Honeymoon in Palm Springs!

Lee and I finally did it! We were alone (away from the kids) for 48 hours in sunny Palm Springs. Sorry, no pictures. We took a tram ride up to about 10,000 ft. and there was snow everywhere...a winter wonderland. To think we played tennis that same morning. It was very relaxing and I will leave the rest for us to know about. hee hee :)

Fun Times as a Family

We spent Valentine's day together as a family, since Lee and I will be away for the weekend (this coming weekend). Had a great time at a local arcade called "Nickel, nickel". Lee became the top scorer for Frogger (free game). Brooke loves the shooting and motorcycle games.

All 3 kids worked together to "bop" the crocodiles to get a higher score.

We then went to the movies to see, "Bedtime Stories". What a fun day!

The night consisted of playing, "Life", Black jack and going to bed late!

Let's hear it for the "Girls"!

Dancing to music...

Making sugar cookies and decorating...

Look at those cookies, yum, yum :P

Stamps and markers make beautiful cards :)

we played a game (High School Musical 3), similar to "Mystery Date"

The following 2 entries pertain to fun that was necessary to replace the sadness of not going to the snow this weekend. Many road closures and "chains required" kept us away (postponed anyway).

On Friday night, I had special girl time. Looking for Libby? She had special "mommy time" all weekend long.

Noah got baptized...

and the sun came out! I was very thrilled to have my children witness Noah's sweet baptism. He is a good example to all the kids around him. Noah is so likeable, Libby had a crush on him for awhile. Noah even sang at his baptism, just melt your heart. It is always good to have your kids be friends with the valiant ones.

Noah had a party...

and it rained! Over 20 kids still had a great time, they didn't seem to notice the rain until pinata time. It had to be delayed until the rain slowed down and another location was used.


A very fun M&M game was played, not likely to be forgotten. You get to keep and eat the ones you touch.

Libby loved using the playdoh to make sea stars from Sponge Bob, I think she came home with over 20!

This is Noah coming off his new trampoline (his Dad spent several days in the rain putting it together).

This is Noah's yongest brother, Jed, not a newbe to this blog, along with Brooke.

These are the kids that participated in a ballon toss out in the rain.

Look at Sage in this action shot ready to catch her friend, Julia's toss. They made it nearly to the end.

The party also consisted of many video games, pin the tie on Sponge Bob that Noah created himself, pizza and fabulous cake. Don't get me started on the presents...this boy is very loved :)

Mom's Muffin Morning

Sage is showing all the recycled milk cartons with seeds planted inside. Made a little window (plastic covering) to chart the growth of the roots.

Me and Sage at the muffin morning

Libby (out of uniform for "Green Day") and her mom, Rachel

The elementary school invites the mothers to school for a visit to eat muffins and to be in the classroom for an hour of interaction. It was very well attended (estimated 700 came). Sage's class planted sunflower seeds and painted the pots for them to grow in. Libby's class made clocks.

Singin' in the Rain!

What do you do when the weather has been just like "summer" and then decides to rain? Everyone else goes for a walk in the rain, don't you? Brooke loved taking a walk around the block while it was sprinkling and then it started to rain; then I was trying to get home a little too fast for her. Oh well, it was fun and wet :)

The new sand in town

Have you ever seen a climbing structure like this?

Brooke is my perfect model, always telling me what to take a picture of.

This piece was designed for ages 2-5. Look at how nice and low this apparatus is.

This very modern piece is similar to a merry-go-round, but is made to not throw anyone off.

This new tot lot is great! Very modern and not too far away (in Naples off Park). But why did they not think to put in a bathroom?? Maybe because a lot of people walk and are not far from home. Probably has to do with money...I don't know the specifics, but I think the community pitched in a lot of funds for this park. The great thing about the structures are they cross the ages. Some are specific for under 5 and others are for older.

It's Gr8 2 B 8!

Libby and Sage were invited to participate in a special meeting for children turning 8 this year. There is a total of 7 in our ward this year. It was exciting for them to actually see the baptismal font without water inside. Uncle Jon (also in the bishopric) role played with each child to show them "how" they would be baptized. What a night to remember! All their questions were answered, in addition to being told about activity days ahead. Our activity days sister lives 2 doors down from us...no carpool needed. There were yummy "8" cookies given to each child along with white sparkly cupcakes for all. Side note: Throwing out a special award to our Grandma that played 20 minutes of prelude while waiting for everyone to get there! 2nd side note: We have such an awesome primary presidency that cares enough to put things like this on a Sunday night! Yes, we are raising our own Army of Helaman.