Wow What A Fun Four Months

Life has been so fun and busy that I just haven't wanted to keep up with the blog. But I think it is time to document and share our happenings. It is kind of a novel so beware. You may want to sit back and get comfortable if you care to look at all this.

Easter

We stayed home for Easter this year. The girls can never get enough of dying eggs. I really don't like to waste food, but that is just too many deviled eggs for me.

I went back to my childhood and showed my kids the art of paper mache. The eggs turned out so cute, but didn't dry in time to use as baskets this year.

Here is the booty that the Easter Bunny left. I LOVE Easter candy!

Olivia's 6th Birthday

Olivia wanted a party at the pool with her friends. I was happy to oblige. What an easy party and everyone had a good time.

I keep doing this flower cake with variations because it is so easy and you get cake and cupcakes so everyone is happy.

I keep telling Olivia she is not allowed to grow up. So how in the world is she six already?

I think she liked her make-up, but I'm not sure (;Her sisters were a little envious. Olivia has been playing with her sisters remnants of play make-up and finally got her very own.

We were so excited to welcome Olivia into our family. It had been four years since we had a baby in the house. She is such a good girl, a great student, a big help with her little sister, and a huge tease to her big sisters. We love you Olivia!

Spring Flowers

I absolutely love this PINK flowered tree in front of our GIRLS windows.

I finally took the time to take a picture of the blossoms.

Molly's Dance Competition

This was their Military dance. They did an awesome job!! I was so pleased.

This was their lyrical dance. I loved this costume!

We got very silly on the way home. We all had the "I'm so tired" giggles.

I thought that this was a great look for Olivia (;




The girls were laughing so hard when their dad asked, "How can get some of those crowns?" at Burger King. We all wore them all the way home, cracking ourselves up the whole way. I love family getaways!!

Youth Conference

So I had these really great pictures of youth conference but my awesome husband accidentally erased them from my camera, so you will just have to use your imagination.We got to go to Salt Lake and stay in the Olympic Village. It was like college all over again. Lots of junk food, and staying up all night chatting. The next day we went to the This is the Place State Park. We went on a tour learning about pioneer life and pioneer etiquette. They could "text" each other from across the room with a handkerchief. We had a blast trying the signals out on each other. For example, a brush of the lips means you would like to get acquainted. A brush of the right cheek means I love you. A handkerchief thrown to the floor means that this conversation is over. The dabbing of the forehead means someone is watching us.

That night we had so much fun at a good old barn dance. We dance a bunch of the old and some of the new. Line dances, limbo, hokey pokey, GOOD TIMES! We spent the next day at Temple Square. We saw the Joseph Smith movie where a lot of testimonies were strengthened. Then we took a tour of the Conference Center while it poured rain outside. Then we had the opportunity of hearing from one of the Young Women General Board members. There was a lot of sleeping after a long day, but the talk was far from a snoozer. Our ward ended youth conference by going to a Bees baseball game. We did some cheering, some dancing and the fireworks were fabulous! Then I went home and crashed after having very little sleep.

Girls Camp

We worked so hard to get ready for girls camp. The Stake Leaders had some awesome activities planned. But the rains decided to come and come and come. We survived the first night by leaving camp and squishing 150 people into the town hall. We did get to do our skits which were hilarious. Then we played some games and talked till late. The rest of camp was canceled so our ward stayed at camp as long as we could playing games but our fatigue won over and we went home. There is always next year.

All of us crammed into town hall watching the skits.

This was our little tent city trying to keep out of the rain.

Our gateway to our "Kingdom" of princesses.

Molly looks so happy to be there. She did have fun whether she wants to admit it or not but was disappointed that camp had to end early. Camp was her very first young women's activity.

Aren't we all so cute in our pink shirts?

This is how we act most of the time. What a fun group of girls and leaders. The Sunday after camp I was called into the Primary Presidency. I will miss these times with the girls.

