Tyler's was Hero of the Week

Tyler was Hero of the week in Kindergarten. 

We made a poster with lots of fun pictures of him. 

Then he got to bring something in for Show and Tell.  

This only happens once in the year so this was pretty big. 

He was very serious about what he wanted to take. 

If anyone can guess what this is ... your awesome.  

It's Big Bently in Cars 2.  The clock tower that Matter shoots out of.  

With the help of my Dad, Tyler made it so the clock face could really shoot of.  

Then Lightening McQueen went flying out.  

I was very impressed.  

Thanks Dad. 

Ella loves to dance

Ella just finished a little ballet class. She totally loved it.  

She has lots of ballet clothes but tends to go for the bright flashy ones. 

This is the last day of class... her ballet recital. 

The girls did a kitty cat dance. 

Ella loves to run around the house doing botmas.  

Kicking as high as you can I guess...

Ella is my sweet little girl but definitely has some personality.  

But I realized how lucky I am at this recital.  

The girl to her left pouted the whole dance.  

Still pouting... even at the final bow.  

I love my little Ella. 

a one minute video of her dance. 

I just signed her up for another community ed class.  This time I opted for an art class. She was so excited but as we left she saw a ballet dance class going on in the room next door. She asked me if she could skip the art class and just do the dance class.  

Our neighbor, Heather, teaches Zumba class.  Ella loves to attend them. But Heather has been sick and hasn't been able to teach.  Ella asked me yesterday- is Heather all better now so I can start my dance class again?  

I loved to dance as a kid... so as long as she can ski and bike... I will totally let her dance!

BEST DAY EVER!!!

Yesterday we enjoyed a nice ski day.  Lots of fresh snow.  

One minute Ella is yelling... (Rupunzel style)

THIS IS THE BEST DAY EVER!!!

Then the next second she was laying on the ground saying she wants to go home.  

GIRLS!!!

Tyler is flying.  He is skiing so well. 

We do wish our daddy could come with us every time but someone has to work right

I do bring good snacks to eat so the kids love it. 

Oreos... double stuffed!

Play dates

Ella loves her new friend Maddie.  Maddie wanted her nails painted like Ella.  Ella was happy to oblige!

Ella told her she needed to do her toes too. 

Carrot anyone?

We love having cousins close by.  We had a nice lunch with Grandma for her birthday. 

Tyler has a fun little group of friends at school.  Racer, Destiny, Fisher.  

We had a fun little play group the other day.  Destiny fits right in.  She has 5 brothers. 

So she only knows boys.... it was a blast!

Peroneus Longus

I strained my peroneus longus tendon.  I guess I overworked out... over did it. But this tendon is on the bottom of your arch and then wraps up around to your calf.  I had a half marathon to run so I took it easy for a week and then decided to still run the race.  I am glad I did.  There were five of us.  Great run.  And my foot is getting better.

Time was like 2 hours 5 minutes.  It was a hilly course and the wind was out of control the last 3 miles.  but we made it!

Spring time fun

My kids surprised me the other day  with the table set and a yummy Sunday dinner ready. 

I love eating together at the table.  

We did growing up and I still love it. 

We made potato stamps the other day.  A fun simple activity. 

Tyler and Ella are great siblings.  Tyler loves to give hugs and get loves.  

Ella is still learning to except all of Tyler's attention.  

Tyler is taking a Mad Science after school class.  Here is is practicing some things he learned in his movie effects class.  It is supposed to look like he is holding his friend Fisher in his hand. 

And super fun... My sister Jenny came in town from Spokane.  They are moving to Pocatello Idaho which is only 2.5 hours away.  The cousins and sisters played, talked and ate good food for 2 full days!

Here is poor Uncle Ben.  It was his birthday present from the nieces and nephews.  As soon as his dinner was done they lured him into the family room for his "present".  It was a tickle attack.  

Anniversary Weekend- 11 years

After church today we walked to the park.  It was one of those times when your happy and your family is happy.  One of those times you feel lots of joy in your heart.  

