Easter Dress

Happy Easter!

Easter was fun! We got together with the cousins for our annual Easter egg hunt. My brother Nathan has the best yard, and it serves as a great place to hide eggs.

Easter last year
Funny what difference a year makes! this is just one year ago, I can't believe how fast they grow!

We're makin' Movies!

It was the biggest thing to hit this town since Onion Days! Yes, Payson had it's 15 min. of fame, when Disney chose our mainstreet to film a scene for an upcoming movie. And to make it even better, they were filming a parade scene, so the whole town was encouraged to come and watch and even get a chance to be in the movie!

It took a few weeks before filming, to transform our mainstreet into something worth filming, crews came to paint, and turn the fronts of businesses into other things, (like into a sherrifs office, which is really a insurance business)

Madison was a little more into it than Ethan, who thought it was very boring. (I have to admit, the filming process is not as glamourous as one might think.) In this first photo you can see some of the actors behind Madison, between takes. The second one shows a little bit of "Newt" from Cory in the House. She was most excited to see him, but when he came out they wouldn't let anyone take pictures, but we hurried and snapped one. The last one shows "Arwin" from Suite Life of Zach and Cody. He was the coolest by far! He joked around with all the kids between takes, slappin' high fives and taking pictures. The directors had to keep telling him "Stick to the lines!"

It was fun to see stars in real life, and see that they're just normal lookin' folk like us.

My niece Natalie got a paying part in it, she was so excited, and even got to miss school, I can't wait to see if she makes it in the movie when it comes out Feb, 09.

Spring Break

I've renamed Spring Break to "catch-up-on-all-your-homework-plus-do-all-the-assignments-due-on-monday-get-your-house-clean-do-grocery-shopping-Break... YEAH SPRING!!

But I feel like I have time to breathe. The kids are so happy with this change in the weather, it's so pretty outside they just want to be out all the time! It's so good to open the windows, and let the cool, sweet air come in, and hear the kids laughing and screaming and playing outside. But's it's always a hard change for me. In the winter, it seems like the family grows closer because you're inside together all those months. Playing games, cooking, watching movies with hot chocolate under blankets. And then the sun comes out, and they're just gone. Riding bikes, rollerblading, or playing with the neighbors till dark. Mom? Mom who? The older they get, the farther away thier friends seem to live. Ethans buddy lives across Main Street, and wants to cross all by himself, (okay, so it's mainstreet Payson, maybe 5 cars per minute) But I still go with him. He still seems so small to me, even though at his age, I'd walk to get penny candy with my friends clear across town.

Does anyone else have this hard of a time letting their kids grow-up? I feel like every other Mom knows how, and forgot to tell me the secret. I miss them needing me. When did they learn to be so independent? How will I know if I've taught them enough to keep them safe from all that's out there? How do I prevent broken hearts, and hurt feelings if I'm not with them?

They were babies yesterday, they'll be married tomorrow.... I think I better have some more kids!

UPDATE!!

mar 30,

After writing this post, and reading over it, and thinking about the comments I got. I realized just how badly I'm trying to hold onto my kids, and that I need to start letting them experience new things, even if they fail, even if it kills me!

The kids said they would like to start walking home from school, the first few times were horrible (for me!) I just stood out on the porch till they got home. But they really enjoyed it, and met new kids, and Madison's rock collection grows bigger everyday! They get to spend time talking to each other, and come home in a better mood!

Today walking home.....Tomorrow the World!!!

life...

Too busy....can't form complete sentences.....house disaster...projects looming....scouts waiting...hair not done...huge test Monday....kids hungry...laundry dirty....friend in crisis....tired....

Sweet Mother of Vinegar!!!

Baby Blessing

This weekend, the kids, my mom, and I went to Ogden to the blessing of my brother Davids new baby girl Jessica. We decided to make a weekend out of it and got a hotel, and shopped, and swam and relaxed. It was a much needed mini-vacation. My mom and I are both in school full time, (her for her Masters) and we promised we wouldn't worry about school for those few days. I don't know how well we were able to keep that promise, but we sure tried

The funniest part was when my mom realized she forgot to bring a dress, and we had to go to a million places to find her something that wasn't to expensive, because afterall, she doesn't even need a new dress. Actually it really wasn't funny at the time, but now it is! She loves to shop more than any person I know! Her and Madison could probably go shopping everyday! I'm kind of learning about myself that I really hate shopping. I think it must be because it's so much easier to find things online, with a click of a button I can see who has what, and for the best price!

All in all it was a great memory!