Quick Get-away

Thomas has been wanting to go to the cabin sooo bad, so I found a time when I didn't have piano lessons during the week and made the trip up the mountain with the kids (luckily, I didn't have any problems with getting lost this time :) )

This was the main reason why Thomas wanted to go....and Keira actually did very well at being patient and holding still and was able to feed a few chipmunks.

And Thomas got them to crawl right up on him. (I think we made need to buy our own peanuts next time. Thomas will go through a whole bag if we let him)

The cabin across the road had a little zip-line that was great for the kids, as long as we stopped them before they hit a tree. They sure gave me a work out running with Keira, running back and for to stop Thomas, and to put them both on the handles while GP held it low enough:)

I even tried it but I hung a bit to low for it to be very fun

One of my favorite things about being up there when EVERYONE is not (not that I don't love you guys) is seeing the deer come right up to the cabin to have a snack.

Here's Keira with the deer but I couldn't focus on both

Of course, we visited the creek, which was VERY full, and let the kids throw rocks in.

And one night we roasted marshmallows, which Keira didn't care for so she just ate the mallows plain, and Thomas very lightly toasted to where it was a little "yellow" as he says. Oh well, GP, GM, and I loved it!

We love the cabin and can't wait to see you all there for the reunion! Thanks GM, GP, and Kevin for letting us disrupt your peaceful stay. It was great seeing you!

Keira's Bunny Dance

Last night was Keira's dance recital, where the whole studio, all the classes, did a ballet. This year was the "Sleeping Beauty" Ballet. It was all very well done but pretty long. Keira's dance was at the end of the ballet, so she got to watch most of it with us and seemed to enjoy watching all the pretty ballerinas. She (and her class) were the bunnies, and what a pretty little princess bunny she makes!

I was only allowed to record or take pictures at her dress rehearsal, so this is what I was able to get. There were a couple of times when she dazed out or something, but all in all she did really well! I'm so proud of my little ballerina!

Here she is in her pretty bunny costume

Getting ready for the performance

Her bunny dance. Sorry for the blurry pictures.

On the way home from the recital. She was exhausted, but did great for her dance!

Let the Games Begin!

T-Ball Season has begun! It has been so fun watching Thomas be involved in a sport! And this was the sport he chose, although he did want to do coach pitch...but that will have to wait till next year. Right after his first game all the baseball/softball players had a little parade. Here is Thomas's team "The Pirates," waiting for the parade to start.

And his team picture (He is in the middle of the top row). Have of the team is from our ward. Pretty fun!

Thomas is a great baseball player!. Here he is batting.

And catching...

And throwing.

It is so funny watching all these little ones play as they ALL chase after the ball, kick the dirt-only half way paying attention, and have to wear a helmet that looks too big. We still have several more games to go, but it has been great for him to have something to look forward to each week. :) Way to go Thomas!

Weekend of Celebrations!

I love May! There are so many fun things going on between my family and Mike's. This year was especially busy, but enjoyable because we celebrated birthdays and a bit of Mother's Day down in Vegas. And I figured I couldn't miss grandpa's big 80th birthday surprise party! :) I wondered how we were all going to make it into town with a good excuse, or without knowing we were there...some staying right across the street, but it all turned out perfectly and grandpa sure was surprised!

Grandpa had so many friends and family come to show him how much he is loved!

I love my Grandpa! I remember our little "dates" out for ice-cream we used to go on to celebrate both of our birthdays, since they are so close. Well, we aren't able to do that anymore, but I loved being there at this party and had fun seeing all who was there!

And whenever the majority of us sisters are together we have to get a picture together. Love you guys! (Missed you, Becky, but it was good talking to you :)

And, of course, there is always a goofy one! Ha!

