Natural bridge

I'm getting lazy with this blog. I just don't feel like writing much so you may only get a sentence or two.  Saturday Lilly and I joined the McHenry's to see Natural Bridge.  I have wanted to go for a few years but we never made it.  I thought this was my chance so we went.

The place was just beautiful. It's crazy to think that this place is just 1 1/2 hours away from where we live in the heart of the desert.

Lilly was such a climber just hopping boulders like it was no big thing.  Mandy and I were a little nervous about how slick the bolder trail was. We made it under the bridge and hung out for awhile but deiced to turn around and go back the way we came. I told Lilly she would have to come back with dad and he would take her all the way through.

After getting back to the top we went down to another little hike to a waterfall. It looked like we were in Hawaii again.  So so pretty.

We have lived here in AZ for almost 9 years and there are still so many places to discover.

RUN

Saturday was a big day at our house. We celebrated our Lilly but, it was also the running day of the year, Pat's Run.  This is the race we talk about all year and really care about how well we do. I say we b/c it is Kevin, Pablo and my nieces.  It was my goal this year to beat my time form last and I did by 4 minutes.  

 I have to thank this girl my running mate, and college comrade, Mandy.  

This girl pushed me at a 9 minute mile for the first 2 miles. Then I pooped out and just couldn't hang anymore. I blame my short legs. Mandy is 8 inches taller then me and I'm sure it's all in her legs. I'm on my tip toes in this picture so she doesn't have to hunch over.   The plan was to run together. Mandy even laughed how serious we were taking the race.  She said "it was just for fun". As soon as we hit the starting line the adrenaline kicked in and we started a faster pace then we usually run she felt good and couldn't help herself she had to go. I'm so glad she did because I was right behind her a had her in my sight but lost her in the 3rd.  It was a happy ending both of us happy with our times.
Kevin was so ready for this race he had been running and working out at the gym and lost a few pounds. He went on a trial run on Monday night and felt strong and ready.  Come race day his legs felt heavy and his body felt tired.  He ran well the first mile and then his legs gave out on him and just couldn't keep up his pace.  He was disappointed but looking on the bright side he still beat his best time.
There it is a recap of Pat's Run 2013, something that we look forward to every year.

Nine Years Ago

Nine years ago this little girl made me a mother.  I am so blessed to be her mother. She has a kind heart. She is eager to do good. She loves to sing. She knows who she is.  She is thoughtful. She works hard.

Saturday was her day.  We woke her up super early b/c we had to head out the door to Tempe. She opened one of her presents. The pink and purple basket ball that she asked for.  She was pretty happy. In the morning she was a good sport and watched her mom, dad and cousins race in Pat's Run.  When we got home  Grandma Stacy let her open the present from her and she asked to open her second present from us a doctor kit. Filled will stethoscope, blood pressure kit,  Otoscope, eye chart and bandages.  She was really cute and kept on saying "I can't believe that you got me a REAL doctor kit"
I took my girl to Joe's Farm grill for her free lunch and then we waited around for dinner with cousins.  Her choice for dinner salmon, she loves it. Her request for cake was cheesecake.

We waited for it to get dark to watch an outdoor movie. If you know anything about us as a family we love our movies. A little to much for my taste but, to have a movie outside was really fun.

To finish off the birthday celebration Luke and I took Lilly a special birthday lunch to school and sent her to school with a birthday cupcakes to share with the class.

Some like flowers, I like licence plates

I have to write down how super excited I was today all because of a little licences plate.  Thursday night was a bummer, it is usually my favorite.  Max came down with a sore throat.  I knew it was strep.   I had to cancel my Friday plans of going to the temple which I was really looking forward to and I had plans to take Lilly her birthday lunch at school. She was disappointed.  After a good run with Mandy, I sulked some more about how I had to change my plans and have a sick boy at home.
Friday morning came early, so I had a sleep headache   Max still had a sore throat I called the doctor and we got in at 9:30. The Dr confirmed that it was strep. Oddly enough I was happy about that, one because I was right and two you can take some medicine and be done with it.
The day went by pretty well. Max didn't complain too much and Luke and Max had minimal fights.  I was able to get last minute birthday details done. Really not bad at all.
When Lilly got home she was very excited to check the mail to see if she had a birthday card waiting.  She did! She was happy! Also in the mail there was a licence plate.

