Read to me

What I see when I wake up in the morning

What I saw when I turned around from the computer on Monday

March Moments

In March I took my three littlest and went to UT for a nephew's baptism. It was delightful. We stayed at Jennifer's house, which was fun, too. Because Nathan wasn't going I wanted to ride with my parents. They got a rental car that would fit all of us. It was nice to ride with them--and their car had a DVD player. So we stopped at a Red Box in Green River, WY since we hadn't brought any movies. (I love Red Box).

All the cousins who came

 It was nice to live close enough to go to his baptism. Our first baptisms were in TX, and besides good friends, our only family members able to attend were grandparents. I liked chatting with my sisters and being a part of their lives for a weekend.

All the family who came . . . can you see the twist in my back?

As a result of sitting too long at the sewing machine trying to finish a dress in time for Diana's birthday, and too many hours at my computer desk, and years of poor posture, and a quick trip with many hours in the car, my back was bad for about a week. I tried to ignore it, which I think is the reason it took longer to feel better. The worst part was that it coincided with Spring Break, and Nathan had taken time off. Good that he was home to help while my back was bad, but discouraging that we couldn't go anywhere.

Nathan did use his time for "dates" with each of the kids. Andrew went to Toys R Us, Bryn wanted to bake, and Caitlin & Diana chose bike rides. (Eddie didn't have one to speak of this time). He also took them swimming at one of our favorite indoor pools.

The Saturday before Spring Break was over, some friends invited us on a hike. Although we had to leave early, it was nice to accompany my family on a hike. It's the first one for me in CO. Not the last.

We had a family visitor from far away this month. Grandpa Hunt had a conference and stayed with us a couple of nights after it was over.

He read stories:

 Brought hats:

Grandpa collects hats . . . and grandkids

And played "Up and Over" with all willing participants: 

Among other things, we took him to church and fed him King Ranch Casserole, classic Texas comfort food.
Thanks for coming to visit!

Egg-salad idea

For your leftover Easter eggs . . . . 
I tried this sandwich today and it was awesome.
I measured nothing, you will have to guess.

1 hard-boiled egg, diced
olive oil
vinegar
mustard
cilantro
salt
pepper

Sliced tomato

2 slices homemade bread (toasted--that's a bonus of being at home with young children. Access to a toaster).

(I know not everyone loves cilantro like I do, some think it tastes like dishsoap. But if you love it, try this sandwich--it is a keeper. Sidenote: this was my lunch, I didn't try feeding it to today's crowd. I do have one or two children that would appreciate it, but not those who are home today. I might eat this weekly for awhile).

Our Pi Day Celebration (3.14)

I learned about Pi Day a few years ago at a math conference. Teachers at the table were talking about how we could use the activity we were working on for Pi Day. When I said, "What's pie day?"
She replied, "You know, Pi day, 3.14 . . . . "
And when I didn't understand and gave her a blank look she said, "March 14th, Pi Day."
"A-HA, I get it."

Today, in honor of  Pi Day, a certain daughter and a certain Dad made pumpkin pie. It was her idea.

His photos are always blurry. Doesn't stop.

And certain son told us all the digits of Pi that he knows. Multiple times.

Fun to notice most everyone raised their eyebrows when it was camera time. Didn't get great shots of everyone, but everyone was home.
My dad was driving by, so he stopped for a slice.

We sent some home for my mom.
Living by family is great.

(I should probably always choose to sit at tables at those conferences, I would learn more).

A beautiful blur

Last night, I went through the 1000+ photos from the past three years on my camera. It took about half an hour to view all of them. I told Nathan to come look at a photo, and said, "Life is beautiful" just as I clicked on an image of a foot that had been surgically repaired.

(The images of "sick feet" on our camera has become a little bit of a joke. When I see them, I can't believe that Nathan sees those kind of feet every day. I will spare you those photos).  

Back to the blur--looking back we've had some really beautiful moments--highs and lows over the last three years.

Here are a few of our beautiful memories (in mostly chronological order):

Galveston, Spring Break 2010

Houston Temple Grounds, Spring Break 2010

On a walk near home

I finally learned to enjoy eating raw celery!!!!

Sign of Promise on our trip to CO for house hunting, Spring 2010

The Fellowship Graduation Paper (this one is for you, Laura Walker)

June 2010

Brad Wilcox (my former Bishop) in TX, Spring 2010

Found a winner banana bread recipe

First hike in CO

Fall 2010

April 2011

May 2011

June 2011

There are nearly a thousand more moments we've captured in time, so I have more to share. But this is enough for tonight.
Have a great week!

Rite of passage

Cracking eggs at our home is a big deal because you must be five years old to do it.

There's someone new in the "Egg-crackers" Club.

At first, Diana requested Cinnamon Rolls for her "birthday cake,"  but then she changed her mind and asked for Brownies instead. She wanted a Ken doll, a nightgown, a picture of Jesus, a salon toy, and a sweatsuit for her birthday. She received all but the salon and sweats. Her birthday dress is still in the works. She's registered for kindergarten and it can't start soon enough for her. She got to celebrate her birthday one day early, because we left for UT on her birthday to visit a cousin's baptism.

Just in case you needed some pink, here's evidence we really do a "pink" load of laundry at our home.


"Popping through" Valentine idea spotted HERE.
            We took these for the kids' teachers and some of the office staff at school. One office lady was so excited, "It's not chocolate!!!" I didn't do the cute printout because I don't have a color printer. Colored paper worked well, too.
Painted dishes idea spotted HERE.
            These were a hit with oatmeal this morning. Maybe I'll use on regular oatmeal day again??? I was going to do this with dinner, but didn't think the powdered sugar would go well with my plan. It was perfect with breakfast.
Have a Happy Valentine's day!

(I will try to learn how to crop in my next collage).