conversation @ the park

April 21, 2012

We took the kids to Brooklyn's Playground today and the kids were swinging and there was an open swing in between Abby and Stockton so Aaron took it and did some swinging. He got off after a couple minutes and I would say a 9 or 10 year old girl took it immediately, almost like she was just waiting for him to get out. Aaron walked over to Abby and then the conversation between me and the girl went like this:

girl: That guy is scary. (talking about Aaron)

me: Why do you say that?

girl: Because he is ugly.

me: That is not very nice to say about someone.

girl: My mom told me I can hate people that are ugly, and that is why she is married to a handsome man.

me: Well, I'm married to that guy and I think he is pretty darn handsome.

girl: You need to get your eyes checked!

me:  That is not very nice to say and you should be a little more careful about what you say about others, especially if you want to make and keep friends, and I think you are very pretty.

girl: I know I am!

End of conversation!

Then the kids were done swinging and soon as we went to leave she stopped swinging as well.

Part of me feels sorry for this girl, because I could totally tell she was just seeking attention..... and part of me just wanted to lecture to her or her mom about respect! 

But mostly I just laugh because I can't believe it happened!

April 11, 2012

I can never post to many of these! 

Loving his new hat.....he picked this one because it matched his shirt!

First Picnic of the Season

April 11, 2012

We had our first picnic of the season!

On the menu this day: for Abby it was tuna sandwich, tortilla chips, celery, and mandarin oranges and for Stockton it was PB&J with tortilla chips, banana, and mandarin oranges. And they both washed it down with some Pioneer Punch!

I love picnics outside......no crumbs, no mess, and happy kids equal happy mom!

Ya know, Abby asked me why I take pictures of everything., and I told her that one day she'll thank me!

Easter Dinner

April 8, 2012

For Easter dinner we went out to Grandma and Grandpa Garner's house in Raft River. We had an amazing ham and potatoes dinner with all the works! It is always great to go to Raft River, where I grew up....my home for so many years....and see my family that still lives there.

Later the rest of the Garner's joined the party. It was fun to see Jeni and Chad's little guy Carson, he has grown up so much and is on the move! Abby and Stockton loved seeing Luci!! Luci even took some time and and dressed Abby up like a ......... I'm no sure a cross between a gypsy and a cowgirl....more gypsy! 

April 8, 2012

Easter Sunday

We had a great week leading up to Easter. For FHE we talked about Easter and read this great book called  Easter Walk and on Thursday we went to Walk With Christ, an amazing event that our Stake puts on for everybody. You walk through the events starting with Christ's birth and ending with the Resurrection. The props, actors, music, and just everything are extraordinary! (Last year Aaron helped out one night and played Pontius Pilate). Our kids enjoyed it, and sat/walked through it very reverently an listened intently. In one room they had the video of Christ being nailed to the cross, the room was decorated with a big cross with a crown of thorns on it. As the kids were watching this video I was watching them closely. As the hammer was about to hit the nail that would penetrate thought Christ's hands Abby was struggling with deciding if she should cover her eyes or just watch. I put my arm around her and let told her it was okay, and she watched. On the other side of me Stockton's face was in pain and he said out loud "Ouch, that hurts!" It was a moment for me as a mom to watch my kids watch this. It was hard for me. But it is real. Christ died for us. For Abby. For Stockton. For all of us. It happened. I am beyond thankful for my Savior Jesus Christ and what he personally means to me. He knows me and what I need. I love him, and everyday I am grateful for Him and the way he blesses my family and is the center of our home. In the last room we went to we sat and watched a video to the song Come Thou Font of Every Blessing. The spirit was there and tears in my eyes. 

On Easter Sunday morning Aaron come home after his meetings for a few minutes, I really wanted to get some pictures of the whole family together but  we weren't all ready at that time. (and all of us matched....and I only meant for Stockton and Abby to match!) Before Aaron had to head back to church I had him and Abby take a picture together. If we can't get all of us, we will at least get part of us!

when I see a picture of Abby and Aaron together it makes me smile for so many different reasons....

it was so bright!

we did the blue thing for Easter outfits this year. Abby's dress was sparkly and glitterly and she left a trail of sparkles wherever she went, but it was SO cute. She found the cute bag at the dollar store so I let her get it, and it did match perfectly. The flowers on the bag and on top of the head match great too.....not sure I'm digging the flower on the head though.....oh well, she is still beyond beautiful!

My handsome, big beautiful brown eyed Stockton sported a lovely button up blue shirt that went perfect with Abby's.  He loves wearing new shirts! They are quite a duo! 

Maybe we didn't get a group photo this Easter morning, but we did all get in a picture! Although, if Aaron would have been in this picture I think it would have had potential to be a great family picture!! Oh well!

Today

Few things on my mind today.....
I talk to my mom everyday. I especially love our long talks that leave me rejuvenated and ready to be better at everything, like the one we had today! I want Abby to stay my little girl forever, but I do look forward to the days we can have long talks on the phone!
Also I love the people that just have to have the close parks at the grocery store, because that leaves me more far away parks at the grocery store! They are my favorite, especially if they are close to a cart return spot!
I also love the look on Stockton's eyes when we pull into the parking lot of Fred Meyer. They have free cookies and a "driver thing" which is one of those annoying, hard to maneuver carts that look like a car with the steering wheels. I breath a sigh of relief when we find out that they are all being used, sorry Stockton!

