Easter

So many hunts this year...  We tried out our community hunt for the first time on Saturday morning.  There were oodles of people and they didn't get many eggs, but had a great time.  That afternoon we headed over to a friend's from church. They host a hunt every year.  I love catching pictures of the girls at this age because they so genuinely thrilled with the whole event.  The boys were in another section and I didn't get any pictures of them at that hunt.  But no need to fret...there would be more. 

Sophie took her job of gathering eggs pretty seriously. I could not help myself...lots of pictures.

Saturday was a lot of fun.  Sunday, the day we are to be celebrating Christ's Resurrection, started going downhill fast.  I decided that I need to majorly reevaluate our holiday plans because on both Christmas and Easter by the time we got out the door to church I was exhausted and could barely pay attention in Sacrament Meeting.  When I stay up until 2am helping the Easter Bunny...I am not too in tune on the spiritual front.

This is our pre-church photo.  (9am)  Mom, "James, pleeeease smile."

James exits stage right...mad. 

Post-church photo.  Everyone is smiling...including that nice little sunbeam in the middle of all the following pictures.  

I decided to go with the whole sunbeam thing...and go with a vintage look. 

We saved the Easter Hunt for after church.  The Easter Bunny has done various elaborate hunts through the years.  This year each child had a color. They could only get the eggs that were that particular color or had a bow with that color on it.  Sounds simple right?  Two words....2 am. 

I love this picture of James.  (I know, I know, many are wondering where I got the pink Easter Chairs...details coming.  Just jokes you will only get if you read a lot of blogs. I really got them at a second hand store, but never have quite got around to covering them.  I don't even see it on my radar.)

By this time Sophie was in desperate need of a nap.  "Is this really worth it?" she is thinking to herself.

I usually try to semi-coordinate the kids.  This year we had a pink group...

...and a green group.

That evening we headed over to Grandma and Grandpa's for dinner.  I was thinking how grateful I was to have a place to go eat a nice Easter dinner.  If I had to cook something extra special that day it might have been grilled cheese.  

The Annual Family Hunt.  EVERYONE gets to participate.  There is lots of candy, and now that they  kids are older they try to find the eggs with money or gift certificates.  (If you are counting, yes, this was some of my kids 4th hunt.)  This is probably their favorite "hunt" of the holiday!

If you look at these next few pictures of Joshua and James you would think they really made out in the hunt...but you would be wrong.  They were so focused on finding the prize eggs, they didn't get ONE piece of candy.  They were really regretting this when we were home going through the loot.  I think they will survive.

I call these cousins in the back row the "middles."  They all did pretty well!

"Here, you can try mine if I can try yours." 

All in all it was a great weekend.  We made lots of memories.  But, like I said before...I am RETHINKING the holidays next year!  We usually review the last week of Christ life leading up to Easter, but didn't get a chance to squeeze it in this year.  Maybe that was part of what was missing.  I want the focus to be on celebrating the Resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ.  Maybe we will do the actual Easter Bunny Thing on Saturday.  I don't know.   Maybe the Easter Bunny doesn't have to do such an elaborate hunt.  What is wrong with just a plain old Easter Basket with everything IN it?  I am now realizing...don't start any elaborate traditions when you have two kids that you don't want to have to continue when you have six.  Simplify.

 My sister and I were venting about how Easter is becoming like another Christmas.  Not only do you get a few marshmallow eggs and chocolate....you should get new clothes, a bike, books, and toys.  It is seriously ridiculous!  (I did try and scale back in that department.)  I remember I would TREASURE every piece of candy in my basket.  It was so special.  Now it is like, oh, I better throw out our candy from the last holiday since we are getting more for Easter.  Maybe I need to limit sugar around here so when a holiday rolls around it is actually a TREAT. I guess I have a year to think on this.

I just know that this time with all the kids under one roof will be so quick so I want to make the most of every holiday we have.  I guess it is all about balance.  I am just grateful to be able to be together for holidays and make traditions.  Even if they stress me out.

Spring Break Part 1

We headed to California for Spring Break this year.  We had a great time.  The only bad part was trying to fit in so much in one week.  I took half my pictures with my regular camera and half with my phone.  I don't have ANY of my phone pictures right now....long story.  So this is a recap of half the trip (and not in order of the events.)

I know I posted car pictures already, but I had to get this one in on the way there.  I DO try to make them wear seat belts as much as possible, but looks like the boys slipped out to get comfortable here...

We drove all day Saturday to get to Lodi.  Sunday was relaxing and we were able to just enjoy being at Nana and Papa's house.  Cade and Michele came down from Chico to hang out.  Nana made a yummy dinner after Church.  Michele baked Texas Sheet Cake, Peach/Raspberry Pie, and delicious muffins.  Yum!  My no-sugar for Lent went out the window.

