Easter Fun

(okay, so, I am way behind on some of my blog posts and am really trying to catch up with some back posts). This year we had tons of Easter fun! On Saturday, April 23 we started our day with a fun neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt. I had to take a dozen eggs for each of my kids to our neighbors house a few days before, then some people from the neighborhood that all lived next to each other volunteered their yards for the eggs to be hidden. Each age group had 3 different yards to look in for eggs. They didn't have to find any certain egg, but if they happened to find a gold or silver egg they got a grand prize. Paul went with Kaylee so I don't have any pictures from her hunt, and I went with Gabby.

After the neighborhood egg hunt we came home and dyed Easter Eggs. The girls did a great job dying the eggs. We went up to Paul's parent's house for a family dinner, and then called it a day and got kids to bed.

When the girls woke up in the morning they found new Easter Dresses, shoes, and some other fun things for Easter on the kitchen table. After exploring their new treasures we all got ready and headed to church.

Their new dresses looked so cute on both of the girls.

After church we went to my parent's house for Easter dinner and the cousin's Easter Egg hunt. Each of the kids had certain eggs to look for, as well as lots, and lots of bonus eggs that anyone could find. Roman kind of wandered not really sure which ones to pick up, and Ariana wanted to pick up eggs that were other people's eggs. All the kids had tons of fun, and after the egg hunt they went through all the eggs to see what they got, and what they could trade with their cousins.

Weekly Review April 17-23, 2011

Sunday, April 17 - After a full, busy day on Saturday with everyone seeming to be healthy and fine, at the VERY end of the day Kaylee was sick. She was sick all day Sunday and didn't move from her spot on the couch. I couldn't get her to eat anything at all. I did convince her to drink some pedialite and water.

Monday, April 18 - Kaylee's feeling a bit better, but still not up and full of energy. My little sister Marla got her tonsil's and adenoids removed and came over to my house for a bit afterwards because I live right next to the hospital, and she really didn't want to sit in a car and head home just yet. As a courtesy I did not take a picture of my sister laying in pain on my living room sofa.

Tuesday, April 19 - My dog found a Maraca that my sister got for my kids while she was on a cruise. He loved the sound it made and really didn't want to give it up. Right after the picture I made the kids put it somewhere that they could play with it, without the dog getting it.

Wednesday, April 20 - It's spring break for my sister's kids. They came over to play while their parents were at work. The 4 older kids had so much fun playing together, but Ari was feeling a bit left out. She did enjoy swinging in the hammock for a bit.

Thursday, April 21 - I thought we were over the sickness once Kaylee was feeling better on Monday...unfortunately Gabby woke up sick in the night, and crashed in a beach chair in the living room all day Thursday. She didn't seem to get it as bad as Kaylee had, but she was still not a happy little girl.

Friday, April 22 - It's still spring break for my sister's kids. They came back over again with Gabby feeling a bit better. Although it's still pretty cold outside the kids had fun playing outside. Jaren found a butterfly in my backyard and carried it around on his finger for quite a while before setting it down.

Saturday, April 23 - Easter Weekend! Our neighborhood had the most amazing Easter Egg Hunt and neighborhood breakfast. They had it set up that each of the 4 age groups got to search in 3 neighborhood yards for eggs. Each person got at least 12 eggs, and when the horn sounded they could gather up all the extra eggs. Gabby got a HUGE bucketful of eggs, and she found a silver egg to get a grand prize. She chose a butterfly net (which she lost the same day...I think she left it at my cousin's house. Hey Tiff! If you find a butterfly net let me know!) Kaylee got a bunch of eggs too, and had a blast. We also went to my cousin's house, and then Paul's parent's house. It was a busy, and very fun day.

Weekly Review - April 10 - 16

Sunday, April 10 - I started reading the Harry Potter Series with Kaylee and Gabby almost 2 weeks. The kids weren't really sure how well they would like it when we started. After the first chapter in book 1 they were completely hooked. We sped through book 1 and then watched the movie, and quickly moved onto book two. We also read that one in record time and watched the movie as soon as we finished the book. The kids are absolutely loving the Harry Potter series, and it won't take us long to make it through all 7 books. So, today we finished book 2, and watched Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

Monday, April 11 - I have had so much stuff in my basement that I have been needing to get rid of. I decided it's time to break out the camera and list a bunch of stuff on ebay to get rid of it. While I was taking pictures Kaylee and Gabby came to pose together for the camera. Where they chose to pose was terrible lighting, but still so super cute.

