Spring Break!

Saturday/Sunday

Our spring break was a departure for us.  We headed to the COLD instead of the warmth!  We went to Utah - and our first event?  Lunch at Del Taco with Robert!  Would you believe that my kids have NEVER been to Del Taco?  Well, they can say that no more!

 Well, not really our FIRST stop.  I made the girls go to the scrapbook expo with me for a few minutes while Mom and Robert went off to do some work at the Family History Center.

 They then got to go to the house and play some volley ball in the garage with Cousin Sarah and visit with everyone!

 

Sarah and Kelson (Big Eric's and Britany's son - so cute!)

and Caroline (Gail's Daughter - two years younger than Angela)

 Great Grandma and Grandma with Kelson... he really does smile a LOT until he sees the camera - then he is enthralled and the jaw drops - funny!

 This is the type of view I miss from Utah!

Ah, a little bit of that smile :o)

Seth dropped by with a very worn our Johnathan - we didn't pose him for this... this is how he was sleeping  too funny!

 Nick came up to visit with us and play games as well - it was nice to see him!

Monday

 Mom wanted to go to BYU to see the Carl Block exhibit in the museum there.  it was really a nice exhibit.  There were a few more downstairs as well - small Mormon towns by a photographer in the 40's and 50's.  Things really haven't changed a lot since then in some of those small towns and small town life in general.  There was also one called "Wide Open Spaces" my favorite was a vista with rain showers out in the far distance of a prairie.  Another was war posters - from the 30's to now.  Interesting... and THIS is what we saw as we were leaving... it's the exhibit to come... and it's RIGHT up Liz's alley - that is a HUGE square of books, lots and LOTS of books!!

We also took a tour of BYU and it started to SNOW - burr - glad it was in a golf cart, but there was a snap undone in the front and the snow was blowing in on Mom.  When the tour was ending, I casually mentioned it would be NICE if we didn't have to walk all the way back to the car - and the nice student guide gave us a lift right to it's door :o)  I'm no dummy!  ha!

Now for the REAL reason I was here, we headed North to Hill AFB, where I was schedule in meetings on Tuesday/Wednesday.  Since Butch was working CRAZY hours here, I didn't want to leave the kids at home, so I asked if they would like to go visit Utah in the snow... They're ALWAYS asking to go back in the winter so they can play in the snow, so I jumped at the chance to bring them with me.  One less ticket to purchase to get us all there and I would just have to work two day and take one day of leave (travel days took care of the other two work days!).  Can't beat that!

We got to visit our old stomping grounds.  Liz got to see lots of places from HER childhood.
 She even remembered this park and insisted on getting out and playing. 
Angela was just coming down with a cold, so opted to stay in the car - no memories for Angela, but WE remember her playing here as well... and eating watermelon in that very park :o)

 I was a horrible person and spent all my time visiting and not getting pictures of my travels along the way between Provo and Layton - I stopped in to visit with my college friend who lives in Alpine - Diane.  I was able to meet her kids - she has 4 - oldest is 16, youngest is a year younger than Angela.  I think the last time I saw her was way back when Angela was 1 or 2, right before we moved here and our mutual friend Wendy moved overseas.  It's been a while, for sure!  It was nice to meet up with her and catch up for an evening.

I also neglected to get pictures of our nice dinner and visit with Sue, Mark and "brother" Zack - it was so good to see them again and catch up over dinner in Layton.  It was a bit shocking to see eye to eye with Zack!

Onward and southward to Cedar to visit with Linda and company on Thursday - Mom created a monster - she taught Angela how to play chopsticks on the piano :o)  She had a great time playing it over and over and over... you get the drift - ha! 

 Linda shared pictures of Katie's newest baby Corbin - she had just gotten back the day prior from helping Katie at her house with the two boys (Hayden and Corbin - cute, eh?)  With Gail and Johnathan - much more awake now! (see Linda's blog about her voracious couch that they're sitting on!)

Friday was ski day - Liz didn't appreciate the photo's I was taking !
SHE was the one who wanted to learn how to ski, so I got them both ski lessons for the day!

 out on the slopes... dressed for COLD..

