photos from over the weekend

The family chose to wait for us to be in town to celebrate the Easter holiday so we got together on Saturday for the festivities. Lori put together games (aka family Olympics) for us all to participate in. Ahead of time she drew names and gave each adult a kid partner. Above is the picture of all of us with our partners. My favorite combo was Randy and Megan because they're buddies or at least according to her.


My partner was Austin.

First game on the list was blindfold crochet. It's actually a lot of fun to play, but more fun to watch.


Adam's partner was Ashely, the youngest, so he had a lot of helpers. Poor guy he still came in last.


Olivia for whatever reason wasn't giving Jill instructions so they ended up switching places. Even then I'm not sure she was completely blindfolded.


Megan was great at guiding Randy to his ball. Poor Randy got yanked around.


Whitney guiding Robyn. I thought it was funny, Whitney and Bella both would say things like, "go that way" by pointing their finger. Not a lot of help when your blindfolded.


Adam hanging with his partner while the other still played.


Jared and Tess did as well as was expected. Tess said she had tons of fun.


Austin and I rocked it. He was really good or else it was my instructions. Hard to tell. :)


Lori and Landon were tough to beat...


but Bella and Nana still beat them.




Love that my in-laws have chickens.


We also played four squared and added that score to our crochet score. I totally lost it for Austin and I by playing so poorly. Jill stayed in the whole time and never got out.


We also had an egg hunt.


They kids always have to do a count.


At the end it was Bella and Nana who won all the events. Adam shot them with silly string as it was announced. Bella was thrilled.


Lori and Landon took 2nd.
Robyn and Whitney took 3rd.
and in case your were interested, Austin and I took 4th...just sort of a metal.

a storypeople + reminder

The secret is not in your hand or your eye or your voice, my aunt told me once. The secret is in your heart. Of course, she said, knowing that doesn't make it any easier. -storypeople

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[click here to enlarge]

Reminder:
get your batteries charge and empty your memory cards...tomorrow is the 12th, which means its 12of12 time. Remember to visit me back here on the 13th to post a link to you collage. Enjoy.

If you want to learn more about my 120f12 project go here and you can find the collage template here.

weather report

There are so many people on facebook that comment about the weather, me included, and I've decided it's because the weather, for good or bad, has a huge impact on our day. In the winter when there's a big snow storm and I get to stay home and watch it from my window, I love it, but when it's spring and the snow comes, I'm angry. More like sad. The rain I don't mind, it's suppose to rain, but the snow, snow that stays on the grass for over 2 days, it's just a little depressing.



I like my spring to be warm enough to have my windows open to let in the fresh breeze. I like my spring sunny with blue skies. I like my spring with blossoms covering the trees and small leafy buds. I like my spring to have laughter with kids running around outside.

At times I feel duped living where I live that I don't really get a good spring or maybe it's just a delayed spring. Who knows. Each year is different and each year I hold my breath wondering what we will get. But like all things it does come, even for just a few weeks before the hot air hits, it comes. The flowers come up from there hiding place, the blossoms cover the trees, the grass starts to green, and everything looks a little brighter...feels a little brighter.


[spring break | st george]

I wish the weather didn't affect me as much as it does. Seems sort of silly to let something so beyond my control make a difference, but then again, that's never stopped me before. Does the weather affect you?

It's nice today looking out and seeing the big puffy clouds against the blue backdrop and listening to my girls play in the back yard while I work. It's been a good day. Peaceful. Bright. And I have to blame the weather for part of it.

wholeness

Something happens, stirs inside me, when the weather gets warmer and the light stay out longer. It's not just that it feels good to be bare foot feeling the cool grass in between my toes, it's the photographer inside me watching the setting sun bathe the earth in it's golden light that pushes me out the door.

I didn't realize until tonight, it's not just the color I crave when the spring comes, it's the light. Winter can be so isolating. Being out with Tess and Megan this evening with my camera added the missing link in the chain. It was very healing. Very needed tonight.


[instead of shoes Megan put these gloves on to protect her feet from the cool grass.]


[Somehow this M was part of their play.]

The rest of the photos are me playing with the sun...still trying to make it my friend. Also I couldn't decided which version I liked best so I'm giving you a taste of each.

spring break in photos | part 2

We went to the art festival.


Not only did we enjoy the sun, but we ate up the festival food which sadly ended up being sub-par.




Flowers because I'm craving them today.


They did surprisingly well listening to conference while coloring.


Bella of course ended up taking notes...all four hours.


Can't let Easter go by without coloring eggs.


Every time her mom took a picture of her she'd say, "lemme see" or something like that. So cute.


egg hunt.




Bella took a break from notes Sunday morning and colored with Tess instead.


On the way home Adam had copied lyrics for the girls and we had a family sing-a-long. I was surprised he thought to do it in advance, not to mention he's not a big singer. Of course it was songs he could get behind. We had a lot of fun.

spring break in photos | part 1

The drive down that seemed a bit crazier than normal.




How ironic to be in a desert and enjoy green grass. Delightful.






She found the letter M on one of our walks and asked that I take a picture. In fact she said, "Mom, hurry quick, it's the letter from my name."


While everyone back home experience winter weather we thankfully had excellent weather. Warm enough for outdoor swimming and getting a little sun-kissed.


nothing quite like napping at the pool.




I find palm trees to be very intriguing.




Each morning we went on a walk together, a favorite place of theirs in the neighborhood with a stream and pond. They ran around, tried to spot the biggest fish and attempted to skip rocks. I so enjoyed this time with my girls.




I have never in my life seen a plant/flower like this. I don't even know what it is, but I loved it's uniqueness.

random thoughts on a spring break saturday morning

-I feel slightly bad everyday I hear about the weather back home and know that I'm enjoying delightful spring like temperatures. I'm so glad I didn't stay in town to face the snow. It would have been completely depressing to spend spring break indoors.



-It's been so nice having nothing I "have" to do and have been able to find time to read. I'm almost half way through The House At Riverton and am really enjoying it. It's too bad I won't be able to finish because when I get home I probably won't find time for a while. I have a bit of anxiety thinking about what's waiting for me at home. I've been pushing it out of my mind since last night.
-Speaking of last night Chris, Amy, Adam and I went to see Clash of the Titans. UGH. What a disappointment. I wanted to see it because I grew up watching the original. Loved the original. It was a love story, but unfortunately the 2010 version is based on revenge, however, that isn't what makes the movie lame. Right now, I can't put my finger on it, but I was instantly bored and could have easily walked out. What a waste of an evening without kids.
-Megan slept with me one night and instead of getting out of the bed on her side where she wouldn't disturb anyone, she rolled over me, got right in my face and said, "good morning mom", and then ran out. Got to love their enthusiasm for a new day.
-I've been running in the mornings since I've been here and it's harder than I thought it would be. Another reminder when you don't keep up with something you loose it so quickly. It has been nice though and beautiful watching the sunrise and enjoying the spring color. I will miss the blossoms and green grass. Hopefully it won't be too long before it looks like that at home.
-I'm really looking forward to General Conference today and tomorrow.
-I've really enjoyed hearing the kids from a distance play together. Right now they're playing house and going to school. Megan and Estee are fighting over who gets to take what to school and I'm hearing a lot of "It was mine. I had it first." and Tess is stepping in trying to make everything good again. I find it very endearing.