Spring Break

Andy took some vacation days over Maddie's spring break. During this time we were in the car about 16 hours and we saw almost all of our family. We made it to Syracuse, Burley, Mt. Home, Boise, and Clarkston/Logan. It was nice to get away for awhile with my family.

Friday-April 3rd-Syracuse
We left first thing Friday morning to Sara's house. We stopped in Evanston on the way to take a break and have some lunch at McDonald's. The kids loved it because the seat were saddles and the play place was fun.
We stayed at Saras about 24 hours but we didn't waste any time. Maddie and I went to Abby's soccer game and watched her score her first goal! We played the Wii and Colton beat me. Andy and Ben took Maddie and Abby to Monsters vs. Aliens. We stayed up till 2:30 AM watching the new James Bond movie. Maddie and Abby stayed up giggling in Abby's room till 12:30 AM. The cousins played played played. Ben sent the kids on a little treasure hunt, And we even tried to watch some Conference. It was so fun to see Sara and her cute little pregnant belly!
At McDonald's-


Sophie and Colton-

Sophie and Abby-

Playing and making a giant mess-

Colton beating Andy at Wii boxing-

Watching Conference-


Eating the treats they found on the treasure hunt-


Saturday-April 4th-Burley
We got to Burley about 4:30 and my dad and Andy went to the priesthood session of conference. Maddie went with my mom to get groceries and Garen got right to playing with the castle-a favorite toy at grandma's house.

Sunday-April 5th-Mountain Home/Boise
We watched the morning session of conference with my parents and my mom made some yummy french toast, bacon, and hash browns.
Then we headed to Mandy's house. On the way we stopped at Dan's house to give the kids a break. Maddie had a blast jumping on the tramp with Emma and Annie. Garen loved playing on their swing set as long as the dogs didn't get to close. It was fun to see Dan and his family; it's been awhile. After the kids played for a couple hours we headed to Boise.
I got to see Chloe Mae for the first time! She is so tiny and too cute! Maddie was so excited to see Kaisa and Joren and Garen played really good together as well. Mandy and I stayed up till about 2AM watching some shows.

In the car again-

Andy got Garen to touch a cat for the first time (Garen is terrified of animals)-


My kids and Dan's kids-


Monday-April 6th-Boise
It was such a nice day that the kids got to play in the back yard all day. They climbed trees, jumped, and had a picnic; then later went to the park. Andy got to go to Cabelas and then shooting with Carsten. We stayed for the final game of March Madness and left Mandy's house about 10PM putting us in Burley at almost 1AM.
Sophie Mae and Chloe Mae-

Joren and Garen-

cute babies-

Maddie and Kaisa-

Garen and Joren-

having a picnic-

At the park-

Garen with a bloody lip after a fall down the slide-

Tuesday & Wednesday 7th&8th-Burley
Tuesday we visited my grandparents. They are so cute and interesting to talk to. My grandma kept saying, "I don't remember your kids being this cute, Garen is so cute and boyish." Maddie showed Grandma Dora some of her Kindergarten Journal and read her a book.
After grandma's we went to storybook park, and then spent the rest of the day playing outside in the sand and on the tramp.
Then first thing Wednesday morning we went out to my friend Alisha's house. She was nice enough to take my kids' pictures again. Garen didn't want his picture taken and Sophie was crying, so we'll see how they turn out. I'll post them when I get them. Maddie and Garen loved playing with Alisha's girl Taylor and it was fun for me to see my friend.
We got back to my parents house, ate lunch, loaded up and headed to Clarkston.

At grandma and grandpa's house-

Great Grandma Dora meeting Sophie-

Garen and grandma doing a puzzle-

Maddie reading to my grandma-

Grandma Sue taking good care of Sophie-

Maddie and Grandpa Bruce-

Storybook park-

Wednesday&Thursday-8th&9th-Clarkston

We got to Clarkston about 5:30 PM. There we had dinner to celebrate Amber's, Boyd's, and Grandma Margaret's birthdays. Grandma Jann and Grandpa Boyd also gave the kids their Easter gifts. Maddie got Princess PJ's, a coloring book and markers and some candy eggs. Garen got Thomas PJ's, a Diego coloring book and markers, and candy eggs. Sophie got some cute PJ's and a teething toy rabbit. The kids zonked right out at bedtime, then Andy and I helped his parents fill Easter eggs for their town Easter egg hunt.

On Thursday we were planning to go to baby animal day, but it was raining. So we all went to the nursing home to visit Grandpa Ira and then to Frederico's for lunch. It was fun to have Chelsea, Hanah, and Nancy join the rest of us for lunch.

After we ate it was time for us to head home. The car was quiet with sleeping kids until right before Little America (about 30 minutes from home). Maddie woke up and had to go to the bathroom and couldn't wait and Sophie was screaming. We pulled in just in time to get Maddie into the bathroom. As I waited for Maddie and fed Sophie I realized Sophie had blown out of her diaper all over her clothes and all over my pants. So after getting everyone changed and buying some snacks we made it back on the road and into our driveway.

Andy had to go strate to work, so I unloaded the van and got the kids fed.

Our trip went by way to fast! But it's good to be home again.

Amber and Sophie-

Sophie likes her new toy-

visiting grandpa Ira-

New PJ's and a nice wand to poke everyone's eye out with-

Levi liked his eggs-

Garen checking out his new PJ's-

Sophie and Great grandpa Ira-