Easter Sunday

We had an awesome Easter this year!  The Easter Bunny came, Jason spoke in church, and we spent the evening with family . . . it was a perfect day!

The kids decorated Easter eggs and made pictures for the Easter Bunny:

The Easter Bunny spoiled the kids with baskets full of goodies:

After about 137 pictures, we finally got one of all the kids looking at the camera (An Easter miracle!!)

Steve and Alyse invited us all to their home for Easter dinner (Yummy as always!)

  After dinner, Alyse put together an awesome treasure hunt for the kids!

Happy Easter Everyone!

The Birthday Boy!

Joshua is now officially a nine-year-old!  We had an awesome day celebrating his ninth birthday.  Grandpa and Grandma Dalby took us to the new aquarium that just opened in Draper.  Joshua has always had this fascination with animals.  Every time we go to the library, he fills his arms with all these non-fiction books about strange animals I've never heard of . . . he was very excited to see real penguins and sharks at the aquarium!

After the aquarium we came home for cake and presents.  Joshua REALLY wanted a Skylanders cake (Only the mom of a nine-year-old boy probably even knows what Skylanders are . . . ) and he couldn't believe we found him one!

Present time!  Joshua got everything he was hoping for: legos, money, a book light . . . and a Skylanders set! 

Happy Birthday Joshua!  We love you so much!!

Backyard Camping

The kids have been begging us to take them camping.  I did a lot of camping growing up with my family.  It was always a ton of fun . . . but I must admit sleeping on the ground while being attacked by mosquitos has lost some of its appeal now that I'm older!  Jason had a fabulous idea to have a campout with the kids in our backyard.  The kids could have the "camping experience", and I could stay up all night in my comfy bed reading Divergent and eating brownies  . . .  my kind of compromise!

The kids felt very important helping Jason set up the tent.  (My parents live 10 minutes away now.  Can I just say how convenient it is to live close to parents who have everything we could ever need?  Thanks Mom and Dad!) . . .

Exploring their home away from home (does the backyard constitute "away from home"?) . . .

We stuffed the tent with goodies and they watched a movie together on the iPad.  Later, Grandpa Dalby surprised them with donuts.  That's our definition of "roughing it" . . .

I thought for sure I'd have kids knocking on my bedroom door and asking to sleep inside.  But to my surprise, they made it though the entire night!  Hooray for backyard camping!!

12 Years!

Jason and I celebrated 12 years of marriage in March.  We decided to spend it at the temple, and it was a really special night for us.  We sat in the celestial room after our session and reflected on how much our lives have changed in 12 years.  I can honestly say I love him more now than I did all those years ago.  We've been through a lot together . . . a lot of good, and some hard too.  Those things have made us strong.  It's good to have someone who knows everything about me, and still loves me despite it all!  I love you babe!  I can't wait to see what the next 12 years will bring us!

Tearin' It Up!

Jason's sister and her kids came to town for some snowboarding on their Spring Break.  It is always a blast having them here!  Jason was able to take Joshua snowboarding for the first time, and Joshua fell in love . . . I think we have awakened a monster!  Jason is an awesome boarder, and I'm glad he has a buddy he can take with him now (seeing as I have zero talent in the whole snow area).

Some pictures of their day on the slopes:

A video of Joshua tearin' it up!

The Ethanator is 4!

In March, the Ethanator turned 4!  He was very excited to celebrate his big day.  He chose to have a movie night with his cousins and watch the new Lego Batman movie.  They had fun watching the movie, then eating pizza and Batman cake together!  Here are some pictures of the fun . . . 

Setting up for the party:

Ethan working his Batman cape:

The whole gang:

Showing off their Batman moves:

The cake:

Opening Gifts:

We love our Ethanator so much.  He brings joy to our family.  Seriously, everything that comes out of his mouth is just hilarious, and you can't not smile when you are around him.  Happy Birthday Ethan! We're so glad you're in our family!!