SWEET Day

Today we took the kids for pizza and to tour the Sweets Candy Factory in SLC. It was such a fun day with the cousins. The kids loved seeing how all of the candy was made and the stop at the candy outlet on the way out was definitely the highlight.

These two cuties are really into posing lately. They are such good friends.

Candy definitely makes them smile.

Ty and Kate modeling the lovely "Candy Makers" hats. Yes even the babies with no hair had to put them on. It was pretty funny.

Reunion

We attented the "L" family reunion this past weekend in New Mexico. Dean's family is so big that we hardly ever all get together. It was so much fun to have all of his 8 other siblings there and most of the cousins. My kids loved getting to know the cousins they never see.

These girls loved each other so much. This was our trip to the sand dunes the first night. The kids had a blast. I have no idea what's in Gabe's teeth. Either sand or nacho cheese doritos. He ate some of both!

The Bar D in Durango

We took tons of family pics at the park which I am still waiting for, but these are just some cute ones of the kids and their cousins.

Let's March

Paige and Kate got to be little cheeleaders in the SO parade. They walked so fast and so far but they were such little troopers with smiles on their faces the whole way. Their favorite part was definitely when they finally let them up on the float!

Tate, Wade, Gabe, and Aunt Jaime of course love parades and all of the candy involved. I warn you if you have small children you shouldn't sit by us because me and Tate will win!

It's Summer!

We aren't getting a whole lot of summer where we live so we decided to head to the warmth. We took a trip with my family (minus my brother, boo!) to sunny Las Vegas and St. George. Las Vegas is our very favorite place to vacation, as most of you well know. It was so fun for the kids to be there with their cousins. We swam, got sunburned, swam some more, saw some free shows, played some games, shopped, and then head to St. George. It was free day at Zion and my kids have never been so we decided to try it out. It was such a perfect pretty day to go. One of my children did not enjoy it at all and we had a minor family meltdown, but all in all it was a great trip!

Wade either had his sunglasses or goggles on the entire trip. He thought he was so awesome in the airport because he got to pull a suitcase for the first time. It was pretty funny.

They had so much fun swimming with Nana and Papa. Thanks to them the parents got a little laying out time.

Such cute girls!

Laying on the street watching the Freemont Street Experience. Yes, they are laying right on the street. Pretty gross I know but it was a perfect view. Have you been to this show? Go, if you haven't!

Tate and Wade must have sat here and squirted people for hours.

The Bellagio Gardens. Paige loved these. They were so pretty.

Playing in the river and Weeping Rock at Zion.

Party!!

I swear I can't believe how fast these birthdays come around. Gabe turned 9 today. We've had an exciting birthday weekend. We started off Friday with a big bash. He planned on doing night games so I had the party really late and of course it poured! I couldn't get any of them to come in so by the end they were soaked. Saturday we went to Lagoon, picked out his shiny new bike and had a special birthday dinner at Kobe steakhouse. Our birthdays get bigger and bigger each year. I'm worried for what the future holds. We can't seem to stop spoiling them. I'm so sad they are all getting so big but I'm so proud of the the person Gabe is growing into. We love him so much and are so glad he is part of our family.

Chicago

Dean had to work in Chicago this past weekend so we all decided to tag along. None of us have ever been into the city and this was the first time we have been somewhere that we had no tour guide and seriously no idea where we were going. It was pretty funny but I think we did alright. I'm sure we missed quite a bit but we had fun anyways. Very cool city by the way. I would like to go back and explore with just Dean. The picture by the building was my attempt at the Sears Tower. I think we got a little close. I am definitely no photographer.

To The Hunts

As I've mentioned before this is my very favorite day of the year. Even the snow can't stop us, in fact it makes it that much more fun because besides the normal madness of the hunts, there are children slipping and sliding this way and that. Once again, my well-trained offspring did not disappoint! I barely even had to steal any other kids candy this year. I told my mom that I didn't have to help Wade even once but looking back on the video, maybe I helped just a little. While Gabe was watching he asked me why I kept picking stuff up and putting it in his bag. He said, "Mom, that's CHEATING!" I know how grateful they all are for their excellent egg hunting role model! My mom kindly reminded them all though how this was nothing compared to the egg hunt of '04 when their mother was yelled at over the loud speaker for crossing the line with the other small children, "No Parents Allowed!!" I have just decided that I've got to get an adults only egg hunt going for next year.

Spring Ski

We just go home from our Spring Ski trip to Alta. This is always one of my favorite vacations and we are seriously spoiled to get to do it, thanks to my fabulous parents and all of their sweet connections! It's so removed and so relaxing. My kids love every minute of it. The weather was fantastic and I've got the sunburn to prove it (nothing like some in the past if any of you remember those!)