We also had Mike's Dad's birthday party that day.Thomas, Keira and Abbi enjoyed the warm weather and jumped at the opportunity to go swimming! Thomas is a big fan now, now that he is feeling more comfortable in the water...and as long as he has floaties. And Keira is our little water baby. She hasn't shown any signs of being afraid of the big pool or the deep end with her floaties. We will try to go to the pool lots this summer.

So, Tom's party was fun, we missed Soozi's birthday earlier that week, but hopefully made up for it a bit while we stayed there. Then Mother's Day! (And my birthday) I opened my present early - a sewing machine, so now I need to learn ;) and Mike and I went to Tucanos for lunch before Vegas. I did have candles on my donuts in the morning and got sung to again at Mike's dad's, and then we celebrated again in Utah at Mom's. So, even though we had to drive back home, it turned out to be a very nice birthday/Mother's Day with everyone! Thank you to everyone!!

Mother's Day is such a special day! I absolutely LOVE being a mother!! I have the greatest kids and truly enjoy getting to be home with them as often as I do. No other job is more rewarding! It is challenging sometimes balancing getting things done and spending good quality time with them but sometimes the other things just have to wait...because like everyone says, they won't be this young forever, so take every opportunity now. Thomas and Keira are the light of my life! I try every day to be a good Mom for them, and am so grateful they keep on loving me through all the mistakes I make at parenthood.

I love the women in my life! My mom, step-mom, mom-in-laws, grandmas have all been a great influence in my life! I'm glad I got to see them either on or the day before Mother's day! I owe so much of who I am to my Mom! She is amazing! Love you, Mom! (Sorry, I only got this one picture of us last time. I definitely need more of the 2 of us)

It was so good to see everyone! There's nothing better than family!

Happy Easter!

It has been a while since we had our Easter celebrations here in Utah. Thomas was so excited about dying eggs. I kept telling him we had to wait until it was closer to Easter day. And we didn't even make a huge mess. They are so good! :)

Saturday morning they found their Easter Baskets full as we like to have the Easter Bunny come on Saturday to leave Sunday reserved for focusing on the true meaning of Easter. There was all sorts of fun things for them: swirl art kit, eggs filled with pop rocks, recorder for Keira so Thomas and Keira can now play duets :), chocolate bunnies, etc.

Grandma and Grandpa Walker sent a special package filled with Easter clothes and candies. Thank you!

My dad and Pam were in town for Charissa's graduation. I thought it was a good week for them to come so they can watch Thomas and Keira do their egg hunt. So they came early for breakfast, too, along with Charissa, Dustin, and Christiana. So good to see them!

Our long grass that we haven't cut yet made it perfect for hiding eggs in. Hopefully the mower doesn't find any. :)

And then we went to Mom's for another egg hunt.

Now we have enough candy to last us till Halloween, I think! We had a great Easter! I am so grateful for such great family members, and for my Savior! He has done so much for us. I love this time of year that helps me reflect on Him and how I can follow Him better. Hope you all had a fun Easter!

Spring Break

Last week, with Thomas not having school and me not having piano lessons, we got the chance to have a lot of play time! It was a beautiful week so we played outside a lot...went to the park for a play date.

We took the kids to Trafalga for a little miniature golfing, which Keira and I spent the whole time trying to catch up to Thomas and Mike. Thomas is getting good! Keira played about half the holes, but seemed to enjoy herself.

We also used some of our free game cards to go bowling. I thought it would be fun to take Chris and Jacob with us. And...the kids did awesome and beat us all (of course, if I got bumpers too... :))

Sorry the pictures aren't very good quality but we did have a good spring break, had fun, and did a little work as we got some of our garden going.

Family Home Evening Activity

I remember this game being quite hilarious, so I tried it with the kids for Family Home Evening one night. It was funny seeing them try to be coordinated enough, but I think they had fun. Each person drew a paper that had a body part on it. The couple then had to put the sponge in between those body parts and carry it down to the bucket and drop it in, all without hands or dropping it on the floor. Pretty funny. There is also a bit of Keira singing but it got cut short as the battery died...sorry.