SPRING BREAK

Spring Break + Las Vegas = Warm Weather, right?

Not So Much!!

Lowlights of the trip:
The weather - cold & cloudy

Abby asking me SEVERAL times each day, "Mom, why did you only bring us short-sleeved shirts? We are FREEZING!"

Forgot the camera.

Daren's laptop crashing. Did anyone hear the NOOOOOOOOOOO being yelled in hopes an Easter miracle would happen and the laptop would resurrect itself?

The unexpected purchase of a new laptop.

Coming home to find snow on the grass.

WHERE IS SPRING????

Highlights of the trip:
Daren taking the girls to see the new Hannah Montana movie. Wish I had a picture of that! It was a toss-up with who was more excited to see the movie - Daren or the girls. But it was definitely the girls!

Going out to dinner with my friend from high school, Erin. She is so fun and I'm grateful to FB for reconnecting with her.

Going to lunch with Sandy & Tammy. Those 2 are a riot! I miss them and love when we can hang out together.

Spending time together as a family - PRICELESS, cold weather and all!

NEW POTTY

And doesn't that look comfy? On Thursday night, a group of women in my church came together to make potties. This potty is to be used in an emergency, such as an earthquake when plumbing might not be available. We put the potty together and closed it up. I looked over at my friend and said, " I hope I NEVER have to open this and use this thing!" But, if you ever turn on the news one day to hear of an earthquake in Northern Utah and they say that plumbing is not available, you can rest assured that me and 47 of my neighbors all have potties!

PS-If and when the need arises, Daren, who made fun of my potty will be using a latrine. I figure the boys can dig a hole but me and the girls will be living large with our potty!

JAPAN

Tanner just completed his country report on Japan. Each student in his class were assigned to choose a country to do a report on. Tanner was one of 3 students who wanted to report on Japan. Since only 1 country could be done by a student, the teacher drew names to see who could have Japan. Tanner's stick was chosen! He was really excited to do a report on his favorite country.

I think he loves Japan so much because of the food. As many of you know, we had the great privilege of having a Japanese student stay with us last October. After a fabulous week with Sotaro, Tanner began to love Japan even more. We have still kept in touch with Sotaro and his family. In fact, they are coming to America in August. We are all SO excited for them to come. A BIG THANK YOU to Sotaro's family, especially his dad Toshiya for helping with information for Tanner's project. Tanner wrote a long report about Japan, made a poster and has a class presentation to do. Sotaro and his family sent Tanner a Japanese/English book for his birthday a few months ago. The book came in handy for the report.


Good job Tanner! Your project turned out great!!

EASTER DRESSES

Last night I took the girls to the mall to buy Easter dresses. They were really excited to go shopping. Apparently, the apple didn't fall far from the tree because I was just as excited as they were to go to the mall.

Leave it to Camille to find the most expensive dress, hat and purse in the entire mall. We went into the dressing room to try on this beautiful dress. Each dressing room was filled with little girls trying on beautiful new Easter dresses. When Camille tried on her dress and looked in the mirror, she loudly exclaimed:

"I look SO beautiful!"

I could hear laughter coming from each dressing room as mothers and daughters alike found her comment amusing. She did look very beautiful but we decided to find a dress that was just as beautiful but for a lot less money. We were successful and both girls found beautiful dresses. They are so excited to wear them on Easter Sunday.

I love having 2 little girls. They are so much fun and I love being their mom!

IS THERE AN AWARD GIVEN...

If you go to 3 doctor's offices 3 days in a row? I've been to 2 pediatricians & the eye doctor for Camille and Tanner since Monday. Kinda sad when the nurse at the pediatrician's office knows you by your first name.

"Oh, it's you AGAIN!"

"Yep, I'm back AGAIN!"

THE YOUNGEST ONE

Last Saturday a new Wal-Mart opened by my house. They had a big grand opening party. It felt like a giant ward party because we saw so many friends and neighbors there. It has been the excitement of the neighborhood to have a Wal-Mart so close.