Molly's 12th Birthday

This birthday was such a relief to have come to pass. Molly wants to grow up RIGHT NOW. And being a good head taller than all the kids in primary and even taller than some of the leaders, she fits in a bit better in Young Women's. She wanted to spend her birthday with me without all of her sisters. I hope she always wants to hang with me. We call these days M&M days (Mom and Molly). We cruised the mall and stocked up at Bath and Body then had a tasty lunch. It was a fun day for both of us. I love you Molly!

Family Reunions
We had Tony's family reunion at Cherry Hill. It rained the entire time but we still went to the water park and had a great time not having to deal with crowds. And we had fun at the yearly raffle and came away with lots of fun treasures.

Our tent was pretty cozy in the rain.

Plenty of room to play around in.

My family reunion was at a cabin at Otter Creek. We have these reunions every other year. We tie dyed shirts, played games, made crafts, and had a 70's/80's party that was a riot.

My entire family minus my oldest brother.

We have always been a family who likes to play games together.

An age old tradition of playing hearts and the loser has to do the dishes.

Let's get physical, physical.

Grace and her cousin sporting the 80's look.

Remember this look? The crazy thing is all of these clothes I got in the store recently.

This is just like a dress I wore when I was about Lyndie's age.

70's frock meets 80's jock

All who attended Ekins Reunion 2009

Grace's 10th Birthday

Grace got to spend part her birthday at the family reunion at Cherry Hill.

She and I got to go try out the new Mexican restaurant in town. Yummmyy!

Life Lessons

My kids got a very difficult life lesson yesterday. We had to say goodbye to one of our dogs. No he didn't die. We got our Jack Russell "Shorty" about three years ago as a friend for our Red Healer "Copper" to try to keep him from roaming. That plan failed but we fell in love with Shorty. We tried our best to keep him warm in the garage in the winter. But his fur was just not long enough and thick enough and would beg to come in both our house and the neighbors. Well last year the neighbors gave in and let him in when he would scratch. So we let him come in this year and it just didn't work out. Too many allergies at our house. We found a family with kids to take him. I made the mistake of letting the girls come when I sent Shorty away. Grace cried the whole way there and beyond. Lyndie just was confused as to why that strange man was taking her dog (aka little brother). She just kept saying, "Shorty go. Take Shorty. My Shorty.", in a really confused voice. Then we all began to bawl. Did I do the right thing? I wasn't sure last night but I am ok with my decision today but I think I may have let the best dog in the whole world go. If only he could have been a long haired dog. We miss you Shorty and hope you love your new home.

My Love of Music

I think I learned to love music before I was even born. My mom was always humming a tune no matter the time of day. When music is playing I can't help but want to jam to it. If I am in a place where I can't dance it takes everything I have to hold still and will tap my toe to the beat. I always love a feel good song that lifts my spirit. Well, I think I have passed on this love for music and a good beat. On Sunday in Sacrament Meeting there was a musical number consisting of a flute and a violin. It had all my girls at full attention. When it was over Lyndie had to show her true appreciation for the job well done and clapped very enthusiastically. It was great. I felt the same way. I hope she always enjoys good music.

Our Staycation

Whenever we go to the city we are so busy shopping we hardly ever stop to play. So last weekend we decided we were just going to play in the "BIG" city (; We first visited the Draper temple open house. I think Olivia's jaw hit the floor when I told her she got to go INSIDE the temple. The entire tour Lyndie kept saying that everything was "HUGE" in a not so quiet voice and she loved the "moo tows" at the baptismal font. We made sure to stay at a motel that had a pool but when we got there they had it closed for the weekend to make repairs. So the girls found other ways to entertain themselves.

I think I gave birth to aliens. We laughed so hard! Olivia figured out how to do this while we were trying to find somewhere else to swim with no luck.

I was a little picture happy. Our drive to the temple and then after a bite to eat at IKEA. Grace said that IKEA is now officially her favorite store.

A little photo op on our way to get some yummy chocolate.

This is the look of a happy mom that had a great weekend just relaxing.

We also went to the BYU vs. Airforce basketball game. The girls had a blast and came away a bit hoarse after all the cheering. We ended up getting to see my brother Brian and his wife all the way from Portland. I also got to meet Tony's Aunt and cousins for the first time. Family is the greatest!! The more the merrier. Now back to reality after a fun weekend.