SPRING!

....if only for a few days!
We did enjoy the beautiful weather last week. Garrett and Rylee were thrilled to see Austin in the baby swing.


I hope I see you again soon lovely blossoms.

Easter!

For Family Home Evening the week before Easter we were of course talking about Christ's last days and the Resurrection. It was all going quite well and the kids were participating up until the part about the Resurrection when Rylee shut down and didn't want anything to do with our discussion. She finally, through clenched teeth, stated, "I DO NOT WANT TO BE RESURRECTED." What do you say to that??? It finally seemed a bit better when I told her that "yes, Hannah will be resurrected too". You can't go to Heaven without friends you know.

The Saturday before Easter we went to my parents for our annual Easter Brunch and egg hunts. Mom does three hunts: the traditional egg hunt and each kid gets their own color of egg so as to make it completely fair.

Here they are ready to go. Austin wasn't quite up to the task this year.


Aren't they cute munchkins!
The second hunt is a treasure hunt which mom did around the neighborhood this year and ends with a huge basket full of goodies that they kids all get to divide and share. The last egg hunt is the one egg for adults and one egg for kids with $$$ in it. This year the Gray's swept the big money egg. I found the adult egg and Rylee found the kid egg. Wahoo! It's about time, those Nelson cousins usually take it all!

Sunday Rylee refused to wear her Easter dress and at the last minute decided to wear this cute number.

It's awfully sweet because it was MINE when I was four or five!

After church the kids found that the Easter bunny did make a visit to our home. Thank goodness!

Mommy realized the Easter Bunny picked matchy outfits. That really was a coincidence.

A replacement???

Last night Garrett wrote about a snail he caught. Of course he's learning to spell and many words aren't correct and I don't bother to say anything. However he had misspelled "Good" as "God" and after much praise on the fine work he did I mention as kindly as I could about how to spell good. Needless to say I severely hurt his feelings. I tried to repair the damage but it was no use. A bit later I was in Rylee's room when I could see him out of the corner of my eye standing in the doorway. I looked over and he had a tear running down his cheek and a backpack on. "What are you doing bud?" I asked. "I'm running away from home!" he says as he very slowly walks down the hall. I don't know that I've ever wanted to hold back a tear and a chuckle at the same time. I shuffled him back to his room and sat him on my lap and told him how sad I would be if he left and was doing all I could to apologize and convince him to not leave home when Rylee pipes up, "Well, maybe God will give us a new Garrett."

Spring Break

We kicked off Spring Break week by inviting my parents and Jon's mom and brothers over for Sunday dinner. It was a day of firsts...1st Turkey I've ever purchased and cooked (I know it's pretty pathetic that it's taken 11 years of marriage before I took that leap) and 1st time making these tasty homemade rolls. We also had mashed garlic red potatoes and strawberry pies.

Notice there is no picture of our guests, just food. I have to say I was pretty proud of myself.

Monday we headed to Hogle Zoo with Grandma Sue.

The kids were pretty excited for Austin's first zoo experience.

Rylee desperately wanted to ride the giraffe on the carousel.

Some one is pouting. Thank goodness mom was there to help out with the three babes or it would have a been a disaster of a day.

Tuesday I got a darling babysitter and went to lunch with Kim at Thanksgiving Point and did a little shopping. Upon picking up my kids Garrett wasn't done playing so we brought Doug home with us and of course had to find a playmate for Ry. We found Sydney! The four played for a couple hours until dinner time and I was able to get some things done...

like play with this happy guy...

and take down his bassinet. Why??? Maybe because he filled it top to bottom and side to side. I'm having a hard time admitting he's growing.

Wednesday brought more friends with Emma and Aidan in the morning. After lunch we hit Wal-Mart. Now this trip was "fun" when you're allowed to browse the toy section for 30 minutes and put everything on your wish list. After we headed over to McDonald's for an ice cream cone and play land.

Thursday morning I walked out of my shower to find these cuties snuggled on my bed with their blankets and a cup of animal crackers.

Then we went to Lehi pool with the Garrett's and a couple of the Bellon's. Garrett thought the big bucket that poured water on him was "AWESOME" and had a ball. Rylee on the other hand spent the majority of the time sitting on my lap or whining that she was getting splashed. "HELL-O we're at a pool".

