Fence Photo Shoot

After the Egg Run, we decided to try and hunt down some Bison. Antelope Island is known for it's wildlife. Per the Ranger's directions we were on our way to the Ranch to see if we could see some Bison. The drive was really quite beautiful. There is a certain beauty to the ruggedness of a landscape. We were lucky to still be graced with green hillsides. I'm sure that was made possible by the wet weather we've been blessed with. I'm sure those hillsides become yellow and parched by the summer sun. There are no trees to retreat under either. (Note to self, maybe not the best place to camp).

The drive was getting long and the only Bison we saw were about 5 off in the distance, clear up on a hillside. The kids started to complain about how long it was taking.  And then I noticed this Awesome wooden fence. I pulled over  and insisted that all the kids hop out for a photo shoot. Grace had fallen asleep, I left her in her car seat.  Once I saw how cute the photos were turning out I ran and woke her up. The photos just weren't complete without her.

I loved arranging the kids on the fence. If they had been in better moods I would have done more. With 6 kids comes a lot of drama. I'm just grateful to have gotten the shots that I did. One thing that I love so much about these photos is that my kids are in all their daily glory.  This is what they would look like on any given day.  No special clothes on and, no manicured hair.  I did think to myself that this would be a perfect spot for that too.  But I love how my kids look. 



First photo, No Grace.
Beckham was really uncomfortable sitting on the top of the fence.




Grandma insisted that I jump into the picture.
I must have said something funny, notice how hard Jaren is laughing?



This time Annika is cracking up. 
Annika has a cackling laugh.  I can hear it in my mind as I look at her.



Finally, we gained some control.



There was a whole lot of drama going on just before this photo.  Hannah had kicked Beckham in the head.  He was done, he didn't want to get on the fence any longer.  Grace was crying cuz she wanted Mommy to hold her.  She too didn't want to have anything to do with the fence.  And then Grandma pulled out a stuffed animal and started playing with it on my head.  This was quite distracting and entertaining to the kids.  Thus we achieved the perfect picture. 

Antelope Island Egg "Roll"

I have to admit, I was not excited about the Egg "Roll" at Antelope Island. And from now on, I'm changing the name from Egg Roll, to Egg Run.  Cuz really people, there is no rolling of any eggs.  The eggs were, prior to arrival, thrown out and the kids RUN after them.  First of all we had to wake up at 5:15 am to get there on time.  We thought it would take 2 hours to get there, another thing I was not excited about.  Driving 2 hours for a 20 minute Egg Run to turn around and drive another 2 hours home, not my favorite idea.  The drive ended up only being 1 hour, not bad.  But that put us there at 7am and the Egg run didn't start until 8:30am.  So we had an hour and a half to kill.  We took some pictures with the Easter Bunny.  Really, any giant animal filled with some strange man/woman is SCARY!!  No wonder kids try to run the opposite direction while the parents drag them closer to scariness.  This bunny was super funny though.  He was cracking us up.  I can't quite remember what he was saying, and it might have been just his voice that was so funny.  Grandma Penny sure got a huge kick out of him.

I'm glad I dragged everyone out of bed.  It really ended up being a lot of fun.  Despite the early wake-up call, the early arrival and the bitter cold.  It was fun. 


Funny Bunny



Seriously, he was a crack-up.



Annika trying to keep warm.



Silly Grandma, stuck Grace's doll's tiara in her hair.



It fits perfectly.



All the kids ended up getting a lot of eggs.




The kids walked away with stuffed bald eagle, an owl, or a bison.

Dying Eggs

Every year we get together with the Wood's and color eggs. This tradition started clear back when we were still living in Orem and I had just 4 children. The first time we got together it was just with Aunt Kelli. She came over while the guys were golfing. Jaren had gone with the boys, and one of the twins were sleeping. So just two of the girls helped to dye eggs. Now it's grown into lunch, we always have chicken salad sandwiches on croissant rolls, and Everyone is there.  Including the Dads and Grandma and Grandpa.  We even added 3 more kids to the festivities.  Two of my own, and one of Cory and Kelli's.  It makes for a fun, full house.  I now have to boil at least 5 dozen eggs so everyone gets a chance to color as many eggs as they desire.  And yes, all the eggs get eaten.  They eat them for snacks when they get home from school, on sandwiches, and Hannah even likes to eat them for breakfast.  In fact, they finished off the last three this morning. 

