Easter Dresses-- Fabulous!

Here are my super, cheesy girls. They wanted to pose for pictures.

They call this one the Octopus pose.

I forced them to do one traditional pose. E had to hold down H's arms.

Enjoying their Easter spoils.

Here are the super models. Notice, they don't exactly match. That was very big for E this year. She is too old to match her sisters, so they coordinate (Okay, it's closer to match. I just have to choose my battles.)


The Easter Bunny brought spring jammies.

Spring Break at the Coast

A walk on the beach



S'mores and a fire

Spring Break 2009

Our breakfast companions

Easter Egg Hunt at Grandma and Grandpa's

As an Easter tradition we always get together with my family before Easter. Grandma and Grandpa have an Egg Hunt. Here is the mad dash out of the house.
This is my lovely sister, Beth. She is due the end of June with her 5th. It's a boy!

Here's all the kids. Note the one exsisting Prince in all the Princesses.
R showing off her find.

E and R search with cousins.

Uncle David and Bena. Bena was missing from the group shot. She just didn't want to stand still.

A Stolen Story... A Lesson from Visiting Teaching

This is a story that I found on a relative's blog. It was too horrorific not to share.

(Okay, I can't move the pictures. You'll just have to scroll around as you read)





A Lesson from Visiting Teaching

Did you know that Mr. Clean Magic Eraser can get pen off of walls, rugs, showers, cabinets, doors, toilets, mirrors, and even out of tile grout? Neither did I. Well at least not until my visiting teachers came over yesterday. See Exhibts A-F below and the story to follow.

Exhibit A: Exhibit B:Exhibit C: Exhibit D:
Exhibit E: Exhibit F:

I wiped it off of the tile floors and glass surfaces (toilet, shower door, mirrors etc.) before I thought to take pictures so it was actually worse than the pictures, if you can believe it!One of my visiting teachers brought along her 2 year old daughter and proceeded to pay NO attention to her the entire visit. It was really quite uncomfortable. She was jumping on the couch and her mother said/did NOTHING. I used my awesome Aunt skills to coax her down with a toy, but you can't exactly yell at/boss around a strangers kid, can you?So while we were chatting, the little "Picasso" snuck away down the hall and the mother didn't go get her. When I realized that the little girl was gone, I went looking for her (note again, that it was ME, not her mom) I found the little girl pen in hand, Jose's desk drawer was "mysteriously" open, and ink was everywhere!!! What a disaster. So then I had to tattle on the little girl to her mother, who I've only even met like twice. The worst part is that the mom didn't even seem to feel that bad about it. I would have been sobbing if my child had done that. Let's just say that if they ever want to VT again, we're doing it at the park, or a restaurant. Not at my house (or my parent's house as the case may be).
But don't worry, you can all breathe a sigh of relief (especially you mom & dad)..... it ALL came off. Every last swipe of it! Above left is what my magic eraser looked like when it was done, and the right is what they look like out of the box (if you've never seen one). They truly work MIRACLES. "Yes Virginia, there is a Mr. Clean." Oh and here's a picture of the door from Exhibit B for proof.So what was the lesson, you ask?1. If you ever have to take your kids to anyone's house, watch them like a hawk. Or better yet, leave them at home with their dad or a sitter.2. Sometimes it is better to miss a visit than leave an everlasting mark of your visit. Trust me, I'll be telling this story at every VT workshop the rest of my life! HA!3. I never want to be that kind of mom.4. Mr. Clean is the PERFECT man. Not only is he extremely buff and macho, but he also really knows how to do housework! He's like your own personal Tony "Micelli" Danza!5. Mr. Clean is also an angel. Did you ever notice his heavenly glow on the box? I think his gold hoop earring is actually a small halo that fell off his head and landed on his ear.Sorry if you think I'm a rude-o. I was extremely nice, polite, and gracious to the mother -- just like my mom taught me to be. But I am human, I have rage, and I must blog.

A Little Piece of Sunshine

Today I was walking out of the grocery store thinking "Today is a terrific day!" Then I stopped to ask myself what was making me appreciate the moment. Here a few things that came to mind:

- I was at the store by myself. Yes, I am finally to that stage of life when I occasionally have morning to run errands by myself but it is still a new experience that I cherish it.



- It was sunny. Living in constant overcast and sprinkles make you feel like you have been given a gift to walk to the car in sunshine.



- I had on my new tennis shoes. I have been confined to tennis shoes since I hurt my ankle in July. I finally decided I deserved a new pair. My ankle thanked me.



- I had just been at school and been told that because of testing parents weren't allowed to volunteer for the next two weeks. Yea, another two free mornings all to myself. Maybe I will clean the house with no one interrupting. ( I know I dream big!)



- I had just spend five days with my family at the coast.



- After President Monson's talk, do you just feel like you have the best life any way!

Farm Breakfast

The preschool I sent the girls to has a Farm Breakfast during the preschool year. H had her's a few weeks ago. I was so hapy to go; I was sick for R's and JR went instead.

At the Farm Breakfast the kids start out by impressing us with their knowledge of animals.

- a baby goat is a kid

- milk comes from a cow

- a horse is pregnant for 286 days (Hello, they are 3and 4 years old and know that. I didn't know that.)

Then the kids sang some beautiful songs. My favorie was a song that went "When (fill in an animal) get up in the morning they always say helleo." The children got up in groups of about four kids and sang the different animal sounds. H was in the dog group. When it was time she sang, "ARF!" really loud. Unfortunately, the other kids sang "Woof". She quickly started to sing the correct dog song, but continued to sing it extra loud so people would know she knew what dogs say. Afterwards, she ran back to me and asked if I could hear her. "Oh, yes baby. I could hear you specifically."

Then we were served a deliciuos breakfast of biscuits, sausage, applesuace, milk and juice. I think H ate at least 6 links. She was starving. She refused to eat at home, because it was the Farm BREAKFAST. It was probably 9:45am before she ate.

It was so cute to see H so excited, she had waited for this day for weeks!

Weight Loss Wednesday

So, I took a couple weeks off. The first was so I could do the post for my mom. Then last week was because there was nothing to report.

Well, what can I say. I have been sick with sinus infections and then when I was finally feeling good enough to start exercising there was a mishap at a church activity and four chairs landed on my bad foot.

So, here is the update. I lost 7 lbs when I had the sinus infections. I have gained 4 back now that I have an appetite again. But, I am celebrating little achievements. I am proud of yesterday. We went to the dentist and they offer fresh cookies. I took one for each of the girls and I passed. Then we were running errands out by Krispy Kreme, I chose not to go for donuts even if the girls are on vacation. Yesterday it was so cold we wanted hot chocolate. I told myself that I could wait a little and see if I really wanted it. I was able to realize I would rather pass on the calories then have the hot chocolate.

Last night on Biggest Loser (Yes, I love that show) past winner Alli told a contestant to live in your success of today, and choose today to rededicate yourself to achieving your goal. I am going to follow that advice, EXCEPT for the yummy apples at Rocky Mt Chocolate Factory that I am going to have at the coast.