Ski's on and nowhere to go!  Where IS that instructor??

Now, I'm NOT that horrible of a mother, I just took the prep pictures as they were WAY down the hill when they were learning, so I only got the "beginning" shots thinking I would get the rest (see Angela's pictures) at the end of the day... when they were more steady on their feet.  Yeah, that didn't happen.  Liz decided it wasn't her cup of tea at all. 

 Angela with ski's on and instructors leading them to the first small hill

 And off she goes - note that the instructor is at the TOP of the hill?

 Yep - NO brakes - she just kept on going!

The instructor did come down there and get her and to her defence, she didn't fall.  Liz did the very same thing - just zipped right past the instructor down the hill and they had no clue that she had even gone by them.  Lovely, eh?  Mom and I went to the Lodge to chill for a bit and for a drive up the rest of the mountain  really nothing else up there but condos and lifts... and MORE snow!

 Angela after her lessons - they turned her loose to go on her own for a few more runs... note that the jacket is GONE?  It was true spring skiing it was a nice WARM day on the slopes.

 Angela is with a little friend going to get the next lift seat!

 And they're off with a wave to us!

yes, this is what it looks like it is.. Liz on the emergency sled on the slopes... the good news?  It Was April Fools day - so we had to take a picture of her on the sled and spin the story to Butch.  He fell for it hook line and sinker.  Told all his co-workers how Liz got hurt.  SHE even played it up on a phone call with him later that evening...

 then she waited until the END of the conversation to say, "oh, yeah, and Dad?  It's April Fools day!"  ha!

Saturday was spent visiting and playing around with NO pictures - however a nice walk around the campus to show her around and to see all the new things myself.  Their new pool/gym complex is HUGE!!

The girls took off in the afternoon with Nick to go hiking in Zions - I'll see if I can't get some pictures from him from their adventures hiking.

Sunday - we woke to SNOW!!!  Yep, if you don't like the weather, wait a minute - it will change. 

Welcome to Utah in the spring!

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Yes, those are jammies!  She just HAD to get into the snow... 

 Rolling part of her snowman... if you look close there is a ton of cottonwood goobers in it - yeck!

 Caroline came in.. but she wasn't willing to play in the snow... she LIVES it.

  The end result was really cute!  Greenbean smile, carrot nose and cotton wood "worm" eyes :o)

Breakfast with Linda, Caroline, Mike, Liz, Me, Mom, Angela and Nick

THIS is what Liz thought of the snow... she didn't even go into it...

Until her Aunt zinged snowballs at her over the car!

The snow covered trees on the drive north. There were times we were driving through snow...

but the after effect is so pretty, it was worth it :o)

We met up with Robert at his house to return his very generously loaned car... and headed to the airport

Where it was SNOWING... and snowing and snowing.

So much so that we were delayed 15 minutes from "push back"

then waited 15 more minutes to be "de-iced" as well.

When we hit the end of the runway - Angela said "Theres a FOX by the runway"

first thoughts?  No WAY! 

Second?  Wow she had GOOD eyes as it wasn't on the tarmac when she spotted it, it had been in the field.

It was limping with a bum front leg, so I hope he made it well past the jet was before we took off as it wandered to the end of the plane just as we were taking off...  Poor thing!

THIS is something you don't see every day in Atlanta.

consdier also that it WAS midnight... on a Sunday night...

But still you don't expect to see an almost EMPTY board!

And we're home, safe and sound and WORN out!

First things first...

Lizzie can now become a ROAD warrior!  Watch out world, we're a permitted driver!



March Madness

 Liz had a concert band performance on the 8th

She performed beautifully (wish I would have rememberd my CAMERA)

The phone is good for some things, but indoor - not so much!

This beautiful shot was taken on the way home from work one afternoon... I just could NOT resist taking it.  So Pretty!!

This one was actually PRIOR to the one above, but rather than fight blogger on photo placement, we're just going to let this one go... I LIKE the first shot better regardless :o)

The sun showers we experienced when I actually GOT home taking the above shots :o)

Random sun set picture on the way to Grandma's house one evening.