We took Ella's butterfly kite and enjoyed the spring winds. 

 One of my favorite things to watch is Darren playing with his kids.  Tyler loves to give hugs and was giving his dad a great big one  (Tyler has his hood on)

 Ella on the other hand was climbing all over her dad being a monkey.

This weekend Corie and Nolan took our kids so we could enjoy our anniversary weekend.  

It was a refreshing weekend, a stay-cation. 

We went for a long walk every day. We ate great food.  We went skiing then came home and went biking. We stayed up late watching loud movies. We slept in until 7:30.  (sad but true) 

But mostly Darren just gave me time and attention.  Two things I like the most. 

It's surprising how fast 11 years go by. 

Then we walked home--- well the kids rolled part way home down the big hill.  

It was a great weekend.  

Magic Kingdom

Our last day was spent at Animal Kingdom.  It was a relaxing day compared to others.  

I loved the Safari ride because I plan to take my family to Africa one day. 

I want to climb a mnt there and go on a cool Safari.  

The animals were so close.  

 We got to learn about a few animals at a little show.  Tyler was brave and touched the snake.

 Ella was so quick on her touch that I don't know if I could call it a touch.

 They had a fun 3-D movie about Bugs Life.

 And of course the day ended with Ella being carried to the car.  Her legs were tired!

Our extra time...

It was a great trip.  The kids loved playing at Cousin Jacks house as much as anything else.  See... Jack got a new car for Christmas from Santa.  And my kids have been dying to drive it.  

This video makes me laugh so hard.  Ella is a riot.  and a very crazy driver.  

After our long days we always finished the night with a story and a family prayer.  Then the adults could stay away and talk for a bit.  Those were some good memories. 

Here poor Jack just wants to get out of that car.  Seriously what girl drives with no hands!

Lego Land

On Saturday we went to Lego Land.  We had such a nice time at DisneyWorld the day before Lego land didn't quiet compare.  But here are some of the highlights...

Ella and Jack got to drive cars.  They really enjoyed it. 

 There was a whole area with buildings and famous places built out of Legos.  Jack and Tyler loved looking at it all.

 Tyler was still traumatized by Splash Mountain in Magic Kingdom he didn't want to do many rides.  But Ella.... or dear sweet 3 year old hit them all.  This is ride that goes up and drops you down fast.  She loved it and had her hands up in the air the whole time- SMILING!

 I took this picture for my sister Jenny whose nickname is Jonnn.  Totally built out of Legos.

 Our hosts- Whitney, Jason and Jack.

These were Tyler's favorite parts. 

1. He got to build a car out of Technic lego pieces.  Then race it against other kids cars. 

He was so proud of his car because he had built it so well it didn't fall apart at the bottom of the this hill like all the other kids cars.  

He also had to take a drivers test to do this ride.  He had to obey the traffic signs and lights.  

Then at the end he got a drivers license which he likes to show people.  

Lego Land was... fun, but I would rather spend the day and the money at DisneyWorld next time. 

We all agreed on that!

Disneyworld- Magic Kindgdom

I have to preface this great day with... I knew that this day would make or break the vacation.  I have thought about it for a long time and knew that I needed to be relaxed, not rushed, low key.  

And it was.  We were in the park for 12 hours and it was really nice.  

The only long line we/I waited in was for Rupunzel.  Ella was so nervous she didn't smile at all. 

 But she was so excited as she walked away with her autograph!

 Ella loved the castle and wanted to go in and see the Princesses rooms!

 Our cousin Jack came after he got out of school.  It was so fun. 

We made it.  A nice pleasant, tiring day.  

There is something magical about that place for sure.  

We wouldn't want to spend more than a day or two there but it is happy, enchanting and so exciting for the kids.  

 Ella--- at 10:30 at night.  It took all of 5 seconds of her daddy holding her to assume this position.
Tyler was such a trooper.  He walked that whole park all day long. Never complaining about tired legs.