Tuesday, April 12 - Gabby was playing and found a party hat from her birthday party, and then her wings from her Halloween costume. She was already wearing her gymnastics leotard so she put the whole ensemble together and wanted me to take a picture with my phone to text to my sister Marla. She was pretty funny. Since she insisted on me sending it to Marla I figured I would use it for my picture today.

Wednesday, April 13 - Wendy called to see if we wanted to go have a picnic with her at the park before the weather turned cold again. We packed a lunch, and went over to the park by my house. Unfortunately Roman didn't want to eat lunch, and was being grumpy so Wendy headed for home, and we headed for the tire swing that caught Kaylee and Gabby's attention.

Thursday, April 14 - I once again pulled out some things to take pictures and sell on ebay. Gabby came and was watching me, and then tried to act as though she wasn't there. My picture is a little fuzzy but when I tried to catch another one she ran off.

Friday, April 15 - I saw a lego guy on our living room shelf and asked Gabby if she would take care of the Lego Army guy with a plant on his head. Gabby was REALLY quick to correct me about what it was...She informed me that it was actually a Lego MANDRAKE from Harry Potter. I was laughing so hard. She is so creative, and doesn't miss a beat.

Saturday, April 16 - What a busy Saturday. We got up and going and headed over to my parent's house. Paul started mowing the lawn, and my mom and I went to get some more gas for the lawn mower, and a few things from the store. As soon as we got back from our errands we needed to leave for a bridal shower. Kaylee stayed at my parent's house with Paul, and Gabby went with my mom, Marla, and me. Paul had quite the project planned for while we were at the bridal shower. He had bought a trailer hitch to attach onto our Forrester. He got quite a bit done but was missing a few things, and since our car was a bit pulled apart he couldn't go get the things he needed. He finished putting the hitch on and it looks great, and will be so useful! When he was done we left Kaylee and Gabby with Marla while Paul and I went on a date to get dinner and see Soul Surfer. I LOVED that movie, and would recommend it to absolutely everyone! When we got back Marla told us Kaylee had complained that her tummy hurt before she went to bed but it sounded more like it was an excuse to try to get out of going to bed. About half-way home from my parent's house we found out it wasn't just to get out of going to bed. Kaylee was sick. She had been acting fine all day running, playing, eating, etc. Then all of the sudden at about bedtime she was sick. Hopefully she'll get over it quick, and be back up and running around.

Weekly Review - April 3 - 9

Sunday, April 3 - We went to my parent's house to celebrate Dave's birthday. One of the things he requested was Samoa Cheesecake bars...but those take FOREVER to make. So, instead Marla, Paul, and I made Samoa Girl Scout Cookie Fudge which took a lot less time, and was amazingly delicious!

Monday, April 4 - I shot a nerf dart up onto the ceiling and Kaylee and Gabby were trying to figure out how to get it down.

Tuesday, April 5 - Gabby has been asking when we could go to The Quilted Bear with Grandma again so we could eat lunch there. I asked my mom when she would want to go with us, and she said she would be happy to go right then if we wanted to. We ate lunch, then walked around the store to find a new spring sign for me front door. The kids found a cute bench that they insisted I needed to take a picture of them sitting on.

Wednesday, April 6 - We have been talking about getting a treadmill, or elliptical, or something lately. After looking on KSL.com Paul found a new Exercise Bike for a fabulous price and it wasn't very far away. We were able to get the bike for $50 LESS than the already fabulous price just for asking. YAY! It is such a nice bike, and I am so excited to use it while watching TV (when I would normally just be sitting on the couch).

Thursday, April 7 - We took our dog to the groomer, and then went to the library to get some books. We went to a different library than we usually go to so the kids had so much fun exploring the different areas of the children's section. Gabby found a fun couch to sit on to read some books.

Friday, April 8 - When we went to the Children's Museum last week we signed up for the Easter Event for this week. It was an event to make crafts, and see the Easter Bunny. The museum was SUPER busy, but the event was in a back room, and you had to be signed up for it. It wasn't busy at all. The kids made a bunny memo clip, bunny basket, and got to visit with the Easter Bunny. They had tons of fun.
After we played at the Children's Museum we came home and Kaylee got out her Play Dough and made all sorts of delicious looking things with the dough.

Saturday, April 9 - Today was one of the days the weather chose to torment us. It was snowing like CRAZY! We went to a baptism for our nephew (Paul's brother John's son) and the freeway was horrible. There had been a 17 car accident that had closed the freeway earlier and the traffic was still horrible! The baptism has excellent, and worth the trip up. After the baptism we ate dinner, and then decided to stop by our favorite doughnut shop...Krispy Kreme! We don't live very close to one, so it was fun stopping by and grabbing some hot, fresh doughnuts. YUM!

