Goblin Valley

The hole at the top of the cave we hiked to.

Livi coming out of the cave. It was weird because you couldn't see the hole, and suddenly there were little kids climbing out of this rock.

Lyssa and Christian hiking

Spring break started last week and we decided to take a day trip to Goblin Valley to see Mike and Nicole. I didn't want to camp, because it's not worth packing all that stuff for one night. We hiked around Goblin Valley in the morning, had lunch and then drove to a cave. It didn't look very far away, so we thought it would be easy an easy hike. 2 hours later I didn't think that so much. The kids were troopers and hiked all the way except for Soran. It was a cool cave, but I'm not sure it was cool enough for the effort. But we did have some yummy dutch oven dinner and smores back at their camp. And they were so sweet and had an Easter egg hunt for the kids. It was a great and tiring day.

Ballroom

Team match trophy
Phantom of the Opera (with the dressing room in the background)

Swing skirts

This is the dance they won 2nd in nationals (performed at their school)

Ballroom has been a love/hate relationship. I love watching Alyssa dance and seeing the friendships she's formed and the confidence she's gained. I hate that I have to leave all my other kids and things to do so I can drive her around, change makeup and hair and somehow squeeze in dinners for entire days at a time. Then there's summer school, practices 2 times a week and making sure she has the right leotard for the right night. Not to mention the money spent on hair pieces and tights. But in the end I'm glad she's done it, and I might even let her do it next year.

Her elementary school has some great coaches and they win a lot. Alyssa is the only one on the highest team that doesn't take private lessons as well, and I think she's done pretty well despite that. I haven't been able to attend any of her performances until the last one, but I loved watching it. She will be really sad that this phase of her life is over, even if she does dance more, it won't be quite the same.

Universal Studios

My kids LOVE Scooby Doo so this was a big moment for them
The Bates motel--what is he carrying?

The last splash on the Jurassic Park ride--there were no lines that day (Scott in front, Christian, Tyler and Lyssa in the back)

I love this pose. No matter what scary monster it was, Soran did this cutie pie princess pose. It cracked me up! This is at The Mummy ride, which was my and Christian's favorite. It was awesome. The ride starts out with mummies trying to grab you and then it goes dark and they speed you up really fast and the ride's pretty good, but then you stop right before you run into a wall and then you go backwards through the ride. It was so fun! I went on it 3 times.

Thompsons vs. Simpsons (who will win the giant pink donut?)

Amber with the giant pink donut

3D glasses for the studio tour and King Kong (that was the overall favorite part--the 360 degree 3D King Kong experience)

Michael and Lindsey drove out and met us on Thursday morning at the park. I had been worried the park was going to be small and we'd get through everything in one day and be bored, but it was great! The kids could ride on almost everything, and it was so interesting. The park wasn't too big and a lot of the rides were long so we could sit for a long time. It was great for our family.

Seeing the different sets was really interesting. And I liked how everything you went on was like being right there in the movie. We went 2 days and barely got through everything. Saturday we were going to go to Six Flags, but the weather turned hurricaneish so we left instead. As we already bought tickets, we already have a vacation for this fall planned out! Can't wait to go back.

AZ/CA trip

My little China girl
Charm bracelets for the girls (Christian got a sword)

Buddha, Buddha

Yummy Chinese noodles

My kids eating them up

With our tax return this year we paid off our credit cards (again) and still had enough left over to take a trip. We decided to go to Arizona and visit friends and then head over to California to go to Universal Studios and Six Flags. We wanted to leave early Friday, but Alyssa was at ballroom nationals at BYU that day so we waited until the evening. She was 3 hours late getting out, so we didn't get on the road until 9 pm. It was worth it, though. She got 4th place in one of her dances and their team won second place in the formation competition. Good job!

Anyway, we stayed the night at Uncle Kelly's, got up early and got on the road again. The kids were so good! I don't know if it's because they're older or we just hadn't been on a road trip for so long, but they played games, read books and we only watched 1 movie the whole way, and there was relatively no fighting. We got to AZ where Scott was able to golf with his old golfing buddies and it was just like old times. The kids and I went over and visited with our good friends the Henlines (thanks again, Tiffany) and the Kendalls. We sure miss you guys. We went to church the next day where everyone asked if we were moving back. Ha ha. I wish. Then visited some more before taking off for Mesa. We got to Michael and Lindsey's house and stayed for a couple days. We were able to see Michael's new practice and destroy it (we ate lunch there and the kids were running all over and spreading pizza with them). And we went to the park and basked in the glorious sunshine.

