Salt Lake weekend

This weekend we made a quick trip to Utah for my father in law, Carl's, 65th birthday party. I forgot to bring my camera. So all the great photo opportunities were lost. We had great food, great cake and great conversation. We enjoyed shopping, live soccer, hanging out and lots of traveling (okay that part we didn't enjoy so much, just endured). When we got home I took pictures of the only things I could to represent our trip.















When we were watching Parker's soccer game, the boys were playing behind us on a grassy hill. I wasn't present but apparently, Jake was rolling down the hill and hit a metal pole. His ear was a little bruised but not much. After a full day, though, it has a nice black and blue look over the whole top half. It's ugly but doesn't seem to bother him.















This is a picture of my new running shoes. I joined a running group through the city of Rexburg recreation dept and went to the first meeting on Wed. It turned out I was the only new person and everyone else has been running together for a year. They all had just gotten back from running the Salt Lake Marathon. I was very much intimidated. But I did find out that the best place to buy running shoes was at Ossines on Redwood Road in Salt Lake. So when I was down there this weekend Darren and I went there to get me some new shoes. They also have a free service where they analyze your feet and watch you run. Then they help you pick the best shoes for your feet and running style. I tried them out this morning and so far, so good.

Easter 2009 and a few extras

I know I am a week late but I took pictures of our during conference activities specifically so I would update my blog and never did it. So following are some of those.
















Tracie started this puzzle on Christmas day and it has been unfinished since then. So Saturday I worked on it. When I was this far done I had to move it into the living room to free up the dining room table, got caught up doing something and when I returned it was half way destroyed. So Tracie and I finished it again on Sunday during the afternoon session. I made sure Jacob and Ethan knew I wasn't happy, though.















We bought the boys these boxes at Ikea a while back. As with most things there you have to finish it yourself. Ethan begged to paint his so we did that Saturday during conference (I think that's why I moved the puzzle). Darren helped Ethan and it turned out pretty well.


















Kevin working on his box.




















A few days ago I saw Ethan and Kevin sneaking around, dressed weird. Come to find out, they were spies. Pretty creative in their outfits, I think.




















Kevin in his spy outfit.

















Before the Easter egg hunt. I take pictures like this every year - first the empty basket, then the full ones. It has been crappy weather every year since we have been going to them but it was great weather yesterday. Kevin had his first baseball practice so he didn't get to go. He didn't really care, though.



















The full baskets. Jacob froze when all the other kids started running for the eggs. By the time I coaxed him out there we only got two eggs before they were gone. A kindergarten friend of Ethan's was standing next to him and saw that Jacob only got two eggs. Without being prompted by any adult he took two of his eggs and put them in Jacob's basket. I thought that was so sweet. His parents weren't even around and I didn't know them so I couldn't tell them what a good kid he was.




















Jacob painting Easter eggs




















Kevin with one of his masterpieces.


















The boys acting normal. :)

















Easter morning - if Ethan had longer hair it would look like MaryAnn morning hair (no offense MaryAnn)




















Ethan with one of his eggs.
HAPPY EASTER, EVERYONE!!!

After the funeral

This post is all about our Utah adventures after the funeral. We stayed with the Mitchells for the first two nights. It's always crazy when my three kids and the Mitchell five kids are all together.




















Here's cute Michelle. She was walking around the couch with a tissue in her mouth so I took her picture.



















Thursday night many of my siblings came over to play games. Many brought treats so I took a pictures of that yummy display - and Ethan's hand reaching in to grab some jelly beans.




















Bachelor brother Ben was proudly displaying this shirt. Whatever, Ben, you'll change your mind eventually.
















Tracie and Jeff put on a scavenger hunt for the kids after hitting the dollar store. Here's Jeff playing Santa Claus and handing out the goods.

















A wild game of spoons.















After the Mitchells it was a couple of nights at the Clarks. Saturday we went to Orem for lunch at CPK and Shandy's soccer game. Here's the group of fans at the soccer game. The kids didn't last very long just sitting and watching. My boys were wild examples for Dexter.
















This is the best picture I got of Shandy on the soccer field. I promise it's her.


















Darren must have taken this picture. I like it because it's a candid shot.





















Saturday night Jacob watched The Incredibles with Shandy. It was a fun weekend but we had to leave early on Sunday to try and avoid most of the storm. We hit some of it in the Salt Lake valley but made it home right before the blizzard in Rexburg started. Whew!