California Part 1

 The kids and I joined my ever brave parents for a REALLY long drive to California for My Grandmothers Funeral We drove through Twin falls on our way there and stayed with one of my dear friends to break up the trip we made it in two 9 hour days there, we had adjoining rooms with my parents which was SO nice James was my sleeping buddy, you can see above why I might not love being his sleeping buddy he moves a lot in his sleep, but he does better with me next to him then not so it was for the best. The kids really did so well for an unplanned trip I couldn't have asked them to be better behaved especially with how hard we were pushing them and the nature of the visit. It is hard for kids to have so much asked of them but my three did awesome!

 The girls to addy's dismay did not sleep together, dryn was in her crib and addy had a bed to herself. Addy just adores dryn

 This was our view there was a park for the kids to play at, the water to walk around and a pool to swim in. It was so perfect and my cousin did a great job swinging us a fabulous deal.

 The kids ready for the funeral. It was actually a viewing and then a short graveside service. The service was small and perfect given the circumstances. It was nice to see my cousins and my Aunt, as well as My grandmothers Husband. He has Alzheimer's so he didn't so much recognize us, but it was still good to see him.  We clearly need to work on our Lady like behaviors, HAHA

 Even Dryn was GREAT for the trip, Only once did she scream and it was really my bad, I decided to keep going in the middle of nowhere nevada, we should have stopped, but they were all sleeping so I kept going 30 min later they were all crying and we were committed there wasn't a stop for 2 hours, Ehh you drive you learn,...

 The kids loved going to the park and swimming in the pool and that it was so beautiful weather wise while we were there, it snowed when we got home, we so enjoyed the warm weather even if the pool wasn't heated the kids couldn't get enough of it. We crammed a lot into our week long trip, but we tried to make sure they had plenty of time to play and enjoy it a little too. My Mom and Dad were great at keeping up with us and our 3 and 5 year old needs.

Unbirthday Party

 So for activity days we have 22 girls that regularly come since we meet every other week catching birthday's is a bit of a hassle so we recognize the girls coming in and then we have an Unbirthday party each year for all the girls, we do something fun, in this case swimming, we did a gift for each of them and had cupcakes with a little message of how they are Loved everyday of the year not just on their birthday's . The girls had a blast swimming and just getting to know each other. We as leaders also had fun. I made 25 gifts an extra for my daughter our niece that is turning eight this year and we gave one to the our swimming host.  The signs turned out cute, I never exactly know what I will end up with with I start with such a vague vision of an idea, but it was nice to be creative and do something fun. The quote is from fall conference and says What we love determines what we seek.

Swim Swim swim

This winter has just been so long, it has been crazy luckily we have found ways to cope, like swimming which is a major life savor for all of us, four of the five of us are water people through and through, and well the fifth is such a good sport he can't help but join the fun. This was Audryn's first time swimming, and she LOVED it, not a surprise given how she loves her bath time, she had so much fun. Doug and I took the kids swimming for FHE one night and some of our friends joined us, we have a friend that has an indoor pool and insists we bring the kids over so it works our nicely. We actually used the pool quite a bit this last little bit, we had a fieldtrip there for coop, we had an Easter party there and I did an Unbirthday party there for Activity days, we are very thankful for Linda and her kindness in letting us party at the pool.

 Here is dryn loving life in her boat, we do let her get out of the boat but umm she tends to try to swallow the pool so we half and half it.

 James and Addy have been doing swimming lessons and can do some strokes on their own without assistance, they are really progressing, but we still have them wear their vests when it is going to be crazy, or if I take them to the pool by myself 3 kids to one mom, better safe then sorry. The vests allow this little dare devil to use the diving board and make laps without my heart falling out of my chest. Mind you the lifegaurd in me is still probably overly protective and attentive to them, but a little freedom has given them both the wings needed to soar, they are doing great.

 WE do need to work on diving rather then flat face hitting the water, OUCH one would think he would instinctively change his landing, NOPE

 I am so glad they love the water, it is so fun to take them.