Weekly Review - March 27- April 2

Sunday, March 27 - Sorry for the poor quality cell phone picture. Gabby got a HUGE lop gloss from Marla for her birthday. Her lips have been nice and soft with as much as she has been putting it on.

Monday, March 28 - Spring has been teasing us with warm weather and flowers, and then the snow comes along again to torment us. The girls love the nice spring like days that they can go out and play. Kaylee gathered a whole handful of little tiny flowers and brought them to show me.

Tuesday, March 29 - We went to the library to find some more books to read. Kaylee found a Phineas and Ferb comic book that she decided to just stand in the aisle and read.

Wednesday, March 30 - Wendy asked us if we would like to go to the Children's Museum with them, and so I asked my mom if she wanted to come too. We had fun playing with blocks, balls, and in the kid's size town.

Thursday, March 31 - My little dog Falkor has a toy that he loves to play tug-a-war with. I thought it would be so funny if I stuck half his toy in the ottoman sticking out. He was pulling, and pulling on his toy and couldn't figure out why it wasn't coming out.

Friday, April 1 - Spring has still been taunting us with ever changing weather. Today was such and amazing day out. Paul got his hammock out and set it up in the front yard. Paul spent the rest of the day, and a little into the night in his hammock. He was enjoying the weather so much he just didn't want to get out.

Saturday, April 2 - It was another nice day out, so Paul spent some more time enjoying the weather from the comfort of his hammock. He told Kaylee and Gabby that he would pay them 50 cents each if they washed the dog. They were so excited, and made sure to wash him really well. After they were done giving him a bath Kaylee got a treat and brushed him too.

Weekly Review 2011 - March 20-26

Sunday, March 20 - Our day started bright and early. We had the wonderful opportunity to go to my parent's stake conference and listen to Dallin H. Oaks speak. We got there at 8:30 to get some great seats, and the conference started at 10:00. After attending the amazing meeting we went over to my parent's house for dinner and to celebrate Gabby's birthday with my family. Gabby wanted to have crepes and pancakes for dinner with fruit on the side. It was a fun and delicious dinner, followed by Gabby receiving some fun and amazing birthday gift from her aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents.

Monday, March 21 - The girls woke up and Gabby immediately wanted to wear her new ballerina outfit she got from her Aunt Marla, so then Kaylee wanted to wear a leotard too. A little later Gabby decided to put a shirt and skirt on over top of her ballerina outfit (you can see her ballerina skirt sticking out a little bit in the pic). They had SOOOOO much fun playing with bubbles from Uncle Chris and their bubble gun they found in the basement.

Tuesday, March 22 - I posted a couple weeks ago about the Build-a-Bear bed that Gabby had been saving up for and was so excited to get. Well, it seems that she has kicked the Build-a-Bear Bunny out of the bed and has decided to sleep on it instead.

Wednesday, March 23 - OHHHHHH!!!! WHAT a day! I have seen attitude more than a time or two...but Today was beyond attitude, it was beyond me! I was so frustrated with a normally sweet and loving 8-year-old that at the end of the day I called Paul and told him that we could either have cereal or take-out for dinner. He came home and picked up the child that actually had a very good day and let her choose dinner while the one that could NOT listen at all had the amazingly helpful privilege of cleaning up the play room. Yep, I am SOOOO happy I made it through the day to a much happier day for everyone the next day. (I don't even think about my camera on days like today, my only focus is making it through the day successfully.)

Thursday, March 24 - We have been getting things ready for a very "Fancy" little girl's birthday party. We got little feather boas and Gabby modeled one of them for me. I grabbed my phone to take a picture. Everything is starting to come together for the birthday party.

Friday, March 25 - Happy Birthday Gabby! Gabby is SIX! Gabby has been counting down the days to her birthday, and was so excited when it got here. She woke up and opened her pile of birthday presents before Paul had to rush out the door to make it to his class. For dinner Gabby wanted to go to The Old Spaghetti Factory. She loved having them sing "Happy Birthday" to her with a candle in her Spamoni ice cream.

Saturday, March 26 - It's PARTY TIME!!!! Today is the day of Gabby's Fancy Nancy Butterfly Party. Everything was decorated and ready to go. Her friends came and the party started with the kids decorating their own butterfly wings, a fashion parade, pin the butterfly wings on Fancy Nancy, Butterfly scratch designs, a butterfly hunt, decorating (and eating) cupcakes, presents, and fancy doorknob hangers. Then the kids got to explore what was in their party bags, and the party was over. Everything flew by and I was SO exhausted at the end of the day. The kids had fun, and Gabby loved her birthday party. I would call that a successful day.