Embracing the warm days

We're embracing any warm days that we have by playing outside. Peter and Kendal like to join some neighbor kids to ride bikes almost daily. Peter is doing so well on his bike. If he falls he'll get right back up and zip off again in no time. His poor legs are bruised and scraped from his many spills (thinks he can go as fast as he did with training wheels). 
Last Saturday we went for a walk around Dirkies. It was a beautiful spring day. The kids enjoyed themselves. We ended by going down to the lake where Casey and the kids put their feet in the chilly water.

Yesterday morning we ran some errands in town. Cody and Momma D were in town to see Davids game so we got to see them for a few minutes. After lunch we played outside with the kids. Casey got a giant bad mitten set from school that we tried out. We decided to go over to the school and play Frisbee golf with the kids.

Casey's had two track meets so far. Valley was two weeks ago on a very windy day. This week they were at Gooding on a very wet day. Casey and Brett Welch are over the boys (6th-8th grade). They are doing very well in the meets so far and expect to continue their success. The next two meets are at Kimberly and the last meet - "districts" will be at Filer. Hopefully the weather for the meets will be good, because they've had very iffy spring days with only a few good sunny days mixed in.
The kids start swim lessons in a little over a week. It'll be Peters first time and he is nervous, but I'm hoping with some super life savors and a Disney bribe he'll be cooperative with his teacher and do his best in lessons.
Kendal and Casey are winding down the school year. Six weeks left and Kendal will be done with her first year of school. In her words she's going to be a smart first grader and she can't wait for this fall to have more time to learn, play, and have a blast in school. Casey's just fine with school being out soon. You reach a certain point in the year and the kids have spring fever and testing is coming up, so those two together the end of school can't come fast enough.

Must be spring

Last Monday we had a snow storm all day long. It accumulated to over three inches in snow and covered everything. The very next day the sun was out and all of our snow melted. Thursday the kids asked to go ride bikes and it felt as though the snow didn't even happen. (Idaho / Utah spring is bipolar.)

Friday Kendal had the day off of school. We went to the Kimberly park that morning. The wind made it a bit chilly, but the kids didn't care one bit. Peter's determined to fit in the baby swing at the park for as long as possible just because he likes me to push him crazy high and he can stay in better. (I told him when he turns four no more baby swing, especially since he can pump on his own now.)

That afternoon we got to have cousins over. David, Becca, and Thomas joined us to play. We spent time in the backyard, walked to the park, played play dough, and Uno attack. The kids had a blast together as always. They even held hands on our walk (so stinking sweet).

Friday night Daddy treated us to a night out. We grabbed some Fiesta Ole and then went to the high school's play Peter Pan! Peter was nervous about captain hook, but once the play got going he and Kendal were captivated. Kendal loved the live action and seeing people she knew (fellow bus buddies - she seriously makes friends with everyone, even high schoolers.). It was a small production but well done by the students.
Saturday was conference. The kids and I started out making cinnamon rolls to take to my VT ladies and to enjoy ourselves. The kids played around while we enjoyed sessions of conference. When Casey went to priesthood that night I let the kids jammie up and they enjoyed cinnamon rolls as they watched Frozen. (We've watched a different Disney movie every week since January and will end just before we go to Disneyland!)

The Sunday morning session I had the kids play conference bingo. Kendal was loving it and kept trying to make the speakers words into ones on her sheet. Both listened fairly well. In between session we got wiggles out by going for a family walk and letting the kids play at the park for a bit. I'd like to say they listened just as well Sunday afternoon but they at least occupied themselves playing.

We've been itching to fly kites since Easter; it's been crazy windy for weeks, but temperatures and life happened. So Monday night we pulled out the kites for family night. Peter's helicopter was up and going strong the whole time, Kendal's lady bug did well, but it took work to keep it up.

Both got great reviews from the Dentist this morning! Kendal's other two six year old molars are on the verge of coming in and she has two front teeth that are wiggly, but not coming out for a bit.

