Picture post.

Every once in a while I go on a picture shooting spree that reminds me how much I love my real camera. I have no better subjects than my own children. On this particular morning, Allan and Jack were up at the welfare vineyard doing some winter cleanup work. The rest of us went on a walk to see the horses. When I uploaded these particular shots, I got chills. These pictures may not seem amazing to anyone else, but to me they capture the soul of my boys. 

This picture makes me giggle, and I'm so glad I captured it. Natey has the funniest little run. When he gets really excited, he trails his arms behind his torso. My mom astutely observed that this must be his cape. Run like the wind, Nathan!

Spring Breakers in Utah County Part 2.

Beautiful Astrid on Easter Sunday

Watching Micah adore Astrid makes me feel warm inside. He does it often. I was so glad to capture it.

I love how he has his hand holding onto her dress. I think he will be assigned to screen her future dates.

The typical Micah pout.

 

Handsome Jack. Why must you grow up? It's getting harder and harder to fix your hair in the mornings because you're approaching my same height. I'd let you do your own hair, except then we'd wind up with this:

 

 

 

 

Bowling at BYU is quickly becoming one of our favorite vacation activities. I lost to every single one of my children.

Even Nathan

We went to the new Thanksgiving Point children's museum. It was fun, but crowded. We had one adult for every child, and I'm still amazed we came home with all four children. 

Allan joked that this trip was the most time he'd spent with Astrid since her arrival on earth. She's a fan.

Nathan is our first child to thoroughly enjoy drawing and coloring. I love that he is so serious and holding such a tiny pencil.

Aunt Molly and newly presented Uncle James invited us to their new place for an amazing dinner. Deep dish Chicago-style pizza and Nutella Banana Cake. It was more than amazing, actually. The boys felt quite at home among all the toys.

Astrid received her first BYU apparel. It's already too small.

Here was the highlight of the trip. Jack and Allan attended the Saturday afternoon session of General Conference with my dad. I dropped out last minute due to nursing mother anxieties. Jack still talks about Elder Bednar's memorable tale of an early life of crime. See here.

We really did enjoy our trip, though we weren't able to cram in everything or everyone we would have hoped. Unphotographed, but still in our memories, are eating at The Mandarin, evenings with Aunt Becky, Five Guys Burgers and Fries ("and Peanuts", as Micah is always quick to add), Allan's and my failed date (Astrid!!!), my ultimately disappointing shopping trips, playing with Cousin Henry, and my new super blonde bob. Oh, and Dungeons and Dragons with Uncle Greg (wherein he earned "Coolest Uncle" status).

See you July!!!

Spring breakers in Utah County Part 1.

Some people go to Pismo (yuck), we go to Provo. This year's spring break coincided with both Easter and General Conference. As soon as I made this connection last fall, I begged Allan to make it happen. He did. It's never a stress-free experience for him to leave work behind for even a few days, but he's good about it, and we all appreciate it immensely. Provo just isn't the same without him.

Previous to the trip we made all sorts of grand plans that involved seeing many people and doing much shopping and going to many fun places. Then we arrived and realized what little time we had. With Allan's parents serving as full-time missionaries with very busy office assignments, we decided to spend days with my side of the family and evenings with his side. Then we had wonderful Conference weekend to split between the two.

I'm struggling to remember everything we did, in the correct order, etc. So, thank heavens I brought my camera and had other people's camera photos to rely on. Prepare for many, many pictures with some pretty weak captioning.

Love these boys of mine. Prepping for dyeing eggs.

 

Backyard antics with Micah and Natey

One month later....

March was a beast. Trying to recall specific details about the last three weeks is rather difficult because all I can really remember is that we were all sick....

This was Jack's first day of swimming practice. I dropped him off before parking the car. By the time I walked onto the pool deck, he was already crying. His lungs were burning and his head felt like it was going to explode. And he had been so excited. I felt so bad for him. He missed two more days until the virus passed, went to practice once, and then was diagnosed with an ear infection that sidelined him for another week. Rough go.

Micah got Jack's same virus and then the stomach flu the next week. I would find him asleep in random locations around the house. 

I even got sick this time. Twice. And of course I got hit the hardest, because that's what happens when you're the mom! One of the hardest things for me about being sick is that it means I am housebound and prone to feeling very depressed. March was a depressing month for me.

Good riddance, March!

There were some highlights though.

We had a few days where it hit 90 degrees. The silver lining was that I got to pull out a few pieces from AC's "Spring 2015 Collection" a little bit early. On this particular evening we were headed out to a picnic in a friend's backyard. I use "picnic" loosely--it was Panera on the back patio. My job was to convince a young dental student and his wife that Porterville is the only place they would ever want to live (and practice dentistry). I think I did an excellent job. They're coming in June.  (Let us pause for a moment to consider just how far I've come since 2008............................)

St. Patty's Day brought....green oatmeal (that's all I could manage). At least the children all wore at least a hint of green.

Jack's reaction to the nurse announcing that he was officially five feet tall. *SOB*

Those eyes.....The cutest I've ever seen on a real, live triceratops.

I have a thing for accessorizing my daughter. Just ask my parents. They get "headband picture updates" via iMessage. This is her fortune-teller look. "Fortunes, forecasts, lucky charms!!!" (name that movie)

Micah gave a talk in Primary about living prophets. He did such a good job. I get so many comments these days from others about how much he's growing up. I agree. Definitely ready for kindergarten.

The month ended on a high note with a Ward temple day organized by our bishopric. There were even activities for the children. I did some initiatories, and Allan helped out with the youth baptisms. Then our old bishop grilled some amazing tri-tip for everyone at the church's park next door. This is my very patient children waiting for me as I made some returns and tried on some clothes at one of my happy places in Fresno (Fig Garden Village--pic taken by very patient husband).

On the very last day of March we drove to Utah for spring break. Pictures forthcoming....