Spring Break at East Canyon Retreat

Sambo on his new bike.  The boys were getting some "big air" on the jump :)  Of course, loading 10 kids on the 4-wheeler is always a favorite!  And Millie spent hours on the motorcycle and 4-wheeler.  So fun.

 Last month we got to take 5 whole days off from school for Spring break!

It started the day after Easter, so we were already up at the cabin.  The plan was to spend a couple of days up there while BS worked, then we were going to go down St. George or maybe even Lake Powell (and stay on the slip). 

Well, after 2 days the kids didn't want to go anywhere - they wanted to stay put right there at the cabin!  Two days later I asked them what they wanted to do and they STILL wanted to stay at the cabin.  We offered to take the kids to town to do some fun activities but they took a pass.

Among other things, we rode motorcycles and 4-wheelers, caught lots of fish, flew kites, played games, jumped on the tramp, went exploring, went panning for gold, watched movies, played the Wii, practiced baseball in the field, and had fun with cousins!  For me, it was fabulous because I could spend all week with my Mom and Sister while the kids played all day.  Even Millie was as content as could be - not worrying about what her friends were doing.  BS came up Wednesday night and spent the rest of the week as well. 

One day, the boys went skiing with their friends the Oakley boys while the girls went shopping at City Creek.  Seriously, the week couldn't have been better.  It was easy and it was fun and it was relaxing.  Just what we needed.  We usually go out of town for Spring break but this year, going to the cabin was the right move for us.  Heck, the cabin is a vacation!  I am convinced this place has been the best thing for our family, both growing up and now.

The weather cooperated for the most part.  A couple of rainy days.  But finally, a perfect sunny and breezy day.
 Flying kites was a blast!

Catching lots of fish!  Mostly Rainbows, but we did catch 1 Brown trout.  Cousin Cole caught the biggest...it was GIANT!  Chops just sat for hours on the banks and watched the fish swimming around.

I managed to get a bike ride in.  This is in the morning at East Canyon.  I have missed this.

 Will was determined, once again, to find some gold.  He brought his pan and pick.  BS took the kids up the creek a bit and they searched...but no gold.  Better luck next time!

Picnic at the Park

I took these pictures exactly one month ago.  It was a warm, sunny, beautiful day.  Until yesterday, those kinds of days have been sparce.  It has been chilly and windy.  Boo.  But let's focus on the positive: we have a fantastic park right by our house!  It is so awesome!

Quincy, her friend Megan and I had a picnic at the park and just soaked in the sunshine for hours.  

Yay for these kind of days!

President Clark

Millie went for it.  She ran for 8th grade President...

... And she won!!!

From the school website announcing the winners:

Congratulations Millie! 

We are so proud of you and so glad that the students and teachers can see your potential!

Picture that hangs on the wall at school 

Spongebob and a haircut

Somebody got a new hair-do!  Isn't it adorable?

I have been wanting to chop her hair for a long time, but thanks to Rapunzel in "Tangled," she has wanted very long hair.  The trouble is, she doesn't have long, thick hair.  She was blessed with fine hair that that doesn't grow well.  Of course she doesn't know that.  In fact, she believed her hair was getting really long.  While I love to braid, twist, and pull her hair up in pony tails and pig tails, I also know that her hair will grow back even better if I keep it short for awhile.  So,  I took her to get a haircut.  I'm doing her a favor for later, right?  I didn't force her, I just asked her about once/month if she was ready to get a haircut.  Then last month, she answered yes! 

I love short cuts on little girls.  I really do.  Millie's hair was short at this age too.

Curling her short hair is very easy quick and I love her natural highlights:

And just for fun, here is her picture from tumbling (pre-haircut).  Those splits are impressive!

On a different note, I found these little drawings all over the house the other day.  Apart, they didn't look like much.  Just scribbles.  But once I put them together, I discovered a masterpiece collection of Spongebob Squarepants characters!  Is it a bad thing that my 6 year old daughter loves Spongebob?

Mr. Krabs:

Gary:

 

Patrick:

Spongbob:

Squidward:

Plankton:

 

Sandy:

 

Easter

Easter Sunday before church

It's been nearly a month since Easter, but better late than never right?

It's been so cold and wet the last few weeks that it's hard to remember that it was warm and sunny on Easter Sunday.  It was a beautiful day for a beautiful holiday.

For the first time ever, we almost didn't color Easter eggs. I admit that I just forgot about it until 10:00 the night before.  Apparently it slipped BS and the kids' minds too.  But this tradition is a must, so I whipped up some homemade egg dye with vinegar and food coloring.  Luckily I had lots of eggs :)

The next morning, we woke up to sunshine and hidden eggs through the house.  The silly Easter Bunny also hid the kid's baskets under Quinny's castle bed so it took a little while to find them.

The baskets were filled with goodies including Girl Scout cookies (like every year), a movie (Wreck it Ralph), jump ropes, Skylanders figures, smelly lotions, bath bombs, and much more.  Most importantly gobs and gobs of Easter candy!

And traditionally, new swimsuits from Mom and Dad

After the morning fun, we went to church which conveniently starts at 11:00.  We put on our Easter clothes and the kids looked darling!  

After church we went to the cabin to celebrate with the Guffey's.  The following week was Spring break which will be the next post.

A couple weeks earlier, we celebrated Easter at Grandpa Judy's house with the Clarks.  We had an Easter Egg hunt and had so much fun discovering what was inside eggs, especially the "Golden eggs."

Grandma never disappoints with her goodies and surprises.  Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!

We also celebrated the March birthdays -Will and Grandpa Judy :)