Stinking strep again!

Morgan and I both got strep, and have been feeling pretty miserable. Morgan's tonsils really need to come out! Every time we take her into the doctor they comment on how they never have seen tonsils so huge. Yep- it's time. Maybe if she isn't getting strep so often, then I won't either! You'd think with my tonsils out, I'd be safe. That has not been the case. I do get it less often- so it could be a lot worse. Dang, as I was writing this- Dillon came down with a fever and sore throat, too. It's spreading!

Easter

This week we have been talking about the last week of Christ's life. Every day we have talked about what he did that particular day, read scriptures about it and had activities. The kids have loved this. They have asked some good questions, and really we have felt the spirit more in our home this week, and I think it's because of these activities. Some examples of the activities are: for Palm Sunday, we gave each of the kids palms, and talked about the significance, for the last supper we ate on the floor, around a table cloth, and had unleavened bread, nuts, olives, and other things they may have had in that time, we washed our feet, etc. For Easter morning we read about Christ's resurrection, and read scriptures about it. We'd made "resurrection rolls" where you put a marshmallow in the center of dough, and when baked, it melts, but leaves an empty hole.
It's been a great week, and think this will be the start of an annual tradition.

Yesterday we had our annual Easter egg hunt in the neighborhood.

Camden was in the 0-3 group and we thought he'd dominate, since he is one of the older 3's and big. :) Not the case he examined and thoughtfully picked and chose the eggs and candy he wanted. He'd walk past 15 eggs to get a particular one he wanted. Next year he will move up to the 4-7 range and be hugely disappointed when he walks away with none. Those kids are fast! Dillon and Logan were in the same group as each other and their hunt takes maybe 60 seconds. I tried to take pictures but it is mass chaos once the whistle blows. :)

We also colored and decorated eggs.


This is always a hit with the kids as their inner designer comes out. Then on Easter morning, we found the eggs that were hid, and went on a treasure hunt for the baskets. We have been doing this since the kids were little, and it's always a hit. Afterwards, we went to church. Matt got to sit by me since the choir did most of the program. I think he decided he likes it much better on the stand, since Camden was a huge stinker during church. :) After church we went to Robyn and Chad's house for dinner with his family. Of course it was yummy and fun to visit with everyone. What a great week!

Dillon- Arrow of Light and Webelo

Dillon received his arrow of light and his Webelo, along with a handful of other awards at pack meeting. He is officially finished with cub scouts and moving into the world of 11 year old scouts, hikes, campouts, etc. They had a nice ceremony, where he was presented his arrow, and then he got to cross the bridge and sign his name on the bridge, signifying his leaving cub scouts and entering boy scouts. Can't believe this kid is almost 11! He is so going to love the campouts, and hikes! Hopefully Matt will learn to enjoy it, too. Because like it or not- he's going to be doing this for quite a few years. :) Congrats Dillon! Love you!

Young Women's broadcast

Morgan trying spinach and artichoke dip for the first time....I had to document it. :)

Morgan and I went to the Young Women's broadcast. It is always great- and I love going with her. Afterwards we went to Corbin's for dinner. She had never been. I love that place! We walked in, and the host wasn't at the stand, so a lady from the kitchen comes to help us, and the host came and literally shoved her out of the way. He says, "I get to seat the pretty ladies....always." He then proceeded to flirt with Morgan a lot. (He's probably 35 years old so it was kind of creepy.) Then the waiter starts flirting with Morgan and asked if she wanted some wine. Wow! I can't believe people think my daughter could be that old! It's so weird! I had to explain we don't drink and she is 14. Morgan was totally oblivious to the whole thing. It was funny to laugh at, and we had a great night. I'm so glad Morgan is my daughter, I think she is so amazing, and I love spending time with her.

Let's talk hair

So did I mention I have the dumbest, curliest curls ever? I have done a lot to try and straighten them over the years, to no avail. I heard of the Brazilian blow out, and read quite a bit about it and decided this would be the route I go. When a groupon for it came up, I snagged it. It is supposed to straighten hair, but also had proteins to it, so it's really healthy. After getting it done, you can't wash your hair for three days. You can't pull it back, even to sleep, even to tuck it behind your ears. You have to use special shampoo and conditioner, when it is time to wash it. I followed all of the rules....and look what I got. A big frizzy mess. I give up. I do not think there is anything out there that can actually tame my mane. I need to embrace the curls- and quit pretending that I can actually have stick straight hair. :)

Yes, I know this is about the least flattering picture there is of me. Yes, one side of my hair I straightened with A LOT of work, before I decided to take a picture to document.

Egged

Morgan called me and told me that our house had been egged by a bunch of 9 year olds. I was so ticked- and wondered what Logan could have done to make them mad. :) However, when I got home we saw this:
There were candy filled eggs all over the yard. The kids thought that was pretty awesome. Definitely the best way to egg a house!

California spring break

We went with our friends, the Hales to California over spring break. We have 8 kids between us, and Morgan is the only girl. I thought she might feel a little awkward with all those boys, but I think she actually enjoyed hanging out with some cute boys her age. :) We stayed at the Marriott Newport time share condos. We've been there a couple times before. It is one of our favorite Marriott properties. We went to Disneyland,

> swimming,

the beach, Universal Studios,





a movie, shopping, and the Santa Monica Pier.


It was colder than we would have liked, so we didn't spend much time on the beach, and we always had our jackets with us. We still had lots of fun though, and it sounds like we missed out on tons of snow back home so I can't complain. I brought a camera, but really hardly took any pictures. Camden wasn't feeling well for a lot of the trip, so he was really pretty ornery. He'd also wake up around 5:50 am every day and go to bed super late, and of course no nap. He wasn't terrible, but we were all ready to get back into our routine. The plane ride home was one of my most embarrassing parenting moments ever. I won't even go into it in complete detail. Let's just say it involves a 3 year old, a small bladder, a lighted seat belt sign, and a bag of pee. We will be lucky if we are ever allowed to fly again. Overall we had a great time, and were happy to see the sun. It's been a while!

New calling for me

Well- never say you hope to never be released. As soon as you do- you will get released. I knew it was coming- but have enjoyed my calling so much I just hoped I'd be forgotten about. Not really logical, since Matt is in the bishopric. :) Anyway- I knew it was coming, and yet when I was released, I became an emotional mess for the rest of the 3-hour block. A few of the sweet young women have brought me things and notes, and it has really made my day. What a sweet bunch of youth I have had the privilege of rubbing shoulders with. I have a new calling as the relief society compassionate service co-ordinator. I am sure I will like this calling too. It will just take some getting used to. And I might sneak into young women's every once in a while. :)

April Fools

I really don't like April fools. My kids expect something, but I hate doing mean tricks. So I usually end up doing something cutesy, and calling it good. This year I made peas and carrot cupcakes. (Everyone but Logan HATE peas.) When they found out it was yummy stuff, they certainly weren't complaining. Dillon had put a snake in my bed, so when I turned my covers down at night, I was scared to death. I brushed my hand across it, and it felt very real. Ooooh I hate snakes! Logan told me he was bleeding and showed me a bloody mess and of course I freaked out. Turns out tabasco sauce on a white back ground looks quite a bit like blood. I'm glad to get this day out of the way, without TOO much trauma. Until next year.