This folks is better then flowers.  Kevin ordered it for me because he remembered how much I loved it when we see a car with one of how much I love Arizona Centennial sign. I never asked for it he just thought I would like it. He was right it made my day. Thanks Kevin I love it.

A Date

Kevin and I treated ourselves to a date on Saturday to the Diamondbacks game.  They were playing LA so that was great because no matter who wins it's a win for me. Dodgers ended up winning, GO BLUE! It was actually a double date with the McHenry's.  Mandy and I hang out a lot so it was nice to have our husbands with us this time. Yep classic ball game with a hot dog, and drink. But wait we didn't get peanuts or crackerjacks or a COOL-A-COO. Wait, now I feel cheated I guess we have to go back.  I have to admit it was fun. The weather is great and company superb. 

Love my Kevin but I look so old in this picture.

Friday April 12th

A got a fun reminder on Thursday night form my 12th sidekick Deb so I was ready to go. But then Kevin through me off by working at home that day.  It was a great day I just forgot to bring my camera places.  Here is my 12th

1. Max's turn to bring snacks. His signature snack pretzels cheez-its and marshmallows.
2.  Daddy is home for the morning routine so so nice.  Funny how the kids are so well behaved.
3.  The kiddos waiting to cross the street for school.
4.  I took Luke through the car wash.  He kept trying to duck when the brushes went over the car.  Funny kid.
5.  All I see Luke in is his Angry Bird undies.  I think I can say officially say that he is out of diapers.
6.  Kevin took Luke and I out to lunch and afterward we picked up a treat.  Oh how I love ice cream.
7.  Went out for an errand and come home to this.  Ohhh melt my heart.  
8.  Playtime after school. The weather is perfect the neighborhood is busy with kids on the streets.
9.  Luke loves to be outside with the big kids.  I have to make sure the garage door is locked or he sneaks outside.
10.  Spring time in the desert.  See cactus can be pretty.
11. I wrote this on our chalk board the other day.  I think it is a great reminder.
12. To end the day study time to put the finishing touches on my lesson for Sunday.

It Happend like this

Wednesday after school one of our fish died. We had a small funeral for him.  

Later that day Luke came in from the backyard with some trash heading toward the bathroom. I stopped him and said, "where are you going with that?"
Luke: I throw it away in the toilet
Me: Oh no we only put pee and fish in the toilet.
Luke: okay mom
Speaking of toilets. We took on potty training starting Friday.  We had lots of accidents in the morning but by the afternoon I think he only had one. Saturday he kept dry all day.  Sunday he went all by himself. What I mean is he ran to the bathroom pulled down his undies and put himself on the toilet. He did have one accident today but I think we are on track for sure.  See how proud he is of his Angry Bird undies and his Super Mario Brothers Gummy treat.

Max and Kevin went out to 5 Guys for some bonding time on Friday.  Turns out that Max pounded a double cheese burger. Kevin was so impressed and proud of him.  Max was pretty proud of himself too.  He was feeling the aftermath of eating too much but was fine after he took it easy for awhile. Since the boys went out Lilly, Luke and I stayed in and had Chinese.  Everyone happy.

Since I had been home bound all Friday, Lilly and I took off in between conference sessions on Saturday and bought some material to make a bag.  Lilly helped sew. She is happy with her project.  And I was happy to get out my machine. I'm itching to make something else. I just have to decide what.

The rest of the evening we headed to the park to play with friends while the boys went to the Priesthood session.  When Kevin got home I escaped to the store and did the grocery shopping for the week.

Sunday we enjoyed conference, listened to the prophet and ate treats. 

taking notes and snuggling in my quilt.

Some muddy buddies requested by Max.

