Spring Break {Part 1}

So far Spring Break has been wonderful. We had Great weather last weekend...and we pretty much lived outside Friday and Saturday. We all got nice little tan lines. On Saturday Shaylee was invited to a Princess party. Boy to say she was excited is an understatement. She loved every minute of dressing up and going.
On Monday Dean and I celebrated 8 years together. Time sure does fly. He worked the night before, so he slept tell 11 then we headed up north to visit family for half of our spring break.

First stop was Uncle Justin and Aunt Katie's, they moved up north last year and we hadn't been by to see there house. The kids were excited to see cousins and get out of the car and play. Second stop, was uncle Tyler's and aunt Heidi's house to see more cousins. The kids played so well together, and had a blast. Tuesday Morning we woke up and headed up to Park City to do a little Shopping at the outlets while we waited for it to get a little warmer to go tubing. We met up with Aunt Stephanie so she could do a little shopping with us...then onto the tubing with more family. Uncle Matt and aunt Marci were able to come and bring the cousins. Minus Tanner who was sick...so sad. We had a blast playing in the snow. It wasn't to cold and it actually got hot walking (Hiking) up the hill. Toward the end we just had Uncle Matt pull everyone with his 4 wheeler around on the tube. This ended up being a huge hit with everyone...because they didn't have to hike up a hill. We of course had to stop at Dairy Keen and get an Ice cream..in the winter..I know.
Then we headed back down the mountain to enjoy a dinner with Grandpa and Grandma Monson. We left the kids with Grandpa and Grandma Monson and enjoyed Wednesday together. We went to the Salt Lake Temple in the morning it was fun to do sealings together and remember when we were there getting married. We then went shopping, and went out to eat for our anniversary since we were driving that day. Then Dean's anniversary gift was tickets to the Jazz game. So after dinner we headed over to the game. It was great, we had a blast. It didn't help that the Jazz totally schooled the Timberwolves.
We stayed at the Kimball in downtown Salt Lake that night, then headed up to save Grandpa Monson from the kiddo's. We came home to many fun new toy's and stories of all the fun stuff they did with grandpa. He even made them green pancakes for Saint Patrick's day!!
What a great Grandma and Grandpa the kids have. Grandpa played with them all day Wednesday while Grandma was at work. He took them up to Hill Air Force base to look at the Plane museum...a classic Shaylee statement as soon as they walked in and looked at the first plane, she turned to grandpa and asked if they could go now. I do think it was a hit with Preston though, he's talked about it quiet a bit today. They also were able to go play with the Hansen cousins again that night, they made shamrock cookies and painted their nails green and had so much fun. I love my In-law's, they are amazing parents and grandparents and I cant thank them enough for watching the kids, and for all they do for us. We are so blessed to have great family on both sides and loved being with everyone we were able to see.

Learning Something new.

My sister Lisa had the opportunity to make one of her good friends wedding cakes. She had never made one before..so I was there to give moral support. I thought it turned out really good. We did a practise run a few weeks before to see if we could pull it off. This is the finished product. I think she did an amazing job for never having done one before. She is so talented.

Fun Dreams.

We had family down the last few weekends, which has been a blast...but the weather has not wanted to cooperate on the weekends when they are here. It's beautiful all week, then rain. We did end up going to the parade of homes. Honestly, my kids love it and they are really good going through the houses. It's fun to listen to them say what they like and what they one day want to have in their dream house. We got to have a few of the cousins come with us in our car as we drove to some of the houses...so fun.

the chauffeurs.
We also got to hang out with Aunt Marie, Allie, and little Sadie, as well as Joe and Sydney's family this last weekend, but I didn't get any pictures. The kids have such a great time with one another. All being around the same age, it can get quiet loud, but they love each other and get along great.
I first have to say I took this picture a couple day's ago so that would make it in February. Yes, that's right eat your heart out all you folks still up in snow and cold weather. That is a (popcorn tree as my kids like to call it)tree with all the blossoms...in FEBRUARY, the weather has been very mild, so I'm not surprised. We sure are excited for spring and warmer weather to come.

Happy Love Day!!

We had a Great Valentines day. I love this day even the simplest things can be done to make this day more fun and loving for the whole family. Of course we cant go without each meal being in the shape of a heart. For Breakfast we had heart shaped waffles with red (strawberry) Jam.
I also give the kids just a little something to let them know Mom and Dad love them. This year the girls got a ring, and lip gloss. Preston got a little up pen.





Of course it wouldn't be February without the classic heart attack on the door. I start this process the night of Jan 31st..and each night I add a heart to each of the kids doors. Usually they say Thank you for helping me do the dishes, or just something good I saw them do that day. The kids love this. Okay, and so do I. We have been doing this the last 3 years and the kids look forward to it each year.


We then had heart shaped sandwiches for lunch, and My lovely husband sent me some flowers. So sweet of him. I don't usually let him get me flowers because they just die. So it's been a few years. So I was pleasantly surprised to open the door to a beautiful vase full of roses. We then bought the kids a heart shaped pizza. Let them eat, then turned on a movie for them. While we enjoyed a meal for two..with no kiddo interruption, it was wonderful. We then ended the day snuggled up watching a movie together. What a perfect day!!!

Basketball Camp

Preston was able to do a five week basketball camp. It was every Sat for an hour. Down here the kids aren't aloud to play city or any kind of basketball tell they are in 2 or 3 grade. So Preston was pretty excited they did a basketball camp for K-1st grade. He loved it and really learned a lot. It was funny to watch, because ALL the kids still had issues with double dribble and remembering to dribble and not just run around with the ball. I have to document mine and Preston's conversation last night.
Preston: Mom I will be 11 in four years.
Me: Oh, no don't tell tell me that you are growing up way to fast.
Preston: Well mom after that I'll just keep getting bigger, then I'll have to move up north for work, but don't worry I'll come back down and live by you after I'm done working.
Me: Why do you have to leave me to go to work up north cant you work down here.
Preston: Well mom unless BYU, and the UTAH JAZZ move down here I'm going to have to live up their awhile to do my job.
ME: OH, what will your job be. Well I'll go to college, and play basketball and football for BYU, then I'll get drafted to the JAZZ, and Bronco's so I'll have to play a few years for them then I'll be back to live by you. I loved this little conversation because it was so matter of fact, like Duh mom. You can do anything you want Preston, and don't let anyone tell you different. I know you can do anything you put your mind to, and I'll be to all your games, and your #1 fan. I love you.

I was excited I got a shot with him making a basket. It's a little blurry and you cant see Preston to well, but he was back so far, and I almost couldn't fit him and the hoop in the picture, but we did get one.

My future Utah Jazz player. :)

*Dancing Queen's*

The girls had the opportunity to preform at a Basketball half time show. The both love to dance, and Addison talked Shaylee into doing it with her. They both did really well and, and both new their dance. I loved watching them. The gym was packed and it was hot. But it was worth it to see the girls smiling as they did their routine.

*More Craft Decor.*

The girls and I have been enjoying decorating their room. Now that my basement is put back together I feel like I can start to put together this house. We found a cute project on line, and I had all the stuff mostly just ribbon. So we decided we could make this. I had to laugh when we got done and took Dad into their room to show him our finished project, Preston went with him and said well what the heck does it do, and what's it for. (I laughed, typical boy). It is rather odd, but we thought it turned out cute and adds a little something to their room, for pretty much free. Trying to come up with a few other cheap and easy things to do. We will post some more things soon.