Easter Cupcakes

April 7, 2012

While Aaron and I went to the movies my mom and the kids decorated the Easter cupcakes! Very cute and yummy! They were our dessert for Easter dinner on Sunday at Grandma and Grandpa Garner's house in Raft River!

Easter Baskets

April 7, 2012

On Saturday afternoon we had a spare moment and we gave the kids their Easter baskets. We don't do Easter bunny, just Easter baskets from mom and dad.

They loved them!

Also the kids are sporting their Easter shirts from Grandma and Grandpa Allen!

love my dad sleeping in the recliner in the background! we always put him to work when he visits, and we must have wore him out!

Easter Craft with Grandma A.

April 7, 2012

Easter was so much fun this year! My parents came up for the weekend to celebrate with us and then stayed through Monday for my birthday! The kids were so excited to see them, heck I was so excited to see them as well! I love being with my family!

My mom did an Easter craft with the kids:

Abby and Papa A. working in the garden!
fyi: this garden has a great story that started a year ago....one of these days I'll get to it! For now I will say I love my garden spot because it is now cement free and it better grow!

Also on Saturday my mom and I spent much time in the kitchen making deviled eggs, Easter cupcakes, cutting up a yummy pineapple, made a raisin pie for Grandpa Garner, and whatever else we whipped up that I can't remember! My Dad and Aaron spent some time outside getting our garden ready and putting together our trampoline! We got a trampoline from Jim and Cindy (lovely in-laws) for Christmas! I'm still so upset I lost all my Christmas pictures because I have the best pictures of the kids holding up the paper that says they got a tramp! The kids were SO excited to have their tramp and haven't stopped jumping on it yet! 

Also that Saturday night Aaron took me out for my birthday, we went to the movie - Hunger Games- of course! It was a great movie, but we definitely were reminded why we we've only been to the expensive movie theater one time in 7 plus years. Good gracious it is expensive! And I can think of much better ways to spend or save my money....but the popcorn was good! Thank you mom and dad for watching the kids! 

At Home Easter Egg Hunt!

April 7, 2012

Our At Home Easter Egg Hunt

On Saturday, the day before Easter, Abby went to a friend's birthday party/Easter party. They had an Easter egg hunt at the party, which was great because we got to avoid all public Easter Egg hunts which can get a little crowded and annoying. Abby was thrilled to go to her party, but I knew Stockton would want to take part in an Easter Egg hunt which I always do a little one every year anyway. So that afternoon we had our Easter egg hunt!

The night before I had Abby and Stockton help me stuff all the eggs.

Ready to run out the door and go!

my favorite picture!

That is Grandma Allen's hand! We love her and her hand!

CANDY!

Do Stockton's tonsils look big to you? Dr.'s tell me they are huge and will have to be taken out sooner than later.....yikes!

I think they liked it!
And the weather was great!!

Dyeing Easter Eggs

April 6, 2012

Dyeing Easter Eggs!

Abby loves to dye Easter eggs! Last year Stockton could care less, but this year he was very interested, but Abby did last longer! It was lots of fun, especially when Grandma and Grandpa Moore came over and joined in on the fun!

Final Product! 

Stockton was so proud of himself, rather than put them around the egg he made a fence instead! Such a boy! And he loved his new duck Pez from GG Moore! And we are enjoying some Cafe Rio in the background! A lot going on in this picture.....

decorating with stickers

Stockton's favorite.......definitely the stirring!

just another Abby face!

CUTE!

Easter Cookies

April 5, 2012

We made M&M Easter Cookies! 

We later delivered some to our Pocatello Grandma, Mary Ann Price and another sweet friend that my kid's adore, Sister Wynder. 

love those beaters! what will i do if i ever have 3 kids????

Souvenirs for the kids

Of course we brought back a few fun things for the kids from our cruise. All Abby wanted us to bring her was SEASHELLS FROM THE BEACH. The few times we did get to talk to her while we were gone that would be the first thing she would ask us.....DID YOU GET MY SEASHELLS YET? Although I do not have a picture of her with her seashells, we did indeed bring some back for her, I mean if we didn't we might as well have just stayed in Mexico! We didn't actually find any seashells at the beach, but I did bargain with some dude for some seashells and I picked up a few nice ones for $2!

We didn't bring back to much for the kids or buy much for ourselves (don't like junk and clutter, to me photos are the best thing you can bring back.....I mean what am I going to do with the little shot glass that says Puerta Vallarta on it????), but what we did get I had a fun time doing because I enjoyed bargaining with the Mexican folk! Although, I was ready to not be attacked anymore from people on the street trying to sell things to us Americans!

These shirts are so cute! I got them in Cabo, and the kids love how the mouths open and shut. Abby wore hers to school and the kids were talking about what they did for spring break and all the kids liked her shirt and wanted to open and close the mouth of the monkey.....so, with Abby's approval and Mrs. Jones okay, the kids lined up and took a turn opening the monkey's mouth!!

Bracelet from Cabo. It screamed Abby's name....!

Stockton trying on Aaron's hat from Cabo. He was a little disappointed he didn't get a hat, ya know with his hat obsession!