Swing Into Spring...

"Isn't this day on the earth GLORIOUS?!" exclaimed Autumn as she pedaled her bike to our favorite park. (She loves having places to go. :)

 And indeed, she was right.  I happened to be thinking the same thing.  I was hearing in my head, my mother (who never let us forget that she played the lead role of Emily in her high school play Our Town) dramatically quote, “Oh, earth, you're too wonderful for anybody to realize you. Do any human beings ever realize life while they live it -- every, every minute?” 

It really was a glorious day- I sat reading a really good book, occasionally glancing up :) and we all went home 3 hours later with slight sunburns.

Briggy got some great "roughage" whilst playing among the bark. 

And I did get up from my comfy bench a couple times to push the kids on the swings, for which they were most grateful. :)
 

  

A couple pictures I took of our "Good Earth"...
 

 

 

 

 

 

I love the Spring!  I was ready... and as always, it's worth the wait.

A Little Friendly Advise...

Don't ask a 3 year old to "get some toilet paper to blow his nose."

Don't let your older sisters style your hair.

Don't let Briggy help you unload groceries.

Even if he tempts you with his puppy-dog eyes. :)

ALWAYS snuggle Briggy after his bath. (Take advantage of the fresh scent.)
(And don't look at my counters. :)

Finish both girls Easter dresses so that one doesn't "break her heart."  (I was proud of how it turned out- I did it all by myself this time, and I used our old sheets for the lining- I thought I was quite clever with the lacy bottom.  I did my best, but I just didn't have it in me to make two- Grandma & Grandpa Stewart's fun Easter package helped her quickly forget her "broken heart." :)

 

Don't leave babies crying in the crib for too long.  There might really be a reason. :)

Don't give Briggy chalk- he likes it WAY TOO MUCH. (He's eaten at least half the package!)

Don't count on a quiet moment with these girls around.

But if you happen upon one, by cracky--take advantage.

Avoid Fifth Disease. (The girls are finally over it.  YAY!)

Eight Great Years!!!

Eight years ago, today, I married my favorite person in the whole world in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple for eternity.  ETERNITY- so eight probably isn't that big-a-deal in the grand scheme, but somehow these first several years of our marriage have been SO important.  We have overcome so much as a couple and I feel like we work together as a team so much better.  I'm grateful that we've learned to communicate better, to love deeper, to forgive faster, and to turn to the Lord together.   I'm also happy we got such a great start.  I wanted to thank our parents for their support and encouragement- for how special they made that day for us.  We were thinking through it this morning...  I recall sleeping on my sisters floor because of all the company and lack of beds. :)  My sweet cousin Marci did my hair that morning amid all the chaos, we rushed to a delightful wedding luncheon, rushed to the temple for pictures, rushed into the temple to get married... and time stood still, stress melted, but my eager excitement built as we made sacred covenants.  I love the peace and happiness that can be found in the temple!  Then we RUSHED our for more picture.  We rushed back for our reception- I think we ate something?  Possibly just the yummy frozen yogurt bar that we had at the receptions. Then we stood for 3 hours, overwhelmed by the support of our friends and community with a line out the door all night.  We were ready to fall over it was such a busy day!  And then on to Europe the next day.  It was all such a whirlwind, but so wonderful, I wouldn't change a thing.  We are SO BLESSED.  Blessed then and blessed now. 

 

“Men and women who turn their lives over to God will discover that He can make a lot more out of their lives than they can. He can deepen their joys, expand their vision, quicken their minds, strengthen their muscles, lift their spirits, multiply their blessings, increase their opportunities, comfort their soals, and pour out peace.” 
― Ezra Taft Benson 

 

I love you Doug!  There is no one I would rather go through life with!

Spokane Trip: Mall Cop...

They have a fun big mall that we got to walk through.  It was big to me anyway... I would know because I walked the whole length multiple times in search of restrooms. (I always feel like such a "redneck" in malls trying to find my way around.)  Briggy had the blow out of the century there... hang on, that was yet to come at the Pizza Hut establishment where, after using about 50 paper towls, I finally resorted putting him in the sink.  (You need to know that it was all over my sleeves-- yes, I walked out wearing only my coat... and pants of coarse, but you get the idea. :)  Thank goodness it was late and we were the only ones there.  Travel food did not suit him.  ANYWAY- back to the mall, where this time Brigham left with no pants.  I spent a large portion of my time taking care of that mess; however Doug found some nice pants, and although we also "just missed" the Easter Bunny, I did get the COOLEST green coat ever, regularly $180 (who in the right mind would EVER fork that over?) and at 85% off I paid around $22.  It made it all worth it.  I'm really not a big shopper, but I love an occasional "off-season" deal like that.
Yes... they pretty much kicked us out.
 

My coat!  Can you tell I was excited about it?  It was lovely weather- no need for a coat, but I couldn't wait!  (Please know that this was a joke, Doug was pretending to be a "model photographer" so I was trying to humor him.
 

I love Marriott.  They are always so accommodating to our big crew. (I won't even mention our first rough night in a cheap hotel (which we paid more for... again, thank you Anth for sharing your perks!)  We watched America's Funniest Home Videos and "burnt" pop corn, which didn't stop us. 

 And of course Cabela's was on the agenda for Doug.  Actually, I think the kids had more fun examining the local taxidermy, observing fish, getting lost,
and "trying their luck" at the shootin' gallery.  I had fun just listening to them try to explain/guess at how they stuff the animals.  They've got some awesome theories.  Doug found a nice jacket.
And, yes... here I am again, sporting my new coat in the great "in-doors".  At least it looks cold. :)

We stopped at Pizza Hut for an eventful dinner, as previously mentioned, and headed for home.  Over all, a fun trip! (Even considering the additional laundry. :)

  

Spokane Trip: Just Around the River Bend...

Our hotel literally opened up to a path that ran along the river.  It was beautiful!  The kids loved our family walk.

 

This section should be duely names "Paint Your Wagon."

So here I am over 10 years ago... same spot. :)  Yes, nostalgia.  (We traveled through Spokane for a Swing Choir Tour my Jr. year of High School.)  Who would have thought then that I would be sending my babies down the same slide. :)

 

 

Isn't it awesome?  Who wouldn't want a slide like that in their park? 

Apparently they come in all different sizes. (These pictures came to mind. :)

 

We had a blast riding the carousel... ok, I especially did.  They had one of those old fashioned things where you try to pull the rings and if you get the gold one you win.  Guess who won? :)  I was feeling rather competitive... I think I was also smashing Seth in my efforts... sorry son.  And I won... another ride.  How appropriate. :)

 

The falls were beautiful.  Really high- a lot of water moving through there!  Briggy liked the "white noise".  Love my boys!