Nothing much going on...For Once

I am so happy to say that there just isn't a bunch of stuff going on right now.  Josh and Aaron are asleep. Jacob and Joey are going around the house laughing because they're flushing all the toilets in the house, trying to make the strangest fart noises possible, and dressing up the dog. And I am in my happy  time-wasting relaxing place, going back and forth from Facebook and bloggers.  

It's a nice change of pace because in this weekend alone, we've had 2 bday parties to attend, one big Elders Quorum-type couples party here Friday night, piano lessons amonga, oil changes, Aaron has painted a wall in Jacobs room (go Aaron!), Priesthood session followed up by dinner at Serranos, choir practice here today between sessions, etc etc.  Thus the pace at our house - and probably most everyone else we know!  

So it's time to relax a bit.  Before this next week of AIMS testing,  more piano lessons, (which I actually really really love), scouts, a college roommate in town (Yahoo!!), a family/friend baptism (yea Riley!) and getting ready for Easter. (side note:  I love Easter!)  It's a WONDERFUL LIFE

Visiting Texas

The second week of Spring Break I got to go see my Chadders and his wonderful family in good ol' Ponder Texas. (a small suburb of Dallas/Ft Worth).  I had such an amazing time there.  I finally got to see the house that my brother built almost completely by himself - and let me tell you - it is BEAUTIFUL. Huge and Beautiful. While I was there we went to the Ft. Worth Zoo - which had such cool displays. That was so much fun even though a huge bird pooped in Amys hair (funny stuff - sorry Amy). We went to the JFK Assassination site, toured a bit of downtown Dallas, had lunch in Denton, painted ceramics, played with the miniature donkeys and goats in their backyard, watched movies, relaxed, played Rockband - etc. It was just so much fun.  The very best part was simply getting to hang out with some of my favorite people in the world. My nieces Brooke and Bailey are so adorable and sweet and funny. I sure hope they can come see me this summer.  I got to be waited on as my sis in law cooked her heart out.  And I have always and will always love hanging out with my brother!  I really loved it there. I miss them so much and wish we lived closer!

Go go go go go go! Spring Break Travels

We are such lucky ducks because we have 2, count em' 2 full weeks for Spring Break. We have been on the go and haven't wasted a second of our free time. First of all, me and the boys (minus the biggest boy who had to stay home and work...) drove to Las Vegas for a fun filled 5 days of touristy fun. We hotwired a 4 star hotel room for $42 and ended up at the Monte Carlo - which was pretty nice. Even though we did all kinds of fun things (The shark exhibit at Mandalay Bay, The M&M factory, etc...) I've decided that we probably won't go downtown again for quite a while. One night while driving down the strip the boys counted 29 cases of near nakedness on posters, taxis, statues, etc. We actually didn't even need to leave the mall-like hotel which had several fast food restaurants, room-service, elevators to play in, movies to order - etc. The boys had a lot of fun - but this mama is dog tired. On the way home we stopped at the Lake Mead boat harbor and marina and fed the carp. Thank heavens there was no mentos or alka seltzer at the gift shop....

Aaron and Jo 19 years ago

Joshua turned 14 in June. We moved in Decemeber of 07 and since he left so many wonderful Coronado Ranch friends behind, we decided to throw him a surprise party and invite his old friends. He was completely in shock when he walked in the door and we yelled surprise. We played a few games, including a "How well do you know Josh" quiz... (which Bryndee and Bailey won) and then we had a big surprise planned for the end. Aaron came down the stairs dressed like a retard (it wasn't a hard stretch) and did some breakdancing for the group. Josh kept muttering "kill me now", but his friends really seemed to like it. Or at least they liked mocking Aaron. Either way, it was a good time. Here is a pic of some friends at the party.

Josh at scout camp

Josh and Aaron went to Scout Camp the last week in July. In order for Josh to get his "wilderness survival" merit badge he had to built a "lean-to" and sleep in it alone, 200 yards from camp. Aaron said it was very hard for him to sleep that night knowing Josh was out on his own and everytime he heard a coyote howl, he woke up and panicked a bit. But he made it throughout the night without being eaten. Phew!

School Starts Again....

Our very short 6 weeks of summer vacation are over and we've almost finished our first week of school. Joshua starts High School this year as a lowly freshman. Jacob starts Junior High and Joey is in 4th grade. All of them are at different schools and all have a different bus schedule. Josh regularly informs me that this bus situation is only temporary as soon he will be driving himself to school. (I wonder at his definition of "soon"?)