Easter

We've had a pesky, strange spring this year in Alaska. It keeps getting really warm and melting all the snow, then dumping a whole bunch more. So Easter weekend we had a TON of brand new snow, but it was warm and gorgeous out.

So we had a little outdoor egg hunt with the cousins in the snow.

We did the obligatory egg-dying.

 Claire, for some reason, was really excited to put her dyed egg inside this plastic egg.

We took some quasi-successful pictures of the kids before we went to church.

And we went over to my Grandma Teddy's for yet another egg hunt.

I think we've got enough candy to last until Halloween.

Happy 6th Birthday, Parker!

Oh, that pesky 6th birthday - when they turn from little kids into big kids. And with Parker, I swear, it happened almost overnight. Look at this big kid. Isn't he getting handsome? This picture seriously brings tears to my eyes.

As a big-boy 6-year-old, Parker has retained all the qualities that have made me cherish him so much over the years, ones I feared he might lose as he grew older. He is mellow. He is creative. He is kind. He is a great brother.

But now he is so much more, and I love getting to know more of his personality as he gets older. He loves math. He loves designing and building, and wants to be an archi-neer (architect/engineer) when he grows up. He is obsessed with hockey, ice skating, and playing in the snow. He is a great reader. He loves school, particularly music, Social Studies, and Science. He has loved reading the Book of Mormon with our family this year, and is always the first to remind us if we forget.

 He is such a cool kid, and I am proud to be his mom. As hard as this transition into big-kid-hood sometimes is for me, I can't wait to see who he grows into. Because who he is so far is pretty dang awesome.

Spring Break!

Every year on Spring Break, I'm insistent that we get outside. It just seems wrong somehow to spend your whole Spring Break indoors, even if it 30 degrees outside! So today we took the cousins and met some friends at a local elementary school. The kids ran around for a few hours while James and I froze our buns off.

February Happenings

I just realized that I was so concerned about making the slideshow for the 500th Post-iversary that I never posted any actual pictures from February. Here's what we were up to...

Claire was her typical cutie self...

 We did a lot of ice skating. All the kids have improved so much this year. Parker, especially, has taken to skating super fast and aggressively, and has announced that he is ready to start hockey.

 We took the kids to a cross country ski day where the older kids tried out some skis...

 ....and Claire spent a lot of time laying down in the snow.

 James and I also started cross-country skiing. It's such a great way to get out and enjoy the winter and the beauty of Alaska, not to mention a great workout. Loving it!

The girls dressed up all cute for Valentines Day.

James got these fabulous Forever Lazy things for me for my birthday. Awesome! Just what every Alaskan needs!

 

 Marci and I took the big girls out on a  cross-country ski loop. It was a little long for them.

 Claire was a kitty.

 And the kids had duct tape day at school and looked darling!

Happy February!

500th Post-iversary!

I couldn't believe it when I realized I was about to post the 500th post on this blog! My little sister set up this blog in September 2005 when I barely even knew what a blog was. I had given birth to such a sweet and gorgeous daughter that of course the whole world had to see her grow up, and the whole thing took off from there.

We had two more babies in the next four years, and enjoyed our time in California. After 6.5 years of marriage, we made the difficult decision to move to Alaska. Though it was hard to leave our family and friends, we have grown as a family and come to love Alaska more than I ever thought possible. When I am surrounded by James and the kids, life is good - no matter where we are.


Looking back on pictures to create this slideshow, I realize how amazingly blessed I have been. I have the best friends and family anyone could ever ask for. My children and husband make me so happy, and our parents, step-parents, siblings, sibs-in-law, in-laws, and extended family fill our lives with love and adventures. Here's to many more years of happy blogging!

http://youtu.be/W39d9vELT6c