 If you were to ask Katelee what the best holiday of the year is, without hesitation, she would say, St. Patrick's Day.  Of course, this Irish celebration coincides with her birthday, so it is incredibly important to the entire world!!Katelee had a fun time celebrating her big #8!!  She took a few friends to Airborne to jump to their hearts delights...

Harrison was a big fan, as well as Miss Brenna

Grant claimed to be bored, but I would beg to differ.  

He may have been scared of the wild girls, which is more credible.  After the jumping, we came back to the house for pizza and cupcakes.  

A week later, was St Patrick's Day, so decked out in green

, 

we had her birthday dinner and cake 

and ice cream.  We had been working on her present for sometime and were anxious to give it to her.  Grant was involved in the secrecy and was so cute as we prepared everything.  We moved him over to the smaller bedroom in the basement, painted the guest queen bed headboard as a family, rearranged furniture all weekend, and while she was at school, we transformed the basement big bedroom into...

It still needs a few things, but to say she was excited would be an understatement. We opened the door, didn't have to explain a thing.  Although she didn't suspect one bit what her present was, the minute the door swung open, she knew it was all hers!  Katelee flung herself onto the bed and just squealed!!! She has been asking and asking for a year at least when she would get her own room.  In my mind, I had always imagined my girls wanting to share a room, giggling to each other at night, confiding their deep thoughts, just filling their time with love and laughter.  Well, enter Brenna into the equation (ok, and Katelee too) and that just wasn't happening.  So, we hung the signs love and laugh in her room as a little encouragement.  Katelee already invited Brenna down to have a sleepover.  Maybe the space apart will encourage the bonding I envisioned!  I don't really blame Katelee, Brenna can be super scary!!

It was pretty much the best birthday ever!  Katelee is full of animation!  She feels to the extreme-crazy hyper to end of the world sad in the blink of an eye.  She has the best giggle, loves to try new adventures (like diving lessons)

 and is so much fun!  We rely on her  a lot and she is a special part of our family!!!

Other exciting happenings as of late: Katelee (here with her friend Courtney) had her Grammarasorous play)which was stellar

It is birthday party season in full bloom.  There is a party to attend every time we turn around, but the kids love it and I am grateful they have good friends.  This is Brenna after going to Kate's fun party.  Ollie the Octopus, from preschool, also got to attend.  He apparently didn't want his face painted (glad about that, it would be a little hard to explain!).  Brenna's new thing to make people laugh is to talk about her Grandpa.  We were riding home from Katelee's birthday party with friends in the car and for one second it was quiet, so Brenna burst out with "My grandpa's name is DONALD!"  (which is true, although my dad goes by Scott".  That one liner got her loads of laughs and has since brought many a giggles to friends of all ages around here.  

 Last weekend we went to see the Lego Americana exhibit at the mall...  talk about some master builders.  Grant must have been inspired because he asked his teacher if he could build his science biome out of legos.  She thought it was clever and he has created quite the forest.  We love legos...except when I step on them unexpectedly, then I hold back the cursing.  I was so frightened to have a baby with kids that love legos, but as far as I know, only one lego head has been ingested, and it came out fully intact :)  ha!

 

For the Love

 I thought I would mention our February love day events...Katelee and Grant both had to make Valentine boxes to take to school.  I have zero percent crafty Valentine box ability and left the kids to fend for themselves.  I taped as instructed, but I let their creative juices flow.  Katelee came up with 'The Castle of Love'

 And Grant went for a similar design, (to Katelee's dismay, of course), but made his a temple...with a thoroughly taped golden Lego on top to mimic Angel Moroni.  Ha!  We were so pleased and the kids were thrilled to take them to school.  However, when their parties were over the next day, they were completely deflated and embarrassed.  Curse my lack of pinteresting skills!  There were some LIFE SIZE Valentine boxes that resembled dinosaurs, boxes that should be displayed in a museum of art, sorry kids, but lets go for a Walmart sack next year!

We heart attacked the kids' doors, per tradition and left them cards and treats.  Our favorite Valentines gift was actually dropped off a few days later on our doorstep:  (the mystery has yet to be solved as to who gave me the great laugh!)

Dave and I had a date planned Valentines night-dinner at the Roof and a dance performance of some BYU artists at the conference center.  We hesitated leaving because Katelee was sick, but knew my mom was very capable, so off we went...only to come home to an even sicker daughter with a temperature that would not go down! We ended the romantic evening in the ER

She was so sick before we left and Dave and Jason (who had come over with Paige to assess Katelee) gave her a priesthood blessing.  I am telling you there was miraculous intervention for sure.  Katelee has had a couple of miracle blessings and I can not doubt their power.  She was rushed in to a room, due to her heart rate, fever, blood pressure and breathing, but even before they started treatment, she started to perk up.  Influenza anyone?  She had the horrid test up her  nose to confirm it and we braced ourselves for a two week recovery.  Nope, the next day, she was a brand new woman.  But, don't worry, Brenna got it a couple weeks later...

We thought we were recovered, but Harrison started a fever last night, lets hope its a quick sickness and not the flu.  

