April Showers Bring May Flowers

The last few days have been rainy and wet.  Last week too.  But as I wrote the title, that is what we expect of April.  We are all ready for sunshine and warmer days, but honestly, those kind of days make it harder for the kids to go to school and be willing to do homework after school.  We have had some sunshiny days because I have been able to take Samuel to the park, sometimes just the two of us and other times with Ezra or other friends.

We had a such a fun time in Bryce Canyon.  I'm so glad that we had sunny weather.  It was really cool on Friday our first day there but not too cool to be uncomfortable hiking.  Nate and Scott took all the kids down on Thursday night.  We had already made reservations at the hotel and then Brittany Chatwin decided to have her bridal shower that night.  Carlee as her bridesmaid felt she needed to be there and talked me into staying to go to.  So the guys took the kids down Thursday night to stay in the hotel and make sure they got to use the hotel pool first thing in the morning.  Carlee and Ezra and I then went down Friday morning.  Carlee and I had a great drive.  It went fast as we just visited the whole time and Ezra slept most of the way.  We arrived at lunch time.  Had an expensive lunch in the only open restaurant and then went into the Park to hike on some trails.  The Park was beautiful.  Not all trails were open because they were still wet from snow melt, but plenty were open that our little families could do.  We loved being with the Tulett's.  They provided just the right support and motivation our children needed for hiking and hopefully we did the same.  We enjoyed making memories on the trails even doing some push up and sit ups challenges.  People were amazed to see Eric drop right on a trail and do a bunch of sit ups.  We hiked from Sunrise to Sunset Points and back, to Queens Garden on Sunday morning and even to Inspiration Point.  We were too early before the actual "season" to have any shows or nature talks by Rangers but we did not lack for anything to do.  The kids loved sleeping in, watching a show, playing games, eating, hiking, playing in the pool, having dinner with the Tulett's, we even watched the new Star Wars in their room.  It was a nice trip to start off our Spring Break.

Also during the week of Spring Break we enjoyed an afternoon at the Jonas' private pool.  Kim was at Brittany's bridal shower.  I had met Kim at the Adult Swim class I attended last year, she and her husband have been receiving training from the Iron Cowboy team.  She invited Carlee, Sunny, Natalie, Casey Robles and us to their place to swim.  Tuesday I went and picked up Noah and Max and we all climbed to the "Y".  I had to carry Sam.  I though he could make it a little way but it was steep and before the first turn was wanting to be carried.  Rubie struggled.  Max tried to stay with her for a bit but then he wanted to keep up with Noah and Eric and Rubie was going to slow.  I pushed her but let her rest.  It was SUPER windy which made it cold too.  It was fine while we were hiking but when we got to the "Y" it was not enjoyable just to sit there.  So we hurried back down.  The other days we just played with friends.  The Platts moved back from England and Eric was soooooo excited.  He has spent so much time over there playing with Preston and Peter.  Even Pax and Porter have been here to play with Sam.  They really do provide good friends to play with.

Eric and Rubie are counting the days to summer break.  Even though I am not looking forward to having them home all summer.  Not that I don't love having them home, we just have to come up with a new schedule.  I like to have activities for them to do through the summer.  Rubie will have Brain Balance.

Scott is gone to Guatemala with the military.  He left last Saturday and will be home on the morning of Mother's Day.  It seems like a long time.  The kids are really missing him.  I am missing him for this weekend.  This weekend on Sunday is my 40th birthday.  That's a milestone birthday.  Carlee has planned this awesome weekend in Park City.  I am excited but also a little anxious about it.  I don't want to spend all the money it is going to cost and I worry about the kids.  Sunny's girls are going to take care of them and I have arrangements for Sandy Ostler and Shannon Laudie to take and pick up Rubie from Brain Balance.  I am most worried about how Sam will do.  He will have a hard time sleeping and eating. But I know we will have fun and make memories.