Needed

Thursday, I packed the crazies and I up and Dan and I went and picked up the girls early from school, went out to eat and then surprised them. Some people surprise their kids with a trip to Disneyland, but not us. We surprise them with a trip to Nana and Papa's. They were so excited! I was a little less excited for the drive since I was by myself and GiGi doesn't like the car (lucky Dan gets to work). But we managed fine and made it in great time.

They even were good enough for a sucker.

When we got there, before we ate dinner, we drove down to the Riding's house to surprise them. It was a fantastic surprise!

Before bedtime, they got the nicest person to read them books.

The next day was full of adventure, most of which was outside. It was a fabulous break from the 100 degree weather we are having here in the desert. The girls played in the ditch, we got to hold/pet a dazed bird (it flew into a window and knocked itself out), rode 4-wheelers, relaxed outside, went bowling and ate pizza. Perfect day. Jo Jo and Annie got to go home with Oaks and sleep over and Ty got to go with Har. The beginning of cousin sleep overs. Growing up we went to Washington every year and those sleepovers are some of the best memories.

It was also the day that Miss Ty decided to get her ears pierced.

Getting Ears Pierced from Tiffany on Vimeo.

Saturday, we headed up to Utah county to play with the others. We first ate lunch at Texas Roadhouse. YUMMY! Then we went to Trafalga. The kids had a blast.

What a great time. Oh, and I got dippin dots. So good. Haven't had them forever!

Sunday was just another relax day. And the girls got to sleep over at Auntie Shai's house again. Lucky!

Memorial day was yesterday and it was special. We went to the Sutherland cemetery for the program and it was very nice.

The last time I was there (many years ago) it was freezing! So glad that that wasn't the case this year. It was a touch breezy, but that just made the flags show their beauty.

We visited Grammy and Grandpa and Uncle Hal. Grammy was the only one that the girls knew, so they were happy to see her grave and talk about her.

Then everyone left and Mom, Dad, GiGi, and I went to a couple of different cemeteries to put flowers on some more family.

On the Walker headstone, you can see a little plaque in the top left corner. It states that they were a part of the migration of the pioneers to Utah. Pretty cool.

When we were finished with that, we went back to the house and Morgan and I went over to Shai's and hung out for a while. It was really nice to be with them. I miss them so much.

GiGi didn't like either one of them, but that didn't stop them from trying their best to make her cry love them. :)

Today was our goodbye day. We didn't leave until after lunch and so the crazies played hard. And of course, we can't go anywhere without someone getting sick and/or hurt. This trip it was GiGi. Not the best pic of it, but it was her left eye.

Someone was swinging and she ran right into it. Poor girl.

Utah is always fun and I'm glad that we were able to go. Next time we will have to make sure that Dan gets to go. It is always better with him there.

Miss them so much already!

Field Trip

Ty's was able to go on her first field trip today. She was so excited. I was also able to go with them and it was a lot of fun.

Even I got in on the dress up action.

Week

Happy Day

Our sweet friend Hayley text me the other day to let me know that she had baby ducks and a baby goose. So of course I took the crazies for a special surprise. Since we have moved, they don't get to see her as much as they would like to, and so they thought that just going to her house was the surprise. Once they saw all the babies they were in heaven.

Jo Jo just ran around trying to hold each and every one. As you can see all the plain yellow ones, I just let her think that she picked up a different duck every time.

Little miss Annie didn't really want to hold them, so she just observed.

Miss GiGi was loving watching them all and boy did she get excited when we found out that they had two tortoises. Such an excited little girl.

Ty sat on Hayley's lap most of the time holding a rollie pollie.

And of course when we left they got some treats (maybe that is the reason they love going over there :)). GiGi was very possessive of her snacks.

Made for a fun Sunday afternoon activity for us and a quiet house for Dan to sleep.

Hot

It has been hot around these parts of the desert.
I'm not looking forward to this summer.
Maybe more time visiting Utah or perhaps just more of this...

Little Red Riding Hood

Ever heard of Missoula Childrens Theatre? It is a company that travels all around the world doing little plays with K-12 grade kids. They start with an audition process on Monday and then they have rehearsals every day that week. On Saturday, they have a dress rehearsal, a play in the afternoon and a play in the evening.

The girls were able to do it this year and had an absolute blast doing it. They got to be raccoons, and couldn't have been happier with that part.

Here are our little raccoons.

They were so cute with their songs and running around.

Little Red Riding Hood from Tiffany on Vimeo.

Here is a group photo.

The neighbors kids joined us Saturday evening to watch our favorite actresses.

The girls did such a good job and they are already looking forward to being able to participate next time. So is Ty.

This isn't right?

Well it is more fun this way!

The Spirit and Baptism

A couple of days ago, my friend, Melonie, called me up and asked if I could play a song for her daughter, who would be singing at her baptism. Of course I said yes and I am really happy that I did. They came over to practice and the crazies stood all around the piano while I played and she sang. We went through it a couple of times and on the very last time, it was perfect. It is one of those songs that makes me get teary eyed when I hear it. Anyways, after she was done she was giving the girls hugs and Jo Jo was crying. When I asked her if something was wrong she said "No, I'm just happy". Oh what a teaching moment that turned out to be. I was able to explain to her that that was the Holy Ghost and because she was listening and calm, she was able to feel that sweet special feeling. My heart was so happy--still is. After our friends left, Annie started to cry, because she didn't get to feel it. (Another reason that twins is very special and wonderful.) We were able to teach both of them how your actions affect what you feel, since Annie had been dancing to the music instead of being reverent she didn't get to feel it. What a wonderful moment! My sweet tender Jo Jo.

Tonight was her baptism.

I'm very glad that the girls were able to go, since they will have the same opportunity in just a few short months. Ok it is more like 10 months, but it will be here before you know it and I will be wondering where my little babies have gone.

I'm so very grateful for these little teaching moments and for the sweet spirit that children have. I'm excited to have many more of these conversations and experiences with my crazy wonderful girls.

A Week of Firsts

1st haircut.

Before.

After. She did pretty good, although I couldn't finish up the front because she got really wiggly and didn't want to sit there anymore. Oh-Well. Still cute!

First time trying on daddy's pants. Hilarious!

Our late night tonight was to a new park that was recently finished. There were a ton of geese (I'm kinda bummed that I didn't take any pics of them, but they were surrounding us up on the lawn where we ate). The crazies had a blast.

Multi-tasker

She is so good!