We're Baaaack!

I have been absent (sort of) from the internet world for a week. I only briefly checked in to cyber space every other day or so, it was kind of nice. We were in Pocatello for spring break and had such a great time! But it wouldn't be a trip to Pocatello without someone puking in the back of the van on the twisty interstate of Northern Idaho...I got smart this time and equipped my kids with cups ahead of time ;) I have lots of pictures to post soon!

It's Official...

Well I know that it is "officially" spring as of Saturday, but now that the weather is agreeing it is officialy spring (except it is pretty darn cold right now, but lets pretend it is Saturday all over again).

We took a family hike on Saturday. The first of many, I'm hoping. The weather was glorious, the place we live is so flippin' awesome-we have a huge forest right in the middle of town. No driving for hours to get to nature for us!

Be jealous...

Why is Grace wearing a coat? Who knows, it didn't last long.

Can't you see it in her eyes? She is one happy girl.

Grace is bossing the kids around, she has a gift. She is only egged on by how well they listen. She was explaining to them how they all needed to find a walking stick.

This is Elliot's favorite shirt. He made it at school and wants to wear it every day :)

When they saw this cabin at the park at the bottom of the trail they yelled, "It's grandma's cabin!!". How cute that they thought it only takes and hour to hike to grandma's cabin. It's grandpa's cabin too, by the way :)

Yes, my kids all look like orphans (albeit well-fed orphans), but who cares? It's Saturday and it's SPRING!

Holy Jet Engine, Batman!!

Last week I got to go with Elliot's preschool class on a field trip to the airport!

A little boy in Elliot's class has a dad who is the big boss over ground maintenance. He pretty much hooked us up.

We got to meet some firemen,

(check out the cool, shiny outfits they wear!)

We got to see the big snow moving machines

(which were hardly used at all this winter)

Elliot is cracking me up in the above pic :)

Elliot got to play with his friends under the big UPS plane,

Spend some time with his favorite teacher, Ms. Lisa,

And check out the flight deck!

We had such a fun day, Elliot was too pooped to even finish his cookie before zonking out :)

Thanks so much Colin's dad!!

Pictures and such

My friend Misty taught me a few things about my camera (which I am afraid is a bit too sophisticated for me, but I'm trying to learn!). I'm learning about f-stop, ISO, shutter speed, AV, TV, and more. She also taught me a bit about composition, and I have been practicing front light. She recommends you turn off your flash and use natural light whenever possible. Maggie was my subject. I think they turned out pretty well!

I put Maggie in front of a window so the light was directly shining on her (front light)

See how you can see the reflection in her eyes? That is what you want!!

This one might be a little bit more side light...

This one is my favorite :)

Check out this Blog!!

You HAVE to check out this amazing blog!! I am totally going to build this for Elliot, who currently sleeps on a mattress/box spring with a hollywood frame. I'll probably make one for Naomi when she moves to a big girl bed, too. It seriously looks easy enough for even ME to do!

Remember This?

Our favorite family Christmas present?

It only sat in my living room for 2.5 months.

It became a big huge coloring book for the kids.

They would jump on the box and say "I'm jumping on the trampoline!"

(sad, I know)

Well, now it is this!!

Last weekend we had some downright glorious weather.

We only had a little grumbling from dad when the suggestion was made...

2 hours later...

After some help from the kids...

Viola!

(Yes, Elliot did wear his pj's all day)

Seriously, whoever invented the trampoline is a gosh darn genius!!

I'm thinking Nobel Peace Prize,

talk about creating peace.

Al Gore and Prez Obama have nothin' on the trampoline-inventor guy,

but, well...oh never mind,

I'm trying to keep my blog non-political ;)

My kids haven't slept this well all winter...

Toothless Wonder

Grace lost her other top front tooth this week. I think it is so darn cute how she talks now, I can't help but smile when I listen to her. This video isn't as good as real life, but it's pretty adorable anyway!