First visitors of the summer

This weekend we had visitors.
I hope they didn't catch the cold that has swept through, including fevers, cough, and sore throat. Ed described a sore throat as his "teeth" hurting. 

They came to attend a professional conference, getaway, visit other local friends, see where we live, and let cousins play. All of those were accomplished. 
We also took them to Old Town, but there happened to be a large motorcycle rally, so not really our crowd. After "Freakshow Tattoos & Body Piercing" handed my hubby a business card, we decided we weren't going to stay long.
We took them to Woolly Mammoth Park, showed them the temple site, and opening day at the pool. They also saw some great things in the city to the south, which we did not join due to unseasonably high fevers. 
We also spent time sewing, cooking, and laughing at memories and each other. The men went running up high hills early in the morning and joked about how they were going to go running twice that day. (They didn't). We almost fit around one table, but decided to let two children at a time have a break from the crowd.

 Thank you for visiting, see you later this summer!!!!

Wacky hair

I found this wacky hair look on a blog I read . . . . we wanted to test it out.

can you spot the animal descending the staircase?

pictured with brother for comparison . . . . so you see how tall it really is

I hope I can remember it for the next wacky hair day. . . . .. . . .the trick is using an empty toilet tissue roll. It works.

MVP

Another sports season concluded today . . . . spring flag football is over. This season we had a great coach who really knew how to win games. He was also very good at encouraging boys. Andrew improved a lot this season and scored several touchdowns and extra points. (He has a complete tally in his personal journal). He got to play running back, and told his coach in the thank you note that it was a blast.

After the game was over, his coach told them in the huddle that if he had to choose an MVP, it would be Andrew. He appreciated his hard work, attitude, never got down on himself or others if he/they made mistakes, he earned it for work on and off the field.

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).