They had a bunch of drawings for different prizes. One of the prizes was a new bicycle. It was shinny and blue. Abby REALLY wanted to win the bicycle. She entered the drawing. Her brother entered more times than one could count. The drawing was to be held at 5pm. All afternoon, over and over again, this is what I heard:

"Mom, what time is it?"

"Is it 5 o'clock yet?"

"Did Wal-Mart call to say that I won the bike?"

"When will it be 5 o'clock?"

"Mom, what time is it?"

Surprisingly enough, the winning call never came from Wal-Mart. I mean, they only had a thousand or so people at the grand opening. What are the odds that she wouldn't win the bike, right? She was devastated. Everyday she talks about how sad she is that she didn't win. So I've decided to go buy her a new bike this week. She really needs a new one and loves to ride her sister's.

I guess it's one of the perks for being the youngest!

PS-A BIG THANK YOU to whoever shoveled our walks this morning! This spring snow has been the pits and it was so nice waking up to see that someone took care of that chore for our family! THANK YOU!!!

ROME IS BURNING & DAREN IS SLEEPING!

What a fun week we had in Portland, OR. I love this city so much! The recession has hit Portland hard with an unemployment rate of over 10%. While there, I did my part to help stimulate the local economy through shopping and eating at all our favorite restaurants. I knew I'd be able to help the local economy as soon as I realized this was the view from my hotel:
Some other fun things:
I went to my first Happy Hour (lemonade, of course) with the nurse who helped bring Tanner into the world. She is a wonderful person and is so talented in her profession. After visiting with her, I am reminded how grateful I am that The Lord blesses us with people in our lives when we need it the most. She is a great example to me of Christ-like love and I admire her kindness and compassion to her patients. I will always be grateful to you, Lorrie! You are truly an angel!

I went to lunch at Pazzo with my friend Erin. She is so funny and it is always a blast to see her. She is a dear friend, a talented architect, a wonderful mother and the most devout Catholic I have ever known. I admire her dedication to her faith and I appreciate our conversations about religion. And, she always knows the best restaurants in town!

I loved walking everywhere, especially when it was raining. I walked daily all over downtown. The cool breeze and the light rain was so calming to me each day.

We ate at my 3 favorite restaurants - Portland City Grill, Jake's & Morton's.

FUNNIEST MOMENT

One night at 1am while completely asleep, the fire alarm went off in our hotel. The first thought that ran through my mind is that we need to get the kids. Then I realized our kids weren't with us and I look over to notice Daren still sleeping. I start crying and yelling, THE HOTEL IS ON FIRE!! WAKE UP!!! Then over the intercom a voice says, "The fire alarm is activated. Stay tuned for updated information." So at this point, I am freaking out but yet still half asleep! We are on the 12th floor of a 15-story hotel. Daren is still in bed asleep and won't get up! I am running around the room yelling, "Rome Is Burning--WAKE UP!" I have no idea why I am saying Rome is Burning but I am freaking out. And Daren says, "Just let it burn!" I look out the window and don't see any fire trucks. I feel the door, it is not hot. I go in the hall to realize I am the only one out there. No signs or smells of smoke anywhere either. Meanwhile, Daren is still in bed, calm as can be! I am thinking, hurry get your computer and grab my purse-lets find the stairs and get out of here before the flames and smoke reach the 12th floor. He keeps telling me there is no fire. How can you be so sure? I am feeling totally deceived at this point because the voice on the intercom with "Further Instructions" never came back. So, the joke was on me because there was no fire and Rome was not burning. Needless to say, it was funny the next morning but it took awhile for me to go back to sleep...just in case there was a fire somewhere in the hotel. Daren on the other hand, slept like a baby.

A BIG THANK YOU to Daren's dad who did a wonderful job with the kids. They all had a great time. And a a BIG THANK YOU to Amy for doing Camille's hair each day. Camille would go to Amy's house with headband in tow. Amy would ask, "Camille how would you like your hair done today?" Camille's reply was the same each day, "Straight and in a headband please." And a BIG THANK YOU to Anna for helping with Abby, feeding her lunch, taking her to school, bringing my kids home.

I feel so blessed to have such wonderful friends and family!