Back at home and all dried off Rylee cheered up enough to make Peanut Butter Bars for Grandpa's birthday dinner and banana bread. She was so cute it was hard to believe it was the same girl from earlier.

Thursday night we enjoyed a delicious meal at my sister's with my Dad and visited until bedtime.

Friday morning I sent my kids on a scavenger hunt around the yard.

Garrett had nicely requested a toy at the end. I had to go on a scavenger hunt myself around the house to find something to meet his request. It all paid off to see them giggling and chasing around the yard in search of the next clue.

After lunch we ventured on a walk/bike ride to the library. We've done this in the past but I always took me double stroller and they both were able to spend part of the time relaxing.

This trip Ry rode her bike and Garrett insisted on walking. HE GOT TIRED! Can you believe it. We made it to the library just fine and read books for an hour. As soon as we exited the building he was sure he couldn't make it home. With a little bribery we made it to Thrifty C and got a drink and a treat and I decided the rest of the way would be too painful for me so I opted to try my dad's cell. I was in luck. He was just a couple blocks away and quickly picked us up and saved us for the second time this week.
Friday night we invited Thomas and Kaisa for pizza and a sleepover.

These four cuties had a great time. They ate, played, had a movie night complete with popcorn and milk and then got up the next morning and played until 1:30. They formed the "Fun Club" out in the playhouse. Thomas acting as President, Garrett as Vice President, Kaisa as Supreme Ruler and Rylee as "Samantha".

After the Nelson cousins went home we went to Shellie's for an Easter party with Madi and Jaden.

She had an egg hunt and we roasted hot dogs in the fire pit. They played and played until there was no more energy left.

Sunday we went to church and Garrett gave a talk on the Atonement in Primary and did such a great job. I was so proud of him! For dinner we had Jon's Dad and grandparents over for a BBQ. It was so nice to have them over and just relax and visit.

Now I'm exhausted!

Religion 101

Religion according to Rylee goes something like this...

• On Monday Rylee and Hannah were up to there usual princess dress-ups when I noticed instead of dancing around Rylee was laying flat on the floor and plugging her nose. Hannah was sitting on the coffee table and after a moment stood up and said, "Okay, it's my turn to be baptized!"

• Coming home from church a few weeks ago Rylee and Garrett were talking in the back of the car about what they were going to do when they got home. Rylee told me they would talk "real nice" to each other so they won't go to outer darkness.

• Sunday night we were leaving my parents when Rylee looked up at the cloudy sky and saw one star shining brightly. "Mommy, look at that pretty star," she says! "Wow, that is a pretty star, huh?" Still gazing up she replies, "Maybe it's God." Now, that was sweet!
  

Nature vs. Nurture

The great debate gets a point on each side.

Garrett is a sweet, tender hearted boy. The other day he came home from school very upset that a few of the boys were tackling him but more upset that they were tackling some girls and taking away their coats. Many tears were shed. That night during his prayer he asked Heavenly Father to help him protect those two girls the following day at recess. Now, I try to teach my kids to be kind and loving to others but this deep rooted care and concern he has definitely comes as a gift from God.

1 point Nature

vs.

Coming home from Wal-Mart on Monday we pulled into the garage and immediately Rylee hopped out of her seat and announced, "I NEED TO WASH THESE HANDS"! "Are they sticky" I asked. "NOOOOO, they've got Wal-Mart germs!!!!" That's my girl!

1 point Nurture

Both qualities are invaluable.

3 Months Old

Austin James, I can't believe you are already THREE MONTHS old!

You love taking showers with me, but I think I may like it a little more than you. You love laying on the ground and chillin' out. You like being held facing out or over my shoulder. This must mean that you are going to be an observant child.

For the last 2+ weeks you've been sleeping 6 or 7 hours at night! HALLELUJAH!!! You enjoy going on walks, having us talk to you and giving us the best smiles. Lately, you fall asleep for naps wrapped in your blankie while I rock you and sing Hush Little Baby (Sylvia Long's version it's sweeter).

You especially love your mobile! As soon as I lay you down in the crib and turn it on your face lights up and your arms and legs start moving. It's so cute to watch.

We love you baby Austin!