By far, my most favorite way to color eggs is the tie-dye method.  In a colander in the sink, place 3 hard boiled eggs, sprinkle them with vinegar and then put one drop of two colors on each egg and then swirl them around.  It really is the quickest, most vibrant way to color eggs.  I've been doing it for years and I'll keep doing it too. 



Tie-dyed Eggs.  They're the coolest!!



Love them!!



Annika attempting the rubber-band method. 



Alleah and Grace: "Wish we were over there playing in the bounce house!"

According to Grace

In the car today I over heard Grace tell her cousin Alleah, " I wish I had a magic wand and wave your house next to mine."  How stinking cute is that?

Believe me Grace, I wish I had the same magical powers.  Except I would wave away all my insecurities, my jiggly boobs, belly, butt, and thighs. 

Something New

For the past 2 years I have had the privilege of being a teacher in Relief Society.  It's been a wonderful calling for me.  I learned so much and grown in my testimony.  Lately I've felt like that chapter in my life was coming to a close.  It's been a great chapter, and I loved everything about.  Some good things must come to an end.  And that happened for me yesterday.  I was called to be the Secretary in the Primary.  Which, for our ward of what seems like a gaziliion kids, is a big job.  But I am excited for the new challenge.  It's time for me to start this new chapter and to be stretched in ways I've never been stretched before.  I hope I can continue to help keep this Primary going strong.  And in just a few weeks I'll be able to give you, with confidence, how many Primary kids there really are in our Ward.  All I know is that the numbers are staggering. 

Happy Anniversary to Me and You

This morning I forgot that it was my 15 year wedding anniversary. How could I forget such a monumentous occasion?  Brent called me from work and wished me a Happy Anniversary.  I felt a little silly forgetting.  But what a wonderfully feeling to know that after 15 years I don't sweat the small stuff anymore.  We were able to spend a whole week in Hawaii and went on a date this last weekend. 

Every marriage has it's ups and downs.  As is the truth with ours.  But I can honestly say that the tough times, while it seemed at the though brought us apart, really brought us closer together.  It's so true that life wouldn't be as sweet without the misery.  Being married to Brent has made me a stronger, more patient, and selfless person.  For that I am eternally grateful.  I can't make it without him, and I know HE can't make it without me. 

Here's to the next 15 years and another trip to Hawaii!!

My Spiky Haired Russsian

Jaren has had quite the adventure in Junior High. He has loved meeting new people and making new friends. He has slid into the the world of Junior High with ease. I'm so relieved.

In January Jaren tried out for the school play. He was doing it, I think, because a few of his friends(girls) were trying out and that was appealing to him. Well, he didn't get a call back after the first initial try-outs. Upon inspection of the cast list Jaren discovered that he got the part of a Russian Solider. I was so excited for him. It wasn't a large part by any means, but he was the only 7th grader to be put in that part. 

So began the Play Practices.  It was a huge committment.  At first he was okay with it and then said girls dropped out and other friends didn't make it.  After about 3 weeks of practice Jaren informed me that he no longer wanted to participate.  Here in lyed a teaching moment.  I told him he wasn't allowed to quit just because play practice was a bit boring and he had no friends there.  I encouraged him to make new friends and realize that his committment was more important then playing with friends after school.    That pep-talk lasted about 4 weeks and then he was really done.  So, not my proudest moment, Brent bribbed him with an air-soft gun if he finished the play.  With that bribe there was no more whinning or complaining.  He went to every play practice that was held up until the play, even the ones held at 6am in the morning. 

Opening Night arrives and Jaren comes down with the flu.  What kind of joke is this?  I walked into the school to excuse this sorry excuse for a Russian.  Luckily there were several other Russians so his absence wasn't missed too much. 

Jaren only missed the first night and pushed through the flu to make it to the other performaces.  Family came to watch him and we enjoyed a wonderful play.  Which was Fiddler on the Roof. Jaren did a GREAT job.  I am so impressed with him and his dedication(with some persuasion). 




Jaren was known through out the cast as the spiky haired Russian. 




I can't believe how grown up he's looking!




Isabel the first to run and congratulate with a Hug.
So sweet!



Everyone that came to see him.




He still loves me.