Kids and Tractors

So we decided we had better stay home one weekend. I think this is the first weekend we haven't gone somewhere since the first of the year. We rented an excavator and boy did the kids have fun. James had to put some culverts in down at our little farm. Every one of my kids absolutely LOVED running the controls. So the job took a little longer than it should have, but we had fun. There is a slow running canal that goes through our field. The kids made up a game that it was "The Witches' Swamp!" They found moss and skulls and all sorts of things in the swamp. They even found worms. Chase was so excited because now he had his very own pet--a worm.

When we came home to do more digging, we had surprise visitors. Jasa, Jana and Grandma Jo decided to drive over for a hot dog roast. Our kids played and played and played some more. When it was time for them to go home, we just couldn't say good bye--SO, yes the sleep over began. Kade, Kelsey, and Tylee got to stay the night. All 6 kids stayed outside and played in the dirt until I made them come in at 9:30. I'm not sure why it was called a sleep over. I am pretty sure I didn't sleep much, but I am very thankful for these sweet little neices and nephews. We LOVE them!

Campin' Out in Moab!

It was our annual campout with the crew from Mona. I am so glad that we are continuing on this tradition, even though we no longer live in Mona. We have a great group of friends that love to camp! This year we went to Moab. We camped near Dead Horse Point. The weather was great, the hikes were great, and the company was awesome.

One day we went into Arches. We hiked around and our favorite arch (like always) was Sand Dune Arch. The kids loved playing in the sand and jumping off rocks into the sand. Wade--our little climber--found a way up on top of the arch. We ended this day with fried ice cream in Moab and then night games around the camp fire. Of course you can't go camping with this crew without being "schnurrred!"

The next day we found some amazing rocks. We found parts of arrow heads and we all found a bag full of "Moki Marbles." They were rocks that were shaped in a perfect ball.We also went for a ride over the slick rock. No, we didn't have a jeep, just the dodge, but that didn't stop us. We ended up at Gemini Bridges. It was a lot of fun!

I think Kemri will always and forever be Bailey's Best Friend. It was fun to see that even after a years time that they were still so close. We are so thankful for the great people that we have met along our way. They are great examples to us and we will forever be friends.

Easter!!!

Easter has ALWAYS been my favorite holiday! Rain or shine, wind or snow--we go camping! There has not been a time in my 33 years that I haven't gone down on the desert with Grandma Hansen and the rest of the crew. This year we camped near the dinosaur quarry. The weather was great except for a little wind-which didn't bother anyone. My kids LOVE playing with their cousins on the rocks and in the dirt.

We always have an easter egg hunt. There are literally hundreds of eggs scattered throughout the rocks and trees.

This year the weather was perfect for kite flying. We all had the kites up in the air within seconds.
The Easter Bunny came while the kids were sleeping, even though Wade was sure he was going to stay up and listen for him. The kids' baskets were overflowing with goodies. They enjoyed their cars and their rockets that he left behind. That Easter Bunny gets trickier every year hiding their eggs. There is still one of Bailey's eggs somewhere hidden in a rock, because no one could find it. The next best thing to painting eggs, is rolling eggs. We found a hill and we rolled (or threw) all the eggs down to the bottom of the hill. Then we ran and found the ones that weren't broken too bad and threw them again.

We can't go to Easter without all the 4-wheelers. We have quite a caravan of wheelers when we all go for a ride. It is great fun to ride to indian writings, and geo-caches. Wade loves to ride is motorcycle and Bailey has tons of fun on her 4 wheeler.

One great part about Easter is sitting around the camp fire. The kids thought they needed their own fire this year and made one up on a rock--KIDS ONLY! When Sunday afternoon rolled around, nobody wanted to load up and come home. We all had a great time. We have such a fun family and I love spending Easter with them. It's one tradition that I hope never ends.

Painting Eggs

There is always such anticipation to paint eggs at our house. Even I still LOVE it. When we are done we have some pretty creative egg masterpieces. Some are always cracked (Wade thought the cracked ones looked like lava), some always get eyes and resemble animals, and my little boys' hands always end up more colorful then the eggs.

Bunnies and Chicks and Treats, Oh my!!

The town was having an egg hunt, so we went over dreaming of baskets full of treats and eggs to bring home. We did get a basket of treats and then they said that the bunnies and chicks were next. In my head I am pleading, "Please no--don't catch one!" Chase's group went first and he came back empty handed. Then Wade's group went, and he came back with the biggest grin ever and a little rabbit in his arms. After Bailey's group went, she caught a baby chick. So now at our home we have a bunny, chicks, a turtle, horses, calves and a cat!