What Makes Me Happy

Spring is my all-time, favorite season of the year. I cannot wait until the spring flowers start peeking out of the ground and the trees start blooming. Although, I'd also have to say that Spring seems to be the shortest season of the year. But, for a few weeks these bring me joy: These pictures are taken from a walking track that I have been going to ever since we moved to this area - 11 years ago. It just wouldn't be spring without walks by "Blossom Row". Today was one of those spectacular days when the blossoms are at their peak. I know a storm is expected this week, and I'm sure the blossoms will get blown off - big time bummer. I just happened to have my camera in the car today and just had to stop and get a quick photo of my all-time, favorite season in all its glory.

When Dallin was just learning how to talk, he called them "slobboms." I still think it's fun to use that word. Driving around town I point out the blossom trees, telling my kids that blossoms make me happy. A few years ago when Landon was about 2 and Cameron was 4, I could not go 10 feet without the boys pointing out a blossom tree. I had to make "ooh" and "ahh" comments about each one. As much as I LOVE spring, this became a bit tiresome by the time we were done with our errands, but I know they were just trying to make Mom happy. Love it.

Happy Spring!

Happy 5th Birthday, Landon!

It's my baby's 5th birthday. He is no longer a baby. I am just a bit sad. He has assured me that he cannot stay 4 forever, which was my plan. No luck. So, Happy Birthday Landon!We took the family miniature golfing, which involved a bit of a learning curve for Landon. But, with Dad's help, he ended up not being the loser, at least.
Being a Visnaw there is NO way to walk through an arcade without playing some games. Landon managed to earn a few tickets, but his brother Jayden hit the jackpot on one game and got over 500 tickets. Very fun for him.

Landon had been waiting all day to open his gifts and made short work of the pile.

Happy Birthday, Landon!

(I have a feeling that he thinks he's going to Kindergarten on Monday. He asked me if today [Saturday] was a day off of school, and he mentioned "having a good time at Kindergarten" in his prayer on the food at dinner. I might have a bit of explaining to do.)

You Can't Leave Your Camera Or Else THIS Might Happen

Just a bit of a heads' up - if you EVER leave your camera behind at your parents' house, you might find pictures like these on it when you get it back:
(Payback, Natalie)

(I'll accept THIS one, just 'cause she's cute.)

(Um - not exactly sure WHY, but O.K.)

Easter

I'm afraid this might be a slightly boring post, since just about everyone does the same thing for Easter. But, I feel compelled to document the fact that we are just like everyone else and have:

Egg Hunts in Grandma's yard...

and, egg hunts on Easter morning.

Grandma's egg hunt is infamous for its elaborate rules since there are so many grandkids of different ages and abilities. To make it fair each plastic, candy-filled egg has a number on it. Each kid must find one egg with each number from 1 to 12 on it - not as easy as you'd think, and the kids have a blast.
Leon grew up with the tradition of finding your dyed eggs, hidden by the Easter Bunny, around the house on Easter morning. At first I was a little leary of hiding real, hard-boiled, colored eggs around the house for fear that some might not actually be found and leave a smelly, dyed mess somewhere. But, we are careful to remember how many there are and hunt until they are all found.

...If I Don't Say So Myself

I am impressed and inspired by others' skills and talents. I actually enjoy seeing what others can accomplish and often wish I had a little bit of their know-how and ability. There is a blog that I check in on, now and again, and often find myself thinking, "That looks easy to do." OR "Man, that looks hard. She sure is talented." Well, recently I ran across this post about a gathered pillow that she made. I looked through all of the steps and thought, "Hmm, that doesn't look too hard." AND, I actually went out and bought the stuff to make one for the new comforter set I had just bought for our bed. Well, the stuff sat in the bag in the corner for over 2 months before I got the courage up to actually make it. Today was the day. I cracked out the sewing machine and made this little beauty: Now, I know it nowhere compares to the quality apparent in the orginal version. I had to abandon the pillow form I had bought and just go with regular stuffing since my dimensions were WAY off by the time I was finished, but I think it turned out quite nicely, ...if I don't say so myself.

Party at Pirate Island

March begins birthday season for us. Jayden's birthday was last week, and we splurged and had his party at "Pirate Island". Frankly, I was a little overwhelmed at the thought of 9 kids at an arcade, but I'd have to say it was actually quite fun. The atmosphere is pretty cool, the food is so-so, and the kids had a great time.

We had a visit from Jack Sparrow (he seemed pretty soused - hope that was just part of the act and not for reals). Oh, and I'm over my "fascination" with Jack Sparrow, by the way.
They played a lot of games...

...And had a good time.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

So, after hearing about what other families do to celebrate St. Patrick's Day, I felt somewhat inspired to do something different this year. St. Patrick's Day usually consists of running around at the last minute trying to find something green for the kids to throw on before school. But, this year I decided to make a green dinner. Actually, I was inspired mostly by Macey's green French bread. I figured that since they went through so much trouble to make the bread green just for one day, that I should do something with it. Soon, Landon and I were going up and down aisles looking for green food for dinner. We ended up with the green French bread, green mashed potatoes with green gravy, broccoli, green Jell-O, green juice, and mint chocolate chip ice cream for dessert served on green plates on a green tablecloth. The family thought it was fun and a bit gross, and I'm already planning next year's menu. Oh, what a bit of food coloring can do - blue, not green, was the color used most on this holiday o' the green.