The kids love Nana's house.  She always has fun toys to play with.  This car was a hit and the girls always found someone to push them around and round the house in it. 

A little Sidewalk Chalk Art in Church Clothes.

Nana and Papa no longer have a dog.  Lucky for them all their kids have dogs!  I tried forever to get pictures of Annie and Presley....but NO LUCK.  Trust me, I took a million.  Presley was having too much fun to look at the camera.  So, I had to be content with some "action" shots.  It looks like they were plotting an escape from the back yard.  

"We can totally squeeze through here...hopefully, Sophie won't tell on us." 

"We don't have fences in Idaho, they are sure fun." 

 Puddles.  Nana and Papa really have a beautiful yard, the kids just like to play by the shed on the side of the house.  

More pictures of fun with Nana and Papa to come.

We were only in Northern California for a such a short time.  There were so many friends we didn't get to see!  However, we were able to make two QUICK trips down to visit old friends from our old hood.

This is my old workout buddy, neighbor, and friend-Sonia.  She cooked some amazing carne asada, salsa, rice, beans, tortillas, the WORKS!  Yum!  I sure miss her cooking! (We would work out HARD, but then come home and eat...we couldn't figure out why we didn't look like our instructor.) Sonia is beautiful inside and out and we miss her sweet family.

 

Manuel and Ryan

Our other neighbors across the street came and visited with us and it was like old times.  

The week was flying by and we had to say goodbye and head down to Palm Springs.  More on that later.  But for now here are some pictures we took of our last night in Palm Springs.  The two older boys drove down south with Nana, Papa, and Presley.  They stopped in Carlsbad to pick up Aunt Krista.  They were able to visit with Krista and Gary in their home and even got a little time in the ocean.

 Joshua, Krista, and Michael

For years the four boys were the only grandchildren.  Would there ever be any granddaughters?  Within about two years we had Annie, Amelia, Presley and Sophie.  The girls quickly tied things up!  We have not had them all together yet with the eight of them. These pictures are the only ones we were able to snap of the crew with Nana and Papa.  It was about 830pm and there were some meltdowns happening.  Here are my best attempts of a cousin picture...

Amelia was NOT in the mood for a photo shoot.  She was like, "Get me outta here!"  I thought, who cares, it will be a funny picture later on!  She quickly perked up when Daddy gave her a shoulder ride out to the car!

Sophie always takes a long time to warm up, but by this last night she was diving right for Nana.  

 Melanie is expecting #2 in about 5 months.  Her baby will be the tie breaker.  (boy or girl?)

Uncle Michael, Aunt Carly, Pierson and Avery were also able to drive up from Orange County to say  hi.  It was great to see them.  

James and Pierson enjoying a little ice-cream.

Annie and Avery

The girls-all ready to swim!

Pierson and Michael

 Ryan and Sophie getting warm in the hot tub. 

Carly is due with #3 next month...another girl!  We can't wait! 

I loved walking out at night in Palm Springs and the air was just WARM.  I was just trying to soak every warm moment in before returning to the cold.  Better than the weather was the chance to see so much family and friends.  Even though there was a lot of driving....it was worth it!

Funny conversation

I got a text from Jennifer this morning...

How dare she steal our dreams.  Jennifer, I think you should still have a baby and name it Charlotte.  It would be a great honor to Nienie and her new addition to the royal family.

PS Just because you have four girls, doesn't mean that you couldn't have a boy you know.

Forever in the car

We had a great Spring Break. 
It was so nice to see family and old friends. 
I have lots to catch up on. 
For now, I am SO glad to be home and OUT of the car. 
I think I pack pretty light...still squishy.
Six kids, one dog, two adults-12 hour drive, another 8 hour drive, and then 16 back home again. 
So glad to be home!

 

 Not much sleeping took place, but when it did I pulled out my iphone. (Notice dog in corner, we are nuts for taking her.  She bolted from the car on the way home and almost got hit by a car.  Now that would have been tragic.)  Dog story coming soon.

This was what it was usually like, and the ones that were awake would wake up the sleeping ones.

Ryan humoring me taking pictures.

These guys actually burned some time going through the paper from the hotel. 

One is not really sleeping, one is. 

Some of the pretty scenery helps a little, but not enough.

I now must go to bed. Joshua had a huge project due in the morning and so we have been doing that ALL night. (Grrr...I swear everytime I will NOT help him if he procrastinates again.)  Have lots of unpacking and laundry tomorrow.  Can't wait.  Seriously, I can't.  It actually sounds fun.