Issue 203

Spring Break and Happy Easter!

There is an old saying, "Change is as good as a rest." Spring Break wasn't really a break at all, but we did change things up and have a very successful week. Analese had the chance to visit home with her week off, and Whitney sat in the same spot on the couch all week, first finishing a math course and then writing the rest of the week. Steve L. also wrote almost 50 pages over the break for his novel writing class. When he wasn't writing he was labeling and shrink wrapping swag for his dad's company and earning some good money. Daniel worked very hard learning his lines for his upcoming Shakespeare play. The girls didn't start their break until Thursday, and we had a fun afternoon at the aquarium with friends.

Dad spent a very intense week at work, and their company's new book was released on Tuesday. It hit #1 on Barns and Nobel, # 7 on Amazon and we are holding our breath to see how it will do on the New York Times list this week! This is a big deal for their company and it was fun to see it launch so well.

I took the week to catch up on some projects that have been plaguing me, like ALL the laundry, ALL the paperwork and cleaning out the basement! I also got to attend a doTERRA Essential Oil conference on Friday that I really loved.

The weekend brought 3 different egg hunts, lots of cousins and enough candy for the kids to be on a sugar high all week! We had a lovely Easter Sunday. Dad was the concluding sacrament meeting speaker and gave a wonderful talk on Courage and The Atonement.

Hope you had a wonderful break too (or at least a wonderful change!)

Issue 202

Happy April Fools Day!

We enjoyed a lovely General Conference weekend watching from home. It was 80 degrees on Saturday and then Snowed on Sunday. Ah, spring in Utah!

I served the kid's our traditional April Fool's day sushi for dessert. (Rice krispy treats with gummy worm seafood and Fruit by the Foot seaweed. I hope all your tricks were sweet!

Principal's Pride

Janey was awarded the Principal's Pride award for working so hard to get a 100% on her last spelling test!

Happy Birthday Janey!

Wow, Janey is 10! She requested a vanilla cake with jelly beans and gummy bears. Sweet, just like Janey!

Ballroom Dancing

The hardest thing for Analese to give up to come live with us to finish high school, was her ballroom dance team in Idaho. The team was traveling through Utah on their Spring Break tour and performed at an assisted living center in American Fork. We all went down for family night to see them and they had Analese join them in a couple dances that she knew. She did a wonderful job and is a beautiful dancer.

A Star and a Silver Palm

At their last court of honor the boys earned new rank advancements. Daniel earned several merit badges and his Star Rank. Steve also increased his merit badge count and earned his Silver Palm, the highest ranking palm in scouting. Way to go boys!

Issue 201

Young Womens' Broadcast and City Creek

Whitney and Analese got tickets to the Young Womens' General Conference downtown. It was Analese's first time attending an event at the Conference Center and they both enjoyed the messages of the conference.

Steve and I drove them downtown and spent the evening at the new City Creek Center, the gorgeous new outdoor mall and city center across from temple square. We took the girls over after the conference and we were treated to an out door concert by Eclipse, a vocal group we really enjoy. We look forward to taking the whole family downtown on trax to show them City Creek.

Issue 200!

Relief Society Birthday

Laura invited us to a Relief Society Birthday celebration at This is the Place State Park. With both Whitney and Analese getting ready to join Relief Society soon, I thought it would be nice to bring them. We heard faith promoting stories of pioneer women from sisters in pioneer dress and saw an amazing quilt display. Too bad Laura didn't feel well enough to join us. We missed you Laura!

Birthday Fun

Steve and I got away to Southern Utah for a couple nights to celebrate his birthday. We couldn't find any Marriott nights available in St. George so we stayed in Cedar City and then drove into St. George for the day. I mentioned to Steve Saturday morning that I found out why we couldn't get a hotel. I said, "Apparently there is an air show in St. George, the "Angel somethings", so all the hotels are taken." He said, "You mean the BLUE ANGELS!?!" So, we made our way to the greatest air show ever. We parked just outside the grounds in the airport parking area and had the best seat for free, to a really amazing show. Too bad we only had our pathetic iphone cameras to try to capture it. (Got to remember to bring the real camera on vacation!) After an especially amazing trick, I said, "Let's just pretend that I planned this for your birthday, OK?"

We also got to go to the movies, meet his sister Becca (who happened to be in St. George too) for lunch, birthday shop and and have a great dinner.

The best birthday present, I think was how well the kids did while we were away. On the way home we called to check in and they had put dinner in the crock pot, made the birthday brownies, cleaned the house, decorated and wrapped presents and were all ready for church! It's nice to have 3 responsible teenagers in the house. After church we had a nice birthday celebration for dad. Happy Birthday Honey!

Issue 199

Ski Camp

Steve took the scouts to his favorite place to cross country ski on this beautiful weekend. We don't have any snow anymore (it was 60 degrees) but there was plenty of snow in the mountains. I'm so glad he loves to camp and be outdoors with the boys! It's such a great experience for all of them.