I thought it would be fun to have fondue for lunch.  Mandy had done it last week and it looked like so much fun. I borrowed her pot to try it out.  I made a cheese one and a later a chocolate one for dessert.  The kids thought it was awesome.  Kevin did not.  I had no idea that he was not a fan of fondue.  Oh well he was a good sport and knew that the rest of us were excited about it.  We hooked up the laptop at the table, listened and ate.  I think it was the most quiet the boys had been all weekend.  Something to consider for next time, maybe have meals during conference?

And after all the good stuff this weekend Lilly lost a tooth.  What a great way to end the weekend.  

Check list

Here we are a new month time to recap progress.

• I painted our door. Love the chalk board to write messages and reminders. LOVE IT!

• The shower was re-calked this month thanks to Kevin.  
• I cleaned out my pantry. I even painted the shelves. I bought a few containers to make things work a little better. And now I have whole empty shelf.   

• I cleaned up the computer desk and even set up all my bills to come to my inbox. So I took care of the majority of the clutter from coming back.
• I have decided to forgo the my 3 kids weekly photo project.  It just wasn't fun, so why do it.
• Books: I read The Happiness Project.  I really liked it but realized that I would compare myself more often then I should. Once I got past that I felt like it really is a great guide to a make everyday happy. While reading the Happiness Project I found that the author and I shared a common love for children's literature. For whatever reason I love it, perhaps because they are short and I can get through one book quickly. I love that most of the time there is a definite line between good and evil . I love the moral of the story. Or maybe I just love to place myself  as a young character and dream. Whatever the reason I set out to read more children's literature and I love it.  

I think that hits all of them.  Looking at my list I better go on a kid date this month I need to think of something  thoughtful and unexpected for Kevin. Pat's run is this month so I'm working to hit a better time and it would be nice to get new smoke detectors up and hooks in the bathroom. Time to schedule a temple visit as well.

Happy Easter

Well Happy Easter everyone. I made myself sick on Easter candy and so did Lilly. She is home this morning with a tummy ache.  I hope I can take her to school in a bit.  Here is some snap shots of my 3 in their Easter best. I love the pose that Max is sporting in the first picture, it is just like Kevin. 

In my blog absence this is what we have been up to.
Good Friday was cousin day. We saw the Croods in the morning.  I have to admit it was cute.  Friday also marked the first day of swimming season.  We got out the the towels and went to the club house for a swim. Max and Lilly remembered how to swim. Luke did not.  I'm sure he will warm up to it all but he wasn't much fun in the pool he just held on to me for dear life and he had his floaty on. OY!

We got home about 3 and Kevin was home HOORAY!! The boys and him ended up taking a nap and Lilly and I hung out for awhile.  Latter we had the McHenry kids over so Mandy and Brandon could go out on the town.  I love that they are all older and just play and they all like the wii.
Saturday morning we colored eggs. I think this is the first year that Luke has participated.  Before we colored eggs while he was napping. Everyone made wonderful eggs and no huge mess. I love when that happens.

If you have questions why Luke has no shirt on, it's because he is going through a "I want to be naked" stage.   

Later that evening we went to the Easter pageant.  It was the first time we have been since Lilly was just a baby.  We didn't make it through the whole thing because of antsy boys but we enjoyed it.  This year I was really looking to gain a stronger testimony of the Resurrection.  I think I found it through the reading I have been doing.  The Easter pageant just added to it.
Finally back to Easter Sunday. The kids woke up to Easter Bags that the Easter bunny left.  Yep Easter Bags it was a last minute thing. The kids didn't say a thing about not having a basket. So no harm done and they were delighted to find a kite and a Reese's peanut butter egg inside their bag.

And then the hunt began.  I'm pretty sure Max found the most eggs. It was a serious business for him. Luke managed to find some too.  It works out in the end because we put all the candy found in the eggs in a jar and I collect the plastic eggs for next year. 

At church I sang with the ward choir and was touched by our speakers.  All of it together just added to my testimony that I know the Savior lives and in all reality he died and rose on the third day to make it possible for all of us to live again.