Spring Break Adventures II

We went to the zoo today. The cost of the tickets for our family vs cost of a membership prompted us to invest in a membership, so we will probably be going rather regularly now...

Spring Break Adventures I

We had really wanted to go visit family for our Spring Break this year. And then the cars needed significant repairs and our plans had to change. So I made up a list of things we could do during our Spring Break. First on that list was a tour of a chocolate factory. I asked around to see if anyone wanted to go with us and got the tour scheduled. We had five families show up, so we had quite the happy crew on the tour with us. It was so fun!

I couldn't take pictures on the tour, but it was so neat to see how the conveyer belt and chocolatiers turned basic ingredients into the yummy Sander's Salted Caramel Chocolates you can buy at Costco. We got some free samples, too!

After all that chocolate we needed to have lunch. I'd packed a lunch, but it was cold out and not nearly as nice as I had hoped it would be. So we nixed the picnic idea and went with a couple of the other families to McDonalds. The kids played and ate their packed lunch and I got to visit with a couple of remarkable women. Win-win!

Andi's friend C got her mom's phone and snapped a few pictures of the two of them together. The goofballs are so cute! I taught them both while I taught Sunbeams a couple years ago. They've grown up a lot, and their personality and character has grown even more. In these pictures I see a hint of the young women they will be in ten years. I hope they stay as silly, happy, and friendly!

After playing for a while we headed home. I tried to drive by Lake St Clair but had limited success. From what I did see, it is HUGE!! It looks like the ocean, and it isn't even as big as one of the Great Lakes. We are going to go up to Port Huron at the end of the week. That should be fun.

When we got home the kids watched a movie and I taught a piano lesson. After we had the brisket we were supposed to have yesterday. I remembered to put it in the oven this morning. ;)

A good, busy day made for tired children. They happily went to bed and now I have a moment to myself. General Conference catch-up and dishes are the order of business tonight!

Easter

I put the kids' Easter baskets together last night. Most of it was candies I got at IKEA but I also managed to find chocolate frogs (complete with a Wizard trading card) and then my mom and dad sent up Kindereggs (thanks, Mom and Dad!).

I also made bow ties for all of my boys, but I didn't get them in the picture.

Today the choir sang an arrangement of Beautiful Savior that I revised. I included an children's chorus in the piece so David lended his beautiful boy soprano voice to the piece. I'm really proud of him and our choir. They did a great job and we got a lot of compliments, especially the children. I have to say, this calling has really challenged me, but it is worth the sacrifice to have Sunday's like today when the ward (and I) get to hear such beautiful songs that bring such a beautiful spirit. It was a good worship service.

The kids are officially transitioned to their new summer church outfits. We give them only one for each season. Andi and I went shopping for her dress on Tuesday. She was so happy to find that dress! And the boys all looked spiffs in their matching outfits.

At church I found out that a friend's husband was out of town for a test that was randomly scheduled for tomorrow. She has no family in the area so it was just her and her 17-month-old daughter at home. I really had to drag that out of her, and when I did I couldn't just let her celebrate Easter alone! So C and L joined us for fish tacos (we forgot to put the brisket in the oven before leaving for church). After dinner Jonathan and David went to scout out the park to see if the Easter bunny had been there. He had, so Andi, Peter, C and L, and I made our way to the park for a short hunt. It was so fun!

After the hunt we went back to the apartment for cake. The kids had decorated it with Peeps:

It was a great evening. I'm so glad we were able to share the night with friends. We have great people around us and I'm so grateful for their love and support. I'm always so glad to return the favor in some small way. :)

Utah

If you follow my Instagram you know that I was in Utah this last weekend. I got to meet my new nephew, William, and visit with family and friends. It was so fun! I have been looking forward to this trip since Holly announced she was expecting. That's a long time to wait, but it was worth it.

Denver on my way to SLC. Everyone was wearing Broncos jerseys. Apparently they were in some big game this weekend...

Baby!!!

Emma spent a lot of time taking awesome pictures. I imagine she will have an awesome blog post at some point with a lot of really professional looking pictures. 

One of the most special family outings we had was to the Provo City Center temple open house. It is gorgeous!!

Breakfast after the open house.

Emma spent some time doing hair cuts and fixing hair. She was in her element.

I totally got permission to post this picture. Love that crazy lady!! 😄

Mom took me and Emma to BYU for a Norman Rockwell exhibit. I love his work, so this was a lot of fun.

We got ice cream at the Wilkinson center after, and then we wandered around the BYU bookstore for a while.

More hair cutting.

I got to cuddle with a babe while his mom got her hair cut. He was hungry, so I had to keep him happy.

Sunday was William's baby blessing. Then we had breakfast back at Holly's apartment. After Gared pulled out a game and I got to play Rage with his family. They are a hoot. I can't wait to play again some time.

Proof that I beat Gared. I might be a little competitive.

Monday morning I had to say goodbye to my sister and her little family. That was hard. I miss being with my sisters and parents. Family is a wonderful thing.

Sisters should not live so far apart.

Luckily my mom and I were able to fly out together. After a (far too) short visit with our friends the Arhets we were off to the airport. I wish we could have spent more time with the Arhets. Sister Arhets is one of the best examples of kindness I know. She says everything with a smile. Brother Arhets is wise and kind. He has some of the most interesting stories and I remember listening to them as a youth and being a little amazed at his life. They sent me a most loving letter of concern while Peter was sick a couple years ago when I was in a really low and angry place. My reply was short, and probably not very grateful, but I later considered their words very carefully and had a change of heart. Love and prayers go a long way to helping people, I think. I am grateful for their love and prayers. 

My mom and I were on the same flight to Phoenix last night. We got to sit next to each other, which was fun. I remember being a kid and thinking it was so fun to fly standby and get a seat away from mom. Now I am so happy to have a seat next to her. I was a very foolish child. Haha!

Phoenix looked exactly as I always remembered it. I think the only times I've been in Phoenix are when my family took road trips to California and we drove through Phoenix in the middle of the night. We'd come up over a hill and suddenly there was this giant blob of lights. We'd drive through and suddenly hit the other side of Phoenix and be totally immersed in a dark desert again. And that is Phoenix, Arizona for me. Bright lights in a black desert.

I got home really late (or really early depending on how you look at it). The kids and Jonathan were waiting for me at the curb outside the airport, and I loaded my suitcase into the car at 2:00 a.m. They were all asleep, so I drove home since I was well rested after a four hour flight/nap.

It was a short weekend away, but so fun. I miss my family so much. I would like to be closer to them. Maybe I will be soon. We shall see.