I find myself frequently using the above blog title "For the Love, " when I am beyond frustrated, or flustered, or just really have no words.  I have used that phrase a lot recently with little Harry as he has become possessed.  His tantrums are impressive and exhausting.  But, I may have yelled FOR THE LOVE when I walked up the stairs to his room the other day.  I knew it wouldn't be pretty when I could smell the stank before I opened the door.  I peeked in and was greeted with a smile and just as Harrison grinned, the poop from an exploding diaper squished right through his binkie.  I could say nothing but FOR THE LOVE as I witnessed the brown mural across the crib and through Harrison's fingers.  And I really have pondered on this a lot lately, it's not really FOR the love, it's BECAUSE of the love.  It's because of love I wiped that boy clean, it's BECAUSE of love I spend my days holding sick kids, it's BECAUSE of love I scrape crusted boogers off walls.  It's a love that I didn't realize I would know on previous Valentines days.  Love truly does require action, no not even require action, it invites action.  I sure do have a lot of opportunities to show love to my kids and I have to remind myself it is love I am showing, as are they as they forgive me of my inadequacies and love me for the mom I am and not the Pinterest winner they weren't given!!  I'm grateful for this life giving me perspective to reach for charity-that perfect love we are shown by the Savior.  For now, I'm just going to use the phrases FOR the love and BECAUSE of love interchangeably, because there are moments when they both apply...

Brenna the Birthday Girl

Luckily, the countdown to Brenna's birthday is very short after Grant's special day.  Brenna asked for weeks and weeks how many days it would be until her birthday.  This girl was born old.  She is ready to race through young childhood and can't wait to claim a larger number as her own.  We tried, in vain, to convince her to do a party just with our family and go somewhere special.  

She opted for an at home friend party.  Because Brenna has a winter birthday, we thought we would make it a BRRR-thday party.  We invited her buddies to come in pj's, play games, decorate sugar cookies and drink hot chocolate.  Ironic that this year, for her winter party, the temperature was in the 60's!  Winter has been skipped this year.  It is almost eerie.  We played pin the carrot on the snowman (on the front door), blindfolded kids to scoop snow (cotton balls), freeze dance, popped balloons to find a special snowflake, played frozen peas (hot potato) etc.  I believe it was a hit.  Here is a pic of the group: Katelee, Audrey, Cooper, Kate, Madison, Brenna, Keira, Kinley, Cooper C, Jane, Boden, Megan and Emree.

The friend party was a few days before her actual day of birth, so she still had the 10th to look forward to.  

 It was a preschool day, so she filled out her VIP poster with pertinent information...favorite animal (giraffe), favorite food (white bread), what she wants to be when she grows up (a missionary), her favorite place (Disneyland), what she likes to do (dance, color and play with friends), favorite color (pink) and a wish (Elsa's freezing powers).  And off she went to Miss Amy's.  Brenna has decided she should be done with preschool, and should be in kindergarten.  To her delight, and my horror, it will be here before we know it.  

After school, we prepped for her family celebration.  Dinner consisted of Ham, broccoli, cheese rolls and chocolate dipped strawberries, as per the 5 year old's request.  

She opened presents.  Grandma and Shannon were there.  Grandpa McArthur was in town.  Aunt Amy and Mark stopped by, as well as cousin Michael.  She was thrilled with her gifts, and had to pull a crazy face holding each one.  

Then, cake and ice cream.  Who knows why this pic won't turn for me, but it's a tiara, if you can't tell.  This little darling is one prissy princess.  Everyday she loads on the make-up, to the dismay of Katelee, because most of Katelee's make-up stash has been discovered and used.  Every outfit must be accessorized and she frequently designs her own hairstyles.  I don't even explain to people when she wears one side of her head a piggy tail and the other a tiny clip on top or a braid pinned across her head that she desired it so.  They have to know it was from her orders, or they feel sympathy for my lack of hairstyling skills.  Both assumptions would be accurate.  

Every year we have seemed to capture a photo of Brenna gazing dreamily at her lit up cake.  I love it because each year has the look of  'this is the greatest moment of my life' on it.  She exclaimed after her friend party.  "Best. Party.Ever."  Then she said "Best. Day. Ever." after her family party.  As I was tucking her in, she was asking when her next birthday would be!!  Ha!

 Harry wheeled around Brenna's overnight bag and donned the paper crown. Brenna was so excited to have a special over night sleepover alone with grandma, we knew she needed a new bag for it. 

  It was wild times at our house, perfectly fitting of our wild child.  Our family, no, the world would not be the same without Brenna.  She makes up saucy dances daily, orders everyone around, makes me laugh and scares me all at the same time!  She is a mover and a shaker and we love her more than she will ever know!! (even if she proudly and unabashedly eats her boogers...after being sick the other day, Shannon told her maybe it was something Brenna ate.  Brenna wouldn't believe Shannon because she only eats 'boogers and food."  Brenna tried to convince Shannon on the tastiness of the slimy mucus, but Shannon has yet to be swayed!)