The pollen - it's the price we pay for living in such a LUSH green place... I feel gritty just looking at this - and it's not rained since that sun shower above, so it's all still just blowing around the countryside - bleck!

And collecting in the pool... and this is NOT the worst of it.  I had a ring about an inch high the other day... so gross!

Weekend Work

It may not seem like a lot, but I actually got caught up a bit this weekend… I had to have a LIST for part of it, but it is now 99% complete!

It all started on Friday on the way home from work:

I got my prescription from the base (#1- from a phone in refill)

went to pay a deposit (#2 - they were closed! **later**)

went to BFK to get a check (#3)

went to bank (#4 - just BARELY made it! *funny story to follow*)

went by the doctors to pick up a prescription (#5 - they are closed on Friday – news to me!)

and the final thing on the list was (#6) go grocery shopping… sorry, but I wasn’t THAT motivated… I pooped out!

Funny story about the bank.  I had a check from a music company that I had been renting from.  I had been doing a bill pay payment for a  while through the bank, but the opportunity came up to get a step up flute for $300 instead of renting.  Her rental would have been $450 to buy with the rent to own… but why not get the step up for $300 instead?  That’s what I thought too – I bought the flute and arranged pickup.  I had looked at bill pay and noted that there had been a payment that went out the DAY I cancelled my rental.  Not knowing if I was paying a month in advance, or a month in arrears, I opted to let the payment going through – justifying that they would refund it if not needed.  So THAT was one of my checks to cash.  I sent it in and the teller nicely told me it was made out to the company from me, not vice-versa.  I assumed a mistake on their part… I spend 15 minutes on the phone with them trying to figure out what was the deal… then it finally dawned on me what she was saying – that was the check that my bank had drafted to them for me via bill pay… the BANK didn’t even recognize it for what it was…. A check from them to the company.  The company basically returned my check to show they didn’t cash the last one – too funny.  Sad that I’m too blond to catch on faster!  Ha!

Saturday, I did get up an go grocery shopping.  Even looking for good deals, I spent $200 and NO meat.  I mean, come on – really?  I NEVER spend $200.  Mostly because I shop Sam’s Club for the paper goods and meal type foods… so this is just some fluff and a few staples.  Sad.  So check #6 off the list… AND I checked #2 off the list to boot :o)

Liz also cleaned out the fridge and freezer in the house – now don’t look at the one outside!!  I stuffed all the extra out there.. and made the inside one look better.. :o)  I’ll have to share a picture of the suicidal olive jar… olives EVERYWHERE!  Oh, well, makes for a clean fridge AND a clean floor :o)

That would make me at 99% of my list!!  Whoop!  I came home and cleaned a bit on the backyard… let the little girls wash the car for me… mostly they washed themselves and the whole driveway – but they were happy and out of my hair… more power to them!  I cleaned out the hot tub and got the yellow ring cleaned out for the day… yuck - pine pollen!

Sunday… I woke up to find Butch already at work – yes, he’s working insane hours.  He said something about his time card the week prior was 100 hours… yes one HUNDRED hours of work.  Lovely, eh?  Yeah… good thing I’m independent!  I didn’t even hear him leave, so he must have been up early… I got up and Angela was getting ready to go to church with her friend…she’s such the dedicated child.  So there I sat… house quiet as the teenager will get up at the crack of noon…. Unless rattled earlier.  I made myself some eggs and toast, watched a TV show, got motivated and moved the tree in the back 40 where I wanted it (pray it survives), then put the shovel back and noticed that my Sunday paper was still in the driveway – soooo shocking!  So I sat down and read the paper and enjoyed the rest of my day J

A new found heart by Angela

then she ate it... would that be eating your heart out?

The bunny is holding a very pretty weed bloom in his paws :o)

Daffodils are my favorite.  I remember riding to the old farm house foundations up the road and picking them growing.  You knew it was spring then.  All the daffodils would come into bloom.