Happy Spring!

Happy Spring! I know we've had the random April snowstorm, but we have in general enjoyed the weather lately and preparing our yard (and garden) for spring. Dennis has been redoing some planters, and the kids have helped "till" the soil in our garden. Basically, we love dirt, and that's all there is to it. I do not, however, love dirt down Connor's diaper. Yuck. 'nuf said.

Connor has given up on children's books--he would much rather read what I'm reading. Here's how I caught him the other day:

He loves taking out my bookmarks, and he was especially thrilled with the pig pictures in the middle of this particular book ("The Good Good Pig," a fun read if you haven't read it).

Snakes

A week ago Sunday (I know, I'm so slow at posting these days, it's been insane), anyway, we went up to my friend Liz's house for the afternoon. Liz and I have known each other since high school, and we try to keep in touch as best we can (she's in Riverdale with 5 boys, so you know how it goes). Anyway, we had a lovely dinner and dessert, but the highlight was certainly the snakes! Devin, Aspen, and Connor were all over them, Shaylee stayed in the other room. Thanks Liz & Mike & boys for a great afternoon! We love you!

St. George

Shaylee competed last weekend in St. George and did an awesome job. For all competition results, check out Misty's blog. Her lyrical dance (brown costumes) got 1st place and the other dance took 2nd place. Way to go! Since Dennis hadn't been to one of her competitions yet, he spent the day with her and of course took way better pictures than I ever could have!

While they partied at Dixie High School, I took the younger kids to "tour the city." We of course, as always, started our day at the Brigham Young House (the kids favorite) and then, when asked what they wanted to do, they voted to tour art museums--so we did! It was so much fun!

We went back to the hotel for lunch and naps before heading to the park on Main Street for some water fun.

The hotel pool was also a huge hit with the kids. We hit the outlets for some spring clothes, but didn't find much in our price range (other than some cute flip flops with the strap for Connor at the Children's Place), so we went to Wal-Mart instead for shorts and capris. Check out cute Connor in this cowboy hat:

We finished the day with, what else? In N Out burgers--yum! I was in heaven. Sunday morning we drove to Grandma & Grandpa Brown's while listening to conference, then enjoyed lunch with the family in between sessions and a relaxing afternoon session while Connor napped. What a great weekend!

She's Done!

Shaylee (finally) finished the skirt she has been working on for her Integrity value project (make modest clothes). Don't look too closely, but I think she did an awesome job, and most of all she loves it! She can't wait to wear it to church Easter Sunday. She's especially excited that it's black and white with a cool black sash, and she can wear any color shirt she wants with it. I'm just excited it's done!

So that means, if she finishes the cookbook she's been working on for months, she's done!!! Wahoo! This after a serious "talking to" in the car on the way home from Genola on Sunday. I do not want to have to work through an entire new personal progress manual because she didn't finish before they came out in May with the new value, virtue. Shaylee is more interested in her driver's permit (can you blame her?).