Conference ♥'s
Keep trying. Keep trusting. Keep believing. Keep growing. Heaven will be cheering you on today, tomorrow, forever. - Holland
Challenges are at times an indication of the Lord's trust in you. - Christofferson
May we ever choose the harder right than the easier wrong. - Monson
The Lord does not make it easy, but he makes it possible. - Oaks
A sheep is worthy of help simply because it is loved - Uchtdorf
Our present circumstances may not change, but through Gods compassion, kindness, and love, we will all receive more than we deserve. - Renlund

Spring Break / Easter

Last week we had the kids paint Easter eggs. Both had fun, and both ended up with hands as colorful as their eggs.


We did some spring cleaning Monday. Later that day we went to eat with the Welches. Our kids are similar ages and they loved playing together. After a dentist appointment for Casey Tuesday morning we headed down to Logan. We wanted to do some new things with the kids but the weather wasn't great so we did what we could. Our first "new activity" was roller skating. It was a pretty shaky start. Both kids had a hard time with balance and moving smoothly. My mom was so awesome and worked with the kids on the carpet to help them get better. Kendal progressed well and enjoyed herself. Peter had a few good moments but overall he wasn't loving roller skating so he stubbornly sat or layed down to make his point clear to the world.

We found parts of each day that we either embraced the chill or it was decent enough for the kids to play outside.

Wednesday Aunt Katherine played hooky from work to spend the day with us. We colored pictures in the morning and Kendal finished one to turn into a local greenhouse for a free plant. She chose a cute pink one to take and give to Nana. We picked up lunch and spent some time at Nana's that afternoon. The kids pulled out all of the vintage toys from the 50s / 60s. My dad and Katherine later took the kids to see the baby animals at Cal Ranch. My parents and Katherine were awesome and watched the kids while Casey and I went on a much needed rare date. I joked that Casey was so romantic and bought out the theater for us because we were the only two there. The kids got to have a movie night of their own and enjoyed popcorn and the Peanuts movie.
Thursday we grabbed a lunch and set off to find a new park in town. We ended up at Ryan's park which is a lot like the Castle park the kids love but has many differences. We didn't last too long because it was chilly, but we had fun nevertheless. Thursday night My Dad treated us plus David and Anica to a game of bowling. The kids enjoyed themselves and Peter did better than most of us. Friday we enjoyed the morning at my parents. We lunched at chick fill a before heading out.
(Thanks for the stay Mom and Dad!)

After Logan we made our way to Raft River. The kids got grandma to play a slew of games with them and Casey took them out to find Grandpa and ride in the tractor with him.
Saturday morning they went out again to see the cows being milked and find the calves. Around lunch more cousins and family rolled in. Grandma had fun activities for the kids. They made bunnies with marshmallows, played a game, and then they listened to a cute Easter story. Afterwards they headed out to hunt for candy. Grandma spoiled the kids and they were happy with their loot and spent lots of time eating sweets and enjoying more cousin time. Peter attached himself to Cody's girlfriend Mia. She was sweet with all of the kids and even sat through games with our crazy crew. We had a delicious dinner and relaxed afterwards watching the women's session. We ended our fun day celebrating Ashley's birthday and enjoying some bunny cake.

We ended up walking the kids this morning to hunt for their baskets and eggs. Each had to be helped along because we had to get ready for church. Their reactions were priceless and so cute. Kendal loved getting a golden egg and Peter was thrilled and surprised by everything.  Peter ate more candy than breakfast but that's not surprising. Both the kids got a new kite and a movie (Cinderella and Toy Story 2). Peter got some little dinosaurs and Kendal got new sunglasses. Each got bunny crackers, jelly beans, and a couple of chocolate Bunny's.
Here is us after church. Kendal and Peter are wearing their Papa's shirt creations. Kendal loved helping to make it and I love that they have a piece of their great Grandpa to Enjoy.

  Before and After!