Daddy's Little Helpers

Scott was anxious to get our swingset reassembled after the move. He brought it over in pieces from the other house and due to the feet of snow, plunked it down in the front "yard". Now that we've had two days over forty degrees-I know that doesn't qualify as spring, but we're doing the best we can with what we've been given!-the kids have been wanting to get out and play. They gravitated toward the pieces of swingset which were near the road, so Scott wanted to get it put together somewhere a little more safe. It was so cute to look out and see his little helpers nearby. I think they are just excited to have something to do outside other than play in the 2 acres of dirt that surround out house. I am not sure why Landon is wearing the pink bike helmet-construction zone maybe? But I think it just ads to the moment. Baths followed of course...one downside of living out in the country, lots of baths with dirty kids, especially with an unfinished yard. The major upside...having room to roam and play and get dirty! Thank you Scott for being such a hardworking dad who always puts his family first. You are our hero, in every way possible!!!

Pacie and "Spirit Land"

For Family Home Evening this week we were teaching the kids about the Plan of Salvation. Usually Parker is the one with all of the answers, but Pacie must've really been paying attention in primary lately or something because she knew it all! My favorite part of the lesson was when we were talking about what happens when we die. With our dog and then Scott's grandma passing away recently, we've had a lot of really great teaching experiences. She knew just what happens to the body and spirit when we die.
Pacie: "The angels come and get the spirit. The body just stays here."
I asked her where the spirits go.
After a moments thought, she said, "You know mom, spirit land!"
Sounds like a magical place! Right out of a Disney movie maybe, but I'm thankful she is listening!

Of mice and well, mice.

So a couple of stories. (No pictures, although I could probably put some on that aren't that lovely to look at!) Down in our basement window wells, we have little families of mice. The first day we noticed the girls came running up and told us they were there. Not just a couple of them-a whole little family. A couple big ones, and lots of little ones. The girls spent hours watching them through the window that day. Chasing each other around and jumping up trying to get into the window I guess. They were fine watching them until I suggested we open the window-then the screaming started! (Not that I EVER would've opened the window!) Scott went to the store and got some "mice food." Now it wouldn't usually be a problem, telling the kids the food is really rat poison, but after watching Ratatouille a couple too many times, they were a little reluctant to admit the little blue pellets were really poison. So, it's mouse food. It worked for a while, but today, the mice are back. Mitch was over yesterday and Parker told him to come and see the mice. When there were 2 live ones in there, Parker said, "My dad just needs to give them some more food." Mitch came up and asked Scott if he'd been feeding the mice. Yep, little bread crumbs. Oh wait, actually it's mouse poison. Oh the joys of living in the country. I think Scott might be okay with getting a cat now. As long as it stays outside and it's a good mouser!

Spring Break at Chico Hot Springs

Thanks to mom and dad Landon sharing their new favorite place to "get away from it all" we had an amazing spring break. We went to Chico Hotsprings. It's a little resort type place about half an hour away from Bozeman, MT. That is important because we're able to go to one of our alltime favorite pizza places, McKenzie River Pizza Co. (Hot Hawaiian anyone?! It's SO GOOD.) Anyway, me and the kids, Rach and her girls, Mitch, Sarah, Ari and mom and dad all went for a night. Mom and dad got us a family room with 4 beds. They opted to have their own room. Smart on their part I think. Who wants to spend the night in a room with eight kids ages 6,4,3,2,2,2,8 months and 7 months?! (They actually would've but there wasn't enough room for us all!) The hot springs is amazing! It's natural and they empty the pools out every night to clean them and then fill them up again each morning. The kids had a blast in the shallow water and even Presley and Bergin LOVED just floating around in their floaters. (I don't know how we missed out on those pics!)
We went through Big Sky to get there which is breathtaking! We saw loads of deer, antelope, some buffallo and even some big horn sheep. (which Scott informed me later are really rare)
Rachel stayed the rest of the week. We had fun and our kids got to spend some real quality time together. We even found the time to get a pedicure with mom before Rach had to leave.
It was a great spring break. If only it would've lasted a couple of weeks longer.....

Spring Break

Easter Highlights 2008