Then we took off for California! Except for the weather, Soran getting pink eye and Livi having the stomach flu the whole time, it was perfect! We went to China town, to the beach (which was freezing but Alyssa still got in) and a Farmers market. I have to say right now that we were an anomaly for California. People asked if the kids were all ours, commented on us having our hands full, and one guy even took our picture. By the end of the trip I was ready to go home and not be stared at so much. But first it was Universal Studios!

Winners!

The silver, gold and bronze cup
The anticipation at the finish line

Gold cup and gold medal

Our weekends have been pretty packed with basketball, dance and meetings lately. About a month ago, Christian had a basketball game, Alyssa had a dance competition, we had the pinewood derby and I was in charge of our ward chili cookoff that night. Christian has actually been making some shots at his games and is really starting to like basketball. Alyssa works hard at her dance and it shows. We are so impressed when we get to watch her. And the culmination of the day's efforts--first place for both kids!

Scott hadn't had a lot of time to work on Christian's pinewood derby car with him, and we were surprised when he won first out of about 12 boys. But it was exciting! The chili cookoff went really well. We got some family pictures taken but haven't gotten them back yet. We did a western theme and everyone dressed up. I am just really glad that's over! We went to bed tired but feeling pretty good.

Daddy's old!

35!

We were up in the nosebleeds. The stage at Kingsbury Hall pictured below. It was a really old building and a lot of famous people had been there. The older I get the more I appreciate history.

I cannot believe that Scott and I are turning 35 this year. Well, Scott already has. Entering the 30s was not that big a deal, but how did we get halfway through?
Scott usually has a list of things he wants, but he's pretty good at figuring out how to get that stuff without spending a lot of money and without my help. So this year I didn't buy anything but decided we would do something I wanted (kind of like we did something he wanted on my birthday--we're weird). So we went out to dinner at our favorite restaurant and then to a play at Kingsbury Hall. It was fun. It's been a long time since we've been to the theatre. It was an adaptation of C.S. Lewis's "The Screwtape Letters." Scott has been listening to a lot of books, and he really loves C.S. Lewis. I always forget how insightful he was until I hear his stuff again. He was an amazing man.
What made the night even more interesting--as I was looking at the lady sitting next to us I asked Scott if it wasn't our high school Spanish teacher. It was. We met in her class, and that's where he first asked me out. So it was sentimental. We chatted with her for a few minutes and remembered how crazy she was. But it was good remembering our roots.
Happy birthday to my wonderful husband! He has become such a helpmeet to me this last year, and I wouldn't be able to do everything without him. He is such a great dad. When the kids cry, they ask for him (mostly because he gives them "special treat" aka candy, but still) and whenever we are doing something fun they want dad to be there. He takes more time with them for one on one than I am able to, and they love it. And I love him for it! He had a good birthday, with 4 birthday dinners and some gift cards and a new ping pong paddle (whatever!). And one to grow on!

Perks

Lyssa's valentine crocodile and fistful of candy

Amber's turtle
I love my job. It has made my life very busy, but I am grateful for the things it's taught me, too. I get to go to assemblies, reptile shows, music time, class parties and get lots of hugs. I got a HAUL this Valentines day, which was so fun! Scott thinks he's off the hook because I got so much stuff, but he has a couple more days to figure out he still owes me.
I forgot how exciting holidays are. I also forgot how satisfying a simple coloring sheet can be. I FINALLY learned how to tell the difference between a crocodile and an alligator, and between a turtle and a tortiose. I remember wanting to please the teacher. I feel such pride in our country as I watch the kids sing all the verses to My Country 'Tis of Thee and recite the pledge of allegiance every morning. I'm reminded how resilient kids are. The school I work at has the poorest kids in the city, and they have some sad stories. But they are mostly happy and learn quickly. It has been so rewarding and fun. I wish I had more time to spend in my own kids' classrooms, but I know they're doing well.
Anyway, our Valentine's day was great! I was feeling proud of myself getting everyone dressed in pink and red and having their valentines all ready for their classes and teachers (myself included). And then came home to find out Livi's class actually DID have party, even though I never saw a note. I was so embarrassed. But she thought it was awesome to just sit there and watch people give her candy. I sent her candy with her the next day with a note apologizing for being a bad parent. Just when you start thinking you're good...